Week 7 Waiver Wire – NFL Fantasy Football – 2025

DFS Army’s Gthom goes over the waiver wire targets for this week. These waiver wire targets are normally available in 50-percent of ESPN leagues.

Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call X: @GarettThomas.

 

QUARTERBACKS

 

Jaxson Dart (NYG) – 35% Rostered

What a spectacular Thursday performance Dart put on display in Week 6 against the Eagles. He completed 17-of-25 passes for 195 yards, added 13 carries for 58 yards on the ground, and scored two total touchdowns for 23.6 fantasy points. This 23-point outing followed a 19.8-point performance in Week 4 and a 17.6-point effort in Week 5.

Dart’s fantasy relevance appears locked in for the rest of the season. His rushing ability gives him a solid weekly floor, and he’s paired it with impressive arm talent for a rookie quarterback. Granted, this was only his third start, and the road gets tougher in Week 7 as Dart travels to face the Broncos, who just limited Justin Fields to 4.9 fantasy points in Week 6.

Dart is a must-add in all formats, especially those allowing two starting quarterbacks. While Week 7 might be a “sit” game, that same narrative was said before his Week 6 breakout, and he delivered. Proceed with caution, but Dart looks like a legitimate rest-of-season option — not just a streamer.

Trevor Lawrence (JAX) – 37% Rostered

T-Law has delivered back-to-back fantasy finishes that have been helpful for his managers. After 27.2 fantasy points against the Chiefs in Week 5, he scored 19.2 fantasy points in Week 6 against the Seahawks. His stat line for Week 6 was 27-of-42 for 258 passing yards and two touchdowns, along with three carries for nine rushing yards.

Lawrence profiles as a “streamer” quarterback in Week 7 when he travels to take on the Los Angeles Rams. Don’t expect a ceiling game from the former national champion. The Rams allow an average of 14.3 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The game total is set at 45, and the Jaguars are three-point underdogs, suggesting it should remain a competitive contest.

While the matchup is less than ideal, there are very few good streaming quarterback options available in 50% or more of ESPN leagues. There may be better options in your league so make sure and check; but, Lawrence is one of the better widely available choices given his back-to-back performances against tough defenses.

J. J. McCarthy (MIN) – 30% Rostered

McCarthy has opened his practice window, but reports indicate he still has a long way to go before he can start in Week 7. He has not been ruled out yet.

Given his rushing ability, he is a viable streaming option if he suits up against the Eagles. The Eagles have not been overly tough on opposing quarterbacks this season, allowing 17.3 fantasy points to the position, the 13th-most in the NFL. McCarthy’s supporting cast is strong enough to help him produce as well.

In this offense, the former Michigan Wolverine is also one of the few streaming options capable of reaching his ceiling. The other streaming quarterbacks, listed under “Low-End Streaming Options at Quarterback,” rarely hit their ceiling and usually need to throw three or more touchdowns to deliver a solid fantasy week.

As a final note, Carson Wentz should not be considered if McCarthy is unable to play.

Low-End Streaming Options at Quarterback

1. Aaron Rodgers (PIT) @ Cincinnati Bengals
2. Sam Darnold (SEA) vs Houston Texans
3. C.J. Stroud (HOU) @ Seattle Seahawks
4. Joe Flacco (CIN) vs Pittsburgh Steelers

 

 

RUNNING BACKS

 

Kimani Vidal (LAC) – 27% Rostered

If you read this article before Week 6’s games, you know we identified Vidal as the preferred option out of this backfield. He delivered against the Dolphins, finishing with 18 carries for 124 yards on the ground, along with three catches for 13 yards and one touchdown through the air. This totaled 22.8 PPR points.

Fantasy managers should not expect games like this consistently from Vidal unless his hot streak continues. His Week 6 performance should be viewed as a ceiling game. Additionally, just as no one truly knew who the Chargers would lean on in Week 6, there is no guarantee Vidal will be the lead back in Week 7. One thing is certain: he is much more likely to be the lead dog in this backfield committee after Sunday’s performance.

The Chargers will host the Colts in Week 7. The Colts allow 18.8 PPR points to opposing running backs in 2025, the eighth-lowest total in the NFL.

Zonovan “Bam” Knight (ARI) – 6% Rostered

It feels like musical chairs, except instead of chairs it’s which running back will get the majority of touches. Last week it was Michael Carter. Prior to Week 6, it was announced that Bam Knight would be the lead back instead. Knight took his opportunity and delivered an 11-carry, 34-yard, one-touchdown performance on the ground, along with one catch for 20 yards through the air. This totaled 12.4 PPR points, respectable against what has been a tough Colts run defense.

For fantasy purposes, Knight needs to be picked up and rostered heading into Week 7. Volatility is likely again when he faces the Packers, who (prior to Monday Night Football) allow the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs. There is no guarantee Michael Carter won’t see more carries than Knight, but it’s safe to assume Knight is the main option until further notice.

