Last Minute Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups: Should You Add Deon Jackson, De'Von Achane, Marvin Mims?
The fantasy football week is here, and it's possible you were hit with a late-week surprise. The waiver wire may seem mostly barren directly after the draft, but I am here to help you find someone you can plug in and make the best of a bad situation.
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Quarterbacks
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Goff kicks off the season against the Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday Night Football. They are a defense that gives up a ton of passing yards both due to a subpar pass defense and because the opposing teams need to throw constantly to keep up with the Chiefs' high-powered attack. Goff excelled against lower-ranked defenses last season and the Chiefs are expected to be without their best defender Chris Jones. FantasySP's Daniel Hepner did a deep dive on Goff's upside and value this week.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Despite being widely viewed as a throw-away fantasy option this season, Howell is an interesting guy from my perspective. He has potentially elite weapons and the team added Eric Bieniemy as their new offensive coordinator. There is a chance that wide receiver Terry McLaurin could be sidelined or limited due to a turf toe injury, however, Jahan Dotson and Antonio Gibson should be more than enough to run it up on the projected worst team in football. While this is an article about streamers for Week 1, I am also putting you on notice to consider adding Howell because he may be a lot better this season than you think he will be.
Running Backs
Deon Jackson, Indianapolis Colts
There is no better streamer than Jackson. You can add him off of waivers and get an NFL starting running back with bell-cow potential. Jonathan Taylor got hurt early last season and left the backfield to Jackson for two games. In those two games, he totaled 39 touches, 14 receptions on 14 targets, 212 yards from scrimmage, and a TD. One of those games was in Denver against the team that at the time had the top-ranked defense in the league and the other game was against a playoff team in the Jacksonville Jaguars. Those two games were two of the Colts' four wins last season. All bets are off next week when Zack Moss returns from injury, but this week Jackson will hold off rookie Evan Hull and be the man as Indy takes on the Jags.
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
With Jeff Wilson Jr. now on injured reserve, the Miami backfield is completely up in the air. Achane saw his ADP drop due to a shoulder injury he suffered during the preseason. His Week 1 status was at one point in doubt, however, it now looks like he's good to go. He is going to get touches and the team is going to try to get him the ball in space. With Achane, you're getting a home run hitter with pass-catching chops. You can add him and get a guy with PPR value who is a threat to score a TD every time he touches the ball.
Latavius Murray, Buffalo Bills
Let's keep it simple here. Murray is a guy you plug in your flex in a deep league and hope he falls into the end zone. During the summer he was outperforming Damien Harris as the short-yardage back and James Cook isn't built for those tough yards. If you are desperate for a spot start, you can plug him in and get a TD. His ceiling is five carries for 15 yards and two TDs. He's the running back version of a dart throw tight end that you know is going to get two targets in the end zone and most likely nothing else. At this point in the week, if you're in a 14-team league your options are limited, and Murray might be the best choice available.
Wide Receivers
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy is very unlikely to play this week and we know new head coach Sean Payton is going to find ways to move the ball downfield. Courland Sutton is the name people know, but there is a chance Mims is the more talented wideout. The rookie has shot up the depth chart after a rash of injuries to the Broncos' WR corps. Given the opportunity, he could emerge as the WR1 in Jeudy's absence. He was a second-round pick, so the draft capital is there, and he has impressed all summer. Get him on your roster before he breaks out.
DeVante Parker, New England Patriots
We get it, no one wants to start Parker Week 1. It's about as unsexy a start as you can possibly find. However, he is likely the WR1 and top downfield target for the Patriots. His top competition is Juju Smith-Schuster, who is a mediocre possession receiver who is reportedly already having knee issues. Parker could be a safe option with some upside if you are in a deeper league in desperation mode. He's not going to win you your week, but he won't kill you either.
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams' offense is a disaster without Cooper Kupp. Van Jefferson is pegged as the team's top receiver, but there is nothing special about him. However, this rookie Puka Nacua has been making noise all summer and is expected to start on the outside opposite Jefferson. There is zero reason why he can't lead that offense in every pass-catching stat this week against the Seattle Seahawks. There is no doubt this is a risky pick, but if you don't want to go with a safe pick like Parker, this is the exciting pick you're looking for.
Tight Ends
Noah Gray, Kansas City Chiefs
If you are searching for a tight end on waivers already, it's more than likely because you have Travis Kelce and there is a strong chance he can't play. You don't have to look far, just grab his backup. Gray is a talented player who will see targets in Kelce's absence. Patrick Mahomes needs people to target, and you know he's going to put up numbers no matter who is out there. Someone has to catch his passes, and Gray is as good an option as any. Pick him up, wait for word on Kelce, and plug him in if you need him. There is no need to overthink this.
