Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)
by Optimus Staff
Wait, waiver wire before Week 1?
Absolutely! Here at Optimus Fantasy, we help you stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. We’re not saying you need to roster every player on this list. After all, you could end up with a team of all waiver wire finds, and then sacrifice your best players. That’s not what we’re after with this. We want you to examine your team, identify any areas of weakness, and then utilize the players in this list to supplement those positions. Maybe pick your favorite to “churn” the bottom of your roster on the chance they hit it big during the first week.
Alright, that’s enough of my rambling. Let’s get to it!
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith (LV) | 8.7% ESPN | 19% Sleeper | 2-3% of FAAB
It might seem early to call a player, especially a QB, a waiver wire steal, but that’s precisely what Geno Smith is. Despite going largely undrafted in most formats, Smith isn’t dead yet.
What was a disaster last year in Las Vegas is turning around. New head coach Pete Carroll has infused energy into what seemed like a dying franchise. Smith also has a solid set of offensive weapons led by TE1 Brock Bowers & first-round pick RB Ashton Jeanty. And let us not forget, Smith has been the most accurate QB in the league over the last 3 seasons, completing 68.3% of his passes.
It’s early yet, and blowing your FAAB budget on a QB is not recommended here. Lucky for you, you won’t need to. A low bid should secure him a spot on your roster. If you’re in a league that uses waiver priority, don’t waste a high slot unless you’re in desperate need of another QB immediately.
Michael Penix (ATL) | 19.2% ESPN | 38% Sleeper | 1-2% of FAAB
I’d be lying if I said I was excited about Falcons QB Michael Penix at any point over the last year. However, this isn’t about excitement; it’s about production and opportunity, and the Atlanta offense should provide plenty of that for the second-year QB.
Yes, we have a very small sample size to work with – Penix started three games last season with mixed results. However, Penix averaged 33 passing attempts in those starts, and the receiving corps he worked with last season remains mostly unchanged. The second-year QB is in a position to take a huge step this season, even if the Falcons don’t.
If you need to lock in a backup QB or don’t love your QB2 in a Superflex league, Penix is a solid addition. Of the available QBs leading up to Opening Weekend, Penix undoubtedly has the most potential to exceed expectations and find a way into your starting lineup every week.
Running Backs
Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) | 1.2% rostered ESPN | 2% rostered Sleeper | 2-3% FAAB
Kaleb Johnson is all the rage, and Jaylen Warren is everyone’s undervalued darling. The problem is that Johnson is squarely the 3rd RB on Pittsburgh’s depth chart. What’s more, it looks like he’s fit to cut into Warren’s 1st/2nd down role rather than Gainwell’s 3rd-down role. Don’t look for the high upside, but a role with consistent production is there for Gainwell. Cut Isaac Guerendo (84% rostered) to add Gainwell. Brian Robinson‘s addition to the San Francisco backfield bumps Guerendo down a rung.
Chris Brooks (GB) | 0.3% rostered ESPN |0% rostered Sleeper | 0-1% FAAB
If you’re the type to roster handcuffs, this is your kind of RB. Marshawn Lloyd can’t stay healthy, and Emanuel Wilson is now firmly behind both Lloyd and Brooks in the Green Bay RB pecking order. I know Josh Jacobs doesn’t get hurt, but RBs are fragile on the whole. Brooks is the guy to roster if you want to keep a step ahead in the Packers’ backfield.
Cut Raheem Mostert (58% rostered) to add Brooks. Mostert lost the backup RB job in Las Vegas to Zamir White. Yikes. Time to move on.
Wide Receivers
Jalen Coker (CAR) | 7.9% on ESPN | 15% on Sleeper 1-2% | FAAB
They tried to take us down, but the Cokeheads will have their day. Just because Jalen Coker went down with a quad injury doesn’t mean the party is over for us. He was placed on IR this past weekend and will miss at least the first four weeks of the season. This could be one of those free pickups, as if you have an IR spot that you can place Coker into, you can stash him there until he’s back and playing.
What you get in the best-case scenario from Coker is the potential second target for quarterback Bryce Young on a team that’s ascending and could be much better with the addition of Tetairoa McMillan to be the alpha. The second target spot is up for grabs with Coker leading it before his quad injury. Xavier Legette still exists, but his 2024 rookie season was awful, and his first-round draft capital won’t absolve him of his failings for much longer.
Coker was solidly efficient after earning his routes, and the Panthers cleared the way for Coker to play more regularly after dealing octogenarian Adam Thielen to Minnesota. He’s likely to man the slot, and that’s been a fruitful spot for this offense with Thielen’s target earnings. The fact that Coker was clearly ahead of Legette pre-injury should suggest that he will reclaim that mantle once he’s healthy. Add and stash for Week 5 and beyond.
Christian Kirk (HOU) | 27.7% on ESPN | 55% on Sleeper | 2-3% FAAB
Rostering Christian Kirk feels as boring as watching paint dry. The boomers who love past production and use that as a personality trait will tell you he’s going to be a target monster this season in Houston. It’s an addition to your roster that feels like eating your vegetables, but in this case, it may not be so bad. Kirk has a solid history of target history and efficiency in his profile, with no lower than 1.72 yards per route in four straight seasons dating back to his final campaign in Arizona.
Will Kirk be a “target monster” this season? Well, possibly, but it all hinges on the rookies around him. Jayden Higgins is likely to start on the outside opposite Nico Collins, but Kirk will have a place in the slot for quarterback C.J. Stroud. The early-season production for Kirk should be solid as the second target for the Texans right out of the gate. If you drafted Rashee Rice or Jordan Addison and need front-loaded immediate production out of a wide receiver spot or your flex, there’s a solid chance Kirk wasn’t drafted. You could do much worse than Kirk for a half-dozen receptions in the early part of this season.
Dont’e Thornton (LV) | 5.8% on ESPN | 32% on Sleeper | 1-2% FAAB
This one is speculative for Thornton, but there’s a shot that Thornton could be the third target in an offense that’s packed with target-earning players like Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Thornton has the leg up over fellow rookie Jack Bech in the pecking order and will be the ‘X’ receiver on the line of scrimmage thanks to his 6-foot-5, 205-pound size. If he plays immediately, he’ll see a ton of early snaps, but he might be a safety puller for the other receiving options in this offense at the outset. It’s also possible that Amari Cooper could end up playing ‘X’ as well, which would be a shame since Cooper has taken several steps back and was signed just a week ago.
That said, Thornton ran a 4.30 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and he would provide a massive big-play element to this offense. He’s a contingent play, should one of the pass-catchers ahead of him get hurt, but he should be a stash in deeper leagues right now if you have the room.
Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson (DAL) | 66.3% ESPN | 71% Sleeper | <10% FAAB
When Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring tear in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, Jake Ferguson’s target share dropped off tremendously with Cooper Rush at QB. In the first 9 weeks with Dak under center, Ferguson ranked 7th among all TEs in targets (52) and 10th in average fantasy points per game (10.2). After Cooper took over, Ferguson dropped to a tie for 14th in targets (40) and fell to 29th in average fantasy points per game (6.3). If you’re looking for a 2nd tight end and Jake Ferguson’s available, then grab him now. Dak Prescott clearly loves targeting his starting tight end. Ferguson should return to fantasy-friendly TE2 production.
Brenton Strange (JAC) | 17.6% ESPN | 30% Sleeper | <5% FAAB
Strange played behind Evan Engram last season, though Engram appeared in only 9 games. When Strange stepped in as the TE1, he caught passes from both Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones. Surprisingly, Strange finished 2nd on the team in receiving yards (411), 3rd in receptions and targets (40 and 53, respectively), 3rd in yards after the catch (183), and tied with Gabe Davis for 3rd in receiving touchdowns (2). When Strange gets the ball, he produces. If you have the bench space for a 2nd tight end, then you can definitely expect TE2-level production out of Strange all season long.
Mason Taylor (NYJ) | 5.9% ESPN | 22% Sleeper | <5% FAAB
2nd round rookie out of LSU, Mason Taylor, is already sitting atop the tight end depth chart for the Jets. Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Jelani Woods are no threat to Mason Taylor’s production. When Justin Fields was with the Chicago Bears in 2023, starting tight end Cole Kmet finished as the TE8 and ranked 2nd on the team in targets with 91. In 6 games with the Steelers, Fields’ go-to TE, Pat Freiermuth, was the TE8 and was 2nd on the team in targets before Russell Wilson took over. Mason Taylor is well-positioned to become Fields’ 2nd favorite target in New York. If you enjoy stashing rookies, need a second tight end on your team, or want to take a chance on an unknown, then consider picking up Mason Taylor before someone else in your league does!
Streaming Defenses
Miami Dolphins (@ IND) | 4.6% ESPN | 4% Sleeper | <1$ of FAAB
This Miami defense isn’t one I will advocate starting very often in any format this season. However, if you’re streaming D/STs, chasing matchups is key, and this is a good one. The Dolphins travel to Indianapolis this weekend and get to pick on QB Daniel Jones, who has thrown more INTs (13) than TDs (10) over his last two seasons. This should be a low-scoring game, and history would dictate the Dolphins D/ST will get at least one turnover, making them a solid Week 1 rental.
Washington Commanders (vs NYG) | 12.7% ESPN | 70% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
Now we’re going to go from picking on former Giants QB Daniel Jones to picking on current Giants QB Russell Wilson. While the additions of veteran EDGE Von Miller and rookie CB Trey Amos should help this unit improve, I wouldn’t bank on them being a permanent fixture in your lineups. That said, a Week 1 matchup against what will likely be a hapless New York squad makes them an excellent D/ST streaming option to start the season.
Streaming Kickers
Evan McPherson (CIN) | 17.3% ESPN | 50% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
Chasing points is the point of streaming kickers, and Bengals K Evan McPherson should do just that this weekend against the lowly Cleveland Browns. The Bengals had the 5th highest redzone EPA (+0.103) of any offense in the league last season, and if they get off on the right foot in Cleveland in Week 1, McPherson should have plenty of opportunities to split the uprights to start the season.
Wil Lutz (DEN) | 17.2% ESPN | 27% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
The Denver Broncos appear to be on a mission, and the offense is poised to explode behind second-year QB Bo Nix. Most expect this game to be a blowout, and Denver K Wil Lutz is likely to see plenty of opportunities to score points for your squad. To be clear, Lutz won’t be a kicker you’ll want every week. That said, you could do much worse in Week 1 with this favorable matchup for the veteran kicker who finished as the overall K7 last season in a lesser offense.
Will Reichard (MIN) | 5.6% ESPN | 9% Sleeper | 1-2% of FAAB
I’m not here to wax poetic on kickers, but I can’t help myself with Will Reichard. Before injuring his quad in Week 9, the rookie kicker was perfect, making all 14 field goal attempts and 23 extra-point attempts. After a four-week stint on IR, he didn’t look as sharp as could be expected. However, with a full offseason to heal and a new season upon us, Reichard could be as close to a league-winning waiver wire acquisition as a kicker could ever be.
Wait, waiver wire before Week 1?
Absolutely! Here at Optimus Fantasy, we help you stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. We’re not saying you need to roster every player on this list. After all, you could end up with a team of all waiver wire finds, and then sacrifice your best players. That’s not what we’re after with this. We want you to examine your team, identify any areas of weakness, and then utilize the players in this list to supplement those positions. Maybe pick your favorite to “churn” the bottom of your roster on the chance they hit it big during the first week.
Alright, that’s enough of my rambling. Let’s get to it!
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith (LV) | 8.7% ESPN | 19% Sleeper | 2-3% of FAAB
It might seem early to call a player, especially a QB, a waiver wire steal, but that’s precisely what Geno Smith is. Despite going largely undrafted in most formats, Smith isn’t dead yet.
What was a disaster last year in Las Vegas is turning around. New head coach Pete Carroll has infused energy into what seemed like a dying franchise. Smith also has a solid set of offensive weapons led by TE1 Brock Bowers & first-round pick RB Ashton Jeanty. And let us not forget, Smith has been the most accurate QB in the league over the last 3 seasons, completing 68.3% of his passes.
It’s early yet, and blowing your FAAB budget on a QB is not recommended here. Lucky for you, you won’t need to. A low bid should secure him a spot on your roster. If you’re in a league that uses waiver priority, don’t waste a high slot unless you’re in desperate need of another QB immediately.
Michael Penix (ATL) | 19.2% ESPN | 38% Sleeper | 1-2% of FAAB
I’d be lying if I said I was excited about Falcons QB Michael Penix at any point over the last year. However, this isn’t about excitement; it’s about production and opportunity, and the Atlanta offense should provide plenty of that for the second-year QB.
Yes, we have a very small sample size to work with – Penix started three games last season with mixed results. However, Penix averaged 33 passing attempts in those starts, and the receiving corps he worked with last season remains mostly unchanged. The second-year QB is in a position to take a huge step this season, even if the Falcons don’t.
If you need to lock in a backup QB or don’t love your QB2 in a Superflex league, Penix is a solid addition. Of the available QBs leading up to Opening Weekend, Penix undoubtedly has the most potential to exceed expectations and find a way into your starting lineup every week.
Running Backs
Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) | 1.2% rostered ESPN | 2% rostered Sleeper | 2-3% FAAB
Kaleb Johnson is all the rage, and Jaylen Warren is everyone’s undervalued darling. The problem is that Johnson is squarely the 3rd RB on Pittsburgh’s depth chart. What’s more, it looks like he’s fit to cut into Warren’s 1st/2nd down role rather than Gainwell’s 3rd-down role. Don’t look for the high upside, but a role with consistent production is there for Gainwell. Cut Isaac Guerendo (84% rostered) to add Gainwell. Brian Robinson‘s addition to the San Francisco backfield bumps Guerendo down a rung.
Chris Brooks (GB) | 0.3% rostered ESPN |0% rostered Sleeper | 0-1% FAAB
If you’re the type to roster handcuffs, this is your kind of RB. Marshawn Lloyd can’t stay healthy, and Emanuel Wilson is now firmly behind both Lloyd and Brooks in the Green Bay RB pecking order. I know Josh Jacobs doesn’t get hurt, but RBs are fragile on the whole. Brooks is the guy to roster if you want to keep a step ahead in the Packers’ backfield.
Cut Raheem Mostert (58% rostered) to add Brooks. Mostert lost the backup RB job in Las Vegas to Zamir White. Yikes. Time to move on.
Wide Receivers
Jalen Coker (CAR) | 7.9% on ESPN | 15% on Sleeper 1-2% | FAAB
They tried to take us down, but the Cokeheads will have their day. Just because Jalen Coker went down with a quad injury doesn’t mean the party is over for us. He was placed on IR this past weekend and will miss at least the first four weeks of the season. This could be one of those free pickups, as if you have an IR spot that you can place Coker into, you can stash him there until he’s back and playing.
What you get in the best-case scenario from Coker is the potential second target for quarterback Bryce Young on a team that’s ascending and could be much better with the addition of Tetairoa McMillan to be the alpha. The second target spot is up for grabs with Coker leading it before his quad injury. Xavier Legette still exists, but his 2024 rookie season was awful, and his first-round draft capital won’t absolve him of his failings for much longer.
Coker was solidly efficient after earning his routes, and the Panthers cleared the way for Coker to play more regularly after dealing octogenarian Adam Thielen to Minnesota. He’s likely to man the slot, and that’s been a fruitful spot for this offense with Thielen’s target earnings. The fact that Coker was clearly ahead of Legette pre-injury should suggest that he will reclaim that mantle once he’s healthy. Add and stash for Week 5 and beyond.
Christian Kirk (HOU) | 27.7% on ESPN | 55% on Sleeper | 2-3% FAAB
Rostering Christian Kirk feels as boring as watching paint dry. The boomers who love past production and use that as a personality trait will tell you he’s going to be a target monster this season in Houston. It’s an addition to your roster that feels like eating your vegetables, but in this case, it may not be so bad. Kirk has a solid history of target history and efficiency in his profile, with no lower than 1.72 yards per route in four straight seasons dating back to his final campaign in Arizona.
Will Kirk be a “target monster” this season? Well, possibly, but it all hinges on the rookies around him. Jayden Higgins is likely to start on the outside opposite Nico Collins, but Kirk will have a place in the slot for quarterback C.J. Stroud. The early-season production for Kirk should be solid as the second target for the Texans right out of the gate. If you drafted Rashee Rice or Jordan Addison and need front-loaded immediate production out of a wide receiver spot or your flex, there’s a solid chance Kirk wasn’t drafted. You could do much worse than Kirk for a half-dozen receptions in the early part of this season.
