2026 Fantasy Football Week 7 IDP Report: Risers, Waiver Wire & Matchups

Last week was bizarre. One that put several fantasy football managers into a panic or caused doubt about players they thought they could trust. There were twenty-one interceptions and 16 forced fumbles heading into Monday Night Football… The defenses played well. There are four teams on bye week 7. Those teams are: Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders. Get IDPs from those teams out of your fantasy football starting lineups.

Before we get into the risers, waiver wire targets, and matchups to capitalize on for Week 7, the IDP report card of last week must be examined. 

• DL George Karlaftis III (KC) 3 solo tackles, 3 assisted tackles, 3 QB hits, 2 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended, 1.0 sack
• DL/LB David Bailey (NYJ) 1 solo tackle, 4 assisted tackles, 1 QB hit, 2 forced fumbles
• DB Jeremy Chinn (LV) 9 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 1 QB hit

Grade: A. The marks were great, as three shined when they were predicted to. Karlaftis was a home run hit with well over 20 points in almost all IDP fantasy football formats. Bailey delivered with 2 forced fumbles, but could not bring down Drake Maye. Jeremy Chinn did exactly as expected and was all over the field against the Buffalo Bills. Although he was able to hit Josh Allen he wasn’t able to get the big play to accompany the massive 9 solo tackles. Not the A+ we strive for, but a fantastic job on the IDP Report last week.

Fantasy Football IDP Risers Week 7

Defensive Lineman/Linebacker (DL/LB) David Walker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

David Walker is a name that could start gaining some buzz in the IDP community. He is a Week 7 fantasy football riser because he put together his second double-digit fantasy football score of the season. He had two sacks to bring his total to four this year, and is emerging as the best pass-rusher for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

D. Walker played the most snaps of the season, 28, and it led to his best tackle total as well, with 5 combined tackles. He is somewhat dependent on his sacks for production, but if the snaps keep increasing, he will have a solid floor with 4+ tackles a game. He is rostered in 0% of sleeper leagues, and this riser is worth a grab if you need help during week 7 due to byes. Pick up this IDP.

Defensive Lineman/Linebacker (DL/LB) Nick Herbig, Pittsburgh Steelers

Nick Herbig had an excellent game in a thriller versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He finished with 6 solo tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 2 QB Hits, and 2.0 sacks, which led to 29.50 fantasy football points. Not too shabby, especially for an IDP. He has played 27 or more snaps in every game this season, and has played 38 and 43 in his last two games.

This offseason, he signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension, and N. Herbig is a major part of the Steelers' defensive plans. He has some dud performances with five games under 4.25 points. But as his involvement with the defense increases, his playmaking does as well. Herbig is an IDP riser on a defense loaded with talent. If he continues to win his one-on-one battles, he will continue to have massive spike weeks. He’s only rostered in 9% of leagues and is worth a stash in larger fantasy football leagues.

Defensive Back (DB) Martin Emerson, New Orleans Saints. 

Martin Emerson is apparently fully recovered from his shoulder injury earlier this season. The five-year veteran played more snaps in week 6 than he has in weeks 1-5 combined. Granted, there was an injury, but they had him on a snap count. Last week he was unleashed and played 60 snaps against the New York Giants.

M. Emerson earned 7 solo tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 4 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and 19 interception yards. He is rostered in 0% of leagues on Sleeper, and that could be a true-blue 0%. He is available in eight leagues that are utilized for the IDP report, and two of those are deep dynasty leagues. Keep an eye on M. Emerson as he rises quickly up the Week 7 free agent board.

Fantasy Football Week 7 IDP Waiver Wire Targets

Quinnen Williams, Defensive Lineman, Dallas Cowboys (9% ownership +/-) 

The Dallas Cowboys have been a punching bag for defense play for the past two seasons. However, their defense is starting to look better, and the playmakers they brought in are beginning to make plays. Quinnen Williams is one of those players, and he is a Week 7 waiver wire target. 

Despite playing his fewest snaps of the season, he was able to put up his best fantasy football performance of the year. He earned 2 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 2 tackles for loss, 1 QB hit, 1.0 sack, and 1 pass defended. That’s a fantastic stat line for a defensive lineman, but especially for a defensive tackle. In leagues that require a true position, Quinnen Williams has even more value. He will be up against the Philadelphia Eagles, who will be without Jalen Hurts, and starting a backup behind a banged-up interior offensive line. Pick up the big boy and put him in the IDP lineup. 

