Week 1 brought exactly the type of chaos we should expect from an NFL opener.
The Bears scored 59 points.
The Rams scored 7.
Jalen Coker led all WRs with 29.8 PPR points.
And Colston Loveland gave fantasy managers a zero.
That’s why the first waiver run requires some restraint. We have new information to work with, but we still have only one week of games. The players below gave us reasons for optimism, but most shouldn’t be added at the expense of proven options with established roles.
Here are 15 names to consider heading into Week 2:
(These guys are generally available in at least 70% of ESPN leagues and ranked in order of priority by position. Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need help at RB? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then you probably don’t need to chase the top guys.)
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Emmett Johnson, Chiefs
Blind Bid Recommendation: 20-30%
What Changed?
Johnson handled only 8 carries for 24 yards behind Kenneth Walker, who dominated Denver with 23 attempts for 173 yards. But the rookie flashed on his 2 receptions, turning them into gains of 25 and 19 yards while forcing multiple missed tackles. Kansas City schemed one of those touches on a screen.
Johnson’s final college season says this isn’t a fluke. He posted 1,451 rushing yards and finished sixth nationally in missed tackles forced. He added 370 yards on 46 catches.
As a bonus, no other Chiefs RB drew a carry or target on Monday night.
What’s the Outlook?
Johnson is now confirmed as the next man up if Walker misses time. And there’s more reason for optimism beyond the depth-chart position.
Kansas City’s O-line looked excellent against a Broncos defense that ranked best in the league in limiting RB fantasy points last season. Patrick Mahomes struggled as a passer, completing only 54% of his attempts but avoided a setback and showed good mobility in his first game since tearing his ACL in December.
Johnson’s role, supporting cast, and receiving ability make him one of fantasy’s top handcuffs.
Kaelon Black, 49ers
Blind Bid Recommendation: 20-30%
What Changed?
Black entered the opener as the 49ers’ No. 2 back. He left it looking like one of fantasy’s most urgent handcuffs after 14 carries.
Black out-carried Christian McCaffrey 14-10 but finished behind him with 65 rushing yards to McCaffrey’s 68.
What’s the Outlook?
His lack of receiving work could limit Black’s upside. It’s no shock that Black accounted for only 1 target in the opener, but that followed a mere 1.7% target share for his final season at Indiana.
But Black did tally 44 catches across his two seasons at JMU, before following coach Curt Cignetti to Indiana. And he ran 12 pass routes to McCaffrey’s 21 against the Rams. So we’d expect him to lead the backfield receiving work if CMC went down.
Black is a high-end handcuff and should be owned in all leagues as we continue to monitor the 49ers backfield.
Kendre Miller, Saints
Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%
What Changed?
Miller forced himself into an even carry split with Travis Etienne, whom we all expected to easily lead the backfield work with Alvin Kamara inactive.
Etienne proved more efficient with his touches, rushing for 46 yards to Miller’s 30 on their matching 9 attempts. But Miller popped in the team’s only rushing score against the Lions.
What’s the Outlook?
Kamara could return as soon as Week 2, which will further muddle this backfield, but you should try to stash backs getting meaningful work where you can.
Miller remains a low-level asset, as you can tell by the bid recommendation. He’ll likely sit third in playing time and opportunities when New Orleans’ top three backs are available. But an Etienne injury could boost Miller to a priority add, which makes him worth a look before that happens.
Devaughn Vele, Saints
Blind Bid Recommendation: 8-10%
What Changed?
Vele earned a target on just 16.1% of the routes he ran in his first Saints season, ranking 89th last year among WRs who drew at least 30 targets.
His first game this year elevated that usage to a 16.1% target share, 49th among Week 1 wideouts. That cut amounted to 9 targets, thanks to New Orleans flinging 56 pass attempts in the narrow OT loss.
The third-year WR turned those nine targets into 7 catches for 69 yards and a TD, equating to 19.9 PPR points and a WR10 ranking on the week.
