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Jackson Sparks' deeper-league waiver wire sleepers for Week 1 (2024). His top free agent sleepers for 14-team fantasy football leagues or deeper.
After a long and painful offseason of waiting, the 2024 fantasy football season is just around the corner! While fantasy drafts are still taking place, many of them have been completed, and it's never too early to check the waiver wire for potential lotto-ticket bench stashes ahead of Week 1. Even if you love your roster and don't want to make any moves yet, the players on this list should enter your "waiver wire watchlist."
The top waiver wire adds are often obvious for traditional 10 and 12-team leagues, but a larger pool of players is in consideration in leagues of 14 people or more. Some of these Week 1 deeper-league waiver wire suggestions could have value right away, while others are simply bench stashes that could help your fantasy team in the future.
We won't cover chalk waiver wire pickups for shallower leagues like Rico Dowdle and Joshua Palmer. For this Week 1 edition, we'll only touch on players with an ADP outside the top 200, meaning they were likely undrafted in most formats. Without further ado, here are the top deeper league waiver wire targets for Week 1, including Samaje Perine, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Darnell Mooney, Andrei Iosivas, Sam Darnold, Jonnu Smith, and more.
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Running Back Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Samaje Perine might fall into the category of a "chalky" waiver wire pickup, but since he was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs late in the offseason, he might still be available in your league. Clyde Edwards-Helaire was placed on the NFI list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of the regular season. Look for Perine to mix in on passing downs in relief of starter Isiah Pacheco.
Andy Reid says new Chiefs RB Samaje Perine will be more than "phenomenal third-down back" in Kansas Cityhttps://t.co/blYXLAbepj pic.twitter.com/CbGo967g0B
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 2, 2024
Tyrone Tracy Jr. suffered a scary-looking ankle injury this preseason, but he returned to practice and looks to be ready for Week 1. He's slated to start the season in the RB2 role behind Devin Singletary, and his pass-catching profile could mean he sees work right away. Tracy is a converted wideout who caught 113 passes in six collegiate seasons.
Alexander Mattison and Dylan Laube are behind Zamir White on the depth chart, and while many think the Raiders will use White as a workhorse, that's far from a certainty. White has hauled in just 32 passes since he started his college career at Georgia in 2019. Mattison could get third-down work early in the season, while Laube could supplant him in that role as his rookie year moves forward.
Kendre Miller is starting the season on the IR list due to a hamstring injury. However, fantasy managers can stash him in your league's IR spot. Last year, Jamaal Williams was abysmal, averaging just 2.9 yards per carry and 3.4 yards per reception. When Miller returns to full health, he should push for the RB2 spot behind Alvin Kamara, who is entering his age-29 season.
Audric Estime was a Day 3 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, meaning he's not guaranteed a significant role right away. However, Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin are both strong receiving backs and make their money in space, while Estime is a pure early-down bruiser and goal-line weapon. If the Broncos' offense exceeds expectations under quarterback Bo Nix, Estime could have deep-league value.
Roschon Johnson is projected to be the third ball carrier for Chicago behind D'Andre Swift and Khalil Herbert. But the second-year man out of Texas has underrated pass-catching chops and could serve as the Bears' primary goal-line rusher. Last season with the Eagles, Swift saw 10 rushing attempts inside the five-yard-line, and he posted just four yards and two touchdowns with those opportunities. If Johnson can separate himself from Herbert, he could become a fantasy factor.
Will Shipley and Kenneth Gainwell are firmly behind former Giants running back Saquon Barkley, but whoever turns out to be the RB2 is a must-roster asset in deep leagues. Barkley has not played a full season of regular season games since his 2018 rookie campaign, and his efficiency has sharply declined over the last few seasons. If something happens to Barkley, Shipley and/or Gainwell will be moved into significant roles in a top-flight offense for fantasy production.
Emanuel Wilson is unknown by most fantasy managers, but after it was announced that A.J. Dillon would miss the entire 2024 season due to a neck injury, Wilson entered the fantasy football radar. Rookie MarShawn Lloyd played in just 32 games in four collegiate seasons while dealing with injuries, and he has already been banged up this offseason. Wilson could sneakily have an early-season role in one of the league's ascending offenses led by Jordan Love.
