Here are my top recommended waiver wire and streaming targets ahead of the coming week. Waiver Wire targets are designed to be multi-week roster-worthy options while streaming options are designed to be one-week lineup options based on matchup, injuries, and/or situation. To be eligible as a waiver wire target, streaming option, or stash, the player must be available in over 60% of Yahoo leagues.
See If They're Available:
There are always a few players that don't technically make the cut here as a waiver wire option as they're available in under 60% of leagues, but these players should be on a roster. If they're not on a roster yet, they should be a higher priority than those listed as waiver wire targets below.
Taysom Hill (TE - New Orleans Saints)
We saw glimpses in the preseason of what could be a potentially extensive role for Hill this season, getting work now out of the backfield. Could he be the Saints' unofficial RB2 and goal-line back? Possibly... Some leagues still have him with TE eligibility - check to see if your league is one of them - if so, don't hesitate to scoop up Hill, especially if you don't have one of the few surefire TEs.
J.K. Dobbins (RB - Los Angeles Chargers)
There's really no telling what the backfield will look like for the Chargers with both Dobbins and Gus Edwards listed as co-starters. We haven't seen Dobbins fully healthy since the end of his rookie season and this may be the closest we get to that. We could see Dobbins held as a consensus RB2 option after the opening game if the workload splits in his favor or we could see him as a handcuff - that's a gamble worth taking with the last RB spot on your roster if he's somehow still available.
Mike Williams (WR - New York Jets)
It sounds like Mike Williams will be good to go for the season opener after months of doubt about if that would be a possibility. He's a big-bodied WR who faces no true competition behind him for the role of Aaron Rodgers' WR2. It wouldn't be a surprise for him to grab a TD or two within the first few weeks.
Top Waiver Wire Targets of the Week:
These are your players to target on waivers this week - these aren't typically supposed to be a one-week solution but rather a longer-term answer for your team.
Brandin Cooks (WR - Dallas Cowboys)
Last year, the Cowboys were 1st in completions, 3rd in passing yards, and 1st in passing TDs all while taking what seemingly is a sizeable step back in their running game this season with the departure of Tony Pollard. This may be the most Dak-centric offense we have seen from the Cowboys and his WR2 is sitting there available in 68% of leagues. Cooks has the potential to emerge as a WR3 for fantasy this season.
Adonai Mitchell (WR - Indianapolis Colts)
The rookie 1st rounder had a tremendous camp and a strong preseason, now we wait and see if that translates to the regular season and fantasy. He's still available in 70% of leagues on Yahoo and has FLEX potential if Anthony Richardson can hit his ceiling as a passer. Mitchell's worth a bench spot to wait and see if he has a notable role in the offense early on and how Richardson has developed as a passer.
Jaleel McLaughlin (RB - Denver Broncos)
McLaughlin is a sneaky option that I have been targeting in the final rounds of drafts, serving the role of the likely 3rd down/passing down back in a Sean Payton offense that loves to utilize the RB position in the passing game. With Javonte Williams coming off an ugly season in terms of efficiency last year, it's a waiting game to see if he gets back to his pre-injury self. If he doesn't McLaughlin could not only see the receiving work (a gold-mine in PPR formats) but also potentially push for lead duties midseason.
Deshaun Watson (QB - Cleveland Browns)
Watson very quietly was a very solid fantasy QB when he was healthy last year, finishing as a top-10 QB in 3 of his 5 fully healthy games (including a top-15 finish in another one). The reason he's sitting on waivers in a healthy portion of leagues is that lack of health, missing extensive time last year and now dealing with shoulder soreness as he enters the 2024 season. If that doesn't have an impact on his availability/performance, he could be in for a top-10 season given the absence of Nick Chubb, forcing the Browns' offense more around the passing game, and Watson seeing his best receiving corps (Cooper, Jeudy, Njoku, etc.) since early in his career. Worth a dart throw deep on your bench as a QB2.
Ray Davis (RB - Buffalo Bills)
This is somewhere between a short-term and a stash option. We could very easily see Ray Davis with a notable role as the RB2 behind James Cook early on in the 2024 season but we could also see more of the same with Cook dominating the workload as he did late last season - there's truly no indication yet. It's worth a roll of the dice on Davis early if he's still on waivers as a depth RB option with quite a bit of upside in an offense that will likely be forced to lean on the running game more than in the past.
Marshawn Lloyd (RB - Green Bay Packers)
Bucky Irving (RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Jaylen Wright (RB - Miami Dolphins)
Michael Wilson (WR - Arizona Cardinals)
Ja'Lynn Polk (WR - New England Patriots)
Top Streaming Options of the Week:
These aren't the same as waiver wire targets. Yes, you are still getting these players off waivers, but these are purely the best options for this week and this week only. Players can be a streaming option and a waiver wire target, which means they're a solid option to play this upcoming week and potentially beyond.
Quarterbacks:
Baker Mayfield (vs WAS)
Deshaun Watson (vs DAL)
Geno Smith (vs DEN)
Runningbacks:
Tyler Allgeier (vs PIT)
Jaleel McLaughlin (at SEA)
Jamaal Williams (vs CAR)
Wide Receivers:
Gabe Davis (at MIA)
Mike Williams (at SF)
Brandin Cooks (at CLE)
Tight Ends:
Hunter Henry (at CIN)
Cade Otton (vs WAS)
Tyler Conklin (at SF)
Defense/Special Teams:
Seattle (vs DEN)
Atlanta (vs PIT)
Las Vegas (at LAC)
Top Stashes Ahead of Next Week:
These aren't players that you should be playing this week, but rather ones that have greater potential to be a solid option and likely end up being a waiver wire target sometime down the line. You won't see immediate value but these are the guys that possibly could go under the radar and see a notable role shortly.
Will Levis (QB - Tennessee Titans)
Alexander Mattison (RB - Las Vegas Raiders)
Darnell Mooney (WR - Atlanta Falcons)
Kimani Vidal (RB - Los Angeles Chargers)
Marvin Mims Jr. (WR - Denver Broncos)
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