What’s the Outlook?
Vele unquestionably benefited from the huge passing volume. Shough’s not likely to get close to that attempt total again this year. He averaged 32.8 passes per game across nine starts in 2025.
But the Saints did enter the year ranked just 23rd in implied team total per game. That points to plenty of time likely spent trailing, which could produce more favorable passing scripts. And Week 2 sends them to Baltimore as a heavy underdog.
That makes Vele potentially usable in Week 2, and he should remain New Orleans’ No. 2 WR at least until rookie Jordyn Tyson returns from his hamstring injury.
We’ll see about Vele’s lineup viability beyond Week 2 after we get another game of data, and we’ll certainly be watching the return timeline for Tyson. He’ll miss at least three more games.
Caleb Douglas, Dolphins
Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-10%
What Changed?
The third-round rookie led the team with 5 catches and 94 yards in his debut. Douglas also just missed another big gainer when he was unable to get a second foot inbounds along the right sideline.
Considering this is the first game of Douglas’ career, it’s fair to be bullish on the remainder of his rookie year after he accounted for 7 targets and a 25.9% target share that ranked second on the team to third-year WR Malik Washington.
What’s the Outlook?
But Douglas’ Week 1 receiving lead followed a buzzy summer, and playing in Miami’s wholly unproven receiving corps gives him a chance to quickly turn into the team’s lead target.
We’re still skeptical about this passing game supporting regular WR production, though. QB Malik Willis arrives with an unimpressive passing history. He washed out in Tennessee before flashing in limited opportunities with the Packers. And he completed just 55.6% of his passes against a Raiders D that’s probably not very good.
Don’t grab Douglas expecting him to become a weekly starter right away. But his debut plus the available opportunity make him worth stashing.
Pat Bryant, Broncos
Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-8%
What Changed?
Bryant entered Week 1 looking like a risky fantasy option after Denver added Jaylen Waddle. Instead, he surprisingly led the team with 6 targets in Monday night’s loss at Kansas City.
Bryant tied the team lead in receptions (4) and ranked second in receiving yards 42, making all of his catches before halftime. That shows you he didn’t just load up in garbage time of a lopsided loss.
His route rate was encouraging, too: 57.6%, well ahead of Troy Franklin (24.2%) and Marvin Mims (21.2%).
What’s the Outlook?
Let’s recognize that Monday produced some unusual results.
Denver went from a 7-7 tie in the second quarter to a 31-10 loss while running only 47 plays. That’s a steep drop from the Broncos’ 64.1 plays per game last season.
Bo Nix attempted only 28 passes, down from 36 per game in 2025, and Jaylen Waddle managed just a 10.7% target share. That has a good chance to represent Waddle’s low point for the season.
Bryant remains worth stashing to see if he consistently performs like one of the top targets in this offense. But you won’t find him in a startable range if you check our Week 2 WR rankings.
Tre Harris, Chargers
Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%
What Changed?
Ladd McConkey led Chargers scoring by a wide margin Sunday with 19.2 PPR points. But McConkey left the game early with a rib injury that could jeopardize his Week 2 availability, according to HC Jim Harbaugh.
Second-year WR Tre Harris followed McConkey in receiving yards while tying Quentin Johnston for second in targets. Harris caught just three of his 6 targets for 20 yards, but his 22.2% target share represented encouraging volume. And we’re betting on this Justin Herbert-piloted offense to rebound from a disappointing opener.
What’s the Outlook?
We’ll see about the severity of Ladd McConkey’s injury, but any absence would boost Harris into at least a top-two spot on the depth chart.
The possibility of him making a second-year leap now as a major focal point for an efficient passing offense has him quite close to must-roster territory.
Michael Mayer, Raiders
Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-8%
What Changed?
Mayer led the Raiders in targets (7) just days after signing his three-year, $45 million extension. His modest 9.2 PPR points underwhelmed, but Mayer matched Ashton Jeanty for the team lead with 6 catches (for a mere 32 yards).
