Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 1

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver-wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free-Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Geno Smith, Seahawks

Smith is my top sleeper quarterback this year, so it's no surprise to see him lead the first waiver-wire column of the season.

The arrival of new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb provides hope for Seattle's passing attack, which features an outstanding collection of skill-position talent (DK Metcalf, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tyler Lockett, Noah Fant, Kenneth Walker, etc.).

We can also hope for better injury luck on the Seahawks' offensive line after both tackles left in last year's season opener and struggled to get healthy.

We've already seen Smith produce low-end QB1 fantasy numbers when he was the QB10 overall in fantasy points per game in 2022. With a little luck, he'll get back into that range.

Streaming options: Baker Mayfield vs. WAS (33% rostered), Deshaun Watson vs. DAL (35% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Daniel Jones vs. MIN (7% rostered), Bo Nix at SEA (18% rostered), Will Levis at CHI (18% rostered), Derek Carr vs. CAR (10% rostered), Sam Darnold at NYG (9% rostered), Russell Wilson at ATL (8% rostered), Bryce Young at NO (9% rostered)

Desperation streaming options: Gardner Minshew at LAC (5% rostered), Jacoby Brissett at CIN (2% rostered)

High-upside stashes: Drake Maye (5% rostered), Justin Fields (7% rostered)

Running backs

Samaje Perine, Chiefs

Perine is the newest addition to Kansas City's backfield after the Broncos let him go last week. Fortunately for him, he joins a team in need of a pass-catching specialist in its attempt to three-peat.

Though Jerick McKinnon's role was reduced last season, he and Clyde Edwards-Helaire caught a combined 42 passes. Perine is coming off a season where he hauled in 50 receptions and tied for the third-highest receiving grade among running backs, according to Pro Football Focus. Plus, Edwards-Helaire is out for at least the first four games.

Isiah Pacheco remains the unquestioned starter, but Perine will factor into the Chiefs' offense and could provide RB3/flex value in PPR and half-PPR formats. You can also keep an eye on UDFA Carson Steele, who would be a nice complement to Perine if Pacheco ever missed time.

Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos

McLaughlin doesn't have a path to RB1 fantasy production, but he's set up well to return value this season.

Between Perine's departure, Sean Payton's affinity for throwing to running backs, a weak pass-catching corps, and a rookie quarterback, McLaughlin should build off his 31-catch season a year ago.

After all the offseason praise thrown his way by the coaching staff, it's not hard to envision the 23-year-old finishing with 50-60 receptions while sharing the Broncos' backfield with Javonte Williams.

That alone makes him an intriguing add and a possible RB3/flex play in Week 1.

Zach Charbonnet and Rico Dowdle are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

High-upside backups like Jaylen Wright (21% rostered), Jordan Mason (27% rostered), and Braelon Allen (11% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Tyler Allgeier vs. PIT (35% rostered), Ty Chandler at NYG (34% rostered), J.K. Dobbins vs. LV (46% rostered)

Risky flex options: Antonio Gibson at CIN (25% rostered), Bucky Irving vs. WAS (18% rostered), Ray Davis vs. ARI (18% rostered), Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs. MIN (8% rostered), Tank Bigsby at MIA (5% rostered), Jamaal Williams vs. CAR (4% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Marshawn Lloyd at PHI (14% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: D'Onta Foreman vs. DAL (1% rostered), Cordarrelle Patterson at ATL (2% rostered), Carson Steele vs. BAL (3% rostered), Alexander Mattison at LAC (4% rostered), Justice Hill at KC (3% rostered)

Other backups to roster: Kimani Vidal vs. LV (10% rostered), Khalil Herbert vs. TEN (34% rostered), Roschon Johnson vs. TEN (3% rostered), Dalvin Cook at CLE (13% rostered), Dameon Pierce at IND (9% rostered)

Deep stashes: Audric Estime (3% rostered), Cam Akers (2% rostered), Trey Sermon (1% rostered), Dylan Laube at LAC (1% rostered), Isaac Guerendo vs. NYJ (1% rostered), Emmanuel Wilson at PHI (3% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell vs. GB (3% rostered), Will Shipley (2% rostered)

Injured-reserve stashes: Kendre Miller (8% rostered), Keaton Mitchell (10% rostered)

Wide receivers

Brandin Cooks, Cowboys

Another one of my sleepers makes the Week 1 waiver-wire list as Cooks continues to be underrated by the fantasy community.

