Week 1 is in the books and some fantasy assets have revealed themselves on the waiver wire. Consider adding some of the players below, but take note that there isn’t anyone worth breaking the bank on FAAB this week.
Jeff Wilson Jr. – Elijah Mitchell could miss up to 2 months with an MCL injury, and Jeff Wilson is next in line in the 49ers RB room. He could have immediate value as a low-end RB2 with San Francisco facing off against Seattle this Sunday. It shouldn’t go without mention that Jordan Mason, who Faraz has ranked further down this list at 14, now has room for some snaps. Mason looked great in camp and beat reporters raved about him throughout the summer. He is a stash that would have great value if the 49ers decided they needed a more explosive option as their RB1, wouldn’t be surprised if there is a takeover at some point before Mitchell returns. Spend maybe 10-15% of FAAB depending on how badly you need a RB option.
Jarvis Landry – Landry leading the Saints in target share Week 1 wasn’t surprising, that is who he is and has been throughout his career in the NFL. We were very high on Landry in the offseason and if you listened to us he may be on your roster already. He’s simply a good player, someone who has demanded a high target share, and can continue to be involved as a #2 all season. He was the #1 target in Week 1, although he has Olave breathing down his back there’s still a world where Landry can be the #2 target in this offense behind Micheal Thomas. Faraz thinks Landry is a start this week as a high-end flex, if his success continues he can be in the WR3 conversation. 5% of FAAB.
Rex Burkhead (short term) – Faraz and Zach covered Burkhead’s usage on yesterday’s podcast. 19 opportunities, 70% of the snaps, he’s the primary passing-down back as well which gives him a 3-down role. Burkhead ran a route on 66% of dropbacks. Not the flashiest pickup by any means, but this level of usage can't be ignored. Faraz does think that Dameon Pierce eventually becomes the guy in the Texans' backfield, and it is also tough to trust Rex Burkhead to stay healthy at 32 years of age. If you need an RB to put in your lineup this week, Faraz would recommend putting up about 10% of your FAAB budget in an attempt to acquire Burkhead. Don’t want to overinvest but there is potential for production for the short term at least.
Curtis Samuel – This slot was between Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, Faraz ranked Samuel higher for a few reasons. He’s playing out of the slot and historically, prior to last season when his only viable option was Micheal Pittman Jr, Carson Wentz has relied heavily on his slot weapons. He was targeted 10 times on 28% of his routes and was also able to add 4 carries. His risk is not being able to stay healthy, but the reward is worth taking a shot on him. In half PPR or standard leagues, Dotson may be more valuable as Samuel’s average depth of target was significantly lower than Mclaurin or Dotson. 5-10% of FAAB.
Robbie Anderson – Robbie had a solid first week showing with his new QB Baker Mayfield. 32% target share in what was a very top-heavy target distribution, it was Anderson, DJ Moore, and McCaffery, that’s it. They only had 30 dropbacks in this game, if they increase passing volume in the future, more targets could go around. Anderson was a very respectable fantasy asset in 2020 before disappearing in 2021, perhaps this is the beginning of his resurgence. 5-10% of FAAB.
Jahan Dotson – Dotson is someone who Faraz and Zach have covered a bunch on the podcast, and with 2 TDs in his NFL debut he looks to be the real deal. Although it is a semi-crowded WR room with Terry Mclaurin and Curtis Samuel, who we also mentioned earlier, there’s a chance that Dotson can surpass Samuel in target share as soon as next week and it wouldn’t be a surprise. A talented young WR who the team invested high draft capital in, should be rostered. 5-10% of FAAB.
Jaylen Warren (stash) – It could be possible to have Jaylen Warren higher, but the players slotted ahead of him might have some season-long value. Warren is a stash for now and with reports that Najee Harris avoided serious injury, he may remain a stash for the foreseeable future. It can’t go without mentioning that Najee is dealing with a Lisfranc injury, these specific foot injuries can be very difficult to manage so Warren should not be on the waiver wire, even if Najee is back on the field. It also may be worth looking into trading Najee, the Pittsburg offense does not look very good, that in tandem with his lingering foot issue could spell trouble for Najee's fantasy managers if I could package him up and buy Saquon high for example, I’d do it.
Gerald Everett – A TE sleeper that went undrafted in most leagues, Everett had a solid showing in Week 1 against the Raiders, putting up 14.4 PPR points and finishing as the TE4. With Keenan Allen picking up a hamstring injury, Everett’s target share could possibly even increase.
