Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is nearly over, with one game to go on Monday night.
And if you play fantasy football, you’re already planning ahead with waivers after a busy Sunday of games.
That’s what we’re here for, a roundup of some of the players you could be targeting ahead of Week 2.
Some of the names below might be taken already, but if not, there are a bunch of dudes who could change your fantasy fortunes this season. Let’s run through them, in no particular order, and we’ll update this after the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks play on Monday Night Football.
1
RB Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance — the QB! — led all Niners in rushing and attempts, and Elijah Mitchell’s knee injury is a concern.
Wilson is the next man up, but it’s worth noting that Lance and Deebo Samuel will siphon a bunch of work from anyone lining up in the San Francisco backfield. Still, he’s worth a look.
2
RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
The next man up for the Steelers if Najee Harris misses time … and he can pass protect!
This is the Jaylen Warren blitz pickup I mentioned on the post-game show. #Steelers #RideorDieCrew pic.twitter.com/nO8jzBcFBb
— Jeff Hartman (@JHartman_PIT) September 12, 2022
3
RB Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans
The vet split time with preseason darling Dameon Pierce and out-carried him. Burkhead also caught five passes. The timeshare isn’t great, but in deep leagues, it’s possible Burkhead is a sneaky-good pickup.
4
WR Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens
Hmmm. We know the Ravens are a team that runs more than it passes. When Lamar Jackson does throw, Mark Andrews is No. 1, Rashod Bateman is probably still No. 2 (he caught a score Sunday) … and Duvernay ended up with four catches, 54 yards and TWO touchdowns.
Intriguing. He may not repeat that in that aforementioned run-first offense, but worth a waiver pickup.
5
WR Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
We’ve heard it for a couple of years now: Samuel is supposed to be a big part of the Commanders’ offense.
Last year was a wash. And this year? ELEVEN targets, eight catches, 55 yards and a score. PLUS: four carries for 17 yards.
Curtis Samuel, all of 2021: 10 touches, 38 total yards, no TDs
Curtis Samuel, through one drive in 2022: 3 touches, 21 total yards, 1 TD
— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) September 11, 2022
6
WR Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders
The rookie out of Penn State scored twice and got five looks that turned into three catches.
7
WR Josh Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
If Keenan Allen misses time due to injury, he could have a chance to go off.
I try to tread lightly on preseason takeaways, but Chargers WR Josh Palmer is such a baller. Has a really bright future in the NFL.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 21, 2022
8
TE O.J. Howard, Houston Texans
Are we FINALLY seeing something out of the former first-rounder? He only saw two targets on Sunday … but they were both touchdowns.
9
TE Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
Four targets, three catches, 54 yards and a score. Solid for the vet in an offense that could have a bunch of value all over the lineup.
10
WR Robbie Anderson, Carolina Panthers
I’m going to assume he went undrafted in a lot of places. It was understandable!
But he saw eight targets from Baker Mayfield and went off for 102 yards and touchdown.
11
RB Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Seems like Clyde Edwards-Helaire is a thing again, but the rookie is worth stashing.
WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE, POP 👏
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/xbc9o8yxqw
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) September 11, 2022
12
TE Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
I know, I know. We’ve been here before. But he did get four carries and had a 57-yard run and a touchdown. If he’s a goal-line weapon again, there’s value
Taysom Hill was moving 💨 💨
(He finished the drive with a rushing TD as well)pic.twitter.com/u8Eh67tqu0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 11, 2022
13
QB Cooper Rush, Dallas Cowboys
Stop laughing. Rush could be replaced down the road by another QB, but he’s the starter for now and has CeeDee Lamb and Dalton Schultz to work with. Maybe he’s a streamer or a QB2?
