Week 7 fantasy football waiver wire must-adds

There were plenty of letdowns and injuries to go around in Week 6 of the NFL season. Every Tuesday, we dive in to a handful of the top fantasy football pickups available that week and why these players could be of value for fantasy owners looking to give their teams an extra boost.

Here are the top waiver-wire adds for Week 7:

1. Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers (rostered in 1% of fantasy leagues)

If Christian McCaffrey misses any time, Mason is likely to see a sizable spike in production. When McCaffrey left last week’s game against the Browns, Mason had 15 snaps to two for Elijah Mitchell, running for 27 yards and a touchdown. Mason has been the more productive back through the first six games, out-rushing Mitchell 117 yards to 49 on just three more carries, and he has two scores to Mitchell’s none. 

Over the last two seasons, Mason has averaged nearly six yards per carry, and he’s more than capable of shouldering the load for the 49ers run game if McCaffrey is sidelined for a game or two. He has upside as an RB2 or a flex starter if you’re looking to replace McCaffrey or dealing with injuries to any other running backs.

2. Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders (rostered in 15% of fantasy leagues)

Despite being on pace to set the NFL for most sacks taken in a season, Howell has been otherwise impressive, ranking ninth in passing yards per game (250), and he’s tied for the ninth-most touchdown passes (nine).

Howell has thrown at least one touchdown in every game but one this year, and he’s scored multiple touchdowns in four of Washington’s six games. He faces the New York Giants this week, who are middle-of-the-pack in passing defense and are tied for the 10th-most touchdown passes allowed (eight).

3. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders (rostered in 16% of fantasy leagues)

One of the reasons Howell has had solid success this season is because of Samuel. When defenses key in on Terry McLaurin — and rightfully so — Samuel does some of his best work.

The 27-year-old WR has caught a touchdown in two straight games, and he’s been targeted five or more times and more than 50 yards in four of six games this year. The Giants allow the 10th-most points to WRs, and Samuel is certainly worth an add as either a WR2 or flex start this week.

4. Craig Reynolds, RB, Detroit Lions (rostered in 1% of fantasy leagues)

With David Montgomery likely to miss some time with a rib injury, Reynolds appears to be the next man up with rookie Jahmyr Gibbs also nursing a hamstring injury. 

Reynolds had 10 carries in Sunday’s win over the Buccaneers and could be in line for 15-20 carries this week against Baltimore, which allows the 15th-most points to fantasy RBs. Detroit runs the ball 31 times per game, and with Montgomery out and Gibbs — who’s missed the last two games — either limited or also out, Reynolds could have some value as a flex play or emergency RB2 this week.

5. Latavius Murray, RB, Buffalo Bills (rostered in 4% of fantasy leagues)

Murray had 12 carries for 45 yards in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, and with Damien Harris nursing a neck injury, he is in line to see more carries this week against New England.

The Patriots rank 19th in fantasy points allowed to running backs, which bodes well for Murray, who could see some goal-line carries and possibly score a touchdown or two. He shouldn’t be relied on to put up RB1 numbers, but he’s not a bad option as a desperation RB2 or flex play.

Honorable mention

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans: Spears continues to play more than 50% of Tennessee’s offensive snaps, and his dual-threat ability makes him a threat to score every game.

Zach Evans, RB, Los Angeles Rams: With Kyren Williams out in the short term, Evans could have some potential to score points while getting the workload of a starter. 

Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints: Shaheed leads the Saints in touchdown receptions, and he’s registered more than 30 yards in four of six games.

Jonnu Smith, TE, Atlanta Falcons: Smith actually ranks second on the Falcons in yards and third in receptions, and he hasn’t had fewer than four receptions in a game since Week 1.