FFB Edge Report: Week 1 Recap & Waiver Targets
NFL Week 1 is officially in the books, and as always, the opening weekend of the NFL season gave us plenty of surprises.
Some preseason expectations were validated, some players immediately emerged as fantasy-relevant contributors, and several players who went largely undrafted now deserve a spot on fantasy rosters.
The important thing is not to overreact to one game. Week 1 results should be viewed as new information rather than definitive proof of what a player will do for the rest of the season.
That said, opportunity matters. Snap counts, routes, touches, targets, and red-zone usage can tell us a lot about which players deserve our attention moving forward.
🎥Week 1 Highlights
One of the biggest stories of the opening weekend was the immediate emergence of several players who entered the season with questions surrounding their roles.
Tyler Shough was one of the most interesting examples. The Saints quarterback was heavily discussed throughout the preseason, especially here at FTO, and he showed why there was so much excitement surrounding him by leading New Orleans to a furious comeback against Detroit. The Saints ultimately fell 31-30 in overtime, but Shough's performance was encouraging for fantasy managers looking for a potential streaming quarterback or long-term stash.
The wide receiver position also produced several waiver-wire candidates. Jalen Coker and Dontayvion Wicks were among the biggest Week 1 breakouts, with both players seeing the type of opportunity that can translate into sustained fantasy production. Coker, in particular, appears to have established himself as an important part of Carolina's passing attack.
We also saw some interesting developments at tight end. Mike Gesicki received seven targets in Cincinnati's opener, while Dalton Schultz remains an appealing option for managers who drafted him for his dependable weekly floor.
👉Week 1 Takeaway: Pay attention to usage, not just fantasy points.
A player who scores two touchdowns on three touches isn't necessarily more valuable than a player who receives eight targets and narrowly misses the end zone. That distinction is particularly important when deciding how aggressively to attack the waiver wire.
🚑Notable Injuries
Unfortunately, Week 1 also delivered plenty of injuries that could have a significant impact on fantasy football moving forward. While some players are expected to miss time, others are dealing with injuries that could simply affect their availability or workload in Week 2.
As always, fantasy managers should monitor practice reports throughout the week before making major roster decisions.
Kyler Murray (Concussion)
Murray suffered a concussion early in Minnesota's Week 1 matchup with Green Bay and was ruled out for the remainder of the game. He will now enter the concussion protocol, making his status for Week 2 uncertain. Carson Wentz stepped in and threw three touchdowns after Murray's departure, but fantasy managers should not assume that automatically translates into a change at quarterback.
Sam Darnold (Glute)
Darnold is dealing with a glute injury that will be worth monitoring during the week. Quarterback injuries can have a ripple effect throughout an offense, so his status could also influence the fantasy outlook for Seattle's skill-position players.
Dylan Sampson (Knee)
Sampson suffered a knee injury in Week 1 and will need to be monitored as additional information becomes available. This is a situation worth watching closely on the waiver wire. Running back injuries can create immediate fantasy opportunities, particularly when the injured player was expected to have a meaningful role.
A.J. Brown (Ankle)
Brown suffered an ankle injury in New England's Week 1 loss and was placed on injured reserve. He is expected to miss at least four games, with reports indicating a potential six-week absence. This is one of the more significant injuries for fantasy managers, and the Patriots' other receivers should see additional opportunities in Brown's absence.
Zay Flowers (Hamstring)
Flowers aggravated a hamstring injury after an enormous Week 1 performance. He finished with 150 receiving yards before leaving the game and is currently considered day-to-day. Fantasy managers should be prepared for a potential absence, but this situation could change quickly depending on his practice participation.
Ladd McConkey (Chest)
McConkey exited the Chargers' opener with a chest/rib injury after catching five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Jim Harbaugh described him as day-to-day, making his practice participation one of the biggest things to monitor this week.
Chris Olave (Back)
Olave is dealing with a back injury that will need to be monitored throughout the week. Given his importance to the Saints' passing game, even a limited workload would have a significant impact on the fantasy outlook for New Orleans' other receivers.
Brian Thomas Jr. (Shoulder)
Thomas Jr. suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1. He remains a player fantasy managers should monitor closely rather than immediately moving on from. If he misses time, Jacksonville's target distribution could change significantly.
Alec Pierce (Hand/Wrist)
Pierce is dealing with a hand/wrist issue and should be monitored throughout the week. His status could have a meaningful impact on the Indianapolis receiving corps and the fantasy value of the team's other pass catchers.
De'Zhaun Stribling (Foot)
Stribling suffered a foot injury in Week 1. His fantasy relevance is more dependent on opportunity than most of the names above, but injuries to established receivers can create opportunities for players further down the depth chart.
Ja'Kobi Lane (Wrist)
Lane suffered a wrist injury in Baltimore's opener, with reports indicating a wrist fracture that could potentially result in a stint on injured reserve. His absence is particularly important because Baltimore also lost Zay Flowers to a hamstring injury, leaving the Ravens potentially shorthanded at wide receiver.
