Fantasy soccer waiver wire: Huge receivers to exchange Puka Nacua?

The NFL is a “subsequent man up” league and, by extension, your fantasy football league is as nicely. You acquired your crew through the preseason draft, nevertheless it’s the strikes you make because the season unfolds that may finally determine if you happen to’re playoff-bound or planning for subsequent season. Each week, we’ll enable you to establish the gamers obtainable in additional than 50% of ESPN leagues whose worth has taken a flip for the higher and needs to be added to your roster as starters or as a wise stashes to your bench.

Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua was dominated out for the remainder of Sunday’s sport after suffering a knee injury within the first half towards the Detroit Lions. Final season, Nacua set data for probably the most receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) by a rookie in league historical past. His 161 targets ranked sixth within the league, so it is no shock that many fantasy managers are eagerly awaiting updates on his standing for Week 2 and past. Let’s get into this week’s waiver wire at each place, beginning with the receivers who may most enable you to climate a chronic Nacua absence.

With Nacua sidelined, Tyler Johnson (unrostered in ESPN leagues) and Demarcus Robinson (14.8% rostered) each stepped up. Johnson completed with seven targets and 12.9 fantasy factors, whereas Robinson had seven targets and eight.2 factors. Of the pair, Robinson (who performed on extra snaps and ran extra routes) is my most well-liked waiver wire declare. He had a robust end to final season, averaging 6.8 targets, 63.8 receiving yards, and 0.80 touchdowns per sport. In opposition to a susceptible Arizona Cardinals secondary in Week 2, Robinson is firmly on the flex radar.

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (42.0%): With the Michael Thomas period formally at an finish, Shaheed’s goal share was anticipated to rise this season because the Saints’ No. 2 receiver behind Chris Olave. Whereas the crew did not want a lot from the latter towards the Panthers, Shaheed made probably the most of his alternatives, catching three out of 5 targets for 16.3 fantasy factors. Final season, he led the league with 9 receptions of 30-plus air yards, and he scored on his first such goal this season. Though he faces a troublesome Dallas Cowboys secondary in Week 2, Shaheed is value including to your roster. His snap depend and routes run are much like what Olave was getting frequently final season.

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys (29.7%): The Cowboys are skinny on dependable receiving choices behind CeeDee Lamb. TE Jake Ferguson suffered an MCL sprain in Sunday’s sport towards the Cleveland Browns, however he should still try to play through the injury. In Week 1, Cooks had seven targets and scored 14.5 fantasy factors. For his profession, the veteran receiver has averaged 14.5 fantasy factors per common season sport by which he is had seven or extra targets. In Week 2, the Cowboys face a Saints secondary led by star CB Marshon Lattimore, however the veteran did have to go away Week 1’s sport on account of a hamstring damage.

Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (6.8%): Robinson led the Giants with 12 targets, which was tied for the second-most targets within the league in Week 1, and he is clearly a key participant for Daniel Jones alongside Malik Nabers. Robinson ended up with 11.8 fantasy factors, however he had a low common depth of goal, primarily serving as a checkdown choice for Jones. For Week 2, he is on the flex radar for these in deeper leagues, particularly with the Washington Commanders secondary having been torched by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.

Fast hits

Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals (1.6%): Whereas Dortch led the Cardinals with six receptions and 47 receiving yards towards the Buffalo Bills, there’s extra to the story. He was used solely in 3-WR units, which limits his affect. He is a greater match for managers in deeper leagues, particularly since quarterback Kyler Murray averaged simply 2.9 air yards per completion in Week 1.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (0.5%): Pierce had one of the best sport of his profession, racking up 21.5 fantasy factors. Nonetheless, with simply three targets, it’ll be powerful for him to keep up this stage of manufacturing, particularly on a Colts offense that is not anticipated to be pass-heavy with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. That stated, Pierce is value stashing in deeper leagues.

Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos (0.1%): Vele appears to have secured his spot because the Broncos’ No. 3 receiver. The one gamers with extra snaps and routes in Week 1 had been Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds. It is evident that Vele has constructed good chemistry with rookie QB Bo Nix; he caught all eight of his targets and scored 11.9 fantasy factors. He is value contemplating for deeper leagues, nevertheless it may be greatest to attend and see how issues develop earlier than leaping in right here.

Quarterbacks

play

Yates: Baker Mayfield ‘regarded glorious’ in Week 1

Discipline Yates is impressed with Baker Mayfield’s fantasy efficiency towards the Commanders.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34%): Mayfield turned his profession round final season with the Buccaneers, ending because the season’s QB10, and he is picked up proper the place he left off, feeding the ball to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, among the finest WR duos within the league. Mayfield scored 29.6 fantasy factors in Week 1 towards the Commanders and have become simply the seventh participant in league historical past to throw for 4 touchdowns whereas finishing 80% of his passes in a season opener.

In Week 2, Tampa Bay faces the Lions, who allowed 317 passing yards to Matthew Stafford on Sunday night time. You probably have Jordan Love (knee) in your roster, Mayfield needs to be your prime goal.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (35.8%): Talking of Stafford, he provides fantasy managers a strong ground, even when he does not all the time provide the very best ceiling. Regardless of Nacua being out, Stafford continues to be a strong choice; Since becoming a member of the Rams, he is averaged 35.1 passing makes an attempt and 17.4 fantasy factors per sport. Plus, Arizona’s protection is not a formidable Week 2 opponent for the veteran.

