Fantasy Football: top waiver wire claims for Week 7

Similar to my column last week, multiple wide receivers commonly found on waivers had huge games, as well as one running back. But some are more reliable long term than others.

Teams on bye: Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys

Cole Beasley, WR, Dallas Cowboys - The Cowboys are on a bye week in Week 7, but Beasley will, and should, still be a hot commodity on the waiver wire this week. Beasley has had three touchdowns in his past two games and figures to continue to have a role in the red zone. Beasley has earned a rapport with Dak Prescott, as shown through his average of eight fantasy points per game (ESPN standard scoring). He has more value in PPR leagues, five or more catches four times this season. But there is a catch here. Dez Bryant and Tony Romo both could be back in the starting lineup upon the Cowboys return from their bye week. If Prescott keeps the starting job, Beasley’s value remains high, but it is worth keeping an eye on how Bryant influences Beasley’s production. If Romo starts in Week 8, then Beasley should find your bench as we don’t know how the Cowboys offense will look with Romo at the helm.

Cameron Meredith, WR, Chicago Bears - I didn’t include Meredith in the top pick ups column last week as I frankly did not expect him to put up big numbers again. Well, he put up big numbers again. Meredith has exploded onto the fantasy scene in the past two weeks, and while Meredith cannot be expected to keep putting up these numbers, he still has high fantasy value. He has warranted many targets, and has reeled in a lot of them, to the tune of nine catches in Week 5, and 11 in Week 6. Brian Hoyer has played surprisingly well since the injury of Jay Cutler, and has the Bears offense rolling. Ride Meredith as long as Hoyer continues to play well.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans - Both Cam Newton and Dak Prescott have bye weeks in Week 7, meaning many owners will be looking for a quarterback. Mariota is by far the best streaming option for Week 7. First, he has a lot of momentum with two straight games over 27 points. Now, he gets to face the Colts secondary. Frankly, even if you don’t have a quarterback on bye, that’s a matchup worth plugging Mariota into your starting lineup for.

Kenny Britt, WR, Los Angeles Rams - The Rams passing offense finally showed some life in Week 6, and Britt was the main beneficiary. Britt has flown under the radar this season, putting up six or more points in four of his first five games. In Week 6, he exploded for seven catches, 136 yards, and two touchdowns. Even before this game, Britt has led the Rams in targets, a clear indication of his stable roll in the offense. He has had no less than four catches in every game this season. Is he going to have another huge day like he did in Week 6 again? Probably not. But he may be a wide receiver that can be used a flex to make up for players on byes.

Jay Ajayi, RB, Miami Dolphins - To start off, a word of caution. Just because Ajayi had an absolutely tremendous day, does not suddenly make the Dolphins running game trustworthy. But what Ajayi’s day did do, was likely earn him the starting job. Ajayi had 25 carries to Arian Foster’s five. Ajayi was able to turn those 25 carries in 204 yards and two touchdowns. No, he will not have a game like that again, but he is likely a starting running back now. If you have the chance to own a starting running back, that is a chance that needs to be taken advantage of, especially with Ezekiel Elliott and Jonathan Stewart on bye weeks.

Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints - As long as Drew Brees continues to produce at his supernatural level, I want as many New Orleans wide receivers as I can get. Rookie Michael Thomas looks like the next stud receiver in what is one of the best fantasy offenses in the league, and one of the best offenses in real life too.

Ty Montgomery, WR, Green Bay Packers - This is an interesting one. To say Montgomery had done nothing in 2016 before Week 6 is an understatement. He had a total of two yards on two carries. No that’s not a typo, carries, not receptions. In Week 6, Montgomery had 10 receptions for 98 yards. He also added three carries. For PPR leagues this is an absolutely massive day, but for standard leagues, it isn’t anything that jumps off the page. But Montgomery finally looked like the guy people expected him to be out of Stanford. For right now, it is hard to expect that kind of production to continue, but Montgomery is worth a bench stash in case he is able to keep this up.

Honorable mention:

Kendall Wright, WR, Tennessee Titans - Wright had a big game in Week 6, but it was the first time that he has done anything since coming back from his hamstring injury. While this may be similar to Montgomery, Wright doesn’t have as good of a quarterback, plus, the Titans passing offense runs through tight end Delanie Walker.

Look for starts and sits coming later in the week.