Dont’e Thornton (LV) | 5.8% on ESPN | 32% on Sleeper | 1-2% FAAB
This one is speculative for Thornton, but there’s a shot that Thornton could be the third target in an offense that’s packed with target-earning players like Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Thornton has the leg up over fellow rookie Jack Bech in the pecking order and will be the ‘X’ receiver on the line of scrimmage thanks to his 6-foot-5, 205-pound size. If he plays immediately, he’ll see a ton of early snaps, but he might be a safety puller for the other receiving options in this offense at the outset. It’s also possible that Amari Cooper could end up playing ‘X’ as well, which would be a shame since Cooper has taken several steps back and was signed just a week ago.
That said, Thornton ran a 4.30 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and he would provide a massive big-play element to this offense. He’s a contingent play, should one of the pass-catchers ahead of him get hurt, but he should be a stash in deeper leagues right now if you have the room.
Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson (DAL) | 66.3% ESPN | 71% Sleeper | <10% FAAB
When Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring tear in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, Jake Ferguson’s target share dropped off tremendously with Cooper Rush at QB. In the first 9 weeks with Dak under center, Ferguson ranked 7th among all TEs in targets (52) and 10th in average fantasy points per game (10.2). After Cooper took over, Ferguson dropped to a tie for 14th in targets (40) and fell to 29th in average fantasy points per game (6.3). If you’re looking for a 2nd tight end and Jake Ferguson’s available, then grab him now. Dak Prescott clearly loves targeting his starting tight end. Ferguson should return to fantasy-friendly TE2 production.
Brenton Strange (JAC) | 17.6% ESPN | 30% Sleeper | <5% FAAB
Strange played behind Evan Engram last season, though Engram appeared in only 9 games. When Strange stepped in as the TE1, he caught passes from both Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones. Surprisingly, Strange finished 2nd on the team in receiving yards (411), 3rd in receptions and targets (40 and 53, respectively), 3rd in yards after the catch (183), and tied with Gabe Davis for 3rd in receiving touchdowns (2). When Strange gets the ball, he produces. If you have the bench space for a 2nd tight end, then you can definitely expect TE2-level production out of Strange all season long.
Mason Taylor (NYJ) | 5.9% ESPN | 22% Sleeper | <5% FAAB
2nd round rookie out of LSU, Mason Taylor, is already sitting atop the tight end depth chart for the Jets. Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Jelani Woods are no threat to Mason Taylor’s production. When Justin Fields was with the Chicago Bears in 2023, starting tight end Cole Kmet finished as the TE8 and ranked 2nd on the team in targets with 91. In 6 games with the Steelers, Fields’ go-to TE, Pat Freiermuth, was the TE8 and was 2nd on the team in targets before Russell Wilson took over. Mason Taylor is well-positioned to become Fields’ 2nd favorite target in New York. If you enjoy stashing rookies, need a second tight end on your team, or want to take a chance on an unknown, then consider picking up Mason Taylor before someone else in your league does!
Streaming Defenses
Miami Dolphins (@ IND) | 4.6% ESPN | 4% Sleeper | <1$ of FAAB
This Miami defense isn’t one I will advocate starting very often in any format this season. However, if you’re streaming D/STs, chasing matchups is key, and this is a good one. The Dolphins travel to Indianapolis this weekend and get to pick on QB Daniel Jones, who has thrown more INTs (13) than TDs (10) over his last two seasons. This should be a low-scoring game, and history would dictate the Dolphins D/ST will get at least one turnover, making them a solid Week 1 rental.
Washington Commanders (vs NYG) | 12.7% ESPN | 70% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
Now we’re going to go from picking on former Giants QB Daniel Jones to picking on current Giants QB Russell Wilson. While the additions of veteran EDGE Von Miller and rookie CB Trey Amos should help this unit improve, I wouldn’t bank on them being a permanent fixture in your lineups. That said, a Week 1 matchup against what will likely be a hapless New York squad makes them an excellent D/ST streaming option to start the season.
Streaming Kickers
Evan McPherson (CIN) | 17.3% ESPN | 50% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
Chasing points is the point of streaming kickers, and Bengals K Evan McPherson should do just that this weekend against the lowly Cleveland Browns. The Bengals had the 5th highest redzone EPA (+0.103) of any offense in the league last season, and if they get off on the right foot in Cleveland in Week 1, McPherson should have plenty of opportunities to split the uprights to start the season.
Wil Lutz (DEN) | 17.2% ESPN | 27% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
The Denver Broncos appear to be on a mission, and the offense is poised to explode behind second-year QB Bo Nix. Most expect this game to be a blowout, and Denver K Wil Lutz is likely to see plenty of opportunities to score points for your squad. To be clear, Lutz won’t be a kicker you’ll want every week. That said, you could do much worse in Week 1 with this favorable matchup for the veteran kicker who finished as the overall K7 last season in a lesser offense.
Will Reichard (MIN) | 5.6% ESPN | 9% Sleeper | 1-2% of FAAB
I’m not here to wax poetic on kickers, but I can’t help myself with Will Reichard. Before injuring his quad in Week 9, the rookie kicker was perfect, making all 14 field goal attempts and 23 extra-point attempts. After a four-week stint on IR, he didn’t look as sharp as could be expected. However, with a full offseason to heal and a new season upon us, Reichard could be as close to a league-winning waiver wire acquisition as a kicker could ever be.
Wait, waiver wire before Week 1?
Absolutely! Here at Optimus Fantasy, we help you stay ready so you don’t have to get ready. We’re not saying you need to roster every player on this list. After all, you could end up with a team of all waiver wire finds, and then sacrifice your best players. That’s not what we’re after with this. We want you to examine your team, identify any areas of weakness, and then utilize the players in this list to supplement those positions. Maybe pick your favorite to “churn” the bottom of your roster on the chance they hit it big during the first week.
Alright, that’s enough of my rambling. Let’s get to it!
Quarterbacks
Geno Smith (LV) | 8.7% ESPN | 19% Sleeper | 2-3% of FAAB
It might seem early to call a player, especially a QB, a waiver wire steal, but that’s precisely what Geno Smith is. Despite going largely undrafted in most formats, Smith isn’t dead yet.
What was a disaster last year in Las Vegas is turning around. New head coach Pete Carroll has infused energy into what seemed like a dying franchise. Smith also has a solid set of offensive weapons led by TE1 Brock Bowers & first-round pick RB Ashton Jeanty. And let us not forget, Smith has been the most accurate QB in the league over the last 3 seasons, completing 68.3% of his passes.
It’s early yet, and blowing your FAAB budget on a QB is not recommended here. Lucky for you, you won’t need to. A low bid should secure him a spot on your roster. If you’re in a league that uses waiver priority, don’t waste a high slot unless you’re in desperate need of another QB immediately.
Michael Penix (ATL) | 19.2% ESPN | 38% Sleeper | 1-2% of FAAB
I’d be lying if I said I was excited about Falcons QB Michael Penix at any point over the last year. However, this isn’t about excitement; it’s about production and opportunity, and the Atlanta offense should provide plenty of that for the second-year QB.
Yes, we have a very small sample size to work with – Penix started three games last season with mixed results. However, Penix averaged 33 passing attempts in those starts, and the receiving corps he worked with last season remains mostly unchanged. The second-year QB is in a position to take a huge step this season, even if the Falcons don’t.
If you need to lock in a backup QB or don’t love your QB2 in a Superflex league, Penix is a solid addition. Of the available QBs leading up to Opening Weekend, Penix undoubtedly has the most potential to exceed expectations and find a way into your starting lineup every week.
Running Backs
Kenneth Gainwell (PIT) | 1.2% rostered ESPN | 2% rostered Sleeper | 2-3% FAAB
Kaleb Johnson is all the rage, and Jaylen Warren is everyone’s undervalued darling. The problem is that Johnson is squarely the 3rd RB on Pittsburgh’s depth chart. What’s more, it looks like he’s fit to cut into Warren’s 1st/2nd down role rather than Gainwell’s 3rd-down role. Don’t look for the high upside, but a role with consistent production is there for Gainwell. Cut Isaac Guerendo (84% rostered) to add Gainwell. Brian Robinson‘s addition to the San Francisco backfield bumps Guerendo down a rung.
