Trashman’s Garbage Grab: Week 1

Hopefully you don’t have to use them, as it’s only Week 1, but these waiver wire options could help carry you to the fantasy championships from get-go if utilized properly. Here’s the Grab…

 

Running Back

Justin Jackson, Chargers – 18%

It’s kind of amazing to me how Jackson isn’t owned in more leagues, especially since he’s backing up Austin Ekeler who is questionable going into Week 1. Even if Ekeler goes, Jackson will have a role that potentially includes goal line work. Jackson needs to be owned in most leagues and makes for a high upside deep league flex this week. 

 

Tevin Coleman, Jets – 31% owned

Rookie Michael Carter has gotten most of the shine in the Jets backfield this off-season, but how likely is it that the Jets give the reins over to an unproven rookie when they have a veteran like Coleman at their disposal. Coleman is listed as the RB1 on the team depth chart, and he should be treated as such until proven otherwise. 

 

Tony Jones Jr., Saints – 21% owned

Jones is the new Latavius Murray in the Saints offense, which means he could see double-digit touches out of the gate against a GB defense that was 5th worst against the run in 2020. At only 21% ownership, he’s an easy add in most formats, and he’s one of the few backups that could see significant action on a regular basis. 

 

 

Wide Receiver

Nelson Agholor, Patriots – 32% owned

Agholor is at worst the 1B WR in New England with an unproven but potentially potent QB under center in Mac Jones. A deep ball specialist, Agholor doesn’t need a lot of targets to produce, but he should get plenty of targets anyway. He’s well worth a gamble this and most other weeks. 

 

Russell Gage, Falcons – 32% owned

Gage will man the slot for Atlanta against an Eagles team that allowed the 9th most fantasy points to WRs last season. Until we see the Falcons in action for a few games, every starting receiver will be worth rostering and potentially playing. There are a lot of targets to go round in Julio Jones’ absence. 

 

Rondale Moore, Cardinals – 27% owned

Moore looks like the 4th WR on a team that ran the most 4 WR sets in the league last year, and he’s going up against a Titans squad that allowed the 2nd most fantasy points to WRs in 2020. The floor is low here, but the upside is considerable as Moore is extremely talented and tied to the explosive arm of Kyler Murray. 

 

 

Tight End

Jared Cook, Chargers – 26% owned

Cook is the starting TE in a Justin Herbert led offense, which is reason enough to own and start him most weeks. Productive on every team he’s been on in his long career, Cook makes for an immediate streaming option, even in a tough matchup with Washington.  

 

Tyler Conklin, Vikings – 4% owned

Conklin is the new starting TE in Minnesota now that Irv Smith is out for the year. He’s arguably the 3rd or 4th option at best for the Vikings, but he’s a red-zone threat and safety blanket for the slow-to-warm Kirk Cousins who will start out the season not taking as many chances downfield. 

 

Quarterback

Carson Wentz, Colts – 15% owned

Wentz is healed up and ready to roll in Week 1 against a Seattle defense that allowed the 2nd most receiving yards in the league in 2020. Yes, Wentz is a scary proposition considering his lackluster 2020 season and recent injury scare, but his considerable upside is worth a gamble if you didn’t manage to nab a high ceiling QB in your draft. He belongs on rosters as a speculative add anyway.