Top 3 Waiver Wire Adds: Week 7

By Chip Bayless (click Howie for more Chip)

 

1) Michael Gallup

Somehow, Dak Prescott’s #2 receiver is only rostered in 50% of leagues. Dak has reiterated the past two weeks that he plans to return this week against a porous Detroit defense that gives up an ungodly amount of passing yards.

Now three weeks removed from being fully medically cleared after last year’s devastating season-ending injury, Gallup looks back to his old self.

Consequently, his target share has increased in each of his first three games since returning from injury.

Over the last two weeks he’s had at least five targets in each game, and this week he faces an abysmal Lions passing defense that has given up the 8th-most fantasy points to receivers.

Gallup has incredible body control, awareness, leaping ability, and route-running skills. He clearly learned a ton from Amari Cooper during his time there, as Gallup makes the same highlight-reel sideline grabs and possesses the same explosiveness after the catch that Dak loved in Cooper.

When given the opportunity to shine, Gallup performs. He should finally get that opportunity now that he looks fully healthy and now that he’ll be catching passes from Dak again rather than Cooper Rush.



In games where Gallup has had at least six targets, he’s averaged over 14 fantasy PPG.

If you are in need of a dart-throw FLEX or WR2 start, Gallup is a legitimate under-the-radar option as his single-digit fantasy weeks are a mirage perpetrated by Cooper Rush and a conservatives offense.

 

2) Rondale Moore

With Marquise “Hollywood” Brown now out for at least six weeks due to a significant ankle injury, Moore’s role ROS looks more promising than it did yesterday with Hopkins returning on Thursday.

Now it looks like Moore will operate as the Cardinals WR2 in terms of target share, and its obvious the Cardinals love him.

Arizona uses screens and bubble passes galore to get the ball Rondale’s speedy hands, its been paying dividends for fantasy owners.

Remember: Greg Dortch did phenomenal in Moore’s place early in the season and scored double-digit fantasy points in every contest for a few weeks straight, but despite Dortch’s dominance Kliff and the Cardinals slotted Moore right back into his slot receiver role, instantly supplanting the productive and promising Dortch.



Now that its obvious Moore has a legitimate role in this offense going forward, needy WR fantasy owners should rush to grab him this week if you can as there aren’t many obvious top claims (ex: Kenneth Walker last week etc.) across most leagues for once beyond Gallup.

Moore has also seen at least five targets in all three of his games since returning from injury, and over the last two weeks he’s had at least eight targets in every game.

Furthermore, not only do the Saints give up the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs, but they are also expected to be without their top corner (Marshon Lattimore) this week. 

If you are struggling with injuries and/or questionable players who might end up inactive on Sunday, Moore could be a good dice roll considering he’s had at least eight targets each of the last two weeks and no longer competes with Hollywood for targets in addition to Hopkins.

 

3) Marcus Mariota

There’s a reason Marcus Mariota was once the second overall pick in the draft, and he’s been finally showing the upside and talent scouts saw in 2015.

So far in 2022, Mariota ranks among QBs:

  • 12th in fantasy points
  • 7th in yards per attempt
  • Tied for 9th in passing TDs
  • 9th in adjusted QBR (per ESPN)
  • 7th in rushing yards
  • 2nd in rushing TDs to only Jalen Hurts

Mariota is one of the fastest player on the field regardless of position, and he at least has the arm strength to make virtually any throw on the field. Watch him beat a 49ers defensive back to the pylon on this TD run if you have any doubts:

This allows an open, creative playbook which Mariota is currently executing masterfully.

Not only is Mariota showing the physical intangibles he was lauded for at Oregon, but his decision making has been almost perfect the past two weeks.



Mariota is going through his reads and making the best decision possible on almost every play if you watch him lately, and its been spectacular to see.

A monumental chunk of Mariota’s fantasy value comes down to his rushing ability as he has topped 50 yards in each of his last two games. Unfortunately for Mariota, he also faces a Bengals defense that has allowed the fourth-least fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and a defense where rushing yards are hard to come by regardless of position.

Although Mariota is a talented quarterback who is playing his way out of a “bridge” QB role into potentially an athletic, dynamic “franchise” QB of this offense for years to come, his tough matchup this week puts fantasy owners in a tough spot.

Personally, depending on your other options I’d start him over the likes of Stafford, Brissett, Rodgers, Daniel Jones, Russell Wilson, Tannehill, and the other QBs in that mid or underperforming tier this week. But even if he doesn’t perform well this week he’s an interesting season-long stash for QB-needy teams, especially in deeper leagues.

With over 50 rushing yards in half his games and only one bust (single-digit) fantasy week, Mariota is rising among the long-term fantasy QB options in general and will likely on be available in most leagues for one more week.

 

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