Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 1: Streamers, Samaje Perine, Mike Williams, Khalil Shakir and more

The 2024 fantasy football season is officially here! Week 1 waivers are not just a list of names. Would you be excited to get a Kyren Williams or De’Von Achane? How about Puka Nacua? How about several RB2/3s and WR2/3s like Devin Singletary, Gus Edwards, Zamir White, Jerome Ford, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Josh Downs… or even back up to a Nico Collins and Rashee Rice? Well, all those names were in last year’s Week 1 waiver wire. Plenty of options didn’t amount to much or failed, but this is clear proof of not ignoring waivers early on while you have ho-hum, waiver-wire-level options on your bench. Shoot for the upside!

HEADS UP

• Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
• Listed in order of preference — I’ll regularly prioritize potential upside over immediate replacement production
  • RB backups have a separate secondary list based on only if the lead option got hurt
• No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
• Streaming QB and TE are grouped together — weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too

STREAMING QUARTERBACKS

Why are you already streaming? But anyway…

• Baker Mayfield, TB
• Geno Smith, SEA
• Sam Darnold, MIN
• Daniel Jones, NYG
• Deshaun Watson, CLE
• Gardner Minshew, LV
• Russell Wilson, PIT
• Bo Nix, DEN
• Will Levis, TEN
• Derek Carr, NO
• Bryce Young, CAR

WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS

Before the list, please make sure these two are rostered!

• Chuba Hubbard, CAR — Jonathon Brooks is the long-term answer and top-tier talent, but 1) Hubbard is the lead option to start 2024, 2) he was an RB2 as the lead last year, and 3) Brooks’ return to 100% and/or when he’ll be the top option is a question. Hubbard should not be on waivers even in 10-team leagues.
• Blake Corum, LAR — My concern for Kyren Williams wasn’t affected by the punt return news. It’s always come from Corum’s potential to steal goal-line carries and touchdowns from Williams, pushing Williams into James Cook-like value. Hey, that’s still high-end RB2 value, and I’m not super worried, but I’m also not leaving Corum out there.

