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 50% 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 for the next few weeks as early-season breakout candidates emerge.

Quarterbacks

Sam Darnold, Panthers

Unless you're in a two-quarterback or superflex league, you're likely set at the position and don't need to concern yourself with some of the names on this list. However, those deep diving for a potential breakout candidate at QB can consider a 24-year-old passer who escaped his Adam Gase-induced purgatory and landed in a near perfect situation with the Panthers.

Darnold has three strong receivers in D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and rookie Terrace Marshall Jr. (more on him later), arguably the league's best all-around back in Christian McCaffrey, and quality coaching from Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady.

That group helped him complete 19 of 25 attempts for 162 yards and two touchdowns in his final preseason appearance. Carolina also has an extremely favorable passing schedule to start the year with the Jets, Saints, Texans, Cowboys, and Eagles in the first five weeks.

Either way, we should know immediately in the opener whether Darnold can make good on his former first-round pedigree. If he falters against his old team, you can simply cut him for one of the hot waiver wire targets next week.

Potential long-term starting options: Tua Tagovailoa at NE (32% rostered), Ryan Fitzpatrick vs. LAC (48% rostered), Jameis Winston vs. GB (43% rostered), Ben Roethlisberger at BUF (41% rostered), Zach Wilson at CAR (18% rostered)

2QB/Superflex-only options: Carson Wentz vs. SEA (16% rostered), Teddy Bridgewater at NYG (11% rostered), Mac Jones vs. MIA (26% rostered), Jimmy Garoppolo at DET (8% rostered), Tyrod Taylor vs. JAX (3% rostered)

Running backs

Wayne Gallman, Falcons

After four years with the Giants and a brief offseason with the 49ers, Gallman was released and signed by the Falcons last week. He immediately replaces Qadree Ollison (who was cut) as the team's second-best option in the backfield, behind Mike Davis.

Cordarrelle Patterson will be involved as a change-of-pace weapon, but if something were to happen to Davis, Gallman would be the new lead back in Atlanta.

Gallman is an intriguing backup RB for fantasy and someone who we've seen deliver in short relief stints during his time in New York. He should be rostered in the majority of leagues.

Ty'Son Williams, Ravens

Williams was vaulted into the Ravens' No. 2 running back spot after J.K. Dobbins suffered a season-ending injury last week. His spot on the roster was further cemented when Justice Hill also suffered a torn ACL.

Since we know Baltimore likes to deploy multiple backs, there's a good chance Williams gets a decent amount of touches while serving in a complementary role behind new starter Gus Edwards.

Before you break the bank to acquire him, just keep in mind the Ravens took a look at Todd Gurley in June and then had Le'Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Elijah Holyfield in for workouts Monday. There's a strong possibility they add someone in the coming days, but whether that's a past-their-prime star or simply a depth piece who can play special teams remains to be seen.

In the meantime, Williams should be picked up in case he builds off his promising preseason and earns the backup job outright.

High-upside backups like Alexander Mattison (40% rostered), Damien Williams (5% rostered), and Rhamondre Stevenson (25% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Flex options: Ty Johnson at CAR (11% rostered), Tevin Coleman at CAR (21% rostered), Giovani Bernard vs. DAL (31% rostered), James White vs. MIA (30% rostered)

Risky flex options: Mark Ingram vs. JAX (11% rostered), Malcolm Brown at NE (13% rostered), Devontae Booker vs. DEN (8% rostered), J.D. McKissic vs. LAC (37% rostered), Boston Scott at ATL (13% rostered)

Other backups to roster: Tony Jones Jr. vs. GB (6% rostered), Latavius Murray vs. GB (24% rostered), Chuba Hubbard vs. NYJ (20% rostered), Darrel Williams vs. CLE (15% rostered), Carlos Hyde at HOU (17% rostered), Rashaad Penny at IND (21% rostered), Kenneth Gainwell at ATL (9% rostered), Justin Jackson at WAS (4% rostered), Samaje Perine vs. MIN (1% rostered), Marlon Mack vs. SEA (12% rostered)

Injured reserve stashes: Darrynton Evans (4% rostered), Anthony McFarland Jr. (1% rostered)

Deeper stashes: Jaret Patterson vs. LAC (1% rostered), Alex Collins at IND (1% rostered), Jerick McKinnon vs. CLE (3% rostered), Kalen Ballage at BUF (0% rostered), Benny Snell Jr. at BUF (3% rostered), Salvon Ahmed at NE (2% rostered), Kylin Hill at NO (1% rostered), Jeremy McNichols vs. ARI (0% rostered), Mekhi Sargent vs. ARI (0% rostered), Cordarrelle Patterson vs. PHI (2% rostered)

Wide receivers

Terrace Marshall Jr., Panthers

The preseason is important for rookies because it's our first glimpse at what they can do against NFL defenses. While some initially struggle to find their rhythm, others fit in immediately. Count Marshall among the latter group.

