Week 7 Waiver Wire: Last-Minute Pickups That Will Save Your Lineup

If you are waking up to realize that your star running back is inactive, or that one of your wide receivers is on a bye week, do not worry, because there is still hope for your fantasy football team this week. 

Any number of things can happen on a Saturday night that can cause a dedicated fantasy owner to forget about his or her lineup. While the top players on the waiver wire are surely gone at this point, there are still a few options that can help those who are desperate out of a jam.

While all of the players available are certainly risky plays, any fantasy owner looking to complete a lineup on Sunday morning will be forced to take a few chances.

Here are the last-minute waiver-wire pickups that have the best chance to post surprisingly solid statistics in Week 7.

Note: all owned percentages via ESPN.com, and all fantasy points against statistics per NFL.com.

  

Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans Saints

When searching for a sleeper, injuries and matchups are key factors to keep in mind, and Devery Henderson will benefit from both in the New Orleans Saints’ game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Drew Brees loves to spread the ball around to his receivers, and with All-Pro tight end Jimmy Graham out with an ankle injury, Henderson is one of several players who will receive increased targets this weekend. 

The speedy wideout has always been an inconsistent fantasy performer, but his big-play potential is always enticing. It is even more attractive when the Saints are taking on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers.

For a player who is owned in just 3.4 percent of ESPN leagues, he offers excellent value for any fantasy owner who is looking to scrape one more player off the waiver wire.

  

Donnie Avery, WR,  Indianapolis Colts

Reggie Wayne is undoubtedly Andrew Luck’s favorite target, but Donnie Avery has been thrown to the second-most times of any Indianapolis Colt. The Cleveland Browns defense will allow multiple players on the Colts to enjoy productive days.

While star cornerback Joe Haden is back in the lineup for Cleveland after missing four games due to a suspension, the Browns have still allowed the third-most yards per game through the air and the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.

Haden will cause the Browns’ play to improve, but this is still no more than a mediocre secondary. Wayne will continue to produce, but Avery also has a chance to have an excellent outing.

He is owned in just 11.1 percent of ESPN leagues and is certainly worth starting for those making last-minute moves.

 

Baron Batch, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Isaac Redman and Rashard Mendenhall will both miss the Pittsburgh Steelers’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals this week, creating an uncertain situation in the team’s backfield.

Alan Robinson of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported that Baron Batch and Jonathan Dwyer will take on the rushing load against Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh often abandons the run during games, and currently ranks No. 31 in the NFL in rushing yards per game. But running backs with a chance to receive a significant number of carries are rare on the waiver wire, and almost never available on Sunday mornings.

If you desperately need a running back, Batch—who is available in 99.2 percent of ESPN leagues—is the best option.