Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 1

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks Sean Gardner / Getty Images Sport / GettyJameis Winston, Saints

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at ATL	46%	$1

We highlighted Winston as a sleeper this offseason after he performed well as the Saints' starter in a 2021 campaign that ended early due to an ACL tear.

Now he returns to an offense with a revamped receiving corps that features veterans Michael Thomas and Jarvis Landry, as well as first-round rookie Chris Olave. With Alvin Kamara avoiding a suspension for now, New Orleans has an abundance of playmakers in the passing game.

Winston will put them to work against a Falcons defense that ranked 29th in Football Outsiders' pass defense DVOA last season.

It makes him an intriguing option this week and someone with the potential to surprise in fantasy this year.

Streaming options: Matt Ryan at HOU (45% rostered), Ryan Tannehill vs. NYG (20% rostered), Carson Wentz vs. JAX (13% rostered), Jared Goff vs. PHI (23% rostered), Baker Mayfield vs. CLE (18% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Mac Jones at MIA (35% rostered), Daniel Jones at TEN (27% rostered), Davis Mills vs. IND (6% rostered), Mitch Trubisky at CIN (5% rostered), Marcus Mariota vs. NO (9% rostered), Joe Flacco vs. BAL (1% rostered), Jacoby Brissett at CAR (3% rostered), Geno Smith vs. DEN (9% rostered)

Long-term stashes: Zach Wilson vs. BAL (7% rostered), Kenny Pickett at CIN (7% rostered)

Running backs Scott Taetsch / Getty Images Sport / GettyMike Davis/Kenyan Drake, Ravens

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at NYJ	29%/11%	$1/$1

As we wait for an update on J.K. Dobbins' availability, it seems there's a good chance he'll be held out or extremely limited in Week 1 against the Jets.

While we don't know for certain how the Ravens would deploy their backs in Dobbins' absence, we're projecting Davis to see the most touches this week since he's been with the team for several months.

Drake, whom Baltimore signed around cut-down day, is more likely to serve as a complementary back in the opener. But he might have more long-term fantasy value than Davis if he performs well in that role.

With Gus Edwards out indefinitely, Drake could be Dobbins' running mate once the latter is healthy.

Whether you're considering Davis or Drake, it's important to remember veteran Devonta Freeman averaged double-digit fantasy points in half-PPR formats from Week 6 onward last year - in large part thanks to the dominance of Baltimore's rushing attack. And though the Jets have made some upgrades, they still allowed the most fantasy per game to running backs (25.7) in the league last season.

Hopefully, you drafted well enough to avoid this situation. But if you're looking for short-term solutions at running back, Davis and Drake are worth consideration.

J.D. McKissic, Commanders

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. JAX	32%	$1

Before rookie Brian Robinson was sidelined, we weren't recommending McKissic for fantasy this season.

Carson Wentz doesn't have a great history throwing to his running backs, and the backfield was projecting to be a three-back committee featuring Robinson, McKissic, and Antonio Gibson.

Since then, Washington's coaching staff has soured on Gibson due to his fumbling issues, and Robinson went on the reserve/non-football injury list - meaning he'll be out for at least the first four weeks.

That leaves Gibson and McKissic to handle the bulk of the Commanders' backfield snaps, with Jonathan Williams possibly working in on some short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Knowing Ron Rivera and co. were already losing faith in Gibson, expect McKissic to remain heavily involved. The overqualified pass-catching specialist could be a solid flex option until Robinson returns.

Kenneth Gainwell and Raheem Mostert are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

High-upside backups like Khalil Herbert (41% rostered), Rachaad White (35% rostered), and Isiah Pacheco (31% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Mark Ingram at ATL (25% rostered), Boston Scott at DET (6% rostered), Rex Burkhead vs. IND (5% rostered), Jamaal Williams vs. PHI (48% rostered), Eno Benjamin vs. KC (7% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Ameer Abdullah at LAC (7% rostered), Damien Williams vs. NO (1% rostered), Jerick McKinnon at ARI (5% rostered), Travis Homer vs. DEN (1% rostered)

Other backups to roster: Tyler Allgeier vs. NO (29% rostered), Dontrell Hilliard vs. NYG (7% rostered), Samaje Perine vs. PIT (7% rostered), Jeff Wilson at CHI (8% rostered), Tyrion Davis-Price at CHI (4% rostered), Zack Moss at LAR (3% rostered), Jaylen Warren at CIN (2% rostered)

Injury stashes: Brian Robinson vs. JAX (43% rostered), Gus Edwards at NYJ (15% rostered)

Deep stashes: Kyren Williams vs. BUF (1% rostered), Jonathan Williams vs. JAX (0% rostered), DeeJay Dallas vs. DEN (0% rostered), Trey Sermon at DET (3% rostered), Snoop Conner at WAS (0% rostered)

Wide receivers Jason Hanna / Getty Images Sport / GettyJahan Dotson, Commanders

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. JAX	21%	$4

How is Dotson only rostered in 21% of fantasy leagues?

He enters his rookie season as the Commanders' No. 2 wideout with first-round draft capital and plenty of buzz from OTAs, training camp, and the preseason. Multiple beat writers have also noted his connection with his new quarterback Wentz.

There aren't many late-round fantasy receivers with the potential to break out on their own merit, but Dotson could be an impact player right away.