Jermaine Johnson, Defensive Lineman/Linebacker, Tennessee Titans (2% ownership +/-) 

Jermaine Johnson was gaining traction as a regular in IDP lineups with the New York Jets. However, the Jets did not want to extend him, and J. Johnson signed with the coach who drafted him, Robert Saleh. It has been a good fit for both, and the Tennessee Titans’ defensive line is a bright spot on a dull season. 

J. Johnson is playing several snaps and is a rotational piece on the defensive line. He has recorded two or more tackles in every game this year and has recorded 3 sacks in the last three games. He is rostered in just two percent of Sleeper leagues, and has favorable matchups against the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals for weeks 7 and 8. Pick up J. Johnson from the waiver wire, and his dual eligibility could be an extra bonus on weeks with multiple teams on bye

Travis Hunter, Defensive Back/Wide Receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars (12% ownership +/-)

Travis Hunter is the man… at least while playing in London. He scored his second career touchdown last week, and both have taken place in London. He also recorded an interception and three combined tackles. He has 10.00 or more fantasy points in five consecutive games, and if he continues to play on both sides of the ball, he will be a fantasy football cheat code.

T. Hunter has recorded 14 solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles, 6 passes defended, and 2 interceptions. Add his 6 targets, 6 receptions, 76 receiving yards, and 1 touchdown, and T. Hunter is an elite IDP, a fantasy football hack. With the Jacksonville Jaguars on bye, T. Hunter has a great chance to be dropped. ‘One person’s trash is another person’s treasure’. If he is dropped, scoop him up from the Week 7 waiver wire before Week 8 begins. He is owned in just 12% of sleeper leagues, but seems to be owned in all IDP formats. Get the cheat code!

NFL Week 7 IDP Matchups To Capitalize On

Cincinnati Bengals vs Baltimore Ravens, Sunday 1:00 PM ET

Jonathan Allen, Defensive Lineman, CIN Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are coming off of a bye week and are greeted with a division rivalry upon their return. They hit the road and head east to Maryland to play the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens’ quarterback, Lamar Jackson, has missed two games and could miss another. Even if he returns Jonahtan Allen is set for a great matchup to capitalize on.

J. Allen is a defensive tackle, and points can be hard to come by. However, he has been sensational and is on pace to have the best season of his ten-year career. He has recorded a sack in three of five games this season; he has recorded 3 or more tackles in every game this season, forced one fumble, and tied his career best by recovering a fumble as well. Baltimore has major issues on their offensive line, which is why they traded for an injured lineman, Cam Jurgens. Look for Allen to get another sack, and possibly a big play no matter who plays at quarterback for the Ravens.

Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings, Sunday 1:00 PM ET

Dallas Turner, Defensive Lineman/Linebacker, MIN Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have the best defense in the NFL, and there is not a close second. They have allowed just 64 points, while the second fewest points allowed is 83 points (Kansas City Chiefs). That's an almost 20-point difference or an entire game… and the Chiefs and Vikings have played the same number of games.

Dallas Turner has been the best defensive player for the Vikings this season, particularly when it comes to big plays. The IDP has 5.5 sacks this year, and has recorded at least 0.5 or more in all but one game this season. He has forced 2 fumbles, 14 combined tackles, 14 QB hits, and 3 tackles for loss. The Vikings host the Indianapolis Colts, and quarterback Daniel Jones has 6 interceptions and 4 fumbles this season. Look for a monster game from D. Turner, who is rostered in just 35% of leagues. 

Pittsburgh Steelers vs New Orleans Saints (Paris, France), 9:30 AM ET

Jalen Ramsey, Defensive Back, PIT Steelers

The future Hall of Fame member, Jalen Ramsey, had a game for the ages. One that could rival any of his illustrious career. He was near perfection in an overtime game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and put an exclamation point on the game’s ending. Football doesn’t have closers but a walk-off sack is as close as it gets… That is exactly what J. Ramsey did.

9 solo tackles, 1 assisted tackle, 4 tackles for loss, 2 QB hits, and 2.0 sacks in a come-from-behind victory. He has 25 career interceptions and now 8.0 sacks. It is almost expected that J. Ramsey will have another big play in the first NFL game to ever be played in France. Even more so since it’s against a quarterback, Tyler Shough, who has thrown 235 passes in six games. J. Ramsey is rostered in just 4% of sleeper leagues; put him in as a starting IDP, and enjoy NFL history early Sunday morning. 

NFL Fantasy Football Week 7 IDP Injury Report & News

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy -