It’s good to have football back. This season, I’m continuing my weekly waiver wire column, with a twist. I’m picking five players that are my top picks to add to your roster ahead of the week’s slate of games. There will be bonus options every week, mainly because I can’t help myself. Let’s dive in.
*Roster % is based on Yahoo! league data.
Jeff Wilson Jr. – Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Jeff Wilson looks to lead this week’s waiver wire targets with the news that Elijah Mitchell is going to miss 6-8 weeks with a sprained MCL. It’s a situation that feels eerily similar to 2021, and the rushing attack in San Francisco is impossible to pass up. This season, Trey Lance and Deebo Samuel cap the ceiling on Wilson, but he’s shown throughout his career he can be a difference maker when healthy. Tyrion Davis-Price and Jordan Mason will mix in, but Jeff Wilson will get the chance to make this his backfield.
Bid: $20-30
Jarvis Landry– Before down seasons in 2020 and 2021, Jarvis Landry was a perennial Top-24 receiver. He’s healthy again and on a new team. In Week 1, Landry was Jameis Winston’s favorite target, pulling down seven receptions on nine targets for 114 yards. The return of Michael Thomas and the emergence of Chris Olave complicates things, but Jarvis Landry has earned targets throughout his career, and that will continue in New Orleans.
Bid: $5
Curtis Samuel–Much like Jarvis Landry, Curtis Samuel has disappointed in recent memory. In Week 1, however, Samuel showed how valuable he is to the Washington Commanders, pacing the team in targets (11) and receptions (8) throughout. There’s competition for targets in Washington, but Samuel showed he can hang with both Terry McLaurin and rookie sensation Jahan Dotson.
Bid: $5
Taysom Hill–Look, I don’t like adding Taysom Hill to this list any more than you like reading it. Simply, though the positional flexibility of having a potential quarterback at your tight end spot is too good to pass up. If you’re a tight end streamer, Hill is a must-add this week.
Bid: $11-15
Jamaal Williams–Williams had a great Week 1, to be sure (11 att, 28 yds, 2 TD.) But is it sustainable? With Dan Campbell and the Lions committed to keeping both D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams fresh, Williams should have enough volume to be a viable fantasy option. Plus, Williams is a clear leader of the team. Chills. I mean, that speech alone should earn him extra touches every game.
Bid: $10-12
Other Potential Adds:
Early reports indicate that Najee Harris might not miss any time with his foot injury. If Harris is ruled out for Week 2, though, Jaylen Warren is worth a one-week flyer as a plug-in RB2.
Joshua Palmer becomes an intriguing option if Keenan Allen can’t get his hamstring figured out in time for Thursday Night Football.
Two of Jahan Dotson’s three receptions were touchdowns in Washington, and he adds another talented piece to the suddenly-loaded Washington receivers group.
Dontrell Hilliard is locked in as Derrick Henry’s backup and could be an unexpected beneficiary of A.J. Brown’s vacated targets.
Khalil Herbert continues to make a case for more playing time in Chicago.
At quarterback, Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan are both viable options in Week 2 for Dak Prescott managers.
For streaming defenses, I like the Cleveland Browns hosting the Jets, Cincinnati heading to Dallas to face the Cooper Rush-led Cowboys, and the Pittsburgh Steelers at home against a Patriots team that might be without their starting quarterback.
Droppable Players: It’s early days yet, so I understand the hesitation to cut bait on a player you drafted. But if you want to make room for any of the above, you have to be willing to drop those fringe players who aren’t yet–or maybe will never be–a significant part of their offense. I’m willing to drop players like A.J. Green, Mike Davis, Sammy Watkins, and Devante Parker to invest in the immediate upside of the waiver wire.
I’m excited to be back on the waiver wire with you this season; now go dominate the wire and your league. See you next week.
(Photo by Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire)
What’s the assumed FAAB for these bids?
Was going to ask the same thing. What kind of budget are we working with here?
$100