Let’s Go Shopping Week One

The biggest mistake I see Fantasy Football team managers making every season is to handle their waiver wire situation better. They either overreact and dump a week one dud while spending too much on that “One Hit Wonder” from week one or ignore waivers until they have a problem. It would be best if you were always looking to improve your roster on waivers every week. The format of your league and roster size will determine if you should make a move. Don’t chase points from the week before; chase the volume! Let’s go shopping after week one. Roster availability on ESPN Fantasy Football will be used as guidance but vary significantly from week to week. 

QB Position 

Jordan Love’s injury and poor performances by a few other QBs will instantly send many team managers to the waiver wires this week. 

Available 30% or More

Tua Tagovailoa: One of the few QBs over 300 yards in week one. 

Jared Goff: Leaned on the running game in week one but should have to throw more this week. 

Justin Herbert: Als has a great matchup this week against Carolina. 

Available 60% or More 

Baker Mayfield: He should continue to do well with an incredible arsenal of pass catchers. 

Matthew Stafford: He lost one of his best pass-catchers, but Cooper Kupp is healthy. 

Top 3 Overall: Tua Tagovailoa, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield

RB Position 

Available 30% or More

Zach Charbonnet: He will perform with passing down work even when Walker is healthy. 

Ty Chandler:  Got eight touches off the bench, and Aaron Jones often misses time. 

Available 60% or More

Bucky Irving:  Got nine carries, and starter Rachaad White didn’t look great. 

Jordan Mason:  If CMC misses another game, he is an instant start. 

Jaylen Wright:  Mostert and Achane had minor injuries in week one. 

Top 3 Overall:  Bucky Irving, Jordan Mason, Zach Charbonnet

WR Position

Available 30% or More

Rashid Sheheed: Dynamic playmaker when he is healthy. 

Khalil Shakir: Found the endzone in week one and is fighting for the WR1 pecking order with the Bills. 

Available 60% or More

Tyler Johnson:  Could be the answer to the question, “Who is this year’s Nacua?” 

Demarcus Robinson:  He played 92% of the snaps in week one and got more targets without Nacua. 

Brandin Cooks:  Seven targets and a TD in week one. 

Top 3 Overall:  Tyler Johnson, Demarcus Robinson, Rashid Shaheed 

TE Position

Available 30% or More

Pat Freiermuth:  Four receptions on four targets in week one.  

Available 60% or More

Isiah Likely:  He played 66% of the snaps and could be the third-best receiver on the Ravens. 

Colby Parkinson:  Played 88% of the snaps and got four receptions on five targets in week one. 

Foster Moreau:  Four receptions on four targets and a TD while playing 77% of the snaps. 

Top 3 Overall: Isiah Likely, Colby Parkinson, Pat Freiermuth 

FAAB Bank Advice 

• Isiah Likely 60% of Bank: There is no reason this player should be available in any format

• Bucky Irving 40% of Bank: He could get more of a primary role as the season goes along. 

• Jordan Mason 20% of Bank: If CMC returns in week two, his value drops considerably. 

• Tyler Johnson: 20% of Bank: Speculative move for a dynamic playmaker. 

• 10% on Jaylen Wright, Demarcus Robinson, Pat Freiermuth, Rashid Shaheed, Khalil Shakir

• <5% on the remaining players listed above by positional need. 

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Conclusion

Watching after waivers run every week is also a great idea to see which players get discarded by team managers who lack patience. Every league is different, and you never know who might be cut! In my home league, someone cut Jayden Reed to pick up a replacement for an injured QB before week one. Never be afraid to spend much of your FAAB money on the top players after week one. I wish you good luck with your waiver wire acquisitions this week.