Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups

Two teams lost a starter Monday, and two backfields are running on whoever's left. The best add of the week is the receiver we put third last week, and he's already gone in more than half the leagues we checked.

We checked rosters this week in 17 leagues our members have connected. When you see "free in 7 of 17," that's where the number comes from. Most of the loud names are already taken, so this list is built around who you can actually claim. These leagues run deep, about 209 rostered players each versus roughly 190 in a standard 12-team league, so if yours is shallower, more of these are free than the counts suggest.

Points are half-PPR. Share prices are Tuesday's board. Claims run Wednesday morning. Patriots at Bears is Thursday night, and Steelers at Saints is the 9:30am ET international game Sunday, so set those early.

The 20-second version

• Germie Bernard, WR, PIT. FAAB $10. Exchange $10.87. Twelve targets, 94% of the snaps. Free in 7 of 17, so claim him if he's there.
• Dameon Pierce, RB, PHI. FAAB $6. Exchange $6.42. Cut to $2 if Barkley practices before your claim runs.
• Omar Cooper, WR, NYJ. FAAB $5. Exchange $8.36. Back from his ankle and led the Jets in targets.
• Kendre Miller, RB, NO. FAAB $2. Exchange $4.79. Twenty carries, and a one-game window.
• DeMario Douglas, WR, NE. FAAB $2. Exchange $10.01. Eight targets, and Doubs is on IR. Free in 14 of 17.

That's priority order, not price order. If Bernard and Pierce are gone, start with Cooper.

Probably rostered, but check: Josh Jacobs, Matthew Golden, Tony Pollard and Jalen Coker are free in 0 of 17. If one is free in yours, he goes near the top.

The reasons are below.

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Last week's book

Ranked five: 2 hits, 2 pushes, 1 miss. How we count: a hit is when the points arrived (roughly 12 or more in half-PPR), a push is when the role held but the points didn't, and a miss is neither.

Off the ranked list:

• Wrong: RJ Harvey. We told you to cut him. He scored 13.1 on 6 carries, a touchdown and 3 catches. His snaps held at 40%. That one's on us.
• Wrong: DeMario Douglas. We said not to chase him. 8 targets, 7 catches, 86 yards, a touchdown, 16.1 even with a lost fumble.
• Right: the dips. George Kittle scored 15.4. Chris Olave scored 12.3. Harold Fannin did not (1.4).
• Right: the drops. Kenyon Sadiq scored 1.7. Will Shipley is on IR.

The ranked five, misses first:

• Miss: Emanuel Wilson. His snaps fell from 59% to 32%. 14 carries, 52 yards, 5.2 points. George Holani played 58%. Hold him if you have the room. Fourteen carries is still part of the job.
• Push: Braelon Allen. 87% of the snaps, 17 carries, 78 yards, 2 catches for 26, 11.4 points. The job held. Breece Hall still hasn't played.
• Push: Woody Marks. 78% of the snaps, 15 carries, 56 yards, 9.1 points. David Montgomery is still out (groin).
• Hit: Germie Bernard. 94% of the snaps, 12 targets, 11 catches, 87 yards, a touchdown, 20.2 points. He's first this week, if he's still out there.
• Hit: Isaiah Likely. 91% of the snaps, 11 targets, 6 catches, 99 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion, 20.9 points.

The next six went 0 hits, 3 pushes, 3 misses. Pushes: Freiermuth (72% of the snaps, 2.1), Strange (76%, 7 targets, 6.9), Downs (86%, 8 targets, 6.7). Misses: Chism (no Week 6 line), Spears (24% of the snaps, 1.3), Darius Cooper (2 targets, 1.4).

All eleven names: 2 hits, 5 pushes, 4 misses.

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Buy: ranked claims ($100 FAAB)

1. Germie Bernard, WR, PIT. FAAB $10. Exchange $10.87.
The usage: 94% of the snaps, 12 targets, 11 catches, 87 yards, a touchdown, 20.2 points. The week before was 92% and 9 targets. That's 21 targets in two weeks, the most on the team.
The opening: Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson are both on injured reserve. DK Metcalf still played 95% of the snaps with 15 targets, so this is a two-man room now, not a one-week fill-in.
If you claimed him at $6 last week, hold. He's free in 7 of the 17 leagues we checked. If he's on your wire, he's the claim. Steelers vs. Saints, Sunday 9:30am ET (international game), so set him Saturday night.

2. Dameon Pierce, RB, PHI. FAAB $6. Exchange $6.42.
The usage: 95% of the snaps, 12 carries, 35 yards, a touchdown, 4 catches, 13.0 points. The week before was 77% of the snaps and 2.2 points. The volume is real. The yards per carry aren't (1.3, then 2.9).
The opening: Saquon Barkley (hamstring) hasn't practiced since Oct 4. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are on IR. If Barkley practices before your claim runs, cut the bid to $2.
He's free in 9 of 17, so there's a fair chance he's on your wire. Eagles host Dallas, Monday 8:15pm ET.