Chris Brooks (GB) | 0.3% rostered ESPN |0% rostered Sleeper | 0-1% FAAB
If you’re the type to roster handcuffs, this is your kind of RB. Marshawn Lloyd can’t stay healthy, and Emanuel Wilson is now firmly behind both Lloyd and Brooks in the Green Bay RB pecking order. I know Josh Jacobs doesn’t get hurt, but RBs are fragile on the whole. Brooks is the guy to roster if you want to keep a step ahead in the Packers’ backfield.
Cut Raheem Mostert (58% rostered) to add Brooks. Mostert lost the backup RB job in Las Vegas to Zamir White. Yikes. Time to move on.
Wide Receivers
Jalen Coker (CAR) | 7.9% on ESPN | 15% on Sleeper 1-2% | FAAB
They tried to take us down, but the Cokeheads will have their day. Just because Jalen Coker went down with a quad injury doesn’t mean the party is over for us. He was placed on IR this past weekend and will miss at least the first four weeks of the season. This could be one of those free pickups, as if you have an IR spot that you can place Coker into, you can stash him there until he’s back and playing.
What you get in the best-case scenario from Coker is the potential second target for quarterback Bryce Young on a team that’s ascending and could be much better with the addition of Tetairoa McMillan to be the alpha. The second target spot is up for grabs with Coker leading it before his quad injury. Xavier Legette still exists, but his 2024 rookie season was awful, and his first-round draft capital won’t absolve him of his failings for much longer.
Coker was solidly efficient after earning his routes, and the Panthers cleared the way for Coker to play more regularly after dealing octogenarian Adam Thielen to Minnesota. He’s likely to man the slot, and that’s been a fruitful spot for this offense with Thielen’s target earnings. The fact that Coker was clearly ahead of Legette pre-injury should suggest that he will reclaim that mantle once he’s healthy. Add and stash for Week 5 and beyond.
Christian Kirk (HOU) | 27.7% on ESPN | 55% on Sleeper | 2-3% FAAB
Rostering Christian Kirk feels as boring as watching paint dry. The boomers who love past production and use that as a personality trait will tell you he’s going to be a target monster this season in Houston. It’s an addition to your roster that feels like eating your vegetables, but in this case, it may not be so bad. Kirk has a solid history of target history and efficiency in his profile, with no lower than 1.72 yards per route in four straight seasons dating back to his final campaign in Arizona.
Will Kirk be a “target monster” this season? Well, possibly, but it all hinges on the rookies around him. Jayden Higgins is likely to start on the outside opposite Nico Collins, but Kirk will have a place in the slot for quarterback C.J. Stroud. The early-season production for Kirk should be solid as the second target for the Texans right out of the gate. If you drafted Rashee Rice or Jordan Addison and need front-loaded immediate production out of a wide receiver spot or your flex, there’s a solid chance Kirk wasn’t drafted. You could do much worse than Kirk for a half-dozen receptions in the early part of this season.
Dont’e Thornton (LV) | 5.8% on ESPN | 32% on Sleeper | 1-2% FAAB
This one is speculative for Thornton, but there’s a shot that Thornton could be the third target in an offense that’s packed with target-earning players like Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Thornton has the leg up over fellow rookie Jack Bech in the pecking order and will be the ‘X’ receiver on the line of scrimmage thanks to his 6-foot-5, 205-pound size. If he plays immediately, he’ll see a ton of early snaps, but he might be a safety puller for the other receiving options in this offense at the outset. It’s also possible that Amari Cooper could end up playing ‘X’ as well, which would be a shame since Cooper has taken several steps back and was signed just a week ago.
That said, Thornton ran a 4.30 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, and he would provide a massive big-play element to this offense. He’s a contingent play, should one of the pass-catchers ahead of him get hurt, but he should be a stash in deeper leagues right now if you have the room.
Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson (DAL) | 66.3% ESPN | 71% Sleeper | <10% FAAB
When Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring tear in Week 9 against the Atlanta Falcons, Jake Ferguson’s target share dropped off tremendously with Cooper Rush at QB. In the first 9 weeks with Dak under center, Ferguson ranked 7th among all TEs in targets (52) and 10th in average fantasy points per game (10.2). After Cooper took over, Ferguson dropped to a tie for 14th in targets (40) and fell to 29th in average fantasy points per game (6.3). If you’re looking for a 2nd tight end and Jake Ferguson’s available, then grab him now. Dak Prescott clearly loves targeting his starting tight end. Ferguson should return to fantasy-friendly TE2 production.
