The NFL BYE weeks are here. I think a lot of fantasy football players don’t realize what that means in terms of the waiver wire. Let me elaborate…the next few weeks are less about finding the backup running back that takes you to a championship, and more about finding a different guy, each week, for the next 4-6 weeks, that fills a hole on your roster caused by the BYE week.

QUARTERBACK

Tua Tagovailoa MIA (Rookie)

It’s finally Tua time. If you’ve watched college football at all over the last couple of years, you understand the possibilities of Tua taking over the Miami offense. And those possibilities are fucking exciting. He has solid weapons all around him and Miami actually looks kinda legit. I can’t believe I just said that. This is my #1 fantasy football week 7 waiver add across the board.

Jimmy Garoppolo SF

Jimmy G is back and his favorite toy, Kittle is healthy again. I’m not much of a fan of the Niner’s signal caller, but you’re not adding him to start every week. You’re adding him for when you’re without your QB due to BYE week bullshit.

Last Week’s Waiver picks...In a weak fantasy week, neither of these guys hurt you.
Andy Dalton 266/1/2   C
Matt Stafford 223/1/1   C

RUNNING BACK

D’Andre Swift DET (Rookie)

These 3 backs cover the entire spectrum in terms of season long value. Scott will help you for a week. Hasty possibly for a few weeks or more. D’Andre Swift…could win you a fantasy football championship. The Lions look like they finally got it right with this kid. He looks special. Hard through the hole with soft hands and pro bowl feet. Couple that with QuinnTricia’s new commitment to the run, and you have a guy that could end up in your starting lineup for the next 10 weeks. He is a close 2nd to Tua.

JaMycal Hasty SF (Rookie)

Another boost to Jimmy G’s value is the fact that starting back Raheem Mostart is hurt again. More passing is likely in San Fran, but someone has to fill the running back role. This time around, I believe that honor goes to rookie JaMycal Hasty. He’ll have to contend with Jerrick for touches, but Hasty is an add that could end up paying off for the rest of the season.

Boston Scott PHI

Scott is the perfect example of a BYE week fill in guy. I try to stay away from Philly backs in general, but with Miles Sanders out and Scott available in most leagues, I’d recommend scooping him up. If you’re short handed, he’ll get 10-12+ carries, but more importantly, he’ll handle the bulk of targets handed out to the running backs.

Last Week’s Fantasy Football Picks…
My apologies. If it makes you feel any better, I got burned too. These guys are still both a HOLD though.
Alexander Mattison 10/26 1/4   F
Cam Akers  0/0 0/0   F
Devonta Freeman  18/61 1/-4   D+

WIDE RECEIVER

Tim Patrick DEN

Both of these guys are great examples of players I don’t have much faith in, but I love if you only need them for a week or two. Patrick has been the biggest beneficiary of Courtland Sutton’s season ending injury. Jerry Juedy has struggled but still garners enough attention to set Patrick up for solid weekly production. Patrick has provided in the past and should again down the stretch this year.

Travis Fulgham PHI

Same shit, different jersey. Fulgham is just the next relative unknown Philly receiver to step up and produce for the Eagles over the last few years. There’s a long list of these guys who have all ended up with short shelf lives. But we’re not looking for Fulgham to be a permanent fill in…we’re just looking for a week or two.

Last Week’s Fantasy Football picks…I hope you were able to scoop one of these guys off waiver, they’ll be able to help you all year long.
Chase Claypool 4/74 with a rushing TD   B
Brandin Cooks   9/68/1  A-

TIGHT END

Trey Burton IND

I’ve always been a fan of Burton. He is multi talented…he catches TD’s, runs TD’s and even throws TD’s. Many owners were burned by this guy when he went to Chicago a few years ago. But that was more because of the Chicago offense and not the player. I believe Burton has finally found his home in Indy with Phil ‘I love Tight Ends’ Rivers. Mo Alie-Cox is hurt and none of the Colt Receivers are interested in joining fantasy football this season. Bold Prediction Alert…Burton will be a low end TE1 the rest of the way.

Anthony Firkser TEN

Harvard in the House! Jonnu Smith has been a top 5 TE when healthy and I believe that’s more about the Tennessee offense than it is Jonnu Smith. When he went down Sunday, Firkser went off. 8/113/1 are monster numbers for a backup tight end. Again, this play will be more about the Tennesse Tight End catching balls while 3 linebackers follow around Derrick Henry. If Jonnu sits, get Firkser into your lineup…for a week or two.

Last Week’s Waiver Picks...Can I flip flop weeks on my Tampa Tight Ends?
Irv Smith Jr  4/55  B-
Cameron Brate   1/3   F