3. Omar Cooper, WR, NYJ. FAAB $5. Exchange $8.36.
The usage: 82% of the snaps, 7 targets, 6 catches, 103 yards, a touchdown, 19.3 points. The 7 targets led the Jets.
The opening: he hurt his ankle in Week 1 and this was his first game back. Garrett Wilson got 6 targets. Cooper got 7. One game is a small sample, which is why the bid is $5 and not $10.
Free in 9 of the 17 leagues we checked. Jets host Miami, Sunday 1pm ET.

4. Kendre Miller, RB, NO. FAAB $2. Exchange $4.79.
The usage: 20 carries, up from 10, 70 yards, 2 catches, 8.0 points, on 44% of the snaps. Alvin Kamara played 26% and scored 13.9 on 7 carries, so it's a split.
The clock: Travis Etienne is on IR, the Saints are on bye in Week 8, and Etienne can be back in Week 9. That makes this a one-week rental, which is why the bid is $2.
Free in 12 of 17. Steelers vs. Saints, Sunday 9:30am ET, the same early game as Bernard.

5. DeMario Douglas, WR, NE. FAAB $2. Exchange $10.01.
The usage: 59% of the snaps, 8 targets, 7 catches, 86 yards, a touchdown, 16.1 points even with a lost fumble. We passed on him last week. That was wrong.
The opening: Romeo Doubs is on IR with a shoulder injury. A.J. Brown is still the top option when he's healthy, so pay for the targets, not the share price.
Free in 14 of 17, the most available name in the five. Patriots at Chicago, Thursday 8:15pm ET, so your claim has to run before kickoff.

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Probably rostered. Claim him if he's free.

Each of these is free in 0 of 17. If one is on your wire, Jacobs and Golden go ahead of Bernard, and Pollard and Coker go right after Pierce.

• Josh Jacobs, RB, GB. FAAB $12. No Exchange share this week, since he was off the board while exempt. He came off the exempt list Monday and practices Wednesday. Coach LaFleur says his Week 7 status is "to be determined," so check Wednesday's practice report before your claim runs. Packers at Detroit, Sunday 4:25pm ET.
• Matthew Golden, WR, GB. FAAB $6. Exchange $19.52. 84% of the snaps, 13 targets, 104 yards, a touchdown, 19.4, after 17.3 the week before. Same game as Jacobs.
• Tony Pollard, RB, TEN. FAAB $4. Exchange $7.92. 76% of the snaps, up from 48%. 19 carries, 76 yards, 7.6 points, no touchdown. Volume without the points yet, which is the kind we like. Titans host Cleveland, Sunday 1pm ET.
• Jalen Coker, WR, CAR. FAAB $5. Exchange $10.11. 75% of the snaps, 13 targets, 6 catches, 97 yards, 12.7 points. He's averaging 14.0 a game in the four he's played. Panthers host Tampa Bay, Sunday 1pm ET.

If those five are gone

In this order. All are Wednesday-morning claims.

• Michael Mayer, TE, LV. FAAB $2. Exchange $8.78. 79% of the snaps, 9 targets, 95 yards, 13.0. He was a miss for us two weeks ago (1 target), so this is a streaming bid, not a trust bid. Free in 10 of 17. Raiders host the Rams, Sunday 4:25pm ET.
• Keenan Allen, WR, IND. FAAB $3. Exchange $8.38. 71% of the snaps, up from 45%. 11 targets, 8 catches, 82 yards, 12.2. Free in 5 of 17, so check before you plan the bid. Colts at Minnesota, Sunday 1pm ET.
• Tyler Higbee, TE, LAR. FAAB $2. Exchange $6.11. 83% of the snaps. Free in 13 of 17. Davante Adams is out 6 to 10 weeks with a ruptured hamstring, and the Rams don't have a trusted third receiver. 4 targets and 2.2 points last week (a lost fumble), so you're paying for what's next. Same game as Mayer.

