Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 1

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Rostered percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are set off a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 60% of leagues are considered.

You'll notice that the amounts in this week's column are small. That's because most leagues have already drafted, so you likely won't need to spend any FAB to get these players if they're available. You should also be saving up for the next few weeks as early-season breakout candidates emerge.

Quarterbacks

Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers

Some managers might shy away from playing Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 1 based on Deebo Samuel's and Brandon Aiyuk's uncertain statuses for this contest. But there are still plenty of weapons in the 49ers' passing attack, including tight end George Kittle and a few receivers we'll get to later. Garoppolo also had his two best games of 2019 against the Cardinals, throwing for over 300 yards and four touchdowns in each outing. He might be a fantasy streaming option for a few games, as San Francisco gets the Jets, Giants, Eagles, and Dolphins over the first five weeks.

Tyrod Taylor, Chargers

It's easy to forget about Tyrod Taylor's fantasy potential. After all, we haven't seen him in action much since he played for the Bills, where he finished as the QB8 (2015), QB8 (2016), and QB19 (2017) in fantasy points per game. We don't know how long the 31-year-old will be the Chargers' starter with first-rounder Justin Herbert awaiting his opportunity, but Taylor's rushing ability gives him a high fantasy floor, especially against a Bengals team that allowed the most rushing yards to quarterbacks last season. Even with Mike Williams banged up, the Chargers have an excellent supporting cast and a couple of soft matchups that could make Taylor a quality streamer in the opening weeks.

Long-term options: Gardner Minshew vs. IND (26% rostered), Teddy Bridgewater vs. LV (24% rostered)

Streamer options: Derek Carr at CAR (19% rostered), Kirk Cousins vs. GB (41% rostered), Philip Rivers at JAX (31% rostered)

Running backs

High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (54% rostered), Tony Pollard (44% rostered), Darrel Williams (22% rostered), and Chase Edmonds (44% rostered) should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Boston Scott, Eagles

The Eagles' decision to cut all but three running backs from their roster means they likely don't have any concerns about Miles Sanders' availability for Week 1. However, Boston Scott produced as at least a fantasy flex option while Sanders broke out down the stretch in 2019. Scott amassed 45-plus yards from scrimmage in four of his last five games and eclipsed the 120-yard mark in two of those outings. He should be rostered in all leagues and would be the immediate beneficiary if Sanders were to miss any time.

Joshua Kelley, Chargers

By all accounts, Joshua Kelley was one of the stars at the Chargers' training camp and has the edge on the No. 2 job behind Austin Ekeler. Kelley's main competition, Justin Jackson, is dealing with a toe injury that could hold him out of the opener. Though we're not ready to compare the fourth-round rookie to Melvin Gordon, it's worth noting that both Ekeler and Gordon were top-10 fantasy backs in PPR formats from Week 6 on. The offense will be different without Philip Rivers at quarterback, but Kelley will be a sneaky fantasy play every week if he can handle the power-back role. He needs to be picked up in more than 10% of leagues.

Chris Thompson/James Robinson/Devine Ozigbo, JAX

The Jaguars have decided to roll with mostly unknowns in their backfield after cutting Leonard Fournette and electing not to sign Devonta Freeman. Veteran Chris Thompson is the most valuable fantasy asset due to his pass-catching ability and history with offensive coordinator Jay Gruden dating back to their time together in Washington. However, keep a close eye on camp standouts Devine Ozigbo and James Robinson, who should split the bulk of the early-down carries in Week 1. Head coach Doug Marrone talked up both young backs as potential three-down options and general manager Dave Caldwell highlighted Robinson as a reason why the team felt comfortable moving on from Fournette. Thompson also highlighted Robinson when asked about the backfield, suggesting the rookie undrafted free agent has the best vision in the group. Without a clear outlook on Jacksonville's running back depth chart, the best approach is to target them in the order they're listed as bench stashes capable of growing into a bigger role.

