Fantasy football: Top waiver wire pickups for Week 7

We'll break down each running back individually, starting with Felton.

Yahoo: 9% owned | ESPN: 3% owned
With a short week ahead, a hampered Nick Chubb missing Week 6 and a Kareem Hunt injury that left him unable to put weight on his leg, Felton figures to get a sizable role Thursday night barring any quick improvement for Chubb. Felton has pass-catching chops and had the same amount of snaps as Johnson in Week 6.

Yahoo: 2% owned | ESPN: 1% owned
Johnson, 25, might be the player whom Browns coach Kevin Stefanski views as more of a pure running back, but it's hard to say. He had 13 carries for 95 yards in a game that Chubb got injured in last season, whereas Felton is a rookie this year. Again, it's hard to say, so pay as close attention as possible prior to the deadline to submit your bids to see if Stefanski hints at what role each will play — and if there's any chance for one of the go-to backs to suit up in time.

Yahoo: 2% owned | ESPN: 2% owned

Really? In the year 2021, this is a real waiver wire recommendation? Sure is.

It's not a great one, but considering there have been plenty of injuries and the running back position is one that's especially volatile, any player with a glimpse of an opportunity to record double-digit carries in a good rushing attack is worth a look. That's exactly the case with Freeman, with Ty'Son Williams all but completely out of the picture and Latavius Murray potentially missing time with an injury.

Freeman may have been the last running back to find the end zone for Baltimore on Sunday, but he had the best overall day of the trio on the ground and could see even more work if Murray is out.

Yahoo: 28% owned | ESPN: 14%

This is more like it. Forget about the old men at running back — unless you really need to address that position, in which case you shouldn't forget about Freeman on the waiver wire — and go with the young stud. It has been a long time coming, with Bateman finally coming off of injured reserve, and we hope you got out ahead of his debut.

Now, it looks like Bateman could become a favorite target for Lamar Jackson, as he earned six targets — tied with Mark Andrews for the team lead — in his debut. This also came in a game in which Jackson only threw the ball 27 times, and there are hopefully more competitive matchups ahead for the Ravens, which would undoubtedly benefit Bateman and lead to some big games.

Yahoo: 39% owned | ESPN: 22% owned

Hilton left with an injury Sunday, but it’s not considered anything too serious and the Colts were up big, so there was no reason to chance anything. Four catches on four targets for 80 yards was a beautiful, familiar way for the veteran to return to the field, and Carson Wentz’s arm is one of the strongest that he’ll have had the pleasure of playing with in recent years. Hilton looked like his usual self, getting open on a near-50-yard bomb in the second quarter, and those are the types of plays that have made him such a weekly fantasy threat in years past.

What’s more is that Parris Campbell also suffered an injury, one that has a chance to be season-ending. If you need a nice option at wideout with bye weeks on the horizon, Hilton is about as good as you’ll find on the waiver wire.

Yahoo: 1% owned | ESPN: 2% owned

Like Bateman, Collins is a rookie wideout who has spent some time on injured reserve. He had four catches on six targets for 44 yards Sunday, which isn't the most exciting total we've ever seen but was second on the Texans behind Brandin Cooks. Davis Mills also played poorly, and it's possible Tyrod Taylor could make his return for Houston soon, which helps out everyone's fantasy stock. With some vulnerable secondary groups ahead on the schedule — including those of the Cardinals, Dolphins and Titans, who are all bottom-10 teams against receivers for fantasy purposes — Collins could be a sneaky add this week. However, you can probably wait, and you definitely shouldn't spend much FAAB, if any at all, in attempting to add him to your roster.