Fantasy football waiver wire decisions get harder when your record is sinking, and Week 7 is that moment for plenty of managers. Injuries, shifting roles, and messy backfields have wrecked rosters, so the safe add may not save you. These week 7 waiver pickups are high-upside swings that could flip your season. For matchup context before you set lineups, check our NFL Week 7 predictions.
Geno Smith, QB, Jets (17% Rostered)
Quarterback streamers outside the top 12 are thin on the fantasy football waiver wire, and Lamar Jackson’s limited practice adds uncertainty. That makes Geno Smith a defensible start against Miami.
Rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. made a big impression in his full debut, finishing with six catches for 103 yards and a touchdown, plus another score called back. His 4.42 speed produced a 48-yard touchdown, and the Dolphins have allowed the fourth-highest explosive play rate on downfield throws. Wide receivers with a 20%-plus target share against Miami have averaged 17.8 PPR points per game, and Miami has also surrendered the third-most PPR points per game to tight ends.
Smith’s numbers hold up too. He ranks ahead of C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and Patrick Mahomes in CPOE, and his 0.02 EPA per dropback sits just below league average. Veteran passers finding new life is a trend worth following, as our look at NFL quarterbacks who revived their careers with new teams shows. Deshaun Watson at Tennessee is an honorable mention.
Jonah Coleman, RB, Broncos (32% Rostered)
Coleman is still on injured reserve, but he practiced in full this week and can return before Sunday. Few players on the fantasy football waiver wire carry this much starter-level potential.
In Week 2, he split carries evenly with J.K. Dobbins at 10 apiece, earned a goal-line touch in just his second game, and held an 11% target share. Denver’s backfield has been inefficient. Dobbins and RJ Harvey have 96 first- and second-down carries, and fewer than a quarter gained five or more yards. That has left Bo Nix facing an average third-down distance of 7.7 yards.
Dobbins converted only half of his short-yardage attempts, and Harvey has allowed a high number of pressures. Coleman could be an immediate upgrade against an Arizona defense that ranks 16th in yards allowed to running backs. Justice Hill (Ravens vs. Bengals) is an honorable mention.
Konata Mumpfield, WR, Rams (7% Rostered)
Among the best fantasy adds for desperate managers, Mumpfield stands out. Davante Adams is out, Puka Nacua is banged up, and Terrance Ferguson needs more time to recover.
The last time Nacua was limited, Mumpfield’s routes and targets spiked. Half of his looks came on timing routes, which suggests real rapport with Matthew Stafford. His speed also plays well against Las Vegas, which has allowed the seventh-most yards on throws of 20-plus air yards. With the Raiders’ offense ranking sixth in points per game, this could become one of the week’s highest-scoring games. Christian Kirk (49ers at Falcons) is an honorable mention.
Darnell Washington, TE, Steelers (3% Rostered)
Pittsburgh’s passing game is trending up. Aaron Rodgers has the 10th-most red zone attempts and the fourth-most from the goal line. Since Week 3, Washington’s red zone route share is 71.9%, compared with 59.4% for Pat Freiermuth, and his target rate is 22.2% to Freiermuth’s 14.8%.
With Freiermuth dealing with a calf injury, Washington’s 4.5 targets per game give him a usable floor against New Orleans in Paris, and touchdown upside if you’re swinging for the fences.
How to Prioritize Your Claims
A smart fantasy football waiver wire strategy starts with your biggest hole. If you lack a quarterback, go after Smith. If your backfield is a mess, Coleman is the ceiling play. Check your league’s waiver order, since Coleman’s 32% rostership means he’ll draw bids. To gauge which teams are rising, see our NFL power rankings for Week 7.
FAQs
Who is the top pickup on the fantasy football waiver wire in Week 7?
Jonah Coleman has the highest ceiling if he’s activated, while Geno Smith is the best quarterback streaming option.
Is Geno Smith worth starting in Week 7?
Yes, in a pinch. The Dolphins’ defense allows big plays downfield, and Smith’s receiving corps has momentum.
Is Jonah Coleman safe to start?
Not fully. He’s on IR and must be activated before Sunday, so check his status before kickoff.
Should I stream a tight end like Darnell Washington?
If you need a TE, his red zone role and 4.5 targets per game make him a worthwhile low-cost option.