Week 1 has come and gone. It is time to look for that week 1 waiver wire gem. With news of Marlon Mack’s season ending injury coming to light, it is Jonathan Taylor’s backfield. However Nyheim Hines had something to prove Sunday. From Malcom Brown to Josh Kelly, week 1 was all over the place. Backs such as James Conner and Le’veon Bell are hurt, and now you’re sitting there with a high waiver claim. You want to make an impact.
First off see if anyone is able to go to IR. Some of these guys could be a one hit wonder, or lose to a rookie back during the season, so lets get into it. For me, Benny Snell is top dog no matter the status of Conner. Conner has proven he can’t stay on the field, and you need to grab him. I did not include Sammy Watkins because he was in this spot last year, and I just don’t trust investing a ton into him. Go at your own risk there.
A big thing I keep an eye on are rage drops. Someone may drop someone like Bell or OBJ. Grab them if you can and hold them to see if they rebound. With no preseason, players are still shaking the rust out.
Running Back
Benny Snell / Pittsburgh Steelers / 12% rostered
Depending on the Conner injury, Benny Snell is the number 1 waiver wire add this week. No doubt about it. Even if Conner is playing week 2, Snell looked great and can carry the workload. He rushed for 113 yards against the Giants. He is worth more than 50% of my FAAB. If I have the top waiver it is going to Snell. If you have Conner, may have to pay a high price here.
Nyheim Hines / Indianapolis Colts / 20%-40% rostered.
Is this for real? 7 carries for 28 yards and a touchdown to go with 8 targets and 8 catches for 45 yards and another touchdown. He was in and getting the ball before Taylor got his looks. The issue is now it is Jonathan Taylor's backfield, which Frank Reich wasted zero time to announce. Earlier in the summer I wrote up how I was a big fan of Hines on my Scott Fish Bowl team, and how Rivers loves his receiving backs, 17 of his 36 completions last week were to the running backs. I think he makes an impact, but don’t spend like he’s going to be the bell cow back. I’d go 25-30% of my FAAB. There will be bigger backs available in the season. This is Taylor’s time to shine.
Joshua Kelley / LA Chargers / 13% rostered
Austin Ekeler? Nope Josh Kelley stole the fantasy points. 12 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown. Not what the Ekeler fans want to hear. Of course Eckler is the main guy here, but there seems to be a Melvin Gordon role for Kelley. He should see consistent touches all year, having out snapped Justin Jackson 18 to 11. which makes me go 25-30% of my FAAB for him.
Miles Gaskin/MIA Dolphins/ 1% rostered
There are alot of mouths to feed in this backfield, but it is noteworthy that in a game the Dolphins were trailing, it was Gaskin who received a whopping 63% of snaps. He ran for a respectable 4.4 yards per carry and caught all 4 of his targets, leading all Miami running backs in each category, despite Jordan Howard getting the TD. Don't go crazy here, but there might be a few weeks of PPR gold here before they start incorporating Malcolm Perry and Lynn Bowden Jr into a role. 5% of budget.
Frank Gore / NY Jets / 4% rostered
As a Jet fan it’s safe to say we are a dumpster fire. Adam Gase has ruined Sam Darnold, and Le’veon Bell is now possibly out for a few weeks. La’Mical Perine the rookie is hurt. Insert 37 year old Frank Gore! Unless the Jets make a signing, Gore is going to lead the way with Josh Adams behind. Gore is a fan of Gase as he ran for 722 yards in 2018, averaging 4.6 yards per attempt. I’d go 10% of my budget on Gore. Even when Bell is back, Gore will get his carries.
Malcolm Brown / LA Rams / 27% rostered
Brown led all the RBs with the Rams with 18 carries for 79 yards, 2 touchdowns, to go with 4 targets, 3 receptions for 31 yards. It seems to be his backfield as of now until Cam Akers can take it from him. I’d go 30-35% of my FAAB for him, and higher if I had Bell or Conner.
