Fantasy Football Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups: Kimani Vidal, Kendrick Bourne headline top players to add

https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/fantasy-football-week-7-waiver-wire-pickups-kimani-vidal-kendrick-bourne-headline-top-players-to-add-165810548.html

Every Monday during the season, Justin Boone breaks down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are generated from Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

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Key injuries to monitor

Puka Nacua (ankle)
Emeka Egbuka (hamstring)
Garrett Wilson (hip)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion)
Calvin Ridley (hamstring)
Jauan Jennings (ribs)
Dontayvion Wicks (ankle)
David Njoku (knee)
Mike Gesicki (pectoral)
Emari Demercado (ankle)

Bye weeks

Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills

Quarterbacks

Jaxson Dart, Giants

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at DEN	32%	$9

Dart has been a revelation for the Giants, breathing life into their offense and providing hope for the franchise moving forward.

Since taking over as the starter three weeks ago, Dart has posted top-12 fantasy results twice, while displaying a solid floor thanks to his rushing ability.

Even without Malik Nabers, Dart found a way to produce his best fantasy performance so far, against a tough Eagles’ defense in Week 6.

The Broncos will represent another stiff challenge for the rookie, but Dart should be considered a borderline low-end QB1/high-end QB2 regardless of his matchup.

C.J. Stroud is just above the 50% rostered mark but would be the No. 2 QB add this week behind Dart.

Trevor Lawrence is just above the 50% rostered mark but would be a risky streaming option.

Streaming options: Sam Darold vs. HOU (38% rostered)

Streaming options (if starter is out): Mac Jones vs. ATL (11% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Bryce Young at NYJ (22% rostered), Aaron Rodgers at CIN (19% rostered), Joe Flacco vs. PIT (8% rostered), Michael Penix Jr. at SF (23% rostered), Spencer Rattler at CHI (7% rostered)

Risky streaming options (if starter is out): Jacoby Brissett vs. GB (1% rostered)

Desperation streaming options: Tua Tagovailoa at CLE (29% rostered), Dillon Gabriel vs. MIA (5% rostered), Geno Smith at KC (28% rostered), Cam Ward vs. NE (11% rostered)

Long-term stashes: J.J. McCarthy (29% rostered), Tyrod Taylor (0% rostered)

Running Backs

Kimani Vidal, Chargers

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. IND	31%	$34

Last week in this space, I recommended Vidal as the better pickup over his teammate Hassan Haskins because Vidal had more upside if he got a true chance to win the lead back job while Omarion Hampton was on injured reserve.

At the same time, I explained that we didn’t have a clear outlook for who would get more touches and acknowledged that it could be decided with a hot-hand approach during the game. It didn’t take long for Vidal to show his hands were on fire versus the Dolphins.

Vidal capitalized on the easy matchup, turning 21 touches into 138 scrimmage yards and a score, while playing 67% of the Chargers’ snaps. Meanwhile, Haskins was held to just seven touches and 23 yards.

The degree of difficulty will increase against almost any other opponent, but Vidal has shown why the fantasy community was so excited about him as a late-round rookie last year. This performance should also delay the Chargers’ front office from feeling like they need to make a move for another back.

Until Hampton returns, Vidal is an upside RB3 who can deliver top-20 fantasy stats in good matchups.

Bam Knight, Cardinals

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. GB	12%	$6

Adam Schefter’s Sunday morning report that Knight would be the Cardinals starter in Week 6 turned out to be false. Michael Carter (55% rostered) got the nod again, but the duo split work evenly this time around, with Knight seeing the edge in snaps and fantasy production.

Knight: 51% snaps, 12 touches, 54 yards, TD
Carter: 44% snaps, 11 touches, 64 yards

This situation is now very risky for fantasy with both backs falling into the RB3/flex range. Another complicating factor is the upcoming schedule with the Packers’ stout defensive front in Week 7 and a bye in Week 8.

Trey Benson will eventually return from IR, so you should only be targeting Knight and Carter if you’re desperate at RB.

