Welcome to the Week 7 waiver wire watch!
Another weekend of NFL action is mostly in the books and if you can believe, we’re already a third of the way through the 2025 regular season. We still have two Monday night matchups to get to, but it’s not too early to start looking for ways to fortify your rosters for next week.
We’ll go over some Week 6 performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 7 and as always, we’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at the max.
Week 7 byes: Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills
Jaxson Dart, QB New York Giants (12.2%)
The Giants suddenly have a little bit of a pulse with Dart as the starting quarterback and they made a statement on Thursday by doubling up the Eagles in a 34-17 win. The rookie was sharp with both him arm and his legs against the reigning Super Bowl champions, racking up 195 passing yards, 58 rushing yards, and two touchdowns in the victory. He already ranks in the top 10 among QB’s in rushing yards with 167 and that ability to scramble out of the pocket and make plays could make him an enticing option in fantasy.
We’re getting to the point of the season where injuries and bye weeks will begin to take their toll on fantasy lineups across the board, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a rising rookie on hand just in case,
Week 7 matchup: @ Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET
Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle Seahawks (27.4%)
Darnold followed up his epic duel against Baker Mayfield with with another strong performance against the Jaguars on Sunday, leading the Seahawks to a 20-12 road victory in Duval County. He posted 295 passing yards and two touchdowns on the day and his 10.9 yards per attempt actually eclipsed his huge performance the week prior. The veteran also posted a passer rating of 121.7, which was top-five by the end of the late window for the second straight week.
Darnold has once again been cruising as a top-10 fantasy QB this season, but he’s still just collecting dust on the waiver wire in most weeks. I implore you to pick him up if you have even the smallest hint on QB uncertainty on your roster. Or just to spite your friends by making sure that they can’t get him. Either works.
Week 7 matchup: vs. Houston Texans, 10 p.m. ET (Monday night)
Kimani Vidal, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (32.6%)
No Omarion Hampton? No problem for the Chargers as the backup Vidal stepped up huge in the team’s 29-27 road victory over the Dolphins on Sunday. The second-year back out of Troy shredded Miami’s in multiple facets, picking up 142 rushing yards on 6.9 yards per carry along with a receiving touchdown that extended L.A.‘s lead in the third quarter. That was good enough for him to end Sunday as a top-10 fantasy back in all scoring formats for the week.
Hampton is on injured reserve and may miss more than the mandatory four games, meaning Vidal could be settling in as the starting tailback for a while. He’s sure to be flying off the waiver wire this week, so submit a bid while you have the chance.
Week 7 matchup: vs. Indianapolis Colts, 4:05 p.m. ET
Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals (0.8%)
The Cardinals are a bit of a mess right now and dropped its fourth straight game in a 31-27 road loss to the Colts on Sunday. The team is scrambling at running back with both James Conner and Trey Benson out of commission and they were able to get a solid effort out of Knight. The fourth-year back split the workload with Michael Carter and came away with 34 rushing yards on 11 attempts, a 20-yard reception, and a touchdown on the day. If you’re pressed for some running back depth, he’ll be right there on the wire waiting to be taken.
Week 7 matchup: vs. Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m. ET
Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots (6.5%)
The Drake Maye train is picking up steam in New England and his receivers are beginning to eat as he rises into stardom. One of those guys is Boutte, who had a strong performance in their 25-19 road victory over the Saints on Sunday. Five receptions for 93 yards and two touchdowns was good enough for him to finish Sunday as a top-three fantasy wideout in all scoring formats and it was similar to his Week 1 breakout against the Raiders.
The combination of himself and All-Pro veteran Stefon Diggs have the potential to become a dynamic 1-2 punch that could help Maye and company actually push the Bills for the AFC East crown down the stretch. Get in on Boutte now as you could be hearing his name a lot in the coming weeks.
Week 7 matchup: @ Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m. ET
Kendrick Bourne, WR, San Francisco 49ers (22.8%)
The 49ers have continued to be decimated by injuries on both sides of the football, but an upside has been different players stepping up to fill the gaps. Bourne has certainly fit this mold as he posted another big day in their 30-19 loss to the Buccaneers on Sunday. He had exactly 142 receiving yards for a second straight week and his 28.4 yards per catch was the highest average for wideouts with at least five receptions this week.
Whether it’s Mac Jones or Brock Purdy getting the start at quarterback next Sunday night, they’ll have a big-play veteran to lean on and there should be an opportunity for you to snag him off the wire this week.
Week 7 matchup: vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:20 p.m. ET
Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers (1.8%)
Another guy who stepped up for the Chargers in their matchup with the Dolphins was Gadsden, who had a solid game against the franchise his father caught passes for around the turn of the century. The fifth-round rookie from Syracuse had the most productive performance of his career so far, catching seven of eight targets for 68 yards in the 29-27 victory.
Charger tight ends hadn’t really made much of an impact in the passing game prior to Week 6 and Gadsden’s effort could be a bellwether for things to come. If you need another TE option, then it could be a good idea to buy some Gadsden stock while it’s low.
AJ Barner, TE, Seattle Seahawks (19.4%)
Barner has worked his way into the top 10 of fantasy tight ends across all scoring formats and he once again made his mark in Seattle’s aforementioned win over Jacksonville on Sunday. He didn’t find the end zone like he had done in the prior two games, but he was still a big-play weapon for Sam Darnold with three receptions for 71 yards in the victory.
Despite his strong performances, he continues to just sit on the waiver wire in most leagues. That means you will continue to have opportunities to grab him.
