FantasyPros – Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode Title: Fantasy Football Week 7 Waiver Wire: Must-Have Players to Add to Your Roster (Ep. 1769)
Date: October 13, 2025
Hosts: Joe Pisapia (“Joey P”), Pat Fitzmaurice (“Fitzy”), Derrick Brown (“D-Bro”)

Episode Overview

This episode is laser-focused on helping fantasy football managers navigate the chaos of Week 7’s waiver wire. The hosts bring their trademark blend of expertise and humor to breaking down must-adds, stashes, and “trap” players, especially as the NFL’s ever-shifting injury reports and bye weeks throw rosters into disarray. You’ll get deep advice on who to spend up for, key RB and WR pivots, short-term streamers, and more—with actionable bids and plenty of spicy debate.

Main Themes

• Week 7 Waiver Wire: Who to prioritize, how much FAAB to spend, and context for each add.
• Navigating a brutal injury situation at RB and WR.
• Identifying “trap” players and who to avoid.
• Streaming advice for QBs, TEs, defenses, and kickers.
• Under-the-radar and deep-league stashes as NFL teams shift lineups.
• Keeping the show fun and dynamic with banter, memorable moments, and a few iconic rants.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NFC Landscape & Baker Mayfield Mania

Start: 00:39

• Baker Mayfield MVP Odds: Joe pats himself on the back for predicting a big leap (+950 to +350) for Mayfield’s MVP odds and touts the Bucs as contenders.
  • “I am all in on Baker Mayfield. Pat, am I crazy? Am I just feeling the vibes? …I bet them to win the NFC." — Joe (01:35)
• NFC Power Shift: All three discuss NFC uncertainty and the surprise of the Bucs' emergence.
  • “The Bucks, I think, are the most dangerous team right now in the NFC.” — Derrick Brown (02:20)
• Injury Impact: WR injuries (Evans, Igbuka) loom large for Bucs and the broader fantasy landscape.

2. Waiver Wire RB Spotlight

Pickups Start: 04:47

A. Kamani Vidal (Chargers RB) — The Must-Add

In-depth discussion: 04:47–10:28

• Huge Week 6 vs. Dolphins (124 rushing yds, 3 rec, 1 TD).
• Out-touched and out-snapped Hassan Haskins; Omarion Hampton not due back until Week 10, and Chargers may still trade for a back.
• Pat’s bid recommendation: $13 "true value," up to $25 (07:25)
• Joe/Derrick: Vidal is a 20–25% FAAB spend in most leagues, especially for RB-needy teams.
• “He had 21 touches and 138 total yards... Vidal looked decisive, shifty...” — Joe (10:00)
• Schedule: IND, MIN, TEN, PIT, JAX — mixed difficulty, but enough startable weeks coming.
• Derrick tempers the hype: Dolphins inflate numbers, upcoming schedule isn’t all cake (10:28).

B. Bam Knight (Arizona RB) — Trap or Value?

Discussion: 10:28–12:51

• Emerged as “the starter” late Sunday; split carries with Michael Carter, committee warning.
• Derrick: “I just think this is just Jonathan Gannon still flailing as a head coach.”
• Low FAAB spend (max 5%). Wait for others to drop him on bye week.
• Pat: No pass-catching juice; don’t overspend.

C. Deep Stashes: Isaiah Davis (Jets) & Brashard Smith (Chiefs)

Discussion: 13:21–15:29

• If Breece Hall is traded in NY, Davis is a clear add—but “a featured back in a not-very-good offense.” (14:02)
• Smith has more upside than Kareem Hunt/Isaiah Pacheco, but is underused, and Andy Reid “doesn’t care about running the ball.” (15:20)

D. RBs to Drop

Discussion: 15:29–16:42

• Kenneth Gainwell: Drop for almost any other viable back unless you’re handcuffing (16:08).
• Amari Di Mercado: In the doghouse; okay to move on (16:33).
• Hassan Haskins: Even as a handcuff, “I think you can get rid of Haskins.” — Pat (16:42)

