Fantasy: Top waiver-wire pickups for Week 7

Finding studs on waivers is often the key to winning a fantasy championship. Check back every week to learn who is trending up.

Roster percentages are based on Sleeper leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Joe Flacco, Bengals

Flacco threw for 219 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in his Bengals debut Sunday. The 40-year-old could piece together some more viable outings with matchups against the Steelers and Jets over the next two weeks. Neither matchup is a slam dunk given the Bengals' offensive line issues, so don't plan on starting Flacco unless absolutely necessary.

They Steelers have surrendered 245 passing yards per game this season, good for 27th in the NFL. Comparatively, they're much better at preventing teams from actually scoring through the air, allowing seven touchdown passes with five interceptions. The Jets, meanwhile, have allowed 12 passing touchdowns against zero picks this season, and they rank in the bottom six of the league in points allowed per game (28.3).

Other QBs to pick up:

• Sam Darnold, Seahawks (50%): The 28-year-old had another outstanding outing against the Jaguars, finishing just shy of 300 passing yards with two touchdowns. The teams remaining on Seattle's schedule haven't been especially kind to quarterbacks this season, but Darnold has shown he can post strong numbers when adequately supported.

• Bryce Young, Panthers (26%): Young gets the Jets this week, and we've already noted they're susceptible to passing touchdowns. The former No. 1 pick has been a risky start this season, finishing in either the top or bottom 10 of quarterback scoring every week.

Running backs

Kimani Vidal, Chargers

It looks like Vidal was the Chargers running back to scoop up last week. Vidal ran for 124 yards on 18 carries and added three receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown while playing 67% of L.A.'s offensive snaps. By comparison, Hassan Haskins played 31% of the snaps and finished with 23 yards on seven touches.

The Chargers could still add another running back who might eat into Vidal's workload, but they should lean on him as their top back until that happens. However, the Colts are in the top third of the league in limiting fantasy points to the position, so keep your expectations in check next week.

Bam Knight, Cardinals

Knight got the surprise start against the Colts and had an adequate outing. His 34 yards on 11 carries left plenty to be desired, but a 20-yard catch and a touchdown run helped salvage things. I'd be hesitant to pick up Knight if you like the rest of your bench because he's got the Packers up next, followed by a bye week. Green Bay is second among all teams in limiting fantasy points to running backs this season.

However, following the Week 8 bye, Knight gets an attractive matchup with the Cowboys. If Trey Benson is still out for that game (which seems more likely than not), Knight could be featured heavily against a defense that's given up the most receiving yards and fifth-most rushing yards to running backs this season.

Other RBs to pick up:

• Tyjae Spears, Titans (33%): Spears played 59% of the Titans' offensive snaps compared to Tony Pollard's 43% against the Raiders. Spears got more work on passing downs after the Titans trailed early, and matchups with the Patriots, Colts, and Chargers could have similar game scripts that lead to more opportunities for Spears.

• Tyler Allgeier, Falcons (39%): There aren't a ton of especially exciting running backs on waivers right now. Allgeier is a low-floor, high-ceiling option if you're in need due to byes and injuries.

Wide receivers

Sterling Shepard, Buccaneers

Shepard is one of the few healthy wide receivers on Tampa Bay's roster. While Tez Johnson (4%) and Kameron Johnson (0%) might be worth a look in deeper leagues, Shepard is likely to be the primary beneficiary of the injuries that are plaguing the Buccaneers' offense. The 32-year-old won't threaten defenses deep, but he's got solid hands and should see plenty of underneath and red-zone targets.

Picking up Shepard is a lot more tolerable given how well Baker Mayfield has been playing - and how poorly Tampa Bay's upcoming opponents have fared against receivers. Only the Cowboys and Ravens allow more fantasy points per game to wide receivers than the Lions, largely thanks to Detroit surrendering 10 receiving touchdowns to the position, and the Buccaneers get the NFL's fourth-worst defense against wideouts when they head to New Orleans the following week.

Kayshon Boutte, Patriots

Boutte exploded for 93 yards and two touchdowns on five receptions this week, but it was just his second game of the season with double-digit points. Although Drake Maye's development and breakout pace have benefited the Patriots' offense as a whole more than any individual player, Boutte is third in receptions, second in yards (301), and tied for first in receiving touchdowns (three) among New England receivers.

The LSU product should string together another solid performance against a Tennessee team that's given up the eighth-most receiving yards to wideouts this year. He could be more than solid if Maye (who's still available in 13% of leagues, by the way) continues to light up defenses the way he has through the first six weeks.

Other WRs to pick up:

• Kendrick Bourne, 49ers (52%): We're inching just past the 50% threshold to mention Bourne after he put up another very strong outing against the Buccaneers. He should continue to get plenty of looks against the Falcons.

• Jordan Whittington, Rams (2%): Whittington only had three receptions Sunday despite playing 92% of the offensive snaps with Puka Nacua sustaining an ankle injury. However, he could be worth picking up if Nacua can't go against the Jaguars in London.

Tight ends

Harold Fannin Jr., Browns

Fannin drew 10 targets against the Steelers, hauling in seven for 81 yards. He's up to 11 receptions on 14 targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in two games with Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. The Bowling Green product should continue to be productive with Gabriel under center for the Browns over the coming weeks.

Fannin has a great slate of upcoming matchups in the Dolphins, Patriots, Jets, and Ravens, but a bye week falls between the second and third games. Miami (410), Baltimore (402), and New England (399) are Nos. 3-5 in most receiving yards allowed to tight ends. New York ranks much better in terms of yardage allowed to the position (267), but no team has given up more touchdowns to tight ends (six).

Other TEs to pick up:

• AJ Barner, Seahawks (38%): The 23-year-old played at least 78% of Seattle's offensive snaps in all but one game this season. His target volume has remained pretty low in most contests, but he's been exceptionally efficient with his limited looks. Barner has four touchdowns and is averaging 12.1 yards per reception on 19 targets.

• Michael Mayer, Raiders (5%): Mayer returned from a two-game absence and finished with five receptions for 50 yards and a touchdown. He's a low-floor, high-ceiling streaming option if Brock Bowers can't return for the Raiders' matchup with the Chiefs.

Andrew Dixon is a contributing fantasy analyst for theScore.