The wait is over. Welcome to Week 1, everyone. And while there are still some last-minute drafts to take place before things officially kick off Thursday night, chances are you’re here because you’re already scouring the waiver wire.
Perhaps you drafted Hollywood Brown and need a Week 1 replacement. Or you’re looking for an insurance policy for a player who got banged up during training camp. Whatever you’re here for, I’ll try to help you unearth some diamonds in the rough on the waiver wire. Each week, I’ll provide some deep waiver wire targets who are rostered on 20% of teams or less to stash on your rosters.
Here are the deep waiver wire targets for Week 1:
- Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Week 1 Deep Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets
Deep Waiver Wire Quarterback Targets
Will Levis (QB — TEN): 18% rostered
Levis isn’t someone I’m recommending as a starting option right away, but he’s definitely worth a stash if you’ve got someone like Trevor Lawrence or Kirk Cousins as your QB1 and are looking for some intriguing upside. We know Levis can fling it, but I’ll be watching to see how he performs in what should be a QB-friendly scheme under new coach Brian Callahan. Levis also has a pretty solid group of weapons to work with in Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins, Tyler Boyd and backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. A Week 1 matchup against a strong Bears secondary isn’t ideal, but that’s why Levis is simply a stash candidate right now.
Bo Nix (QB — DEN): 18% rostered
Much of the hype when it comes to this year’s rookie QB class revolves around Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams. But Nix could surprise and be a decent starting option in year one. The weapons in Denver aren’t as exciting as what Levis has to work with in Tennessee, but Nix will be running Sean Payton’s offense and offers some mobility.
Deep Waiver Wire Running Back Targets
Bucky Irving (RB — TB): 18% rostered
Irving might’ve slipped through the cracks in many drafts, but he could be worth stashing and seeing how he’s deployed in Week 1. I am not the biggest fan of Rachaad White, as I feel a lot of his fantasy value was propped up by a lot of short receptions last season. With new offensive coordinator Liam Coen running the offense, I wouldn’t be surprised if the rookie Irving put a dent into White’s workload.
Samaje Perine (RB — KC): 2% rostered
Perine wound up in a favorable situation in Kansas City after being cut by Denver at the end of the preseason. Now, he could see a decent amount of work as the change of pace back behind Isiah Pacheco. We’ve seen Jerick McKinnon have fantasy value in this very offense, and I could see Perine playing a similar role as a pass catcher.
Jaylen Wright (RB — MIA): 21% rostered
I’m cheating a bit here, but I wanted to mention Wright, who has an exciting skill set and might be a Raheem Mostert or De’Von Achane injury away from seeing a significant role in an explosive Miami offense. Neither of the backs ahead of Wright on the depth chart has proven to be injury-proof, and I think Wright is worth stashing as a back-end of the bench player.
Ray Davis (RB — BUF): 18% rostered
Another rookie who I’ll be monitoring in Week 1. I’m curious what role Davis will have in Buffalo’s offense behind starter James Cook. Could he see some goal-line work like Latavius Murray did a year ago? Could he see some early-down work and turn this backfield into more of a committee? Davis is a decent stash on a Bills offense that I expect to run the ball more often in 2024.
Braelon Allen (RB — NYJ): 11% rostered
Listen, Braelon Allen is only going to be fantasy-relevant in the event of a Breece Hall injury. But man, I think Allen is a talented runner who should see at least some action as the primary backup behind Hall. And if Hall happens to get hurt, Allen will be the next man up.
Deep Waiver Wire Wide Receiver Targets
Michael Wilson (WR — ARI): 15% rostered
There are plenty of people high on the Arizona offense coming into 2024. But while rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. is a second-round pick in drafts, the likely No. 2 receiver in this offense is essentially free. Wilson showed some flashes in his rookie campaign, and if you believe in Kyler Murray and this Cardinals offense, then you should roster Wilson too.
DeMario Douglas (WR — NE): 15% rostered
We could be getting a WR1 for free here. The Patriots added a pair of rookies to the receiving group in Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker, but Douglas was impressive during his rookie season. I’m not here to tell you New England’s offense will be any good in 2024. But they could be playing from behind a lot, which means plenty of targets could come Douglas’ way.
Jalen McMillan (WR — TB): 5% rostered
A rookie from Washington, McMillan could see a starting role right away in Tampa. With Chris Godwin expected to play mostly out of the slot in 2024, McMillan just has to beat out Trey Palmer for the role on the outside opposite Mike Evans.
Luke McCaffrey (WR — WSH): 4% rostered
There are worse flyers to take than on Christian McCaffrey‘s brother, who enters a wide-open race for the No. 2 receiver role in the Commanders’ passing game behind Terry McLaurin.
Deep Waiver Wire Tight End Targets
Tyler Conklin (TE — NYJ): 20% rostered
A healthy Aaron Rodgers has made plenty of fantasy-relevant tight ends. While Garrett Wilson will be the top dog in New York’s passing game, their receiving depth isn’t tremendous outside of Mike Williams, who is a walking injury. Conklin could slot in as a viable starter for anyone seeking decent production.
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