Week 1 is finally in the books and what a strange week it was. Upsets everywhere, players being benched for unknown reasons, players being useless that are normally studs, but hey that's football boys and girls. With every week that goes by, injuries pop up or players shine through the muck, and you will need to grab them from your waiver wire as fast as you can. I will only be mentioning people who are owned in 50% or less of leagues, unless I believe the player should be owned in 100% of leagues. Also, keep an eye on your free agent markets for players that your foolish league mates have given up on too early. Sometimes these players are worth more than the players they are picking up! Waiver Wire Madness is about to begin.
Mark Ingram- 12% owned
Mark Ingram is the unquestioned RB1 for the undefeated, division leading Houston Texans. In all seriousness, having a starting running back still holds value even if he is on your bench. He had a great vs the Jaguars, putting up 85 yards and 1 TD on 26 touches. I will say this is a better pickup option for people in standard leagues or .5 ppr leagues since he is practically useless in the passing game. I scooped him up late in one of my drafts after trading for the pick, and I think I am a borderline genius after Week 1.
Copyright: USA Today
Tim Patrick- 3% owned
With the injury to Jerry Jeudy, someone has to step up and help make plays for the Broncos. Tim Patrick took advantage last year when Sutton was injured, and I believe that he can do the same in 2021. The Jeudy injury looked worse than it was, but he will still miss significant time. Patrick finished the Week 1 matchup vs the Giants with 4 receptions for 39 yards and a TD. It will be between Patrick and Hamler, but I believe that Patrick is the more skilled receiver, so I will take a stab at him.
Copyright: Denver Post
Elijah Mitchell- 5% owned
Here we go again with the carousel of running backs on the injury report for the 49ers. Raheem “glass knees” Mostert is set to miss significant time, so Trey Sermon will be the lead back for the foreseeable future. This leaves the highly valuable role of being the RB2 open for the 49ers, and Elijah Mitchell is that guy pal. Mitchell did what seems like every 49ers RB has done for the past few seasons, put up big numbers when their time has come. He finished the game with 104 yards and a TD on 19 carries, however did not receive a single target in the passing game. Nevertheless, he is still someone I would scoop up and have on my rosters moving forward without question.
Copyright: USA Today
Jameis Winston- 47% owned
I’ve been banging this drum all offseason, but for some reason he is still only 47% owned. In his first start as the Saints QB, Winston ate a W while throwing for 14 of 20 for 148 yards and 5 TDs. Do you know what the best part about that stat line is? He didn’t throw one single INT! The Saints D put on a clinic vs the Packers in Week 1 which allowed him to play uber efficiently without having to take any true risks. I’ve said it since June, Winston can be a league winner.
Copyright: USA Today
Taylor Heinicke- 3% owned
Ryan Fitzpatrick will be missing a big chunk of time, if not the entire season, which leaves Taylor Heineke as the starter for the WFT. You may know him for his glorious diving TD attempt in the postseason last year. Heinicke stepped in after the Fitz injury and 11/15 for 122 yards and a TD, along with 3 rushes for 17 yards. Here at FFD, we are big Heineke guys, he brings some swagger to the game and has the chance to really shine. He goes up against the Giants in Week 2 on Thursday night, could be worth a stream option if you need one.
Copyright: AP Images
Sterling Shepard- 40% owned
So I guess the reports at the very end of preseason were true in that Sterling Shepard will be the WR1 for this team, even after signing Golladay. I was off of all Giants players personally, because of questions with the OLine and QB play and still am. But fantasy football isn't about being biased in your opinion, it's about the numbers and the eye test. Shepard brought in 7 catches on 9 targets for 113 yards and a TD in the loss to Denver. The Giants are not a good football team, and will be throwing the ball more than anyone wants to see Danny Dimes throw, there will be value in owning a WR on this team.
Copyright: USA Today
Gerald Everett- 41% owned
Gerald Everett could be a streamer depending on matchups, but if you want a backup TE with some great touchdown potential look this way. Everett is the best TE that the Seahawks have had in years, and is a serious threat in the redzone. He caught both targets for 20 yards and a score in the win vs the Colts. I think that Everett is a great stash on your bench if you have the roster spot, if you don't, keep him in mind when your TE goes on bye week or gets hurt.
Copyright: Seattle Times
Some players I’d consider adding as well:
K.J. Hamler- 7% owned
Sammy Watkins- 26% owned
Christian Kirk- 20% owned
Teddy Bridgewater- 14% owned
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