After drawing consistent positive reports in practice, the second-rounder delivered 181 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions over three preseason outings.

He'll soak up most of Curtis Samuel's 97 vacated targets from last season while also providing a new red-zone wrinkle to the offense. That alone will make him a flex option for fantasy with the potential to explode if D.J. Moore or Robby Anderson get hurt.

Rondale Moore, Cardinals

Moore's preseason stats may not have popped like fellow rookie Marshall, but it was the way the Cardinals used their new receiver that should make fantasy managers excited about what's to come.

Moore caught six passes for 38 yards through the air and turned three carries into 25 yards on the ground during his two exhibition contests - signaling the 21-year-old is going to be a big part of this offense in Year 1.

Aside from target hog DeAndre Hopkins, there's no one who can be counted on for consistent production in Arizona. A.J. Green appeared to have lost a step with the Bengals last season, Christian Kirk has never emerged as a reliable option, the team rarely uses its tight ends, and the backfield is up in the air with Chase Edmonds and James Conner trying to prove themselves worthy of starting.

If Kliff Kingsbury is going to manufacture touches for Moore the way he did in August, the dynamic second-rounder should be on your bench to see just how far he can go as a rookie in a prolific Kyler Murray-led attack.

Elijah Moore is around the 50% rostered mark and should be rostered in almost all leagues.

Flex options: Tyrell Williams vs. SF (31% rostered), Russell Gage vs. PHI (27% rostered), Sterling Shepard vs. DEN (39% rostered), Emmanuel Sanders vs. PIT (21% rostered), Cole Beasley vs. PIT (45% rostered)

Risky flex options: Jalen Reagor at ATL (23% rostered), DeVante Parker at NE (41% rostered), Henry Ruggs vs. BAL (43% rostered), Marquez Valdes-Scantling at NO (12% rostered), Randall Cobb at NO (16% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Bryan Edwards vs. BAL (13% rostered), A.J. Green at TEN (18% rostered), Nico Collins vs. JAX (3% rostered), Nelson Agholor vs. MIA (35% rostered), K.J. Hamler at NYG (2% rostered), DeSean Jackson vs. CHI (3% rostered), Gabriel Davis vs. PIT (9% rostered)

Injured reserve stash: Rashod Bateman (14% rostered)

Deep bench stashes: Josh Palmer at WAS (3% rostered), Dyami Brown vs. LAC (1% rostered), Amon-Ra St. Brown vs. SF (8% rostered), Quez Watkins at ATL (2% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus vs. PHI (0% rostered), Zach Pascal vs. SEA (1% rostered), Kalif Raymond vs. SF (0% rostered), Jalen Guyton at WAS (0% rostered)

Tight ends

Zach Ertz, Eagles

With fantasy managers using bench spots to roster multiple breakout candidates at tight end, the options on the waiver wire are thin.

The odds are stacked against Ertz returning to a level resembling his previous glory years, so proceed with caution. Unfortunately, he offers a higher ceiling than the other names on this list.

The 30-year-old is one year removed from an 88-catch, 916-yard, six-touchdown campaign in which he averaged the fourth-most fantasy points at the position.

Perhaps with better injury luck for him and the rest of the Eagles' offense, Ertz could sneak into the back-end TE1 ranks one more time. Just don't invest too much in chasing that outcome.

Streamer options: Cole Kmet at LAR (34% rostered), Tyler Conklin at CIN (3% rostered), Jared Cook vs. WAS (27% rostered)

Risky streamer options: Anthony Firkser vs. ARI (15% rostered), Blake Jarwin at TB (18% rostered), Dawson Knox vs. PIT (6% rostered), Juwan Johnson vs. GB (10% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Tyler Kroft at CAR (1% rostered), Dan Arnold vs. NYJ (5% rostered), C.J. Uzomah vs. MIN (0% rostered)

Defenses

Week 1 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Bears DEF (25% rostered), Panthers DEF (29% rostered), Packers DEF (19% rostered)