Hello, everyone. I hope you enjoyed Week 1 of the NFL season! It was filled with tons of exciting, high-scoring games, jaw-dropping moments and some fantasy studs and duds.
If you had a guy like Amari Cooper on your fantasy roster, you were probably riding high into Sunday (and likely into Monday/Tuesday as well because you likely won your game). On the flip side, if you started a guy like Aaron Rodgers or Brandon Aiyuk, you probably didn't have the most fantastic Sunday.
I guess the moral of the story here is that no matter how successful your fantasy team was in Week 1, you are likely still trying to improve. There is a sea of players on the waiver wire ripe for the picking, and there are even a few with future fantasy starter potential.
I'm here to take the pain out of rummaging through names upon names on the waiver wire as I tell you my top five players to take a look at.
1. Elijah Mitchell (available in 96.2% of leagues)
This is your prized possession of the week. This is the guy that will likely overhaul your shitty team and turn it into an instant contender.
After the news dropped that Raheem Mostert will be officially out for the year, Mitchell is apparently the first in line for a starter's load of reps, and we got a sneak peak at what that will look like for the future in San Francisco's first game.
I'm aware he was playing the Lions in Week 1 and they aren't exactly the cream of the crop, but the 49ers made is very obvious that this will be a featured back.
Mitchell rushed for 104 yards (a Week 1 rookie rushing record) on 19 attempts and even added a touchdown in the process.
The only bad news here is that he doesn't appear to be the guy they plan to use in passing situations as JaMycal Hasty got most of the work in that department. The thing is, San Francisco is a good football team that will likely be playing with a lead most of the time. So, if anything, the run game will be more of an emphasis.
You don't see an RB2 drop into your lap every day, but if you lost in Week 1 and have a good spot in the waiver order, this is the guy you NEED to pick up.
2. Mark Ingram (available in 86.7% of leagues)
This guy didn't step into a big role by way of injury but more so by Week 1 clarifying Houston's backfield situation.
Coming into the season, I would look at the Texans' depth chart and grimace at the sight of this team's crowded running back room.
Does a team really need Mark Ingram, Phillip Lindsay, David Johnson AND Rex Burkhead?? We've seen each of these players eat as recently as last year! I just wanted to wait and see how these touches would be divvied up, and unless Houston is changing its game plan on a week-to-week basis, it's pretty obvious Ingram is the Texans' running back (or at least on first and second down).
Ingram scored 14.5 fantasy points on Sunday with 85 rushing yards and a touchdown on 26 carries!
I don't care how much you are winning by. That amount of touches is absurd even in bell cow situations. The other three running backs mentioned earlier combined for 15 rushes, so you know who will be getting the ball in rushing situations.
His 3.3 YPC average isn't the most attractive number ever, but if he continues to get fed the ball in addition to getting the first crack at goal line carries, there's no reason to not pick him up.
Also, the Texans looked a lot better than expected, so Ingram might be running the ball much more than many planned.
3. Jameis Winston (available in 69.9% of leagues)
I had my doubts about Jameis Winston after seeing the same old thing for five years in Tampa Bay, but it seems that the New Orleans coaching staff really broke through with him.
I didn't see many of his trademark "chuck and good luck" throws. The long pass - which he loves - was still existent, but those throws weren't bad decisions.
What is getting ignored too much for my liking as well is that he did this against Green Bay! While the team's run defense hasn't been the best over the years, the pass defense is usually pretty competent.
He dominated a defense featuring the likes of Jaire Alexander, Adrian Amos, Kenny Clark and Za'Darius Smith!
If he passed for five touchdowns and racked up 29 fantasy points against an elite squad, I honestly wonder what he will do against inferior opponents.
I don't think he is that guy we saw in Tampa anymore.
I think it's more likely Winston puts up Drew Brees-like fantasy numbers this year than Bucs Jameis Winston numbers.
Pick him up to get a low-tier starter or a high-tier backup.
4. Tim Patrick (available in 99.3% of leagues)
Now we're getting into the waiver wire targets that are nothing more than bye week plays.
With Jerry Jeudy out for about a month and a half, everyone is moving up the depth chart one slot.
Yes, Courtland Sutton appears to be the most likely option to take most of the extra targets, but Bridgewater and Sutton didn't appear to be on the same page Sunday.
It was actually KJ Hamler, Noah Fant and Patrick taking over while Sutton finished with just one catch on three targets.
Out of those names, I have the most confidence in Patrick with his fantastic hands to take advantage of this opportunity.
He finished with 13.9 fantasy points in Week 1 bringing in all four of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown.
With his touchdown total already off to a hot start, all he needs now are touches, and he will get there as soon as Week 2.
5. Bryan Edwards (available in 81.9% of leagues)
After being a star wideout for the Gamecocks at the University of South Carolina, Edwards' transition to the NFL has been pretty slow... until now.
His first season pretty much got derailed by injuries that in turn sent him to the back of the depth chart.
Now, he's the team's number two wideout and, arguably, the most productive one. Henry Ruggs' speed is no secret, but the jury is still out with his ability as a wideout.
Edwards had the better night of the two on Monday catching four passed on five targets for 81 yards. He was also Derek Carr's go-to guy down the stretch besides Waller.
With Carr passing for 435 yards last night against a tough Ravens defense, this might be a return to his MVP-level year in 2016. If that is true, SOMEONE is going to have to be catching the passes, and Waller won't be doing all of the work.
My faith in Ruggs is waning, so I expect a big season out of Edwards. I think he will develop into one of Carr's favorite receivers and he may even be one of the surprise fantasy players of the year.
Get him while you can!
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