DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys: The crown jewel of the Week 7 waiver wire class, Murray will be stepping into the starting lineup for the next few weeks while Felix Jones recovers from a high ankle sprain. Should Murray put up some serious numbers, Jones may return to action as the No. 2 in Big D. There is a lot of upside here.
Next up: vs. St. Louis
Maurice Morris, RB, Detroit Lions: With starting running back Jahvid Best sustaining yet another concussion, Morris’ value is on the rise. Remember, this is the same Jahvid Best that came into the NFL two years ago having suffered multiple concussions during his collegiate career at California. While it’s still too early to determine what Best’s status will be moving forward, Morris is certainly worthy of a roster spot for the time being.
Next up: vs. Atlanta
Carson Palmer, QB, Oakland Raiders: Palmer is back in the lives of fantasy owners now that he’s been traded from Cincinnati to Oakland. Be patient, as it won’t be easy for the seven-year veteran to pick up a new offense overnight, but owners in need of QB help should be scrambling to add Palmer to the roster. Which brings us to…
Next up: vs. Kansas City
Oakland Raiders, Wide Receivers: Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jacoby Ford are definitely worth owning now that a former Pro Bowl quarterback is under center for the Silver & Black. Be patient here as well, but we expect both DHB and Ford to become more consistent fantasy producers.
Next up: vs. Kansas City
Devin Hester, WR, Chicago Bears: Hester’s amassed ten receptions and has been targeted 14 times over the past two weeks, as quarterback Jay Cutler is beginning to look his way on a more frequent basis. There will be inconsistencies here, but Hester is a big-play threat worthy of a roster spot in leagues with 12 or more teams.
Next up: vs. Tampa Bay (London)
John Beck, QB, Washington Redskins: Sunday vs. Philadelphia was a disaster, but with former starter Rex Grossman throwing four interceptions in a 20-13 loss, the starting gig now belongs to Beck. We haven’t seen much of the former BYU standout over the last few years, so there is definitely some uncertainty when it comes to Beck’s fantasy upside. Owners in leagues with more than 12 teams should consider adding Beck as a QB2.
Next up: at Carolina
Jeremy Shockey, TE, Carolina Panthers: The upside here is somewhat limited, but Shockey has been getting more involved in the Carolina offense as of late and has been targeted seven times in three of his last four starts. However, the former Saint has yet to find the end zone this season, so don’t expect this guy to come in and give your fantasy team the boost in needs to take it to the next level.
Next up: vs. Washington
Jerome Simpson, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: He’s been targeted 16 times over his last two games and is coming off an impressive 6-catch, 101-yard performance against the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton will continue to struggle at times this season, but Simpson is a decent WR4 for owners in leagues with 12 or more teams.
Next up: Bye
Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys: With Felix Jones on the shelf for the next few weeks due to a high ankle sprain, Choice will be given an opportunity to show what he can do. As of now it looks like rookie DeMarco Murray will be the starter, but if he fails to produce, Choice could enter the lineup in a hurry. This is only a waiver wire recommendation for owners in deeper leagues with some open roster space.
Next up: vs. St. Louis
Naaman Roosevelt, WR, Buffalo Bills: With Donald Jones out of action due to injury, Roosevelt stepped up and caught a big 60-yard reception for a score in Sunday’s loss to the New York Giants. Granted, the guy only caught one pass, but Buffalo will continue to throw the rock all over the field this year, meaning Roosevelt could be in line for some more big plays. Consider him a WR4/5 in leagues with 12 or more teams.
Next up: Bye
Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: As Mike Williams continues to underperform, other wideouts are getting in on the act in Tampa Bay. Sunday vs. New Orleans was Benn’s turn, as the former Illinois standout caught three passes for 83 yards and a score on six targets. Consider Benn a WR4 in leagues with 12 or more teams.
Next up: vs. Chicago (London)
Dallas Cowboys, D/ST: The Cowboys currently find themselves outside of the top-15 in fantasy scoring among D/STs, but any owner who could find this team on waivers would be wise to pick them up for Week 7. The 0-5 St. Louis Rams are coming to town and quarterback Sam Bradford is currently battling a high ankle sprain. In addition, no team in the league is giving up more fantasy points to opposing D/STs than the Rams (15.2 pts/gm). This is a solid situational start.
Next up: vs. St. Louis
Delone Carter, RB, Indianapolis Colts: We mentioned Carter in this column last week and after he led the Colts in rushing attempts Sunday at Cincinnati (14, career high), we felt it would be wise to bring him up again…especially after we all saw Tampa Bay’s Earnest Graham throw up 109 rushing yards against the team Carter plays this weekend (New Orleans).
Next up: at New Orleans
Jake Ballard, TE, New York Giants: Ballard has found the end zone in two of his last three games and is coming off a season-high five receptions for 81 yards against the Buffalo Bills. He currently ranks in the top-15 in fantasy scoring at the TE position, so owners in leagues with ten or more teams should consider this guy a respectable TE2.
Next up: Bye
Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings: Ponder didn’t look great in relief duty of Donovan McNabb Sunday night in Chicago (9/17, 99 yards, 0 TDs), but he’s got potential…and it looks like the Vikings are finally ready to make the switch to their rookie first round pick. It’s going to take some time and there will certainly be some rough outings, but Ponder is worthy of a roster spot in leagues with more than 12 teams—especially if you need some QB help.
Next up: vs. Green Bay
Greg Little, WR, Cleveland Browns: An NFP preseason deep sleeper, Little came off the bye and posted a career-high six receptions for 72 yards on 12 targets in Sunday’s loss at Oakland. SOMEBODY needs to step up and start catching the ball for the Browns. Little certainly has the talent to be that guy. Consider him a WR4/5 in leagues with 12 or more teams.
Next up: vs. Seattle
Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: In what’s hopefully a sign of things to come, Celek finally awoke from his slumber to haul in four passes for 42 yards and a touchdown Sunday at Washington. His upside is limited, but the Eagles need to do more to get this guy involved in their offense. For the moment, consider Celek a TE2 in leagues with more than 12 teams.
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