Kendrick Bourne runs for a gain against Tampa Bay at Raymond James Stadium. Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images
If you didn’t listen to the wrap-up pod, we were hoodwinked, bamboozled and straight-up lied to! Hassan Haskins the lead for the Chargers? Nope. Bam Knight taking over the lead from Michael Carter? Nuh-uh. Jauan Jennings should be healthy and ready to go? No sir.
I’m sorry. Truly. I know some might not believe it, but I hate being wrong … not because I need to be right, but because I hate steering you wrong and being the cause of a loss. If I had stuck with my gut from waivers, Vidal would have been a fringe RB2. If I knew Jennings was a walking corpse, I would have put him outside the Top 50 wideouts.
Alas, we can do our best, and yet, David Martin-Robinson has the entire world going Conor McGregor “Who…?” GIF on that one. But hey, we’re back for more waivers, as Week 7 introduces new names with the injuries starting to pile up. Anyone already on board for my attempt to make One-and-Done leagues a reality on some site next year?
Heads Up
Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
Listed in order of preference: I’ll regularly prioritize potential upside over immediate replacement production
RB backups have a separate secondary list based solely on the lead option getting hurt
No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
Streaming QB and TE are grouped together — weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too
Emojis for brevity
😏 = mentioned multiple times, multiple weeks — either you want him, or don’t
🫡 = Next Man Up but with deeper startability
BYES: Baltimore, BuffaloWorry Report
(Scale 1-5: more ducks = more worry)
Jauan Jennings, WR, SF: ♾🦆 — Per the intro, sometimes we don’t get the full story or correct information ahead of the week’s slate of games. Five broken ribs and high/mid/low/in-between/reverse/flip/(everything else) sprains to his ankles? Yeah, there is no way Jennings would have ranked as a WR2/3 or even a WR4 if we had known this in advance. With Kendrick Bourne taking Jennings’ role and both Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle nearing returns, I don’t see how we can trust Jennings any further than he can walk without wincing.
Chase Brown, RB, CIN: 🦆🦆🦆🦆 — Not only did Brown cede touches to Samaje Perine, but also there are whispers that Tahj Brooks could start getting looks if Brown’s play doesn’t improve. It’s surprising to see Brown struggle to this level after last year, and it’s become apparent that the issue isn’t only the offensive line.
Bo Nix, QB, DEN: 🦆🦆🦆 — Watching Nix, there isn’t an obvious difference from last year to this season. Looking deeper, Nix is slightly behind his touchdown rate from 2024, and is rushing a bit less in one area. Now, Nix’s touchdown rate through the first six games is actually higher, but his late-season rate (Weeks 10-18) was when he kicked it up a notch. Bam! So, that’s not the reason, but his touchdown and rushing rates when pressured give us the answer. Nix is throwing for fewer yards and touchdowns when pressured, and he’s running less and for fewer yards. So, this is good and bad news. The good news is Nix isn’t terribly different from last year, but the bad news is that late-2024 Nix likely won’t return when you consider the rest-of-season schedule. After the Giants this week (18th in pressure rate), the Broncos face just two teams with a pressure rate outside of the Top 12 — Raiders twice (23rd) and Jaguars (22nd). The other matchups are Cowboys (12th), Texans (5th), Chiefs (4th, twice), Commanders (8th) and Packers (9th). Nix is looking like a tough bet to get back to QB1 status.
Power Up Players
(Scale 1-5: more Mario mushrooms = more excitement)
Brian Thomas, WR, JAX: ⭐️🍄 — That’s two weeks of Thomas looking like 2024 BT7. Should we be excited? Yes, hence the Super Mushroom. If you think he’s looked better, you’re not alone. Before we get into the metrics, Thomas looks like himself, which includes consistency and confidence. That supports the idea that I and many others had, which was that Thomas’ wrist wasn’t 100% and it was hurting his play. As for the metrics, two big numbers stand out. First, his OnTGT% of targets was 100% the past three games. Second, Thomas’ Catch% is 75.0 (12-for-16) and, for reference, it was 71.4% in Week 4. Trevor Lawrence and Thomas are connecting, and connecting well, plus Thomas looks like his 2024 self. Stock up!
Rico Dowdle, RB, CAR: 🍄🍄🍄 — Dowdle has looked like Eric Dickerson the past two weeks, which begs the question: Who should be the Panthers’ lead running back when Chuba Hubbard returns? Head coach Dave Canales responded with, “We’ll see.” Obviously, that leaves the door open, but they also love Hubbard, hence the big contract. You cannot deny Dowdle’s performance, but it would be foolish to believe Hubbard is an afterthought. If anything, we’re likely to see a 50/50 split. While we can hope Dowdle pushes it to 60/40 in his favor, the reality is more in the way of what we’ve seen from the Steelers in recent years. That makes Dowdle a terrific sell high … if you can get Top 12 running back value. If you can’t get more than RB20-25 value, you might as well hold for the upside. Meanwhile, Hubbard is a good buy-low if you’re getting him for less than a RB2 cost.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, WR, CIN: 🍄🍄🍄 — Joe Flacco had one job, and he understood the task: throw to Chase and Higgins. The end… Ok, that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but Chase and Higgins did see 44.4% of Flacco’s targets. In fact, that jumps to 53.5% in the second half of Week 6. Flacco’s performance wasn’t a massive upgrade over Jake Browning, but more of his targets were on the mark, and if Chase and Higgins command 50% or more of the targets weekly, we can get Chase back to pushing the Top 5 and Higgins as a reliable WR2/3 again.
