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NFL fantasy football: Top QB, RB, WR and TE waiver wire pickups
If you’ve been glued to DAZN every weekend with your Game Pass subscription, you’ll know exactly how chaotic this NFL season has been. Injuries are piling up, bye weeks are here, and fantasy managers are really feeling the strain.
But these challenging times, where one smart waiver move can be the difference between being a pretender or a contender, are half the fun of playing fantasy.
With Week 7 looming large, here are the players I recommend adding from waivers before their stock skyrockets.
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Jaxson Dart, QB - New York Giants
If you followed the advice in our Week 4 waivers article, you're probably feeling pretty content after watching Dart slowly emerge into the player that the Giants hoped he would become when they selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
If not, you're probably watching with envious eyes as your fantasy league mates reap the rewards, especially if you play in a superflex format.
Mindful that there are those out there who favour single-QB, 10 or 12 man leagues, there is a chance Dart's still on waivers. If that applies to you, consider yourself fortunate that you can still acquire Dart now.
Kimani Vidal, RB - Los Angeles Chargers
The injury to rookie Omarion Hampton was extremely unfortunate, but it was exactly the kind of moment fantasy managers should be poised to capitalise upon.
Many added Hassan Haskins, confident that he would lead the Bolts' backfield after dominating snaps when it mattered most against the Commanders. It didn't seem a bad move at that point, considering most of Vidal's touches came in garbage time.
With the benefit of hindsight, those managers will be kicking themselves now, after watching Vidal erupt for 138-all-purpose yards, and a touchdown, against the Miami Dolphins in Week 6.
His breakout game, coupled with the news that Hampton may miss more than the four weeks initially thought, makes Vidal a must-add waiver pickup in all fantasy formats. Unfortunately, he'll only be available in shallow leagues.
Tyjae Spears, RB - Tennessee Titans
Spears returned from IR and immediately earned more snaps than Tony Pollard in the Titans' backfield. Pollard outproduced Spears, but it was encouraging that Spears was given the opportunity to shine.
Time will tell whether the situation changes after head coach Bill Callahan was fired yesterday, but if Spears' early involvement is indicative of what is to come, he could be worth adding in deeper, PPR fantasy leagues.
Bam Knight, RB - Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals' running back room has been decimated by injuries. First James Conner went down, then Trey Benson landed on IR shortly afterward.
For a moment, it appeared Michael Carter, or even Emari Demarcardo would be the main beneficiaries, but on Sunday, Knight had more snaps and rushing attempts than both.
His workload didn't yield big results, and Carter garnered more targets, but Knight has the greater fantasy value right now. Benson is eligible to return in Week 10, but in the meantime, Knight is the Arizona back to own.
Kayshon Boutte, WR - New England Patriots
Boutte won't repeat stat lines like his five-catch, 93-yard and two touchdown effort every week. Stefon Diggs will remain the focal point of the offense, and Patriots' quarterback Drake Maye may not be able to produce enough passing yardage to sustain two viable WRs going forward.
But with two teams on a bye in Week 7, and six in Week 8, Boutte may be among the better fantasy options you have to fill in for your usual starters.
Oronde Gadsden, TE - Los Angeles Chargers
How encouraging was it to see rookie Gadsden earn his largest snap share and produce his biggest game in the week when veteran Will Dissly returned to the lineup?
We shouldn't overreact to his eight-catch, 68 yard performance against the Miami Dolphins. Quentin Johnson wasn't available, and there were more targets to go around, after all.
However, the Chargers have been talking Gadsden up all offseason, and tight end is a shallow position in fantasy.
Even if your league doesn't use tight end premium scoring, Gadsden should be added in all except the shallowest of leagues.
Other players to consider
I've assumed that Houston Texans' QB C.J. Stroud is not available in your league after putting impressive weeks back-to-back. If he's available, go and get him.
The same applies to Giants' RB Cam Skattebo, who would surely have been added to rosters long before his breakout performance against the Eagles on Thursday Night Football.
San Francisco 49ers' WR Kendrick Bourne was likely already added after his huge Week 5 outing, but it's worth checking to be sure.
If Bourne is already rostered, consider the Colts', Josh Downs, Bucs' wideout Tez Johnson, or the Panthers' Jalen Coker. Also check if Packers' Christian Watson is still available.
Tight end is a thin pool, as always, but Cleveland Browns' rookie Harold Fannin warrants consideration in case David Njoku misses time with the knee injury he suffered last weekend.