Other options: Benny Snell Jr. at NYG (12% rostered), Brian Hill vs. SEA (3% rostered), Bryce Love vs. PHI (12% rostered), Malcolm Brown vs. DAL (37% rostered), Darrynton Evans at DEN (5% rostered), Ryan Nall at DET (0% rostered), Mike Davis vs. LV (1% rostered)

Wide receivers

Anthony Miller and Mecole Hardman are around the 60% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

DeSean Jackson, Eagles

The injury wave that washed over the Eagles' receiving corps in 2019 hasn't receded. A return date for Alshon Jeffery has yet to be established, and first-rounder Jalen Reagor is now sidelined with a shoulder issue that could affect his play all year long. DeSean Jackson hasn't exactly been the epitome of durability himself over the past few seasons, but he's positioned to be Philly's top target on the outside. We got a glimpse of what that could be like in Week 1 last year when D-Jax rocked Washington for an 8-154-2 stat line. Guess who he's playing this Sunday? Starting strong is nothing new for Jackson, either. The 33-year-old has eclipsed 100 yards in three of his last four openers. You might also want to consider his teammates JJ Arcega-Whiteside (2% rostered) and Greg Ward (1% rostered) in deeper leagues, as they're projected to round out three-wide sets.

Preston Williams, Dolphins

My doubts about whether Preston Williams would be available to start the season after suffering a torn ACL in November have been put to rest by his performance in the Dolphins' practices. Though he'll likely be on a snap count early on, Williams made his usual highlight-reel plays in camp and is on track to suit up in a tough matchup with the Patriots. Prior to getting hurt in Week 9, Williams was leading Miami in several key receiving categories and ranked fourth among rookie wideouts with 428 yards. Williams could emerge as the Dolphins' No. 1 receiver in 2020 if he can stay healthy, especially if teammate DeVante Parker continues to deal with injuries of his own.

Kendrick Bourne, 49ers

The 49ers' receivers will be one of the most closely watched storylines heading into Week 1. Deebo Samuel's recovery from Jones fracture surgery has gone well, but the team has to be careful not to rush him back too soon and risk aggravating his foot. Rookie Brandon Aiyuk is dealing with a hamstring issue that could keep him out of the opener as well. If both wideouts were to miss the game, Kendrick Bourne would become San Francisco's most intriguing receiver as a player with nine touchdowns over the last two years on limited snaps. In deeper formats, slot receiver Trent Taylor (1% rostered) could rack up enough catches to be relevant, while Dante Pettis (0% rostered) earned praise from the front office for his improved attitude and play in camp after he was a bust last year.

Other options: Sammy Watkins vs. HOU (43% rostered), N'Keal Harry vs. MIA (35% rostered), Bryan Edwards at CAR (17% rostered), Parris Campbell at JAX (20% rostered), Golden Tate vs. PIT (44% rostered), Allen Lazard at MIN (44% rostered), Randall Cobb at KC (10% rostered), Laviska Shenault Jr. vs. IND (11% rostered), Michael Pittman Jr. at JAX (28% rostered), Steven Sims Jr. vs. PHI (5% rostered), James Washington at NYG (15% rostered), Miles Boykin vs. CLE (6% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling at MIN (3% rostered), Olabisi Johnson vs. GB (1% rostered)

Tight ends

Eric Ebron, Steelers

Don't let the jersey in the image above fool you - Eric Ebron is now a member of the Steelers and the reports out of camp have been glowing. Ebron is just one year removed from putting up 14 touchdowns as a member of the Colts, and he's poised to bounce back in Pittsburgh after injuries and poor quarterback play brought him back to earth in 2019. Ben Roethlisberger led the league in pass attempts in 2018, and the Steelers' coaching staff has plans to move Ebron all over the field. Another double-digit touchdown total for Ebron isn't out of the question.

Jack Doyle, Colts

The second tight end we want to highlight this week is actually Ebron's former teammate, Jack Doyle. The Colts picked up Trey Burton to fill the role vacated by Ebron, but Burton is expected to miss at least the first two weeks with a calf injury. That should allow Doyle to be a productive fantasy option catching passes from Rivers, who had an affinity for throwing to tight ends while with the Chargers. Doyle may not have the tantalizing upside of some of the young breakout candidates at his position, but he had back-to-back finishes as a top-eight fantasy tight end in 2016 and 2017, proving he can deliver when given the volume.

Other options: Chris Herndon at BUF (53% rostered), Irv Smith Jr. vs. GB (16% rostered), Greg Olsen at ATL (30% rostered), Dawson Knox vs. NYJ (4% rostered), Logan Thomas vs. PHI (1% rostered), Jordan Akins at KC (1% rostered), Dan Arnold at SF (1% rostered)

Defenses

Week 1 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Titans DEF (37% rostered), Buccaneers DEF (30% rostered), Browns DEF (13% rostered), Cardinals DEF (2% rostered)