Waiver Wire Week 7 for Fantasy Football: Germie Bernard, Omar Cooper Jr. Shine

This season’s edition of the waiver wire has been underwhelming with few breakout roles from emerging players. Finally, we have some rookies front and center for Week 7’s waiver wire. 

Steelers WR Germie Bernard and Jets WR Omar Cooper Jr. shined in Week 6, led by top-six positional finishes for fantasy football. Meanwhile, Rams WR Davante Adams appeared to suffer an injury on Sunday, shifting roles on the Los Angeles offense.

Let’s look at Week 7’s waiver wire options for fantasy football, including QBs, RBs, WRs, TEs, and D/ST streaming candidates.

Make NFL Week 7 picks on PrizePicks! 

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Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7: Rookie Wide Receivers Headline

If you’re in need of a running back, the waiver wire remains slim pickings. However, the wide receiver position offers several potential breakout players, while QBs bring reliable pieces if you need a streamer for Week 7.

For each waiver wire target, we’ll highlight their Week 7 matchup and projections on PrizePicks, followed by a fantasy football roster percentage via FantasyPros. Keep in mind each weekly positional ranking provided for Week 6 does not account for Monday Night Football between the Commanders and 49ers.

Top Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

This week features a couple of familiar faces for our waiver wire who continue to record consistent fantasy points, including the likes of Texans QB C.J. Stroud. Plus, we have a QB change for the Giants, impacting Week 7’s waiver wire.

Raiders QB C.J. Stroud

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Giants

Roster Percentage: 47.7%

Last week, it felt like the last call before Raiders QB Kirk Cousins became rostered in most leagues. This week, that could be the case for C.J. Stroud. 

He carried a 46.1% rostered rate a week ago, and that climbed to 47.7%. The Texans come off their best performance yet in a 34-31 win over the Jaguars, featuring 426 total yards and 7.2 yards per play.

Stroud was excellent, completing 24 of 34 pass attempts with 312 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, 1 INT, and 24.0 fantasy points (QB3). He’s now reached 20.0 fantasy points in three straight, totaling 22.7 per game in the split.  

Houston has several favorable matchups ahead against the Giants, Chargers, Browns, and Colts. Stroud’s 50.4% success rate (ninth), via RBSDM, provides more confidence, and this offense may keep improving when WR Marvin Harrison Jr. takes on a full-time role.

Make C.J. Stroud picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 7.

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.

Week 7 Matchup: vs. 49ers

Roster Percentage: 46.1%

Week 6’s 31-23 loss vs. the Bears was one to forget for the Falcons. They trailed 31-7 early in the fourth quarter, leading to a negative game script with plenty of passing attempts.

Atlanta finished with 33 passing attempts compared to just 12 rushing attempts. That volume propelled Michael Penix Jr. to 225 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, and 23.1 fantasy points (QB5). 

This easily surpassed Penix’s 14.0 fantasy points per game (FPPG) in his first three starts of the season. Frankly, the Falcons will remain a run-heavy team with their 49.17% rush play rate (fourth), unless they find themselves in a negative game script. 

However, Penix’s play is still encouraging thanks to 236.0 passing yards per game, 6 passing TDs, and 1 INT. He could be a nice stash for your bench. 

Predict More or Less for Michael Penix Jr.’s pass yards on PrizePicks.

Giants QB J.J. McCarthy

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Texans

Roster Percentage: 1.7%

Giants QB Jameis Winston finally avoided an INT in Week 5, but that didn’t last long with 2 INTs vs. the Saints on Sunday. With a 34-10 deficit, New York elected to bench Winston for J.J. McCarthy.

He didn’t get off to a great start with a pick of his own, but McCarthy would go on to post 243 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 INT, 26 rushing yards, and 17.3 fantasy points (QB10). The Giants even cut the lead to 34-27 and ultimately failed to pull off a game-winning drive.

After McCarthy helped lead New York to a comeback, he could become the starter going forward. His immediate 17.3 fantasy points is enough reason for a waiver wire pickup, but he carries real upside, too.

As a former first-round pick, the 23-yard-old QB simply has a higher ceiling than Winston at this point. Further, McCarthy brings mobility, as we saw on a 28-yard run in the fourth quarter on Sunday.  

If he becomes the starter for Week 7, McCarthy’s 2 rushing attempts from Week 6 should increase, and his 11.6 yards per passing attempt from Sunday adds more intrigue.

Lock in J.J. McCarthy picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 7.

Other Week 7 QB Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers (vs. Saints): 41.8% roster percentage
• Jets QB Geno Smith (vs. Dolphins): 8.2% roster percentage
• Eagles QB Tanner McKee (vs. Cowboys): 3.0% roster percentage

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Top Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7  

As usual, we’re focusing on players who are available in about 45.0% of fantasy football leagues. But if you’re fortunate enough to have Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet available (59.8% rostered rate), he’s top priority with a potential return from injury in Week 7.

We’ll break down more available targets, though, as Bengals RB Samaje Perine and Saints RB Kendre Miller are two tailbacks coming off large workloads.

