Week 1 of the NFL season is officially in the books, and the new rule changes for defenders were suppose to lead to more fantasy points, at least according to Richard Sherman. There were plenty of fantasy stars who disappointed (i.e. Adrian Peterson and Aaron Rodgers) and there were a few surprise stars who grabbed the attention of the NFL community. The name that comes to everyone’s mind is Jacksonville Jaguars WR Allen Hurns. The undrafted rookie WR from the University of Miami, lit the NFL world on fire with 4 catches for 110 yards and 2 TD’s. Hurns who is only owned in 5.8% of ESPN fantasy leagues led all NFL WR’s in fantasy scoring for week 1. The real question for owners is, will his output continue? More on that later.
Here are the options of players to add to your fantasy team from the waiver wire:
Quarterbacks
1. Jake Locker, Titans: Locker is showing the promise that the Titans saw in him when they made him the 8th overall selection in the 2011 draft. Locker who is currently owned in 5.8% of ESPN leagues, put up a pretty decent showing of 19 fantasy points on 266 yards passing and 2 TD’s, and most importantly no turnovers. Locker will face the porous Dallas Cowboys defense in week 2, and should be added as a plug-and-play option if you need QB help.
2. Joe Flacco, Ravens: After a slow start to begin the season against the Cincinnati Bengals, Flacco ended up finding his rhythm and ended the day with 345 yards passing and one amazing TD pass to Steve Smith. Flacco is only owned in 22.3% of ESPN leagues, and is worth an add only in deep formats or 2 QB leagues.
3. Chad Henne, Jaguars: Chad Henne found himself in a competitive preseason battle with Blake Bortles and came through victorious, but Henne isn’t going to knock your socks off with his style of play or his numbers. For now he is a safe sleeper option for 2 QB leagues. Look for Henne to continue his good play in week 2 against the Redskins.
Running Backs
1. Ahmad Bradshaw, Colts: Ahmad Bradshaw is only owned in 22.8% of leagues. Bradshaw’s live performance is an example of when actual game footage comes into play analyzing fantasy options. Anyone with 2 eyes could see that Ahmad Bradshaw is a better football player than Trent Richardson. While Bradshaw only produced 8 fantasy points, the opportunity for success is there. His role in the offense should be expanding since the Colts played him in a lot of 3rd down and hurry up situations. Bradshaw should be added in all fantasy formats.
2. Justin Forsett, Ravens: In just 11 carries, Forsett was able to produce 70 yards, and 5 catches for 14 yards. The Ravens play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night, and with Ray Rice cut and Bernard Pierce rendered ineffective, Forsett should be added for all teams in need of RB help, especially in PPR formats.
3. Benny Cunningham, Rams: After one game it appears to be a Running Back By Committee (RBBC) situation going on in St. Louis. Zac Stacy may have doubled Cunningham in carries, but Cunningham had the better fantasy day with decent production in the passing game (4 catches, 30 yards) and a 4.2 yards per carry average (5 car, 21 yards.) We will definitely monitor this situation going forward, but with Cunningham only being owned in 4.6% of fantasy leagues, he is worth a flyer on your bench.
Bonus addition
Isaiah Crowell, Browns: As long as Ben Tate is out, Crowell will have a role in the Browns offense, but probably will still take a backseat to fellow rookie Terrance West. Crowell came in off the bench and vultured 2 TDs on only 5 carries. This should come as no surprise to die-hard football fans who remember Crowell as a highly touted recruit to the University of Georgia, who then transferred to Alabama St after off-the field issues at UGA. Crowell would most likely be used as the power and goal line back in a browns RBBC sans Tate. He is worth a flyer, especially if you are a Ben Tate owner.
Wide Receivers:
1. Brandin Cooks, Saints: Normally I would not want to include a player whose ownership percentage is over 50, but Cooks’ is 66% which means there are quite a few leagues where he is unowned. The rookie WR from Oregon State was a favorite target for Drew Brees on Sunday and racked up 7 catches for 77 yards and 1 TD. It appears as if Cooks has taken over for the Darren Sproles role, and should be in for an explosive season.
2.Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers: At a staggeringly low 37% ownership, Benjamin made an appearance in last week’s start or sit article, and came through with 6 catches for 92 yards and an acrobatic TD grab. He is by far the #1 WR option in Carolina, and his outlook should benefit even more once Cam Newton returns. Benjamin should be available in most league formats since his ownership is at 39.3%
3. Markus Wheaton, Steelers: The second year WR has emerged as a starter in Pittsburgh, replacing Emmanuel Sanders. He finished up the day against the Browns with 6 catches for 97 yards, and is only owned in 29% of leagues.
Bonus addition
Allen Hurns, Jaguars: The undrafted rookie WR took the NFL by storm yesterday with his 4 catch 110 yard performance, but I’m not sure if he will stick as a fantasy stud for the rest of the season. Fellow rookie WR Marqise Lee finished up the day with 6 catches for 66 yards on 10 targets, and could very well have a much better prospectus despite Hurns’ big day. He could be the perfect decoy for the waiver wire that everyone will put a claim in for, leaving you a plethora of gems.
Tight Ends
1. Dwayne Allen, Colts: People forget that Allen won the starting TE job last year before he was lost for the season, paving the way for the less talented Coby Fleener. Allen has appeared to emerge as the starter in Indy and should be added in all formats. He had 4 catches for 64 yards and 1 TD.
2. Zach Miller, Seahawks: Miller is almost the forgotten piece of the Seattle passing game, but with the improvements that Russell Wilson is showing, could be worth a flyer just given his role in the offense. Miller had 3 catches for 42 yards.
3. Levin Toilolo, Falcons: Toilolo is the new TE in the Falcons offense, replacing future hall of famer Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons seem primed for a bounce back year. Toilolo made an acrobatic TD catch in the win over the Saints and finished with 3 catches for 19 yards. I would not plug-and-play him right away, but he is worth a stash on the bench if you need TE help.
Bonus Addition
Larry Donnell, Giants: Donnell was the 1 bright spot in the NY Giants offense Monday night. He looked explosive with 5 catches for 56 yards and 1 TD. Eli Manning has been known to target the TE position a lot over the span of his career, and Donnell looks likely to be the recipient of a lot of targets.
Defense/Special Teams
1. Dolphins, 2.5% owned. Week 2 vs Bills
2. Green Bay, 6.4% owned. Week 2 vs Jets
3. Falcons, 1.7% owned. Week 2 vs Bengals