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Week 7 Waiver Wire Pickups: Kimani Vidal Takes Charge

We're nearly halfway through the 2025 season, and injuries continue to have an impact. If your roster is left with questions, we're here to help find the answers.

There are also streaming kickers and a defense to consider adding, plus underperforming players that you can consider dropping. 

Waiver wire adds are generally available in at least 70% of ESPN leagues and are ranked in order of priority, by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need RB help? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then no need to chase the top guys.

Week 7 byes: Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens

Contents:

• Priority Target
• Immediate Help
• Deep-League Flex Plays
• Upside Stashes
• Injuries to Note
• Top RB Handcuffs
• Top Streaming Defense
• Top Streaming Kicker
• Drop Candidates

Priority Target of the Week

Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 30–40%

Vidal played 67% of the snaps and out-touched Hassan Haskins 21-7, piling up 138 total yards and a touchdown in the first game since Omarion Hampton's ankle injury. Haskins managed only 23 yards.

What’s the Outlook?

Vidal commanded 75% of the Chargers’ RB carries and earned an 11% target share in Miami. That is lead-back volume. And that is how we should approach Vidal until Hampton returns, which could be after L.A.’s Week 12 bye.

Use an aggressive bid to target Vidal, who offers RB2 value in the Chargers’ backfield while Hampton is sidelined. 

Per our upcoming strength of schedule, the Chargers have the fourth-easiest remaining schedule for RBs. If Hampton is out until the bye, Vidal will see solid opportunities:

• Week 7 vs. IND
• Week 8 vs. MIN
• Week 9 at TEN
• Week 10 vs. PIT
• Week 11 at JAC

Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 20–25%

What Changed?

With George Kittle (hamstring), Ricky Pearsall (knee), and Jauan Jennings (ankle/ribs) still banged up, Bourne has topped an 80% snap rate in consecutive games and remains San Francisco’s most dependable healthy target.

What’s the Outlook?

Bourne’s 284 receiving yards over the last two weeks lead the league. HC Kyle Shanahan has made him a fixture in the offense, saying he’s “been awesome for us.” 

George Kittle is expected to return in Week 7, and Ricky Pearsall will practice. Pearsall has been on the perimeter 77% of the time, while Bourne has lined up outside on 73% of his routes. Expect all three of San Francisco’s WRs to see a bump in slot reps once up to full strength. 

View Bourne as a weekly WR3/flex option, but San Francisco’s next two games, at home against Atlanta, and at Houston, will be challenging. 

Need Help Now?

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

Blind Bid Recommendation: 10–12%

What Changed?

In his third NFL start, Dart became the youngest QB ever to beat the defending Super Bowl champs. He’s also the third QB in the Super Bowl era -- joining Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts -- to rush for 50+ yards in each of his first three starts.

Week 6 marked Dart’s first top-10 fantasy finish. His rushing ability, arm strength, and 65.8% completion rate give him weekly QB1 upside.

What's the Outlook?

Dart faces a tougher test this week in Denver. The Broncos allow the third-fewest adjusted fantasy points to QBs.

In Week 8, Dart gets a rematch with the Eagles, followed by a home game against San Francisco and three consecutive games against NFC North opponents. 

Dart's rushing upside keeps him as a solid weekly QB2, with upside into the top 12. 

Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Blind Bid Recommendation: 10-15%

What Changed?

Knight started in Week 6, leading Arizona’s backfield with 37 snaps (51%) and 12 touches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Michael Carter remained involved with 11 touches on 32 snaps, but Knight handled six of the Cardinals’ seven plays inside the Colts’ 5-yard line -- including the team’s first touchdown.

What's the Outlook?

Expect a “hot hand” rotation while Trey Benson remains on IR. Knight’s size advantage over Carter makes him the favorite for goal-line work.

Knight out-snapped Carter 37-32 last week. More importantly, Knight drew both of Arizona’s touches inside the 5-yard line, including the 1-yard TD. 

