Fantasy football waiver wire Week 7 adds: 9 players to pick up

With Week 6 of the NFL season nearly complete, you should know whether or not your fantasy team is competing for a championship. If they are, good work; surely you would love some advice on who to target on waivers this week. If you're not in contention, that sucks; surely you would love some advice on who to target so you can ruin your friends' seasons or at least avoid your last-place punishment.

The only problem is that this deep into the season, most of the breakout stars this year have already been identified and picked up. It would take an injury, or a massive resurgence for anybody else to have a big role, as was the case with Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker today. Sure, he was great, but that level of production can't be expected every week, especially when Rachaad White returns.

Finding a player worthy of starting in your lineup may be difficult, but it's not impossible. Here are nine players to consider adding ahead of Week 7.

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Week 7 Waiver Wire adds:

*All roster numbers are courtesy of Yahoo Sports

• TE Zach Ertz, WSH (Rostered in 25% of leagues)

The tight end position has been downright abysmal all year long. However, if you're looking for someone who can give you a solid floor, Ertz is your man. Through six games, Ertz may not have a single game with more than 11 points, but he only has one game with less than five. Even in that game though, he still earned eight targets from quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Washington offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury loved to get Zach Ertz involved when the pair worked together in Arizona, and that seems to have transferred to the nation's capital. There may not be much boom upside, but Ertz is a very safe option to fill in for your starter when they are on bye, or if you're in a multi-FLEX league and need an option to place there. He's a versatile, safe play, and that cannot be understated in such a volatile fantasy football season.

• RB Ty Chandler, MIN (Rostered in 27% of leagues)

Vikings' starting running back Aaron Jones is dealing with a hip injury. While there is optimism within the Vikings' locker room that he will be available to play Week 7, there is still a solid chance that he does not suit up. If you own Jones, you need Chandler on your bench right now. Even if you don't own Jones though, Chandler could be worth a flyer if you have space.

The Vikings play on Sunday, but then have an immediate turnaround with Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 8. If Jones can't go Sunday, there's a shot he won't be able to go on Thursday either. That would be two games for Chandler as the lead back in a potent Minnesota offense. That potential alone makes Chandler worth a shot on waivers.

• WR DeMario Douglas, NE (Rostered in 7% of leagues)

Sometimes, all a receiver needs is a change at quarterback. Through one week with Drake Maye at quarterback, Douglas looks like the clear-cut top option in New England's offense, leading all Patriots receivers in targets (9), receptions (6), and yards (92).

Although the Patriots are bound to be more run-heavy when Rhamondre Stevenson returns from injury, the possible connection between Maye and Douglas cannot be ignored. Furthermore, game script should often favor a heavy aerial attack, as the Patriots will likely be playing from behind early and often.

• RB Kimani Vidal, LAC (Rostered in 11% of leagues)

With Gus Edwards sidelined for at least the next three weeks, rookie running back Kimani Vidal was offered his first opportunities in today's game against Denver, and he didn't disappoint. His first-ever touch in the NFL resulted in a touchdown.

While his rushing efficiency could certainly be improved, he wasn't bad, and he was a factor in the passing game, which is something the Chargers have been missing from their halfbacks early in the season. Furthermore, given Dobbins' severe injury history, one bad move could give way for Vidal to have a massive role in this offense, one of the most run-heavy in the league.

• WR Jalen Tolbert, DAL (Rostered in 35% of leagues)

With the Cowboys' No. 2 receiver Brandin Cooks on injured reserve, Tolbert has taken on a much bigger role in this Dallas offense, and has arguably outproduced Cooks. Tolbert tallied 10 targets, seven receptions, and a touchdown in his first game without Cooks, and while he was much quieter the following week against Detroit, nobody on the Dallas offense could get going in that game. Tolbert still had a few high-impact plays and should be someone that Prescott continues looking to in a very pass-heavy offense.

• WR Bub Means, NO (Rostered in <2% of leagues)

With Derek Carr out for the next 3-4 weeks, the Saints will rely on rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler wasn't terrible against Tampa Bay, and he seemingly had a solid connection with rookie wideout Bub Means. Means was tied for the team lead in targets (8) and even caught a touchdown from Rattler. Means certainly isn't worth starting in the immediate future, but you should keep your eye on him, just in case those rookies developed a connection behind the scenes.

• QB Caleb Williams, CHI (Rostered in 69% of leagues)

Although Williams was atrocious to start the year, he has really picked up the pace as of late. Even in unfamiliar territory in Week 6, taking on the Jaguars in London, Williams tallied four touchdowns and looked very good while doing it.

Williams' strong performances the last two weeks have not been against great defenses, so perhaps Williams would have to perform similarly against someone other than the Panthers and Jaguars before you could start him with confidence. As it stands though, he's certainly worth a stash in case he is capable of keeping this up.

• WR Josh Downs, IND (Rostered in 48% of leagues)

Somehow, Downs is still available in more than half of all leagues. He's tallied over 15 PPR points in three straight weeks, earned at least nine targets in each of those games, and has scored twice in that stretch. Yet more than half of all leagues just have him up for grabs. It doesn't make sense.

While Downs' production will certainly decrease when Anthony Richardson returns under center, Downs' production cannot be ignored. He may have even overtaken Michael Pittman Jr. as the top receiver on the Colts. At the very least, even with Richardson, Downs is worth starting in your FLEX.

• RB Ray Davis, BUF (Rostered in 9% of leagues)

Here's someone you can add right now, if you still have someone you can drop. With Buffalo starting running back James Cook dealing with turf toe, it's unclear if he will play on "Monday Night Football" or if he'll be able to play the following week. In his stead, rookie Ray Davis and veteran Ty Johnson will take the bulk of the carries. Davis gets the edge though because he has been used more thus far. Furthermore, the Bills will want to see what they have in Davis and determine whether or not he can handle a workhorse's usage. If either player is going to take Cook's role in the Bills' offense, it will likely be Davis.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Waiver wire Week 7: 9 fantasy football players to pick up now