The first week of the waiver wire is possibly the most important for fantasy football, as we are given a good idea of who will contribute within offenses. Adding the right players could pay dividends and win your league, while missing on players could cost you a playoff appearance or championship. We’ve compiled a list of over 20 players to add from the waiver wire in your redraft leagues.
While not all these players may be available, the general guideline I followed was over 50% availability within normal Sleeper leagues. This should give you more than enough viable options to add to your squad and hopefully contribute in weeks to come.
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Jaylen Warren – RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (7% rostered)
The preseason standout may get a chance to lead a run-heavy Steelers backfield in Week Two if Najee Harris is unable to return after leaving the game in the 4th quarter with a foot injury. He’s instantly in line to receive double-digit touches if Najee misses time and worth adding to your bench to see what happens. On a team that plans to give Najee well over 300 touches this year, Warren could be top-tier handcuff that provides starts if Najee misses any time.
Isaiah Pacheco – RB, Kansas City Chiefs (39% rostered)
While Clyde-Edwards Helaire will get a lot of talk this week, Pacheco got a lot of touches and is solidified as the Chiefs’s RB2. Yes, most of it was in the second half after getting a large lead but he was still second on the Chiefs in carries. If he’s unowned in your league, it’s worth spending your last roster spot on him as a bye week fill-in or a top tier handcuff if anything were to happen in CEH.
Eno Benjamin – RB, Arizona Cardinals (14% rostered)
While he won’t get as much work as Edmonds, we know the coaching staff trusts Benjamin enough to give him a number of touches per game. A great handcuff to an injury-prone running back that could even be a good bye week fill in with James Conner healthy.
Gerald Everette – TE, Los Angeles Chargers (41% rostered)
Somehow, the TE1 for Justin Herbert isn’t rostered in more than 50% of leagues. Even if you don’t need a TE, he would be an amazing backup and could even play in your flex spot in a pinch.
Hayden Hurst – TE, Cincinnati Bengals (7% rostered)
Similar to Everette, the TE1 attached to Joe Burrow is only roasted in 7% of leagues. In addition, He was targeted 8 times and produced nearly 10 fantasy points without scoring a touchdown. Grab Hurst to be your backup TE and a flex fill-in.
Devin Duverney – WR, Baltimore Ravens (2% rostered)
While I don’t like to chase touchdowns, Duverney looked like the best receiver on the field for the Ravens. He’s available almost everywhere and worth the add if you have a roster spot available. If your team counts kick return points, even better.
Jahan Dotson – WR, Washington Commanders (54% rostered)
While Dotson is over 50% rostered, I had to add him to this list since he’s a rookie and had such a standout performance. As the WR2 on this team, he had a chance to be a huge contributor this year and possibly be a championship winner for teams. Watch for Dotson to be competing with London and Burks for the top rookie producer in 2022.
Donovan Peoples-Jones – WR, Cleveland Browns (9% rostered)
Peoples-Jones truthers had a great time week one, and the reason I like adding him so much is due to the targets he received. While he’s traditionally thought of as a downfield threat, Jacoby Brissette gave him 11 targets in Week One. One of my favorite adds on the waiver wire this week especially due to the boom we could see Week 11 when Watson returns.
Zay Jones – WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (12% rostered)
Based off Week One, Zay Jones seems to be the second target for Trevor Lawrence. He was peppered with 9 targets in week one, and produced a very respectable fantasy football week without finding the endzone. With a talent like Lawrence at QB, I’m willing to grab his second options for free in most leagues.
Other Strong Adds
Jameis Winston – QB, New Orleans Saints (51% rostered)
Marcus Mariota – QB, Atlanta Falcons (2% rostered)
Kenneth Gainwell – RB, Philadelphia Eagles (32% rostered)
Dontrell Hilliard – RB, Tennessee Titans (13% rostered)
Khalil Herbert – RB, Chicago Bears (47% rostered)
Kyle Philips – WR, Tennessee Titans (4% rostered)
Jakobi Meyers – WR, New England (64% rostered)
Romeo Doubs – WR, Green Bay Packers (53% rostered)
Marques-Valdez Scantling – WR, Kansas City Chiefs (21% rostered)
Tyler Conklin – TE, New York Jets (10% rostered)
Tyler Higbee – TE, Los Angeles Rams (55% rostered)
Cade York – K, Cleveland Browns (5% rostered)
Miami D/ST (12% rostered)
