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Week 7 is now upon us and with it, so are loaded bye weeks. With top fantasy teams the Packers, Seahawks, Steelers, and Raiders off this week, it will be more important than ever to attack the waiver wire and add some players that will be operational streamers for the upcoming week. Thankfully, there are some strong players out there, particularly at running back. Ito Smith, Marlon Mack, Frank Gore, and Peyton Barber are all solid potential adds that could produce, and it will be important for fantasy owners to develop a strategy and try to claim players that will help them out.

This week, most of the opportunities available came to be because of breakout games. There weren’t many major injuries to speak of, though Calvin Ridley’s ankle issue bears watching, but there are still plenty of available players that could help your fantasy football team. Additionally, there are some really good streaming options at QB, TE, and defense that should be able to help plug holes on teams that have a lot of bye-week players.

Marlon Mack, RB, Colts
Yeah, yeah — you’ve heard this before, and Mack has never really delivered. We understand your skepticism, but the Colts second-year back is worth another look. A hamstring injury has sidelined Mack for much of the season, but he returned in a big way in Week 6, leading the team in carries (12) and rushing yards (89), and he only had one fewer target than Nyheim Hines (three to two). Hines still has potential as a receiving back, but there’s little doubt the Colts want Mack to be their primary ball carrier. That might not mean much in some matchups, but Mack still has potential value.

Frank Gore, RB, Dolphins
How is Gore owned in just 10 percent of Yahoo leagues? He totaled 101 rushing yards against the Bears on Sunday, and he looks as good as ever. Sure, he will split carries with Kenyan Drake, but that’s just where he’s at in his career anyway. If anything, splitting carries will keep him fresh and after Drake’s goal-line fumble in overtime, Gore could be poised to take on more goal-line work. He should definitely be added as semi-starter/top handcuff option.

Peyton Barber, RB, Bucs
So much for the Ronald Jones II takeover. A game after Jones led the Bucs in carries, Barber dominated touches in the backfield (17 to four) and finally produced yardage-wise, totaling 106 and a touchdown. The matchup couldn’t be much better, so perhaps that’s all this was — a one-week aberration — but Barber still has some fantasy appeal as a starting RB who’s already through his bye. A matchup next week against the Browns also qualifies as favorable.

Taylor Gabriel, WR, Bears
Gabriel put up 110 yards on five catches against the Dolphins. So far this season, he is averaging 6.8 targets per game and has broken 100 yards in each of his past two outings. He’s a playmaker, and as long as Mitchell Trubisky continues to target him, he will be a fantasy factor. Feel free to scoop him up as a matchup-based play.

Mohamed Sanu, WR, Falcons
Sanu left the Falcons’ win with a hip injury, but he was still able to notch 46 yards and a score in limited playing time. As long as the Atlanta offense is playing at such a high level, all starting receiving options should be owned. He’s owned in only 51 percent of Yahoo leagues, but that number could drop if fantasy owners are worried about his injury. Provided that he isn’t out long term, feel free to scoop him up and use him as a key bench piece and WR3/FLEX in good matchups. Calvin Ridley also exited with an ankle injury, which only figures to help Sanu’s fantasy value.

Jameis Winston, QB, Bucs
Winston unsurprisingly had a massive outing against a hapless Falcons defense. He should get a chance to put up solid numbers against a Browns defenses that just allowed the Chargers to post 38 on them at home.

Ito Smith, RB, Falcons
Smith actually led the Falcons in carries (12) and scored for the third straight game. The total yardage left a lot to be desired (21), but clearly Smith has a prominent role on this team, especially when Devonta Freeman (foot) is out. It’s a mystery as to why Smith had one more carry than Tevin Coleman in Week 6, but fantasy owners shouldn’t ignore this trend.

Willie Snead, WR, Ravens
Snead is fresh off a seven catch, 60-yard outing against the Titans. In a favorable matchup with the Saints next week, he can be a solid streaming option. If you need a receiver, he could be worth adding.

Jermaine Kearse, WR, Jets
Quincy Enunwa exited the Colts-Jets game with an ankle injury, and that allowed Kearse to step into a bigger role. He led the team in targets with 10 and was able to total 94 yards on nine catches. Kearse could continue to be one of the top weapons for Sam Darnold, and it’s obvious that the rookie is starting to trust his playmakers more. Kearse can be added because of Darnold’s upside and the potential for the Jets passing attack to improve.

Chris Goodwin, WR, Bucs
Godwin tied for the team lead in targets with nine against the Falcons, and he turned them into six catches, 56 yards, and a TD. Godwin has had a score in all but one of his five outings this year, and it seems likely that he will continue on as a threat in the Bucs passing game. With favorable matchups remaining in an NFC South that features weak secondaries, Godwin is a worthy add and could turn into a rest-of-season starter.