Waiver Wire
Jordan Love (ESPN 16% Yahoo 31%)
There is a ton of unknown from Love but what we saw so far is pretty in the Fantasy world. He had a comfortable lead which resulted in 3 TDs on the day. This was without the Packers top receiving target. It wasn’t the prettiest game by Love, but all we care about at the end of the day is Fantasy points.
Derek Carr (ESPN 28% Yahoo 38%)
Carr looked a lot like…Derek Carr. Threw for high yardage and spread the ball around. He looked half way decent in his new home and should continue to be a solid streaming QB throughout the season. It will only benefit him once Alvin Kamara returns from suspension as well.
Other options
Jared Goff, Brock Purdy
Tyler Allgeier (ESPN 44% Yahoo 56%)
We loved Bijans spot to the Falcons in large part of the offense he was joining. No team ran the ball more which reflected on the success rate they sustained. What many didn’t take into factor was Allgeier being the reason of that success. Shame on anyone thinking he wouldn’t have a role. In time Bijan will be the lead back but right now it’s a split field. Allgeier had more touches than the rookie which accumulated to 90+ yards and 2 TDs. With how important running the ball is to Arthur Smith, Allgeier should have weeks where he is a flex play given on the matchup.
Justice Hill (ESPN 0% Yahoo 3%) Gus Edwards (ESPN 22% Yahoo 20%)
I stayed away from Dobbins in Fantasy drafts for this reason. Too many injuries have followed him in his young career and I feel terrible for him. His talent speaks for himself but the injury bug won’t escape him. I know the Ravens offensive reigns is under a new OC but at the end of the day, when I think of the Baltimore offense I think of running the rock. Edwards was the more efficient runner but Hill was the one trusted in the red zone, which brought along 2 scores. This will most likely be the most popular waiver wire claim, given that you are getting a starting RB. Do your research on who you want and don’t be cheap when it comes to FAAB bread.
Kenneth Gainwell (ESPN 22% Yahoo 47%)
If you are a Patreon subscriber, you clearly saw in one of our several posts how Gainwell was a must add end of your drafts. The ADP was a steal and it proved right in week 1 with Gainwells 18 touches. The next closest was Swift with 2 fucking touches. You have to think those numbers rise for Swift but Gainwell being utilized more in the rushing attack and passing game is music to my ears. Hop on the Gainwell train with us!
Jerome Ford (ESPN 10% Yahoo 9%)
In that same blog where we spoke on Gainwell, shortly under you will find this man’s name. He suffered an injury during training camp but I felt he would provide that Kareem Hunt role. Towards the end starters were pulled but even before Fords name was called upon. In the first he lost a fumble but Cleveland kept putting him out and it reflected with his 15 Carries. I don’t expect him to be running this often but I do expect this amount of touches with more receiving work in the future. He’s a decent option in 12 team and higher, especially if you miss out on the guys above.
Kyren Williams (ESPN 10% Yahoo 5%)
Cam Akers in Fantasy Football has been a rollercoaster ride. We are just going through yet another bumpy part with Williams workload almost matching Akers. Williams was blessed with the goal line work, scoring twice and it’s hard to really trust Akers considering McVay never does.
Roschon Johnson (ESPN 22% Yahoo 15%)
A rookie RB to keep an eye on considering he led the Bears RB group in snaps. His numbers weren’t astronomical but he was targeted 7 times out of the backfield with 6 catches. Maybe more rushes come if they can play a closer game? Someone to keep an eye on.
Other Options
Kareem Hunt, Chuba Hubbard, Tank Bigsby, Jaylen Warren
Puka Nacua (ESPN 2% Yahoo 5%) Tutu Atwell (ESPN 6% Yahoo 3%)
No these are not made up names, no I didn’t slam my head in the keyboard and yes these are the leading wideouts in a Rams week 1 win. Puka had 15 targets with 10 grabs Atwell had 6 catches with each having 119 yards. I would be lying to you if I said these guys are the waiver wire claims you have to make. Do I trust the Rams offense to look this efficient with no Kupp? Not at all, but as of now if you miss out on more trustworthy options, these 2 guys don’t hurt to put on your bench. You never know…
Rashid Shaheed (ESPN 2% Yahoo 16%)
The Saints have talents like Thomas and Olave leading the WR room but it was Shaheed who caught everyone’s eye. 8 catches and 112 yards to start the season ain’t too shabby. Derek Carr is the type of QB that will get a WR several fantasy points throwing the ball and spreading it around the field. Shaheed signed as an undrafted free agent last year and finally made his name be heard.
Zay Jones (ESPN 30% Yahoo 30%)
I was so caught up in the Ridley hype that I totally dismissed Zay Jones and what he meant to the Jax offense last season. This game was too close for comfort, and several times Lawrence looked Jones way in moments of need. 2nd on the day in targets and brought home a TD. Go ahead and peak at Jones numbers from last season. Lawrence clearly has a relationship with him and deserves to be on benches in 12 team Leagues.
Rashee Rice (ESPN 10% Yahoo 36%)
Go all the way back to TNF when we were stunned by the Chiefs loss. Let’s remember the few highlights for them, like the rookie 2nd round pick snatching a Mahomes TD and tied for most targets. Was his outing sexy? No and none of the WRs were. But this is Patrick Mahomes we are talking about. With a healthy Kelce on the field this could open up some space for these WRs to eat.
Romeo Doubs (ESPN 19% Yahoo 31%)
Doubs took advantage of top Wr Watson out. Doubs overall catches and yardage didn’t wow us, but his 2 TDs sure did. Doubs who was possibly not going to play, toughed through an injury and showed us Love has trust in him. The packers passing offense has a bunch of question marks but this was a positive sign for them.
Other options,
Kendrick Bourne, Nico Collins, Elijah Moore
Zach Ertz (ESPN 40% Yahoo 5%)
Ertz was off several analysts radar after tearing his ACL in November. He worked his way back relatively quickly and was a massive target hog for the lowly Cards. Seeing 10 targets, he only brought in 6 for 21 yards. We have seen Ertz dominate the TE game in the last, but he is no longer a spring chicken. Instead he is a grizzled vet who might be relied on for his experience in an offense that may become stake throughout the course of the season. He could take advantage of this shit situation.
Hayden Hurst (ESPN 5% Yahoo 11%)
I love me some sleeper TEs and this was one that was snoozing real hard. With Several injuries to the Carolina WR room, Hurst led the way for pass catchers. A TE is always a rookie QBs best friend which was proven in this case. Is Hurst a guy you want to rely on during your Fantasy Football season? Probably not, but the state of this position is at an all time low, especially with the injuries to the big dogs at TE.
Hunter Henry (ESPN 4% Yahoo 16%)
Henry had a similar situation to Hurst. Took advantage of a banged up WR room and rode that wave to a top 10 TE finish for the week. It’s been a while since Henry has been dependent in fantasy but maybe this early game script with his involvement could help him catch fire. Lord knows we need Tight Ends to pick it up now more than ever.
Sam Laporta (ESPN 35% Yahoo 65%)
The Rookie Tight End played a solid game in his first NFL action. He had 5 targets, catching all of them while playing on the field for a majority of the game. His involvement wasn’t heavy, but seeing Goff look his way several times is a nice start. The first round pick has a ton of talent and projects to be in an offense that will score a ton. We are expecting LaPorta to take part in that scoring in time.