Rookie WR Tajae Sharpe saw 11 targets Week 1

Week 1 is in the books and now it’s time to tweak your roster. While there weren’t a lot of big fantasy surprises to start the season, the waiver wire may still be able to give you a boost heading into Week 2. Here are my waiver wire pickups of the week. Using current ESPN percentages, players must be less than 40% owned to be considered. I’ll give a pick-up of the week for each position, a runner-up candidate, and one player to leave on the wire.

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Quarterback

Joe Flacco (BAL): Owned in 14.9% of ESPN leagues

Flacco has never been a sexy option, but given his upcoming schedule, he could be poised for a nice fantasy scoring stretch. His next five games are against CLE, JAX, OAK, WAS, and NYG, all with potential for big scoring performances.

While Flacco’s Week 1 performance wasn’t great, it was a positive return to the field after tearing his ACL last season and now he looks to build off his Week 1 debut. That should be easier now that WR Mike Wallace adds a new dimension to the offense, and getting Breshad Perriman and Steve Smith fully recovered from injury provides plenty of solid receiving options.

The Ravens will likely lean on the passing game as the rushing attack was lacking any firepower in Week 1. The Ravens best chance for success is through the air where both the TE and WR groups possess capable players to help Flacco post big numbers in the upcoming weeks.

Also Consider

Josh McCown (CLE)
Steps in for the injured RGIII and inherits an offense with several big play threats. Has proven fantasy relevance in the past.

Leave on the Wire

Alex Smith (KC)
It took three years in KC for a performance like Week 1, and it could be at least another three years before he comes close to matching it.

Running Back

James White (NE): Owned in 38.9% of ESPN leagues

The list of RBs under 40% ownership is not overly inspiring, so by default White gets my nomination. He has a clearly established role within a proven offense, which makes him worth a pickup, primarily in PPR formats.

While he has a limited role in the actual running game, getting just one carry in Week 1, his role as the pass-catching back provides weekly potential value. He was targeted five times in Week 1, catching all five for 40 yards in a tough matchup against Arizona.

Also Consider

Alfred Morris (DAL)
Looked good in Week 1, but still just a handcuff to Ezekiel Elliot.

Leave on the Wire

Jalen Richard (OAK)
Essentially did all his Week 1 scoring in just one big play against a terrible defense. Not worth the gamble. He’s still the third-string RB in OAK.

Wide Receiver

Tajae Sharpe (TEN): Owned in 41.8% of ESPN leagues

Sharpe comes in with a shade over 40% ownership, but that’s still low enough to get added as my top pick-up of the week. He was the focus of the Titans passing attack in Week 1, seeing a team-high 11 targets, and he should continue to receive plenty of looks as the season moves along.

As far as the Titan’s passing attack is concerned, the only legitimate threats appear to be Sharpe and TE Delanie Walker, with Rishard Matthews seeing scattered targets as well. As long as he stays healthy Sharpe should remain a focal point of the offense.

The rookie fifth-round pick has impressed the Titans with his excellent route running, providing QB Marcus Mariota with a reliable target. His size also makes him a solid red zone target, making him an all-around threat that Tennessee will likely continue to feature.

Also Consider

Tyrell Williams (SD)
Possesses the talent to be fantasy relevant, and now has an opportunity in San Diego with the devastating injury to Keenan Allen.

Leave on the Wire

Mike Wallace (BAL)
While his deep-threat emergence may boost QB Flacco’s fantasy stock, the probability of any consistent fantasy production is extremely low.

Tight End

Dwayne Allen (IND): Owned in 38% of ESPN leagues

Even with backup Jack Doyle sniping two TDs, Allen emerged as a top option in the Colts passing attack, posting 53 yards and a score. Week 1 could be an indication of how the season goes, with the aerial attack heavily relied upon to score points given how poorly the Colts defense played.

Allen has been part of a duo threat at TE since arriving in Indianapolis, but the departure of Coby Fleener paved the way to an increased role in the offense. That was evidenced in Week 1 as Allen received six targets, tying his high mark in a game from last year.

Given the lack of size in the WR group for the Colts, Allen has increased red zone value, and he cashed in on that fact with a Week 1 score. At minimum QB Andrew Luck should continue to use Allen as a safety valve and red zone threat, making Allen a solid TE option and the top TE waiver wire option this week.

Also Consider

Virgil Green (DEN)
Looks to be QB Trevor Siemian’s security blanket, with the upside for much more.

Leave on the Wire

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TB)
His lone target went for a TD in Week 1, but his limited role is not worth a roster spot.

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Micah Cedergren is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Micah, check out his archive and follow him @mcffinsights.