WAIVER WIRE PLUS: BEST FANTASY FOOTBALL MOVES FOR NFL WEEK 7
Complete Guide to Pickups, Injuries, and Recommendations for Every Team
The waiver wire looks different in every league. That's why we're bringing you a complete breakdown of how to handle every relevant fantasy player in the NFL for the upcoming Week 7 of the 2025-26 season.
TOP 3 MOVES OF THE WEEK
1. ADD KIMANI VIDAL (LA CHARGERS)
The question of "who's the No. 1 running back for the Chargers?" finally has an answer. At least for now. Vidal dominated Hassan Haskins 43-20 in snaps and had 21 touches to Haskins' seven.
Why Add: Even though Los Angeles next plays the Indianapolis Colts, who have one of the best run defenses (only 16.6 fantasy points allowed), Vidal appears to be the smart move at least short-term.
2. HOLD KENDRICK BOURNE (SF 49ERS)
Bourne has recorded two massive games in a row, and with Ricky Pearsall returning, it might be tempting to sell high. But this is the 49ers – when have they ever kept everyone healthy?
Why Hold: Kyle Shanahan is an elite strategist who will find a way to make anyone in the offense productive. Bourne remains a valuable asset.
3. ADD MICHAEL MAYER (LV RAIDERS)
With Brock Bowers still day-to-day with no clear return timeline, Mayer presents a solid tight end option.
Week 6 Performance: Finished as TE6 in PPR formats with five catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Can find the endzone even in an average Raiders offense.
KEY TEAM ANALYSES
BUFFALO BILLS – HOLD KEON COLEMAN
Situation: Coleman started the season as WR1 in Week 1 (eight catches, 112 yards, TD), but has declined since with only nine receptions in the next three weeks.
Recommendation: Can't be started right now, but in Buffalo's elite offense could return to a bigger role late in the season. Hold on bench.
Long-Term Trend: James Cook is getting the most carries of his career and continues as one of the NFL's best players at scoring touchdowns.
MIAMI DOLPHINS – ADD MALIK WASHINGTON
Injury Situation: Tyreek Hill on IR after knee injury (out for rest of season)
Why Washington: Since Hill's injury in Week 3, he's run more routes and played more snaps than any Dolphins receiver except Waddle. Eight targets in the last two weeks (third on team).
Long-Term Trend: Darren Waller in the red zone – four touchdowns in the first three games, has become the primary target for Tua Tagovailoa in the red zone.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS – HOLD HUNTER HENRY
Receiving Corps: Stable with Diggs as WR1 and Henry as Drake Maye's second-favorite target.
Surprising Stat: Patriots have 48.2% pass success percentage (entering Week 6), fifth in the league.
Watch Out: Stash TreVeyon Henderson – the running back room is thin and if anything happened to Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson would become an immediate starter.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – HOLD HOLLYWOOD BROWN
Patrick Mahomes is back in a big way. Brown is building a special connection with Mahomes – in the Week 7 win over the Lions he had four catches for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
Concerns: Yes, Rashee Rice is returning from suspension. But with Brown's performance and big-play potential, Andy Reid will likely find a way to keep him involved.
Long-Term Trend: Ride Patrick Mahomes – "Patrick Mahomes, fantasy quarterback" is back. Already has one four-touchdown game in 2025 and the floor is much higher. Pencil in Mahomes as an elite fantasy option.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS – ADD KIMANI VIDAL
Detailed Look: Vidal dominated Haskins 43-20 in snaps with 21 touches to seven.
Next Game: Indianapolis Colts (only 16.6 fantasy points vs. RB) – might be tougher, but Vidal is the short-term smart move.
Injuries:
- Omarion Hampton: On IR with ankle injury (return later in season)
- Najee Harris: Out for season (Achilles)
- Quentin Johnston: Missed Week 6 (hamstring), could return Week 7
Long-Term Trend: Stick with three WRs – Johnston, Allen and McConkey all over 300 receiving yards, no other WR has cracked 80 yards.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS – ADD MICHAEL MAYER
Situation: Brock Bowers day-to-day, return doesn't seem imminent.
Mayer's Performance: TE6 in PPR in Week 6 (five catches, 50 yards, TD). Carries touchdown potential even in a weak receiving corps.
Long-Term Trend: Ride Ashton Jeanty – fifth in NFL with 17.5 attempts per game. Ninth-most carries through Week 6 over the past three seasons. High ceiling due to volume, even though Raiders blocking isn't ideal.
