Is it only me or is it hard to believe that the NFL enters the seventh week already? However, that is exactly where we find ourselves. Fantasy football managers are surely facing some roster headaches with all of the player injuries and disappointments. Even worse, we are in the midst of bye weeks, which can only deplete the player pool. Perhaps the biggest kick in the pants of all is the fact that the waiver market is largely bare. Fortunately for all that are reading this article, as always, this fantasy football prime waiver adds for week seven is here to help! Let’s not waste another minute and find the players that can help heal a roster this week. For clarity’s sake, all ownership percentages are taken from ESPN. Reminder: Buffalo, the LA Rams, Minnesota and the Philadelphia Eagles are on their bye this week.

Top Week Seven Running Back Waiver Options

Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens, 3.3% Owned

Never in my wildest imaginations did I figure that Kenyan Drake would be featured in one of my articles. Yet here he is after a masterful performance Sunday against the Giants. Drake was the driving force in the Ravens’ backfield after J.K. Dobbins came out of the game due to knee issues. Drake came into the game and completely ran over an overwhelmed Giants defense, gaining an incredible 119 yards on just 10 carries.

Big plays were the name of the game for Drake Sunday, as he ripped off two 30-yard rushes and added a 20-yarder to boot. Best of all, one of the big plays resulted in a touchdown. By far, it was Drake’s biggest performance in a game for quite some time. He looked every bit like the player that scored a combined 18 touchdowns in 2019 and 2020. Additionally, Drake has always been a steady runner, averaging at least four yards a carry in every season he has been in the NFL and 4.5 for his career.

Clearly, the Ravens intended for Dobbins to be the lead back in this offense. However, Drake gave them much to think about going forward. Baltimore is first and foremost a rushing offense and Drake has to be heavily involved after his performance. The running back position is especially weak on the wire and has been all season. If there is an RB need, Drake certainly looks like the answer.

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders, 50% Owned

As stated, there are few RBs worth rostering on the waiver wire at the moment. Perhaps Brian Robinson, as unbelievable as that may be, is still available in your league. He is right around 50 percent owned at the moment. Honestly, that ownership rate should be much higher.

Robinson easily led the Washington backfield in carries with 17 carries and scored a touchdown against the Bears Thursday night. By contrast, Antonio Gibson had just five carries. Likewise, J.D. McKissic was even more invisible, with just two rushes and, shockingly, no receptions.

Robinson has been featured twice previously and needs to be taken seriously as a worthy fantasy running back. If he is available in your league, put in a claim. This minute.

Top Week Seven Wide Receiver Waiver Options

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts, 25.3% Owned

With all of the prime rookie wide receivers in the NFL these days, almost no one notices Alec Pierce. That’s a shame, as Pierce has been one of the steadiest of them all so far this season. Over the past three weeks, Pierce has scored 12, 16 and 13 fantasy points. Even better, Pierce is getting targeted in the Colts’ passing game, as he has 16 in the past two weeks.

Although he and quarterback Matt Ryan weren’t in sync most of the game against the Jaguars, Pierce did score his first pro touchdown Sunday. Pierce has flashed big game potential as he has averaged 20.3, 20.0 and 16.3 yards per reception in three games this season.

The Titans are the Colts next opponent, and their pass defense ranks just 24th in the NFL. Look for some huge plays out of Pierce this Sunday and for his ownership rate to surge. The recommendation on this fantasy football prime waiver adds is to act now and go get him!

Tyquan Thornton, New England Patriots, 0.6% Owned

Going into the game against Cleveland, ESPN noted that the Patriots have a large receiver room, and that Tyquan Thornton doesn’t have a regular path for targets. Without question, that perception needs to change after Thorton scored two touchdowns in the Patriots surprisingly easy 38-15 win over Cleveland. In the game, Thorton was targeted five times, catching four of them for 37 yards and a touchdown.

However, no one outside of the Patriots’ play callers could have predicted that Thorton would also receive three carries for an additional 16 yards and another touchdown. Welcome to the NFL Tyquan! After missing the first four weeks with a collarbone injury and getting just two carries in week five, Thorton looks to produce in a big way the remainder of the season.

While it uncertain who will be the quarterback for New England from one week to the next, whomever is under center should be looking Thorton’s way early and often.  Clearly, he won’t be less than one percent owned for long. Equally clearly, any manager that needs wide receiver help needs to look Thorton’s way sooner rather than later.

Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants, 6.5% Owned

Amazingly, another rookie wide receiver makes his way into this fantasy football prime waiver adds article. Once again, he is a receiver that hasn’t gotten nearly the coverage others have. That ends today with the inclusion of Wan’Dale Robinson. The biggest reason for this recommendation is the Giants’ next two opponents.

