Fantasy Football: Week 7 waiver wire

Welcome to the Week 7 waiver wire. I know a lot of you are facing tough choices this week and we have significant bye losses with the Falcons, Dolphins, Broncos, Chiefs, Eagles and Chargers all taking the week off. It’s rough to be in a must-win situation while being compromised with bye issues. We’re here to help. And, if you don’t see the player or players you have questions about listed here, please feel free to join us at Rotobahn later today where we will get even more comprehensive with our full free agent rankings.

QUARTERBACKS

Christian Ponder, Vikings

He’s still out there and we like him a lot. He’s got the smarts and some serious weaponry. You’ve all heard of Adrian Peterson, and WR Percy Harvin is perhaps the league MVP right now. This is all good for Ponder and he’s got a developing red zone monster in TE Kyle Rudolph. This guy can be your starter in a big league if you are hurting and he makes a very solid QB2 in all leagues.

Brandon Weeden, Browns

Our guy is coming around nicely and it might be time to snatch him up in medium-sized leagues. He was already viable in large formats. The thing we like most is that Weeden is doing it with different guys every week and he did it without the support of Trent Richardson for much of last week. The former minor league baseball player is a gamer and his 5.03 career ERA is no longer a problem. Weeden is a solid backup option for fantasy GMs.

Jake Locker, Titans

He’ll sit out another week and some people may end up cutting him, especially in smaller leagues. Locker, with Kenny Britt getting near full health, has a lot of upside down the stretch and we’d pick him up in most formats if he is available.

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

We are impressed with Tannehill for sure. Who knows what he is capable of if they get him some real offensive talent to work with. For now, we like him as a QB2 in all 12-team leagues and even in some smaller leagues if you have the bench space.

RUNNING BACKS

Alex Green, Packers

Hopefully you listened to us last week, because it is mostly too late now. Green is the guy in Green Bay and we are believers. He can provide you with solid RB2 numbers going forward and we think he has the ability to keep Benson on the outside looking in … if and when he does come back from his Lisfranc injury. Green needs to be owned in all formats.

Felix Jones, Cowboys

He looked good and he will be getting starter’s reps in practice this week. We doubt that Demarco Murray will play this week … and if Felix gets the start, then he is a startable commodity in all formats. Pick him up if you need help at RB in Week 7.

William Powell, Cardinals

He outperformed LaRod Stephens-Howling and he should take command of the playing time going forward. He might not be special and Arizona can’t block much, but he will get the touches for the Cards and he is worth owning in 12-teams leagues and even in some 10-team leagues.

David Wilson, Giants

Starter Ahmad Bradshaw is easy to root for. We love the way he runs and we expect him to produce as long as he is healthy. Sadly, staying healthy has always proved to be tough for Bradshaw. If he does go down, we expect Wilson to be given a shot … and if he gets it, the potential is huge. If you own Bradshaw, you must get Wilson and if you play in a medium to large league, roster him for his upside even if you don’t own Bradshaw.

Daryl Richardson, Rams

This guy is largely unowned in leagues and, as we said in July, the kid can flat-out play. He has been ahead of fellow rookie Isaiah Pead all year long and now he is pushing Steven Jackson for time. At minimum, all Jackson owners should get Richardson as a handcuff, and he is a viable flex in all but small formats.

Vick Ballard, Colts

The game got out of hand on the the Colts last week, but they still seem committed to giving Ballard a good chance. He should give you some production for at least the next two weeks while Donald Brown is out.

Montario Hardesty, Browns

It was tough to tell just how the carries would shake out in the wake of a Trent Richardson injury. We got a window into that last week as T-Rich left with a rib problem and Hardesty replaced him as the lead back. For Richardson owners in medium to deep leagues, Hardesty is looking like the best handcuff option now. We expect Richardson to play in Week 7, but Hardesty is a solid option if he can’t.

Joique Bell, Lions

He is probably the guy to own as a handcuff for Mikel Leshoure and this is especially important now that we know that Jahvid Best is officially out for the year. Not only has Bell been given consistent touches ahead of Kevin Smith, he has looked very solid while doing so. He’s worth owning in really deep leagues just for upside if Leshoure goes down.

