Top Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 7
1) Sean Tucker
Sean Tucker scoring 34 fantasy points in Week 6 was about as predictable as Robert Saleh being fired five weeks into the season, as Tucker had not scored more than 2.7 fantasy points in a game this year, had only three total touches coming into Week 6, and was projected to score a mere 7.7 points by ESPN.
Tucker is also currently available in 99% of ESPN leagues, but after his performance this week he is an instant must-add. Depending on reports throughout the week regarding the Bucs backfield in terms of White’s health and whether or not Tucker’s insane day earned him a larger role, Tucker could become instant lineup lock next week.
Tuck(er) and run! 💨 What a return for @seantucker2020#TBvsATL on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/U4H8oH6HB8— NFL (@NFL) October 4, 2024
Tucker is a relentless, smart, strong runner with deceptive breakaway speed. If you watched even just some of his highlights from the Bucs last game, he passes the eye test with flying colors. It’s worth mentioning that at the moment, Sean Tucker leads NFL RBs in yards per carry.
Furthermore, he was Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded Buc in Week 6.
In his expanded action on Sunday, Tucker averaged 9.7 yards per clip on the ground, going for 136 rushing yards and a score on just 14 carries.
The first TD for @seantucker2020 🙌
📺: #TBvsNO on FOX pic.twitter.com/yK7Dl8ADPI
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) October 13, 2024
He also added 56 rushing yards and a touchdown on just three receptions, and it was encouraging to see the Bucs show faith in Tucker as both a ground-and-pound runner and a dangerous receiver out of the backfield.
It’s worth noting Tucker rushed for 1,000 yards twice in college while he was at Syracuse, so maybe his legs have some more juice than the Bucs have let us see.
2) DeMario Douglas
Many assumed DeMario “pop” Douglas would enter this season as the Patriots’ top receiver on fantasy draft day.
For the first few weeks of the season, that prediction felt like an inside joke beat reporters were having with themselves as Douglas hauled in only two receptions in Week 1, and the next week he utterly destroyed most fantasy managers confidence in him by putting up a flat out zero.
Due to his early-season disappointment and the Patriots’ offense resembling a dead snail, Douglas is currently available in 79% of ESPN leagues
Finally, in Week 3, Douglas started to look somewhat like the Patriots number one receiver while scoring 14 fantasy points and accruing nine targets.
In three of his last four weeks, Demario Douglas has caught at least six balls, scored at least 11.9 fantasy points, and had at least 59 receiving yards on nine targets.
WR Demario Douglas (NE): I’ve mentioned “Pop” Douglas several times both in the offseason and inseason. Nothing flashy, but dependable, QB Drake Maye should elevate the entire pass offense. Worth an add. pic.twitter.com/Aw1Vi1n1Yj
— Joshua Cho (@jbchoknows) October 15, 2024
Over the past four weeks, Douglas has 30 total targets and is averaging 13 fantasy points per game.
So far he leads Patriots WRs in yards, receptions, targets, fantasy points, and YAC as 61 of his 151 receiving yards have come after the catch.
Demario Douglas is runs his routes with elite suddenness, and he can be consistently counted on to win his one-on-one battles. Among all WRs, Douglas also ranks 10th in the NFL in average separation (per Next Gen Stats). He’s 14th in forced missed or broken tackles per touch too (per Opta Stats).
.@popshotta3 getting out in space.
📺: @NFLonPrime pic.twitter.com/PdZeMUgGjA
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 20, 2024
He also scored the sixth-most fantasy points among all WRs in Week 6.
Douglas is an agile, dynamic playmaker with the ball in his hands, and its obvious why the Patriots were trying to get him the rock so often against the Jets in Week 3; however, in an offense as porous as the Patriots, the challenge is just that: getting Douglas the football.
Although, because the Patriots are such an awful football team, they will likely be playing from behind in tons of games which means we should be seeing more targets on a consistent basis for Demario Douglas going forward.
In terms of how his season stats stack up against his peers at the position, here’s how Douglas ranks:
- 15th in catch % (per Pro Football Reference)
- 33rd in target share (20%, per FantasyPros)
- Tied for 28th in receptions
- Tied for 29th in YAC per reception (per Pro Football Reference)
- Tied for 41st in targets
In addition, according to ESPN Analytics, Douglas is 18th in open rating and 36th in overall receiver rating (whatever the hell those stats mean).
Against a porous Jaguars team in Week 7 that has zero defensive backs that scare offensive coordinators, Douglas is worth a flex/WR3 play in 12-team or deeper leagues
Regardless on if you plan on starting him in Week 7, he’s worth an add since if he keeps putting together performances like he’s done over the least four weeks then he will be a startable WR2 in virtually all leagues going forward.
Douglas is on the field incredibly often for the Patriots too, and he’s played no less than 56% of snaps in every single game.
3) Michael Wilson
Michael Wilson has quietly carved out a defined role as the other starting receiver on the outside opposite Marvin Harrison Jr., and in an offense that throws as much as the Cardinals, that role has been warranting fantasy merit lately.
Thus far, Wilson has accounted for a quarter of all of the Cardinals’ air yards this season. and is playing an average of 81% of all Cardinals snaps including 95% in his most recent game, which could end up being the case again in Week 7 if Marvin Harrison Jr. can’t clear concussion protocol.
Wilson explodes off the line of scrimmage, attacks the football when he’s targeted, and breaks in and out of routes as quickly as any WR on the Cardinals roster.
Michael Wilson comes down with it and the Cards are on the board #BirdGang
📺: #AZvsGB on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/O3vEhBq1Ag— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024
He’s shown an ability to come down with some impressive jump balls too, and appears to have an above average catch radius.
Michael Wilson has also displayed impressive body control and awareness on some sideline passes and tips, and he’s developing clear chemistry with Kyler Murray.
In terms of 2024 WRs, Wilson currently ranks:
- 15th in receptions for 20+ yards (per ESPN)
- 17th in passer rating when targeted (per Pro Football Reference)
- 23rd in catch % (per Next Gen Stats)
- 36th in yards after contact (per FantasyPros)
- 37th in red zone target share (per Pro Football Reference)
- 40th in receptions resulting in 1st downs (per ESPN)
Wilson has scored 10+ fantasy points in three of his last four games, and he’s had at least four targets in each of his last four weeks.
Michael Wilson is earning more work in this Cardinals offense 👀
💎 #1 Average Separation Score (.21) on the team…for comparison, Marvin Harrison Jr. is at .08 😬
💎 #2 on the team in targets over past 3 games; Target share of 27% 32% & 20%#BirdGangpic.twitter.com/53dMgcLzd2— FANTASY UMPIRE (@FantasyUmpire) October 10, 2024
Over that span, he’s averaging 6.5 targets per game, 50 receiving yards, and 10.5 fantasy points per game.