Week 7 Waiver Wire: Examining Top Fantasy Football Targets

The fantasy football waiver wire heading into Week 7 is full of potential breakout players, bye-week starters and viable handcuffs.

Whatever reason you may have to make an addition to your fantasy team—be it due to injury, bye week or other—we have you covered.

Week 6 saw many lesser-known players finish with big performances due to injuries to regular starters. Some of these players appear to have established themselves in their respective schemes and should be in line for more touches in certain circumstances.

So, who are these waiver-wire gems? Here's a position-by-position look at the top option to target followed by a handful of honorable mentions for each category.

Quarterback

Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals (6.4 Percent Owned)

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

Palmer made a surprise return to action in Week 6 against the Washington Redskins, and he didn't show any signs of rust or lingering injury issues through a full 60 minutes.

When Palmer is under center, Arizona becomes a pass-first team. That fact, along with his very apparent chemistry with wide receivers Michael Floyd and Larry Fitzgerald, led to a strong showing right out of the gate.

The veteran signal-caller completed 28 of his 44 passing attempts for 250 yards, two touchdowns, zero interceptions and a passer rating of 93.9.

Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com tweeted exactly how efficient Palmer was under pressure on Sunday:

Palmer's schedule is favorable over the next two weeks with the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles next up on the slate, and he should be considered a worthy bye-week starter with the upside to become a matchup-based play down the road.

Honorable Mentions: Joe Flacco, Austin Davis, Kyle Orton, Brian Hoyer

Running Back

Antone Smith, Atlanta Falcons (5.1 Percent Owned)

John Bazemore/Associated Press

This is the week to grab Smith on the cheap because his value could skyrocket in very short order. While Smith doesn't garner many touches per game in Atlanta, he doesn't need all that many to make a big impact.

On Sunday, he rattled off a 41-yard touchdown reception despite only touching the ball six times.

Now, while that one big touchdown play isn't worthy of a waiver-wire pickup, five big scoring plays in six games most certainly is. Take a look at his amazing playmaking ability, via the NFL on Twitter:

No. 1 running back Steven Jackson hasn't been impressive at all this season. In Week 6, he carried six times for 25 yards and didn't record a reception.

It's only a matter of time before head coach Mike Smith decides to get the ball in Smith's hands more often. When that happens, he could turn into fantasy gold.

Honorable Mentions:Benny Cunningham, Storm Johnson, Ronnie Hillman, Justin Forsett, Andre Williams, Branden Oliver

Wide Receiver

Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals (38.7 Percent Owned)

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

For as long as A.J. Green continues to miss time, Sanu is the Bengals' No. 1 receiver and quarterback Andy Dalton's most trusted target.

Sanu was already having a nice year as a secondary option in the passing game, but without Green in the fold in Week 6, he put up huge numbers, catching 10 passes for 110 yards and a score.

Sanu should be instantly considered a waiver-wire addition and short-term starter at wide receiver in Week 7. Why's that? Well, not only are the Bengals playing a mediocre Indianapolis Colts passing defense, but Bob Holtzman of ESPN tweeted this status report:

Even after Green returns to action, Sanu could still be considered a bye-week replacement or spot starter, but his value will be at its peak in Week 7.

Honorable Mentions: Odell Beckham Jr., Brian Quick, Andre Roberts, Cecil Shorts, Brandon LaFell

Tight End

Tim Wright, New England Patriots (3.6 Percent Owned)

Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Tight end is a very thin fantasy position, and grabbing a big man with the ability to find pay dirt is crucial. Over the past two weeks, Wright has proved he can do just that in New England's offense.

After recording five receptions for 85 yards and a score against the Bengals in Week 5, he scored the Patriots' first touchdown of Week 6 against the Buffalo Bills.

NFL Philosophy tweeted his take on Wright in the New England offense:

This team has been searching for a complementary tight end for Rob Gronkowski since the departure of Aaron Hernandez. Now that the athletic Wright has gained familiarity with the offense, he could become exactly what Bill Belichick and Co. have been looking for.

Wright shouldn't be considered a starting option just yet, but he could be a nice bye-week replacement with enough upside to warrant some time in his owners' starting lineups in the future.

Honorable Mentions: Jared Cook, Eric Ebron, Dwayne Allen, Owen Daniels, Jordan Reed, Travis Kelce

All fantasy ownership statistics courtesy of ESPN.com and current as of October 13.