Keep FAAB bids reasonable, around 5–10% depending on your needs. The elephant in the room is that Trey Benson was clearly “the guy” before his injury and is already two games into his injured reserve stint. Will Benson overtake Knight’s role once he returns, or will Knight and Benson share touches in a committee approach? If Knight can deliver a few standout performances, it may lean toward the latter.

Tyjae Spears (TEN) – 23% Rostered

Spears finally delivered one of his typical performances in Week 6 against the Raiders. He finished with five carries for 31 yards on the ground and four catches for 19 yards through the air, totaling 9.0 PPR points. Spears started the season on injured reserve, so it was encouraging to see him return to his usual fantasy output in only his second game.

The third-year back from Tulane carries weekly PPR value due to his role in the passing game and the likelihood that this offense will play from behind. Spears is also a solid handcuff option. If something were to happen to Tony Pollard, the current starter, Spears would likely assume a much more attractive fantasy role.

Unfortunately, this offense is expected to remain near the bottom of the league until changes occur. As a result, it is difficult to rely on any Titans running back in fantasy, especially given their upcoming schedule: NE, @IND, LAC.

 

Running Backs with Low-End FLEX Usage

1. Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) – 57% Rostered
2. Tyjae Spears (TEN) – 24% Rostered
3. Tyler Allgeier (ATL) – 33% Rostered
4. Kareem Hunt (KC) – 31% Rostered

 

Deep League Running Backs or Stash Only Candidates

1. Kendre Miller (NO) – 25% Rostered
2. Jerome Ford (CLE) – 25% Rostered
3. Hassan Haskins (LAC) – 50% Rostered
4. Blake Corum (LAR) – 14% Rostered
5. Brashard Smith (KC) – 4% Rostered
6. Bhayshul Tuten (JAC) – 31% Rostered
7. Kyle Monangai (CHI) – 4% Rostered
8. Brian Robinson Jr. (SF) – 31% Rostered
9. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS) – 2% Rostered
10. Kaleb Johnson (PIT) – 29% Rostered
11. Samaje Perine (CIN) – 2% Rostered
12. Justice Hill (BAL) – 24% Rostered

 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

 

Josh Downs (IND) – 42% Rostered

After a slow start to the season Downs has come on nicely over the last two weeks. In Week 5 he After a slow start to the season, Downs has come on nicely over the last two weeks. In Week 5, he caught six passes for 54 yards on eight targets, and in Week 6, he followed that with six catches for 42 yards and one touchdown on seven targets.

Downs continues to be the same player he’s been throughout his career — a flex-worthy option at the end of your lineup. He should be used exclusively in PPR formats due to his low yardage totals and modest touchdown rate.

Week 7 brings a tough matchup on the road against the Chargers, which may warrant benching him. However, Weeks 8 and 9 (TEN, @PIT) present more favorable opportunities, as both defenses have been middle of the pack against opposing pass catchers this season.

Christian Kirk (HOU) – 25% Rostered

Kirk is coming off his bye week, and in his last game he caught four passes for 64 yards on four targets. There hasn’t been much to show for Kirk so far this season. He missed the first two games due to injury, and the Texans have been easing him back in, a process prolonged by two blowout wins where there was no need to push him.

This offense still needs a consistent No. 2 option behind its alpha receiver, and Kirk fits that role if he can stay healthy. The Texans traded for him in the offseason and will look to get him going when they face the Seahawks in Week 7.

Calvin Austin III (PIT) – 7% Rostered

Austin is an all-or-nothing fantasy player capable of making a big play at any moment. In the four games he has played this season, managers have seen the volatility firsthand. From Weeks 1–4, his PPR outputs were 17.0, 3.2, 12.4, and 3.3 points. His good and bad weeks have largely correlated with whether or not he scores a touchdown.

The good news is that his Week 7 matchup against the Bengals doesn’t look intimidating. Cincinnati is allowing 34.0 fantasy points per game to opposing receivers in 2025, which ranks near the middle of the pack league-wide.

Kayshon Boutte (NE) – 7% Rostered

While Boutte had a spectacular five-catch, 93-yard, two-touchdown performance in Week 6, the sustainability of that output should be questioned. Boutte has not played more than 70% of snaps over his last three games. Additionally, between Weeks 2 and 5, he scored 8.6, 4.8, 2.8 and 7.3 PPR points.

Despite this, the numbers speak, and that Week 6 performance shouldn’t be entirely ignored. Boutte is only three years removed from college, and Drake Maye has been trending upward since the start of the season. Maye has supported multiple pass-catching options each week in PPR formats, though usage has been inconsistent.

Managers need to understand that Boutte’s floor is very low and his involvement has been sporadic through six weeks. Despite this, he has had two big games in this offense, making him worth holding onto while he faces the Titans in Week 7.

