Stefon Diggs is quietly making an impact in Minnesota and can do the same for a fantasy team

Fortunately, there were no MAJOR injuries in Week 6. Unfortunately, Sammy Watkins looks like he’s trying out for the role of “Mr. Glass” in Unbreakable 2 (coincidentally, previously played by another Sam), but I digress. Every week, the waiver wire can be your friend. If you’re in need of help and aren’t sure who to pick up, we’ve got some answers for you.

Our featured experts were asked to rank the top waiver options that are readily available (based on Yahoo ownership). Also, in case you’re in need of a defense to stream in Week 7, we’ve asked the pundits to name their picks for that as well.

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Featured Pros

Ben Standig – CSN Mid-Atlantic
Edward Gorelik – RotoBaller
Vincent Frank – eDraft
R.C. Fischer – FFMetrics

Waiver Wire Rankings (Standard Scoring)

Week 7 Waiver Wire Advice

Each expert was asked to share the reasoning behind their waiver rankings as well as a D/ST rental they like for Week 7. Here’s what the experts had to say.

Q1: Give us your thoughts a waiver wire target (or two) you especially like as a pickup.

Ben Standig – CSN Mid-Atlantic
“There are receivers and there are playmakers, but not all receivers are playmakers. Stefon Diggs, he is indeed a playmaker. Anybody who watched him at the University of Maryland knows this truth and also understands that injuries rather than talent knocked him from becoming a Day 2 NFL Draft pick into the third round. Minnesota’s roster includes several intriguing options at receiver, but only Mike Wallace is producing. Until now that is. Diggs has weekly WR3 upside and ranks second in my ROS rankings among these options only because Cincinnati’s Marvin Jones has a longer track record/plays with a better quarterback.”

Edward Gorelik – RotoBaller
“It takes no stretch of the imagination to see the Cowboys situation as a positive for Christine Michael. Already riding high off reports of being given a serious look during the bye week as the starter, he’s primed to get an opportunity to perform in Week 7 against the Giants. Unfortunately, that’s an incredibly tough matchup, but sometimes just being physically superior can be enough to overcome those and Michael is definitely superior to many NFL athletes.

Other than Michael, Stefon Diggs may have found a valuable role as the starter in Minnesota. Already showing a knack for separation and tough catches, he’s been the most consistent and reliable receiving option that Bridgewater has had this season. Bridgewater is too good to not be able to support a wide receiver into WR2 relevance, and Diggs is looking like he has his endorsement.”

Vincent Frank – eDraft
“It sure does seem like the Dallas Cowboys are going to do everything possible to get running back Christine Michael more involved in the offense. We already know just how dominating the Cowboys offensive line can be. Add in a high-upside ball carrier in the backfield, and it becomes readily apparent Michael will make a strong impact moving forward. He’s definitely a solid waiver target heading into Week 7. He also has more staying power than other running backs we might consider on the waiver wire. If Michael impresses this week against the New York Giants, we could realistically be looking at someone that will get 20-plus touches on a consistent basis as the season progresses.”

Marvin Jones missed the entire 2014 campaign after putting up a surprising eight-touchdown performance the previous year. Now, fully healthy and becoming an important part of the Cincinnati Bengals pass offense, Jones is a must add in 12-team leagues. He’s put up five-plus receptions and 60-plus yards in three of the past four games and has tallied a score three times in Cincinnati’s past five outings. As the team’s true No. 2 behind A.J. Green, the expectation here has to be that Jones will continue to remain fantasy relevant.”

R.C. Fischer – FFMetrics
“It would be easy to discount Stefon Diggs as another random, ‘hot’ Vikings WR pick up du jour. Cordarrelle Patterson flamed in 2014, as did Charles Johnson this season–who wants another ‘flash in the pan’ Vikings WR in their dull passing game? Unlike other receivers with talent that were later-round draft picks in 2015 such as Jamison Crowder, Ty Montgomery, and Rashad Greene, who have been hot fantasy names for the moment/circumstances, Diggs may be different. I wasn’t moved by his college numbers or draft measurables, but what I saw in the preseason tape with Diggs reminded me of an early Antonio Brown—excellent route-running, reliable, playmaker, and great after the catch. A lot of names on waivers right now might be better plays for next week, but Diggs may have lasting power all season—and beyond (for Dynasty).”

Q2: For owners renting a D/ST in Week 7, what readily available option should they target and why?

Edward Gorelik – RotoBaller
“I’m looking at the Steelers defense against the Chiefs. Alex Smith is playing horrendous football and with the Chiefs losing Jeremy Maclin and Jamaal Charles, I have no idea what they’re planning to do on offense. I doubt they have any ideas either. The Steelers have been able to generate a decent pass rush over the last few weeks. Smith’s erratic ball placement along with pass rush pressure creates an opportunity for him to have his first turnover heavy game of the year, or at the very least a game full of sacks. The Chiefs are not a threat to score more than 17 points either, so the Steelers floor looks high.”

R.C. Fischer – FFMetrics
“Since opening-day (where they held the Patriots to their season low for points: 28), in their last five games, the Steelers defense has allowed 18-6-23-20-13 for points in games. The ‘23’ includes three-points in OT to the Ravens—that should have never been! In the last four weeks, facing solid QBs (Foles, Flacco, Rivers, Palmer) the Steelers pass defense has given up just four passing TDs, while intercepting five passes. Their rushing defense is allowing the 7th lowest rushing yards per game in the league, and have only yielded one rushing TD this season while forcing a league high six fumbles. The Steelers defense is also 7th in the NFL in total sacks. When the Steelers get Ben Roethlisberger back and can better control field position and time of possession with their offense,this defense may go crazy. This can be especially true against a Jamaal Charles-less (and maybe Jeremy Maclin-less) KC in Week 7.”

Ben Standig – CSN Mid-Atlantic
“If we’re digging deep for defense, what about the Jaguars in Week 7. Jacksonville hops the pond to face the Bills, who may have to go with E.J. Manuel yet again if Tyrod Taylor (knee) cannot return. Buffalo is not expected to have injured receivers Sammy Watkins or Percy Harvin. If Jacksonville can limit LeSean McCoy on the ground, that forces more pressure on Manuel. Jacksonville finished Sunday holding opponents to an NFL low 3.4 yards per carry.”

Vincent Frank – eDraft
“The Atlanta Falcons take on a struggling Tennessee Titans team that may have to ride with Zach Mettenberger under center on Sunday. Even if Marcus Mariota is able to play after suffering a MCL sprain, he’s shown mistake-prone tendencies recently, throwing five interceptions over the past three games. While Atlanta won’t provide you with the sack numbers (seven in six games) on a consistent basis, it is taking on a Titans offensive line that’s on pace to allow 68 sacks this year. Add in the three defensive touchdowns Atlanta has scored, and it becomes a solid play as a one-week rental.”

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Thanks to the experts for ranking their top waiver pickups for Week 7. For more advice from them, please follow them on Twitter.