David’s Daily Digest
Tuesday Late-Evening Edition
The Weekly Waiver Wire
The Fantasy Football season can be tumultuous at best and this season has been no different. The past couple of weeks have seen some big names go down, names that include Justin Jefferson, De’Von Achane, Anthony Richardson, Christian McCaffrey, and Justin Fields.
As fantasy managers find a way to navigate through the wilderness that is fantasy football season, the Week 7 waiver wire does offer some relief. The pickings aren’t plentiful but the Wire has some value.
The Niners running back Jordan Mason remains the top of the list for pickups this week. Rostered in only 1.5% of ESPN leagues, he definitely looks like the Pickup of the week, especially for Christian McCaffrey owners. When CMC went down on Sunday Mason was inserted as the featured back handling backfield duties, out-snapping teammate Elijah Mitchell 15-7. Mason figures to be the first in line for work if CMC misses any time.
Rostered in only 30.4% of ESPN, the Chiefs rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice should remain a high priority on this week’s waiver wires. Over the past four weeks he has separated himself as the top receiver in KC with 16 receptions (21 targets) for 196 yards receiving and a score. The production continues to increase and he’s part of the Chiefs offense. He’s coming off a 4-receptions, 72 yards receiving performance and has a date with the Chargers in week 7.
Desmond Ridder (Falcons-QB) The Falcons 2nd year quarterback has been playing well of late. The past two weeks he's been the fantasy QB5, averaging 318 passing yards and two touchdowns per game. Consider him a solid play to fill the bye week.
Sam Howell (Commanders-QB) Another bye week filler, the Commanders quarterback has been very good over the past three weeks. Rostered in only 19.1% of ESPN leagues, Howell has been the fantasy QB5 averaging more than 275 yards passing and 2 touchdowns in his last three games.
Craig Reynolds (Lions-RB) With the Lions losing running back David Montgomery for multiple weeks, Reynolds is expected to slot in what will likely be a committee with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs (once he returns). For Montgomery owners, Reynolds can offer some relief as an RB3 or possible flex play.
Latavius Murray (Bills-RB) - Murray seems to be in a full blown timeshare with starter James Cook (30 snaps each in Week 6). While there still seems to be a disparity in production between the two, Murray is closing the gap in opportunities 15 touches to Cook’s 23 the past two weeks. For now Murray remains a cuff, he has yet to reach standalone value.
Curtis Samuel (Commanders-WR) Only rostered in 28.6% ESPN leagues, Samuel is the Commanders leading receiver with 10 receptions, 107 receiving yards and two scores over the last two weeks. Over the past three weeks he’s seen a steady diet of targets (19) so his prospect of continued success looks good. At the very least a nice streaming option to get thru the byes.
Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants-WR) The Giants receiver is quickly becoming relevant, with 18 receptions for 120 yards receiving over his last three games. He’s worthy of flex value, but the continued increased usage and production and low ownership (5.2% of ESPN leagues) means he should be grabbed now.
Luke Musgrave (Packers-TE) Prior to the Packers Week 6 bye, the rookie is coming off one of his better showings this season. Musgrave seems to be a boom or bust candidate catching 6 passes in week 3 & 5, but just one in week 4. He’s likely a stash at the moment and more of a flier play through the byes in deeper leagues.
Michael Mayer (Raiders-TE) Finally utilized in the passing game in Week 6, Mayer collected 5 passes for 75 yards receiving on 6 targets. He should be on fantasy manager radars.
James Robinson (Packers-RB) Just signed by the Packers this week, Robinson’s addition sounds like a call to bench running back AJ Dillon. Starter Aaron Jones is still on the mend and Dillon has not been the answer in his absence. The team could just be adding depth, but Robinson could offer some value at the moment. It's a little too soon to start hyping him up, so he’s a stash candidate for now.
That's my take!
~David G. Ortega
