Week one of the 2024 NFL season is over and time is a flat circle. We think we’ve done our research right and then out of nowhere, the New England Patriots beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Christian McCaffery is already hurt? Are you kidding me? While you may feel like there is no God right now, there is a path to salvation for your fantasy football team – the waiver wire. I’m going to provide you with the best options available. If I don’t mention someone you think I should be talking about, just there are many reasons why I overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Maybe they are so bad I don’t even consider them. Or, maybe it’s because your opinions cannot be trusted. After all, you are here looking for waiver wire advice. So let us examine who our best week one waiver wire players to kick off your championship run!
Week Two Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (35% rostered)
When it came to the opening week of football, nobody baked like Baker. 289 yards passing and 4 passing touchdowns made Baker the QB2 for week one. The truth is that if you have Jordan Love, you need to be racing to your computer to try picking up Baker because the alternative is Malik Willis. If you have anyone else, I would preach patience. A lot of disappointing performances in week one, but there will be a guy on the waiver wire who is a QB1. This is the time to be patient.
Week Two Waiver Wire Running Backs
J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (48% rostered)
J.K. Dobbins should be your number one add-on to the waiver wire in week two. However, do not be fooled by his week one RB3 overall performance. Despite his 10 carries for 135 yards and 1 touchdown performance, he got most of those yards on two carries. I am not usually one to dock points for big runs, but what I did find concerning is that when Dobbins broke his two runs, he was caught from behind both times. This screams to me that he hasn’t fully recovered yet. And considering Dobbins’ lower body explodes every other game, I have reservations about blowing all my FAAB on him. There is also the fact that he only saw a 58% snap share. Dobbins has some concerns and he should be your number one addition this week on the waiver wire. However, he is not the slam dunk add that Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams were last year.
Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders (5% rostered)
In week one, Alexander Mattison had 62 all-purpose yards and a touchdown. What stood out the most about Mattison’s week one performance was a 60% snap share compared to a 38% snap share for Zamir White. Whether this was a direct result of White’s fumble or a sign of things to come, who knows? But it is worth keeping an eye on Mattison.
Week Two Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys (33% rostered)
Brandin Cooks is such a boring waiver-wire receiver to be targeting, but if Jake Ferguson misses time, Cooks is also the clear number-two receiver on a high-powered Cowboys offense. In week one, Cooks had 4 catches for 40 yards and 1 touchdown. The Cowboys look to be cooking at the same rate they were last season and they did it against one of the best defenses in football. Cooks is a floor play, but he could be a solid flex all season long. And frankly, this is the most boring week-two waiver wire I’ve written about in years.
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (6% rostered)
Just like in week one last year, I have a Rams wide receiver you should be eyeing. Unlike last year, Demarcus Robinson is no Puka Nacua. In week one, he only has 4 catches for 42 yards. With Puka hurt, Robinson could be a volume play with some upside. In week one, Robinson ran 44 routes, the sixth-most among all receivers. If you want an upside play at receiver, Demarcus Robinson could be that.
Week Two Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (29% rostered)
Just about every waiver wire article has Isaiah Likely as the number one waiver wire acquisition. That is how bad this week one waiver wire is. People are getting excited about a tight end. Last year, everyone got all hot and bothered about Hunter Henry in week one and every one of the people who grabbed him eventually regretted it. Excluding his week one performance, in 24 games with Mark Andrews in the lineup, Isaiah Likely has 53 targets, 35 catches, 331 yards, and 2 touchdowns. In 9 games without Mark Andrew, Likely has 47 targets, 31 catches, 453 yards, and 6 touchdowns. Coupled with the fact that the Chiefs historically shut down Mark Andrews, it is way more Likely (you see what I did there?) that Likely is fool’s gold. Buyer beware.
