Fantasy Football Week 1: Waiver Wire Pickups

Nov 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) celebrates his touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Ford Field. Detroit won 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The waiver wire is what will end up making or breaking your fantasy football season. Here are a few players that could help you off the wire in Week 1

Every year there are players who finish as a top five-to-10 fantasy player in their respective positions who start the year on the waiver wire. It’s hard to believe players like Gary Barnidge, Blake Bortles, David Johnson and Allen Hurns were mostly undrafted last season but they were.

If you recall, Odell Beckham Jr. wasn’t even drafted in a majority of leagues in 2014. Let’s take a look at some available players who could have us shaking our heads in January and wondering how we did not see their potential.

For these purposes, we will being using Yahoo fantasy football as a guideline. Any player that is 50 percent owned or less is eligible.

SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 20: Running back Christine Michael

5. Christine Michael – RB, Seattle Seahawks (50% Owned)

In each of the last four years, the Seahawks have finished third in the NFL in rushing attempts or better. It’s a good bet they finish somewhere near the top in rushing attempts again in 2016. If I have to spell it out to you, there’s a lot of potential in their running backs.

The Seahawks starting running back, Thomas Rawls, fractured his ankle in December. The injury caused him to miss most of the practices during the offseason and limited him to just two preseason carries.

Those two preseason carries came after the Seahawks starters were pulled from the came, which included Christine Michael. Let’s be clear: Rawls is still the starting running back. However, it’s clear the Seahawks view Michael as a guy who is going to contribute.

If Rawls shows he’s a little rusty, his conditioning isn’t up to par, or even re-injures his ankle, Michael would see plenty of work for one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL.

Sep 20, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Detroit Lions running back Theo Riddick (25) catches a pass in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 26-16. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

4. Theo Riddick – RB, Detroit Lions (33% Owned)

Here’s something to think about: Last season, Theo Riddick had just as many receptions as Jacksonville Jaguars WR Allen Robinson. Moreover, he had more receptions than Rob Gronkowski, T.Y Hilton and Mike Evans. Riddick’s 697 receiving yards and 99 targets were the second-most by any running back in the NFL last season. He finished the 2015 season inside the top-20 among PPR running backs.

I understand his upside isn’t as great in standard leagues but how is this guy not owned in all PPR leagues?

The Lions return Jim Bob Cooter as the team’s offensive coordinator after he was promoted around midseason last year and Matthew Stafford remains as the Lions starting quarterback. It’s only logical to believe JBC will involve Riddick in the passing game just like he did last season and Stafford won’t be afraid to check down to Riddick just like last season.

Riddick probably won’t get another 80 receptions in 2016, but his floor is around 65 receptions. Last season, only two running backs not including Riddick had at least 65 receptions. Once bye weeks kick in and injuries start to pile up, Riddick will be a good option as your FLEX or even RB2 slot in PPR leagues.

Dec 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets running back Bilal Powell (29) runs for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans defensive back Perrish Cox (29) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Bilal Powell – RB, New York Jets (42% Owned)

In the first three games of the season last year, Bilal Powell averaged 16 touches per game. Then groin and ankle injuries hampered him until Week 11. Over the final six games (he missed Week 17) he averaged 11 touches per game and 10 fantasy football points in standard leagues. Based on Powell’s nine full games in 2015, his 16-game pace was set for 197 touches.

During the offseason, the Jets re-signed Powell to a three-year contract that isn’t much less than the contract the Jets gave Matt Forte. That should tell you how much the Jets value Powell and his skill set.

Although Forte is obviously the starting RB and will get a majority of touches in the Jets backfield, Powell saw his fair share of touches last year despite playing behind Chris Ivory. If you remember, Ivory was a top-eight fantasy RB in standard leagues and finished sixth in the NFL in carries.

Like Riddick in the slide before, Powell has better upside in PPR leagues. However, his value in standard leagues is greater than that of Riddick’s because he will see more carries and overall touches in 2016.

It doesn’t hurt that Matt Forte has missed at least one game due to an injury in three out of the last five seasons. If Forte suffers any sort of nagging injury early on, the Jets OC Chan Gailey won’t be afraid to get Powell more involved.

Dec 14, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills (10) hauls in a touchdown catch in front of New York Giants cornerback Prince Amukamara (20) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kenny Stills – WR, Miami Dolphins (12% Owned)

Back in April, it was almost a forgone conclusion the Miami Dolphins top-two starting wide receivers was going to be Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker. Then the preseason happened and it was evidently clear Kenny Stills was going to be a big part of Adam Gase’s offense.

Stills finished with the most targets than any other Dolphin during the preseason and also led the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

Parker has dealt with a series of hamstring injuries throughout training camp and the preseason. This is after he missed half of the 2015 season with a foot injury. It won’t be a surprise if/when Parker misses games due to leg injuries. He will also probably carry a “questionable” status into a majority of the 2016 games.

Adam Gase has proven to be an offensive wizard in the NFL. If anybody is capable of milking this Miami offense for all it’s worth, it’s him. Not to mention, the Dolphins defense looks to be below average and should get scored on a lot. That will force Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins to throw a lot in the second half of most games.

Basically, Stills is a starter in an Adam Gase offense, playing in a contract year and playing on a team that will more than likely be forced to throw a lot late in games.

You do the math. That has fantasy football value written all over it.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) runs with the ball after making a catch against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

1. Tajae Sharpe – RB, Tennessee Titans (39% Owned)

A lot of people are having a hard time buying in on Tajae Sharpe. First off, he’s a rookie. Second, his draft pedigree (fifth-round) isn’t exactly something to brag about. Third, he’s in an offense that isn’t known for being a juggernaut and churning out big time fantasy football players.

You should let those reasons stop others from adding Sharpe to their fantasy squad—but not you.

During the preseason, Sharpe finished with nine receptions and 163 yards. He led the team in receiving yards and yards per reception. No other player on the team had more targets or receptions from quarterback Marcus Mariota. Sharpe has Mariota’s attention and trust. Due to that, there’s a chance Sharpe has the most amount of targets, receptions and receiving yards than any other receiver on the team.

It’s not as if Sharpe is a handcuff. It’s not as if Sharpe needs an injury to be relevant or to get an opportunity. It’s not as if Sharpe is playing with a bad quarterback.

The guy is primed for a fantasy impact right out the gate. If you wait for him to have a good game or two, you’ll be too late. Add him now before he starts making a name for himself both in real life and in fantasy football.