Bengals RB Samaje Perine

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Ravens

Roster Percentage: 5.8% 

In Week 5’s 31-24 win vs. the Dolphins, Samaje Perine tallied 14 carries, 68 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 10 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD, and 15.8 fantasy points (RB14).

Meanwhile, Bengals RB Chase Brown posted 13 rushing attempts, 39 rushing yards, 4 targets, 3 catches, and 21 receiving yards. That’s nearly an even split, and most importantly, Perine had 4.9 yards per carry compared to Brown’s 3.0.

On the season, Perine’s 4.1 YPC is above Brown’s underwhelming 3.5. According to FTN, Perine carries 21.6% DVOA compared to Brown’s 7.6%. 

Cincinnati tallies only 3.6 YPC (27th) with a 36.54% rush play rate (28th). After Perine produced with 17 rush snaps compared to Brown’s 15 rush snaps in Week 5, the Bengals’ workload could shift going forward.

Lock in Samaje Perine picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 7.

Saints RB Kendre Miller

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Steelers

Roster Percentage: 23.9% 

Saints RB Travis Etienne Jr. continues to miss time with a hamstring injury, leaving the backfield to Alvin Kamara and Kendre Miller. 

Miller has 49 rushing attempts on the season compared to Kamara’s 35. While Miller has yet to reach 10.0 fantasy points in a game this season, he comes off 20 carries for 70 rushing yards. 

His efficiency with 3.1 YPC, including 3.5 in Week 6, draws concern, but Miller has tallied double-digit carries in back-to-back weeks. According to Pro Football Reference, his 38.5% red zone rushing share leads New Orleans as well.

The Saints record 25.3 PPG (10th). Miller becomes a waiver wire target thanks to plenty of rushing attempts in a positive scoring environment.

Add Kendre Miller to your PrizePicks lineup for NFL Week 7.

Other Week 7 RB Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Broncos RB Jonah Coleman (vs. Cardinals): 31.2% roster percentage
• Raiders RB Mike Washington Jr. (vs. Rams): 36.9% roster percentage
• Eagles RB Dameon Pierce (vs. Cowboys): 40.4% roster percentage
• Cardinals RB Bam Knight (vs. Broncos): 0.7% roster percentage
• Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. (vs. Texans): 5.0% roster percentage

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Top Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

A pair of rookies headline Week 7’s waiver wire for wide receivers. Meanwhile, Bills WR Keon Coleman continues to find the end zone, and the waiver wire extends to wideouts enjoying healthy target shares, like Dolphins WR Malik Washington and Colts WR Keenan Allen.

Steelers WR Germie Bernard

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Saints

Roster Percentage: 35.7% 

Steelers WR Michael Pittman Jr. (foot) was placed on injured reserve following Week 5, and WR Roman Wilson (finger) was then added to IR ahead of Week 6. That opened the opportunity for second-round rookie WR Germie Bernard to become a starter,

In Week 5, Bernard posted a 91.7% snap share with 9 targets, 6 receptions, 80 receiving yards, and 14.4 fantasy points (WR21). He was already a waiver wire target, and now Bernard is a must-get after racking up 12 targets, 11 catches, 87 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD, and 25.7 fantasy points (WR3) on Sunday.

Over the last two games, Bernard’s 91.7% snap rate is tied with WR DK Metcalf for the team’s highest mark. Further, the rookie has turned that into a monster 30.0% target share and a 36.2% air yards share in the two-game split.

Next up, Bernard has a favorable matchup vs. the Saints — who allow a 50.8% dropback success rate (28th).

Make Germie Bernard picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 7.

Bills WR Keon Coleman

Week 7 Matchup: Bye

Roster Percentage: 40.9% 

Since Week 4, Keon Coleman is averaging 15.7 FPPG. Frankly, he’s still a mixed bag, as the third-year wideout had 6 catches for 116 yards and 1 TD in Week 4, followed by 1 reception for 7 yards and 1 TD in Week 5.

On Sunday, Coleman had 6 targets for 4 catches, 59 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD, and 15.9 fantasy points (WR19). He’s now found the end zone in three consecutive games, but with only 3 red zone targets on the season, via PlayerProfiler, regression is likely ahead.

Further, Bills WR DJ Moore hasn’t played in a full game since Week 3. He managed to make a limited appearance at practice on Friday, and now Moore gets an extra week of rest on bye.

If Moore also misses Week 8, Coleman remains a potential start for fantasy. However, a return for the Bills’ WR1 is likely coming sooner rather than later.

For the long-term picture, Coleman carries a 57.9% separation rate and 2.904 receiving yards over expectation per attempt, surpassing Moore’s 30.0% and 0.741 on the season. With legitimate efficiency, Coleman could become a season-long producer for fantasy football.

Lock in Keon Coleman picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 7.

Jets WR Omar Cooper Jr.

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Dolphins

Roster Percentage: 13.6% 

Omar Cooper Jr. — the #30 pick from the 2026 NFL Draft — took only 5 snaps with 1 catch for 30 receiving yards before suffering an ankle injury in Week 1. 

Cooper was officially activated from IR and made his first full appearance on Sunday, and boy did he deliver. The former Indiana star recorded 7 targets, 6 catches, 103 receiving yards, 1 TD, and 22.3 fantasy points (WR6). 