That gives him the upper hand in this backfield while Benson is sidelined. Benson is eligible to return in Week 10.

Knight faces a tough challenge in Week 7 against a Green Bay defense that allows the league's fewest rushing yards. The Cardinals have a bye in Week 8, but a Week 9 trip to Dallas will keep Knight on the flex radar.

The negative Packers matchup plus the bye mean that you shouldn't go too hard after this guy, unless you're desperate.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-7%

What Changed?

Tennessee fired Brian Callahan after a disastrous 4-19 run. The Titans rank last in total offense (232.3 yards per game) and 31st in scoring (13.8 points per game).

Amid the chaos, Ayomanor has emerged as the top pass-catcher. He ranks 37th in targets (36), averages 32.3 routes per game, and has seen at least four targets in every contest.

Calvin Ridley's Week 6 hamstring strain adds further upside.

What's the Outlook?

In Week 7, the Titans host New England, which allows the ninth-most adjusted fantasy points to WRs. Following that, Tennessee travels to Indianapolis, then hosts the Chargers before a Week 10 bye. 

Ayomanor should be in for solid-to-good target shares over that stretch, for a team likely to trail in each contest. But this remains the league's worst passing offense. That obviously hurts the rookie's scoring potential.

He's a modest option in WR4-5 range.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

Stefon Diggs was surging in New England’s offense, posting back-to-back 100-plus yard outings. However, in Week 6, Kayshon Boutte exploded as the Saints focused on Diggs.

Boutte caught all five of his targets for 93 yards and a pair of TDs. He led the Patriots’ receiving corps in routes (23) and targets (5) last week. 

What’s the Outlook?

Boutte’s 74% route rate leads New England’s receiving corps, but the volume hasn’t been consistent. He only has three games with 3+ targets in a New England offense that ranks sixth in the league in passing. 

That inconsistency keeps Boutte in WR4 range.

This week, the Patriots visit a Titans defense allowing the eighth-fewest adjusted PPR points to WRs. Tennessee hasn't actually looked like a tough pass defense, though. Back-to-back home games with the Browns and Falcons look more challenging on the other side of that.

Christian Kirk, WR, Houston Texans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 4-5%

What Changed?

After missing the first two games with a hamstring injury, Kirk has settled in as Houston’s No. 2 WR behind Nico Collins.

From Weeks 3-5, Kirk averaged nearly 40 snaps per game and was targeted on 22% of his routes -- just behind Collins (23%). He’s recorded at least three catches in each of his three games, capped by a 4-64-0 line before the bye.

What’s the Outlook?

Kirk’s chemistry with C.J. Stroud is building, and the Texans return from their bye to face the Seahawks. In Week 8, Houston hosts San Francisco, but a Week 9 matchup with Denver looks daunting. 

Kirk’s role is secure as the Texans’ slot receiver, but his upside is capped in an offense that is only averaging 198.2 passing yards per game (19th), and an upcoming schedule against quality pass defenses. 

Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns

Blind Bid Recommendation: 8-10%

What Changed?

David Njoku hyperextended his knee in Week 6, and Fannin stepped up. He drew a season-high 10 targets, caught seven, and finished with 81 yards -- all season highs.

What's the Outlook?

The Browns have a Week 9 bye, which could prompt them to rest Njoku through the break. Fannin already flirts with TE1 territory in limited work; without Njoku, he offers weekly top-10 upside.

If you’re streaming TEs or dealing with injuries, Fannin should be near the top of your waiver list.

Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

What Changed?

Otton started slow, catching three passes for 25 yards across Tampa’s first three games. Since Mike Evans went down, though, Otton’s usage has surged.

From Weeks 4-6, he led the team in route rate (88%), ranked third in target share (16%), and scored double-digit PPR points twice.

What’s the Outlook?