In week seven, New York faces Jacksonville. The Jaguars are ranked 25th in pass defense. In week eight, the Giants travel to Seattle. The Seahawks rank 26th against the pass and until Sunday against the Cardinals, couldn’t close a paper bag on defense.

As for Robinson himself, after missing four weeks due to a knee injury, he stepped right in and was second on the team with four targets. He was two yards short of leading the team in receiving yards. Best of all, he scored his first pro touchdown, a five-yard score. None of the other Giants’ receivers have stepped up this season, giving Robinson a big opportunity for fantasy production. Robinson is available across the land and primed for a big stretch run for a surprising New York team. Don’t overthink it, make Robinson a priority WR claim.

Top Week Seven Tight End Waiver Options

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers, 27.6% Owned

Just like any other season, the tight end position is short on reliable options. Almost every worthy tight end is already on someone’s fantasy roster. Don’t lose hope just yet, however, as there is a tight end that is a team’s leading receiver option. Incredibly, quarterback Aaron Rodgers is having a down season and is looking for anyone he can trust in the Packers’ offense.

That player isn’t a receiver, but tight end Robert Tonyan. Against the Jets Sunday, Rodgers targeted Tonyan 12 times, resulting in 10 catches for 90 yards. If there is one thing in this world we can be sure of, there aren’t any other tight ends on the wire that comes close to receiving 12 targets. Next on the Packers schedule is the Washington Commanders. Washington ranks in the middle of the road against tight ends.

Rogers should be seeking Tonyan out until a wide receiver, any receiver, makes an impact. In a slim position, Tonyan stands out.

Daniel Bellinger, New York Giants, 2.5% Owned

For exactly the same reasons as Robinson above, Daniel Bellinger receives a recommendation on this fantasy football prime waiver adds for week seven. That statement is especially true in the case of Jacksonville. The Jaguars rank next to last in the NFL defending tight ends. They just finished giving up 34 points to the Colts, a team they shut out earlier in the season. Bellinger should be able to put up some sizable fantasy stats against a defense like that. Remember, Seattle is next after that game.

As for the game against the Ravens, Bellinger caught all five of his targets for 38 yards and a touchdown. In week five, he scored a rushing TD against the Packers. In the last two weeks, Bellinger has scored 10 and 14 fantasy points. Not many tight ends can match that, and especially not on the waiver wire. If tight end is a problem, and it is for nearly everyone, Bellinger can help heal the roster.

Top Week Seven Quarterback Waiver Options

Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons, 14.4% Owned

There were several surprising results from games in week six. However, none were more so than Atlanta’s dominating 28-14 win over San Francisco. The primary reason for the outcome was the play of quarterback Marcus Mariota. In fact, except for a week four collapse against Cleveland, Mariota has been one of the most consistent quarterbacks in both the real and fantasy realms this season. In six games this season, Mariota has completed over 60 percent of his passes in four of them. Not bad for a quarterback sitting on the waiver wire.

Mariota being on the recommendation list this week after throwing just 14 passes Sunday might be the biggest surprise to be found this entire season. Those 14 passes were all Mariota needed for the victory, as he completed 13 of them, including two for touchdowns. It was in the run game, though, where Mariota made his presence felt, as he rushed six times for 50 yards and another TD. Over the past two weeks, Mariota has thrown for three TDs and no interceptions.

In week seven, Atlanta faces a Cincinnati team that just allowed 26 points to the New Orleans Saints. The Bengals rank 16th in pass defense and even worse, 20th against the run. That kind of defense should allow Mariota to build stats through the air and on the ground. With four teams on bye this week, Mariota makes a fine streamer candidate.

Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts, 12.5% Owned

Without question, another quarterback worth streaming in week seven is Matt Ryan. Just like the Colts themselves, Ryan refuses to stay down this season. After two completely putrid performances to begin the season, Ryan has stood tall the last four weeks, completing over 70 percent of his passes in three games. Further, Ryan has thrown for two or more touchdowns in three of the four games.

The main aspect of Ryan’s game that needs refining is the turnover. He has thrown interceptions in four of the six games so far this year. The remedy? How about the next opponent is Tennessee. As stated above, the Titans are terrible at pass defense. Ryan and the Colts should be able to make them pay. In week four against them, Ryan completed 27 of 37 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns. There is every reason to believe a similar result will be on display this coming Sunday.

As with Mariota, with four teams on bye, Ryan is a good replacement this week. Managers with gaping holes in their lineups would be well served to not only pick Ryan up but place him in their starting lineup. You can thank me later.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football prime waiver adds for week seven edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Tune in for the Belly Up Fantasy Live Preview Show every Sunday morning at 11 AM EST on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or BellyUpTV. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news! 

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