Having a good fantasy draft sets a team up really well, but most of the time to win a fantasy football league, acquisitions need to be made during the season. Each week there are several players worth exploring on the waiver wire. Here are fantasy football players to add week 1. (Note: These are best used for standard scoring leagues. All players are rostered in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
There was some uncertainty in the Browns backfield heading into the season. Rookie Quinshon Judkins hadn’t signed a contract yet and there were plenty of different options to go with. Dylan Sampson stepped up in week 1. The rookie had 12 carries for 29 yards, but also caught eight passes for 64 yards.
Judkins has now signed a contract, so he will be competition, but Sampson played well. Even if Judkins and Jerome Ford play, Sampson should have some short-term value at the very least while Judkins ramps up. He is currently rostered in 32.7 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Jets made it clear they will run the ball this season win week 1, as they ran the ball 39 times. Breece Hall was the lead back with 19 carries and quarterback Justin Fields had 12 carries himself. Allen filled in after that with six carries for nine yards and a touchdown.
As the season goes on Allen will get more work, but for now, he will be a short-yardage back with a little more upside. The Jets will continue running the ball a lot so the opportunities will come for Allen. Currently, he is rostered in just 42.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Patriots had a rough game against the Raiders in week 1, but Boutte was a bright spot. He showed a clear connection with Drake Maye and led the team in receiving. Boutte finished the game with six catches for 103 yards on eight targets.
New England signed Stefon Diggs to bring a proven veteran to the receiver room, but he had just 57 yards. There is enough room in the offense for both Diggs and Boutte. Boutte can be added now and if his role expands, he can be started. He is currently rostered in less than one percent of ESPN leagues.
The Steelers won their week 1 game against the Jets and their passing attack was on point. Aaron Rodgers seemed to have a good connection with Calvin Austin, who looks to be the second wide receiver in the offense for the Steelers. He finished the game with four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown on six targets.
Pittsburgh likely won’t have a great passing all season long, but Austin has carved out a nice role. He can be added and if the Steelers keep passing well, he can be started down the road. He is available in over 97 percent of ESPN leagues.
The Browns lost to the Bengals in week 1, but they had a few young players step up well. Tight end Harold Fannin was used a lot and it looks like Cleveland has a real vision on how he can be a versatile player for them. He finished week 1 with seven catches for 63 yards on nine targets. Fannin also had one carry for three yards from the wildcat formation.
While the Browns do have David Njoku, Fannin’s role is a little bit different. He is a bit of matchup problem, as he is bigger than most defensive backs, but faster than a lot of linebackers. Fannin can run after the catch well, so Kevin Stefanski can get creative with him. He is rostered in just 0.8 percent of ESPN leagues.
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