1. Samaje Perine, KC — Talk of the Chiefs pursuing Josh Jacobs adds a bit of concern for Isiah Pacheco, but more so, it makes Perine intriguing as an elite backup option with potential weekly RB3 value similar to Antonio Gibson.
2. Tyler Allgeier, ATL — Even though we’re happy to see Arthur Smith gone and Bijan Robinson “freed,” Allgeier can be a desperation Flex option with Top 20 upside if Robinson got hurt.
3. J.K. Dobbins, LAC — Talent has never been an issue, only health. Gus Edwards is the lead… as of now. Dobbins has the highest ceiling, and even if the Chargers never give him a heavy lead role, a Jaylen Warren-like season is doable.
4. Bucky Irving, TB — Irving is a good pass-catcher, and I wouldn’t count out a timeshare with Irving as the Buccaneers version of Gibson. If Rachaad White struggles in the run game again, Irving could push for more and more work.
5. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN — Sean Payton has never been shy about using multiple running backs, and McLaughlin is a dynamic player with the ball, particularly in the passing game.
6. Rico Dowdle, DAL — Dowdle was better than Tony Pollard in nearly every metric last year. The Dalvin Cook signing could be more about Ezekiel Elliott than Dowdle, and they’re all worth stashing for now until we see things shake out.
7. Dalvin Cook, DAL — As mentioned, worth stashing if Cook looks anything as good as he did in that workout video.
8. Zach Charbonnet, SEA — The Charbonnet fear is mostly gone for Kenneth Walker supporters, but Charbonnet has RB2 potential if he’s needed as the lead.
9. Antonio Gibson, NE — You know him; you know he’s a starting lineup filler as an RB3 when things are thin (aka, not yet).
10. Ty Chandler, MIN — Next up after Aaron Jones, and Chandler could work in enough to have deeper league value as a Flex.
11. Dylan Laube, LV — J.D. McKissic type, which means Laube is an immediate threat to Zamir White given White’s limited passing game ability by comparison. Laube could be a sneaky half and full-PPR Flex option.
12. Jaylen Wright, MIA — If Raheem Mostert or De’Von Achane misses time, Wright would immediately be in the RB2+ conversation.
13. Ray Davis, BUF — A Jamaal Williams type — at his best — Davis could eat into James Cook’s role, but it’s more likely Davis is a mid-low RB2 if Cook is out.
14. MarShawn Lloyd, GB — Lloyd was one of the better running backs in the draft, and his being behind Emanuel Wilson is more about missing a lot of preseason with an injury. If Josh Jacobs gets hurt, my money is on Lloyd.
15. Tyrone Tracy, NYG — Similar to Gibson as a converted receiver with explosion and elusiveness. Could see weekly work. Could be merely a timeshare with Eric Gray if Devin Singletary misses time, but Tracy is worth stashing.
16. Khalil Herbert, CHI — Roschon Johnson might eat into D’Andre Swift’s work more than Herbert does, depending on what the Bears are looking for with the secondary piece. So far, Herbert looks to be the next up though, and has put up RB2 numbers in the past.
17. Jordan Mason, SF — If Christian McCaffrey gets hurt, Mason to the moon. Don’t forget Isaac Guerendo as he gets healthier and as a potential threat to Mason.
18. Tank Bigsby, JAX — Next up behind Travis Etienne and reportedly looking better than he did last year.
19. Leonard Fournette, FA — Here if the Colts signing comes to fruition. Like Cook, we’re not sure Fournette has anything left, but I don’t have a lot of faith in Trey Sermon either, which this signing would suggest the Colts are lacking as well. Fournette would be a backup plan if Jonathan Taylor missed time.
20. Braelon Allen, NYJ — I like Isaiah Davis a lot and wish he didn’t land with the Jets because Allen has RB2 value and then some if Breece Hall happened to get hurt, but I assume the Jets will mix Allen and Davis if that happens.
21. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — Rookie Will Shipley is a good all-around running back, so a timeshare if Saquon Barkley misses time is likely.
22. Jamaal Williams, NO — With Kendre Miller in Dennis Allen’s dog’s doghouse — he hates Miller! — Williams is worth a deep stash.
23. Trey Sermon, IND — Even if Jonathan Taylor got hurt, I wouldn’t expect much more than fringe RB2/3 value.
24. Emanuel Wilson, GB — Wilson is the current option behind Jacobs, so if the injury happened this week, Wilson would be the guy, but I don’t think it takes long for Lloyd to pass him.

PURELY NEXT MAN UP RANKS
(if an injury ahead of them)

1. Samaje Perine, KC
2. Jordan Mason, SF
3. Jaylen Wright, MIA
4. Tyler Allgeier, ATL
5. Trey Benson, ARI
6. J.K. Dobbins, LAC
7. Zach Charbonnet, SEA
8. Rico Dowdle, DAL
9. Dalvin Cook, DAL
10. Tank Bigsby, JAX
11. Ty Chandler, MIN
12. Ray Davis, BUF
13. Leonard Fournette (if on IND)
14. MarShawn Lloyd, GB
15. Bucky Irving, TB
16. Khalil Herbert, CHI
17. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN
18. Braelon Allen, NYJ
19. Antonio Gibson, NE
20. Jamaal Williams, NO
21. Trey Sermon, IND
22. Tyrone Tracy, NYG

WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS

As with running backs, please ensure these two are rostered first.

• Keon Coleman, BUF — We have uncertainty over who is the top option for the Bills, and while I’m a big fan of Khalil Shakir and his potential fit as the Stefon Diggs replacement, Coleman is rather talented — not just in interviews — and could lead the team in touchdowns.
• Tyler Lockett, SEA — Jaxon Smith-Njigba time might be here, but it’s not a guarantee (yet), and even if it is, Lockett could maintain WR4 value with all three wideouts being involved.

