DFS Army’s Gthom goes over the the waiver wire targets for this week. These waiver wire targets are normally available in 50-percent of ESPN leagues.
Follow Gthom on the cesspool they call X, or Twitter, or whatever it’s called @GarettThomas.
Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) reacts after a first down against the Washington Commanders in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
QUARTERBACKS
Baker Mayfield (TB) – 31% Ownership
He finished as a QB1 in 10-team leagues last season, and of course, he flew under the radar during this fantasy draft season. In Week 1, Mayfield scored 29.7 fantasy points thanks to a 24-for-30 performance that resulted in 289 passing yards, four touchdowns, and 21 rushing yards.
If you lost Jordan Love (QB, GB) to injury, Mayfield is a great candidate to help your team in Week 2. Mayfield’s match-up will be tough in Week 2 though, he faces an improved Detroit Lions’ defense.
Matthew Stafford (LAR)- 31% Ownership
Stafford looked good on Sunday Night Football, especially considering Puka Nacua’s (WR, LAR) early exit. The former Super Bowl champion finished 20-of-26 for 317 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception, good for 15.7 fantasy points.
The Rams will face the Arizona Cardinals next, a divisional opponent. According to StatMuse, Stafford has a passer rating of 93.7 with 3,214 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 13 career games against the Cardinals.
Justin Fields (PIT) – 4% Ownership
A late addition to this sheet after head coach Mike Tomlin mentioned, ‘Fields is preparing to start [in Week 2].’ Fields was not a great fantasy asset in Week 1, but his usage makes him very intriguing if he continues to start under center.
Fields went 17-for-23 for 156 passing yards and added 14 rush attempts for 57 rushing yards. Any quarterback who runs the ball 15 times has fantasy relevance. Additionally, if Fields had scored a few touchdowns in Week 1, he would be the hottest pickup at the quarterback position.
Deshaun Watson (CLE) – 45% Ownership
I’m not sure what’s worse: deciding that I have to write this or actually having to play Watson. Needless to say, it’s not looking great for waiver quarterbacks. Watson and the Browns struggled against the Cowboys, but to Cleveland’s credit, Dallas has an elite pass rush and secondary—a rare combination.
Looking ahead to Cleveland’s next stretch of opponents, it shakes out as: @JAC, NYG, @LV, @WAS, and @PHI. Excluding Las Vegas, those teams allowed 18.5 fantasy points per game to the quarterback position last year. Watson could easily bounce back for fantasy in Week 2.
RUNNING BACKS
Jordan Mason (SF) – 19% Ownership
This is the top player to pick up should Christian McCaffrey (RB, SF) miss additional time. However, it’s unlikely McCaffrey does, so don’t blow your FAAB trying to land Mason. In his spot start against the Jets, Mason racked up over 150 total yards on 29 opportunities, along with a touchdown.
It’s extremely hard to fail in fantasy football as the 49ers’ starting running back, so Mason is an automatic plug-and-play if he starts.
Jaleel McLaughlin (DEN) – 41% Ownership
The Youngstown State alum was expected to be involved in the passing game, and he was: 15 opportunities (five receptions on five targets) for 27 total yards and one fumble lost. Through the first week, McLaughlin seems to be the player to roster in Denver’s backfield. Starter Javonte Williams looks like a shell of his former self, and his time as the starter may be quickly coming to an end.
It’s hard to be excited about starting McLaughlin over the next three games (PIT, @TB, and @NYJ), but in full PPR leagues, his receiving ability may be his saving grace.
Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC) 5% Ownership
Bigsby averaged 6.08 yards per carry on 12 rushing attempts, compared to Travis Etienne, who also had 12 carries but averaged 3.67 yards per carry. While Bigsby outgained Etienne, 77 rushing yards to 44, it’s safe to presume Etienne will continue to lead this backfield unless Bigsby consistently outperforms him.
Through Week 1, Jacksonville’s usage of Bigsby suggests he will have deep FLEX value moving forward. He also serves as an elite handcuff should Etienne suffer an injury.
Justice Hill (BAL) 3% Ownership
In Week 1, Hill scored 11.5 PPR fantasy points on the back of 52 receiving yards, six receptions (eight targets), and three rushing yards. Hill is a change-of-pace back that will play second-fiddle to teammate, Derrick Henry.
The Ravens typically don’t rely on a pass-heavy style of play, like in Week 1, but there may be elevated targets to Hill due to some of the offensive line issues in Baltimore. He is worth adding to deeper benches or managers hoping he stays hot.
Ty Chandler (MIN) – 52% Ownership
Chandler received 11 opportunities against the Giants, producing a stat line of 25 receiving yards, 17 rushing yards, and three receptions. While this isn’t anything ‘sexy,’ it’s noteworthy for deeper leagues. Considering that Minnesota blew out New York, it’s safe to assume Chandler’s opportunity ceiling could be higher in more competitive games
Chandler is a deep FLEX player and a great handcuff for his teammate Aaron Jones, who has a reputation for missing games and is 29 years old this season.