Christian Watson – The Packers’ 2nd round pick would be much higher on this list had he hauled in a pass that hit him right in the hands-on what would have been a 75-yard TD. Had he made that play he would have finished with 20.6 PPR points, the opportunity and talent are there, but Rodgers may be slightly reluctant to pass the ball his way if this becomes a trend but for the meantime, he simply does not have many other options.
Josh Palmer (short term) – Los Angeles beat reporters were praising Palmer all summer for his performances in training camp and practices, with Keenan Allen picking up a hamstring injury, Palmer should be a main beneficiary. Look for him to contribute as a top 3 option in the passing game much like how he did week 14 of last season against the Giants when Keenan was out.
Romeo Doubs – Doubs’ debut did not go as well as the hopeful had hoped for. On a positive note he garnered 5 targets and hauled in 4 of them, however, it only amounted to 37 yards in what was an overall sluggish performance by the Green Bay offense. The fact of the matter is that Rodgers does not have a plethora of options at his disposal currently, I expect him to turn in better performances going forward as he gains a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of his new weapons. With Rodgers as his QB, Doubs has inherent value, a solid stash with hopes for upside.
Khalil Herbert (stash) – Herbert is possibly the last potential every-down handcuff that is left on the waiver wire. As a solid plug-and-play in the event Montgomery is unable to play, Herbert is far too valuable to remain on waivers.
Deandre Carter (short term) – With Keenan Allen’s injury, Deandre Carter will be in on 3 WR sets, giving him value as a desperate FLEX start. Palmer is the priority WR add on this offense but Carter deserves a shout as well.
Rondale Moore (stash) – Rondale would likely be higher on this list if he was healthy. Because you have to hold him on the IR for the near future, Faraz is looking at him as a long-term stash. Greg Dortch served as the slot WR in Moore’s absence and was on the field for 91% of snaps, running a route on 95% of dropbacks while hauling in 7 of his 9 targets. Once Moore is back he should plug into that role, which could yield even better results.
Jordan Mason (stash) – As mentioned earlier, Mason was a player who impressed in camp and had beat reporters clamoring for him to get an opportunity within the offenses. With Mitchell out for up to 2 months he will have a chance to get in on some snaps, and if Kyle Shanahan would prefer a more explosive alternative to Jeff Wilson Jr., he could turn to Jordan Mason.
DJ Chark – Amon-Ra St. Brown is clearly the number 1 receiver in Detroit, but Chark had a very respectable line of 4 receptions for 52 yards and a TD on 8 targets. He is a talented wideout who has shown fantasy value in previous years with Jacksonville. Though most would assume the Detroit offense wouldn’t be able to sustain multiple fantasy-relevant pass catchers, they’re going to be passing a lot; this offense can provide enough value to keep secondary targets like Hockenson and Chark fantasy relevant.
Damien Williams – Before Cordarrelle Patterson went nuts in Week 1, Damien Williams was the guy for the Falcons. He sustained a rib injury which set up Patterson’s big game, but when Williams is back to 100%, there is a possibility that he could be the RB1. Williams was on the field for the first 7 of 10 snaps before he got hurt. There could be some underrated value here.
Rachaad White (stash) – If Leonard Fournette were to miss any time, White would absorb the RB1 role completely. Definitely someone to pick up and stash for the season.
Zay Jones – Jones is a solid stash in deeper leagues, he’s already flashed a rapport with Trevor Lawrence, there appears to be a chance for Jones to be able to overtake Marvin Jones Jr as the WR2 for the Jaguars. Jones tied Christian Kirk in target share on near-target throws.
Kenneth Gainwell (stash) – Gainwell is a desperate start or someone to add to the end of your bench. The Eagles like to use him at the goal line and in the passing game where he had 4 targets, more than Devonta Smith (3). He is the RB behind Miles Sanders and they utilize him as the 2 min RB. If Miles Sanders were to ever get hurt, Kenneth Gainwell could prove to be an option.
QB streamers for Week 2
Carson Wentz @ Detroit
Jameis Winston v.s. Tampa Bay
Derek Carr v.s. Arizona
Marcus Mariota @ LAR
Matt Ryan @ Jacksonville
TE pickups
Gerald Everett
Juwan Johnson
Hayden Hurst
Taysom Hill
DEF streamers for Week 2
Cleveland v.s. NYJ
Green Bay v.s. Chicago
New England @ Pittsburg
Carolina @ NYG