Streaming Quarterbacks
C.J. Stroud, HOU at SEA
Trevor Lawrence, JAX vs LAR
Mac Jones, SF vs ATL
Sam Darnold, SEA vs HOU
Geno Smith, LV at KC
Jaxson Dart, NYG at DEN
“Thou Shall Not… Pass!”
(No thanks, not worth the risk)
Aaron Rodgers, PIT at CIN
Joe Flacco, CIN vs PIT
Bryce Young, CAR at NYJ
Tua Tagovailoa, MIA at CLE
Michael Penix, ATL at SF
Spencer Rattler, NO at CHI
Cam Ward, TEN vs NE
Dillon Gabriel, CLE vs MIA
All In Speed Run Pod
Waiver Wire Running Backs
Kimani Vidal, LAC — As mentioned in the intro, Haskins is not the lead … or even close to it. The backfield is Vidal’s unless the Chargers trade for or sign another threat. For now, treat Vidal as a fringe RB2, which means he’s a priority add if still out there, but there is risk that Vidal’s value isn’t rest of season.
Michael Carter, ARI — Carter is still the lead and still floating on waivers in many leagues. He’s a fringe RB2/3 due to Knight’s goal-line use.
Woody Marks, HOU — Thanks for the heads up that Marks fell below 60%. He shouldn’t have been dropped by so many, as he’s the better version of Tyjae Spears (next in the ranks). Just because Nick Chubb and Marks still split work before the bye doesn’t mean Marks is without RB2 upside in the right matchup or with a Chubb injury.
Tyjae Spears, TEN — Spears is quickly eating into Tony Pollard’s workload, and he could be the better fantasy play in short order … if not already.
Bam Knight, ARI — As for Knight, he’s an RB3/4 with touchdown reliance.
Kenneth Gainwell, PIT — RB3 value in a split backfield.
Kendre Miller, NO 😏
Kareem Hunt, KC 😏
Tyler Allgeier, ATL 🫡
Blake Corum, LAR 🫡
Ollie Gordon, MIA 🫡
Sean Tucker, TB — Until Bucky Irving returns, he’s one Rachaad White injury away from RB2 value.
Tyrone Tracy, NYG 🫡 — Yes, I believe the backfield is Cam Skattebo’s, but I also believe Tracy will be more involved in favorable matchups and as he gets healthier.
Hassan Haskins, LAC — Lesser version of Knight, but also next up — we think — if Vidal got hurt too.
Purely Next Man Up Ranks
(If an injury ahead of them)
Tyler Allgeier, ATL
Rachaad White, TB — Once Bucky Irving is back
Brian Robinson, SF
Blake Corum, LAR
Tyjae Spears, TEN
Ray Davis, BUF
TreVeyon Henderson, NE
RJ Harvey, DEN
Kendre Miller, NO
Kareem Hunt, KC
Ollie Gordon, MIA
Bhayshul Tuten, JAX
Kyle Monangai, CHI
Isaiah Davis, NYJ
Jaydon Blue, DAL
Hassan Haskins, LAC
DJ Giddens, IND
Tahj Brooks, CIN
Bait Loot
(Leave them on waivers)
Justice Hill, BAL — If Derrick Henry got hurt, Keaton Mitchell would step up into a timeshare with Hill. Similar to the Eagles, there isn’t a clear main “next man up.”
Junk Drop
TreVeyon Henderson, NE — Let me be very clear: Do not drop either of these rookies for anyone not named Vidal or Carter — if you’re deep at running back, maybe not even then. But, there may be some 10-team leagues where better options are still hanging around, too. Nevertheless, Henderson is no more than a handcuff at this point. It might take 17 more fumbles for Rhamondre Stevenson to lose touches.
RJ Harvey, DEN — Sean Payton refuses to give Harvey more opportunities, just as with receiver Marvin Mims. Harvey would be an RB2 if J.K. Dobbins got hurt, and Dobbins doesn’t have a great record of health. We also shouldn’t be surprised if Harvey still shared touches with a running back off the street in that case.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Luther Burden, CHI — Purely here based on the DJ Moore news (hospitalized). If Moore misses significant time, Burden jumps into the WR2/3 conversation. If Moore is okay and/or misses one week, Burden is back into the “Stash” section with the names who need an injury for a big vault in value (as seen with this).
Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — Concerns over Robinson being able to carry value as the No. 1 for the Giants were eliminated last Thursday. Unfortunately, the Broncos’ matchup is a tough one.
