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Week 7 Waiver Wire Deep Dive

By Kevin English | Updated on Tue, 01 Aug 2023 . 11:52 AM EDT

I’ve dug into some important data from the week to help you find some players who could help you in the coming weeks and potentially beyond. The players are ordered at each position by how high of a priority I’d make them to acquire.

RBs

Kyren Williams, Rams

With Cam Akers likely done in LA, Williams could have significant value over the course of the rest of the season. The Rams raved about him in the preseason, and the rookie showed great receiving and route-running skill in college. He did not test well at the Combine, causing him to fall in the draft, but testing often does not tell us how good of a runner a player is. If he gets opportunity, Williams could provide good value, making him worth an add now.

Caleb Huntley, Falcons

The Falcons seem completely intent on being an ultra-heavy running team, as they passed it 14 times on Sunday and ran it 40 times! That split is remarkable in today’s NFL, and it’s especially remarkable that they also dominated the game. Huntley played on 34% of the Falcons snaps (20 snaps) but got a carry on almost every one of those. He led the team with 16 rushes for 59 yards. Tyler Allgeier played on 13 more snaps but got 1 fewer touch.He is likely a short-term option, since Damien Williams should be returning soon, and then Cordarelle Patterson will be eligible to return in a couple weeks. But for now, Huntley could give you a boost.

D’Onta Foreman, Panthers

With rumors circulation that Christian McCaffrey might be traded, it is a shrewd move to add Foreman, just in case he is thrust into the starter role if a trade occurs. If no trade occurs, it would be a worthless add, and don’t forget that the Panthers are a terrible team unlikely to give any back many scoring opportunities.

Deon Jackson, Colts

Jackson was injured late Sunday and is behind a healthy Jonathan Taylor.But Jackson played well enough on Sunday that he should be considered in very deep leagues as a handcuff to Taylor. He went 12-42-1 on the ground and caught all 10 of his targets for 79 yards. He could have moved ahead of Hines as the Taylor handcuff with the performance.It’s also possible if he is back to health and the others are not by next week, he could start again. Either way, he showed he can play, so for deep or dynasty leagues, he is worth consideration.

WRs

Robbie Anderson, Cardinals

Anderson was just traded to the Cardinals after he got kicked out of the game by his own coach on Sunday. With Marquise Brown expected to miss the next 6 weeks or so, Anderson could have value opposite DeAndre Hopkins. The Cardinals have been awful on offense, but in case Anderson can figure out the new playbook and the team can improve, he could provide some value.

Tyquan Thornton, Patriots

Thornton played in the second game of his career on Sunday and looked like a potential star. He played on 57% of snaps, up from 42% in his first game, and he received a 15% target share. On his 5 targets he caught 4 for 37 yards and a score. He also got 3 carries, which he took for 16 yards and another score. It’s always difficult to trust WRs drafted by the Patriots, and any Patriots rookie, but he is getting snaps and usage, and that says a whole lot. I would make him a high-priority addition if you need WR help, even if you have to wait a few weeks to feel comfortable using him.

Parris Campbell, Colts

One of the main reasons he is a high-priority add for me is that he has not played on less than 67% of snaps all season. On Sunday he played on every single snap, and also received 11 targets (a 19% target share). He caught 7 for 57 yards and a score. If Campbell continues playing on so many snaps and continues getting a good number of targets, he could have significant value the rest of the way.

Olamide Zaccheaus, Falcons

I mentioned Zaccheaus last week when he led the Falcons in receiving, and he did it again in Week 6. He played on 74% of snaps, more than Drake London (67%), and caught all 4 of his targets (4-58). That was amazingly good enough for a 29% target share! With this offense so run-heavy to this point, I would remain skeptical. But they might have to start passing it more in different game scripts, and the underlying usage is there for Zaccheaus.