Brenton Strange (JAC) | 17.6% ESPN | 30% Sleeper | <5% FAAB
Strange played behind Evan Engram last season, though Engram appeared in only 9 games. When Strange stepped in as the TE1, he caught passes from both Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones. Surprisingly, Strange finished 2nd on the team in receiving yards (411), 3rd in receptions and targets (40 and 53, respectively), 3rd in yards after the catch (183), and tied with Gabe Davis for 3rd in receiving touchdowns (2). When Strange gets the ball, he produces. If you have the bench space for a 2nd tight end, then you can definitely expect TE2-level production out of Strange all season long.
Mason Taylor (NYJ) | 5.9% ESPN | 22% Sleeper | <5% FAAB
2nd round rookie out of LSU, Mason Taylor, is already sitting atop the tight end depth chart for the Jets. Jeremy Ruckert, Stone Smartt, and Jelani Woods are no threat to Mason Taylor’s production. When Justin Fields was with the Chicago Bears in 2023, starting tight end Cole Kmet finished as the TE8 and ranked 2nd on the team in targets with 91. In 6 games with the Steelers, Fields’ go-to TE, Pat Freiermuth, was the TE8 and was 2nd on the team in targets before Russell Wilson took over. Mason Taylor is well-positioned to become Fields’ 2nd favorite target in New York. If you enjoy stashing rookies, need a second tight end on your team, or want to take a chance on an unknown, then consider picking up Mason Taylor before someone else in your league does!
Streaming Defenses
Miami Dolphins (@ IND) | 4.6% ESPN | 4% Sleeper | <1$ of FAAB
This Miami defense isn’t one I will advocate starting very often in any format this season. However, if you’re streaming D/STs, chasing matchups is key, and this is a good one. The Dolphins travel to Indianapolis this weekend and get to pick on QB Daniel Jones, who has thrown more INTs (13) than TDs (10) over his last two seasons. This should be a low-scoring game, and history would dictate the Dolphins D/ST will get at least one turnover, making them a solid Week 1 rental.
Washington Commanders (vs NYG) | 12.7% ESPN | 70% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
Now we’re going to go from picking on former Giants QB Daniel Jones to picking on current Giants QB Russell Wilson. While the additions of veteran EDGE Von Miller and rookie CB Trey Amos should help this unit improve, I wouldn’t bank on them being a permanent fixture in your lineups. That said, a Week 1 matchup against what will likely be a hapless New York squad makes them an excellent D/ST streaming option to start the season.
Streaming Kickers
Evan McPherson (CIN) | 17.3% ESPN | 50% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
Chasing points is the point of streaming kickers, and Bengals K Evan McPherson should do just that this weekend against the lowly Cleveland Browns. The Bengals had the 5th highest redzone EPA (+0.103) of any offense in the league last season, and if they get off on the right foot in Cleveland in Week 1, McPherson should have plenty of opportunities to split the uprights to start the season.
Wil Lutz (DEN) | 17.2% ESPN | 27% Sleeper | <1% of FAAB
The Denver Broncos appear to be on a mission, and the offense is poised to explode behind second-year QB Bo Nix. Most expect this game to be a blowout, and Denver K Wil Lutz is likely to see plenty of opportunities to score points for your squad. To be clear, Lutz won’t be a kicker you’ll want every week. That said, you could do much worse in Week 1 with this favorable matchup for the veteran kicker who finished as the overall K7 last season in a lesser offense.
Will Reichard (MIN) | 5.6% ESPN | 9% Sleeper | 1-2% of FAAB
I’m not here to wax poetic on kickers, but I can’t help myself with Will Reichard. Before injuring his quad in Week 9, the rookie kicker was perfect, making all 14 field goal attempts and 23 extra-point attempts. After a four-week stint on IR, he didn’t look as sharp as could be expected. However, with a full offseason to heal and a new season upon us, Reichard could be as close to a league-winning waiver wire acquisition as a kicker could ever be.
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