Ignoring the value sitting on waivers in Week 1 is how you end up spending tons of FAAB later in the year. From guys like Joshua Palmer and Jeff Wilson to Isaiah Likely and Alec Pierce, there are plenty of dart throws sitting on waivers who have the upside to make a difference this season. Amon-Ra St. Brown was essentially undrafted last year yet wound up finishing inside the top 30 among wide receivers.
So, which under-the-radar athletes are worth grabbing ahead of Week 1’s NFL action? Our featured experts are here to tackle that very question. Read on to see who they’re looking to stash.
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Q. Which one player rostered in 25% of Yahoo leagues or less should fantasy managers stash right now and why?
Jahan Dotson (WR – WAS): 21% Rostered
“Jahan Dotson needs to be picked up in all formats. In Week 1 of the preseason, Dotson played 100% of QB Carson Wentz‘s snaps and ran a route on 100% of his dropbacks. In Week 2, he tied No. 1 WR Terry McLaurin with a position-high 18 first-team snaps and 10 first-team routes. And then in Week 3, he rested with the starters. He’s the locked-in No. 2 receiver for the Commanders, and he has the NFL draft capital (No. 16 overall) and college production (2,084 yards, 21 touchdowns in 21 games in two final seasons) to be a fantasy-relevant receiver right away.”
– Matthew Freedman (FantasyPros)
“Jahan Dotson. The rookie from Penn State hit the ground running in training camp and the preseason, showing off his exceptional speed and hands, and he’s in line for a snap share north of 80%. Rookie wide receivers drafted in the first round are good fantasy bets. Ja’Marr Chase had an ADP of WR31 last year, according to Fantasy Football Calculator, Jaylen Waddle was WR42, and Amon-Ra St. Brown was WR64. In 2020, CeeDee Lamb was WR39 and Justin Jefferson was WR49 in preseason ADAP. Like those young receivers, Dotson is poised to outkick his modest ADP.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Eno Benjamin (RB – ARI): 8% Rostered
“It’s been pretty inconclusive as to who is the pure handcuff to James Conner — although Eno Benjamin looks like he has the most standalone value. Recall that Chase Edmonds ranked fourth in the NFL in receptions among running backs (four catches and five targets per game) last year before a Week 7 ankle injury in a role that Benjamin could seize this season Not to mention that many of the Cardinals pass catchers have been dealing with injuries, including Zach Ertz and Rondale Moore. And the Cardinals play Kansas City in Week 1, a defense that ranked bottom-5 in catches, yards and targets to RBs in 2021. Benjamin has an actually path to fantasy production without an injury as early as Week 1 and more fantasy points scored correlate to higher waiver bids the following week. ”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
K.J. Osborn (WR – MIN): 11% Rostered
“If new head coach Kevin O’Connell brings over the 11 personnel-heavy scheme (three-receiver sets) from his time with the Rams, receiver K.J. Osborn could be an under-the-radar beneficiary. Over the last two seasons as offensive coordinator, O’Connell oversaw a Rams offense that ranked 14th and first in 11 personnel groupings. In contrast, the Vikings ranked 32nd and 28th in that same time period. With Minnesota now shifting to an offense that will run the third receiver on the field considerably more, Osborn could theoretically be in line for the sort of opportunity that the Rams’ primary WR3 last year, Van Jefferson, had last year (WR36 overall in PPR last year, average 9.9 points per game).”
– Herms (The Lateral)
Zay Jones (WR – JAC): 16% Rostered
“Zay Jones is the perfect player to stash on your roster before the season. It’s clear Christian Kirk is the lead guy, but who is the second receiver? All offseason, reports from camp praised Trevor Lawrence’s chemistry with Jones, and if Lawrence can turn back the clock to his college days, this passing attack could be fantasy gold. The Jaguars averaged the 11th most passing attempts per game last year and open 2022 against the Commanders, who allowed the fourth most passing yards per game. This might not be indicative of the 2022 season, but if Jones sees a solid target share, he could easily be fantasy-relevant. If not, you cut him after Week 1 — but I think it’ll be the former. ”
– Ellis Johnson (True North Fantasy Football)
Braxton Berrios (WR – NYJ): 3% Rostered
“Braxton Berrios. Before any season, fantasy managers want to own that surprise breakout candidate — the deep nugget. Berrios has an interesting career uptick trend which is hard to ignore and potentially could be that guy. Going from 55 to 65 targets in the last two seasons might not look that impressive, but the eye test in preseason revealed what sort of plans Robert Saleh might have for him in this offense. If you have yet to draft or are unsatisfied with one of your late picks and Berrios is still in the pool, scoop him up now.”
– Richard Savill (Fantasy Six Pack)
Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB – SF): 10% Rostered
“Given what could be described as “Kyle Shanahan turbulence” that affects the backfield in San Francisco, I’m loving 49ers RB Jeff Wilson Jr. as a stash. In 2021, breakout RB Elijah Mitchell was perpetually dinged up and missed six games. Wilson may not be close to the best player available in your league, but he has a clear path to volume touches, can contribute on all three downs and plays in an offense that wants to control the clock and run the ball. He’s one of the most overlooked handcuffs widely available.”
– Matt De Lima (Sports Illustrated)
Joshua Palmer (WR – LAC): 21% Rostered
“Joshua Palmer should be stashed by owners. All reports indicate Palmer will be the WR3 in the Chargers’ prolific passing offense. So not only could he provide weekly flex value, but if Mike Williams or Keenan Allen goed down with an injury, Palmer steps into a significant role in one of the best offenses in football.”
– Dylan Licciardo (FF Gamers)
Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice! For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites.
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