Maybe it’s weird to write this article, the 2022 fantasy drafts are ongoing, but here we are with Week 1 Waiver Wire advice. There are plenty of leagues that have teams that have been rocked by injury, weren’t complete at draft time, or don’t give you a great feeling. Well, as with last season we can give you some guys to try and add.
Rules for Selection & Order Priority
For a player to be considered to be added, they have to:
- Have an rostered % of 50% or under on ESPN
- Players below are listed by their roster %, not priority. Know your league settings. If there is a high-priority add, you’ll know.
Jameis Winston (NO) @ATL 30.0% rostered
Winston has a nice start to the season too, with an opening matchup against the Falcons. Winston should also have all of his weapons available too, with Michael Thomas (finally) set to return to the field along with Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave. The offense might look slightly different, but should still be solid.
Matt Ryan (IND) @HOU 22.3% rostered
Ryan starts his Colts career with a nice matchup against the Texans. Previously, Ryan has been valuable because of the volume of pass attempts, but with a balanced offense and strong offensive line, we could see his efficiency really climb. With a Week 2 matchup against Jacksonville too, this is an add that can help you in deeper leagues for multiple weeks.
Baker Mayfield (CAR) v CLE 13.1% rostered
If ever there was a game that was going to need no extra motivation, it’s this one. Luckily, it’s not not on the road. The Browns defense is an aggressive unit, and will be looking to nullify Mayfield. In deep leagues, he is worth considering.
Others to Consider
- Mac Jones (NE) @MIA 16.5% rostered
- Ryan Tannehill (TEN) v NYG 15.9% rostered
- Joe Flacco (NYJ) v BAL 0.6% rostered
J.D. McKissic (WAS) v JAX 48.1% rostered
McKissic has been a fantasy darling in PPR leagues, with good reason. His pass-catching ability has been outstanding during his time in the league. With the uncertainty around Antonio Gibson, and the unfortunate incident with Brian Robinson, McKissic could get a significant role.
Alexander Mattison (MIN) v GB 46.2% rostered
Mattison is among the best backups in the league. He doesn’t have a lot of value unless Dalvin Cook were to miss time, that keeps him fantasy relevant and worth picking up.
Darrell Henderson (LAR) v BUF 40.0% rostered
Henderson comes into the season in a slightly strange situation. Cam Akers was expected to take a heavy workload this season, but the rumblings out of the Rams camp has been that Henderson has been getting a good chunk of work. It might only be for a few weeks, but if Akers were to suffer a setback, Henderson would be a fantastic addition.
Khalil Herbert (CHI) v SF 21.4% rostered
Herbert has been getting good press out of camp, with an implication that he is a better fit for the offense than David Montgomery. His role may expand as the season goes on, but to start the season he is only worth considering in deeper leagues.
Mike Davis (BAL) @NYJ 9.5% rostered
Davis could be the starter for the Ravens to open the season. JK Dobbins is unlikely to be ready, and Gus Edwards is on the PUP list. That only leaves Davis and recently signed Kenyan Drake as the only viable RB options. Of the two, Davis is the one more likely to be given touches.
Others to Consider
- Isiah Pacheco (KC) @ARI 18.9% rostered
- Mark Ingram (NO) @ATL 18.4% rostered
- Isaiah Spiller (LAC) v LV 15.0% rostered
- Zamir White (LV) @LAC 10.7% rostered
Julio Jones (TB) @DAL 40.8% rostered
Jones has been getting overlooked, due in part to his struggles at the end of his Atlanta career, and his short stint with the Titans. This situation is different though. He has Tom Brady throwing him the ball, and is unlikely to face tight coverage with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on the roster.
Michael Gallup (DAL) v TB 37.1% rostered
Gallup is a prime addition for your league’s IR spot, if you have one. He avoided the PUP list to start the season, which is a positive sign for his outlook. As soon as he is fit, he is going to pick up as the WR2 in the Cowboys offense.
Rondale Moore (ARI) v KC 33.7% rostered
Moore had a stint last season where he was uber-efficient. His ability to make plays makes him a danger on an offense that is already full of weapons. Moore is likely to have a decent role in the opening weeks of the season too, with DeAndre Hopkins suspended to start the season.
Nico Collins (HOU) v IND 18.5% rostered
Collins is likely to be part of a Texans offense that is going to need to throw the ball often. With the lack of receiving talent on the roster, and Collins’ size he could be a decent stash-and-wait in deeper leagues.
Isaiah McKenzie (BUF) @LAR 11.5% rostered
McKenzie currently looks set to be the Buffalo slot receiver. With Buffalo throwing the ball often, and effectively, McKenzie is being massively overlooked. I’d look to pick him up and see if he steps into the role that Cole Beasley has left.
Others to Consider
- DeVante Parker (NE) @MIA 35.2% rostered
- Jalen Tolbert (DAL) v TB 29.9% rostered
- Wan’Dale Robinson (NYG) @TEN 10.9% rostered
- Curtis Samuel (WAS) v JAX 9.7% rostered
Tyler Higbee (LAR) v BUF 47.8% rostered
Higbee is part of a Rams offense that is highly effective, and should be able to put up scores. This opening matchup is tough, but the schedule does open up a little bit after that. If you have the space on your roster, grabbing a TE streaming option now could save you FAAB.
Evan Engram (JAX) @WAS 19.0% rostered
I’ll say it now, I don’t have high expectations for Engram. I truly don’t- but if he is able to recapture some of the form he had early in his career he could be a value selection. The Jaguars offense doesn’t have alot of offensive options, so Engram could get a number of targets in the offense.
Albert Okwuegbunam (DEN) @SEA 17.0% rostered
Albert O has been given a decent amount of hype as a breakout TE, but being available in a massive majority of leagues, clearly it hasn’t made it to everyone. The Broncos offense is likely to be taking a massive step forward with Russell Wilson throwing the ball. In a game packed with narrative, the TE’s involvement in the offense is going to be something to keep an eye on.
Others to Consider
- David Njoku (CLE) @CAR 44.6% rostered
- Irv Smith (MIN) v GB 43.4% rostered
- Gerald Everett (LAC) v LV 11.4% rostered
Cleveland Browns @CAR 40.5% rostered
The Browns facing off against their previous QB is something that is going to make for interesting viewing. It’s doubtful his former teammaters are going to do anything other than cause Mayfield discomfort. The Panthers offensive line struggled last year, and there weren’t any massive changes this offseason.
Cincinnati Bengals v PIT 33.9% rostered
The Bengals defense match up against a Steelers offense that needs to find it’s feet. In a divisional matchup, the team are set to face up against Mitch Trubisky. He is certainly an unknown, but with the way that the Bengals defense performed last season, they are a decent streaming option.
Others to consider
- Washington Commanders v JAX 49.5% rostered
- Denver Broncos @SEA 19.4% rostered
Greg Joseph (MIN) v GB 39.9% rostered
Joseph comes into the season opener as part of a Vikings offense that is expected to take a step forward this season. Kicking in a dome is always an advantage, and with the way the Packers defense is expected to play, we could see a bend-don’t break mentality that leads to plenty of FG attempts.
Ryan Succop (TB) @DAL 24.5% rostered
Succop kicks in a dome this week in Dallas. If the Tampa offense were to stall out against a Dallas defense that was impressive last season, Succop has shown he has the leg and accuracy to perform.
Others to consider
- Robbie Gould (SF) @CHI 20.5% rostered
- Rodrigo Blankenship (IND) @HOU 7.0% rostered
- Jason Sanders (MIA) v NE 2.0% rostered
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
Image Credit: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