Also on the board

• Stash, not a start: Rachaad White, RB, WAS. FAAB $4. Exchange $6.33. Jacory Croskey-Merritt went on IR Monday (groin, at least four games). White played 69% of the snaps and scored 13.7 on 7 carries and 4 catches. Washington is on bye this week, so he's a Week 8 play. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols are still there, so it's a lead, not a monopoly. Free in 3 of 17, so check before you plan the bid.
• Dart: Roschon Johnson, RB, CHI. FAAB $1. Exchange $7.18. 13 carries, 51 yards, a touchdown, 13.5 points even with a lost fumble. Kyle Monangai (toe and thumb) didn't take part in Monday's walkthrough. D'Andre Swift is the lead. Free in 13 of 17. Bears host New England, Thursday 8:15pm ET.
• Dart: Mike Washington, RB, LV. FAAB $2. Exchange $2.87. 9 carries, 43 yards, 1 catch, 5.5 points, on 35% of the snaps, up from 8%. Ashton Jeanty is playing hurt, but he still played 58% of the snaps with 10 carries, 6 targets, a touchdown and 13.8 points, and the coach has stuck with him. Free in 8 of 17. Raiders host the Rams, Sunday 4:25pm ET.
• Quarterback, if you need one: C.J. Stroud, HOU. 312 yards, 3 touchdowns, 24.0 points, after 20.9 the week before. Free in 3 of 17, so check before you plan on him. Texans host the Giants, Sunday 1pm ET.
• 2QB only: Tyler Huntley, BAL. 24.0, then 13.4, in his last two starts. Lamar Jackson (ankle) is day-to-day and hasn't practiced since Oct 4. If Lamar practices Wednesday, skip Huntley. Free in 15 of 17. Ravens host Cincinnati, Sunday 1pm ET.
• 2QB only, and only if he's named: J.J. McCarthy, NYG. He replaced Jameis Winston in the fourth quarter and threw for 243 yards, a touchdown and an interception, 17.3 points. The Giants haven't named a starter. Free in 12 of 17. Giants at Houston, Sunday 1pm ET.
• Kicker: Chase McLaughlin, K, TB. FAAB $1. Exchange $11.65. 17 points last week, 10.8 a game. Free in 13 of 17. Bucs at Carolina, Sunday 1pm ET.

Where we differ

• Mike Washington. The consensus makes him the top running back add, at $8 to $10. We have him as a $2 dart. He out-gained Jeanty on the ground Sunday, 43 yards to 22, but Jeanty had more carries, more snaps and the touchdown. The job hasn't changed hands yet. If the Raiders say it has, he jumps to the top of this list.
• Josh Downs. He's on the consensus drop list. We'd hold: 86% of the snaps and 8 targets, after 85% the week before. The points haven't come (6.7, then 6.2), but the job is still his.
• Kendre Miller. The consensus has him on a watch list. We'd still spend $2, because 22 touches is a real job, even if it's for one game.

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Trade for / buy the dip

• Puka Nacua, WR, LAR. Exchange $16.65, down from $20.71. 90% of the snaps, 7 targets, 11.0 points, the week after 24 targets. Adams is out 6 to 10 weeks. Updated projection 19.1 a game. Rams at Las Vegas, Sunday 4:25pm ET, so the window closes at kickoff.
• Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ. Exchange $15.26, down from $17.30. 98% of the snaps, 6 targets, 6.4 points, the week after 19.9. Updated projection 10.2 a game. Jets host Miami, Sunday 1pm ET.
• A.J. Brown, WR, NE. Exchange $8.81, down from $11.68. 77% of the snaps, 10 targets, 3 catches, 4.2 points. He's questionable with an ankle and was limited Monday. Updated projection 11.3 a game. Patriots at Chicago, Thursday 8:15pm ET, so this window closes Thursday night.

Sell / Drop

• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, NE. 16% of the snaps, then 24%. 4.3 and 2.5 points. Rhamondre Stevenson has the job. Cut him in shallow leagues. Hold him in deep ones only if you have the bench spot.
• Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN. If you claimed him off last week's list, cut him. 24% of the snaps and 1 carry. Pollard took the work.
• MarShawn Lloyd, RB, GB. Sell now, cut him if Jacobs plays. Josh Jacobs came off the exempt list Monday and practices Wednesday. Lloyd played 40% of the snaps for 1.0 point, and his share fell from $7.10 to $4.87. Coach LaFleur says Jacobs' Week 7 status is "to be determined." If someone will give you something for Lloyd this week, take it. If Jacobs is active Sunday, Lloyd is a cut in shallow leagues.

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On the Exchange

Bernard went from $6.67 to $10.87 on two weeks of targets, so the cheap entry is gone. The share to look at now is Nacua at $16.65. The targets didn't leave, and the second receiver did. Pierce at $6.42 is the cheap one, and the risk is one Barkley practice.

See the board

For the group chat

Germie Bernard. 21 targets in two weeks. If he's on your wire, claim him Wednesday.

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Connect your league

If you haven't yet, connect your league. It takes about a minute. Then the Coach answers with your roster and your wire, so "is he available?" has a real answer instead of a guess. It's also how we built this week's list: the leagues members have connected told us who's really still out there.

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Earnings Season: Week 7

Ten questions went up at noon. Estimates lock Sunday at 1pm ET. Thursday night and the 9:30am international game aren't on the slate.

Make your estimates

Open Field

Thursday night is Patriots at Bears. Challenge a friend for Week 7 now, and every player still locks at his own kickoff, so the Thursday guys go first and you can keep swapping everyone else until Sunday.

Play Open Field