Going to be honest…I did not see that Week 1 coming. Outside of the Tyreek Hill masterpiece and the Dallas dismantling of the New York Football Giants, the fantasy scores left me unimpressed. I think it is safe to say we will see marked improvements across the board in Week 2 and beyond.
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So, what do we do now after the lackluster Week 1? Well, we evaluate our roster, specifically injuries, and then we remind ourselves it is only one week, and we must not panic. Today’s column will focus on a few names available on the waiver wire and some names we need to hold onto even though they underperformed.
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WAIVERS:
QB: After a fantastic Week 1, Jordan Love, QB, GB, will probably be scooped up quickly in 1QB formats. You know me…I am a Packers homer and reveled in the waxing we just handed the Bears in Chicago. Be careful and temper your expectations for Love. I am not sure you should expect 3 TDs each game. That is simply unrealistic. Love is currently available in 70% of Yahoo leagues, so he is a QB to stash if you are uncomfortable with the play of your current QB1.
RB: The Ravens report J.K. Dobbins, RB, BAL, tore his Achilles and is done for the season. This poor kid cannot stay on the field, but the Ravens always seem to have a group of RBs ready as the next man up. So, what now? Well, it is time to play RB roulette to decide whether to add Justice Hill (8 carries for 9 yards netting 2 TDs) or Gus Edwards (8 carries, 32 yards, 2-Pt conversion). Hill is available in 97% of Yahoo leagues, and Edwards clocks in at 80%. If you lost Dobbins, grab one of these two unless your RB depth allows you to focus your waivers elsewhere. I tend to lean Edwards but could live with either RB if desperate.
WR: Your top waiver target should be Puka Nacua, WR, LAR. Notice I typed “You” and not “My” before “top waiver target”. The reason should be obvious to any of you who follow me and read my posts/articles. I have been pushing Nacua for weeks and doubled down with the Cooper Kupp IR news. My guy Puka did not disappoint with 10 catches for 119 yards on 15 targets! It was obvious to me leading up to the season that Puka was a better option than Van Jefferson, and the rookie WR certainly proved me right, at least for one week. It appears as if most people did not believe me, as Nacua is currently available in 94% of Yahoo leagues. Will he continue to blossom for the Rams? Time will tell. I am confident his role will decrease when Kupp returns, but now is not the time to worry about Week 5. Plan for Week 2 and address Week 5 when it’s here.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Allgeier, RB, ATL (56% rostered)
DON’T PANIC:
As mentioned above, it has only been one week, so if you lost, blown out even, relax. It will be OK. There is no need to rush to drop any specific player.
QB: I hesitate to mention these names, but I have seen crazier things happen. Do not, for one minute, consider dropping Joe Burrow, Justin Fields, Lamar Jackson, Geno Smith, or Daniel Jones. All will be fine. They just had a rough start to begin the 2023 campaign. Stay the course, and do not get fooled by Mac Jones’ 3 TDs. Those TDs will not be the norm, and you will kick yourself if you bench our QB1 in favor of a name like Jones.
RB: Though each had less than stellar games, you should hold and continue to start Joe Mixon, Kenneth Walker III, and Saquon Barkley. All three played enough to know they were not hampered by any injuries. They just had a rough Week 1. Each will be fine. In fact, now may be the time to trade for one of these names, especially the first two, as they had some injury concerns heading into the season, and the team rostering them may be quick to pull the trigger, sending them out of town. That panic button is one you should not push; rather, be on the hunt for owners with their hand hovering over it.
WR: Deebo Samuel took a back seat to our guy Brandon Aiyuk in Week 1. Season-long, I favor Aiyuk while also being cognizant enough of the SF offense to know Deebo will get his, so do not panic after the first week. In the same game, George Pickens was disappointing, but he, too, will be just fine. With the injuries sustained by both Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth, look for Pickens to step up as the #1 option for the Steelers offense. Do not try to be the smart guy in your league by jumping on the likes of Tutu Atwell, Rashid Shaheed, or River Cracraft.
Honorable Mention: Tight Ends. Right now, the TE position is crazy. Only add a TE from the wire if a Top 12 name was dropped. Otherwise, just ride the TE wave where it takes you.
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-Mitch-
