QB:
Case Keenum has the weapons to be a QB1, and while the three Week 1 interceptions may scare some away, based on Keenum’s 2017 numbers and his camp and preseason play, I don’t expect the interceptions to be an issue going forward. Keenum rebounded nicely and finished with 329 yards and 3 TDs.
Following a monstrous Week 1 performance, Ryan Fitzpatrick deserves some consideration. Sure, we have seen this play out many times before, and Winston should return Week #4 to the starting job, but it is not as if Winston has a stronghold on the starting job. Fitzpatrick is likely a short-term answer, but if you are an Aaron Rodgers owner looking to hedge your bets on Rodgers playing this week, Fitzpatrick could make a nice short-term addition to your fantasy team.
Joe Flacco is likely sitting out there on a lot of waiver wires. In Week 1, Flacco completed 25 of 34 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Sure, he won’t face Buffalo every week, but the Ravens have completely overhauled their receiving corps, and Flacco could flirt with QB1 numbers this season.
RB:
Phillip Lindsay is a hot waiver wire add this week, and for good reason. He looked like the best RB on the team. However, he is 165 pounds soaking wet, and I worry he cannot sustain his Week 1 workload. Lindsay has some Tarik Cohen appeal to him as a supplemental back, but this could be a case of chasing stats as the team eases Royce Freeman into a larger share of the workload. Lindsay may see a decrease in carries and an increase in receptions going forward, making him an intriguing waiver wire add in PPR leagues.
T.J. Yeldon has more than handcuff value, but Leonard Fournette’s hamstring injury reminds us that if Yeldon is sitting on your waiver wire, he probably shouldn’t be. The versatile former second round pick is one of the more talented backups and a weekly flex play in a part-time role behind Fournette. Hamstring injuries have a way of lingering, especially for a back with the violent running style of Fournette, so Yeldon is a priority grab this week.
Javorius “Buck” Allen had what you might describe as a workmanlike performance Week 1; however, it is notable that Alex Collins struggled and Allen actually had the most snaps of any Baltimore back Sunday. Allen finished with four carries for 17 yards and added five receptions for 15 yards on six targets. Allen should continue to be heavily involved as the team’s primary receiving back, giving him flex appeal at the minimum, but if Collins continues to struggle, Allen’s role could expand.
Jalen Richard could carve out a nice PPR role this season. He saw the most touches of any RB for the Raiders last night and finished with 9 receptions. This Raider team could be playing from behind a lot this season, opening up an opportunity for some more big receiving games out of Richard.
Aaron Jones is serving a two-game suspension and perhaps an impatient owner dropped him in a shallow league. Jamaal Williams failed to impress Week 1and faces a tough Minnesota Defense this week. Jones could immediately challenge for a significant role.
If either Austin Ekeler or Nyheim Hines is on your PPR waiver wire, they are the passing backs to target in my opinion. Ekeler will have every-week value as a receiving and change-of-pace option behind Gordon, and if Gordon gets injured, you are sitting on a RB2 with RB1 upside. Hines’ role should remain intact regardless of what happens between Mack and Wilkins. My guess is neither of these guys is on many waiver wires.
WR:
Quincy Enunwa appears to be Darnold’s favorite target, and he could be a solid WR2 with upside. The Jets lined Enunwa up all over the field, and he ended the game with 10 targets. Coach Todd Bowles was gushing about his big receiver after the game: “He did a heck of a job for us. He blocks, he catches, he runs short and deep routes and it’s exciting to have him in there because he brings a different element and picks everybody up when he’s over there.” Look for a continued heavy dose of Enunwa in the game scripts going forward.
If Geronimo Allison is available in your league, you should grab him. Allison was targeted 8 times Sunday night, finishing with 5/69 and an impressive TD. Rodgers seems to trust Allison, and even as Green Bay’s WR3, Allison should post respectable numbers. Rodgers’ top three wideouts have had at least 80 targets each since 2015.
Brandon Marshall looks like a great redzone option for the Seahawks, taking the role Jimmy Graham vacated, but the injury to Baldwin could force the team to enlarge that role. I am interested to see how the Seahawks revamp the receiving game. Jaron Brown could take on a larger role now, but even so, Marshall’s ability in the redzone gives him some value. David Moore was on my watch list after his breakout preseason, but Brandon Marshall may keep Moore on the bench for now. Moore has an incredibly high ceiling. In Dynasty leagues, I really like Moore, but I am a bit less excited in redraft.
Phillip Dorsett caught 7-of-7 targets for 66 yards and a touchdown in the Patriots’ Week 1 win over the Texans. If Dorsett is matched up with Jalen Ramsey this week, he isn’t going to match his Week 1 production, but he appears to have the confidence of Tom Brady and should have a significant role going forward, at least until Julian Edelman returns in Week 5.
Cole Beasley caught seven of eight targets for 73 yards in a Week 1 loss to the Panthers. The Cowboys could continue to struggle to establish a downfield game, and Beasley is a reliable short-area target for Prescott, so this may be more than an anomaly.
Jakeem Grant has Tyreek Hill-like speed, and he was targeted 7 times Sunday (and returned a kick 103 yards). While it may be a stretch to expect Grant to make a Tyreek Hill type of impact, the Dolphins are bereft of playmakers, and Grant has the type of gamebreaking speed that can quickly change the course of a game. If you are seeking a deep stash at WR, Grant offers some intrigue.
Dante Pettis wasted no time displaying his big play ability, pulling in a highlight reel catch Week 1. With starting WR Marquise Goodwin nursing a bruised thigh, Pettis could see more opportunities coming his way.
TE:
Gruden was singing praises about Jared Cook this summer, so it was not a complete shock to see him breakout last night. Cook won’t likely have another game all season with stats sniffing 9 receptions for 180 yards, but he proved he is a reliable target and clearly has Carr’s trust (as well as Gruden’s trust). If you lost either Greg Olsen or Delanie Walker this week, and Cook is out there on your waiver wire, you will need to make a strong play to get him, but he is almost certainly your best option.
Jonnu Smith is incredibly athletic, and his role is set to expand with Delanie Walker out. With Walker at TE, the Titans leaned heavily on the TE position, but it remains to be seen how much they scale back the TE volume. Smith is next in line at the position and a solid waiver wire pickup, but don’t expect him to replace Walker’s numbers.
Ian Thomas is an intriguing dynasty talent at TE, but rookies seldom produce quality numbers at TE. Greg Olsen’s loss will be felt by the Panthers, but unless you play in a very deep league barren of TE talent, look elsewhere for your TE needs.
I have had great success in past seasons grabbing the players panicking owners release early in the season. Don’t get too caught up on the hoopla of potential one-week wonders and dump talented players in a move of desperation. It is only one week, and while you certainly want to play the waiver wire (especially early in the season), don’t completely abandon your draft day scouting. However, don’t stubbornly hold onto a player when the writing is clearly on the wall. Trying to decipher this code is one of the most important keys to fantasy success, in my opinion.
