Waiver Wire Week 7: Top Fantasy Additions You Need to Grab

Fantasy football doesn't rest for anyone. If there was such a thing as coach speak for fantasy owners, the motto would simply be "next man up." Injuries and disappointing performances are going to happen every year, but you can't let one player ruin all you've built. 

This is where the waiver wire becomes your best friend. Think of it as the Oracle to your Neo in The Matrix. It's not going to tell you in exact terms what to do, but the answers will be there if you are looking in the right spots. 

As you start the prep work on your fantasy roster for Week 7, we've got all the answers you need. This is our look at the key players still available on the waiver wire you need to add at all costs in order to maximize your roster and point production. 

Odell Beckham Jr., WR, New York Giants

Owned in 7.9 percent of ESPN leagues

I included Beckham on this list last week, citing his solid debut performance in Week 5 and going up against a soft Philadelphia secondary in Week 6. If you listened to me, I apologize that you were only rewarded with two points. 

The good news is nothing worked for the Giants in Philadelphia, so you can't blame Beckham. The rookie also figures to get more looks because Eli Manning's favorite target, Victor Cruz, is out for the year after tearing the patellar tendon in his right knee. 

Christopher Harris of ESPN listed Beckham as a must-add in standard scoring leagues because of how thin they are at wide receiver and how much the Giants have invested in his development:

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The Giants spent the 12th overall pick on Beckham this spring, and his hamstring is finally healthy. He was disappointing Sunday night with only two catches on three targets, but I have to believe that's the fewest chances he'll get in a game the rest of the year. The Giants hope Beckham can be an Antonio Brown-like player on the outside.

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Don't bother trying to find consistency with the Giants because it doesn't exist. This week doesn't present a great matchup. Dallas has been playing at another level all year, though this feels like the quintessential trap game coming off the high of winning at Seattle and earning praise. 

Beckham flashed greatness in his first game against Atlanta two weeks ago. He was essentially shut out against the Eagles. That's life with a rookie at any position, but the good times are going to start coming because the Giants need him if they are going to succeed. 

Ronnie Hillman, RB, Denver Broncos

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Unlike Beckham, who I whiffed on last week, Ronnie Hillman made me look smart. He's been the best running back on the Broncos this year prior to Montee Ball being inactive for Week 6, then solidified that standing with 100 rushing yards on 24 carries against a very good New York Jets defense. 

Say what you want about New York's offense, but Rex Ryan has never forgotten how to motivate and build a defense. This week doesn't get any easier with a prime-time matchup against San Francisco's fifth-ranked run defense. 

There are holes that some opponents have found in the 49ers defense this year. DeMarco Murray, who has torched everyone, burned them for 118 yards in Week 1. Kansas City's Jamaal Charles averaged 5.3 yards per carry on 15 attempts in Week 6. St. Louis' Tre Mason broke a couple of good runs en route to 40 yards on five carries. 

It also helps that the 49ers defense comes into this matchup banged up. NaVorro Bowman is still recovering from knee surgery after last season; Aldon Smith is suspended for three more games; Glenn Dorsey is recovering from a torn biceps; Patrick Willis left Monday's win with a toe injury and is uncertain to play this week. 

When you look at that lineup of talent not playing or questionable to play, it's a miracle the 49ers are still able to play as a cohesive unit, let alone have the success they've had so far. 

The Broncos haven't had much success running the ball this year, averaging 91.2 yards per game, but they are still committed to making opponents respect it. That's why they've carried the ball 132 times through five games. 

Hillman will get the bulk of the carries in Week 7 and will have success against a beat up 49ers defense that will be gearing up to stop Peyton Manning and the passing game. 

Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens

Owned in 36.4 percent of ESPN leagues

I was shocked to find that Flacco is still available in nearly 64 percent of all ESPN leagues. He can be a frustrating quarterback to trust—in Week 5, the Ravens signal-caller had just seven points—but the good times have been prevalent, too. 

Sandwiched in between Flacco's miserable performance against Indianapolis two weeks ago, he's thrown for 633 yards, eight touchdowns and racked up 57 points in standard scoring leagues. 

What's Flacco's reward for all that hard work against Carolina and Tampa Bay? A matchup with Atlanta's 29th-ranked pass defense. A sign of how much the Ravens quarterback has grown is the way he distributed passes. 

Take a look at this note about Flacco's five-touchdown performance against Tampa Bay from Scott Pianowski of Yahoo Sports:

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For the first time this year,Torrey Smith was invited to the party (4-51, two scores), rewarding those brave enough (or desperate enough) to start him. The rejuvenated Steve Smith piled up 110 yards, including a 56-yard score. Off-the-radar Michael Campanaro and Kamar Aiken secured the other scoring passes. The Ravens also rushed for 169 yards, most of them from Justin Forsett (14-111).  

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It's time to start erasing any doubts you may have had about Flacco coming into the year. Even with the bad games, which any quarterback will have, he's completing a career-high 63.6 percent of his passes, second-highest yards per attempt average (7.26) and is virtually halfway to tying his career high in touchdown passes of 25 (12 through six games). 

You can tell when a quarterback is in a groove by the number of players he's getting involved in the offense. Six different Ravens have caught at least one touchdown from Flacco this season. Expect that trend to continue against an inept Falcons defense that has allowed at least 250 passing yards to four opposing quarterbacks. 

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