The situation with the Arizona Cardinals’ WR room has left both Rondale Moore and Robbie Anderson as potential waiver wire targets for fantasy football managers in Week 7.
The combination of the Cardinals trading for Anderson with an extended layoff for Marquise Brown has left an intriguing situation. Let’s examine whether Moore or Anderson are Week 7 waiver wire targets — or if fantasy managers are better off looking elsewhere.
Should Rondale Moore or Robbie Anderson Be Week 7 Waiver Wire Targets for Fantasy?
The injury to Brown on Sunday appeared to open the door for Rondale Moore to retain fantasy value heading into Week 7. In the past two weeks, Moore had 18 targets, 13 receptions, and 117 receiving yards.
However, with DeAndre Hopkins set to return from his suspension in Week 7, there had been concerns over Moore’s long-term future as a fantasy asset. With a combination of Hopkins, Brown, and tight end Zach Ertz as the three leading pass catchers, there did not appear to be a path to fantasy relevance.
However, the Brown injury seemingly changed that equation. With Brown injured, Moore likely remains the third pass-catching option in the offense, as he had been in the previous two weeks.
In that role, Moore was not doing anything spectacular (averaging 5.85 to 12.35 fantasy points per week, depending on scoring), but it was enough for him to be a Flex consideration in 12 and 14-team leagues. That appeared to remain the case for a player who is currently rostered in 46.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
However, the arrival of Anderson changes that equation again. While the Cardinals did not give up much to acquire Anderson, it would be a surprise if they did not use him immediately with Brown injured.
We saw what potential Anderson has in Week 1 (102 yards and a touchdown). However, he has just eight receptions for 104 yards in the subsequent five games. He wasn’t targeted once in Week 6, and he was seen arguing with his coaches on the sideline.
It’s a much-needed change of scenery for a player who can potentially be a deep threat in this offense. Anderson’s average depth of target (ADOT) in the last five years has been above 10 yards in all but one season. He has struggled to be a consistent fantasy-point provider in his career but did flash potential with a 1,096-yard return with three touchdowns in 2020.
The problem for both Moore and Anderson is that the presence of the other limits their potential upside. Additionally, the Cardinals have refused to give up on veteran WR A.J. Green, who has played 70 percent of the offensive snaps in the past two weeks.
Therefore, fantasy managers need to exercise some caution here. Moore appears to be the better option for PPR formats, but his ADOT is just 5.3 yards, limiting his upside in non-PPR scoring. Anderson’s large ADOT makes him the better PPR upside play for managers looking for a ceiling option on the waiver wire this week.
How Should Fantasy Managers Prioritize Moore and Anderson on the Week 7 Waiver Wire?
This is a fascinating week on the waiver wire when it comes to the WR position. We saw Tyquan Thornton and Wan’Dale Robinson have breakout games in Week 7, while Alec Pierce has cemented himself as an intriguing option over the past two weeks. Then there is Darius Slayton and Marquez Callaway, who have seen their value increase due to injuries around them in the offense.
In terms of mid-to-long-term assets, we are really looking at Moore and Anderson in the context of Thornton, Robinson, and Pierce. Slayton and Callaway are matchup-based additions depending on the injury status of the other players in the offense. Therefore, neither player should be actively targeted as a primary option on the waiver wire.
Focusing first on PPR scoring and, thus, Moore. He has seen more targets in the past two weeks than Pierce’s 16, but Pierce appears to be the secondary pass-catching option for the Colts. That makes him a slightly safer option this week than Moore.
Meanwhile, Thornton and Robinson are fascinating upside plays. We are not certain of their roles, but coming back from injuries, they should see those roles develop over the coming weeks. That is in contrast to Moore, who is expected to see his role in the offense contract in what is a stacked pass-catching group.
Moore might have the safer short-term PPR floor, so if fantasy managers just need a plug-and-play WR for Week 7, that is an option. However, if you are looking for long-term upside, Moore sits fourth on the priorities behind Pierce, Thornton, and Robinson.
In terms of your FAAB budget (or waiver priority), Moore is worth around just a 5% bid. Anything above that would be risky, given we do not know what his role might look like once Anderson is integrated into the offense.
In non-PPR, where Anderson is the more intriguing play of the two, the story is similar. Pierce has a safer floor, while Thornton and Robinson have a similar, if not more, upside to Anderson.
Consequently, Anderson would be the fourth priority as a long-term addition in non-PPR. Similar to Moore, you are looking at around a 5% FAAB bid as a maximum for Anderson right now. He is nothing more than a bench stash right now, so you would only be looking to do this if you have a secure roster and looking to add some cheap upside.