Tez Johnson (TB) – 1% Rostered | Kameron Johnson (TB) – 0% Rostered

Tampa Bay continues to view Mike Evans and Chris Godwin as week-to-week injury risks. This past week against the Seahawks, star rookie Emeka Egbuka left the field with an injury, and there is speculation he could miss a game or two. This makes Tez Johnson and Kameron Johnson both fantasy relevant going forward. Sterling Shepherd is another name to consider, but he has not produced.

In Week 6, Tez Johnson finished with one catch for 45 yards and one touchdown while playing 72% of offensive snaps. It was the most he has played this season, and although his production was lower than Kameron Johnson’s, he did see more snaps.

Kameron Johnson finished with four catches for 64 yards and one touchdown against the 49ers in Week 6. He was targeted more when on the field, but his involvement in special teams can limit offensive snaps.

Either player could be the pick for Week 7 when the Bucs travel to face the Lions. Neither has been heavily involved in the offense this season, but Tez Johnson has had the higher snap rate in 2025 and should be prioritized for that reason.

The matchup is favorable on paper. Detroit is allowing 37.3 PPR points to opposing receivers, the seventh-highest total in the NFL.

Troy Franklin (DEN) – 39% Rostered

He’s a player you can plug into your lineup expecting four to six targets per game, but the problem is that he rarely turns those opportunities into meaningful production, which makes him a PPR-only option. His output has also declined for three straight weeks. In Week 6, he caught three passes for 19 yards on six targets during a defensive slugfest where the Broncos edged the Jets 13-11.

For the season, he has caught 24 of 36 targets for 250 yards and one touchdown. He currently ranks as the WR40 overall (prior to Monday Night Football).

Kendrick Bourne (SF) – 38% Rostered

In the near term, it’s hard to argue that Bourne hasn’t played himself into a more featured role in this offense. In Week 5, he caught 10 passes for 142 yards, and he followed that with five catches for 142 yards in Week 6 against the Bucs.

The downside is that he has produced all this fantasy value while three of the top pass catchers in the offense—Pearsall, Kittle, and Aiyuk—have been sidelined with injuries. That makes Bourne a cheap rental who could fall off the fantasy radar as soon as any of those players return.

Managers needing receiver depth should add Bourne as an insurance piece. Bourne is mainly in play if Pearsall and Kittle both miss Week 7. If both Pearsall and Kittle return, Bourne should be used only in desperation or in very deep leagues.

Jordan Whittington (LAR) – 0% Rostered | Tutu Atwell (LAR) – 2% Rostered

Rumors are swirling that Puka Nacua may miss Week 7, with media reports differing from the head coach’s statements. Nacua is considered day-to-day with an ankle injury. Any time he misses should primarily benefit Devante Adams, but Atwell and Whittington also have appealing fantasy profiles.

Whittington has played more snaps this season than Atwell, but Atwell has slightly more fantasy points in PPR formats. Atwell carries the higher ceiling, but Whittington appears to be the next man up in this offense, having played 92% of snaps last week.

Both players had fantasy-relevant weeks in 2024 when the Rams’ receiving room was banged up, but this is a different unit; that 2024 group did not feature Devante Adams.

In Week 6, Whittington finished with three catches for 23 yards on four targets, while Atwell had two catches for 72 yards, highlighting his boom-bust ability and lower floor.

If you must choose one to pick up and play in PPR formats, it should be Whittington. His size and frame are similar to Nacua’s, and he was a standout in college at Texas. Atwell is more appealing for non-PPR formats. Both receivers have easy paths to failure, so expectations should be tempered.

Michael Wilson (ARI) – 4% Rostered | Zay Jones (ARI) – 0% Rostered

Marvin Harrison Jr. will be in concussion protocol leading into Week 7, and fantasy managers can look to a pair of fill-ins if he misses.

Wilson is technically listed as the WR2 on this roster. He has 12 catches for 9 yards and one touchdown on 23 targets this season. Wilson typically plays 70% of his team’s offensive snaps. In Week 6, he finished with four catches for 44 yards on 11 targets, totaling 8.4 PPR points. He has posted solid fantasy performances in the past as well: 26.6 PPR points in Week 4 of 2023, 15 or more points in Weeks 17 and 18 of 2023, and six double-digit fantasy games last season. He is the preferred option of the two.

Zay Jones has mostly been off the fantasy radar since 2022, when he finished as the WR26 overall in PPR. At 30 years old, he may offer some value in this offense, but he is less appealing than Wilson. Credit is due, though: Jones finished with five catches for 79 yards against the Colts in Week 6, his first game playing more than 51% of snaps. He has 10 catches for 116 yards this season on 15 targets.

Wilson is the likely pickup in 10- and 12-team formats. Deeper leagues can consider Jones as well. Keep in mind, if Harrison misses, the biggest boost may go to tight end Trey McBride. If Harrison plays in Week 7, both Wilson and Jones fall off the fantasy radar.

Elic Ayomanor (TEN) – 28% Rostered | Van Jefferson (TEN) – 0% Rostered

Fantasy managers are awaiting an update on starting wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who left Week 6’s game with a hamstring injury. Any time missed by Ridley will likely benefit Ayomanor or Jefferson.

Jefferson appeared to stand out in Week 6, finishing with four catches for 75 yards on six targets, totaling 11.5 PPR points. Jefferson is a sixth-year player who has never finished higher than WR36 overall in a season. Outside of that finish, he has ended the year WR92 or worse in all other seasons.

After Ayomanor’s solid fantasy performances in Weeks 2 and 3, he has failed to score more than 6.4 PPR points in any game over the last three weeks. Ayomanor is also a rookie, and he and Jefferson have not shared the field much until Week 6. However, he is younger and likely has a higher career trajectory at this point than Jefferson.

It is difficult to know who will get the edge, but it should be Ayomanor. Ayomanor has played more throughout the year, while Jefferson had not seen more than 38% of snaps in a single game until Week 6.

In the end, this is a passing attack that averages 150.5 yards per game and has only three passing touchdowns on the season. Both receivers are in “turd” territory.

Ryan Flournoy (DAL) – 6% Rostered

A 53.5 projected game total puts him in the mix for Week 7 when the Cowboys host the Commanders. In Week 6, he had three catches for 30 yards on six targets and took one carry for three rushing yards, failing to follow up his Week 5 output of six catches for 114 yards and 18.4 PPR points.

Flournoy likely falls off the radar for 10- and 12-team leagues if CeeDee Lamb suits up, but he remains in play for deeper formats regardless. If Lamb misses, he is playable in all PPR formats as a low-end flex option in one of the NFL’s top offenses.

Christian Watson (GB) – 3% Rostered

The boom-or-bust profile of Watson remains intriguing in 2025. The receiver has averaged 16.9 yards per catch across his career. Before losing his 2024 season to injury, he was averaging a career-best 21.4 yards per catch. Watson had his practice window opened on Oct. 6, giving him 21 days to become activated. He is a stash candidate for wide receiver-needy managers heading into the bulk of bye weeks.

 

 

TIGHT ENDS

 

Harold Fannin Jr (CLE) – 29% Rostered

After trending down statistically every week following Week 1, Fannin finally popped for his best fantasy performance of the season. He finished with 15.1 PPR points on seven catches for 81 yards on 10 targets. While this is a great stat line for Fannin, it may have been an outlier performance given that David Njoku exited the game early with a knee injury.

Fannin needs to be picked up heading into Week 7. Njoku has a long injury history, and his status will likely be unknown by the time waivers run in your league. If Fannin gets full usage against the Dolphins in Week 7, he will likely finish as a TE1. If Njoku misses additional time outside of Week 7, Fannin would be a borderline top-12 tight end each week.

A.J. Barner (SEA) – 10% Rostered

Barner continues to deliver for fantasy managers and needs to be rostered in all formats. He has averaged 10.3 PPR points this season and continues to see premium red-zone usage, scoring four touchdowns already.

Facing the Texans in Week 7 will be a challenge given their success against tight ends this season, allowing only 8.9 fantasy points per game in PPR formats. Still, Barner can get it done. The Seahawks will be at home for this matchup and are favored to win.

Michael Mayer (LV) – 3% Rostered

Bowers is not expected to play in Week 7, which means Mayer will once again step into the lead role. The same situation occurred in Week 6, when Mayer finished with five catches for 50 yards and one touchdown on seven targets.

The main concern for Mayer is that he’ll face the Kansas City Chiefs, who are notoriously tough against tight ends. Despite that, there are worse options to consider in Week 7. View Mayer as a one-week rental, as he’ll likely fall off the fantasy radar after this matchup.

Cade Otton (TB) – 9% Rostered

Otton enters the fantasy conversation after all three of Tampa Bay’s starting receivers suffered injuries. It’s too early in the week to know which receivers will be active in Week 7, but the situation could work to Otton’s benefit.

His last two weeks have been solid compared to the start of his 2025 season. In Week 5, he caught four passes for 81 yards, and in Week 6, he followed that with five catches for 51 yards.

If two of Mike Evans, Chris Godwin or Emeka Egbuka play in Week 7, Otton becomes more of a dart-throw tight end option. If only one of those receivers suits up, Otton likely slots in as a high-end TE2.

 

 

DEFENSES TO STREAM

1. Chiefs D/ST vs Las Vegas Raiders
2. 49ers D/ST vs Atlanta Falcons
3. Rams D/ST @ Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Chargers D/ST vs Indianapolis Colts