Week 1 Fantasy Football Streaming Options: Russell Wilson, Deon Jackson, and More!
We’re still a few weeks away from bye weeks, but I’d imagine everyone has at least one hole in their fantasy football roster due to injuries (maybe you have Cooper Kupp), holdouts (Jonathan Taylor, anyone?), or just bad drafting (not you, of course). However, holes can be filled and there are almost always good streaming options. It’s just a matter of finding them.
I'll be here every week trying to unearth the best streaming options that you can likely find on waivers and plug into your starting lineup for that week. There are some good ones out there for Week 1, so let's dig in!
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Quarterback
Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos
Wilson took his lumps last year, but there's a new sheriff in town with head coach Sean Payton and Wilson's fantasy prospects are looking better. While he's dealing with the likely absence of Jerry Jeudy this week, Wilson has a nice matchup against the Raiders and still has Courtland Sutton and rookie Marvin Mims Jr. (more on him below). Wilson ended the 2022 season strong with back-to-back games of 20-plus fantasy points and has an outside chance to be a QB1 this week.
Sam Howell, Washington Commanders
Do I trust Sam Howell? Not really. But we're talking about a streaming start so we don't quite have the luxury of trust here. While Howell will step into more of a run-first offense, he still has Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Jahan Dotson to throw to and should be able to put up some numbers against a bad Cardinals defense. I'd look to Howell in deeper leagues, but I still think he can finish as a high-end QB2 this week.
More under-the-radar quarterback streamers: Kenny Pickett, Baker Mayfield
Running Back
Deon Jackson/Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts
Two running backs?! Talk about hedging, Nick...
This decision very much depends on whether or not Zack Moss plays. If he does, I think he's the player to start out of these two against the Jaguars. If he doesn't, I think Deon Jackson becomes the no-brainer play who could see 15-plus touches. Evan Hull could complicate things, but the Colts will need to run the ball at least some. There's fantasy value here.
Damien Harris, Buffalo Bills
James Cook is the lead back in Buffalo, but Harris could very well be the goal line back (and was during the preseason). While this is a bit more of a "cross your fingers and hope he scores" play, Harris has a good shot at seeing multiple red zone carries against the Jets -- which makes him a potential flex play if you need one.
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
With Jeff Wilson Jr. on Injured Reserve for four weeks, Achane will assume the role as the Dolphins' RB2 (with the potential of cutting into Raheem Mostert's lead role). There's a ton of fantasy value in being a running back in Mike McDaniel's offense, and Achane could play his way to double-digit touches against the Chargers this week.
More under-the-radar running back streamers: Tank Bigsby, Ezekiel Elliott, Sean Tucker
Wide Receiver
Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
Someone has to benefit from Cooper Kupp being out, right? The obvious candidates are Van Jefferson and Tyler Higbee, but Atwell should be next in line as he's likely to start opposite Jefferson. In three receiver sets, Atwell will most likely play out of the slot and see a decent target share. It's not often that you can find a guy on waivers and feel decent about starting him, but Atwell fits the bill this week.
Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
There aren't all that many mouths to feed in Denver after the offseason injury bug bit multiple receivers, so Mims is on this list due to attrition. If Jerry Jeduy doesn't play as expected this week, Mims would be in line to start and could see double-digit targets against the Raiders. Wishful thinking? Maybe. But it's also not out of the realm of possibilities.
Devante Parker, New England Patriots
The Patriots offense was the laughing stock of the league last year, but they finally have a new (and competent) offensive coordinator in town. While he hasn't been the most consistent and healthy option during his NFL career, Parker has produced when healthy and enters the year as the Patriots top receiving option. As long as he's healthy for this week's game against the Eagles (he's currently listed as questionable), Parker should see at least five or six targets.
More under-the-radar wide receiver streamers: Adam Thielen, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Jayden Reed
Tight End
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
After scoring seven touchdowns last year, Johnson is still on waivers in quite a few leagues. He's part of a muddy receiving options mix alongside Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and more (including Taysom Hill), but Johnson will face a Titans defense that was abused by tight ends last year. While he's a bit touchdown-dependent, Johnson has a good chance to finish this week as a TE1.
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
Ferguson only caught 19 balls (on 22 targets) for 174 yards and two scores last year, but he's no longer behind Dalton Schultz on the Cowboys' tight end pecking order. While he'll have to compete with CeeDee Lamb, Brandin Cooks, and Michael Gallup for targets, Ferguson should see a decent target share this year and shapes up as a TE2 with upside this week against a Giants defense that provides a nice matchup for tight ends.
More under-the-radar tight end streamers: Hunter Henry, Irv Smith Jr.
Alright, my friends. That’ll do it for this week.
I wish you all the best of luck in Week 1, and I’ll see you back here next week to see if we can find some hidden gems for Week 2!
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