Fantasy Football Today Express

Episode: Early Week 7 Waiver Wire Targets! Vidal, Rodgers, Knight, Downs, & Others!
Date: October 13, 2025
Host: Adam Aizer
Guest Analyst: Jamie Eisenberg

Overview

This episode offers a fast-moving, detailed early look at the Week 7 waiver wire for fantasy football, focusing especially on running back pickups given new opportunities from injuries and depth chart moves. Adam and Jamie break down the top running back, quarterback, wide receiver, and tight end pickups for the week, offering actionable advice for those looking to strengthen their lineups and exploit fantasy free agency. The tone is brisk, packed with actionable names and situational context, making it essential listening and reading for fantasy managers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Running Back Waiver Adds

(00:54–04:36)

• Kymani Vidal (Chargers; 56% rostered) — Top Add

  • Massive opportunity with Omarion Hampton's injury, likely out at least 4 weeks, possibly more.
  • Vidal produced 124 rushing yards on 18 carries, plus 3 catches and a TD.
  • Expected to be the “lead running back for the Chargers for the foreseeable future.”
  • Notable Quote:

    "He is the headliner, Adam, obviously, based on what he did ... you could be looking at, you know, several, maybe six, seven, eight weeks of Vidal's lead running back for the Chargers." — Jamie (01:19)

  • Fabric (FAAB) recommendation: likely need to bid at least 20% to acquire.

• Donovan "Bam" Knight (Cardinals; 9% rostered)

  • Started in place of injured Trey Benson and split snaps but got more touches than Michael Carter.
  • Di Mercado’s ankle injury creates additional opportunity.
  • Not an ideal Week 7 matchup (Packers run defense), but “could be a flex option” (02:28).

• Other Names to Stash or Monitor

  • Tajie Spears (top-tier handcuff, more involved last week).
  • Jaden Blue (lottery ticket now that Miles Sanders is out for the season, handcuff to Javonte Williams).
  • Deeper handcuffs: Brian Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Emmanuel Wilson, Isaiah Davis (especially if potential trades or injuries shake up backfields).

2. Quarterback Waiver Adds

(04:36–07:39)

Jamie ranks quarterbacks to target based on streamer viability, upside, and injury/bye-week coverages.

• Aaron Rodgers:

  • Coming off strong performance vs. Browns.
  • “Borderline starter for Week 7” with matchup vs. Bengals.
  • Standout Stat: “Four of six quarterbacks have been 20 points or more against the Bengals.” (04:38)

• Jackson Dart:

  • Running QB, but poor matchup against Denver, who "contain running QBs" (05:05).
  • Good long-term schedule after Week 7.

• Bryce Young:

  • Emergency starter, low-end but “viable based on schedule” (05:37).

• Trevor Lawrence:

  • Faces a deceptive Rams defense; “Opportunity for over 23 points” in back-to-back games (06:00).

• Others (QB2 and Superflex Considerations):

  • Mac Jones (volume-based, if healthy weapons return).
  • Joe Flacco (over 22 fantasy points in debut).
  • Monitor Minnesota’s situation for possibly starting Carson Wentz ("revenge game" narrative).
  • Jacoby Brissett (another possible starter with upside, especially Week 8).

3. Wide Receiver Waiver Adds

(08:17–12:45)

A long list with few sure-thing starters, but some strong stash and flyer options.

• Kayshon Boutte (Patriots) — #1 Add

  • “His playing time has been sustainable ... he's been on the field a lot for the Patriots.”
  • Not a lock for production, but worth a flyer. (08:17)

• Josh Downs (Colts)

  • Back-to-back productive games, including a TD vs. Cardinals.
  • “Second for me ... could take on a bigger role as offense evolves.”

• Jalen Coker

  • Stash-worthy, especially if eligible for IR; “Was close last week and could play this week.”

• Future Opportunity/Depth Plays

  • Calvin Ridley (monitor injury status).
  • IO Manor, Van Jefferson, Zay Jones (especially in deep leagues — Zay Jones "is available in 99 percent of leagues").
  • Tampa WRs (with Godwin and Buka likely out): Cameron Johnson (big play upside), Sterling Shepard (likely target leader), Tez Johnson.
    • Cameron Johnson: "Showed a lot of big play potential ... I'll take him first" (09:56).
    • Adam notes Detroit-TB could be a shootout:

      “That Tampa Bay Detroit game could be a 60 point game ... those wide receivers are available in every league basically.” — Adam (12:00)

  • Jordan Whittington (with Rams’ Puka Nakua injured).
  • Marquise Brown (despite Rashi Rice returning, still involved and scored TDs).
  • Darius Slayton (best long-term upside, but tough short-term matchup).

4. Tight End Waiver Adds

(12:45–14:50)

Jamie and Adam emphasize an unusually deep group of options:

• Harold Fannin

  • Possibly starting in place of injured David Njoku; great production in games started by Dylan Gabriel.
  • Jamie: “I think you got to look at Harold Fannin first …”

• Michael Mayer

  • Opportunity if Brock Bowers remains out, faces a middling Chiefs defense.

• Cade Otton

  • “Monster game potential … played well against the 49ers and this receiving core could just be decimated.”
  • Adam: “Best one to pick up … in the passing game” for Tampa Bay (13:35).

• Other Flexible Options

  • Oronde Gadsden (with Quentin Johnson out for Miami).
  • Evan Engram (Revenge game against Giants, steady target volume).
  • Taysom Hill (rushing and TD upside, as predicted by listener Ben).
  • Mason Taylor (“Still played 95% of the snaps,” not worth dropping despite letdown).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Vidal's Opportunity:

  "I feel, you know, thankful for the people that got ahead of this last week ... Now you probably have to spend at least 20% of your FAAB to go get him." — Jamie (01:19)

• On Running Back Depth:

  "It's not really a great week for running back adds. But, but having two guys who could be in your lineup is actually pretty good ... with no new injuries." — Adam (03:26)

• On Quarterbacks:

  “Aaron Rodgers ... second best game against the Browns this season ... playing well and, you know, good matchup.” — Jamie (04:38)

• On WR Options:

  “There are a lot of must roster players ... not a must start here.” — Jamie (12:00) “That Tampa Bay Detroit game could be a 60 point game, you know, total. Could get a ton of pass attempts and those wide receivers are available in every league basically.” — Adam (12:00)

• On Tight Ends:

  “I think you got to look at Harold Fannin first, just with the chance of no David Njoku dealing with the knee injury ...” — Jamie (12:52) “Best one to pick up, I mean, of in the passing game ... for Tampa Bay.” — Adam (13:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Running Backs: 00:54 – 04:36
• Quarterbacks: 04:36 – 07:39
• Wide Receivers: 08:17 – 12:45
• Tight Ends: 12:45 – 14:50

Closing Thoughts

Waiver wire is once again pivotal for fantasy rosters in Week 7, especially at RB where backfield changes offer league-winning upside. At WR and TE, there’s less star power, but plenty of depth and stash names to keep an eye on. Quarterback streamers are plentiful, especially beneficial with byes and injuries piling up. The FFT crew underscores the importance of acting fast and smart—there’s no one clear “must-start” (aside from Vidal), but plenty of must-stash players with possible big future upside.

Adam (Final Thought, 14:50):

“It's going to be a busy waiver wire for sure. A lot of injuries, a lot of opportunity here. ... Week seven, we'll be right back. We'll be back tomorrow, actually, on fantasy football today.”