Wide Receiver
Scotty Miller /Buccaneers / 6% rostered
Brady loves his slot WR’s. End of message. 6 targets for 5 catches and 73 yards. Pick him up and stash. 5-10% of FAAB.
Allen Lazard /Packers / 43% rostered
Aaron Rodgers looked like a man on a mission throwing 4 touchdowns Sunday. Lazard came down with 4 catches on 4 targets for 63 yards and a touchdown. Marquez Valdes-Scantling had a great game as well and is worth a look too. Green Bay seems to be benefitting from the Rodgers revenge tour. I’d go around 10-15% FAAB for either GB WR.
Tre’Quan Smith /Saints / 2% rostered
Michael Thomas has a high ankle sprain. That boosts Smith right into the WR2 talk. Emmanuel Sanders becomes the WR1 and Smith becomes the deep threat. This is of course if Thomas misses time which I feel as if he’s going to attempt to play through it. High ankle sprains tend to linger if not given proper rest, Thomas may be dealing with this for a while. Brees is high on Smith so a speculative add in deeper leagues is worth a shot. I’d go 5% of my FAAB. UPDATE: Thomas is set to miss several weeks. Feel confident going over 20% of your FAAB or using a high waiver priority here.
Parris Campbell / Colts / 22% rostered
Last year was the hype for Campbell. This year he is off to a good start. 9 targets and 6 catches for 71 yards. He was involved in the offense, and especially in PPR leagues, Campbell has value. Campbell is an add not everyone is thinking of, and could slide under the radar. I wouldn’t go too high if you need WR help, probably in the range of 5-10% FAAB.
Laviska Shenault Jr. / Jaguars / 12% rostered
The hype is going to build. While he did not have the best week 1, he did make an impact. He had 4 targets with 3 catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He also had 2 rushes for 10 yards. He seems to be all over the field and received a hefty 62% snap share and right now is a nice stash/bye week flex option. 5% FAAB.
Quarterback
Justin Herbert / Chargers / 2% rostered
This is not for 10 team re-draft, maybe not even 12, but the time is coming. Tyrod Taylor was 16 of 30 for 208 yards and 7 yards rushing. They only put up 16 points. If this keeps up those keeper leagues or dynasty players will be rewarded. The Chargers are bad, worse than originally thought, so they will turn the page soon.
Tua Tagovailola /Dolphins / 9% rostered
Fitzmagic did not have it week 1, so bad that coach Brian Flores had to publicly declare him the week 2 starter. Read the tea leaves, when we are evaluating on a week-to-wek basis, change is imminent. Miami is a talented offense and could turn to Tua sooner than later, and the Josh Rosen release speaks to their willingness to put Tua into game action soon. If you are in a deep league or a superflex league, now is the time to get Tua cheap. 1-2% of FAAB.
Gardner Minshew/ Jaguars/ 26% rostered
Only an option in 2QB leagues or deep leagues. Minshew answered the Tank for Trevor calls and threw for 3 touchdowns. Is he doing this every week? Probably not, but he’s worth a flier.
Tight End
Logan Thomas / Washington Football Team / 2% rostered
George Kittle on your team? How about Engram? Jarwin? Check out Logan Thomas. He had 8 targets from Haskins totaling 4 catches for 37 yards and a touchdown. He is 6’6 and is going against a weak Arizona team to tight ends. 5-10% of FAAB depending on your TE situation.
Jack Doyle / Colts / 26% rostered
Doyle showed some decent chemistry with Phillip Rivers. 4 targets with 3 catches for 49 yards. Week 2 is the Vikings defense who just gave up 4 touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers. Doyle may be a nice sneaky add for the Kittle or Engram manager. 5% of FAAB.
Defense Streaming Options
Titans
They are playing the Jaguars. They're likely owned in your league, but if not...you're almost done reading this. Two more sentences and then go pick them up.
Cardinals
They play Dwayne Haskins. They should be able to force some pressure and have a decent game.
Browns
Playing the rookie Joe Burrow, who looked a little shell shocked last week. Normally I avoid divisional matchups for defense streaming, but a rookie on a short week may be worth it.