Omar Cooper Jr. (Ankle)
Cooper suffered an ankle injury in the Jets' Week 1 victory. His status should be monitored as the week progresses, particularly for managers in deeper leagues or dynasty formats.
Brock Bowers (Knee)
Bowers is dealing with a knee injury and is currently considered day-to-day. Given his elite fantasy status and importance to the Las Vegas offense, this is one of the most important tight-end situations to monitor heading into Week 2.
Chig Okonkwo (Hamstring)
Okonkwo suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1. Hamstring injuries can be particularly tricky for skill-position players, so fantasy managers should pay close attention to his practice participation rather than assuming he'll be ready to go Sunday.
👉Remember: Not every injury requires an immediate roster move.
For players like Brown, Flowers, McConkey, and Bowers, the correct move may simply be to wait for more information. For others, however, an injury can create an opportunity to acquire a player before the rest of the league recognizes the change in workload.
The best waiver additions aren't always the players who scored the most fantasy points in Week 1. Sometimes they're the players who are about to inherit 5–10 additional opportunities because somebody ahead of them is no longer available.
Opportunity is everything in fantasy football.
🎯Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets
Tyler Shough (QB)
We have been talking about Tyler Shough throughout the preseason, and Week 1 provided another reason to be excited.
Shough demonstrated plenty of fantasy potential in New Orleans' comeback against Detroit. He threw multiple touchdown passes and showed the willingness to push the ball downfield while operating an offense capable of producing points. If you need quarterback help, Shough should be near the top of the list.
Bryce Young (QB)
The Panthers have invested heavily in surrounding Young with offensive talent, and his fantasy value ultimately comes down to whether Carolina allows him to operate with enough volume.
We're not expecting him to suddenly become an elite fantasy quarterback, but quarterbacks with a starting job, improved weapons, and rushing potential deserve consideration on the waiver wire.
Kaelon Black (RB)
Kaelon Black is one of the most interesting running back adds following Week 1. The biggest reason to prioritize Black isn't simply his Week 1 fantasy production. It's the potential for his role to grow.
Running backs who demonstrate explosiveness while receiving meaningful opportunities are exactly the type of players we want to stash early in the season. Black should be one of the first names fantasy managers rush to add this week.
Tyler Allgeier (RB)
Allgeier remains one of the more valuable running back insurance policies in fantasy football.
His standalone value can fluctuate depending on Atlanta's usage, but his value increases significantly if the backfield hierarchy changes at any point.
Allgeier is worth adding in deeper leagues, particularly for managers with strong starting lineups who can afford to stash upside.
Mike Washington (RB)
Mike Washington was a popular preseason sleeper for a reason, and Week 1 provided enough evidence to keep him on the radar.
The key with Washington is opportunity. If his role continues to expand, he could quickly move from preseason sleeper to legitimate weekly fantasy option. Washington is a worthwhile stash before we know exactly how his usage develops.
Braelon Allen (RB)
Braelon Allen remains one of the better running back stashes available in many leagues. After rushing for 40 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, Allen's fantasy value is largely about opportunity and contingency upside. If his workload increases for any reason, Allen has the physical profile to turn a relatively modest number of touches into meaningful fantasy production.
Allen is especially appealing in deeper leagues.
Kendre Miller (RB)
Kendre Miller deserves attention after scoring a touchdown during New Orleans' comeback against Detroit. The Saints demonstrated that they are willing to use him in meaningful situations, and his involvement gives him a path to fantasy relevance.
Miller is exactly the type of player who can go from waiver-wire stash to lineup consideration quickly if his workload continues to increase.
Jalen Coker (WR)
Coker is one of our favorite waiver-wire adds this week. He played a significant role in Carolina's offense and turned that opportunity into a monster Week 1 performance. Coker finished with eight receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns while playing 84% of Carolina's offensive snaps.
The touchdowns may be difficult to repeat, but the underlying opportunity is much more important. Coker should be a priority add in virtually every league where he is available.
Caleb Douglas (WR)
Caleb Douglas is another receiver who deserves an aggressive look on the waiver wire.
The goal here is to identify players whose Week 1 role could translate into consistent weekly opportunity. Douglas has the talent to make an impact, and the early-season waiver wire is exactly where we should be taking shots on players before their roles become obvious to everyone.
Deebo Samuel (WR)
Samuel's combination of receiving production, rushing involvement, and red-zone ability gives him one of the highest ceilings among players who could potentially be sitting on the waiver wire.
His name alone may make him more expensive in FAAB than some of the other players on this list, but he's worth checking for.
Devaughn Vele (WR)
We were all over Devaughn Vele in Week 1. Vele has the size and skill set to become a legitimate part of the passing game, and his Week 1 involvement makes him a player we should be actively trying to acquire before his role becomes more expensive.