Alexander Mattison (LV) – 11% Ownership
Another ‘backup’ worth keeping on rosters after Week 1 is Mattison. He posted 62 total yards on nine opportunities (six targets for four receptions) and scored a receiving touchdown. Unless Mattison can maintain his high efficiency, it’s hard to see him taking a large share of the running back snaps.
Considering how thin the running back waivers are in Week 2, Mattison is worth a stash and will continue to get run as the RB2 in Vegas.
Bucky Irving (TB) – 18% Ownership
Following a blowout win, Irving saw 11 opportunities (two receptions on three targets) for 76 total yards. While the usage is hard to ignore, the Bucs dominated offensively. Will Irving be this involved going forward? It’s hard to say, but for now, he is worth keeping on your bench in case he continues to showcase strong performances.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Demarcus Robinson (LAR) – 14% Ownership
With Puka Nacua (WR, LAR) sidelined by a knee injury, Robinson is presumably elevated to the WR2 spot. Robinson finished Week 1 with four receptions on seven targets for 42 receiving yards, totaling 8.2 fantasy points.
Robinson has also ‘shown us’ that he can handle an increased target share. Last season, Robinson had a five-game stretch where he was featured much more than previously. During that stretch he averaged 15.4 fantasy points per game. Cooper Kupp (WR, LAR) will remain as the featured receiver, but there will be plenty of work for Robinson and he should be a solid WR2/WR3 candidate as long as Nacua is hurt.
Brandin Cooks (DAL) – 30% Ownership
From Weeks 8–18 in 2023, Cooks was the WR14 overall in PPR formats. In Week 1, he turned seven targets into four receptions, 40 yards, and one touchdown. The fantasy community made a huge oversight this draft season—go and add Cooks. He should be considered a WR2 each week with WR1 upside.
Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) – 7% Ownership
Fantasy analysts have been discussing the vacated targets in New York heading into 2024, and Robinson saw 12 targets in Week 1—a massive workload. Will it continue? Who knows. Robinson is certainly worth a shot on Week 2 waivers because someone has to catch passes in New York.
Rashid Shaheed (NO) – 45% Ownership
The deep-threat specialist hit a 59-yard bomb in Week 1 and is expected to continue making plays like that in 2024. On the flip side, Shaheed will likely have several ‘bust’ weeks this season due to his usage. Additionally, he plays for New Orleans, where many players are involved in the passing game.
Shaheed finished Week 1 with 73 yards on five targets, three receptions, and one receiving touchdown.
Alec Pierce (IND) – 1% Ownership
Alec Pierce exploded for 125 yards on three catches and one touchdown. While it was an exciting day for the former Cincinnati Bearcat, his production tends to be all or nothing due to his deep-play ability. Last season, Pierce ranked ninth in ADOT and 11th in yards per reception, but that only translated to 5.6 fantasy points per game.
While Pierce has value in deeper leagues moving forward, managers will struggle to trust him if they need to start him.
Greg Dortch (ARI) – 1% Ownership
Dortch is worth grabbing in PPR formats if you need some early-season help. While Dortch has had serviceable games before, his ceiling is very limited. In Week 1 against the Bills, he finished with eight targets, six catches, and 47 yards, totaling 11.1 PPR points.
Will Dortch be the wide receiver that emerges behind Marvin Harrison Jr (WR, ARI)?
TIGHT ENDS
Isaiah Likely (BAL) – 9% Ownership
12 targets turned into nine receptions, 111 yards, and one touchdown. Likely will remain a part of this offense because he’s too talented not to be, but this performance shouldn’t be expected regularly moving forward. The Ravens will get the ball to starter Mark Andrews (TE, BAL) as the season progresses, and they typically don’t rely on this pass-heavy style of play.
Jordan Akins (CLE) – 0% Ownership
Akins stepped in as the replacement tight end after his teammate, David Njoku (CLE), left with an injury. In his limited play, which was mostly in the second half, Akins finished with three receptions on four targets for 27 receiving yards. While Akins is nothing flashy, in 2022—his last major role in an offense—he recorded double-digit PPR points on five occasions.
Colby Parkinson (LAR) – 1% Ownership
Parkinson finished with four receptions on five targets for 47 receiving yards, totaling 8.7 PPR points (likely a TE1 finish for the week). Puka Nacua’s (WR, LAR) injury could also funnel a few more opportunities toward Parkinson
The tight end position always feels bleak, and this year is no different to start. Take a shot on Parkinson in the near term if you need help at the position.
MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYSIS FROM DFS ARMY