Kendrick Bourne, SF — As referenced with Jennings above, Bourne is the top option without Ricky Pearsall. Even with a healthy George Kittle and Pearsall, Bourne would still be a WR4 until/unless Jennings gets back to 100%, which may not happen in 2025. Kittle and Pearsall returning would push Bourne behind a healthy Christian Watson on this list.
Elic Ayomanor, TEN — With Calvin Ridley out, Ayomanor is the sole top option for the Titans. Hopefully, the coaching change can help, though most of the staff remains.
Christian Watson, GB — Eligible to return. There is a chance Watson steps back into the No. 1 role — it’s a loose definition in Green Bay — as soon as he’s 100%.
Darius Slayton, NYG — Should return this week, though, as mentioned, the Broncos are on tap. Slayton is more of a grab-and-stash for Week 8 and beyond.
Tre Tucker, LV — Decent WR3/4 until Brock Bowers returns.
Troy Franklin, DEN — Still the No. 2 in all aspects. Could have provided more value if not for penalties (one play called back and his own offensive pass interference instead of making the play). The Giants and Cowboys are up next; otherwise, we’d have no interest at this point.
Darnell Mooney, ATL — When healthy, the Falcons’ version of Slayton.
Jalen Coker, CAR — Xavier Legette had a nice showing in his first game back, but didn’t do much in Week 6. Coker has an opening to step in and take the No. 2 role.
Xavier Hutchinson, HOU — Hutchinson has been the second option alongside Nico Collins. That makes him WR4/5 worthy in most leagues, especially with byes, but the ceiling is with the next option…
Jayden Higgins, HOU — We often see teams increase rookie usage out of byes, particularly the deeper into the season we get. Higgins has the profile and draft capital to become the Texans’ No. 2, and on the chance they give him the chance (finally), he’s worth grabbing.
Short-term Options
Zay Jones, ARI — If Marvin Harrison is out (concussion), Jones is a boom/bust WR4, as he was running as the No. 2 before his injury.
Chris Moore, WAS — Continues to be the No. 2 with Luke McCaffrey the No. 3 option while Terry McLaurin remains sidelined. Once McLaurin is back, Moore (and McCaffrey) aren’t fantasy relevant, but if McLaurin doesn’t return, Moore will be in the WR4 conversation for a glorious Cowboys matchup.
Jordan Whittington, LAR — With Puka Nacua likely out the next two weeks (Week 8 bye), Whittington will be the No. 2. Although Tutu Atwell has been more productive even on limited opportunities as the No. 4 option (now No. 3 … if healthy).
Tutu Atwell, LAR — Big plays waiting to happen. Higher ceiling and more risk than Whittington.
Tez Johnson, TB — Somewhat of a Kadarius Toney type but more on the spectrum towards Tank Dell, Johnson is a WR4 with a decently high ceiling but plenty of risk. If Mike Evans returns, both Johnsons can remain on waivers outside 14+ teams leagues.
Kameron Johnson, TB — The safer of the two fill-ins for the Buccaneers, Johnson is a floor WR4.
Stashes
Tory Horton, SEA
Isaac TeSlaa, DET
Isaiah Bond, CLE
Pat Bryant, DEN
Andrei Iosivas, CIN
Bait Loot
(Leave them on waivers)
Hollywood Brown, KC — Rashee Rice is back. Brown was running as the No. 3 already.
Kayshon Boutte, NE — Not sure anyone wants Boutte anyway, as even after his one-catch, one-touchdown game and being the No. 1 option in routes, no one was that interested. It’s actually more of a buy-low opportunity on Stefon Diggs.
DeMario Douglas, NE — A line of 7-30-1 before Week 6, then 3-71-1. You know not to bother.
Junk Drop
Chris Godwin, TB — To give you an idea, I dropped Godwin for Darius Slayton in one league. Godwin couldn’t get much going without Mike Evans, and now he’s aggravated the injury from last season. I just don’t see how we’ll ever be able to trust him, especially with Mike Evans close to a return.
Jerry Jeudy, CLE — I’d drop Jeudy for any wide receiver through Watson and maybe Slayton. He saw 13 targets from Dillon Gabriel and ended up with 5-for-43. A change to Shedeur Sanders might not even help at this point.
Streaming Tight Ends
Harold Fannin, CLE — With David Njoku injured, pick Fannin up everywhere. He’ll be in the TE1 conversation until Njoku returns.
Cade Otton, TB
Michael Mayer, LV
Mason Taylor, NYJ
Evan Engram, DEN
Theo Johnson, NYG
Jake Tonges, SF
Streaming DST
(First team listed is streamer)Week 7
CLE vs MIA
KC vs LV
NE at TEN
HOU at SEA
CHI vs NO
MIA at CLE
SEA vs HOU
Week 8
NE vs CLE
NYJ at CIN
CLE at NE
MIN at LAC
TB at NO
SF at HOU
BAL vs CHI
HOU vs SF
Oct 15, 2025
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