Dante Pettis, Bears

Pettis comes with some solid receiving chops, having looked like a potential breakout star in his rookie season with the 49ers. He has bounced around since then but remains an intriguing talent.He has good hands, adequate speed and is a very good route runner. The Bears have been desperate for playmakers all season, so Pettis is a name to consider adding. He finally got the targets to go with his playing time, getting 7 targets on 61% of snaps. He caught 4 for 84 yards and a score, and almost had a second score. His 26% target share was still well behind Darnell Mooney’s (44%), but Pettis could move ahead of Equanimeous St. Brown in playing time and could provide nice value down the stretch if the Bears keep improving.

David Bell, Browns

Bell has not produced this season, but his snaps are ticking up. In Week 6 he played on 63% of snaps, by far his highest of the season. This is a low-priority add since he has both Cooper and Donovan Peoples-Jones playing well in front of him, on a team that would rather run the ball. But for your stretch run, Bell could provide value if there is an injury or if DeShaun Watson returns and is an upgrade for the offense.

TEs

Hunter Henry, Patriots

Henry was very likely dropped in many leagues, likely even some deep ones, since he had struggled to put up any stats this season. However, he finally had a big week in Week 6, rewarding those who had patience. He got 7 targets, leading the team (21% target share), and caught 4 for 61 yards and a score. We don’t know whether Bailey Zappe will continue starting, but he has looked better than Mac Jones so far, so either way, Henry could be a great add for the rest of your season if you need a TE.

Mike Gesicki, Dolphins

Gesicki played on 64% of snaps on Sunday, his highest of the season, and got 7 targets (15% target share). He caught 6 for 69 yards and 2 TDs, but that sort of production will come and go. The targets and higher snap share are the most encouraging aspects for his value moving forward.

Daniel Bellinger, Giants

Bellinger has played more and more snaps as the season has gone along.He saw his highest snap share of the season on Sunday at 94%. He has also been very involved in the passing game plan and has been producing very nicely. On Sunday he led the team in targets with 5 (a 19% target share), and caught them all for 38 yards and a score. The Giants have been excited about Bellinger since the draft, and it looks like they may have found their TE of the future. He is an excellent add for those struggling at TE as he figures to remain involved, even if his production will fluctuate on a run-heavy offense.

Noah Fant, Seahawks

I mention yet another highly-drafted TE who might be available on your wire. Fant played on 63% of snaps in Week 6, just behind Will Dissly (65%). But he led the team with 7 targets (a 23% target share) and caught 6 for 45 yards. It seems that perhaps the Seahawks are working to get him more involved in the passing game, making him worthy of a mention here.

Juwan Johnson, Saints

With Johnson and Adam Trautman splitting snaps, targets and production, I advised staying away from both of them. But with the injury to Trautman on Sunday, Johnson ended up playing on 78% of snaps and getting 6 targets (4-41). He still has not scored on the season, but that will come. When he is the only healthy TE, he is getting targets and could be a nice addition for those struggling at the position. Trautman’s injury is apparently not serious, but he is likely going to be out for Thursday’s game against Arizona, making Johnson an intriguing play – especially if Jameis Winston returns.

Jake Ferguson & Peyton Hendershot, Cowboys

With Dalton Schultz tweaking his knee in practice before the Week 6 game, both Ferguson & Hendershot played a lot in Week 6, and they received 6 and 5 targets, respectively. Both have shown flashes in their opportunities, but because they are splitting snaps this is a tricky situation. I would monitor this closely, and if one emerges as the clear top option, he would become a very high-priority add, especially if Schultz is out long term. Keep a close eye on this, and if you have to add one now, I lean Ferguson since he is ahead on the depth chart.

Kevin Scott is a fantasy pro who has been playing in high-stakes redraft and dynasty leagues for over 15 years. He has won over $100,000 playing fantasy football. He has written for Sports Illustrated, 4for4, Fansided, FFToday, and Chiefs Wire. You can follow him on Twitter @kevinscottff, or check out his podcast called Grinding the Data.