You'll regret it if you let him sit on your waiver wire through Week 1.

Romeo Doubs, Packers

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at MIN	32%	$4

At this point, Doubs has received enough praise throughout training camp and the preseason that it's surprising to see him only drafted in a third of leagues.

Even if the Packers spread the ball around more in the post-Davante Adams era - as head coach Matt LaFleur has suggested will be the case - there's still an opportunity for the rookie to carve out a prominent role.

The fourth-rounder has displayed big-play ability and a nose for the end zone every time he's taken the field for Green Bay.

With Allen Lazard's status suddenly in doubt due to undisclosed reasons and second-rounder Christian Watson working his way back from injury, Doubs might earn a sizeable target share in Week 1 against the Vikings; if Lazard is out, Doubs' main competition will be past-their-prime veterans Sammy Watkins and Randall Cobb.

Consider it a gift if Doubs is still available on your waiver wire.

Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
at TEN	10%	$3

The Giants' receiver room is completely up in the air.

Kadarius Toney is struggling to stay healthy and on the field, Kenny Golladay is turning to dust in front of our eyes, and Sterling Shepard is working his way back from an Achilles tear.

It opens the door for Robinson, the second-round rookie, to take on a potentially massive workload in Year 1. In fact, it's not out of the question that the 21-year-old - who was handpicked by New York's new regime - leads the team in targets this season.

Robinson was one of the stars of the Giants' offseason program and has yards-after-catch ability that could make life easier for the oft-inconsistent Daniel Jones. In addition to being the starting slot receiver, Robinson could also occasionally serve as a weapon out of the backfield.

Either way, he needs to be rostered until we learn the size of his role in an offense that desperately needs him to step up.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Isaiah Mckenzie, Treylon Burks, and DeVante Parker are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Garrett Wilson vs. BAL (27% rostered), D.J. Chark vs. PHI (32% rostered), K.J. Osborn vs. GB (11% rostered), Jarvis Landry at ATL (39% rostered), Jakobi Meyers at MIA (40% rostered), Robbie Anderson vs. CLE (11% rostered), Nico Collins vs. IND (31% rostered), Parris Campbell at HOU (5% rostered), Jalen Tolbert vs. TB (22% rostered), Marvin Jones at WAS (8% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Rondale Moore vs. KC (30% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Zay Jones at WAS (16% rostered), Josh Palmer vs. LV (21% rostered), Alec Pierce at HOU (8% rostered), Skyy Moore at ARI (40% rostered), Curtis Samuel vs. JAX (3% rostered), Mecole Hardman at ARI (30% rostered), Nelson Agholor at MIA (1% rostered), Nick Westbrook-Ikhine vs. NYG (1% rostered), Sammy Watkins at MIN (22% rostered), A.J. Green vs. KC (7% rostered), Noah Brown vs. TB (0% rostered)

Other receivers to roster: Christian Watson at MIN (11% rostered), Randall Cobb at MIN (4% rostered), Byron Pringle vs. SF (1% rostered), Devin Duvernay at NYJ (13% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus vs. NO (0% rostered), Kyle Philips vs. NYG (1% rostered)

Injury stashes: Michael Gallup vs. TB (36% rostered), Jameson Williams vs. PHI (21% rostered), Odell Beckham Jr. vs. BUF (12% rostered), Tyquan Thornton at MIA (1% rostered), Sterling Shepard at TEN (1% rostered)

Tight ends Mitchell Leff / Getty Images Sport / GettyTyler Conklin, Jets

Next Up	Rostered	FAB
vs. BAL	2%	$1

If you've been following our offseason content, you should be familiar with Conklin, whom we identified as a deep sleeper before training camp.

Since then, it's been one glowing report after another. Head coach Robert Saleh has said Conklin's been "awesome" and "fantastic," while beat writers like The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt have noted that the tight end has become a favorite target of both Zach Wilson and Joe Flacco.

Despite the target competition on the Jets' offense, it wouldn't be shocking to see Conklin break out. When Irv Smith Jr. was sidelined last year with the Vikings, Conklin stepped in and posted the 10th-most receptions (61) and 13th-most yards (593) among all tight ends.

While you likely don't need an alternative starter at tight end immediately after your draft, Conklin is someone to keep in mind as an early-season pickup or bye-week replacement.

Austin Hooper is close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky streamer options: Gerald Everett vs. LV (23% rostered), Noah Fant vs. DEN (21% rostered), Evan Engram at WAS (25% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Hayden Hurst vs. PIT (10% rostered), Cameron Brate at DAL (9% rostered), Brevin Jordan vs. IND (3% rostered), Mo Alie-Cox at HOU (9% rostered), Jonnu Smith at MIA (1% rostered), Isaiah Likely at NYJ (9% rostered)

Injury stashes: Robert Tonyan at MIN (24% rostered), Logan Thomas vs. JAX (9% rostered)

DefensesWeek 1 streamers

Team	Next Up	Rostered
Titans	vs. NYG	38%
Bengals	vs. PIT	38%
Eagles	at DET	39%
Chiefs	at ARI	43%
Dolphins	vs. NE	19%
Panthers	vs. CLE	3%

Favorable upcoming schedules: Browns DEF (20% rostered), Steelers DEF (30% rostered), Panthers DEF (3% rostered)

Copyright (C) 2022 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.