As the NFL season kicked off with 13 games on Sunday, there were plenty of surprises on and off the field. Between Dak Prescott’s new contract, Tyreek Hill’s brief detention, and Ja’Marr Chase’s last-minute decision to play, the weekend was filled with distractions that provided savvy fantasy football managers an opportunity to capitalize on the waiver wire.
Week 1 brought several impact performances from under-the-radar players who may be available in your league. Here are five waiver wire targets you should consider adding to your roster after Week 1:
Fantasy Football Takeaways from Week 1: Not Many Big-Time Performances, but Fairly Injury-Free: The first Sunday of the #NFL season is in the books now. It’s nearly time to start preparing for week 2, but before we move on to waiver wire pickups and… https://t.co/13WpLA4YoQ
— Fantasy Sports (@FantasySP) September 9, 2024
Isaiah Likely, tight end for the Baltimore Ravens, had an impressive showing against the Kansas City Chiefs. Although Mark Andrews remains the team’s top tight end, Likely was used in multiple roles across the field, indicating Baltimore’s plan to involve him more in the offense. Given the lack of competition for targets outside of Andrews and Zay Flowers, Likely could see significant playing time and production in the weeks to come.
Greg Dortch, wide receiver for the Arizona Cardinals, emerged as the most targeted player on the team during Week 1, with quarterback Kyler Murray looking his way eight times. Dortch’s involvement in the Cardinals’ passing game, coupled with the team’s need for consistent receiving options, makes him a strong addition, particularly in PPR leagues. While it’s early, Dortch’s target volume suggests he could be a reliable FLEX option moving forward.
Brandin Cooks, wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, remains a key piece of the team’s high-volume passing attack, yet he’s rostered in only 32% of leagues. With tight end Jake Ferguson dealing with an injury, Cooks could see an increase in targets. As the No. 2 option in a pass-heavy offense, he’s a player you don’t want to leave on the waiver wire.
As teams assess their rosters after Week 1, several players have emerged as possible waiver wire pickups. Jerry Jeudy of the Cleveland Browns stood out despite a weak team showing, recording eight targets and scoring a touchdown.… https://t.co/lvRtbDLkT5
— QWIKET NFL (@qwiket_nfl) September 9, 2024
Wan’Dale Robinson, wide receiver for the New York Giants, led the team with 12 targets in Week 1. Given the Giants’ struggles and frequent need to play from behind, Robinson could continue to benefit from increased passing volume. With quarterback Daniel Jones favoring him early, Robinson is worth adding, especially in leagues where receptions are a key scoring factor.
Tank Bigsby, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, split carries with Travis Etienne in Week 1 and outperformed him in efficiency, averaging over six yards per carry. While Etienne remains the primary back, Bigsby’s strong showing suggests he’ll continue to play a significant role in the Jaguars’ offense. If Etienne were to miss time due to injury, Bigsby could quickly become a major fantasy asset.
Key Points:
i. Isaiah Likely could see increased usage in Baltimore’s offense, making him a valuable pickup.
ii. Greg Dortch led Arizona in targets and is a strong option for PPR leagues.
iii. Brandin Cooks is a key piece of Dallas’ passing game and should see more targets with Jake Ferguson injured.
iv. Wan’Dale Robinson benefits from the Giants’ passing volume and is a favored target of Daniel Jones.
v. Tank Bigsby split carries with Travis Etienne and showed strong efficiency, making him a valuable addition to stash.
Lap Fu Ip – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