Shane Vereen, Patriots

The forgotten man in the Patriots backfield is a guy that fantasy owners should not forget about. The guy has talent and he is getting healthier while Brandon Bolden gets more and more beat up. There is a scenario where this kid gets his chance, and if you are in a large 12-team league or an even bigger league, this is a guy to own as a stash player who could have value down the line. A few more Stevan Ridley fumbles and you never know. Vereen is a player to keep an eye on in all formats and a guy to own in very big leagues.

James Starks, Packers

If you own Alex Green in a deep format, Starks is probably the best handcuff option. He is worth owning for that purpose, but we’re not high on his value as a stand-alone option. Green is a better talent based on what we’ve seen on film.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Randall Cobb, Packers

With all the hoopla surrounding Green Bay’s resurgence and with all the excitement over James Jones and Jordy Nelson’s bust-out performances, Cobb is a bit lost in the shuffle. With the exception of Weeks 2 and 3, when Cobb was battling knee and shoulder ailments, he has been consistently targeted. Cobb is still available in a good portion of Yahoo leagues. Snatch him up like an Aaron Rodgers swing pass if he is out there in your league.

Josh Gordon, Browns

He did it again. Gordon is starting to look like a serious option though he did not play a full complement of snaps. The bottom line is that the Browns do not have a another player who can take the top off the defense. Gordon has earned himself a role for sure and if he refines his game a bit more, he could become a weekly starter due to his big play potential. Gordon should be owned in all but the smallest leagues.

Sidney Rice, Seahawks

Rice looked good last week against the Patriots and we like his chances of being a viable fantasy asset if QB Russell Wilson can continue to play well. Rice should be owned in all leagues.

Kendall Wright, Titans

They use him a ton, and while Wright has not made many big plays, we think he will start to make more. Kenny Britt’s return will open up lanes for everybody who works underneath. That’s good for Chris Johnson, Jared Cook and Wright, who should be owned in all formats.

Brandon LaFell, Panthers

He looked great early and then disappeared with the rest of the Panthers passing game. We expect LaFell to rebound and to finish strong. He is not a guy to add for this week, but we like him as a long term add in medium sized leagues.

Chris Givens, Rams

We told you to add him last week in big leagues with Danny Amendola on the shelf. Now, after another very solid performance from Givens, we’d like you folks in medium-sized leagues to take notice. Givens has caught a long ball in three straight games and his snaps are on the rise. He is not a finished product, but he can help you during the bye weeks while Amendola is out.

Vincent Brown, Chargers

He’ll be practicing soon and we think he has a chance to be the best receiver in San Diego if he returns in good health. He is a smart add if you have some bench space to play with in large leagues. Brown is one of the better stash options out there.

Stephen Hill, Jets

He’s a volatile asset for sure, but he is a physical kid with size and speed. The Jets lack options and they will be doing all they can to keep this rookie involved. He is worth a roster spot in all 12-team leagues.

TIGHT ENDS

Jermaine Gresham, Bengals

He’s been here in this space for week, but I think this will be his last time. Gresham busted out big time last week and we expect very solid results going forward. He can be your TE1 in any format.

Jared Cook, Titans

Cook has been involved every week but he has not been able to put it all together. That’s more of an indictment of the Titans than of Cook as the big man has played well. We expect the return of Kenny Britt to help Cook and we think he should be owned in all medium to large leagues. You can start him any time you need him.

Dustin Keller, Jets

Keller has a lot of upside, but he needs to get fully healthy. The Jets rushed him back earlier this year and paid a price, but he seems to be ready to go now after making it through last week unscathed. Add Keller now in medium to large leagues and he should help you soon.

Scott Chandler, Bills

He’s got a good matchup this week if you need help, and he is a consistent option in the red zone. He can definitely help you in the short term in all leagues. The Bills do have a Week 8 bye, so be aware of that.

Brandon Myers, Raiders

Myers has been pretty solid all the way through and he can help you in larger formats if you need a tight end or flex to get you through the bye week.