Flex options: Kareem Hunt vs. LV (43% rostered)

Risky flex options: Kendre Miller at CHI, Kenneth Gainwell at CIN (35% rostered), Tyler Allgeier at SF (34% rostered), Tyjae Spears vs. NE (24% rostered), Isaiah Davis vs. CAR (4% rostered), Kyle Monangai vs. NO (6% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Bhayshul Tuten vs. LAR (45% rostered), Sean Tucker at DET (8% rostered), Kaleb Johnson at CIN (28% rostered), Ollie Gordon II at CLE (18% rostered), Brashard Smith vs. LV (10% rostered), Jeremy McNichols at DAL (2% rostered), Jerome Ford vs. MIA (17% rostered), Dylan Sampson vs. MIA (18% rostered), Samaje Perine vs. PIT (0% rostered), Jaydon Blue vs. WSH (17% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Blake Corum at JAX (14% rostered), Chris Rodriguez Jr. at DAL (7% rostered)

Upside stashes to roster: Brian Robinson Jr. (35% rostered), DJ Giddens (2% rostered), Will Shipley (3% rostered), Emanuel Wilson (4% rostered), Tahj Brooks (1% rostered)

Deep stashes: Jarquez Hunter (1% rostered), Trevor Etienne (2% rostered), LeQuint Allen Jr. (0% rostered)

Bye-week stashes: Ray Davis (13% rostered), Justice Hill (13% rostered), Keaton Mitchell (1% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: MarShawn Lloyd (2% rostered), Phil Mafah (0% rostered)

Wide Receivers

Kendrick Bourne, 49ers

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. ATL	35%	$7

Bourne has been an excellent play the last two weeks as the 49ers continue to be cursed by injuries.

With Jauan Jennings playing at less than 100%, Ricky Pearsall still sidelined with his knee injury and Brandon Aiyuk nowhere near returning, Bourne has served as the No. 1 receiver, posting a 10-142-0 stat line on the Rams and 5-142-0 on the Bucs.

With Jennings telling reporters after the game that he’s playing with five broken ribs, as well as high and low ankle sprains, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be back to form any time soon. Pearsall is a candidate to return this week, but he has yet to practice since sustaining the PCL injury.

This all boils down to Bourne remaining a meaningful part of the passing attack, either as a fantasy WR2 if everyone is sidelined or a WR3 option if Pearsall is able to play.

Sterling Shepard/Tez Johnson/Kameron Johnson, Buccaneers

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at DET	5%/1%/0%	$5/$4/$3

Much like the 49ers, the Buccaneers have been hit hard by injuries in their receiving corps. Mike Evans has missed the past three games with a hamstring issue, Chris Godwin Jr. is out with a fibula ailment and now Emeka Egbuka has joined them in the trainers’ room as he gets an MRI on his hamstring.

With Egbuka leaving for part of this week’s game, Baker Mayfield had to rely on the team’s depth. And they came through with some big plays.

Shepard: 3 targets, 2 catches, 51 yards
Tez Johnson: 3 targets, 1 catch, 45 yards, TD
Kameron Johnson: 4 targets, 4 catches, 64 yards, TD

It’s possible one or multiple starters could be healthy enough to play this week, so don’t rush out to pick up any of the Bucs’ wideouts.

Tampa Bay tight end Cade Otton might end up being their de facto No. 1 WR if all three starters are sidelined, but we’ll get to him in the next section. For now, if you’re searching for an injury replacement or some bye-week help at receiver, I’ll have Shepard ranked as a WR3/flex and both Tez and Kameron Johnson as risky flex plays for Week 7.

Flex options: Tre Tucker at KC (48% rostered), Josh Downs at LAC (49% rostered)

Flex options (if healthy): Jalen Coker at NYJ (12% rostered)

Flex options (if starter is out): Darnell Mooney at SF (31% rostered), Jordan Whittington at JAX (0% rostered)

Risky flex options: Kayshon Boutte at TEN (8% rostered), Hollywood Brown vs. LV (43% rostered), Christian Kirk at SEA (27% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Darius Slayton at DEN (25% rostered)