3. Waiver Wire WR Breakdown

Wide Receiver Talk Starts: 20:39

A. Kendrick Bourne — Hot Streak or Mirage?

Deep dive: 21:19–24:59

• Back-to-back 142-yard games, but only 51% rostered.
• “He has never had a back to back series of games anything quite like this.” — Joe (22:02)
• Caution: Likely missed peak; Kittle, Pierceall, and possibly Brock Purdy/other WRs soon to be back.
• “I think we might have missed the train for these high ceiling performances.” — Joe (23:52)
• Still a viable WR3/flex, ~5–7% FAAB bid.

B. Josh Downs — Sneaky Value, But Limited Ceiling?

Discussion: 24:59–26:39

• 12 rec/100 yds/TD over two weeks, but snap share a red flag (“only played above 60% once” — Pat, 26:01).
• Colts spread the ball, and depth limits consistent targets.

C. Up-and-Coming Snap Risers: Isaac TeSlaa

Watchlist Alert: 26:41–27:19

• “He’s become their third receiver now, it seems.” — Pat
• Low targets so far, but “that’s how it works, kids.”

D. Patriots WRs: Kayshon Boutte & Demario Douglas

Patriots Deep Dive: 27:57–31:57

• Booty: Big play threat, potential to “develop into more of a must start guy,” worth cheap flier, but production will swing.
  • “It’s a small travesty that the Patriots aren’t better, because if they were a better team overall, Drake May would be in the MVP conversation.” — Joe (31:58)
  • “I kind of want to pick up Booty… Good things happen when you get this guy the ball, and [May] is just so good.” — Pat (31:30)
• Douglas: More volatile/gadget-y, less recommended, especially after one big play.

E. Buccaneers WRs: Streaming desperation (Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, Cam Johnson)

Discussion: 33:29–36:57

• With injuries, one could hit big vs. depleted Detroit D (game O/U 53.5).
• “It might be a good week for some of these guys. I just don’t know who.” — Pat (35:44)
• Tez = high upside, Shepard = safe floor, Cam Johnson = mystery box.
• All are short-term band-aids with a bye looming and stars returning soon.

F. Rams WR: Jordan Whittington

Discussion: 37:08–38:32

• With Puka Nakua out, Whittington is the clear add—“he could be in for eight plus targets this week” (37:37), with at least a few weeks of value.

G. Deeper League/Matchup Plays

Discussion: 39:06–41:39

• Troy Franklin, Christian Kirk, Jaden Higgins, Jalen Coker
• All are matchup-based flex options, but none are “sexy” — use them for pure need or as deep stashes.

H. Drop Candidates

• Darnell Mooney: Prefer to hold given snap count, unless you must make room (41:39–41:54).
• Darius Slayton: Derrick would rather keep due to great late schedule.

4. Streaming Targets for Week 7

Starts: 42:54

A. Quarterback

• Sam Darnold vs. Texans: “He has looked amazing…playing consistent, really, really good and very consistent fantasy wise too.” — Joe (43:22)
• Joe Flacco vs. Steelers: “You could stream Joe Flacco … Now he gets the Steelers who have allowed the fifth most fantasy points per game to quarterbacks.” — Pat (43:37)

B. Tight End

• Mason Taylor (LSU): Great matchups Panthers & Bengals, two-week run. — Pat (44:02)
• Harold Fannin Jr. (Cleveland): Next man up after Njoku injury, back-to-back strong matchups (Dolphins, Patriots) (44:18).

C. Defense

• Seattle Seahawks: Get the Houston Texans’ weak O-line and rookie QB; “I think Seattle’s going to sack CJ Stroud a few times in this game.” — Pat (45:24)

D. Kicker

• Michael Badgley (Colts): Steps in after Schrader injury; Colts offense is fantasy-friendly for kickers.
• Eddy Pineiro: Consistency (four games with 10+ points).

