Fantasy football waiver wire: Packers need backup wide receivers to step up

With six teams on bye last week, the best players currently available on the fantasy waiver wire might have just been dropped because their teams didn’t have a game over the weekend.

If that doesn't help you bolster your roster, then you may find your choices rather limited this week. We didn't see any major breakout performances in Week 7, and some of the skill players who are injured are being replaced by more than one backup.

Complicating matters, a pair of Green Bay Packers wide receivers are most likely out this week because of COVID-19 protocols.

Recommended bids based on a free agent acquisition budget (FAAB) of $100 for the season.

Best bets

WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers ($12). With Davante Adams and Allen Lazard on the COVID list, someone has to catch passes from Aaron Rodgers at unbeaten Arizona. Valdes-Scantling has been out since Week 3 with a hamstring injury, but he's looking good to return for Thursday's game. If so, he'll be Rodgers' top target.

If MVS isn't activated, veteran Randall Cobb ($8+) becomes a valuable one-week option and Equanimeous St. Brown ($1) a desperation pickup in what could be an offensive shootout.

WR Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons ($10). Gage seems to have recovered fully from an ankle injury that sidelined him for three games earlier in the season. He caught six passes on Sunday for 67 yards – 49 of them coming on a long TD pass from QB Matt Ryan. Calvin Ridley is still the Falcons’ clear No. 1 wideout, but Gage gives them a legitimate threat from the slot.

RB Boston Scott, Philadelphia Eagles ($9). Starter Miles Sanders left early in Week 7 with an ankle injury. If that should linger, Kenneth Gainwell could get the start, but he's likely rostered in most leagues. Scott (seven carries, 24 yards, TD) saw increased time with Sanders out and could take over as the primary back with Gainwell keeping his change-of-pace role.

Replacements

RB Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals ($7). Perine returned from a week on the COVID list and broke off a 46-yard touchdown run in a blowout win over the Ravens. In his previous game with starter Joe Mixon ailing, Perine had a receiving TD. With the Jets up next, he could see plenty of playing time again.

WR Darius Slayton, New York Giants ($7). Injuries have each of the Giants' top three wide receivers questionable for this week. Slayton had nine targets and caught five for a team-high 63 yards vs. Carolina. The Giants travel to Kansas City this week.

TE C.J. Uzomah, Cincinnati Bengals ($6). Uzomah is making the most of his limited targets. He had three passes thrown his way on Sunday, catching all of them for 91 yards and turning two into touchdowns. He’s now scored five times in four weeks, but his TD efficiency is unsustainable.

Deep leagues

RBs Brandon Bolden and J.J. Taylor, New England Patriots. Both seem to have moved ahead of Rhamondre Stevenson in the Patriots' backfield. Bolden led the team with six catches for 79 yards and a touchdown, while Taylor had a pair of short-yardage scores in a blowout win over the Jets. However, a tougher matchup awaits in Week 8 at the Chargers.

Also, be sure to check last week's waiver wire picks (D'Ernest Johnson, Rashaad Penny) to see if any of those players are still available in your league.

Follow Steve Gardner on Twitter @SteveAGardner.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football waiver wire: Target Packers WRs, Falcons' Russell Gage