Last Minute Waiver Wire Pickups Week 7: Kyler Murray, Elijah Mitchell, Kareem Hunt, Rashee Rice and More
The waiver wire period has come and gone and you may have missed out on the guy you wanted. The waiver wire darlings everyone was clamoring for are long gone and you're still looking to fill out your roster and maybe even your lineup. These are the late waiver wire adds that you should be picking up. Everyone listed is rostered in less than 50% of leagues.
Last Minute Waiver Wire Pickups
Quarterbacks
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Rostered: 36.6%
In a week with six bye weeks, there is a case to be made that Howell is a fringe QB1 in 12-team leagues. If you are streaming a QB this week due to byes or injuries, his matchup with the New York Giants makes him an ideal target. The Giants come in as a bottom-six defense in the league. While by the numbers they are an average defense against the pass and terrible against the run, on film that seems to be more of a game-script issue. The Giants are generally trailing often and teams run the ball early because it makes sense. We don't expect Washington to dominate this game so Howell should continue to throw deep into the game.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Rostered: 16.9%
Murray has returned to practice opening up his 21-day window to return. He won't be starting this week, but if he is available in your league this is an opportunity to pick up a potential QB1 for nothing. This is a rare opportunity especially if you've been saddled with an underperforming or injured QB. Go on waivers, grab him, and stash now before someone else beats you to it.
Running Backs
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Rostered: 40.8%
Hunt is a much bigger piece of this offense than most anticipated and looked good last week in his first game re-acclimated to the offense. He saw 15 touches to Jerome Ford's 19 and thrived in the passing attack and red zone. So on top of carries being split way more evenly than expected, he also saw the most valuable opportunities. Picking up Hunt gives you an option both for Week 7 and potentially a long-term flex option.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Rostered: 29.0%
Mitchell is owned at a significantly smaller percentage than Jordan Mason and is our running back of choice in the 49ers' backfield. So not only is he more widely available, he could be the better option. The risk is that we are wrong and Mason sees the vast majority of the touches this week if Christian McCaffrey sits out. Nevertheless, no one knows how this backfield will shake out so you need to just pick a back and stick with him. This is the one we are going with.
Wide Receivers
Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Rostered: 22.1%
We don't know how many times we can beat you over the head with Rice, but we are going to keep doing it because his ownership is so low. The rookie is in the midst of breaking out and becoming the WR1 in an offense led by Patrick Mahomes and designed by Andy Reid. It's ludicrous that he is only 22.1% owned. This isn't some guy who came out of nowhere, this is a second-round pick who we projected to be a top-three wide receiver in this class. Do yourself a favor and go grab him if he's available in your league.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
Rostered: 16.2%
The Patriots' wide receiver room has been hit by a rash of injuries and Bourne has emerged as the top guy. Last week he led all Pats' wideouts in every category by a wide margin. He saw 11 targets and turned them into 10 receptions for 89 yards. The next closest receiver was DeVante Parker with three targets and he hauled in one of them for seven yards. Bourne has the ability to be a dynamic playmaker and that is something this offense desperately needs. If you are looking to stream a WR or flex he's a solid option this week against a Bills' defense who has a banged-up secondary.
Tight Ends
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers
Rostered: 8.4%
Musgrave takes on the Denver Broncos this week who can't stop anyone and tight ends are no exception. They are allowing the most fantasy points to the position this season and Broncos' defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has a long history of not being able to stop tight ends. If Musgrave is available he is a plug-and-play option who should be viewed as a low-end TE1 this week with upside.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rostered: 42.2%
The next best matchup this week belongs to Freiermuth who hoes up against the Rams. Los Angeles is allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season, but the three teams between the Broncos and Rams are either on a bye or already played this week. Due to injury and mediocre play this season, Freiermuth finds himself on a lot more waiver wires than expected. He serves as a great streaming option this week who could also hold long-term value for the rest of the season.
