Fantasy football waiver wire: Week 7 free-agent forecast

Roughly a third of the way through the season, the waiver wire will be a vital tool for managers as the approach the midway point of the 2024 campaign.

Only two teams are on a bye in Week 7: the Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys.

We’ll be taking a look at the top available players rostered in Yahoo, using the 75% rostered mark (at least 25% availability) as the threshold. If you have any questions about prioritizing a certain player over another, don’t be afraid to hit me up on X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11). Your questions and comments are always welcome!

We also will be taking a look at some deeper players to stash and the top streaming options for the upcoming week.

Fantasy football waiver wire recommendations refer to 12-team league formats, unless specifically stated.

Check back for any updates throughout Monday and Tuesday as more injury news becomes available.

Priority Free Agents

1. RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

Most likely rostered, but it’s wise to take a look to see if he’s available. Bigsby is expected to take on the lead role in the backfield with Travis Etienne nursing a hamstring injury. Even when Etienne comes back, this could wind up being Bigsby maintaining a useful touch share.

Availability: 37%

FAAB: 25%

2. RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

While Sean Tucker will be a massive story thanks to his huge day, Irving was still by far the lead back with Rachaad White (foot) inactive. It’s unclear whether White will miss any more time, but Irving enters Monday night as the RB9 on the week so he should be rostered regardless.

Availability: 29%

FAAB: 20%

3. RB Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

The rookie running back could finally begin practicing this week and even though there will still be a ramp-up period, he needs to be rostered for a potential second-half run.

Availability: 37%

FAAB: 15%

4. WR Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

McConkey had only four receptions for 43 yards, but his strong target share continues. Coming out of the bye in Week 6, McConkey posted a 26% target share. He’s yet to go below a 21% target share in a game this season and has at least a 26% share in four of five games. It’s going to really click soon.

Availability: 43%

FAAB: 10%

5. WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

Having Joe Flacco under center continues to be a positive for Colts wide receivers. This is especially true for Downs, who hasn’t recorded fewer than nine targets over his last three games or below a 25% target share since making his debut in Week 3. What the quality of those targets will look like when Anthony Richardson returns may not be as strong, but the usage has been there.

Availability: 52%

FAAB: 10%

6. QB Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers eventually could make a shift toward Russell Wilson (calf) now that he’s healthy, but Fields has been solid for fantasy purposes, averaging 22.5 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks. He’s a starting asset as long as he remains QB1 on the Steelers depth chart.

Availability: 44%

FAAB: 10%

7. RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

Tracy should possibly be higher on this list, but there’s a chance Devin Singletary (groin) returns in Week 7. Tracy has likely carved out a bigger role even when Singletary does return so the rookie needs to be rostered.

Availability: 55%

FAAB: 10%

8. WR DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots

The offense isn’t that explosive, but Drake Maye at least showed some promise in his debut. Douglas has at least a 29% target share in three of his last four games, and he gets a fantastic matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7 as an immediate spot start.

Availability: 93%

FAAB: 5%

9. RB Braelon Allen, New York Jets

The rookie running back has had his moments, but he’s also seen his workload decrease a bit over the last few weeks. The Jets play Monday night in a favorable matchup for running backs while Todd Downing takes over as offensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see what the split looks like.

Availability: 48%

FAAB: 5%

10. RB Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders

It feels gross to include Mattison, but he’s a starting running back right now. He’s averaged 18.5 opportunities over the last two weeks and even though he’s been inefficient on the ground, he has at least an 8% target share in four games this season. That’s not amazing, but it’s not nothing.

Availability: 49%

FAAB: 5%

Grab-n-Stash

RB Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons: While Bijan is still the back to roster, Allgeier has had some increased usage over the last few weeks.

Availability: 70%

RB Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals: He’s solely a handcuff but would rocket to RB2 status if James Conner were to miss time.

Availability: 81%

RB Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings: The severity of Aaron Jones‘ hip injury is unclear, currently being deemed the ever-vague week-to-week status. If it winds up keeping him out, Chandler will be moved up to the priority adds group as a potential spot start.

Availability: 73%

WR Jalen Tolbert, Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys are on a bye, but Tolbert is firmly entrenched as the WR2 on the depth chart. At least keep an eye on him for next week.

Availability: 65%

RB Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers: The rookie saw some playing time, thanks to a Gus Edwards landing on IR, and his first NFL touch was a 30-yard touchdown reception after being inactive every prior game. This backfield still belongs to J.K. Dobbins, so expect mostly aerial work for Vidal.

Availability: 89%

Streamers of the Week

QB Matthew Stafford vs. Las Vegas Raiders: Coming out of the bye week, Stafford could get Cooper Kupp back against a Raiders defense allowing the sixth-most fantasy points per game to the position.

Availability: 49%

QB Drake Maye at Jacksonville Jaguars (London): It’s extremely risky going with a rookie over in London, but the Jaguars are incredible mess. There’s some juice here for teams desperate for a quarterback.

Availability: 94%

TE Cade Otton vs. Baltimore Ravens: The tight end position is brutal right now, but Otton has at least a 17% target share in each of his last four games.

Availability: 64%

TE Zach Ertz vs. Carolina Panthers: The veteran has at least a 14% target share in all but one game this season, and the Panthers have struggled mightily against tight ends.

Availability: 75%

Cincinnati Bengals D/ST at Cleveland Browns: While the Bengals don’t boast a strong defense, they have enough pieces to make plays against a reeling Browns offense that is truly struggling.

Availability: 84%

New Orleans Saints D/ST vs. Denver Broncos: Though Bo Nix and the Denver offense haven’t been massive pushovers, the Saints defense on a short week at home against a rookie quarterback is a solid process to follow.

Availability: 66%

PK Jason Myers at Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons have allowed the most field-goal attempts in the NFL, and Myers will get to kick inside in what could be a high-scoring game.

Availability: 80%

PK Austin Seibert vs. Carolina Panthers: The Washington Commanders should be able to move the ball at will against Carolina, and Seibert has gone double digits in four of five games this season. He’s closer to a must-add than streamer at this point.

Availability: 74%