Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season has officially wrapped up! With week 2 right around the corner there are plenty of moves to be made to improve your fantasy team right out of the gate. Injuries were a common thing in week 1 as some notable injuries to monitor include De’Von Achane, Kenneth Walker, Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, Raheem Mostert, Jake Ferguson, and more. It is early in the season, and it is not time to freakout yet on some of your superstar players week 1 duds. Let’s take a look at some of the top waiver wire pickups ahead of week 2.
Baltimore Ravens TE Isaiah Likely
Likely had a monster performance in front of 28.9 million people on Thursday night football. He is going to be the most popular waiver wire add in leagues this week, rightfully so. Likely had 9 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown while barely being outbounds for the game tying touchdown. Fellow tight end Mark Andrews has been battling injuries since last season and played similar snap counts to Likely in week 1. The Ravens play 12 personnel a lot (two tight-end sets) and should make both tight-ends startable in fantasy.
San Francisco 49ers RB Jordan Mason
Fantasy managers were left scrambling Monday night trying to find a replacement for Christian McCaffrey. The managers lucky enough to grab Mason were very pleased with his performance. In his first career start he dominated in touches, had 147 rushing yards, 5.25 yards per carry, and added a touchdown. With McCaffrey’s uncertainty ahead of week 2 and a potential long-term injury, Mason is a must-add on the waiver wire in all leagues.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving
Irving might just be the best pure running back in Tampa Bay. Irving was far more efficient than counterpart Rachaad White as Irving averaged 6.9 yards per carry meanwhile White only had 2.1. Despite having a monster season in fantasy last year, White was not a good NFL running back. They drafted Bucky Irving for a reason, and it seems like he could earn early down work if he continues to be more efficient than white. He will be a popular waiver wire add in 12-man leagues
Los Angeles Rams TE Colby Parkinson
Parkinson signed a 3-year, $22.5 million contract with $15.5 million guaranteed this offseason. After the extension the Rams made it very clear that Parkinson will be a big part of their offense going forward. He ranked 8th among tight ends in routes run this week and with the loss of WR Puka Nacua there are targets to go around. Despite being 8th in routes run Parkinson caught 4 passes for 47 yards suggesting there is more to come from the 4th-year tight end. Parkinson is going to have a breakout week soon.
Dallas Cowboys WR Brandon Cooks
It is clear that someone needs to step up besides Ceedee Lamb if this offense is going to be successful this season. Cooks against the Browns had 4 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown finishing with 14.5 PPR points. His 7 targets suggest he could be that number 2 option in Dallas with TE Jake Ferguson going down with a knee injury that will keep him out multiple weeks. Cooks is a sneaky flex play in 12-man leagues going forward.
Honorable Mentions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield 33% rostered
Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle 48% rostered
Denver Broncos RB Jaleel McLaughlin 33% rostered
Buffalo Bills WR Khalil Shakir 49.6% rostered
New York Giants WR Wan’Dale Robinson 6.9% rostered
Indianapolis Colts WR Alec Pierce 0.6% rostered
Los Angeles Chargers Defense 10.8% rostered
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