Late-Week Fantasy Football Pickups for Injuries and Bye Weeks in 2025 NFL Season

Late-Week Fantasy Football Pickups for Injuries and Bye Weeks in the 2025 NFL Season

Ingress: In the midst of the 2025 NFL fantasy football season, injuries, bye weeks, and fresh developments frequently force fantasy managers to seek reinforcements for their lineups. Fantasy analyst Matt Bowen offers weekly advice focusing on under-the-radar players rostered in fewer than half of ESPN leagues, targeting deeper leagues. Week 7 presents opportunities especially at wide receiver, tight end, and running back positions, while quarterback options remain limited.

Key points: - Injuries in Tampa Bay and Arizona open potential streaming options at wide receiver, including Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones. - Tight ends Michael Mayer and Oronde Gadsden II are emerging as viable pickups following strong performances. - Running backs with volume and scoring upside like Tyjae Spears and Kendre Miller offer depth for managers. - Quarterback matchups are generally tough, but Jaxson Dart’s rushing ability makes him a risk worth taking. - The Carolina Panthers' defense could produce key fantasy points against a struggling New York Jets offense.

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Wide receivers: Opportunities amid injuries in Tampa Bay and Arizona

Sterling Shepard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (18.1% rostered) is a promising option this week against the Detroit Lions, even if Mike Evans returns from a hamstring injury. Shepard benefits from the probable absences of Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr., offering a steady target pool for Baker Mayfield, who is playing at an MVP level. Shepard has consistently seen at least four targets in almost every game this season and has shown playmaking ability after the catch.

Kayshon Boutte from the New England Patriots (20.0% rostered) posted a career-high 26.3 fantasy points in Week 6, catching five passes for 93 yards and two touchdowns. While his season averages are more modest, Boutte’s surge and strong quarterback play from Drake Maye present upside in deeper leagues.

Arizona Cardinals’ Zay Jones (0.2% rostered) is a potential streaming option if he is healthy to face the Green Bay Packers. The Cardinals are managing multiple injuries at the wide receiver position, and Jones performed well after Marvin Harrison Jr. left last game, catching five of eight targets for 79 yards. He could assume a key role behind tight end Trey McBride.

Tight ends: Streamable options gaining consistency

Michael Mayer of the Las Vegas Raiders (13.7% rostered) emerges as a key option with Brock Bowers doubtful again. Having caught five of seven targets for 50 yards and a touchdown last week, Mayer’s reception and yardage thresholds could continue in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite the tough matchup, the Chiefs’ defensive scheme may allow underneath targets to tight ends, complemented by a game flow favoring pass volume.

Rookie Oronde Gadsden II (1.4% rostered) of the Los Angeles Chargers showed significant promise in Week 6 with seven catches on eight targets for 68 yards. His catch-and-run style fits well with the Chargers’ offensive design, especially against the Colts, offering upside in deeper leagues.

Running backs: Volume plays with upside

Tyjae Spears of the Tennessee Titans (28.5% rostered) is an intriguing option in a difficult matchup against the Patriots. Returning from an ankle injury, Spears showed increased touches and remains the clear No. 2 behind Tony Pollard. His ability as a pass-catcher adds to his fantasy value in multi-dimensional offenses.

Kendre Miller from the New Orleans Saints (23.3% rostered) is a volume-driven option against a Bears defense allowing 5.7 yards per carry. While his ceiling is limited, consistent nine-touch games make him a reliable depth choice.

Bam Knight of the Arizona Cardinals (16.5% rostered) presented mixed results, splitting carries but showing goal-line usage with rushing touchdowns in consecutive games. His potential usage near the goal line against Green Bay supports a speculative play for managers willing to take a risk.

Quarterback outlook: Rushing ability makes Jaxson Dart a worthy gamble

The quarterback position is tough to navigate in Week 7, with generally unfavorable matchups. Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants (42.7% rostered) faces a strong Broncos defense but compensates with strong rushing production. Averaging 10 carries and 55.7 rushing yards per game, plus two rushing touchdowns so far, Dart’s mobility could provide necessary fantasy points even if his passing numbers are limited.

Other available quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Trevor Lawrence offer similarly challenging matchups, making Dart’s unique rushing upside an appealing lottery ticket.

Defense and special teams: Carolina Panthers as a sleeper option

The Carolina Panthers defense (17.3% rostered) faces the New York Jets, a team struggling offensively with key injuries like wide receiver Garrett Wilson and quarterback Justin Fields underperforming. The Panthers’ strength against the run and the Jets’ ongoing identity issues make Carolina a viable streaming option in more than 80% of ESPN leagues.

