Footballguys Fantasy Football Show: Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7 (October 14, 2025)

Hosted by Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge

Overview

In this Week 7 episode, Alfredo and Dave rank and analyze 14+ waiver wire pickups for fantasy football managers. Their approach breaks down candidates available in at least 50% of leagues, categorizes players into tiers, and provides actionable advice on FAAB spending, expectations, and who’s worth your priority. Joined by their familiar blend of stats-driven analysis and banter, they cover both obvious and overlooked names who could provide short- and long-term upside.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Cold Open: Injury Woes and Airplane Humor (01:04–05:33)

• The hosts share relatable stories of fantasy football-induced physical exhaustion and poor posture from intense Sunday-Monday work sessions.
• Entertaining tangent about airplane etiquette and gross passengers sets a light and candid tone for the episode.

Waiver Wire Tiers & Player Breakdown

Tier 1: Top Waiver Priorities

(06:48–13:32)

Kamani Vidal (Chargers, RB)

• Short-term upside: Vidal benefits from starting RB Omarion Hampton’s IR stint.
• Dave is cautious: "If you're picking him up, you're hoping you can get another three weeks...but you’re probably not going to have him for the fantasy playoffs." (06:48)
• Big Week 6 performance came against a terrible Miami run defense; holes "you could back an 18 wheeler up into." (07:20)
• Consensus: Volume-dependent, matchup-driven RB2/flex. Don’t overspend on FAAB.

Tajie Spears (Titans, RB)

• "We actually think Taji Spears might be the better pickup over Vidal," notes Alfredo, arguing for higher long-term upside (05:33).
• Usage trending up: 59% snap share on return from injury, 4 targets, intriguing passing game volume.
• Titans offense likely to trail often, giving Spears more high-value opportunities, comparing him to "Alvin Kamara Lite" (11:10).
• Tony Pollard losing efficiency and touches. New coaching regime (Mike McCoy) may further shift carries.
• Spears offers rest-of-season flex upside, especially in PPR.

“I almost wonder if there could be a little bit more here...with a fresh set of eyes, are they just going to look at this situation and be like, 'What were we doing giving all these touches to Tony Pollard? Let’s get Tajie Spears, this young, talented running back, more touches.'"
— Dave, (12:05)

Tier 2: High-Impact, One-Position Starters

(13:32–27:12)

Harold Fannin (Browns, TE)

• Available in 50% of leagues; quietly a top-12 TE ROS.
• Massive usage: 33% of targets from Dylan Gabriel have gone to TEs in two starts (15:00).
• "Fannin is more than just a streamer at this point, I think he’s one of those guys you can rely on weekly as a plug-and-play TE1."
  — Dave, (18:17)

Jackson Dart (Giants, QB)

• Hot rookie QB: three straight QB6 finishes, running for 50+ yards each game (19:27).
• Only other QB to complete similar feats in first three starts: Lamar Jackson (2019).
• High designed-rush and scramble rate—safe fantasy floor.
• Upcoming schedule is brutal, but "sometimes you just gotta ride the hot hand." (20:56)
• Comped to early-career Josh Allen—improving each week, real dual-threat potential.

Bam Knight (Cardinals, RB)

• Emergency RB play; available in the vast majority of leagues (82%).
• Unreliable backfield splits and Trey Benson due back soon. "I think this is really gonna be like, who falls in the end zone on any given week." (24:54)
• Desperation FLEX; not a long-term solution.

Tier 3: Deep League/High Potential Adds

(27:47–36:30)

Jalen Coker (Panthers, WR)

• 83% available.
• Big slot role; Panthers have the #3 easiest WR strength of schedule ROS and #1 in fantasy playoffs (28:53).
• Temper Week 7 expectations due to long injury layoff, but strong rest-of-season stash in deeper leagues.

Arande Gadsden II (Chargers, TE)

• 96% available.
• Converting WR skill into TE role: "75% snap share this week, 82% route share and nearly 22% target share" (31:40).
• Trending up; deep-league addition with chance to become a TE streamer in good matchups.

Ke'Shawn Boutte (Patriots, WR)

• 89% available, recurrence on waiver wire due to inconsistent usage.
• High ceiling: “Third in the NFL in yards per target ... could have a blow-up 20-point game.” (35:12)
• Patriots receiver room is unpredictable; best for managers needing a high-upside Hail Mary in deep formats.

Tier 4: Speculative/Contingency Stashes

(38:17–49:34)

Luther Burden (Bears, WR)

• News: DJ Moore left Week 6 in an ambulance for precautionary reasons; his status uncertain as of episode release (38:45).
• Burden "becomes a full-time player in this offense" if Moore misses time (41:18).
• Strong post-bye rookie bump; heavy stash appeal even in shallower leagues if Moore is sidelined.

