Scott Engel is in his 10th season as the official Fantasy writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. Scott is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. He is a four-time FSWA award winner and 10-time nominee, including being named a finalist for the 2020 Fantasy Football Writer of the Year award. You can also find more of his Fantasy analysis on RotoBaller.com, SportsLine.com, the Athletic and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. Scott won two Fantasy Football dynasty league titles in 2020, including one in the prestigious Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) and he previously pulled off a three-peat in a highly competitive New York City league
In Week 6, Fantasy players had to deal with four teams being idle on bye weeks, and mounting injuries at all positions. It certainly does not get any easier in Week 7, as six teams are on byes, and there is much uncertainty surrounding many other key players who have unclear outlooks. On the road to the Fantasy playoffs, these are the challenges we will always have to overcome. It may appear that you won't be able to field an ideal lineup, but our league mates are dealing with the same Fantasy personnel issues.
This week, the Bills, Cowboys, Jaguars, Chargers, Vikings and Steelers will all be off. That will mean we will be without top Fantasy contributors from the powerful Buffalo and Dallas offenses, plus other notable standouts such as James Robinson, Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson and Diontae Johnson. That does not necessarily dampen the outlook of a possible Fantasy victory, though. The best Fantasy players are prepared with quality depth and will also work the waiver wire to plug any perceived holes. Bye weeks are just another usual hurdle we all face. They are not a major impediment to success if you plan and react accordingly. We help you do that here.
Week 7 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets
Players listed in order of recommended preference for roster additions.
Demetric Felton, Browns: Cleveland is trying to work through calf injuries to RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Chubb was out in Week 6, will be unavailable in Week 7, and Hunt is expected to miss significant time. That news immediately pushes Felton and D'Ernest Johnson up the depth chart for the Browns. Felton, who had a 33-yard TD catch vs. the Texans in Week 2, could flash some more upside in an expanded role. He and D'Ernest Johnson both have to be considered as prime pickups, as the Browns are dealing with the absences of their two top RBs on a short week, with their next game on Thursday vs. Denver.
J.D. McKissic, Washington: The former Seahawk scored 19 Fantasy points on NFL.com in Week 6, as he caught eight passes for 65 yards. He has scored 16-plus Fantasy points in two of his past three games. Washington plays Green Bay in Week 7, and game flow may dictate that McKissic will be involved often again. Whenever Washington faces an opponent with a powerful offense, it will have the potential to pass frequently. Taylor Heinicke had 39 passing attempts in Week 6 vs, Kansas City. Jaret Patterson should also be added by those who roster Antonio Gibson as a Fantasy insurance pickup.
Devonta Freeman, Ravens: He led the Ravens with 53 rushing yards on nine carries in Week 6, and also had a rushing TD. Latavius Murray suffered an ankle injury on Sunday, so Freeman is now more of a priority free agent pickup. If Murray misses time at any point, Freeman and Le'Veon Bell could share the RB workload for the Ravens. It is also possible Ty'Son Williams might get into the mix, but Freeman is the main recommended add for now.
Rashaad Penny, Seahawks: Penny is expected to return from injured reserve, and Pete Carroll said he will be back at full speed, as indicated in Monday’s injury updates from John Boyle. Penny's speed on the perimeter and his ability to score from anywhere on the field makes him worthy of a waiver add. In previous seasons, Penny has shown he can add a unique spark to the Seahawks offense, and he is certainly capable of providing some Fantasy upside. Let's not forget that in late November of 2019, Penny rushed for 203 yards and totaled three TDs from scrimmage in a two-game span. He should get flex consideration as a promising lineup plugger.
Wide Receivers
Rashod Bateman, Ravens: Sharp Fantasy players were awaiting Bateman's return, as he missed the first five weeks while recovering from core muscle surgery. He remains available in many leagues, and will emerge as a bigger part of the Baltimore passing game in the weeks ahead. Bateman caught four passes for 29 yards in his NFL debut in Week 6, and the production will certainly increase very soon. The Ravens selected Bateman with the No. 27 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and certainly plan on installing him as an important part of their passing game.