The good news for Tampa Bay is that Mike Evans might be ready in Week 7. However, Chris Godwin has already been ruled out, and Emeka Egbuka is expected to miss some time.

That keeps Otton in play as a mid-range TE2 with weekly streaming appeal. 

Tampa Bay has a Week 9 bye, but consecutive road games in Detroit in Week 7 and New Orleans in Week 9 make Otton a viable option for at least two weeks.

Deep-League Flex Plays

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 7-10%

What Changed?

Spears saw his role grow from 17 snaps (25%) in Week 5 to 35 (59%) in Week 6, including 9 touches.

In Week 6, Spears ran a route on 59% of his snaps, compared to Tony Pollard’s 30% route rate. Spears also ranked third on the team with a 14% target share.

That shows that Spears remains Tennessee’s main pass-catching back. The Titans are underdogs in all their remaining games, which gives Spears a usable weekly PPR role.

What’s the Outlook?

The Titans figure to trail often, giving Spears an advantage in passing situations. He out-snapped Tony Pollard 35-25 in Week 6, which is a good sign about him maintaining weekly touches.

If Mike McCoy maintains that split, Spears has PPR flex ability as a bye-week replacement or depth piece. 

The Titans will be big underdogs in their next three games before the bye, versus New England, at Indianapolis, and versus the Chargers.

Jordan Whittington, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3–4%

What Changed?

Puka Nacua’s ankle injury puts his Week 7 status in doubt. With the Rams traveling to London before a Week 8 bye, there’s a strong chance he sits.

Whittington played 49 snaps (92%) in Week 6 and caught three of four targets.

What's the Outlook?

If Nacua misses time, Whittington slides into a larger role against a Jacksonville defense allowing the 13th-most adjusted fantasy points to WRs.

He’s a one-week Flex option in deeper leagues.

Tez Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%

What Changed?

Johnson’s role has expanded since Mike Evans’ injury. His snap share has risen each week, topping out at 72% in Week 6 when he scored his first touchdown, a 45-yard strike from Baker Mayfield.

Johnson only played 8 snaps in Tampa’s first two games, but got 21 in Week 3, the week Evans got injured. 

In Week 4, he logged 23 snaps (32%), followed by 22 (36% in Week 5.

What's the Outlook?

Evans could return this week, but Johnson should maintain is momentum. Tampa has already ruled Chris Godwin out and Emeka Egbuka is expected to miss time. 

Tampa visits Detroit for Monday Night Football in the highest-total game of Week 7 (53.5). Following that, the Bucs head to New Orleans before their Week 9 bye. 

Johnson is in play as a deeper league flex option for the next couple of weeks. 

Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-10%

What Changed?

With Brock Bowers out, Mayer played 91% of snaps and led the Raiders in targets (7) and catches (5). He also caught Geno Smith’s lone TD pass.

What’s the Outlook?

Bowers is expected to sit through the Raiders’ Week 8 bye, keeping Mayer locked in as the starter.

The Chiefs present a tough matchup, but Mayer’s route volume gives him mid-range TE2 value with top-12 upside.

Upside Stashes

Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Jets

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1–2%

What Changed?

Justin Fields hit a new low, throwing for just 45 yards and taking nine sacks in a 13–11 loss to Denver. It feels inevitable that the Jets return to Tyrod Taylor, who looked sharper in his earlier appearance.

What’s the Outlook?

The Jets scored a season-high 27 points in Week 3 with Taylor under center. Taylor has posted a 93.4 QBR this season, while Fields sports a 41.6 QBR in 5 starts.

If Fields continues to struggle, Aaron Glenn could look to Taylor to spark an offense that ranks dead last, averaging 144.2 passing yards per game.

Fields has a Week 7 home date with the Panthers and a Week 8 trip to Cincinnati to turn things around, or Taylor could be under center after New York’s Week 9 bye. 

View Taylor as a proactive stash in Superflex leagues.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1–2%

What Changed?

