Week 7 Waiver Wire: Early Pickups and Breakout Fantasy Football Candidates

Angry you missed out on Branden Oliver? Just about ready to give up and drop Cordarrelle Patterson? Praying that Scott Chandler can repeat his 100-yard performance in Week 7? Such are the questions and the feelings running through fantasy football managers' minds after another thrilling, maddening and topsy-turvy week in the NFL.

There is no end to the search for fantasy football talent in the 2014 season. This parity-driven league is full of surprises, and every week, there is a new player ready to fill in and take advantage of a given opportunity. Whether you're looking to hold on to a playoff spot or hoping to reverse course on the season and make a quick trip to the top of the league, the Week 7 waiver wire is the first step toward making things happen.

Let's take a look at some readily available skill players worth picking up this week. Keep in mind, the majority of these players are owned in less than 20 percent of Yahoo! Sports fantasy football leagues, so even owners brave enough to take on 12-player leagues are likely to see these NFLers on waivers. For smaller eight-player leagues, these are still decent pickups, but there may be more talented choices available.

Running Back

Antone Smith, Atlanta Falcons

David Goldman/Associated Press

There weren't too many breakout running back performances in Week 7, but Antone Smith pulled the same move he's been using all season: busting out for a long touchdown play.

This time around, it was a simple swing pass from Matt Ryan that he turned into a 54-yard scoring play. Smith has scored in all but one game this season (Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals).

This guy just cannot stop scoring, even though he hardly touches the ball on offense. Smith has 23 touches for a staggering five touchdowns. ESPN.com's Vaughn McClure noted all of his touchdowns this season are of the ridiculously long variety:

It's crazy to think head coach Mike Smith isn't paying attention, but he's bound to give Smith more touches at some point in the near future, right? Smith might be a bit of a long shot, as he's a fantasy bust if he doesn't score, but he could very well be worth taking a flier on if the Falcons turn to him to get their once-promising season back on track. Steven Jackson, Jacquizz Rodgers and Devonta Freeman have all been relatively ineffective this season.

Time to monitor the quotes coming out of the Falcons camp to see if Smith is worth a start.

Also Worth a Look: Fozzy Whittaker, Carolina Panthers; Isaiah Crowell, Cleveland Browns

Wide Receiver

Brandon LaFell, New England Patriots

Mike Groll/Associated Press

Brandon LaFell left it late, but the veteran wide receiver popped up for two fourth-quarter touchdowns in the New England Patriots' Week 6 win over the Buffalo Bills. 

Quarterback Tom Brady is showing greater trust in his wide receivers, which bodes well for LaFell.

"I think a lot of guys are making big plays out there,” Brady said, per NESN.com's Doug Kyed. “Brandon made some big plays, Julian made some big plays, and Brian made some big plays—getting contributions in the running game, Shane (Vereen) making plays."

After doing absolutely nothing in the team's first two games, LaFell has steadily improved his play. He broke out in the Patriots' awful loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, notching 119 yards and a touchdown, but few fans noticed and instead considered that the Patriots' run of stellar seasons might soon be over. LaFell's second big performance of the year suggests that he's no flash in the pan.

Yes, LaFell was a complete dud in Week 5 against the Bengals, but Brady doesn't have too many reliable options outside of tight end Rob Gronkowski and possession receiver Julian Edelman. LaFell should reap the rewards of a fired up Brady, who looks determined to punish all the naysayers for prematurely predicting his demise.

Also Worth a Look: Andre Holmes, Oakland Raiders; Louis Murphy Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tight End

Scott Chandler, Buffalo Bills

Gary Wiepert/Associated Press

The Bills haven't had too many great offensive performances this season, but tight end Chandler had his finest output of the year with a six-catch, 105-yard effort against the Patriots in Week 6.

Chandler is often overlooked, probably because he plays in Buffalo, but he has put up at least 70 receptions in each of the past two seasons. He's not a huge touchdown threat, but tight end points are tough to come by for fantasy owners that missed out on the Holy Trinity of Gronkowski, Jimmy Graham and Julius Thomas. 

The fifth-year man out of Iowa has steadily grown into the offense this season and has seen more and more targets come his way since Week 1.

Week	REC	TGTS	YDS	AVG	TD
1	0	0	0	0	0
2	2	2	27	13.5	0
3	5	5	74	14.8	0
4	2	5	15	7.5	0
5	4	6	21	5.3	0
6	6	9	105	17.5	0

Chandler is a solid bench option and can start in a pinch, especially with the veteran Kyle Orton likely to settle for taking what the defense gives him in the coming weeks as he tries to steer the Bills to an elusive winning season.

The Bills have very winnable games coming up against the Minnesota Vikings and the New York Jets. With few receiving threats in the fold outside of rookie wideout Sammy Watkins, expect Chandler to see a steady diet of throws come his way.

Also Worth a Look: Jace Amaro, New York Jets; Jermaine Gresham, Cincinnati Bengals