Cooks was the WR25 in fppg over the final 12 weeks. Yet he's somehow been drafted outside the top 150 picks as the WR57.

With Dallas not making any notable additions to its receiver corps, the 30-year-old is locked in as Dak Prescott's No. 2 option and a potential fantasy WR3/flex.

Adonai Mitchell, Colts

Mitchell is an exciting rookie who's about to make his presence felt starting in Week 1.

He's consistently flashed the traits of a future No. 1 receiver since falling to the Colts in the second round of April's draft. Mitchell has great body movement, an ability to make tough catches, and a nose for the end zone.

It was only a matter of time before Mitchell passed Alec Pierce on the depth chart, but an injury to Josh Downs created an opportunity for him to take on some slot snaps as well.

Fantasy managers should be investing in Shane Steichen's up-tempo offense with Anthony Richardson returning, and Mitchell is one of the cheaper ways to do that.

Mike Williams, Joshua Palmer, Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs, Curtis Samuel, Khalil Shakir, and Jakobi Meyers are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options (if healthy): Josh Downs vs. HOU (27% rostered)

Risky flex options: Jerry Jeudy vs. DAL (43% rostered), Gabe Davis at MIA (37% rostered), DeMario Douglas at CIN (15% rostered), Darnell Mooney vs. PIT (17% rostered), Rashod Bateman at KC (14% rostered), Greg Dortch at BUF (4% rostered), Michael Wilson at BUF (15% rostered), Adam Thielen at NO (35% rostered), Wan'Dale Robinson vs. MIN (8% rostered), Demarcus Robinson at DET (6% rostered), Ja'Lynn Polk at CIN (23% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Dontayvion Wicks at PHI (29% rostered), Jalen Tolbert at CLE (3% rostered), Josh Reynolds at SEA (8% rostered), Dyami Brown at TB (1% rostered), Marvin Mims Jr. at SEA (8% rostered), Andre Iosivas vs. NE (2% rostered), Tyler Boyd at CHI (3% rostered), Van Jefferson at ATL (1% rostered), Kalif Raymond vs. LAR (0% rostered), Ray-Ray McCloud vs. PIT (1% rostered)

Upside rookies to roster: Jalen McMillan vs. WAS (5% rostered), Xavier Legette at NO (16% rostered), Malik Washington vs. JAX (0% rostered), Malachi Corley at SF (2% rostered), Roman Wilson at ATL (4% rostered), Jermaine Burton vs. NE (4% rostered), Javon Baker at CIN (1% rostered), Luke McCaffrey at TB (4% rostered), Brenden Rice vs. LV (1% rostered), Jordan Whittington at DET (2% rostered)

Deep stashes: Noah Brown at TB (1% rostered), Xavier Gipson at SF (1% rostered), Jalin Hyatt vs. MIN (1% rostered), Tre Tucker at LAC (1% rostered)

Tight ends

Tyler Conklin, Jets

There's a big gap once the top 12 tight ends are drafted, but Conklin deserves to be in the next tier of players pushing to break through.

The veteran has finished among the top 14 tight ends in receptions and yards each of the past three seasons. That span included some of the league's worst quarterback play in New York.

The only thing missing from his stat lines was touchdowns, but the return of a healthy Aaron Rodgers should help with that.

Conklin is a true sleeper who could become a low-end fantasy TE1 by season's end.

Taysom Hill is just above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Streaming options: Hunter Henry at CIN (27% rostered), Greg Dulcich at SEA (2% rostered), Jonnu Smith vs. JAX (8% rostered)

Risky streaming options: Cade Otton vs. WAS (21% rostered), Juwan Johnson vs. CAR (3% rostered), Noah Fant vs. DEN (32% rostered), Colby Parkinson at DET (5% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options: Chigoziem Okonkwo at CHI (12% rostered), Mike Gesicki vs. NE (4% rostered), Hayden Hurst vs. LV (1% rostered), Zach Ertz at TB (5% rostered), Johnny Mundt at NYG (0% rostered), Theo Johnson vs. MIN (1% rostered)

High-upside stashes: Ben Sinnott (8% rostered), Isaiah Likely (21% rostered)

Deep stashes: Tucker Kraft (2% rostered), Michael Mayer (2% rostered), Ja'Tavion Sanders (1% rostered), Noah Gray (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 1 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Seahawks DEF (23% rostered), Chargers DEF (5% rostered), Lions DEF (26% rostered)

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