With Miles Sanders on IR, Blue is now Dallas’ RB2. He played five snaps last week and sits one injury away from weekly RB2/3 usage in an offense averaging 387.5 yards per game.

What’s the Outlook?

Blue played 11 snaps and got 4 carries in Week 5, but that dipped to only 5 snaps and 3 attempts in Week 6. 

Meanwhile, FB Hunter Luepke played 15 snaps and commanded 2 targets, including his first career TD reception.

Blue showcased solid pass-catching ability and elite speed at Texas. He’s still a handcuff worth adding, but he should be viewed as an insurance stash until his playing time moves in the other direction.

Kameron Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1–2%

What Changed?

Injuries to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Emeka Egbuka have opened the door for both Kameron and Tez Johnson to see increased roles.

Kameron Johnson played sparingly in Tampa’s first 5 games, seeing between 1 and 7 snaps per week. However, he jumped up to 26 snaps (49%) in Week 6 and led the team with 64 receiving yards, including his first TD.

What’s the Outlook?

Evans is expected to return to practice this week, but Godwin has already been ruled out and Egbuka’s outlook isn’t good for the next 1-2 weeks. 

That puts Johnson in a position to play a fantasy-relevant role in Week 7 against the Lions. This game has the highest projected total of the week, which is a favorable game script for Johnson. Detroit surrenders the sixth-most adjusted fantasy points to opposing WRs. 

Johnson's a deep-league flex in Week 8 and could be in play in Week 9 at New Orleans -- if Egbuka and Godwin remain sidelined. 

Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers

Blind Bid Recommendation: 4–6%

What Changed?

Gadsden has become the Chargers’ top tight end. His snap count has risen each week, and over the past month, he ranks fifth on the team in route rate (52%) and target share (12%).

Starting in Week 4, Gadsden has led LA’s TEs in snaps. In Week 5, he played 54% of the team’s snaps and surged to 75% in Miami. 

His 7 targets versus the Dolphins tied WR Ladd McConkey for the team lead. Will Dissly, who only played 26 snaps, drew only 2 targets. 

What’s the Outlook?

Gadsden has taken over as LA’s starter and is coming off his best game. 

The Chargers relied on the pass more in their first game without RB Omarion Hampton. After averaging 184.5 passing yards in Weeks 4-5, QB Justin Herbert threw 38 passes for 264 yards in Miami. 

Expect that pass-heavy approach to continue while Hampton is out. The Chargers’ next two games are against the Colts, who allow 14.2 PPR points per game to TEs, and the Vikings (14.3 PPG to TEs). 

Injuries to Note

Bucky Irving, Bucs (shoulder/foot)

Irving missed Sunday’s win over San Francisco, and he’s expected to miss another. Tampa Bay’s bye isn’t until Week 9. 

Puka Nacua, Rams (ankle)

Nacua looked to have suffered a severe injury in Week 6. But it sounds like he may only miss Week 7, and then return after a Week 8 bye.

Emeka Egbuka, Bucs (hamstring)

Egbuka suffered a hamstring injury around the midway point of Sunday’s win over San Francisco. He’s expected to miss at least one game.

Garret Wilson (knee)

Prepare to be without Wilson for “a couple of weeks,” per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Brock Bowers (knee)

Bowers missed Week 6, and he’s “unlikely” to play in Week 7. That would put Michael Mayer back in the mix as a TE1 streamer.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (concussion)

Harrison banged his head in Sunday’s loss to the Colts, resulting in his third documented concussion. Arizona goes on a Week 8 bye.

Jauan Jennings (ribs/ankle)

Jennings admitted Sunday that he’s playing through some significant injuries. He struggled in Sunday’s loss to the Bucs and won’t be a name to count on in Week 7 lineups.

Calvin Ridley (hamstring)

Ridley wasn’t able to return from a hamstring injury in Week 6. He’s questionable at best for Week 7.