Note: Any direct backup running back, especially one in a good offense, should be considered a bench stash in deep leagues.
Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Darnell Mooney is just a few seasons removed from posting 1,000 receiving yards with Andy Dalton and rookie Justin Fields at quarterback in 2021. He suffered a season-ending injury in 2022 and played second-fiddle to DJ Moore in a bad offense in 2023. Now in Atlanta, he'll catch passes from Kirk Cousins, who has supported multiple fantasy-relevant pass-catchers for most of his career.
Mooney is likely behind Kyle Pitts and Drake London in the target pecking order, but he's the only receiver in Atlanta with a 1,000-yard season on his resume, and he's the clear No. 2 WR following Rondale Moore's season-ending knee injury.
Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch are both worth monitoring in Week 1, especially following the five-game suspension handed down to Zay Jones. Both young wideouts have been labeled as potential deep-league sleepers this offseason and one of them has to emerge behind Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride in Kyler Murray's offense. With Murray back to full health and Arizona's offensive additions, this could sneakily be a high-powered passing attack.
Demario Douglas is not set to play in a high-powered offense. His upside is likely limited, but that doesn't mean he can't be a solid flex consideration in PPR formats. The Liberty product led New England in targets (79) and receiving yards (561) as a rookie last year, and he could be Jacoby Brissett's preferred option in the short and intermediate passing game in 2024.
Although rookies Ja'Lynn Polk and Javon Baker are exciting new pieces for the Pats, it'll likely take them some time to get fully integrated. Kendrick Bourne remains on the PUP list and will miss at least the first four games of the year.
Andrei Iosivas has been getting praise from the Cincinnati coaching staff this offseason, and at least based on early reports, he'll start ahead of rookie Jermaine Burton to open up the 2024 campaign. Although it's tough to earn targets alongside Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, quarterback Joe Burrow can support up to three or four fantasy contributors. Tyler Boyd had several boom weeks over the last few seasons as Burrow's WR3.
Rashod Bateman has been disappointing through the first three seasons of his pro career. Injuries and ineffectiveness have caused him to fall off the fantasy football radar, but he's back in the WR2 role following the departure of Odell Beckham Jr. Look for Baltimore to continue to evolve its passing attack in Year 2 under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who has praised Bateman this offseason.
Lamar Jackson on Rashod Bateman: "I believe he's going to have a great year - a sneaky year. A lot of people are sleeping on him, but he's going to have a great year."
📸: @Ravens pic.twitter.com/wSHM2YKj1p
— Sarah Ellison (@sgellison) September 1, 2024
DJ Chark is likely never going to be a high-end target-earner who produces with volume, but he's expected to start in three-wide sets for L.A., and he'll be playing with the best quarterback of his career in Justin Herbert. Jim Harbaugh is expected to bring a run-first approach to the Chargers, but this could lead to play-action chunk plays for Chark, who is a fixture to average at least 15 yards per reception. Even in Carolina's putrid offense, Chark racked up 525 yards and five touchdowns last season.
Jalen Tolbert has hauled in just 24 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns through his first two NFL seasons. Needless to say, time is running out for him to produce, but it could happen in 2024. CeeDee Lamb will remain the target-hog in Dallas, and tight end Jake Ferguson is likely to be Dak Prescott's No. 2 option, but Tolbert could unseat Brandin Cooks as the No. 3 read.
Cooks has already been dealing with injuries this preseason, and his production has steadily declined since 2021. If Tolbert commands a healthy snap share, he'll likely have some boom weeks in a top passing offense.
Marvin Mims Jr. may not be worth picking up yet, but it's worth monitoring how the Denver offense performs early in the season under Bo Nix. After Jerry Jeudy was traded to Cleveland, Mims became the leader in the clubhouse for the WR2 role behind Courtland Sutton. Josh Reynolds is expected to occupy the No. 3 role, while rookie Troy Franklin has reportedly struggled to make an impact in his first NFL preseason.
