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.
J.K. Dobbins (RB - Los Angeles Chargers)
He was on my "see if they're available list" last week and there is no situation he should be on waivers after this past week. The Chargers' backfield was a committee with Gus Edwards getting the majority of the carries (11) to Dobbins' 10, but Dobbins had the larger receiving involvement (3 targets, 3 catches) and was definitively the most efficient back, tallying 135 yards and a TD on the ground. He showed the explosiveness many were unsure of, breaking off multiple 45+ yard runs in a 22.9-point performance.
Jerry Jeudy (WR - Cleveland Browns)
He shouldn't be available (owned in 55% of leagues), but if he is, make sure to scoop him up. He didn't really capitalize on his 8 targets (2nd to Cooper), but he did find the endzone, going 3 for 25 and a TD. The silver lining is that volume in a Browns' offense that has potential, especially as the season goes on. Jeudy looks like he could be a PPR-friendly option over the course of the season and should be on the bench, as opposed to the waiver wire.
Rashid Shaheed (WR - New Orleans Saints)
Shaheed was a fringe-fantasy roster player heading into the season as many knew the potential he had but the relative lack of consistency he would bring. In Week 1, we saw the positive side of him with a 60-yard TD, something we know he's capable of on any given week. The end total of 3-73-1 (on 5 targets) wasn't other-worldly but more positive game scripts should give him a modest target volume on most weeks.
Taysom Hill (TE - New Orleans Saints)
We didn't get a ton of work from Taysom Hill in the opener, in large part due to the game script with the Saints blowing out the Panthers (and that may be an understatement). We did see him early getting work in the rushing and receiving games, taking 5 carries for 35 yards. He's not going to be a "TE" that gives you consistent games, but then again, no TE outside the top-10 options will, and Hill does have the potential for 20+ point performances with his dynamic role.
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.
Isaiah Likely (TE - Baltimore Ravens)
All of the talk after the kickoff game on Thursday night was about Isaiah Likely and his absurd 12 targets, 9 catches, 111 yards, and a TD, plus being a toenail away from an additional TD as time expired. His 26.2 points led all TEs in fantasy this week and shattered teammate Mark Andrews' 2 catches for 14 yards. Now, don't expect anything close to this workload or production on a weekly basis, seeing as Kansas City's entire gameplan was to take Andrews out of the game with double-coverage, but the offseason rumors of Baltimore looking to heavily involve Likely into the offense appear true. Going forward he should be a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 with occasional 'boom' games (like this one), even with Andrews likely to resume his status as a mid-to-high TE1.
Bucky Irving (RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
There was talk about Rachaad White's rushing production being a vulnerable point for his workload this season with Bucky Irving potentially to get additional work should White continue to struggle on the ground. If Week 1 was an indicator, Irving may be involved heavily earlier rather than later. White was dominant as a receiver, per usual, but struggled again as a runner (2.1 YPC). Irving was moderately involved in the receiving game (3 targets, 2 catches) but exploded onto the scene on the ground, taking 9 carries for 62 yards (6.9 YPC). Expect a split relatively soon as Irving got 33% of the snaps to White's 69%, but showed out big time with a very efficient day.
Brandin Cooks (WR - Dallas Cowboys)
The Cowboys' offense had to feature someone not named CeeDee Lamb and that someone turned out to be Brandin Cooks, who got 7 targets (plus a carry) that turned into 4 catches, 40 yards, and a TD. With Jake Ferguson (knee) injured and the potential for more pass-friendly game scripts going forward, Cooks may be even more involved down the stretch. Worth an add, though I wouldn't quite mention him in the FLEX/WR3 lineup spot conversation just yet.
Jaleel McLaughlin (RB - Denver Broncos)
It wasn't Javonte Williams' backfield like many anticipated in Week 1, even despite Williams' getting 52% of the snaps. Jaleel McLaughlin led the Broncos' backfield in carries (10), rushing yards (27), targets (5), and catches (5). The efficiency wasn't there in any facet (2.7 YPC, 1 receiving yard on 5 catches), but it wasn't there for any Bronco. The volume is very encouraging, especially with the rushing game as we knew McLaughlin would see 3rd down/receiving work in Sean Payton's offense. I'm confident in stashing McLaughlin as a potential FLEX option down the line in PPR formats.
Tank Bigsby (RB - Jacksonville Jaguars)
All that offseason talk from the coaching staff about getting Bigsby more involved appears to be a real push (unlike last year). Etienne got all the receiving work out of the backfield, as expected, but the rushing duties were surprisingly split evenly (12-12) between Bigsby and Etienne in Week 1. The real twist here throws a little confusion into the situation: Bigsby was the more efficient back (6.1 YPC) and Etienne got the goal-line work. Bigsby should at least be stashed on the bench given that volume, especially seeing as he got 5 carries to Etienne's 3 following a game-changing Etienne fumble at the 2-yard line that allowed the Dolphins to get back into (and win) the game.
Greg Dortch (WR - Arizona Cardinals)
No offense was as confusing as the Cardinals' in Week 1. Trey McBride got 9 targets (5 catches), but nothing of depth (30 yards), and Marvin Harrison Jr. saw just 3 total targets (1 catch) in the season opener. Greg Dortch led the Cardinals' offense in catches (6) and was second to only McBride with 8 targets. Initially, the expectation was Michael Wilson would serve as the WR2 but it looks like Dortch has definitively established that connection with Kyler Murray. He's not a weekly lineup option, but definitely worth a stash on the bench to see if the volume will be there in a Hunter Renfrow-esque role where he can PPR his way to fantasy relevancy this season.
Alexander Mattison (RB - Las Vegas Raiders)
Justice Hill (RB - Baltimore Ravens)
Colby Parkinson (TE - Los Angeles Rams)
Wan'Dale Robinson (WR - New York Giants)
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 (at DET)
Justin Fields (at DEN) - if he starts over Russell Wilson
Deshaun Watson (at JAX)
Runningbacks:
Jaleel McLaughlin (vs PIT)
Alexander Mattison (at BAL)
Tank Bigsby (vs CLE)
Wide Receivers:
Brandin Cooks (vs NO)
Greg Dortch (vs LAR)
Gabe Davis (vs CLE)
Tight Ends:
Isaiah Likely (vs LV)
Colby Parkinson (at ARI)
Tyler Conklin (at TEN)
Defense/Special Teams:
Los Angeles Chargers (at CAR)
Denver Broncos (vs PIT)
Washington Commanders (vs NYG)
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.
Marshawn Lloyd (RB - Green Bay Packers)
Xavier Legette (WR - Carolina Panthers)
Quentin Johnston (WR - Los Angeles Chargers)
Luke McCaffrey (WR - Washington Commanders)
Samaje Perine (RB - Kansas City Chiefs)
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