We have spent days, weeks and for some of us, months preparing for our fantasy football drafts and now that the NFL season has started, it’s time to start the regular season work. Having a good draft is important, but leagues aren’t won with just a solid draft. Leagues are won with proper work of the waiver wire and adding those players like Odell Beckham two years ago and guys like Thomas Rawls and Doug Baldwin last season. When it comes to timing, there may not be a more important week at working the waiver wire than Week 1. If you add the right guy this week, you can take advantage of it all season. If you add him in Week 10, you will only be able to get six weeks worth of usage. Below are some of the top guys that are available in roughly 50% or less of leagues that I would add if you needed help at a particular position. I have a tendency to ramble on, so I promise I will try to keep things brief.
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Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Ryan Hallam absolutely hates Alex Smith. Hates him! That makes me like the quarterback even more…
Alex Smith, Kansas City Chiefs. I’m not sure there was a more exciting game than the Chiefs’ comeback win against the Chargers in Week 1. Quarterback, Alex Smith played his part, as he threw for 363 yards and two scores and added another rushing touchdown as well. When healthy, Smith is almost a lock for 3,200-3,400 yards with 20-23 touchdowns, but now that he has had some time in Andy Reid’s system, maybe we see a little more out of him this season. Throw in the fact that he can run for 400-500 yards and that he has a favorable schedule this season, and that makes Smith my favorite quarterback target in Week 1. I can hear Ryan Hallam sighing a sigh of disgust from here.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, New York Jets. Last season, Ryan Fitzpatrick very quietly threw for almost 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. Despite a tough Week 1 matchup against the Bengals, Fitz didn’t pass for a ton of yards (189), but still threw two touchdowns. He has shown he can chip in 200-300 yards rushing over a season as well, and with weapons like Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker and receiving backs Matt Forte and Bilal Powell, he should be in for another really good year.
Josh McCown, Cleveland Browns. I don’t know why I did it. I tried talking myself into making RG3 a viable, fantasy quarterback this year. He has some nice receiving threats, he’s a threat to run the ball and the fact that he’s playing for a contract were all reasons that helped me move RG3 into my top 24 quarterback rankings. One thing I neglected to do however, is factor in his risk for injury and after suffering a broken bone in his shoulder in Week 1, his season is now likely over. In comes Josh McCown. In seven full games last season, McCown reached at least 200 yards passing in every game, threw for over 300 yards in two of those and topped it off with a 457 yard game against Baltimore in October. He also passed for 12 touchdowns in those seven games and with better weapons this season, McCown could be a nice fantasy quarterback. If you want a safer option, look for Ryan Fitzpatrick. If you like to swing for the fences, make McCown your guy.
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles. I want to warn you…Carson Wentz won’t be playing the Cleveland Browns defense every week, so don’t think he’s going to play as well he did in Week 1 all year. He threw for 278 yards and two scores that were highlighted by a gorgeous, 19 yard touchdown to Jordan Matthews in the first quarter. He won’t be as impressive every week, but he only rushed for one yard in Week 1 and he is a very capable rushing, quarterback who can rack up the fantasy points with his feet as well. I would save him for deeper leagues, but he’s a nice guy with some upside that you can stash at the end of your bench.
Waiver Wire Running Backs
Theo Riddick has been good at catching the ball, but if he adds some rushing attempts this season, he could become a very good fantasy option.
Theo Riddick, Detroit Lions. It’s amazing to me that Theo Riddick is only owned in 36% of Yahoo Leagues. The guy hasn’t been an effective runner, but he had 80 receptions last season and finished as a top 20 running back in PPR leagues in 2015. Word out of training camp was that he has really worked hard at improving his game this offseason and it showed in Week 1 as he had seven rushing attempts for 45 yards with a touchdown and added five receptions for 63 yards and another score. Joique Bell is gone and the Lions have said they don’t see Ameer Abdullah as a bell cow, running back and that could leave Riddick with more carries this season than last. Last year, Riddick only carried the ball on 13% of rushing attempts. In Week 1, that number improved to 30%. If he keeps that up, he could finish even higher this year than last and he needs to be owned everywhere, both in PPR and standard leagues.