A.J. Green, Cardinals: The ex-Bengal has demonstrated that he is still very capable of producing quality Fantasy totals, as he has scored 16-plus Fantasy points in three of his past four games. Green has also caught a TD pass in three of his past five outings. The Cardinals are quite the Fantasy rarity, because all four of their top WRs are Fantasy relevant. Green has developed a good rapport with Kyler Murray and is a key part of an explosive passing game. He should definitely be considered as a starter against Houston in Week 7. The Texans have registered only 10 sacks, and Murray is going to have much time to locate Green and his other top targets.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns: He has scored over 38 points in the past two weeks, with 101 yards and two TDs on four catches in Week 6. One of his scoring receptions came on a 57-yard bomb just before halftime, and Peoples-Jones made a great play to come down with the catch. Injuries on Cleveland's offense have pushed Peoples-Jones into a bigger role and he has responded well. He is a good add to bolster your lineup in the short term while dealing with bye weeks and other player uncertainty. Peoples-Jones was the No. 5 WR on NFL.com in Week 6, with 26.1 points.
Jamal Agnew, Jaguars: Jacksonville will continue to find ways to get the ball into the hands of Agnew, who can be a dynamic and electric offensive player. He had 78 yards on five receptions in Week 6, and Agnew has been targeted 13 times in the past two games. The Jaguars do have Laviska Shenault and Marvin Jones as primary options in the passing game, but Agnew is also entering the picture, and he should be useful for lineup purposes after the Jaguars return from the Week 7 bye. Add Agnew now, as forward-looking waiver moves can always put you ahead of the competition.
Tight Ends
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington: Seals-Jones scored a season-high 15.8 Fantasy points on NFL.com in Week 6. He caught a 39-yard TD pass on Sunday, and he has been targeted 15 times in the past two games. The tight end is always an important part of the Washington passing game, and Seals-Jones should continue to see opportunities to contribute while Logan Thomas is out.
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers: Freiermuth finished with a season-best 12.8 Fantasy points in Week 6. He caught all seven of his targets for 58 yards on Sunday night. His role may increase as one of the players needed to step forward in the Pittsburgh passing game with JuJu Smith-Schuster out. The Steelers are off this week, but you should add Freiermuth now if help is needed at the thinnest position in Fantasy Football.
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz, Colts: Fantasy leaguers who are still looking for QB help, whether to replace Russell Wilson for now or otherwise, can get respectable production from Wentz. He has passed for two TDs in three consecutive games and finished with a career-high 402 yards in Week 5. Wentz is looking healthier and should at least be considered as a quality streaming option.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington: Fantasy players should be able to get him back as a possible lineup option soon. Fitzpatrick is nearing a return from a hip injury and should be worthy of immediate starting consideration as a streamer when he is back in action. Fitzpatrick looked very comfortable in the Washington offense in the preseason and should be able to easily adjust to the higher levels of play in the regular season with his new team.
Week 7 Lineup Considerations
Here are some players to consider for usage due to bye week or injury issues: Mike Davis has TD potential and can produce adequately against the Dolphins, who have allowed the fourth-most Fantasy Points Per Game and seven rushing scores to RBs. … Kenyan Drake should get flex consideration vs. the Eagles, who allow the sixth-most FFPG to RBs. … Chase Edmonds faces the Texans, who have allowed the third-most rushing yards to RBs. … Damien Harris goes against the Jets, who have allowed the most FFPG to RBs. … Mecole Hardman is worthy of a play vs. Tennessee, which has allowed the most FFPG to WRs. … Arizona has allowed nine receiving TDs to WRs, so Brandin Cooks has a good shot of getting into the end zone. … Tim Patrick can provide respectable Fantasy production vs. Cleveland. … Brandon Aiyuk could deliver his best game of the season so far vs. the Colts. … Start Zach Ertz in his debut as a Cardinal, as the Texans have allowed the third-most FFPG to TEs. … Hunter Henry has a good chance to score again vs, the Jets … Top defensive streaming options include the Patriots, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Panthers and Broncos.
Check out more of Scott Engel's 2021 Fantasy Football analysis and his full Week 7 rankings *at RotoBaller.com. *Enter promo code "seahawks" at checkout for an additional discount on the RotoBaller Fantasy Football season pass.
