Here are some players to consider picking up this week, if available, to get ahead of the other managers in your league. Remember, your roster can always improve, and even if you don’t need a player, you still want to keep another manager from picking them up.
Bye Weeks:
- Week 7: Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Week 8: Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers
Beat the Waiver Wire: No-Brainers
In most leagues, these guys aren't available. But if you are fortunate enough to see them on the waiver wire, grab them.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (27.4% rostered on ESPN)
Many fantasy managers stashed Baker on their IR, but if you didn't have enough spots, he may still be out there. He is aiming for a Week 7 return against the Carolina Panthers, after dealing with a dislocated thumb he has been rehabbing since Week 3. The team gets a solid Chicago matchup in Week 9, and if you can hold him through their Week 10 bye, you will be rewarded with a matchup against the Lions, who overwhelmingly give up the most fantasy points to quarterbacks - 28.4.
Beat the Waiver Wire: Quarterbacks
Geno Smith, New York Jets (6.2% rostered on ESPN)
It is rough out there for fantasy managers quarterback-wise. Smith could be a spot start in Week 8 against Las Vegas and in Week 10 against Buffalo. Week 8 has four teams on a bye, so you might need a fill-in. The Raiders are currently giving up 21.5 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks, which is tied for the fourth-highest. Buffalo is allowing even more at 22.8.