Week 7: Waiver Wire Pickups
Some players who were previously mentioned in this space and are still worth a waiver pickup include: QB Blake Bortles, RB Isaiah Crowell, RB Ronnie Hillman,RB Branden Oliver,RB Joseph Randle, RB Lance Dunbar, RB Antone Smith, WR Mohamed Sanu, WR Andre Holmes, WR Odell Beckham, TE Tim Wright, TE Larry Donnell, TE Travis Kelce, and TE Jace Amaro. Check to see if any of these players are available in your league before consulting this list.
QB Derek Carr, NO
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Carr has been a bit schizophrenic in his first year, with a few strong performances and a few disasters. But the rookie exploded in Week 6 for 282 yards and four touchdowns. The Raiders aren't shy about taking shots down the field, and that can work wonders sometimes when you have big, tall and fast receivers such as Andre Holmes,James Jones and Brice Butler. Carr's upcoming schedule contains some fairly friendly pass defenses - Arizona and Cleveland in the next two weeks. If the Raiders find themselves trailing in those games, as expected, Carr could rack up the points once again. Fantasy owners could do worse for a one-week fill-in.
QB Kyle Orton, ---
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Orton took over for E.J. Manuel back in Week 5, and the results have been solid so far. The veteran managed 607 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in his two games. He's been an enormous improvement over Manuel, and it appears that barring injury, the starting job belongs to Orton for the rest of the season. If you start Nick Foles and are looking for a bye-week replacement in Week 7, Orton fields a solid home matchup against the Vikings. In deeper leagues, Orton could be a decent rest-of-season starter for desperate owners.
RB Storm Johnson, ---
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Johnson is now a starting RB in the NFL. Granted, he is starting for the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose offensive struggles are well-known. But as a lead back, Johnson has fantasy value. He'll continue to lead the Jaguars' rushing attack until the injured Toby Gerhart is able to return to the field. Until then, that should mean a steady diet of carries for the seventh-round rookie. On Sunday, Johnson took ten carries for 21 yards a touchdown. That 2.1 yards-per-carry average won't get anybody excited, but the fact that Johnson got a goal-line touch is encouraging. He'll likely be among the most added RBs in a thin week. He's not worth a high-dollar FAAB bid, but Johnson should be owned in most leagues.
WR Malcom Floyd, ---
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Floyd seems to have a few breakout games every season, typically followed by a lackluster performance. That's why 2014 has been so unusual for him; he's had a measure of fantasy consistency. He would've been a decent starter in most formats in five of the six games he's played this season. He's gotten it done with both yardage and touchdowns - and he had both in Week 6, ending with five catches for 103 yards a TD against Oakland. With Chargers WR Eddie Royal leaving Sunday's game with a rib injury, Floyd could see an expanded role in Week 7. He's the best deep threat on the team and could merit consideration as a WR3 or flex in your lineups next week.
WR Brandon LaFell, ---
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Tom Brady has to make downfield throws to someone, and it looks like LaFell is developing into his top choice. He reeled in a 56-yard touchdown from Brady on Sunday, his second long score in three weeks. He's developing into the Patriots' best vertical threat. New England's offense has played much better in the past two weeks, meaning there could be value to be found among its wide receiving corps past Julian Edelman. LaFell should be considered a WR4 going forward, but that standing will improve if he continues making big plays. He's worth an add in deeper leagues.