Tevin Coleman, Atlanta Falcons. I was wrong. I didn’t think that Tevin Coleman would play as big of a role this season as he did in the Falcons’ Week 1 matchup with the Bucs. He had eight rushes compared to Devonta Freeman’s 11, but what surprised me even more was that he had five catches for 95 yards compared to four receptions for 20 yards for Freeman. That was supposed to be the part of the game that made Freeman stand out in PPR leagues and if they are going to continue to split things up equally, it could be a long season for Devonta Freeman owners. Coleman is one of the best handcuffs in football and could have borderline flex value if he continues splitting time equally. He’s owned in about 43% of Yahoo leagues and if you wait until after this week to try and claim him, I’m afraid it will be too late.
Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If you want an “unsexy” running back that can help you this season, Charles Sims may be your guy. He had over 500 yards rushing and receiving last year and finished as the RB17 in 2015. He won’t be a major factor in the rushing game while Doug Martin is healthy, but regardless, he can be a nice flex option in PPR leagues.
Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins. When I said that Tevin Coleman is “one” of the best handcuffs in football, I’m including him on the short list of quality handcuffs with Cowboys’ backup, Alfred Morris. Morris only received seven carries in Week 1, but if Ezekiel Elliott goes down, Morris immediately borders on RB1 territory. If you are weak at running back and want to add some depth, Morris is a lottery ticket that is worth a stash.
Marshawn Lynch, Free Agent. News recently broken that there’s a chance that Marshawn Lynch could return at some point this season. Personally, I don’t think he will comes back, and even if he does, I’m not sure he will be in a situation where he is a bell cow back. That being said, if you are in a deep league and have room at the end of your roster, he may be worth a shot in the hopes he returns and is somewhat productive.
Chris Thompson, Washington Redskins. Chris Thompson will see most of his value as the Redskins receiving back this year, but also received a goal line carry on Monday night against the Steelers in which he turned into a score. He’s worth an add in deeper PPR leagues in hopes he keeps seeing a little of their goal line work.
Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
I’m going to be brief since there is a lot of free agent, wide receivers I like off the waiver wire this week. One sentence for you! (Said as the soup nazi).
Will Fuller looks like he could be the real deal this season.
Will Fuller, Houston Texans. Led the Texans in targets in Week 1, and although Hopkins will still be the top guy, Will Fuller is looking like he will get enough work and has the big play ability to be a fantasy asset this season.
Tajae Sharpe, Tennessee Titans. Even though Tennessee is a run-first team, it appears that the rookie, Tajae Sharpe will be the Titan’s number one, wide receiver over Rishard Matthews.
Tyrell Williams, San Diego Chargers. At 6’4″, 205 pounds and a really good athlete, he could potentially see a lot of action with Keenan Allen out for the season.
Chris Hogan, New England. I’m worried that his targets will go down once Rob Gronkowski returns, but it looks like Chris Hogan will be a big part of the offense this season.
Mohamed Sanu, Atlanta Falcons. Had five receptions (on eight targets) for 80 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and Mohamed Sanu looks to see quite a bit of work for his new team.
Eli Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers. With Sammie Coates being ineffective in Week 1, Eli Rodgers saw seven targets, but I just worry about his role once Markus Wheaton returns to the team.
Jeremy Kerley, San Francisco 49ers. Chip Kelly loves to throw to the slot receiver and with Bruce Ellington out for the season, Jeremy Kerley looks to fill that role.
Mike Wallace, Baltimore Ravens. Mike Wallace has the potential to break any play into a big gain, but he is just a little too up and down over the course of a season for my liking.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers. Davante Adams had three receptions on seven targets for 50 yards and a score, but with so many targets to go around in Green Bay, he may be in for an inconsistent season.
Robert Woods, Buffalo Bills. If Sammie Watkins misses an extended amount of time with his foot issues, Robert Woods could be in for a heavy workload.
Quincy Enunwa, New York Jets. Plays a hybrid wide receiver, tight end position and with no real threat at tight end, that could make Quincy Enunwa a nice target over the middle for Ryan Fitzpatrick.
Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis Colts. Offensive coordinator, Rob Chudzinski loves targeting the tight end. Dwayne Allen had 53 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 and after he left the game, backup Jack Doyle scored two more times. Allen could be in for a big season if they continue to look for the tight ends, especially around the goal line.
Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions. Eric Ebron appears to be healthy after a preseason Achilles’ tendon scare and racked up five catches for 46 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Lions fans have been patiently waiting for him to live up to his first round potential and with no Calvin Johnson, this could be the year he does.
Jesse James, Pittsburgh Steelers. With still no timetable for a Ladarius Green return, Jesse James could fall into that Heath Miller role in the Pittsburgh offense.
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