5. Priority Waiver Wire Pickups — Top 5 Lists

46:53–47:56

Pat’s Top 5

1. Kamani Vidal
2. Bam Knight
3. Kendrick Bourne
4. Mason Taylor
5. Kayshon Boutte

Derrick’s Top 5

1. Kamani Vidal
2. Bam Knight
3. Kendrick Bourne
4. Mason Taylor
5. Harold Fannin Jr.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Baker Mayfield MVP Hype:
  • “I am all in on Baker Mayfield… The Bucs, I think, are the most dangerous team right now in the NFC.”— Derrick (02:20)
• Kamani Vidal Bidding:
  • “You’re probably gonna have to spend 20 to 25% in most leagues … and the upcoming three matchups are good. I think he’s going to have RB2 value.” — Joe (09:58)
• Cautious on Kendrick Bourne:
  • “I just wonder if we might be boarding the train late here, Joe…” — Pat (22:33)
• Booty Potential:
  • “Booty is definitely worth a pickup….but there’s volatility.” — Joe (29:50)
  • “Good things happen when you get this guy the ball. And he is paired with a quarterback who is increasingly looking like he is going to be a rainmaker for his pass catchers.” — Pat (31:04)
• Patriots & Drake May Ascendance:
  • “It’s a small travesty that the Patriots aren’t better … Drake May would be in the MVP conversation.” — Joe (31:58)
• On Buccaneers WR Streamers:
  • “It might be a good week for some of these guys. I just don’t know who.” — Pat (35:44)
• On This Year's Waiver Wire:
  • “Everything’s kind of like, look, be careful. It’s all short term band aids.” — Joe (39:06)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:39: NFC landscape & Baker Mayfield MVP odds
• 04:47: RB waiver wire: Kamani Vidal lead discussion
• 10:28: Bam Knight Arizona RB deep dive
• 13:21: Deep RB stashes: Isaiah Davis, Brashard Smith
• 15:29: RB drop candidates: Gainwell, Di Mercado, Haskins
• 20:39: WR Waiver Wire begins (Puka Nakua injury, Kendrick Bourne, Josh Downs, Isaac TeSlaa)
• 27:57: Patriots WRs: Booty, Douglas, and Drake May hype
• 33:29: Buccaneers WR roulette: Shepard, Tez Johnson, Cam Johnson
• 37:08: Rams WRs: Jordan Whittington the next man up
• 39:06: Deep-league/bye week/DEEP FLEX plays
• 41:39: Drop candidates: Mooney, Slayton
• 42:54: Streaming QBs (Darnold, Flacco), TEs (Taylor, Fannin Jr.), Defenses (Seattle), and Kickers
• 46:53: Top 5 waiver adds ranked

Summary Takeaways

• Spend Up on Kamani Vidal (20–25% FAAB) if you need a back; he’s the clear #1 pickup.
• Bam Knight is a desperation plug-in, max 5% FAAB, and only if really needy.
• Kendrick Bourne and Kayshon Boutte are WRs to add, but expectations should be capped—think WR3/flex roles, not saviors.
• Short-term streaming rules Week 7: with byes and injuries, prioritize volume/opportunity and don’t feel bad about Band-Aid-type options.
• Streaming plays abound: Darnold, Flacco, Mason Taylor, Harold Fannin Jr., Seattle D, and Badgley/Pineiro at K are all solid one-week solutions.
• Don’t overspend on traps (Knight, Chiefs RBs, Bucs/backup WRs—pick wisely).

For a full list of waiver recommendations, drop candidates, and FAB guidance, check out Waiver Central on FantasyPros.com and the hosts' rankings.

“We can’t have nice things this year. So if that’s going to be the case, we gotta play matchups and we gotta dig deep for flex plays.” — Derrick (41:39)

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