Week 7 of the fantasy season brings us four more teams on bye, and this one could hurt.
Fantasy football waiver wire, Week 7: Bye week replacements for Bengals, Bears, Broncos, Packers
Some of the league’s best players will be on bye this week, and fantasy owners have to adjust.
The Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears all have the week off, and there are a ton of elite fantasy players on those teams. Fantasy owners will be missing top-tier players like Aaron Rodgers, Matt Forte, A.J. Green, Alshon Jeffery, Demaryius Thomas and Tyler Eifert, among many, many others.
So the waiver wire is particularly important this week with so many studs out. To help you get through Week 7 unscathed, here are some potential one-week replacements owned in 50 percent or less of Yahoo! leagues.
Quarterbacks
Players on bye: Andy Dalton, Jay Cutler, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers
Waiver wire options
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars: Turnovers remain a concern, but Bortles keeps racking up the yards and touchdowns. Gets a disappointing Buffalo Bills defense next.
Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders: Couldn’t do much against the Denver Broncos in Week 5, but should be back on the QB2 radar coming off the bye.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets: Should be a decent streaming option after picking apart Washington’s defense last week.
Brian Hoyer, Houston Texans: Is finally entrenched as the starter, but the Miami Dolphins are an imposing matchup.
Running backs
Players on bye: Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Matt Forte, Ronnie Hillman, C.J. Anderson, Eddie Lacy, James Starks
Waiver wire options
Christine Michael, Dallas Cowboys: The coaches keep talking up Michael and hinting he’ll get a bigger role. We’ll see if they follow through after he played just one snap in Week 5.
Darren McFadden, Dallas Cowboys: Seems to have taken Lance Dunbar’s spot as the pass-catching specialist. Not flashy, but has PPR appeal.
Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions: Will see a bigger role now with Zach Zenner and Joique Bell injured and Ameer Abdullah fumbling.
Ahmad Bradshaw, Indianapolis Colts: Frank Gore is still the lead back, but look for Bradshaw to carve out some passing-down touches. Has DFS value against the New Orleans Saints’ atrocious defense.
Robert Turbin, Cleveland Browns: Could end up supplanting Isaiah Crowell on the depth chart.
Wide receivers
Players on bye: A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Alshon Jeffery, Eddie Royal, Marquess Wilson, Randall Cobb, James Jones, Ty Montgomery
Waiver wire options
Rishard Matthews, Miami Dolphins: Looks like his hot start wasn’t a fluke. Should continue featuring heavily in Miami’s retooled offense.
Leonard Hankerson, Atlanta Falcons: Has a lower floor than most No. 2 receivers, but his WR3 value should hold steady.
Tavon Austin, St. Louis Rams: We’re not ready to declare him an every-week starter yet, but his big-play ability should keep him on the DFS radar.
Michael Floyd, Arizona Cardinals: Finally healthy and making big plays again, Floyd has WR3 upside against the Baltimore Ravens.
Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings: Has become Teddy Bridgewater’s favorite target. May have already stolen Charles Johnson’s starting job.
Tight ends
Players on bye: Tyler Eifert, Martellus Bennett, Owen Daniels, Richard Rodgers
Waiver wire options
Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers: Whether it’s Ben Roethlisberger or Landry Jones starting this week, Miller’s numbers have nowhere to go but up after the offense stagnated under Mike Vick.
Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers: Still playing a role in the offense even with Antonio Gates back. A good DFS discount if Philip Rivers keeps throwing the ball a million times.
Crockett Gillmore, Baltimore Ravens: Back from a calf injury, although Maxx Williams could steal some of his targets.
Tim Wright, Detroit Lions: Will get the call again if Eric Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew can’t go. Could either score a touchdown or put up a goose egg, so start at your own risk.
* * *
SB Nation presents: The NFL still doesn’t know what a catch is
