Fantasy Football Week 7 Rankings: Waiver-Wire Targets for Players on Injury List

Some fantasy football managers may be scrambling to put together a lineup for Week 7. There are six NFL teams on byes this week, and if your team is loaded with players from their rosters, there may not be many great fill-in options on the bench.

Several notable players are also dealing with injuries, which could have made things even more difficult. However, they could have replacements who are worthy of fantasy consideration because they will likely be getting increased opportunities.

With the majority of Week 7 matchups approaching, here's a look at the latest top-40 flex rankings, followed by a breakdown of several players who could be worthwhile waiver-wire pickups.  

Top-40 Flex Rankings

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1. Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry vs. KC

2. Kansas City Chiefs WR Tyreek Hill at TEN

3. Green Bay Packers WR Davante Adams vs. WAS

4. Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp vs. DET

5. Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones vs. WAS

6. Los Angeles Rams RB Darrell Henderson Jr. vs. DET

7. New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara at SEA

8. San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel vs. IND

9. Arizona Cardinals WR DeAndre Hopkins vs. HOU

10. Carolina Panthers WR DJ Moore at NYG

11. Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor at SF

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin vs. CHI

13. Atlanta Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson at MIA

14. Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon at BAL

15. Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce at TEN

16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Leonard Fournette vs. CHI

17. Tennessee Titans WR A.J. Brown vs. KC

18. Carolina Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard at NYG

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans vs. CHI

20. Detroit Lions RB D'Andre Swift at LAR

21. Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley at MIA

22. Las Vegas Raiders RB Josh Jacobs vs. PHI

23. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase at BAL

24. Kansas City Chiefs RB Darrel Williams at TEN

25. Houston Texans WR Brandin Cooks at ARI

26. New York Giants WR Sterling Shepard vs. CAR

27. Washington Football Team WR Terry McLaurin at GB

28. Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller vs. PHI

29. Baltimore Ravens WR Marquise Brown vs. CIN

30. Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle vs. ATL

31. Seattle Seahawks WR DK Metcalf vs. NO

32. Los Angeles Rams WR Robert Woods vs. DET

33. New England Patriots RB Damien Harris vs. NYJ

34. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews vs. CIN

35. Washington Football Team RB Antonio Gibson at GB

36. Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. at SF

37. Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith at LV

38. Detroit Lions TE T.J. Hockenson at LAR

39. San Francisco 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell vs. IND

40. New England Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers vs. NYJ 

Devonta Freeman, RB, Baltimore Ravens

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The Baltimore Ravens' bad luck with injuries to running backs has continued, as Latavius Murray won't be playing Sunday against the Bengals because of a left-ankle sprain. Murray had emerged as the starting back after Baltimore lost J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill before the season started.

It's time for the Ravens to turn to another pair of veteran backs, as Devonta Freeman and Le'Veon Bell should carry the majority of the load Sunday. According to ESPN's Jamison Hensley, Freeman is expected to start, with Bell serving as the primary backup.

Although Freeman hasn't been starting, the 29-year-old has been effective through his first five games with Baltimore, rushing for 95 yards on 16 carries. The majority of that work came in Week 6, when Freeman had nine carries for 53 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

Freeman, who is rostered in only 9 percent of Yahoo leagues and 7 percent of ESPN leagues, could be a solid starting running back option in Week 7 because he should get a decent number of touches and could get into the end zone again.  

Dante Pettis, WR, New York Giants

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The New York Giants have numerous wide receivers who are dealing with injuries. Kenny Golladay (knee) and Kadarius Toney (ankle) have both been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard and John Ross are all questionable with hamstring ailments. C.J. Board is on injured reserve with an arm injury.

If Slayton, Shepard and/or Ross can't play, New York will need another receiver to step up. That could end up being Dante Pettis, who made his season debut in Week 6. Pettis was targeted 11 times and had five receptions for 48 yards.

While Pettis may not be a top option, he's available in nearly every Yahoo and ESPN league. And Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will need to throw the ball to somebody. Even if some of the receivers who are questionable play, they could be limited, meaning Pettis would have an expanded role anyway.

If you're badly in need of a flex player, Pettis is worth taking a flier on for Week 7.  

O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Rob Gronkowski will be out for the fourth straight game because of a rib injury. Tampa Bay's offense will also be missing wide receiver Antonio Brown, who has been ruled out with an ankle ailment.

So there will be more targets to go around to other Bucs playmakers in Week 7. And while wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans will likely be quarterback Tom Brady's top options, tight end O.J. Howard should also be heavily involved in the offense. He's been dealing with his own ankle injury, but he was a full participant in Friday's practice and is trending in the right direction.

As long as Howard plays, he should be a great streaming option at tight end, as he's rostered in only 3 percent of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues. In Week 6, Howard had his best showing of the season, notching six receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Philadelphia Eagles. And he could be poised for another strong performance.

Roster information courtesy of FantasyPros.