Playing from ahead most of the day helped limit the Raiders to 30 pass attempts, but the team ranked fifth for the week in neutral pass rate. That could pump of the passing volume in more difficult matchups. And we’ll consider Mayer’s 6 catches more encouraging than his 5.3 yards per catch is worrisome.
What’s the Outlook?
The biggest question for Mayer’s outlook is obviously Brock Bowers’ status. The team seems legitimately hopeful that he’ll be ready for Week 2 after a Sept. 8 meniscus trim. We’ll see about that before deciding whether Mayer belongs in Week 2 lineups.
Mayer looks at least like a handcuff-level asset who will be in starter consideration whenever Bowers sits. There’s also a chance, though, that Vegas’ thin WR corps and clear commitment to Mayer (the new contract) keep him in lineup consideration for deeper leagues even after Bowers returns.
Deep Options
Bryce Young, Panthers
Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%
What Changed?
Young completed 23 of 37 pass attempts for 361 yards with 3 TDs and an INT in a game that combined for 96 points between the Panthers and Bears. He added an extra 10 yards and a TD on the ground.
Young came away with the third-highest scoring week of his career (31.4 fantasy points). It’s the highest-producing game for Young that hasn’t come against the Falcons.
What’s the Outlook?
This outing likely says more about the Bears defense — or lack thereof — than it does about Young’s fantasy outlook.
Young ranked outside the top 20 QBs in passing fantasy points per game each of his first three seasons in the league.
But we’re just one week into a new season, so let’s at least stay open to the possibility of Young ascending in Year 4. Meetings with the Falcons, Browns, and Lions (at home) the next three weeks offer opportunities for Young to show whether this year can be different.
Carson Wentz, Vikings
Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%
What Changed?
Wentz filled in after Kyler Murray left with a first-quarter concussion and supplied 19.2 fantasy points, good for mid-to-high QB2 range.
Wentz completed 12 of his 19 pass attempts for 133 yards and 3 TDs in the Vikings’ comeback win over the Packers. It marks the first time in four years that Wentz has thrown at least three TDs in a game.
What’s the Outlook?
Concussions generally cost the player at least one more game. If that holds in this case, Wentz would get to face a Bears defense that just gave up 37 points to the Panthers and Bryce Young. That included 3 TD passes and a rushing score for Young.
Wentz might not present much intrigue at this point in his career, but that Week 2 matchup and playing with Justin Jefferson certainly puts him in play for superflex lineups at the least.
Treat Wentz as a one-week rental.
Emari Demercado, Cowboys
Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%
What Changed?
The Cowboys recently placed No. 2 RB Malik Davis on IR. That put Demercado into the backup role in Week 1, just two weeks after joining the team.
He predictably saw little work. Dallas played from behind in the second half and totaled only 15 RB carries, with Demercado handling two for 7 yards. He added a 6% route rate — trailing FB Hunter Luepke — and wound up playing just 8% of the snaps.
What’s the Outlook?
Demercado enters Year 4 with a career average of 6.5 yards per carry, albeit on only 51 attempts. He also caught 50 passes during his time in Arizona, giving us some evidence that he can produce when given opportunities. Dallas’ No. 9 ranking in rushing yards last year only adds appeal.
For now, Demercado is purely a bench stash who needs a Javonte Williams injury to become fantasy-relevant. But if that opportunity arrives, there’s enough talent and offensive upside for an RB2 ceiling.
Sione Vaki, Detroit Lions
Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%
What Changed?
Detroit traded David Montgomery away in the offseason and then lost Isiah Pacheco to a knee injury and back surgery.
That left Jahmyr Gibbs dominating the backfield with 29 rush attempts and an 87.9% carry share in the Lions’ season opener. Vaki was the only other Detroit RB to see the field against New Orleans.
What’s the Outlook?