Spotlight on Sterling Shepard: From Giants castoff to Buccaneers’ key target

Sterling Shepard’s resurgence with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after injury-plagued seasons with the New York Giants draws attention. Once a reliable rookie with eight touchdown receptions in 2016, injuries derailed his tenure with the Giants, limiting games and production. Tampa Bay acquired Shepard last year, and he has since delivered his most productive seasons since 2021.

In 2024, Shepard caught 51 passes for 334 yards. This season, he is on track for over 600 receiving yards and 50 receptions, his best output since 2020. With injuries hampering Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, Shepard's veteran presence provides Baker Mayfield with a trustworthy option in the offense.

Giants fans and analysts alike question the franchise’s handling of Shepard, with commentators like Dan Benton at Giants Wire highlighting how many former Giants players are excelling elsewhere. Whether this reflects on Giants’ management or Tampa Bay’s talent recognition, Shepard’s contribution is proving vital to the Buccaneers.

Additional fantasy insights and tools

Matt Bowen and experts Pat Fitzmaurice and Derek Brown provide further fantasy advice, including start/sit recommendations and waiver wire picks. Key player analyses emphasize the importance of volume, matchups, and recent performances to inform lineup decisions. Tools like the Who Should I Start? assistant and My Playbook enhance managers’ ability to navigate the season effectively.

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Through injury-driven opportunities and strategic matchups, Week 7 of the 2025 NFL fantasy season offers several players poised to make an impact. From wide receivers like Shepard and Boutte to tight ends Mayer and Gadsden, and versatile running backs Spears and Miller, managers in deeper leagues have multiple potential pickups. Despite QB challenges, Jaxson Dart’s rushing ability offers a glimmer of upside, while the Carolina Panthers present a defensively viable streaming defense option. As the season unfolds, attentive use of these options could prove decisive in fantasy success.

Questions and answers

Q: Best fantasy football pickups week 7 2025

A: For week 7 of the 2025 fantasy football season, the best pickups include players who are stepping into larger roles due to injuries or favorable matchups. Look for emerging wide receivers with increased targets, backup running backs seeing more snaps, and quarterbacks facing weaker defensive units. Monitoring the waiver wire for players involved in high-scoring offenses or those expected to see a surge in usage can provide significant value.

Q: NFL fantasy football injury replacements

A: Injuries are common in the NFL, making injury replacements crucial in fantasy football. When a starter is sidelined, backups or secondary players often gain increased opportunities to produce points. To find effective injury replacements, target players with clear roles on their team, especially those who have already shown flashes of performance. Staying updated on weekly injury reports helps identify which players might see increased workload and fantasy relevance.

Q: Under-the-radar fantasy football players 2025

A: Under-the-radar fantasy football players in 2025 are often those in backup roles or on emerging offenses who have the potential to break out. These players might be rookies adjusting to the league or veterans in new systems with increased opportunities. Identifying these players early involves watching preseason reports, monitoring depth chart changes, and tracking players with favorable upcoming matchups to capitalize before the general fantasy community notices.

Q: Fantasy football streaming defense options

A: Streaming defenses in fantasy football involves picking a new defense each week based on matchups rather than relying on one defense all season. Effective streaming options typically include defenses facing turnover-prone or low-scoring offenses. Look for units with strong pass rushes capable of forcing sacks and interceptions, as well as favorable conditions like home games or poor weather for the opposing offense. Staying flexible and proactive with matchups can lead to consistent point scoring from the defensive slot.

Q: Running back waiver wire pickups week 7

A: In week 7, running back waiver wire pickups often center around backups who gain increased snaps due to injuries or performance-based workload shifts. Pay attention to teams with injury-depleted backfields or committees leaning heavily on a particular player. Emerging rookies or second-year players showing good efficiency in limited touches can also offer valuable depth or even starter upside. Monitoring injury reports and recent snap counts will help identify the best waiver targets at running back.

Key Entities

Sterling Shepard: Sterling Shepard is a wide receiver for the New York Giants in the NFL. He has been a key offensive player known for his route-running and reliable hands.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an NFL team based in Tampa, Florida, known for winning Super Bowl LV with Tom Brady as quarterback. They compete in the NFC South division.

Michael Mayer: Michael Mayer is a tight end for the Las Vegas Raiders, known for his collegiate career at Notre Dame. He is recognized for his blocking and receiving skills.

Jaxson Dart: Jaxson Dart is a quarterback who played college football at USC before transferring to Ole Miss. He is noted for his mobility and playmaking ability.

Carolina Panthers: The Carolina Panthers are an NFL team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, competing in the NFC South division. They have appeared in two Super Bowls but have yet to win the championship.

External articles

• Injured Player Replacement Tool - Fantasy Footballers
• Fantasy football Week 8 waiver wire: 8 players to cut
• Fantasy Football Injuries: Jayden Daniels & More Updates

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YouTube Video

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