Fantasy Football Week 7 Running Back and Wide Receiver FAAB: Rico Dowdle, Kayshon Boutte, and More

The past few weeks, we have seen players come off the fantasy waiver wire and put up big performances. Carolina's Rico Dowdle was the fantasy MVP of Week 5 when filling in for Chuba Hubbard and had another big game on Sunday, and Kimani Vidal of the Chargers went over 100 rushing yards himself in Week 6 after LA lost multiple backs to injury.

We don't always get players at RB who step into the lineup to make such an impact mid-season, so fantasy owners are surely looking for the next player who will fill in for an injured player and put up his own big fantasy week. That's why we are here, is to try to identify those guys and grab them in an FAAB bidding war.

Let's look at some of the hottest running back and wide receiver names on the waiver wire and reasonable FAAB bids that make sense for each. Your numbers might change a little depending on your roster needs and remaining budget, but this is a good baseline to start from. All bids are based on a $100 budget.

Use FantasySP's waiver wire tool to see the players being added most to fantasy teams each week.

Running Back

Michael Carter and Bam Knight, Arizona Cardinals

With Trey Benson out for at least two more weeks, Carter and Knight continued to lead the backfield for Arizona. In Week 5, both backs ran in a touchdown, but Carter dominated the carries 18 to four (and Emari Demercado had three). Carter also caught five passes.

Knight overtook the touches on Sunday, carrying the ball 11 times versus nine for Carter (Carter had two receptions and Knight one). Knight also ran in another touchdown; he was the winner in Arizona's backfield.

Both players were inefficient running the ball in both games. They will have to subsist on volume and being lucky enough to fall into the end zone; that's not a sustainable model. Carter and Knight each top out as players under flex consideration.

Benson will probably take over again when he returns, so both players are likely short-term options. Those aren't guys you usually want to spend big FAAB money on, so stay modest with your bids on the Cardinal running backs.

Conservative Bid: $1-2

Need Bid: $3-4

Desperation Bid: $6

Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers

OK, maybe it was for real. In this spot last week, I said that it was OK to pick Dowdle up but don't spend a lot of money because he wouldn't repeat his massive performance and would likely be a short-term starter. Dowdle then had his second huge game, gaining 183 yards on 30 carries and 56 more on four receptions (with a receiving touchdown thrown in).

There's no way the team can throw him back on the bench, right? It seems like if he didn't overtake the starting job, Dowdle should at least be splitting the backfield duties with Hubbard when the lead back returns. The Panthers also won both games with Dowdle carrying the load.

If he's still a free agent in your league, this will be your last chance to grab him. Deciding how much to spend is the tougher question, as the same caveats from last week still exist: Dowdle won't be this good every week, and Hubbard's return will likely affect Dowdle's workload.

I'm still sitting on the conservative side with Dowdle and not overbidding. Those who are short at running back might be looking at him as a savior, and I get it, but don't expect these performances to continue. At best, Dowdle is an RB2 moving forward, and he will probably end up in the flex group more often.

Conservative Bid: $3-5

Need Bid: $6-8

Desperation Bid: $11-16

Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

It was a 50/50 shot; would it be Vidal or Hassan Haskins? Most people thought the latter, as he was picked up and started in more leagues, but Vidal ended up being the guy, carrying the ball 18 times to just six for Haskins, gaining 124 yards.

Vidal also did better in the passing game (three receptions for 14 yards and a touchdown while Haskins had just one catch for nine yards), showing himself as the better player. He still has plenty of availability and will be another hot topic on the waiver wire this week.

I have to give the same tempered expectations that I did with Dowdle, as Vidal won't average 6.9 yards per carry every week, and he's also a short-term option with Omarion Hampton set to return as soon as three weeks from now (though that's uncertain). This game was also against the Dolphins, one of the worst defensive groups in the NFL.

Vidal should be on a roster in every league if he is going to be the lead back for the Chargers. Don't blow your whole budget, as he won't be your season savior, but it's OK to throw down a few bucks, particularly if you are short at running back. Vidal could offer a short reprieve.

Conservative Bid: $1-3

Need Bid: $4-6

Desperation Bid: $8-11

Wide Receiver

Kendrick Bourne, San Francisco 49ers

Bourne is making the most of his opportunities. With the 49ers hurting mightily at receiver with both old injuries and new ones piling up, Bourne racked up 142 receiving yards for the second straight game. Week 5 came on 10 receptions while Week 6 was just five catches; he still had nine targets on Sunday (and 11 in Week 5).

As with the running backs, there might be a time limit on Bourne's fantasy value. Ricky Pearsall could return any time, Jauan Jennings is still working his way back even though he was active this week, and Brandon Aiyuk will eventually return from a major knee injury suffered last year. Even George Kittle can be activated off IR any time now.

With as well as Bourne has done, though, could the team still find a way to get him on the field? Bourne will probably continue to have a role, but the bulk chances won't be there. That makes him nothing more than a deep-league depth player when the time comes.

Because of his short-term value, I can't recommend spending more than a few dollars on Bourne. While the last two weeks have been great, Bourne is likely to return to his more modest numbers when injured players return.

Conservative Bid: $0-1

Need Bid: $2-3

Desperation Bid: $4-6

Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots

Boutte has played the most snaps of any New England receiver in every game this season. He is second among the wide receivers in targets, catches, and yards behind Stefon Diggs and is tied for the team lead with three touchdowns.

He has also been inconsistent. In Week 1, Boutte caught six passes for 103 yards; this week, he had five receptions, 93 yards, and two touchdowns. In the four games between those big performances, he averaged just 1.8 catches and 26.3 yards per game.

There will probably be more up-and-down games, leaving Boutte as a deep-league player and WR3/4/flex type. He's fine to consider in the best matchups, but Boutte shouldn't be counted on every week. That leaves him lower on the FAAB totem pole.

Conservative Bid: $0-1

Need Bid: $2-3

Desperation Bid: $4-6

Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants

With Malik Nabers out for the season, Robinson is the de facto WR1 for the Giants. He tied for the team lead in targets in Week 5 but only turned his five catches into 30 yards. This week, he was much more efficient, catching six of seven targets for 84 yards and a touchdown.

The volume has been there; that's half the battle. Thursday's performance also came against a tough defense in Philadelphia, bringing hope that Robinson can continue producing against all opponents. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has been uneven throwing the ball but has done well enough to give Robinson some hope.

The New York receiver is nothing more than a WR3/4/flex type, though, not a guy you want to count on regularly. This coming week, for example, the Giants face the Broncos, and I won't be recommending anyone in their passing game against the tough Denver defense. Robinson is a guy who will have to be used in the right situations.

He is still a valuable fantasy player who is worthy of a spot on a roster in about every league. If there is room for him on your bench, pick up Robinson and play the matchups during bye weeks. Don't spend big FAAB money to do so, though, as Robinson will have plenty of weeks leaving you wanting more.

Conservative Bid: $1-2

Need Bid: $3-4

Desperation Bid: $5-6