Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 7: Stefon Diggs Looks Good in Purple

Stefon Diggs has gotten an opportunity over the last two weeks in Minnesota with Charles Johnson out with an injury. He doesn’t look like he will relinquish it. Diggs has been Bridgewater’s favorite target over the last two weeks, and is averaging over 100 yards in his two starts.

Mike Zimmer, when asked if it would be Diggs or Johnson as the starter going forward, said “You don’t lose your starting job because of injury, but you do lose your starting job because of performance.” Johnson had 6 total catches for 46 yards in 3 games; Diggs has 13 catches for 216 yards in two games.

The opportunity is now there for Diggs, who teammate Mike Wallace compared to a young Antonio Brown. He should be viewed as a WR3 candidate going forward, with the opportunity to move up based on matchup. Detroit, this week’s opponent, is allowing the 8th most fantasy points per game to WR.

As always, the selections below include Shallow Leagues (players owned in between 50% and 70% of CBS Sports Leagues), Average Leagues (players owned in 25 to 49% of leagues), and Deep Leagues (players owned in less than 25% of all leagues).

QUARTERBACKS

Shallow Leagues: Derek Carr (54%) has been on a bye week and played the Denver defense the last two weeks, so he’s kind of been off the radar. A matchup with the Chargers this week means he becomes a starting consideration again. Blake Bortles (59%) is another starting option as a high volume passer, but the status of Allen Robinson this week makes him more questionable in a London matchup with the Bills. If Robinson is a go, he’s a much better play.

Average Leagues: Ryan Fitzpatrick (44%) will likely get plenty of opportunities in New England and will be a top 15 play this week.

Deep Leagues: Brian Hoyer (17%) has solidified his position in Houston and getting to ride along on the DeAndre Hopkins train makes him a viable starter in deep leagues, if you are facing bye issues.

RUNNING BACKS

Shallow Leagues: Christine Michael (54%) will likely get more work this week in Dallas with the team looking for a spark. Theo Riddick (55%) could see a larger role if Abdullah’s stinger limits him. Charles Sims (65%) is a flex option this week against Washington.

Average Leagues: James Starks (43%) is on a bye week, but after Eddie Lacy got so few touches and has been laboring, he’s worth an add for week 7. Antonio Andrews (31%) was taken out of the Dolphins game as a two-down, goal line back in a game they trailed throughout, but still had more than half the rushes. The matchup against Atlanta (2nd most fantasy points per game allowed to RB) makes him a flex option this week.

Deep Leagues: Chris Thompson (14%) is questionable with a back injury but if he plays is a good option at Tampa Bay as a flex. Dexter McCluster (4%) is the best deep sleeper play if you need someone right away against Atlanta.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Shallow Leagues: Michael Crabtree (55%) is a value play at this point, averaging over 9 targets a game, and slipping through after the Denver matchup and bye week.

Average Leagues: Rishard Matthews (49%) had his 3rd 6 catch game of the season last week and gets Houston, is a WR3 option. Malcom Floyd (30%) could become a starting option if Steve Johnson is still out and Keenan Allen is limited by the hip flexor injury.

Brandon LaFell (43%) is starting practice and should be a contributor for New England soon.

Deep Leagues: If you miss out on Stefon Diggs (6%), this week offers other options. The Buffalo injury situation (Watkins likely out, Harvin not back yet, traveling to London), means that Chris Hogan (1%) becomes a sneaky play, who I have ahead of Robert Woods (18%) with both being potential options against Jacksonville. Bryan Walters (1%) becomes another late add option if Allen Robinson’s leg contusion keeps him out.

Meanwhile, Dorial Green-Beckham (14%) saw more action and could be worth adding with a view toward the second half of the season.

TIGHT ENDS

All Leagues: Benjamin Watson (8%) had his career game and a 12 targets on Thursday. What do we make of it? Well, what you make of it is the tight end position drops off fairly quickly and who would have predicted the Gary Barnidge phenomenon?

Crockett Gilmore (26%) and Eric Ebron (23%) should be other borderline starting options, if Ebron is ruled to be fit to play.

OVERALL

IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Stefon Diggs, WR MIN
Michael Crabtree, WR OAK
Derek Carr, QB OAK
Blake Bortles, QB JAC
Chris Hogan WR BUF
Malcom Floyd, WR SD (if Allen out)
Antonio Andrews, RB TEN
Benjamin Watson, TE NO
Charles Sims, RB TB
Robert Woods, WR BUF (if Watkins ruled out)
Rishard Matthews, WR MIA
Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB NYJ
Eric Ebron, TE DET (check status, should return)
Christine Michael, RB DAL (supposed to get more touches after bye)
Brian Hoyer, QB HOU
Theo Riddick RB DET (check Abdullah status, shoots up if out)

LONGTERM IMPACT

Stefon Diggs, WR MIN
Michael Crabtree, WR OAK
Derek Carr, QB OAK
Blake Bortles, QB JAC
James Starks, RB GB (on bye)
Doral Green-Beckham, WR TEN
Eric Ebron, TE DET
Brandon LaFell, WR NE
Charles Sims, RB TB
Matt Jones, RB WAS
Christine Michael, RB DAL
Benjamin Watson, TE CLE
Rishard Matthews, WR MIA
Antonio Andrews, RB TEN
Marvin Jones, WR CIN (on bye)
Crockett Gilmore, TE BAL