1. Joshua Palmer, LAC — Yes, the Chargers will run more. No, the Chargers will not pass as little as the Ravens with Lamar Jackson. Palmer has put up WR3 numbers filling in for Keenan Allen and Mike Williams in past years, and now he’s the No. 1 option with questions surrounding rookie Ladd McConkey (love him), Quentin Johnston, DJ Chark and Hayden Hurst/the tight ends.
2. Mike Williams, NYJ — When healthy, he’s a Top 25 wideout, and he’s nearing 100%.
3. Romeo Doubs, GB — The Packers wideouts could easily frustrate in a committee, but if 2023 and the preseason told us anything, Doubs has been a top-two option when everyone is healthy. Sure, that’s not a certainty, and again, it could be irrelevant with committee roles, but Doubs being out on waivers is unacceptable for the WR3+ upside if he truly has a top-two role.
4. Khalil Shakir, BUF — As mentioned with Coleman, Shakir has the makings to replace Diggs, and if he’s even 80% of Diggs’ averages over the last four seasons, that’s 100+ receptions, 1,074 yards and 9 touchdowns… or 211.4 and WR15.
5. Adonai Mitchell, IND — Christian Kirk-like, and with Josh Downs hurt, Mitchell is primed to be the No. 2 from Week 1. Mitchell is the sneaky rookie receiver to grab.
6. Jakobi Meyers, LV — Was WR24 overall and WR26 in FPPG last year without Gardner Minshew.
7. Darnell Mooney, ATL — If you love Kirk Cousins, Drake London and Kyle Pitts, how are you ignoring Mooney? It won’t be consistent, but Mooney is in play for 1,000 yards too.
8. Curtis Samuel, BUF — As with all Bills receivers — and similar to Cowboys running backs — leaving any of the top-three options on waivers is a mistake while we wait to see how things develop. Josh Allen has thrown for at least 4,283 yards and 29 touchdowns in the past four seasons with highs of 4,544 and 37.
9. Gabe Davis, JAX — Inconsistent as they come, but if Brian Thomas struggles — and I cry myself to sleep as a result — Davis has WR3/4 potential.
10. Rashid Shaheed, NO — Big-play wideout in the No. 2 role for the Saints.
11. Dontayvion Wicks, GB — As mentioned last year, Wicks arguably has the best ceiling among Packers wideouts, but as mentioned with Doubs, it could be a committee, and Wicks might be fourth with everyone healthy.
12. Ja’Lynn Polk, NE — Highest ceiling of all Patriots wideouts, but Jacoby Brissett is starting the season, and there is a glut of options — albeit, many middling — that could keep Polk from breaking out until 2025.
13. Dyami Brown, WSH — Treated as the No. 2 all preseason, Brown has big-play ability with a quarterback flashing one of the better big-play arms and plenty of touchdown upside. Jahan Dotson is gone — moment of silence — and Luke McCaffrey (or Olamide Zaccheaus or Jamison Crowder) is the slot option. Noah Brown has an outside chance to take over if Dyami Brown falters, but that should take a few weeks as Noah Brown acclimates to the offense.
14. Jerry Jeudy, CLE — Deshaun Watson caps the upside of Jeudy and Elijah Moore, but Watson targets his wideouts about 60%, which is why David Njoku saw a double boost with Joe Flacco.
15. Adam Thielen, CAR — Until another wideout steps up to send Thielen to the farm with old pets, Thielen is in play as a WR4.
16. Greg Dortch, ARI — Small, but dangerous. Michael Wilson has a higher ceiling, but Dortch looks to have the early edge and Kyler Murray’s support, making Dortch worth a flier. Just know that he’s likely third after including Trey McBride.
17. Van Jefferson, PIT — Yea, gross, huh? But Jefferson is the No. 2 for the Steelers — until Roman Wilson takes over.
