Read Jake Ciely’s latest fantasy football waiver wire advice. 

We’re back, baby! The 2023 fantasy football season is here and so are the Week 1 waivers. You probably know the drill, but if you’re new — there is a bit to know before diving into the fantasy football Week 1 waiver wire pickups — make sure you read the “Heads Up” section and all the explanations for the most informative and fun weekly waiver wire piece you can find!

Advertisement

And another fun note — this season we’re debuting a column dedicated solely to drops, by Gary Davenport. It’ll be coming every Tuesday alongside this column to help you make the best decisions on both ends.

HEADS UP

• Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo.
• Listed in order of preference — I’ll often prioritize potential upside over immediate middling production.
• No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive).
• Streaming QB and TE are grouped together — weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too.

THE WORRY REPORT
Concern Scale out of 5
Duck(Tales) = 1 and Egg = 1/2

• Kenneth Walker, SEA 🦆🥚 — Missed a good chunk of the preseason, and adding to last year’s inefficiencies, Zach Charbonnet can force a 50/50 share or become the lead if he outplays Walker for a few games.
• Breece Hall, NYJ 🦆🦆🦆🦆 — This is only for the first few weeks. Hall is tough to use as a starter with Dalvin Cook in town and the Jets suggesting Hall will be eased in with Michael Carter and Israel Abanikanda in the mix.
• Cooper Kupp, LAR 🦆🦆🥚 — It’s only two and a half for now, as the Rams and Kupp appear to be playing it safe, but an aggravation of a soft tissue injury and memory of Keenan Allen last year warrant concern.

STREAMING QUARTERBACKS
(Early Week Ranks)

• Russell Wilson, DEN
• Sam Howell, WSH
• Ryan Tannehill, TEN
• Derek Carr, NO
• Matthew Stafford, LAR
• Jordan Love, GB
• Brock Purdy, SF
• Baker Mayfield, TB
• Kenny Pickett, PIT
• Bryce Young, CAR
• Desmond Ridder, ATL
• Jimmy Garoppolo, LV
• Mac Jones, NE
• C.J. Stroud, HOU

EMOJIS

• 😤 = I Tried to Tell Ya — players included for several weeks (not much more to add if you don’t want them)
• 🔍 = Check if Dropped — players whose managers might have cut for other needs or impatient
• 🎯 = Long-Term Target — players with starter+ upside who require patience (stash picks)
• 🫡 = Backup/Next Man Up — players who have almost no value but starter+ upside if injury ahead of them

WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS

1. Deon Jackson, Zack Moss, Evan Hull, IND — Jackson performed pretty well at times last year and is the starter for Week 1. He could keep the lead or immediately lose it once Moss returns, but he’s worth the flier. Moss is worth grabbing for the Colts’ plan to have him lead when healthy. Evan Hull is the long-term/deeper stash, as he didn’t seize the opportunity in the preseason. Update: with Moss returning to practice, Jackson becomes dicier as a pickup and starter. He still has more passing game appeal, but this is now headed toward a full committee. Jackson and Moss are worth a gamble in case either takes the lead, but they could be quick drops too. Hull is still the long-term play but down behind Kendre Miller.
2. Tank Bigsby, JAX — There’s talk about Bigsby getting close to half the work, making him playable already with great potential if Travis Etienne missed time.
3. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — This backfield is a full committee that will likely frustrate all year. Still, it has two injury-prone players, and Gainwell’s volume could surprise.
4. Elijah Mitchell, SF — 🫡 Might get a random RB2 week with a vultured touchdown, but this is about the upside if Christian McCaffrey gets hurt.
5. Devin Singletary, HOU — Dameon Pierce was used as a three-down back this preseason, but 1) it’s not a guarantee that Singletary doesn’t see 30-40% of the work and 2) Singletary is a nice backup if Pierce ever gets hurt.
6. Tyler Allgeier, ATL — 🫡 We saw his Top 15 potential last year. Undervalued stash.
7. Deuce Vaughn, DAL — Tarik Cohen potential (was Top 40 all three relevant seasons).
8. Ty Chandler, MIN — The Vikings could limit Alexander Mattison — not bellcow him — and work Chandler in enough for RB3 value.
9. Jaylen Warren, PIT — 🫡 One of the better backups.
10. Damien Harris, BUF — 🫡 Much like Mitchell — he could steal goal-line touches and hurt James Cook — and more about RB2 value if Cook misses time.
11. Gus Edwards, BAL — 🫡 J.K. Dobbins’ knee is a ticking time bomb, which may never blow, but if it does…
12. Sean Tucker, TB — 🎯 Only undrafted for health concerns, Tucker is the No. 2 behind Rachaad White and is talented enough to push the conversation.
13. Cordarrelle Patterson, ATL — Cast aside, Patterson could get back to his receiver-centric work and be an RB3. Pure flier. Easy to drop if buried.
14. De’Von Achane, MIA — 🎯 Potential explosive weapon who could be a half/full-PPR RB3 or better but may take time.
15. Kyren Williams, LAR — 🎯 Given the lack of weapons, Williams could see weekly volume for half/full-PPR RB3 value and at the least is the backup plan for Cam Akers.
16. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC — Chiefs offense. Isiah Pacheco not 100%. Pacheco could aggravate injury.
17. Roschon Johnson, CHI — 🎯 Could take over the lead from Khalil Herbert or even form a duo with RB3 value.
18. Zamir White, LV — 🫡 Next man up behind Josh Jacobs.
19. Jerome Ford, CLE — 🫡 Currently next up behind Nick Chubb, though likely shares more with Pierre Strong if something happens.
20. Tyjae Spears, TEN — 🎯 Derrick Henry now has nearly 2,000 touches to his career and 1,337 in his last 55 games (four years).
21. Kendre Miller, NO — 🎯 Not 100%, but Alvin Kamara is suspended three games, and Miller is next up behind Jamaal Williams until Kamara returns.
22. Keaontay Ingram, ARI — 🎯 James Conner doesn’t have a 16-game season to his name, and even in the worst offense, a bellcow would be a Top 30 running back.

