Welcome to Week 7 everyone. With two more teams on bye (Lions, Texans) as we approach the midway point of the 2017 season, there are still players that can make a difference for your fantasy squads down the stretch as you attempt to make a playoff run.
Below are my recommended FAAB waiver wire bids for Week 7. Each FAAB auction price recommendation will be based on a $100 FAAB budget, and all players listed have less than 50 percent ownership on Yahoo.
Let’s look around the league at who is worth a bid going into Week 7.
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FAAB Waiver Wire Bids - Running Backs
Alfred Morris, Darren McFadden (DAL) - $30-50 (54%, 51% owned)
This is a reminder that both Morris and McFadden need to be owned in all leagues now that Ezekiel Elliott is expected to begin serving his six-game suspension in Week 7.
Morris was the main handcuff for Elliott owners to open the season and should see significant carries. However, McFadden, a favorite of owner Jerry Jones, could lead the backfield work. It was McFadden, not Morris, who filled in as the lead back in 2016 when Elliott was sidelined, too.
The Cowboys may choose to ride both backs equally or employ the hot-hand approach that many other clubs have adopted. Until we see how head coach Jason Garrett divvies up the work against San Fran this weekend, consider both Morris and McFadden on the RB2/3 borderline.
Matt Forte (NYJ) - $10-15 (21% owned)
Forte was dumped in many leagues while dealing with turf toe, but he returned in Week 6 and had a season-high eight catches for 59 yards. Even though he had one less carry than rookie Elijah McGuire, Forte showed he's healthy and should remain a big part of this committee approach, even when Bilal Powell (calf) returns.
Orleans Darkwa (NYG) - $10-15 (10% owned)
With Paul Perkins (ribs) sidelined a second straight week, Darkwa proved to be New York's most productive runner in an upset win over Denver in Week 6. The 25-year-old dominated the backfield workload with a season-high 21 carries for 117 yards (5.6 YPC) over rookie Wayne Gallman. He's earned the lion's share of the touches, even when Perkins is back to full health.
The Giants bare bones receiving corps will force them to stay conservative and favor the run as much as possible for the rest of the year, which will benefit Darkwa and Co. That makes the 25-year-old an RB3/flex option, although he'll face a stiffer test against Seattle in Week 7.
Wide Receivers
John Brown (ARI) - $15-20 (44% owned)
Brown was rightfully banished to the waiver wire early this year. Sickle-cell issues make him a big injury risk, too. But he's healthy right now and has scored in back-to-back weeks as the clear No. 2 receiving option behind Larry Fitzgerald. He's a touchdown-dependent WR3/4 with no more than four catches in a single game.
Robert Woods (LAR) - $7-12 (8% owned)
Believe it or not, Woods has become the most trusted fantasy receiver for the Rams improved offense, especially with Sammy Watkins disappearing. Woods had a team-high five catches for 70 yards in the Week 6 victory and has 10 catches in the last two weeks on a healthy 15 targets. Since Sept. 21, he's had at least six targets and is averaging 14.6 yards per catch on the season.
Mike Williams (LAC) - $5-10 (21% owned)
LA's first-round pick, Williams finally made his NFL debut in Week 6, catching his lone target for 15 yards. The former Clemson standout faces an uphill battle for a prominent role in the Chargers crowded receiving room after missing mostly all of training camp and the preseason with disk issues in his back. But there's no disputing that he has WR1 upside, and he could carve out a bigger role as the season progresses.
Bennie Fowler (DEN) - $5-8 (1% owned)
Emmanuel Sanders (ankle) is out for at least this weekend and possibly longer, which will propel Fowler into the No. 2 receiver role. He only has a season high of four catches for 55 yards in a single game, but he did score a pair of touchdowns in the season opener and will see his targets increase dramatically over the next several weeks.
Also consider: Kenny Stills (MIA) - $5-7, Robby Anderson (NYJ) - $3-5, Chris Moore (BAL) - $1-3
Quarterbacks
Brett Hundley (GB) - $5-10 (1% owned)
It's Hundley's team now after Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone in Week 6. He looked shaky replacing Rodgers, going 18-for-33 for 157 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions, but the former fifth-rounder in 2015 has plenty of upside. Ups and downs should be expected, but he's surrounded with a lot of receiving talent and is in a good situation to grow. Consider him a high-risk/high-reward two-QB league option.
C.J. Beathard (SF) - $5-10 (1% owned)
Beathard takes over the starting gig in San Fran for different reasons. Brian Hoyer was benched in Week 6, and Beathard came on to go 19-for-36 for 245 yards with a touchdown and interception. He doesn't have much to work with but should give the Niners more upside at the position. Beathard is a second fantasy QB for those desperate owners.
Also consider: Teddy Bridgewater (MIN) - $3-5
Tight Ends
George Kittle (SF) - $7-15 (8% owned)
Kittle has had his most productive games in the last two weeks, and he's been targeted an encouraging 17 times in Weeks 5 and 6. The Iowa product is trending upwards, especially now that fellow rookie C.J. Beathard has been named the new starting QB. You could do much worse than Kittle as a bye-week fill-in as a low-end streamer.
Defense/Special Teams
Tennessee Titans - $3-5 (31% owned)
The Titans are a no-brainer streaming option in another great matchup against the winless Browns on the road in Week 7. It comes at a great time, too, with Kevin Hogan falling flat on his face in his first start under center after taking over for DeShone Kizer. Predictably, the Browns are a mess again, giving Tennessee's D/special teams a high floor.
Also consider: New York Giants - $1-3, Buffalo Bills - $1-3, Los Angeles Chargers - $1-3