Breshard Smith (Chiefs, RB)

• Converted WR now in an exclusively receiving-back role on a potent offense.
• Minimal floor, only one rush over last two games, but three receptions in each.
• “If you're going to make a bet on any team, it's the Chiefs to just be good at football.” (45:34)
• Deep-league stash only; upside contingent on further injuries.

Jordan Whittington (Rams, WR)

• Next-man-up if Puka Nacua misses time; heavy snaps and short-area usage could make him a cheap, one-week rental WR3/4 for desperate managers.
• Producers urge caution but highlight the rare "WR handcuff" value (47:25).

Tier 5: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pass-Catcher Pile

(50:52–56:21)

Sterling Shepard, Tez Johnson, Cade Otton, Cameron Johnson (Bucs)

• Decimated depth chart; multiple potential next-men-up.
• Shepard and Otton are the safest—familiar with Baker Mayfield, volume floor at WR and TE respectively.
• Tez Johnson is "the funnest pick" (55:00), big-play upside, compared to Tank Dell/Luther Burden-light.
• If Mike Evans returns, T. Johnson may benefit as defenses focus elsewhere.
• Multiple candidates for FLEX dart-throws, especially in deeper or injury-riddled lineups.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Kamani Vidal:
  “Box score looks very similar to an Omarion Hampton box score. You’re not getting Omarion Hampton on the waiver wire.”
  — Dave (09:42)

• Discussing Bam Knight:
  “This backfield just has all the makings of a potential headache ... touches get split 50/50 ... who falls in the end zone on any given week?”
  — Dave (24:54)

• Jackson Dart’s Rare Rockiness and Upside:
  “Quarterback six in fantasy in each of his three starts...The only other NFL QB to do that ... Lamar Jackson during the 2019 MVP season.”
  — Alfredo (19:27)

• On the Patriots WR Situation:
  “I want us to do it more. We need more Booty in our life.”
  — Alfredo (34:42)
  (Regarding the fun of talking about Ke'Shawn Boutte)

• On the rotating value in the Pats’ receiving corps:
  “There’s not a set leading receiver each week...They’re going to spread the ball around. If you’re on the field, you’ve always got the opportunity to get the ball.” — Dave (36:30)

• On Tampa Bay’s WRs:
  “If you’re the Bucs, why would you rush back Mike Evans now? ... They just keep winning. Baker Mayfield keeps doing spectacular things. There’s something special happening in Tampa Bay.”
  — Alfredo (57:06)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 05:33 – Waiver Wire Intro, Approach and Methodology
• 06:48–13:32 – Tier 1: Kamani Vidal, Tajie Spears
• 13:32–27:12 – Tier 2: Harold Fannin, Jackson Dart, Bam Knight
• 27:47–36:30 – Tier 3: Jalen Coker, Arande Gadsden II, Ke'Shawn Boutte
• 38:17–49:34 – Tier 4: Luther Burden, Breshard Smith, Jordan Whittington
• 50:52–56:21 – Tier 5: The Buccaneers pass-catcher mix
• 58:19 – Post-waiver talk: Trades & The Rico Dowdle/Omarion Hampton Dilemma

Actionable FAAB & Lineup Advice

• Top priorities: Kamani Vidal (short-term RB need), Tajie Spears (rest-of-season flex/PPR upside)
• Tight end solutions/scarcity: Harold Fannin, Arande Gadsden II (deeper leagues; volume-based floors)
• Quarterback streaming: Jackson Dart (rushing floor, emerging as a legit starter)
• WR stashes: Jalen Coker, Luther Burden (premium ROS matchups and opportunity), Ke'Shawn Boutte, Tez Johnson, Jordan Whittington for deeper benches and injury fill-ins
• Short-term rentals: Bam Knight (RB injuries), Jordan Whittington (Puka out), Tampa Bay pass-catchers (injury decimation)
• Monitor news: DJ Moore (direct impact on Luther Burden pick-up; late-breaking injuries may alter priorities)
• Avoid FAAB overspend: Few true league-winners; focus on filling lineup holes, rotating through upside

Closing Thoughts

This episode is a practical, laughter-filled guide for navigating Week 7's waiver wire—a must-listen/read for fantasy managers evaluating which pickups truly deserve their limited FAAB money. The duo’s in-depth breakdown, player comps, and forward-looking ROS context help you make smart, informed moves in every fantasy format.

Memorable moment:
“Have some fun. For the love of God. It’s fantasy football, people. Have fun.”
— Alfredo, (56:21)