Gibbs’ Week 1 carry share checked in more than 30% higher than his previous top mark. Last year’s carry-share leader, Jonathan Taylor, got 73.1% for the season. So you can expect Gibbs’ rushing workload to decrease some.
Don’t expect Vaki to siphon enough work to become a lineup option while Gibbs is healthy. But Gibbs’ heavy load means more opportunities for him to get dinged up, and Vaki could be in for significant touch counts in a high-upside offense if the starter goes down.
Kalif Raymond, Bears
Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%
What Changed?
The Bears exploded for 59 points, and it wasn’t Luther Burden, Rome Odunze, or Colston Loveland who led the pass-catching corps in scoring. It was Raymond.
Raymond finished with 16.4 PPR points after catching eight of his 9 targets for 84 yards. His 9 targets and 31.0% target share led the shootout win over the Panthers.
What’s the Outlook?
Raymond has never averaged more than 8.3 PPR points per game for a season since entering the league in 2016 and this might well be the only time he leads the team in receiving all season.
But he also played for HC Ben Johnson in Detroit, including a 2022 season in which Raymond’s 47 catches trailed only Amon-Ra St. Brown and D’Andre Swift. Raymond’s career high of 48 catches came the season before, with Johnson on staff as Detroit’s TEs coach.
Raymond spent nearly half his time in the slot Sunday (47.8% of pass snaps), according to Pro Football Focus. That’s near-identical to the breakdowns for both Olamide Zaccheaus (50.6% slot) and Luther Burden (47.4%) with last year’s Bears.
Raymond’s more likely to pop up for occasional good weeks than to settle into a regularly usable role. This marks the third time he has produced at least 15 PPR points in a week under Johnson. But expect Burden, Odunze, and Loveland to land ahead of him in targets most weeks.
There is contingent upside to Raymond in case any of those three goes down.
Kyle Williams, Patriots
Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%
What Changed?
Williams gave us nothing to like on his own in the Week 1 loss at Seattle. But the Patriots lost A.J. Brown to a high-ankle sprain in that game and expect him to miss at least the next six games.
That creates obvious opportunity in an offense that watched Mack Hollins lead in Week 1 receiving yardage while big-money free agent Romeo Doubs went silent.
What’s the Outlook?
Let’s be real: It’s pretty discouraging that Williams ranked just fifth among Patriots WRs in playing time last Wednesday, a year after New England drafted him in Round 3 and less than three weeks after the team traded away WR Kayshon Boutte.
But the whole Patriots passing game looked pretty discouraging at Seattle. Perhaps a 23-year-old speedster with downfield juice — 20.9 yards per catch on his 10 rookie-year receptions — gets more attractive to the game planners going forward.
Williams is no more than a speculative stash, though. He’s not likely to offer you much help. But there’s value potential if he can climb into the top 3 at the position, especially for non-PPR formats.
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-8%
What Changed?
Freiermuth finished Week 1 as the TE6 with 15.6 PPR points after hauling in all five of his targets for 46 yards and a TD in the win over the Falcons.
Freiermuth clearly benefited from high team passing volume. He drew just a 12.5% target share amid Aaron Rodgers’ 40 pass attempts. But he also got encouraging playing time.
Freiermuth’s snap share dipped to a career-low 50.6% last season. Sunday’s 73.1%, however, topped any of his previous full-season rates. He reached 70% playing time just once all last season and once after Week 7 in 2024.
What’s the Outlook?
The positive change to Freiermuth’s playing time in the wake of OC Arthur Smith’s departure provides hope that the target share can climb.
He ranked 16th at the position in that category in 2024, which would be enough to support solid-to-good fantasy value this season. Of course, Pittsburgh has added target challenges since then, including the development of TE Darnell Washington beyond his blocking.
Freiermuth remains more stash than lineup option at this point. But he’s a well-paid veteran who ranked 13th among TEs in PPR points per game just two years ago. He could certainly prove useful the rest of the way.