Jalen McMillan is unlikely to produce as long as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin stay healthy, but the veteran wide receiver duo is aging, meaning injury risk increases with each season. McMillan, who posted over 1,000 receiving yards in 2022 while sharing a field with Rome Odunze and Ja'Lynn Polk, could have legitimate flex or WR3 value if Evans or Godwin has to miss any time. Consider him a pure WR "handcuff" stash.
Tight End Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Jonnu Smith set career highs in receptions (50) and receiving yards (582) last season despite sharing the field with Kyle Pitts in Atlanta. While he's unlikely to be heavily targetted in Miami alongside Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, he's an explosive pass catcher with the ball in his hands, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Mike McDaniel has big plans for him in the red zone. It may be tough to count on him as an every-week starter, but he has upside in an elite offense.
Zach Ertz is not what he used to be, but he could be rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels' best friend to begin the 2024 campaign. As Daniels adjusts to the NFL, he'll likely lock onto Terry McLaurin as his favorite target, but Ertz could make a PPR impact in the short and intermediate passing attack.
Colby Parkinson is slated to open the season as Matthew Stafford's TE1 while Tyler Higbee works his way back from a late-season ACL tear. The former Seahawk doesn't have much production on his career resume, but he has a path to the No. 3 pass-catching role behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua, who have both carried injury concerns as of late.
"Colby Parkinson, tight end: Parkinson, acquired in free agency this spring, will be the No. 1 tight end in this offense when the Rams are in 11 personnel."
Excellent article by Jourdan. Blurb for every single Rams player 👇 https://t.co/Dyoh7W0qNj
— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) August 28, 2024
Ja'Tavion Sanders is a rookie, and rookie tight ends rarely produce. Kyle Pitts and Sam LaPorta are outliers in that regard, but Sanders could make somewhat of an impact in Year 1. If Bryce Young takes the sophomore QB leap, Sanders will likely play a significant role in his ascension. Diontae Johnson should be the target hog in Carolina, but Adam Thielen is entering his age-34 season, while Jonathan Mingo and Xavier Legette are flawed prospects. There is an opportunity for the taking here for Sanders.
Mike Gesicki's fantasy football outlook is similar to Jonnu Smith's. He's unlikely to be a high-volume pass-catcher, but if he can make an impact in the red zone in an elite passing offense, he could have a handful of TE1 weeks.
Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets For Deep Leagues
Derek Carr isn't flashy, and he's rarely been a great fantasy quarterback. However, he quietly tied for the most 300-yard passing games (six) last season with C.J. Stroud. If the aging New Orleans defense continues to regress, it will lead to more passing attempts and overall volume for Carr, who could surprise fantasy managers in his second season in the Big Easy.
Russell Wilson was horrible in Denver, right? In some regards, yes. But he also finished as the overall QB16 in 2022 and QB14 in 2023. Although everyone seemingly loves to hate new Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, he has set up successful run-first and play-action offenses in the past, and Wilson could thrive on efficiency as Pittsburgh's new QB1.
His days as a high-end fantasy football signal-caller are likely over, but don't be shocked when he has some spike weeks and connects deep with wideout George Pickens. Wilson should be set up for more success this year.
BREAKING: The #Steelers have named Russell Wilson as their Week 1 starting QB vs. the Atlanta Falcons, per @JayGlazer. Justin Fields will be the backup. pic.twitter.com/TOeQRRVFdh
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 28, 2024
Sam Darnold flamed out with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, but all of a sudden, he's set to start in Kevin O'Connell's offense and throw passes to Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. T.J. Hockenson (knee) will miss at least the first four games, but when he's back, the Vikings will have at least a top-10 pass-catching group. Minnesota's defense has a lot of new pieces and lost star edge rusher Danielle Hunter this offseason, so expect negative game scripts often.
Gardner Minshew II is probably a top-32 quarterback in the NFL, but his lack of rushing upside limits his fantasy floor. That said, the pass-catching group of Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, Brock Bowers, and Michael Mayer is underrated, so Minshew could have some moments and be worthy of a roster spot in 14+ team leagues.
Backup Quarterbacks To Stash For Two-QB/Superflex Leagues
- Drake Maye, Patriots
- Jameis Winston, Browns
- Justin Fields, Steelers
- Aidan O'Connell, Raiders
- Drew Lock, Giants
- Nick Mullens, Vikings
- Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
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