Week seven of the National Football League is officially in the books. And with that, fantasy football fans are looking towards the waiver wire to see if their team can be improved in any way. I realize the timing of this article isn’t ideal, but had to get a few thoughts on paper for you all despite all that is going on at home.

Before we get to this week’s potential waiver wire pickups, it’s important to note that there are a variety of ways to spend my first waiver priority if you wanted to use it. But it all really depends on the structure of your roster and the depth at each position. And again, the season isn’t getting any younger, so we don’t want to finish the season with the top waiver priority sitting in our pockets. Use it if you need it. Also, the other players listed below are in no particular order.

Teams on a bye in week six: Bills, Eagles, Redskins, Jaguars

Darren McFadden | Cowboys and Ryan Mathews | Eagles

I know, I know. Maybe neither of these guys should be on this list, but neither are owned in 50% of Y! leagues either. McFadden ran 29 times for 152 yards and a touchdown, likely earning him some more time in the backfield going forward. But the former Raider will face the Seahawks in week eight who surrender the second fewest fantasy points to opposing bell cows. We may not expect a similar performance out of him this week, but think longer term here.

And Ryan Mathews. You still may have a bad taste in your mouth from his time in San Diego, but hear me out. He’s on a bye in week eight, so you’re adding him for the long-term as well if you need a back. He’s rotating with DeMarco Murray in Philadelphia, but at some (most?) points it seems as if he’s just the better fit for what Chip Kelly’s offense is trying to accomplish. Mathews has 341 yards on 57 carries this season (6.0 yards per carry) compared to Murray’s 307 yards on 88 carries (3.5 yards per carry). The passing game isn’t all that different. Mathews has hauled in 12-of-15 targets for 97 yards (8.1 yards per reception) and a score while Murray reeled in 23-of-27 looks for 132 yards (5.7 yards per reception) and a score. He’s doing more with less opportunities than the 99% owned DeMarco Murray. Don’t let the past linger any longer, Mathews is an option for as long as he stays healthy.

Consider in leagues: 12+ teams
Waiver Priority Worthy: 4 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10%
Players I’d drop for him: Arian Foster, Karlos Williams

Eric Ebron | Lions

Former first-round selection Eric Ebron only has five games under his belt this season, but in that sample he’s hauled in 20-of-28 targets for 268 yards and three touchdowns. Despite just an 7.3 yard average depth of target (aDOT), Ebron is averaging 13.4 yards per reception — the big man is earning a bulk of his wages after the catch. He’ll get the Chiefs in week eight — a defense that’s allowing the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends — and a bye in week nine, so if your fantasy football can handle that, consider adding Ebron as a long-term solution.

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 4 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10-15%
Players I’d drop for him: Zack Ertz, Heath Miller, Vernon Davis

Danny Amendola | Patriots and Nate Washington | Texans

There’s been a spike in Danny Amendola usage in New England the past two weeks. The oft-injured pass catcher has hauled in 15-of-18 targets for 191 and a touchdown against the Colts and Jets in weeks eight and nine respectively after earning just over three targets per game in each of the first four weeks. He’s third on the team in targets behind Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, but Brandon LaFell is back (although he may have left his hands on the physically unable to perform list) which could negatively impact his workload down the line. If you’re looking for depth in your points-per-reception league and have a large bottle of Tums to deal with the heartburn courtesy of Bill Belichik’s nonsense, consider Danny Amendola.

Nate Washington has played in four games this season. He’s seen no less than eight targets in each of those games. In 2-of-4 games Washington eclipsed the 100-yard receiving mark and has two scores on the season, both of which came in week seven. He’s available in 94% of Y! leagues, which is pretty insane.

Consider in leagues: All
Waiver Priority Worthy: 4 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 5-10%
Players I’d drop for him: Brandon Coleman, Devin Funchess, Nelson Agholor

Alfred Blue | Texans, Chris Polk | Texans and Jonathan Grimes | Texans

The Houston Texans lost All-Pro running back Arian Foster to a season-ending achilles injury this weekend, creating a much larger mess in Houston than there already was (outside of DeAndre Hopkins). It sounds like the Texans will not be looking outside of the organization to add depth to their stable of backs, so Alfred Blue, Chris Polk and maybe to a lesser extent Jonathan Grimes it is for the time being. All three backs are averaging under four yards per carry on the season with both Blue and Polk finding the end zone once each. In the passing game though, it’s been more of Polk and Grimes, who’ve earned 18 and 13 targets respectively, compared to Blue’s four looks. Like Amendola, you better have a bottle of Tums when placing those waiver claims if you need one of these guys. I’d add them in the order I listed if I had to.

Consider in leagues: 12+ teams
Waiver Priority Worthy: 4 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 10%
Players I’d drop for him: Arian Foster, Karlos Williams

Orleans Darkwa | Giants

Who? Yea, exactly. Orleans Darkwa saw his first regular season action of the year in week seven’s contest for the Giants. He carried the rock eight times for 48 yards (6.0 yards per carry), which led the team, and even found the end zone once. With four quasi-capable ball carriers in the stable, there appears to be too many mouths to feed for my liking. But if you’re in a deeper league and are looking for lottery ticket, you may want to snag Darkwa if you can.

Consider in leagues: 12+ teams
Waiver Priority Worthy: 8 and lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 0-5%
Players I’d drop for him: Arian Foster, Karlos Williams

Minnesota D/ST

The Vikings square off against the Chicago Bears in week eight, a team surrendering the fifth most fantasy points to opposing team defenses in the league.

Consider in leagues: 10-team
Waiver Priority Worthy: 10 or lower
Spend this much FAAB to acquire: 0-5%
Players I’d drop for him: Redskins, Bills, Eagles