MEH 😒

• D’Onta Foreman, CHI — Was rumored to be on the roster bubble, Herbert is the clear lead and Johnson has moved up in contention for the backup option with more passing game potential and overall upside.

DUMPSVILLE 🗑️ (Order I’d Drop)

• Kareem Hunt, FA — Several team visits, reportedly some offers, but can’t keep holding out with no team as of Week 1. Hunt likely waits for a big injury, and even then, might not have more than RB3 value

WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS

1. Nico Collins, HOU — Big play upside, No. 1 receiver (for the Texans) potential. I’m not sure how Collins isn’t way over the 60% mark.
2. Marvin Mims, DEN — Jerry Jeudy is questionable for Week 1 and possibly longer. Mims has 10-team starter potential immediately.
3. Van Jefferson, LAR — Cooper Kupp remains a question mark, which puts Jefferson atop the receiver depth chart. Matthew Stafford is still good enough to provide value here, though Tutu Atwell could grab a few targets to frustrate us.
4. Adam Thielen, CAR — Thielen is the No. 1 option. He’s far from his peak, but with D.J. Chark and Terrace Marshall not 100% and rookie Jonathan Mingo already pushing them for a top-two role, Thielen is the constant… just like Penny. You’re welcome LOST fans, 15 years later.
5. Jonathan Mingo, CAR — Another quality rookie receiver who has taken the opportunity to command significant snaps. The most upside of all Panthers.
6. Allen Lazard, NYJ — Lazard was Aaron Rodgers’ top end zone option even two years ago when Davante Adams was in Green Bay. That rapport isn’t gone just because Rodgers and Lazard are in a new city.
7. Jakobi Meyers, LV — Replaceable, but usable if thin at receiver.
8. Romeo Doubs, GB — Doubs is dealing with a hamstring issue, but if he’s healthy, Doubs can be Jordan Love’s version of Randall Cobb (back in the day obviously).
9. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, KC — MVS and Moore are the No. 1 and 2 receivers — aka, starters. Let’s face it. Valdes-Scantling is frustration waiting to happen, but I’ll stash him on the possibility that MVS will keep the job all year.
10. Zay Jones, JAX — 🫡 Rotating with Christian Kirk this preseason, Jones will be volatile, but like Boyd, you could need him in deeper leagues and have great value if anything happened to Kirk or Calvin Ridley.
11. Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins, NYG — Slayton and Parris Campbell have been the only two Giants consistently used as starters this preseason, and Slayton had five double-digit scores from Weeks 5-13 last year. The Giants could have no usable receiver with Darren Waller in town, but Slayton and Hodgins (multiple double-digit scores down the 2022 stretch) are worthy deep-league fliers.
12. Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE — Elijah Moore is higher rostered and has the higher ceiling, but the Browns have him locked into three-wide/11 sets, which means DPJ has the higher snap count.
13. Puka Nacua, LAR — 🎯 As mentioned with Jefferson, the Rams need options with Kupp sidelined, and Nacua is a great all-around receiver.
14. Tyler Boyd, CIN — 🫡 A backup plan at receiver, it’s impossible to count on guaranteed production for him, but a Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins injury would make Boyd a weekly starter.
15. Quentin Johnston, LAC — 🎯 Talent should get him past Joshua Palmer within a short time, but Johnston needs an injury to Keenan Allen or Mike Williams for starter value… which is more than possible.
16. Jayden Reed, GB — 🎯 Reed profiles more as a Top 2 receiver than Doubs does, which — when coupled with Doubs’ injury — makes Reed a highly-intriguing stash.
17. Kadarius Toney, KC — Health always a concern. Big plays always a possibility. Talent to be a starter but might never be more than a gadget weapon.
18. Michael Wilson, ARI — 🎯 Wilson has pushed his way into the starting lineup, and given his ability and size, Wilson not only is the No. 2 option ahead of Rondale Moore, but he could be a more consistent target than Marquise Brown.
19. Justyn Ross, KC — 🎯 Tons of talent. Tons of unfortunate injuries. Ross will have package work to start the season but has a ceiling as high as any Chiefs receiver.
20. Darnell Mooney, CHI — 🫡 If DJ Moore misses time, we’ve seen Mooney provide WR3 value.
21. Rashee Rice, KC — Skyy Moore is the best bet, but Rice can push the envelope if all the Chiefs receivers muddle about (muddle… the wife has put The Great British Baking Show on in the background too much).
22. Rondale Moore, ARI — Is this finally the year? Moore is much like Elijah Moore, though, and Wilson has the Top 2 role potential and a higher ceiling.
23. Josh Downs, IND — 🎯 Downs’ style/ability fits Anthony Richardson more than Alec Pierce’s game. Michael Pittman might be the only usable option (and inconsistent himself), but Downs becoming the top weapon wouldn’t be a shock.

MEH 😒

• Michael Gallup, DAL — Third on the depth chart and couldn’t be a reliable option even when he was second last year.
• DJ Chark, CAR — Chark flashes plenty when healthy, but when is that? And has his missed time already pushed him behind Mingo?

STREAMING TIGHT ENDS
(Early Week Ranks)

STREAMING DST

Week 1

• CIN at CLE
• JAX at IND
• KC vs DET
• SEA vs LAR
• ATL vs CAR
• GB at CHI
• MIN vs TB

Week 2

• NYG at ARI
• CLE at PIT
• GB at ATL
• CHI at TB
• KC at JAX
• ATL vs GB
• SEA at DET

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)