Best Fantasy Week 7 Waiver Pickups: Handcuffs J.D. McKissic, Rhamondre Stevenson emerge as bye-week sleepers

Fantasy football owners were on top of their games leading up to this week, grabbing a bunch of key free agents (Zach Ertz, Khalil Herbert) prior to this week’s waiver period. Still, our top Week 7 fantasy waiver wire pickups and free agent adds features several players (J.D. McKissic, T.Y. Hilton, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Ricky Seals-Jones, Rhamondre Stevenson, D’Ernest Johnson) who could make an impact with a six-team bye coming up. Fortunately, there weren’t many notable injuries outside of Kadarius Toney, Kareem Hunt, and Antonio Gibson (and the latter two might not be too serious), but that means there aren’t many high-priority claims, so we have to make due with what’s available.

Our full free agent list features more potential depth guys, including several players coming off byes (Michael Carter, Marquez Callaway) you might have forgotten about and players eligible to come off IR soon who are definitely out of sight, out of mind (Michael Gallup, Tarik Cohen, Rashaad Penny, JaMycal Hasty/Jeff Wilson Jr.), much like Hilton and Rashod Bateman might have been prior to this week. We also have plenty of Week 7 streamer suggestions at QB, WR, TE, and D/ST, which can be found at the end of this list. 

MORE WEEK 7: Full waiver list

There have been at least a couple players worth high waiver claims the past few weeks, but unless Gibson, Hunt, or Damien Harris is expected to miss time, there might not be anyone worth a high claim this week. Carter probably has the most long-term upside if he’s on your waiver wire, but if he is still available, then your league probably doesn’t care too much about him, so take that into account. Ultimately, there could be as many four RBs worth high claims or as few as zero. We’ll need to wait for injury updates.

With a major bye week on tap, you might be desperate for a player at a certain position, so perhaps you feel the need to spend a high-to-medium claim on Seals-Jones or McKissic. That’s fine, but just make sure you’re taking into account all options. If there are multiple players at that position you can live with this week, then save your claim. The byes are from over, and we know the injuries will never end.

Top fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 7

Unless otherwise noted, only players owned in fewer than 50 percent of Yahoo leagues considered.

J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington. Antonio Gibson (shin) was ineffective and in and out of Sunday’s game, which allowed McKissic to post 110 total yards on 16 touches (eight catches) against the Chiefs. A chunk of that production came in garbage time, but with Gibson bothered by his nagging injury, it wouldn’t be a shock to see Washington give him a week off sometime soon. Either way, McKissic is a must-have handcuff who can have standalone PPR value during the bye weeks. If Gibson does miss time, McKissic would be an RB2 in all formats. Next week, he’ll face Green Bay.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Browns. The Browns have an unreliable receiving corps, so it’s tough to feel good about anyone, but Peoples-Jones has stepped up over the past two games. He caught four passes (five targets) for 101 yards and two TDs in Week 6, though it should be noted a 57-yard Hail Mary at the end of the first half accounted for a fair amount of that production. Either way, with Odell Beckham Jr. (shoulder) banged up and Jarvis Landry (knee) not expected to be a target hog when he returns, DPJ has the potential to be a fairly consistent producer. He’ll take on Denver in Week 7. 

MORE WEEK 7: Full waiver list

T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts. Hilton missed the first five games of the year while nursing a neck injury, but he looked good in his return, catching all four of his targets for 80 yards against Houston. Hilton actually led the Colts in targets, which perhaps says more about his relatively low ceiling than anything else, but we know he’s capable of big plays in any matchup, so he’s a nice guy to have around during the bye weeks. He’s in play next week against San Francisco and will be an especially good play in Week 8 against Tennessee. 

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots. Damien Harris hobbled in and out of Sunday’s game in the fourth quarter, but even before that, Stevenson was getting regular playing time, especially on passing downs. The bruising rookie finished with eight touches (three catches), 62 total yards, and a TD. It’s unlikely Harris will miss time, but Stevenson figures to have a role regardless. With a highly favorable matchup against the Jets on tap in Week 7, Stevenson will be worth at least a flex spot.

D’Ernest Johnson, RB, Browns. Johnson’s ultimate waiver value depends on the health of both Kareem Hunt (calf) and Nick Chubb (calf). Chubb didn’t play in last week’s game, while Hunt exited early. With the Browns playing on Thursday night in Week 7, Johnson could find himself in a primary RB role or a secondary one. Either way, he’ll have value in the Browns’ run-heavy offense. While he didn’t do much last week, that was in part because of game script. We’ve seen him shine in the past when one of Cleveland’s top RBs is out, and he can do it against the Broncos, too.

For additional waiver/free agent suggestions, including more streaming options at every position, check out our full Week 7 list.