Considering this was his first full outing, Cooper is a must-add for fantasy football this week. However, there are questions around his long-term potential. 

Can he become a consistent producer with WR Garrett Wilson in this offense? Further, WR Adonai Mitchell continues to miss time with a finger injury. When Mitchell returns, this suddenly becomes a crowded room.

The Jets are 2-4 with an average -1.7 score margin. They get a favorable matchup vs. the Dolphins in Week 7, but plenty of negative game scripts are likely ahead vs. the Raiders, Chiefs, and Bills from Week 8 to 10.

Make Omar Cooper Jr. picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 7.

Other Week 7 WR Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Dolphins WR Malik Washington (vs. Jets): 42.1% roster percentage
• Colts WR Keenan Allen (vs. Vikings): 43.6% roster percentage
• Texans WR Jaylin Noel (vs. Giants): 6.5% roster percentage
• Ravens WR Ja’Kobi Lane (vs. Bengals): 23.5% roster percentage
• 49ers WR Brandin Cooks (vs. Falcons): 3.2% roster percentage 
• Commanders WR Antonio Williams (Bye): 8.1% roster percentage 
• Jaguars WR Travis Hunter (Bye): 45.2% roster percentage
• Eagles WR Darius Cooper (vs. Cowboys): 7.7% roster percentage 
• Saints WR Jordyn Tyson (Injured Reserve): 53.6% roster percentage

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Top Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

Week 6 was a wild one for tight ends, as six of the 10 top-performing tight ends of the week are available in over 90.0% of fantasy football leagues. 

For example, Raiders TE Michael Mayer (9.2%) posted 16.5 fantasy points (TE5), marking his third double-digit performance of the last four games. However, our attention turns to a potential role on the Rams offense for this week’s top waiver wire target.

Rams TE Tyler Higbee

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Raiders

Roster Percentage: 20.4% 

Sitting at 2-4, the sky is falling in Los Angeles. As if Sunday’s 18-16 loss vs. the Cardinals wasn’t enough, Rams WR Davante Adams also left the game late with a non-contact injury. 

We’ve yet to receive a status for Adams’ injury, but an absence with his 21.7% target share would surely open up usage. Additionally, Rams TE Terrance Ferguson is still on injured reserve with an ankle injury.

Since Week 3, Tyler Higbee has logged the following snap shares: 70.9%, 65.5%, 67.1%, and 82.8%. After racking up 15.1 FPPG from Week 3 to 5, Higbee had only 4.2 fantasy points (TE28) with 4 catches for 22 receiving yards on Sunday.

However, Higbee’s volume is trustworthy, proven by 6.8 targets per game since Week 3. That could only rise if Adams misses time due to injury.

Predict Tyler Higbee stats on PrizePicks for NFL Week 7.

Other Week 7 TE Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Raiders TE Michael Mayer (vs. Rams): 9.2% roster percentage
• Bengals TE Mike Gesicki (vs. Ravens): 16.5% roster percentage
• Panthers TE Tommy Tremble (vs. Buccaneers): 0.6% roster percentage
• Ravens TE Josh Cuevas (vs. Bengals): 1.1% roster percentage

Top Defense (D/ST) Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 7

The Titans, Broncos, and Dolphins are all in the bottom seven of points per game, and each team’s opponent for Week 7 has a widely-available D/ST for the waiver wire. None could draw more attention than the Browns D/ST for this week’s streaming target. 

Browns Defense

Week 7 Matchup: vs. Titans

Roster Percentage: 29.3% roster percentage 

The Titans (1-5) finally got in the win column with a 26-20 dub over the Colts in Week 6. However, this was carried by the defense’s 3 forced turnovers while the offense posted only 186 total yards.

Tennessee averages 14.0 PPG (31st), 4.5 yards per play (30th), and 236.3 yards per game (32nd). Adding to upside for opposing D/STs, the Titans log 1.3 turnovers per game (19th).

Meanwhile, the Browns are 4-2, and the defense had limited teams to 20.3 PPG (seventh) and 5.0 yards per play (10th). According to ESPN, Cleveland’s 34% run stop win rate (second) may force the Titans to drop back.

That’s bad news for a Tennessee offense carrying a 42% pass block win rate (29th). The Browns’ 34.2% pressure rate (sixth-highest) can help cause chaos, leading to fantasy points for sacks and forced turnovers. 

Make your Browns vs. Titans picks on PrizePicks!

Other Week 7 D/ST Waiver Wire Pickups to Target

• Cardinals D/ST (vs. Broncos): 3.4% roster percentage
• Jets D/ST (vs. Dolphins): 7.7% roster percentage

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Make NFL Picks on PrizePicks

Rookie wide receivers are the crown jewel of Week 7’s waiver wire, headlined by Germie Bernard and Omar Cooper Jr. Elsewhere, RBs remain underwhelming, while a strong group of QBs provides managers with streaming options.

Don’t wait until kickoff — make your NFL Week 7 picks on PrizePIcks now! You can make picks on the winner, spread, and over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 36 states. With PrizePicks, just pick players and predict More or Less on their stats!

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