Every week, I offer advice to help you plug holes in fantasy lineups that continue to exist after the first waiver run of the week. As the weekend nears, the players featured here are potentially still available in free agency and can start Week 7 if you have last-minute lineup needs.
Players are ranked in order of potential production for this week (PPR scoring), and rostered percentages are from CBS Sports.
DeMario Douglas, WR, NE (51% rostered): In his Week 6 debut, Drake Maye revived the New England passing game, and Douglas finished with a career-high 92 receiving yards. Maye and Douglas openly praised each other to the media this week, and a matchup against Jacksonville makes Douglas a viable fantasy starter in Week 7.
Jacksonville allows the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Additionally, Pro Football Focus rates Douglas’ individual matchup against slot cornerback Darnell Savage at 86.5, which is regarded as “excellent.”
Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (40%): The Carolina rookie caught two touchdown passes in the last three games. Wide receivers who face the Commanders carry extra appeal, as Washington ranks near the bottom of the league in fantasy points allowed. The Panthers-Commanders matchup should be a fantasy bonanza. In Week 4, Legette finished with six receptions on a season-high 10 targets, and each week, the rookie is starting to look more comfortable with the pace of the NFL.
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Romeo Doubs, WR, GB (64%): When Green Bay’s top four wide receivers are healthy, fantasy unpredictability is certain. Jayden Reed is a must-start option, but Doubs has been a frequent touchdown target for QB Jordan Love the past two seasons and caught two scoring passes in Week 6. Doubs packs TD promise in what may be a higher-scoring matchup with the Texans, so check on his availability.
Tyler Lockett, WR, SEA (60%): For two years, fantasy analysts predicted Lockett would fade into irrelevance. But, the longtime fixture in fantasy lineups remains an integral part of a busy Seattle passing game. He has been targeted 31 times over the past four games. Atlanta ranks 26th in receptions allowed to wide receivers, so in leagues where Lockett is available, he can be added and started.
Ty Chandler, RB, MIN (64%): Initial reports suggested Aaron Jones was dealing with a hip injury, and the latest information indicates his hamstring is what’s bothering him. Friday’s practice report should shed light on his availability for Sunday’s game against the Lions. If Jones cannot play, Chandler will be the lead back against the third-ranked Detroit run defense. While Chandler will have to battle for yardage, the touchdown opportunities could be enough to start him as an RB2/flex option.
Despite the Vikings’ newly earned defensive reputation, the matchup with Detroit may be a higher-scoring affair. Minnesota’s pass defense ranks 30th overall. If you roster Jones and haven’t found a place for Chandler on the bench, this situation is a reminder to always keep the handcuff on reserve.
Tyler Goodson, RB, IND (14%): He may be ticketed for a significant role against the Dolphins, with Jonathan Taylor possibly missing another game and Trey Sermon battling a knee injury. Goodson totaled 65 scrimmage yards on a dozen touches last week, and Miami ranks 30th in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs. Goodson is a viable plug-and-play option for Week 7 and is widely available on free agency.
Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT (52%): In his return from a knee injury Week 6, Warren totaled just 18 yards from scrimmage. His role could expand, though, and the Steelers desperately need another respectable playmaker. Even if Russell Wilson starts, he doesn’t figure to challenge the Jets’ defense through the air, so the Steelers might utilize Warren enough to help him post a decent stat line.
Sean Tucker, RB, TB (34%): One of the prime waiver pickups of Week 7, Tucker’s fantasy ceiling will hinge on Rachaad White’s availability. After a career performance in Week 6 (172 scrimmage yards, two TDs), Tucker will likely share touches with Bucky Irving if White is unavailable. In that scenario, Tucker is a viable RB2/flex position player. If White plays, a three-man committee takes away Tucker’s floor, as Todd Bowles said he would go with a “hot hand” approach. Baltimore has been stingy against opposing RBs and ranks fourth in fantasy points per game allowed to the position. But if White’s out, Tucker’s potential for carries and receptions may be more important than the matchup pitfalls.
Hunter Henry, TE, NE (53%): Henry always carries some touchdown potential, and Maye could perform well against the Jaguars and find his tight ends in the end zone.
Tutu Atwell, WR, LAR (31%): Even if Cooper Kupp returns, Puka Nacua will still be out, and both Atwell and Jordan Whittington (17% rostered) will be capable of respectable fantasy point totals against the Raiders. Las Vegas’ offense looks so weak that the defense will surely be overworked.
Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL (12%): This may be the most complete offense we have seen from the Ravens during the Lamar Jackson era, and Bateman has found a niche. He may never live up to his first-round billing, but the fourth-year pro has posted double-figure PPR totals in the past two games. In the Baltimore-Tampa Bay matchup, offensive punches will be traded, and Bateman will be in the mix.
Alec Pierce, WR, IND (47%): Pierce is on the injury report with what may be a lesser shoulder issue, and the return of Anthony Richardson puts a damper on the passing game, but Pierce did catch two TD passes and registered long receptions of 60 and 44 plus yards in two games with Richardson under center during the first three weeks of the season. While the Colts may run a lot against Miami’s vulnerable rush defense, Pierce carries upside as the Dolphins defense will spend a lot of time on the field until Tua Tagovailoa returns.
D’Onta Foreman, RB, CLE (9%): Nick Chubb appears to be ready to play for the first time this season, and Foreman is trying to work through a groin injury. But Jerome Ford may be out, and an opportunity to split some work with Chubb is possible. Foreman totaled 47 scrimmage yards on 12 touches last week, which is not inspiring. The Bengals rank 19th in fantasy points per game allowed to RBs, so the hope here would be for a shared role in the Cleveland backfield. Foreman is a deeper option on an obviously bad offense.
Kimani Vidal, RB, LAC (37%): J.K. Dobbins is dominating the backfield for the Chargers. But Vidal caught a 38-yard TD pass in his NFL debut last week. Arizona ranks 23rd in fantasy points per game allowed to running backs, so the rookie could provide some acceptable fantasy totals.
Noah Fant, TE, SEA (9%): If you are digging deep for a tight end, consider Fant for a possibly adequate statistical performance. He finished with six catches and 60-plus yards in two of his last four games.
(Photo of DeMario Douglas: Maddie Malhotra / Getty Images)