Vele is one of our favorite upside adds of the week.
Tre Harris (WR)
Tre Harris is another receiver worth stashing in deeper leagues. We're still looking for the role to become more consistent, but the upside is significant enough to justify an addition where roster space allows.
This is the type of waiver claim that can pay off considerably if the player's opportunity expands over the next few weeks.
Dontayvion Wicks (WR)
Wicks benefited from a major opportunity increase and turned it into a productive opening game. He played 91% of Philadelphia's offensive snaps and finished with 78 receiving yards and a touchdown.
When a receiver is essentially playing every offensive snap, we don't need to rely on a fluky touchdown to justify a roster spot. The opportunity itself creates fantasy value. Wicks should be a priority add.
Mack Hollins (WR)
Hollins is another player worth considering for managers looking for immediate depth.
He doesn't have the same long-term upside as some of the younger names on this list, but experienced receivers who are involved in their team's offense can provide useful fantasy production, particularly during bye weeks and injury stretches.
Kalif Raymond (WR)
Raymond is primarily a deep-league recommendation. He's unlikely to become a must-start fantasy receiver overnight, but the combination of experience, offensive involvement, and potential opportunity makes him worth monitoring.
If you're playing in a 14-team league, dynasty league, or a format with deep benches, Raymond is the type of player who can be worth stashing before you actually need him.
Dalton Schultz (TE)
Dalton Schultz is a player we targeted heavily in best ball drafts because of his safe weekly floor. That philosophy still applies in redraft leagues.
Schultz doesn't necessarily need to become a 1,000-yard receiver to provide fantasy value. Consistent targets and a reliable role are extremely valuable at a position where weekly volatility can be frustrating. If you're dealing with a weak tight-end room, Schultz is worth adding.
Michael Mayer (TE)
Michael Mayer is another tight end worth monitoring closely. The tight end position remains one of the hardest positions to consistently fill in fantasy football, so we should be willing to take chances on players who could see their roles expand. Especially while Brock Bowers remains on the sideline, Mayer is a worthwhile stash.
Mike Gesicki (TE)
Gesicki is an interesting add following Week 1. We knew he was the preferred passing down tight end for the Bengals and his seven targets in their opener is particularly encouraging given how difficult it can be to find reliable target volume at tight end.
We don't want to assume that seven targets automatically become a weekly occurrence, but the opportunity is enough to warrant a waiver claim. If Gesicki is available, and you are looking to improve at tight end, he's worth adding.
San Francisco 49ers (D/ST)
The 49ers remain one of the defenses we are comfortable starting based on talent alone.
They have the pass rush and overall defensive personnel to generate sacks and turnovers, giving them a relatively high weekly ceiling.
If SF are available, they're worth adding.
Carolina Panthers (D/ST)
The Panthers are particularly interesting because of their Week 2 matchup against Atlanta.
This is exactly the type of matchup we want to target when streaming defenses: a defense with enough talent to generate pressure against an offense we believe can create opportunities for sacks and turnovers.
Panthers D/ST is one of our favorite streaming options for Week 2.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (D/ST)
Tampa Bay may not be an automatic weekly start, but favorable matchups (Week 2 at home vs CLE) can make the Buccaneers a useful streaming option.
👉 Remember: The goal with defenses is simple: don't overthink it. Find pressure, turnovers, and matchup advantages.
Green Bay Packers (D/ST)
The Packers' Week 1 loss shouldn't automatically push fantasy managers away from this unit. Defensive fantasy value can be very matchup-dependent, and Green Bay has enough talent to produce sacks and turnovers when the matchup cooperates.
If you're streaming defenses, keep the Packers on the list.
🏈 FTO's Top 10 Waiver Wire Adds (Ranked)
These will be our top flex adds every week, but your top adds should always prioritize your league rules and team needs.
Jalen Coker, CAR (WR)
Kaelon Black, SF (RB)
Devaughn Vele, NO (WR)
Tyler Allgeier, ARI (RB)
Deebo Samuel, SF (WR)
Mike Washington, LV (RB)
Braelon Allen, NYJ (RB)
Kendre Miller, NO (RB)
Dontayvion Wicks, PHI (WR)
Dalton Schultz, HOU (TE)
Always feel free to reach out with any Waiver Wire questions on X (@FTO_picks).
🧠 Final Thoughts
The first waiver wire of the season is one of the most important because there is still so much uncertainty. We should not be chasing every big Week 1 stat line. Instead, we're looking for opportunity, role, and upside.
At the same time, don't be afraid to stash players who haven't produced immediately. Fantasy football is a long season, and the waiver wire isn't just about finding this week's starter—it is about identifying the players whose value could change dramatically over the next month.
👉 Remember: Week 1 gave us our first real data. Now it's time to use it.
*For more fantasy football content (and other sports too), be sure to follow us on our X account @FTO_picks!
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