Waiver Wire (Week 1)

Will Levis, Titans (19% rostered)

Levis is not a player you want to have as your only starting quarterback. There are going to be huge blowup weeks, followed by terrible dud weeks. The talent is there for Levis and if he can make a step in the right direction he has the potential to be a top-10 quarterback. He is going to need some help from his supporting cast and will need to milk the last ounces of production out of both Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins, but worse quarterbacks than Levis has produced for fantasy with less.

Bo Nix, Broncos (18% rostered)

Nix was profiled more as a backup quarterback coming out of college, but a top-12 selection changed that in a quick hurry. While there are still plenty of questions about Nix and his skillset, he may be the perfect fit for this Sean Payton offense that specializes in a short-area passing game. While I don’t expect Nix to have the success that Drew Brees had in this offense, he can easily be an efficient game-manager who produces like that of Brock Purdy.

Bryce Young, Panthers (9% rostered)

This one takes a leap of faith as it seems to have Zach Wilson-level potential. Bryce Young is only a year removed from being the first-overall pick in the NFL Draft, but that year was less than impressive. Young showed flashes of being able to run an NFL offense, despite a limited assortment of offensive weapons but was ultimately ineffective. That’s not to say that his career is over. We have seen quarterbacks to the level of Peyton Manning who were awful as rookies, so a rebound is possible. The Panthers retooled on offense this offseason, bringing in receiver Diontae Johnson and a handful of rookies, and the time is now to see if Young can take the next step with a suitable supporting cast. It’s make-or-break time for Young.

Deshaun Watson, Browns (34% rostered)

Adding Watson is taking a leap of faith. What was once a perennial top 5 quarterback has looked to be a shadow of his former self since his return from a lengthy legal battle and suspension. Watson has played in only 12 games over his two seasons in Cleveland and has battled injury when not suspended. I believe that Watson still has QB10 or better upside, he just needs to shake off the rust and stay on the field long enough to fall back into his old routines.

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (33% rostered)

Mayfield was a mid-range QB2 for the majority of his time in Cleveland with a high mark of QB16 until last season where he finished as QB10. The Buccaneer’s offense is a talented one with an excellent coaching staff that plays to Mayfield’s strengths and limits his weakness so this may be a sign of good things to come. What’s interesting is that after finishing as QB10, he has gone largely undrafted in 1QB leagues this offseason. If you drafted a rookie quarterback or even a risky veteran such as Deshaun Watson who we discussed above, Mayfield feels like a safe quarterback to pair with them in case your starter doesn’t pan out.

Geno Smith, Seahawks (30% rostered)

Smith played nearly a decade in the NFL with his rookie QB20 finish being his career-best. That all changed in 2022 when he took over as a starter for Russell Wilson. Smith would have a breakout season that year as he morphed into a dual-threat quarterback and earned himself a QB5 finish. After that breakout season, he reverted to his old form and finished as QB19. It’s entirely possible that Smith was a one-hit wonder who will never repeat his 2022 season, but if he is more than that, he is a free shot at a potential top-12 quarterback.

Ty Chandler, Vikings (36% rostered)

Chandler has shown flashes of explosiveness that could make him a valuable asset, especially if he gains a more prominent role in the Viking’s backfield. With injuries seemingly following Aaron Jones around the past few years, the opportunities could be right around the corner. Chandler could seize an opportunity to become a significant contributor. Additionally, his versatility in both the running game and the passing game offers a higher ceiling compared to other waiver options, making him a solid speculative pickup for fantasy managers looking to bolster their roster with a high-upside player.

Khalil Herbert, Bears (33% rostered)

Herbert is a solid waiver wire target in fantasy football due to his potential to become a key component of the Chicago Bears offense. With a blend of speed and vision, Herbert has shown he can be an explosive playmaker in both rushing and receiving situations. As the Bears’ backfield continues to evolve, particularly if the team experiences injuries or inefficiencies among their other running backs, Herbert’s role could expand significantly.

Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos (29% rostered)

The theme continues for running back waiver ads, ambiguous backfields. By all accounts, the Denver backfield should belong firmly to Javonte Williams, who had been a solid producer when healthy. A full year removed from a season-ending injury and it remains to be seen if Williams will even be the explosive, tackle-breaking machine he was in college and as a rookie. In this situation, anything is possible and McLaughlin could be the 1B to Williams. In any case, he is a worthwhile stash with some standalone value.

Trey Benson, Cardinals (81% rostered)

If you aren’t going to target an ambiguous backfield, then your next best bet is to target rookies who could potentially be in for some volume if they win the handcuff lottery. Benson is the first of the two rookie running backs I will highlight. He is heavily rostered as the direct handcuff to injury-prone veteran James Conner. If Conner gets injured, Benson is a lottery ticket waiting to be cashed. Even if Conner stays healthy, Benson likely has some standalone value in a smaller role for the Cardinals.

Blake Corum, Rams (81% rostered)

Corum is the second rookie running back in this rostership range and while he doesn’t have the luxury of being behind an aging and injury-prone running back, he does have the benefit of being behind a running back with no draft capital and only one year of proven production. If Corum finds himself in a committee with Kyren Williams, he could be the steal of the century. The risk with Corum though, is that he could find himself as the next Zach Charbonnet, who was drafted behind Ken Walker and spent his rookie season with little-to-no volume.

Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (81% rostered)

At this point, Chuba Hubbard is the winning lottery ticket you should have already cashed. In the event you didn’t draft him, it may not be too late. Go check your waiver wire. As we have said all offseason, rookie Jonathon Brooks is going to start the season on the PUP list, which means Hubbard is the handcuff that is guaranteed a minimum of four weeks of fantasy relevance. Similar to that of Cleveland’s Jerome Ford, Hubbard is a free roll that could have season-long value our simply opening month value. Either way, he is a free RB2 if he is still available on your waiver wire.

Jerry Jeudy, Browns (41% rostered)

Jeudy is appealing for the exact opposite reason I target the Patriots and Charger’s receivers. In Cleveland, it’s Amari Cooper and an empty receiving room. Jeudy has proven in Denver that when he stays healthy he is capable of putting up WR2 numbers, he just needs to stay healthy. If Deshaun Watson can rediscover some of his early-career magic, Jeudy could be a massive find. He is worth the gamble.

Gabe Davis, Jaguars (36% rostered)

Davis has always been your typical boom-or-bust receiver who has always been better for best-ball leagues. After some record-breaking performances in Buffalo, he now finds himself a Jaguar which could present him with a unique opportunity. Calvin Ridley has moved on in the offseason, leaving only Chrisitan Kirk and Brian Thomas Jr. Kirk has always been a better WR2 than WR1 and anything is possible for Thomas Jr, so it’s a worthwhile gamble to take on Davis in the event he finds his way into a larger role.

Adonai Mitchell, Colts (26% rostered)

Michael Pittman is the obvious WR1 in Indianapolis, with a collection of misfits being him on the depth chart. Josh Downs showed some potential in 2023, but Mitchell seems far more likely to be the WR2 in this offense that could be as high-flying as they come if Anthony Richardson can stay healthy. Mitchell is a nearly free shot at a flex receiver with WR2 upside.

Romeo Doubs, Packers (81% rostered)

Welcome to the Holy Grail of ambiguous receiving rooms. A room that features Doubs alongside Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Jayden Reed. Doubs is my choice to lead the team as he seems to be the most consistent of the bunch, outside of Reed who isn’t likely to be available on your waiver wire. Pencil Reed in as the Green Bay WR1, but Doubs should be able to secure the WR2 job as he is far more talented than Wicks and far more likely to stay healthy than Watson.

Joshua Palmer, Chargers (81% rostered)

I mentioned Quentin Johnston earlier in this column as he is my preferred target in the Los Angeles offense. He has a higher ceiling and lower price tag than Palmer, but if safety is the route you are looking to take then perhaps Palmer is the guy for you. Palmer will be the definition of a steady flex-play, but I wouldn’t expect much more than that. This roster comes down to what you are looking for on the waiver wire.

Rashid Shaheed, Saints (81% rostered)

Shaheed was a sneaky, solid producer in 2023 with Michael Thomas largely useless. Chris Olave is the WR1 in this middling offense led by Derek Carr but with Thomas now out of town the opportunity is here for Shaheed to put up his first 1,000-yard season. If your league counts punt or kick return stats with any kind of significant weight, Shaheed is a huge sleeper who put up a monster return number last year.

Ben Sinnott, Commanders (10% rostered)

The cheap side of the tight-end pool sees two rookies as prime targets. These two are on two different sides of the coin for me. During my predraft process, Sinnott was my TE2 behind Brock Bowers, while Ja’Tavion Sanders was my TE3. So as far as talent goes, I prefer Sinnott. However, Sinnott is the more expensive of the two and has a less enticing situation for his rookie season. Sinnott finds himself on a Commander’s offense that only sports one bonafide receiver in Terry McLaurin, now that Jahan Dotson has been traded to the Eagles. My concern is Zach Ertz. While Ertz may not be fantasy-relevant and hasn’t been for years, that hasn’t stopped him from spoiling some prime years for some great tight ends. For several years Ertz limited the value of Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia as well as ruining almost a year and a half of Trey McBride‘s first two seasons. Sinnott is a talented player, but Ertz is going to be a problem, hopefully not for long.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, Panthers (1% rostered)

As I said above, Sanders is not as talented as Sinnott, but he’s cheaper and in a better position to produce immediately. The Panthers have Diontae Johnson followed by a motley crew of uncertainty. The rest of the receiving corps consists of over-the-hill Adam Thielen and overdrafted rookie Xavier Legette. While rookie running back Jonathon Brooks is going to start the season on the PUP list. Thos situation is certain to present Sanders with the opportunity to prove his worth.

Hunter Henry, Patriots (29% rostered)

Good Lord is Hunter Henry boring! Henry is certain to have his relevant games where he catches four passes for 4 yards and two touchdowns and will fill out the rest of the ceiling with sub-10 point outings. Henry has a low ceiling and a low floor, but he is a solid option in the event you are beyond desperate at tight end. Henry won’t win you a week, but his six points are better than a zero, kind of.

Cade Otton, Buccaneers (26% rostered)

Otton is talented and has seen his share of opportunities in 2023, especially in the red zone, but he wasn’t able to parlay that into a solid fantasy season. Mayfield isn’t a high-volume passer and between Chris Gowdin, Mike Evans, and Rachaad White there may be a crunch for targets in Tampa Bay, but he is one of the few readily available tight ends that has the potential to be a hit.