Having a good fantasy draft sets a team up really well, but most of the time to win a fantasy football league, acquisitions need to be made during the season. Each week there are several players worth exploring on the waiver wire. Here are fantasy football players to add week 7.
(Note: These are best used for standard scoring leagues. All players are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
1. D’Ernest Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are having serious injury issues at running back. First, Nick Chubb missed the game against the Cardinals with a calf injury. Then Kareem Hunt got injured in the game and is now out for at least a few weeks with a calf injury. Cleveland will have a new face carrying the rock if Chubb continues to be out with an injury.
D’Ernest Johnson figures to take over in the backfield or to get carries to give Chubb a break if he can play. He had one carry for two yards and one reception for seven yards in relief of Hunt against the Cardinals. One thing that should help Johnson’s value is that the Browns play on Thursday night, giving Chubb limited time to heal. Johnson is rostered in 1.4 percent leagues.
2. J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson has a stress fracture in his shin, but has been playing through it. He had to leave the game on Sunday against the Chiefs twice for injuries. With him already being banged up, he is already not on the field as much as he usually is and he could get injured further. Washington’s second running back should be picked up just in case Gibson starts missing more time with the injury.
J.D. McKissic is already producing for the team in a smaller role. He is the pass-catching back who averages 7.3 points per game in standard-scoring leagues. His role already increased this past weekend, when he got 16 touches. That could be the trend going forward with Gibson injured. McKissic is available in nearly 65 percent of leagues.
3. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts
After sitting out the first several weeks of the season with a neck injury, T.Y. Hilton returned to action. He had four receptions for 80 yards against the Texans in his first game back. Hilton certainly isn’t the player he once was and the offense isn’t the greatest passing attack anymore, but he is still worth rostering.
Picking up Hilton is more of a long-term play, as he did leave the game with a quad injury and is questionable going forward. Hilton has historically played well against the Texans, but he is still rosterable when healthy. He is currently rostered in 23.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. DeeJay Dallas, RB, Seattle Seahawks
In week 6, the Seahawks put Chris Carson on IR, meaning he would miss at least three games with a neck injury. Alex Collins filled in for him and played nicely, but he had to leave the game in overtime. He is already owned in more than 50 percent of ESPN leagues and may come back healthy for week 7, especially given that the Seahawks play on Monday Night Football.
To be precautionary, DeeJay Dallas should be picked up. If Collins can’t go, he should be the first in line to get touches, as a back who has produced before. Against the Steelers in week 6, Dallas finished the game with four carries for 17 yards and five receptions for 33 yards. He is currently rostered in just 1.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Bateman was sidelined for the first five weeks of the season with a groin injury. He made his NFL debut in week 6 for the Ravens against the Chargers. The rookie caught four passes for 29 yards in his first career game.
It is normal for a rookie to not have the greatest numbers in their first career game and Bateman has an opportunity to grow within the offense. He was targeted six times during the game, which is a good sign the Ravens want him involved. He is available in over 85 percent of ESPN leagues.
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