Week 1 for the 2022 season is in the books and it was a surprising Week 1. Dak Prescott got hurt, which is probably the most significant storyline from the week. A few guys I was touting in the offseason looked pretty good.
I am so happy the season has started. If you are reading this, pay special attention to anything I label NOTE, seriously, it will help you. Players in the bullets you may not want to add, but add them to your watch list at the very least.
NOTE: If you are new around here this column refers to players rostered in under 50% of Yahoo, ESPN, and Sleeper Leagues. Sleeper leagues are specifically for redraft. Sleeper measures dynasty and redraft rostership separately. Remember sleeper leagues even in redraft tend to have longer benches.
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz
Wentz opened the season throwing for 313 yards and 4 passing touchdowns. We had questions about how he might perform for Washington. Wentz targeted 10 different players in the game, spreading the ball around nicely.
13% rostered on Yahoo
16% rostered on ESPN
19% rostered on Sleeper
15% Free Agent Budget
Marcus Mariota
Mariota rushed for 72 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. He also passed for 215 yards. People don’t like him as a real quarterback, but I have utilized him well as a fantasy quarterback. If you are needy, pay attention to Mariota. Mariota utilized his wide receivers well, completing 12 of 15 passes to that position.
9% rostered on Yahoo
3% rostered on ESPN
17% rostered on Sleeper
8% Free Agent Budget
Jameis Winston
Winston threw for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns on Sunday. He also ran for another 9 yards, which was nothing to write home about. But, the Saints won the game, Winston’s QB rating was 111, he threw zero interceptions. If you were not in on Winston in the preseason, you still have a chance to add him now.
46% rostered on Yahoo
12% rostered on ESPN
51% rostered on Sleeper
15% Free Agent Budget
Other quarterbacks to consider if you are desperate:
- Ryan Tannehill – 266 yards 2 TDs
- Baker Mayfield – 235 yards TD
- Matt Ryan – 352 yards TD
Running Backs
NOTE: James Robinson is rostered in 58% of Yahoo leagues and would be my top waiver add if available at running back.
Jeff Wilson Jr.
There is competition for carries from Deebo Samuel and Trey Lance, but with Elijah Mitchell most likely to missing serious time, Wilson becomes a potential great addition as the primary running back for the Niners. He only had 22 yards rushing in Week 1 but would become the primary ball carrier at least for Week 2. With the injury news confirming his extended absense, move Wilson up to a top waiver target.
16% rostered on Yahoo
3% on ESPN
19% on Sleeper
20% Free Agent Budget
Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco had 12 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown in garbage time for the Chiefs. He is clearly the back up to Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
31% rostered on Yahoo
17% on ESPN
39% on Sleeper
5% Free Agent Budget
Rex Burkhead
Sexy Rexy or unsexy Rexy which probably suits him better, carried the ball 14 times for 40 yards and saw 8 targets in the passing game in Week 1. His 8 targets were the second most on the team behind only Brandin Cooks. That was 22% target share in Week 1. Unsexy has proved to produce when given a chance and healthy in the past. He does a little bit of it all. I like him.
13% rostered on Yahoo
17% on ESPN
14% on Sleeper
8% Free Agent Budget
Other running backs to consider if you are desperate:
- Kenneth Gainwell – got the goal line work and was the pass catching RB
- Khalil Herbert – got all the goal line work
- Dontrell Hilliard – 5 touches, 69 yards, 2 TDs (watch his touches go up)
- Zack Moss – 6 targets (it feels so dirty writing Zack’s name, almost like porn)
Wide Receivers
Curtis Samuel
Samuel is a player I am excited to see healthy. He runs, he catches, he scores, he fumbles. He literally filled the stat sheet in every category in Week 1. With 4 carries for 17 yards, 8 receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. That is a 27% target share the most on the Commanders, formerly the WFT, formerly the name we shall not mention. I am happy to see Curtis healthy and playing great, add him.
5% rostered on Yahoo
8% on ESPN
12% on Sleeper
15% Free Agent Budget
Robbie Anderson
All I heard all off season was DJ Moore, DJ Moore, DJ Moore since Baker Mayfield has ended up with the Panthers. Guess what Robby, or Robbie, or how ever you spell his name is the guy who benefited MORE Week 1 (see what I did there?). Anderson saw 30% target share. He had 5 receptions for 102 yards and a TD on 8 targets. Yes, for sure add Robby NOW, right now!.
11% rostered on Yahoo
37% on ESPN
16% on Sleeper
15% Free Agent Budget
Jarvis Landry
Landry developed a rapport with Winston in the off season. He saw a 26% target share on Sunday, leading to 9 targets for 7 receptions and 114 yards. Touchdowns will come. I absolutely love drafting him late and I am telling you add him now. Its amazing how available he is.
42% rostered on Yahoo
57% on ESPN
65% on Sleeper
15% Free Agent Budget
Other wide receivers to consider:
- Devin Duvernay – caught all 4 of his targets scored 2 TDs on a 13% target share
- Kyle Philips – 9 targets, 27% target share, add him in PPR
- Zay Jones – 9 Targets, 21% target share
- Donovan Peoples-Jones – 11 Targets, 33% target share
NOTE: there is a lot of fantasy goodness at the wide receiver position this week, I feel really good about every player named. Which is why I bulleted them out and gave you some information.
Tight Ends
Taysom Hill
4 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown rushing. 1 target for 1 reception and 2 yards receiving. I love Taysom because he can do so many things to be a value to a fantasy team. Throw the ball, run with it and catch it. He is an amazing weapon that the Saints will turn loose. If you need help at tight end, add him. No one will do more with their touches.
10% rostered on Yahoo
3% on ESPN
12% rostered on Sleeper
15% Free Agent Budget
Gerald Everett
Everett had 4 targets which he turned into 3 receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown for his first game as a Charger. His 4 targets were tied for the team lead as the ball was really spread around by Justin Herbert. It appears Everett has a role in one of the top scoring offenses in the league.
27% rostered on Yahoo
13% on ESPN
34% rostered on Sleeper
10% Free Agent Budget
Other tight ends to consider:
- Hunter Hurst – 8 targets, 15% target share
- Tyler Higbee – 11 targets, 27% target share
- Tyler Conklin – 7 Targets, 12% target share
- OJ Howard – 2 touchdowns, only 2 targets
NOTE: I would at least watch all 4 of the players I have bulleted out. They may very well end up as someone you want to add at TE.
Thanks for checking out our waiver wire column. For more great content from the Undroppables, follow us on Twitter, follow @MikeReedyFF for more great content, and visit back soon for Mike’s weekly Money Makers and Heart Breakers