Risky flex options (if starter is out): Josh Reynolds vs. CAR (0% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Alec Pierce at LAC (7% rostered), Troy Franklin vs. NYG (27% rostered), Jayden Higgins at SEA (13% rostered), DeMario Douglas at TEN (5% rostered), Elic Ayomanor vs. NE (25% rostered), Tory Horton vs. HOU (7% rostered), Malik Washington at CLE (18% rostered), Marvin Mims Jr. vs. NYG (24% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Calvin Austin III at CIN (9% rostered), Noah Brown at DAL (0% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options (if starter is out): Zay Jones vs. GB (0% rostered), Michael Wilson vs. GB (3% rostered), Lil’Jordan Humphrey at DEN (0% rostered), Van Jefferson vs. NE (0% rostered), Ryan Flournoy vs. WSH (5% rostered), Demarcus Robinson vs ATL (5% rostered), Luke McCaffrey at DAL (8% rostered), Jaylin Lane at DAL (0% rostered), Jalin Hyatt at DEN (0% rostered), Greg Dortch vs. GB (0% rostered)

Upside stashes to roster: Luther Burden III (11% rostered), Pat Bryant (1% rostered), Tre’ Harris (3% rostered)

Deep stashes: Isaac TeSlaa (3% rostered), Isaiah Bond (5% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Christian Watson (9% rostered)

Tight Ends

Harold Fannin Jr., Browns

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. Mia	27%	$9

David Njoku left multiple times on Sunday with a knee injury. With the Browns’ Week 9 bye looming, we could see the team sit him down for a couple weeks to get healthy.

Either way, Fannin should be rostered as a TE2 with TE1 upside if he gets to start.

With Njoku battling the knee issue, Fannin played 81% of the Browns’ snaps and earned 10 targets in the process. He finished the day with an impressive seven receptions for 81 yards.

We’ve seen his playmaking ability pop up countless times over the first six weeks, now we might get a chance to see him in a lead role. If that happens, he’s one of the few tight ends with elite upside given his talent and Dillon Gabriel’s propensity for throwing in the short to intermediate ranges of the field.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at DET	12%	$5

In 2024, Otton’s best games occurred when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. were out of the lineup. At the start of this season, with Evans healthy and Emeka Egbuka emerging, Otton failed to top 10 yards in three of his first four outings.

However, injuries have been mounting and Otton’s fantasy production is on the rise. Over the last two weeks, he’s turned in 4-81-0 and 5-51-0.

With Egbuka possibly joining Evans and Godwin on the sidelines, Otton could return to having top-12 fantasy TE value for however long they’re forced to sit.

Keep a close eye on Otton and Raiders TE Michael Mayer, who will see a similar bump into the TE1 range if his teammate Brock Bowers remains out.

Streaming options (if starter is out): Michael Mayer at KC (2% rostered)

Streaming options: Mason Taylor vs. CAR (37% rostered), Colston Loveland vs. NO (24% rostered), Oronde Gadsden vs. IND (1% rostered), AJ Barner vs. HOU (15% rostered), Tyler Higbee at JAX (1% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Chig Okonkwo vs. NE (23% rostered), Theo Johnson at DEN (22% rostered)

Risky streaming options (if starter is out): Jake Tonges vs. ATL (17% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options: Noah Fant vs PIT (1% rostered), Taysom Hill at CHI (7% rostered), Dalton Schultz at SEA (16% rostered), Hunter Long vs. LAR (0% rostered)

Upside stashes to roster: Isaiah Likely (7% rostered), Ja’Tavion Sanders (1% rostered), Elijah Arroyo (2% rostered), Gunnar Helm (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 7 streamers

The Patriots are just above the 50% rostered mark but would be the No. 1 DST add if available.

The Chiefs are just above the 50% rostered mark but would be the No. 2 DST add if available.

Team	Next Up	Rostered
Seahawks	vs. HOU	49%
Bears	vs. NO	6%
Browns	vs. MIA	38%

Kickers

Week 7 streamers

Brandon McManus (16% rostered) would be my No. 1 K add if he’s healthy for Week 7.

Player	Next Up	Rostered
Michael Badgley	at LAC	11%
Eddy Pineiro	vs. ATL	23%
Evan McPherson	vs. PIT	47%

https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/article/fantasy-football-week-7-waiver-wire-pickups-kimani-vidal-kendrick-bourne-headline-top-players-to-add-165810548.html