Chuba Hubbard (calf)

Hubbard missed the past two games with the calf. There’s a real chance he returns in Week 7 … to a reduced role after the Rico Dowdle breakout.

David Njoku (knee)

Njoku left Sunday’s game vs. Pittsburgh and didn’t return. Consider making other plans if you’re counting on the Brown as a TE1 this week.

Dalton Kincaid (oblique)

Kincaid put in limited practices ahead of Week 6, but the Bills opted to hold him out of the Falcons game.

Mike Gesicki (pectoral)

Gesicki will miss “a while” with his injury. That’ll add some deep-league streamer appeal to Noah Fant.

Darnell Mooney (hamstring)

Mooney was ruled out of Monday Night Football on Saturday. He'll remain questionable for Week 7.

RB Handcuff Top 10

TreVeyon Henderson’s first game after Antonio Gibson tore his ACL was a disappointment. Henderson trailed Rhaomndre Stevenson 46-19 in snaps. The touches were closer, 13-10 in Stevenson's favor. The veteran's fumbling issues and his 1.6 yards per carry in New England’s last two games make him volatile, so view Henderson as a hold who still has time to emerge in a surging New England offense.

Bhayshul Tuten played his fewest snaps (11) in a game since Week 1 against the Seahawks. He only received two carries, while Travis Etienne earned 16 touches and played 47 snaps. Tuten was actually out-snapped by RB LeQuint Allen for a second straight game.

Top Streaming Defense

Seattle Seahawks vs. Houston Texans

The Seahawks, fresh from a dominant victory in Jacksonville, now face a Texans offense that has struggled more often than it has succeeded this season. 

Houston stumbled to an 0-3 start before defeating the Titans and a depleted Ravens squad. In their two road games before Baltimore, the Texans managed a mere 268 yards of offense on average and coughed up five turnovers against the Rams and Jaguars.

Seattle’s defense sits tied for second in sacks (20) and INTs (7), while allowing the second-fewest rushing yards per game (79.0) and the sixth-fewest points (19.5). 

S Julian Love and  CB Devon Witherspoon -- both limited in practice last Friday -- could return this week. CB Riq Woolen also seems poised to rejoin the lineup after his concussion. 

A bolstered secondary would further elevate this defense’s fantasy potential against an inconsistent Houston offense.

Top Streaming Kickers

1. Eddy Piñeiro, 49ers
2. Ryan Fitzgerald, Panthers
3. Andres Borregales, Patriots

Drop Candidates

Hassan Haskins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Kimani Vidal outplayed Haskins in Sunday’s win over Miami. You can keep Haskins in deep leagues, but he’s a fine drop in shallow-to-moderate formats.

Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans

Ridley showed some signs of life in Weeks 4-5, but he injured his hamstring in Week 6. The Titans have a bye in Week 10 and just fired their head coach. Ridley's not a must-drop -- especially before we know his return timeline -- but he's a can-drop.

Marvin Mims, WR, Denver Broncos

Mims has not played even half of Denver’s snaps in any game since Week 1. He’s only had one game all season with more than 30 receiving yards. Mims still has big-play ability, but the lack of consistent opportunities makes him too volatile. 

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are on bye this week and should have QB Lamar Jackson under center in Week 8. Even with Jackson playing, however, Bateman hasn’t made an impact. He’s been held under 4 PPR points in five of Baltimore’s six games. 

Tyquan Thornton, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Thornton played a season-low 17 snaps in Kansas City’s Week 6 victory over the Lions. Now that Rashee Rice is set to return, Thornton will have a hard time earning reps. 

Emari Demercado, RB, Arizona Cardinals 

Demercado only played three snaps last week and carried one time for 1 yard before leaving with a second-quarter ankle injury. Even if that injury proves to be minor, though, it would match his minor role.

Next Up

Fantasy Football Injuries: Key Updates on Puka Nacua, Emeka Egbuka, and More

Next Article  

Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.