BALTIMORE RAVENS – SELL MARK ANDREWS
Lamar Jackson has been out, and perhaps a fantasy league mate will believe picking up Andrews will pay off when he returns. But outside of a big game against the Lions in Week 3, Andrews hasn't been playable at tight end.
Recommendation: If anyone will give you value based on name and one big game, take it.
Long-Term Trend: Derrick Henry – season has been a disaster so far, but he got back on track in Week 6. After the Week 7 bye it gets easier: Ravens play Bengals 2×, Bears, Dolphins and Jets. Reasons for concern remain, but boom weeks are probably on the horizon.
HOUSTON TEXANS – BENCH NICK CHUBB
Woody Marks seemed destined to usurp Chubb after Week 4, but Chubb had more touches than Marks in Week 5.
Warning: Don't be fooled into starting Chubb this week. Seattle Seahawks have one of the best rushing defenses in the league and Marks is more likely to be a factor in the passing game.
Injury: Tank Dell – out for season (knee)
Long-Term Trend: C.J. Stroud rebound – averaged 9.04 yards per attempt against Ravens in Week 5, surpassing his YPA in any game in 2024. Has three games this year averaging over 8.0 YPA; last year had two all season.
DALLAS COWBOYS – HOLD RYAN FLOURNOY
CeeDee Lamb is still injured after ankle injury against the Bears in Week 3. Flournoy has received 11 targets since Lamb's injury, third-most among team receivers.
Recommendation: Must-add and solid Flex play until Lamb is back as Dak Prescott's favorite target.
Long-Term Trend: Ride the skill players – when CeeDee Lamb gets fully healthy, hard to imagine a better fantasy situation than in Dallas. Cowboys have two incredibly talented receivers, an excellent fantasy tight end, a rejuvenated running back, and a quarterback playing his best football. Even the terrible defense should force the offense to score as much as possible.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS – HOLD KENDRICK BOURNE
Bourne has had two massive games in a row, and with Ricky Pearsall's return it might be tempting to sell high.
Why Hold: When have the 49ers kept everyone healthy? Kyle Shanahan is an elite strategist who will make anyone in the offense productive.
Key Injuries:
- Brock Purdy: Missed Week 6 (toe), could return Week 7
- Ricky Pearsall: Missed Week 6 (knee), could return Week 7
- George Kittle: Practicing for first time since Week 2 (hamstring)
- Brandon Aiyuk: Still not practicing (knee)
Long-Term Trend: Run CMC – despite struggles in the running game, Christian McCaffrey maintains elite status by catching the ball. Gets more targets than several WR1s, keeping him virtually matchup-proof when healthy.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS – ADD AJ BARNER
Barner may not be getting tons of targets (19 in six games), but he leads team receivers in snaps. Has racked up 13 receptions for 156 yards and three touchdowns in the last three games (four TDs in last five).
Recommendation: Don't overthink this one, even though he probably wasn't even drafted in your fantasy league.
Long-Term Trend: Believe in JSN – to say Sam Darnold loves targeting Jaxon Smith-Njigba is an understatement. Expect JSN to be a top-five fantasy wide receiver as long as he and Darnold stay healthy.
QUICK TIPS FOR OTHER TEAMS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Add Josh Downs – nearly matched Michael Pittman Jr. in targets, good for PPR leagues
TENNESSEE TITANS: Add Tyjae Spears – looks better than Tony Pollard, key pass-catching ability when Titans trail
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES: Stash AJ Dillon – if Saquon Barkley needs rest (career-high 345 carries in 2024), Dillon could get the opportunity
MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Buy T.J. Hockenson – five+ targets in each of the last four weeks, clear top-three pass catcher in offense
ARIZONA CARDINALS: Stash Michael Wilson – Marvin Harrison Jr. has concussion, Wilson could gain bigger role
LA RAMS: Stash Blake Corum – efficient 5.4 yards per carry, if Kyren Williams missed time, scramble for Corum would be chaos
FINAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Fantasy football management in 2025 requires more than just watching the waiver wire. Keys to success are:
- Track injury trends – know team depth charts
- Anticipate changes – stash handcuffs before they're needed
- Be proactive – add players before they explode
- Understand game scripts – know which players benefit from leading vs. trailing
Use this guide as a foundation for informed decisions, but don't forget to follow the latest injury news and practice reports before each week.
We thank Stats Perform for providing the data
Photo:eu.usatoday.com
More information:24live.com
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