18. Andrei Iosivas, CIN — The current No. 3 for the Bengals and in the old Tyler Boyd role. Iosivas (call him Yoshi if you struggle with the name) is limited to WR4 value as Boyd was, and if Jermaine Burton is more coachable than reports said in college, he has the ceiling to pass Iosivas. As it stands, there is current value in most leagues of 12+ teams.
19. Demarcus Robinson, LAR — Four straight games with a touchdown and all double-digit games once Robinson was consistently used from Weeks 13-17. He should be on more rosters.
20. Marvin Mims, DEN — His career isn’t over despite his disappointing rookie season. Mims is worth a flier if he’s secured a top-two role, but even if so, the Bo Nix lead offense will cap Mims’ ceiling in the WR4 range.
21. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — Volume is needed, but the opportunity to be second in targets with Malik Nabers commanding top coverage is there.
22. Michael Wilson, ARI — Wilson has a high potential, but he hasn’t hit it yet, and Marvin Harrison means Wilson’s best-case scenario is a WR4 now. And, as mentioned with Dortch, Wilson might be fourth when you include McBride.
23. Jalen Tolbert, DAL — Brandin Cooks is nearing the end, and if Dak Prescott continues his high-passing ways and Tolbert passes Cooks, you’ll have a WR3/4.
24. Malik Washington, MIA — Washington is set to be the third receiver in an offense that made Braxton Berrios and River Cracraft relevant when needed. Washington has matchup potential, and there is a nice ceiling if Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle gets hurt.
25. Jalen McMillan, TB — The dude just knows how to get open, find space and be where the quarterback needs him to be. McMillian was a top weapon before his injury, and he started to near his old self during the College Football Playoff. If Mike Evans or Chris Godwin gets hurt, you’re going to want McMillan as a WR3/4.
26. Xavier Legette, CAR — If anyone can make Thielen an afterthought, it’s Legette and his Shaheed-like potential, and it being more consistent.
27. Jermaine Burton, CIN — Burton’s talent is better than anyone after Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but his fit is a replacement for either, per the Iosivas breakdown. That said, if Chase or Higgins went down, Burton could surprise as a WR2.
28. Jordan Whittington, LAR — You heard the name this preseason, and like Washington, the offense makes his potential intriguing. Robinson is the current answer as the No. 3, but if Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua miss time, Whittington will be a very popular addition.
29. Noah Brown, WSH — As mentioned with Dyami Brown, Noah Brown could take over the No. 2 role, and let’s not forget the three games of 18.2+ points he had with the Texans last year.
30. Luke McCaffrey, WSH — McCaffrey’s best case is the slot option, but if Jayden Daniels throws for 3500+ yards and 25+ touchdowns, Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown can’t take all of it (or even Ben Sinnott and Austin Ekeler included).
31. Roman Wilson, PIT — Rather talented — apparently more so than I believed in Mike Tomlin’s eyes, as he made Wilson line up against Quinyon Mitchell in Senior Bowl practices because Wilson was doing so good — Wilson hasn’t been healthy to date, but there is a void of pure talent after George Pickens, so stash Wilson for a potential midseason surprise.
32. Jauan Jennings, SF — Essentially, the Jordan Mason of wideouts. If Bradon Aiyuk or Deebo Samuel miss time, get Jennings and the potential WR4 value. But even then, it would be inconsistent.

STREAMING TIGHT ENDS

STREAMING DST

Week 1

• CIN vs NE
• SEA vs DEN
• TB vs WSH
• NO vs CAR
• LAC vs LV
• ATL vs PIT
• MIN at NYG
• CHI vs TEN

Week 2

• SEA at NE
• LAC at CAR
• DET vs TB
• WSH vs NYG
• HOU vs CHI
• GB vs IND

(Photo by Rich Barnes/Getty Images)