Fast hits

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (11.1%): Fields had a pedestrian efficiency towards the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, scoring a mere 11.9 fantasy factors. He was filling in for Russell Wilson, who was sidelined on account of a calf damage, however did not do sufficient to stake a transparent declare on the starter’s job. Regardless of that, the Steelers received, which is a pleasant enhance for Fields; His dashing capability makes him a speculative add, particularly if Wilson has to overlook extra time. Pittsburgh may nonetheless even take into account making Fields the starter someplace down the road, and if that turns into the case, observe that he has averaged 17.5 fantasy factors per sport as a starter for his profession.

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (4.4%): Carr did not must do a lot with the Saints dominating the Carolina Panthers, trying solely 23 passes. Nonetheless, he was environment friendly, scoring 21.3 fantasy factors whereas getting nice safety from his offensive line. It was a robust debut for brand spanking new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Saints face a harder problem in Week 2 towards the Cowboys. Whereas his inventory has risen for all codecs, Carr can be an excellent higher pickup in superflex and different two-QB leagues.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (4.2%): Darnold seems to be a QB value streaming in the fitting matchup, particularly for managers in superflex codecs. He may have had an even bigger fantasy Week 1 than his 14.6 factors had the Giants had been extra aggressive. It is not advisable to begin him in Week 2 towards the San Francisco 49ers, however the Vikings do face the Houston Texans in Week 3 and the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 — each rather more favorable conditions.

Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (0.2%): Deshaun Watson had the worst sport of his profession Sunday towards the Cowboys, averaging simply 2.6 air yards per move completion, the bottom mark he is ever recorded. Watson additionally posted a 9.4 complete QBR, which is the bottom he is ever had in a sport with double-digit passing makes an attempt. Winston may be a worthwhile speculative add for managers in deeper superflex leagues, simply in case he will get an opportunity to take over the present in Cleveland.

Working backs

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20.7%): Rachaad White averaged 19.8 touches per sport final season, which was an enormous think about him ending at RB4. In Week 1 towards the Commanders, regardless that White had 21 touches, Irving managed to see 11 touches of his personal and bought an opportunity to indicate off his versatility. The rookie is a confirmed runner, with 2,238 dashing yards over his ultimate two seasons at Oregon, rating tenth within the FBS. He is undoubtedly a fantastic participant to stash in your bench. In Week 2, the Buccaneers will face the Lions, who allowed 163 dashing yards to the Rams on Sunday.

Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders (10.2%): Zamir White completed Week 1 with 15 touches and 4.6 fantasy factors. Mattison, in the meantime, turned his 9 touches into 16.2 fantasy factors, due to a 31-yard receiving landing. This was Mattison’s fourth receiving rating of the final two seasons, tying him with 5 different working backs for the fourth-most over this span. Solely Christian McCaffrey (7), Saquon Barkley (5), and Jerome Ford (5) have managed extra. Mattison additionally performed on extra snaps than White, so whereas the Raiders backfield will nonetheless possible be a committee going ahead, it is value stashing Mattison in case he makes the case for the lead function in upcoming weeks.

Fast hits

play

Which Jaguars RB ought to fantasy managers roster?

Discipline Yates and Daniel Dopp talk about whether or not Travis Etienne Jr. or Tank Bigsby is the higher fantasy choice for the Jaguars.

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (4.6%): The Jaguars’ teaching workers talked about this offseason that they’d prefer to get Bigsby extra concerned so as to assist lighten Travis Etienne Jr.’s workload, and we noticed that play out in Week 1 towards the Dolphins. Whereas Etienne did play on extra snaps, each he and Bigsby had an identical variety of touches. Stash and monitor Bigsby to see if he will get sufficient motion to warrant flex play going ahead. Plus, if Etienne misses any time, the Jaguars do seem like comfy leaning on Bigsby to fill the hole.

Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (3.3%): It was stunning to see Hill play on almost as many snaps as Derrick Henry towards the Chiefs final Thursday night time. Hill was used primarily in passing conditions, whereas Henry dealt with a lot of the dashing duties. With the Ravens taking part in catchup for a lot of the sport, Hill ended up with 11.5 fantasy factors, largely from catching six on his eight targets for 65 yards. Whereas he won’t provide standalone worth as a flex choice exterior of very deep leagues, Hill is certainly value stashing as Henry’s backup.

Tight ends

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (9.8%): Possible was closely concerned in Baltimore’s passing sport — even with a wholesome Mark Andrews — which stunned many fantasy managers. Possible completed the sport with 12 targets and 26.1 fantasy factors. One other key takeaway is that Possible and Andrews performed on an identical variety of snaps and ran an identical variety of routes. Possible can be slicing into Andrews’ snap complete when the Ravens are in 11-personnel. If this development continues, it is going to be simpler to confidently insert Possible into fantasy lineups. For those who’re in want of a good finish, Possible needs to be your prime precedence. It seems just like the offseason hype surrounding him in Baltimore was justified.

Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (1.5%): Parkinson performed on almost all the TE snaps for the Rams on Sunday night time towards the Lions. Solely Robinson and Cooper Kupp ran extra routes than Parkinson. With Tyler Higbee on the PUP checklist and with no present timetable for a return, Parkinson has change into an every-down participant. He completed with 5 targets and eight.7 fantasy factors. For those who miss out on Possible, Parkinson is a strong contingency plan.