This week, the hits kept on coming.
Player after player kept missing practice and eventually, were ruled out; while some were listed as doubtful. A lot of these injuries happened after Tuesday-Wednesday waivers: Michael Thomas, Joe Mixon, Aaron Jones (most likely), Austin Hooper, Raheem Mostert and many others will not be available. Teams are left scrambling just to fill a lineup.
The timing of these injuries left a lot of replacement options already rostered. The pickings are slim, but this is Week 7. This is not the time to panic; this is the time to win.
Lots of articles will tell you to go grab Jamaal Williams or Gio Bernard, and you certainly should, but what types of leagues have guys like that available? This is the Dumpster Dive. We go deep.
As always, our threshold is players rostered in 10 percent or less of Yahoo! leagues.
JaMycal Hasty RB San Francisco (19%)
We discussed Hasty in our Waiver Wire article. This could be a very good spot against New England for the undrafted rookie out of Baylor. He looked decisive and ran well last week in an important win over the Rams. Expect a committee with Jerick McKinnon, but Hasty should see a lot of touches. If he has the hot hand, Young Shanny will go with him. This is one player I am excited to see
A.J. Dillon RB Green Bay (11%)
The late timing of the (Aaron) Jones injury has no doubt left fantasy managers scrambling. This game against Houston looks like an absolute shootout, and despite missing Jones, the Packers should put up a lot of points. Backup runner (Jamaal) Williams looks like an easy play, but if you are in a bind and need a FLEX or gut-shot RB2, you can do a lot worse than Dillon.
Matt LaFleur has talked-up the second-round rookie and expressed confidence in his ability to contribute. This could be a breakout game. Even if you do not need to use him, try and pick him up to roster him.
Gabriel Davis WR Buffalo (3%)
Davis has been a favorite of mine and has been discussed in previous Waiver Wire and Dumpster Dive articles from weeks’ past. Despite his obvious talent and ability, his usage has been sporadic. We will see a big play, or a solid game, followed-up by a head-scratching one.
This week, WR John Brown and TE Dawson Knox are both out. Davis should have to see a lot of snaps out of necessity. He also gets the plum match-up against the Adam Gase-led Jets. The Bills have dropped two straight games, and could use a big win. Expect a decent amount of targets for Davis and a good chance at a score.
Adam Humphries WR Tennessee (14%)
Humphries has been a popular Dumpster Dive option. He has been a solid, if unexciting, floor-play. If you need 10 PPR points this week, Humphries is a safe bet. This game against Pittsburgh is another potential shootout, and Humphries will be well utilized.
Demarcus Robinson WR Kansas City (2%)
Robinson goes Dumpster Diving for the second week in a row.
Last week, he led all Chiefs pass-catchers with 69 yards, and tied Travis Kelce with a team high 5 receptions. Despite dominating Mecole Hardman in targets and snaps, Robinson was hardly added in waivers. Sammy Watkins remains out with an injury. Expect Robinson to see similar usage. He is another floor-play for teams needing a WR3 or FLEX option. When you have to roll the dice, it is nice to do so with receivers attached to someone as decent as Pat Mahomes.
Best of luck in Week 7, folks!