Waiver Wire Watch: Week 7

Oct 17, 2016

Editor's Note: We're happy to have Brandon Niles on the Waiver Wire Watch this year. He'll work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile the weekly list of pickups and generate recommended prices for FAAB leagues.

Here is a look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 7. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer Yahoo leagues, though we’ll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We’ll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets (FAAB). Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs. Players are listed by position in order of importance. For extremely shallow or extremely deep leagues, be sure to review our Rest-of-Season Rankings (updated every Tuesday) to get an idea of how to value players not on this list.

Quarterbacks

Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs ($2)

Smith didn’t light the world on fire against the Raiders Sunday, putting up only 224 yards as the Chiefs used their potent rushing attack to come out with a victory. Smith has a great matchup against the Saints this week though, followed by the Colts in Week 8, making him a quality two-week streaming option for owners looking at playing the matchups.

Next up: Saints, @ Colts, Jaguars

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens ($2)

Flacco had 307 yards against the Giants but no touchdowns on Sunday. However, he has streaming value this week against the Jets, who have really struggled in the secondary all season and gave up 380 yards and four touchdowns to Ben Roethlisberger in Week 5. Flacco isn’t a great every-week option, but he is a quality backup and streaming option in the right matchups.

Next up: @ Jets, Bye, Steelers

Sam Bradford, Minnesota Vikings ($2)

Bradford had an efficient day against Houston in Week 5 before the bye, putting up 271 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a big Vikings victory. Bradford is leaning on a great defense to get win after win so far this year and Minnesota is still undefeated as a result. He has a tough matchup against the Eagles this week, limiting his short-term value. However, weeks 8-10 against the Bears, Lions and Redskins could be a good time to stream Bradford.

Next up: @ Eagles, @ Bears, Lions

Brian Hoyer, Chicago Bears ($1)

Hoyer had 302 yards on Sunday against the Jaguars and he continues to put together solid games for Chicago. He has over 300 yards in every game he’s started this year and has yet to throw an interception. His value is low because Jay Cutler still has a chance to come back, and beyond this week against the Packers, Hoyer is facing the Vikings and then a bye. Still, he’s worth a minimum bid this week as a streaming option if Cutler is not named the starter.

Next up: @ Packers, Vikings, Bye

Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers ($1)

Kaepernick was uneven in his first game back as a starter, throwing for only 187 yards in a blowout loss to the Bills. However, he threw a touchdown pass and had 66 yards rushing on eight attempts. Kaepernick is far from a sure-thing, but is very streamable against the Bucs next week, and even more exciting against the Saints in Week 9.

Next up: Bucs, Bye, Saints

Case Keenum, Los Angeles Rams ($1)

Keenum had arguably his best game on Sunday against the Lions, putting up 321 yards and three touchdowns with only one interception. He looked comfortable in the offense, and Rob Boras had him rolling out of the pocket a lot more to give him time to find his receivers. Keenum isn’t a good every-week option, not by a long-shot, but he would have to implode against the Giants this week to lose his starting job, and a home matchup against the Panthers and their struggling secondary in Week 9 makes him a solid streaming option for forward-thinking fantasy owners.

Next up: Giants, Bye, Panthers

Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins ($1)

Tannehill didn’t turn the ball over in a win against the Steelers on Sunday, but he didn’t throw a touchdown either, finishing with 252 yards passing on the day. He has limited value with the Bills coming up this week before a Week 8 bye. Over the past four games, the Bills have allowed only one touchdown and six interceptions to opposing quarterbacks. However, if you’re looking to Week 9, a matchup against the Jets makes him streamable if you want to grab him cheap right now.

Next up: Bills, Bye, Jets