We’re just four days away from the kickoff of the 2019 NFL season! That means it’s time to start digging through waiver wire options. Every Sunday throughout the season, we’ll be highlighting some early waiver wire pickups to snag as soon as possible. These players will all be owned in 30% or less of Yahoo leagues. For our first article of the season, we’re also going to name some players owned in 60% or less of leagues that you may be able to grab as well as some streaming options at quarterback, tight end, D/ST, and kicker. Let’s get to it!
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Grab them if you can
These are guys owned in 60% of leagues that you still have a chance to add before their ownership becomes outrageous.
Jimmy Graham (TE – GB): 47% owned
Graham had a down year in 2018 by his standards, but he still had a quality season for a tight end. Marcedes Lewis isn’t a threat to steal work, and Jace Sternberger — while talented — is still raw and not ready to be a starter. Graham went 55/636/2 with an injury-plagued Aaron Rodgers, so positive regression could be in the cards for the big-bodied tight end, especially if he can draw consistent red-zone looks and Rodgers is healthy. It’s worth noting that Graham has caught at least 48 passes and compiled at least 500 receiving yards for eight straight seasons at a position that has become extremely volatile.
Dion Lewis (RB – TEN): 47% owned
The Derrick Henry hype is growing daily as last December’s hero has risen to near-RB1 status. Don’t forget his lack of involvement in the passing game — an area in which Lewis excels. Lewis was an RB1 just two seasons ago with New England, and he can handle a heavy workload. If Henry misses time or reverts back to his ineffective ways, Lewis could see a bump in usage that would be useful for fantasy owners.
Devin Singletary (RB – BUF): 43% owned
Ownership will spike in the coming days following LeSean McCoy’s release, but if you can snag him now, Singletary makes a fine pickup. He’ll be Buffalo’s lead running back when the season kicks off Thursday, and though Frank Gore and T.J. Yeldon may siphon some touches early in the season, Singletary should be the unquestioned bell-cow by midseason. If he’s available, he’s a worthy investment.
Owned in 30% of leagues or less
These are guys worth a flyer for their upside and potential lottery ticket value.
D.K. Metcalf (WR – SEA): 31% owned
He’s 31% owned, but he needs to be mentioned here — close enough. Most reports are that he’ll be good to go for Week 1 after a knee scope, and he won’t face much competition for targets aside from top wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The rookie phenom needs to be rostered, especially with the release of Jaron Brown and David Moore’s uncertainty due to a shoulder injury.
Justin Jackson (RB – LAC): 28% owned
Austin Ekeler is owned in nearly 90% of leagues right now, so you likely won’t be picking him up off waivers. Jackson will share running back duties with Ekeler if Melvin Gordon misses time, making him an attractive flyer to hold onto right now. With less than 30% ownership, he can be had cheaply and presents a good deal of upside.
Justice Hill (RB – BAL): 27% owned
The fourth-rounder from Oklahoma State will play second fiddle to Mark Ingram for the time being, but if Ingram is forced to miss time, this would be Hill’s backfield. Playing on a team committed to the run, Hill would be poised for a workhorse role, making him a lottery ticket to stash if you have room at the end of your bench.
Carlos Hyde (RB – HOU): 25% owned
Hyde joins the Texans after a trade from the Chiefs, who would have cut him had they not found a partner. Hyde has a chance to split time with Duke Johnson, and if he can secure double-digit touches, he would have some flex value.
Alexander Mattison (RB – MIN): 24% owned
Mattison has been hyped by the Vikings all preseason — and for good reason. He’s been impressive in camp and in preseason action, and the explosive rookie would be due a huge workload if Dalvin Cook missed time this season. Cook has missed 17 of 32 games over the last two seasons so owning Mattison as a high-upside handcuff makes a lot of sense.
Kenny Stills (WR – HOU): 22% owned
Stills should fit into this offense immediately and take on a significant role. With Keke Coutee (ankle) doubtful for Week 1, Stills could be on the field in three-wide sets with DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller immediately. The deep-threat could be dangerous with Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball, and at only 22% ownership, he needs to be scooped up wherever possible.
Deebo Samuel (WR – SF): 20% owned
Trent Taylor and Jalen Hurd are banged up right now, and Jordan Matthews was just released. Samuel is the next man up behind Dante Pettis and Marquise Goodwin. He makes an interesting play in daily formats as a cheap option, and he could be a steal in redraft formats with a current ownership of just 20%.
Week 1 Streaming Options
Quarterback
Nick Foles (QB – JAX) vs. KC: 18% owned
This defense was putrid last season, and even if it has improved, Foles gets a favorable draw here. Kansas City’s high-flying offense should force Foles and Co. to chase points, meaning the former Super Bowl MVP could be chucking the ball a lot. At only 18% owned, there’s a good chance he’s still available for you.
Jacoby Brissett (QB – IND) @ LAC: 12% owned
He’s the new sheriff in town, and he’ll have a tall order keeping pace with a talented Chargers offense. Brissett wasn’t bad two seasons ago as the starter, going for 3,098 yards, 13 TDs, and seven INTs, especially considering he was sacked an incredible 52 times. The talent level around him at wide receiver and running back is much better than it was when he was the man in 2017, and the offensive line has gotten a major overhaul. A solid performance here wouldn’t be surprising, and the ownership is low.
Tight End
Darren Waller (TE – OAK) vs. DEN: 20% owned
Jared Cook thrived as a favorite target of Derek Carr last season, and Waller could fill that role this year. He’s been a fan favorite through his appearance on Hard Knocks, but his play on the field should be even more entertaining than his screen time on HBO. He’s worth a look if you’re streaming tight end.
Noah Fant (TE – DEN) @ OAK: 16% owned
Joe Flacco has historically targeted his tight ends, and Fant may be the most athletically gifted tight end Flacco has ever thrown to. The divisional matchup with Oakland isn’t scary, and with just 16% ownership, Fant will be available on a lot of waiver wires.
Kicker
Dan Bailey (K – MIN) vs. ATL: 13% owned
Bailey is the clear starter here. Kaare Vedvik was brought in to challenge him, but he has played poorly in the preseason and was cut Saturay. Facing Atlanta at home (dome) in a potential shootout, Bailey makes a quality streamer here.
Matt Bryant (K – ATL) @ MIN: 2% owned
The ownership is sure to increase, as Bryant was just signed Saturday, but you can snag the Falcons’ starting kicker almost everywhere. Despite struggles in the win column last season, the Falcons still put up a healthy amount of points, and that’s unlikely to change in 2019-20. And Bryant could be a kicker to hang onto beyond Week 1 given the team’s favorable dome schedule this season.
D/ST
New York Jets D/ST vs. Buffalo: 12% owned
The Jets drafted Quinnen Williams with the third pick in this year’s draft and made some other important upgrades on the defensive side of the ball. The Bills are still one of the poorest teams in the league at the skill positions, and Gang Green could feast in a divisional home opener.
Detroit Lions D/ST @ Arizona: 3% owned
It’s the first regular-season game ever for Kyler Murray and Kliff Kingsbury, and there are sure to be some warts. Murray struggled in the preseason, and despite his insane athleticism, this offense won’t be a juggernaut right out of the gate. Detroit’s defense was sneaky good last season, and they’re a good streaming option for Week 1 at such low ownership.
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Zachary Hanshew is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Zachary, check out his archive and follow him @zakthemonster.
