The fantasy football season kicks off this Thursday night as the Chiefs host the Lions in what the oddsmakers at SI Sportsbook lists as the highest game total of the week.
Friendly Fantasy Football reminder: Don’t forget to set your lineups, and don't ever start your Thursday players in a flex spot.
But I digress.
This article is for those who drafted some of your teams in July or early August (read: ME). A lot has changed over the last few weeks, and there's probably room for some adjustment. Today's early waiver wire is mostly for depth, but a deep bench can make all the difference during the season. There are also a few streaming options at tight end and Defense, two positions that can usually be streamed successfully all season.
Here we go!
Michael Longo/USA Today Sports Network
Quarterback
Kenny Pickett, Steelers
The Pittsburgh offense has looked sharp in preseason, and the Pickett-to-Pickens connection is one we could get used to seeing. The first QB taken in the 2022 draft, Pickett is poised to take a second-year leap after a solid finish to last season. Pickett also has some mobility and could easily add 300 ground yards and punch in a few touchdowns of his own. But I don't have to say much more about Pickett since Michael Fabiano has him covered as one of his favorite sleepers.
Sam Howell, Commanders
Officially the QB for Washington, Howell is loaded with weapons in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson, and Curtis Samuel, as well as two strong pass-catching backs in Brian Robinson, Jr. and Antonio Gibson. Of course, McLaurin may not be ready to start the season due to a toe injury, but we are talking about two quarterback leagues here, so Howell is still worth a stash. Howell has a massive fantasy upside because of his mobility, too. AT UNC-Chapel Hill in his final season, Howell ran for 828 yards and 11 touchdowns on 183 attempts. Howell looked impressive in preseason action and could be one of the bigger surprises this season. After all, he even surprised his own Head Coach Ron Rivera. The Commanders coach told SI's Albert Breer if he had realized, he "would have played him sooner."
Mark Konezny/USA TODAY Sports
Running Back
Deon Jackson, Colts
If you need a solution for Jonathan Taylor, your best option could be Deon Jackson in the short term. Zack Moss is unlikely to start Week 1, and Jackson does have some experience filling in as the starter for Taylor in 2022. He performed well in those three starts, and rookie Evan Hull is unlikely to be featured more than Jackson, who averaged more than five catches per game in the three games he started for JT last season.
De'Von Achane, Dolphins
Assuming you can't get Raheem Mostert, who is rostered in nearly 70% of leagues, the next pick-up should be rookie De'Von Achane. In deeper leagues, you can also look to Salvon Ahmed, who may surprise us in week one. Jeff Wilson starts the season on Injured Reserve and Mostert is no stranger to injury himself. After failing to sign Dalvin Cook or trade for Jonathan Taylor, the speedy 5'9 rookie third-round draft pick out of Texas A&M should be in for a decent amount of work this season.
Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles
Gainwell could be the lead back for Philadelphia- we just don't know. But what we do know is that he is still available on many waiver wires, and if it turns out he has a good share of the backfield, you could be happy you stashed him.
Jim Dedmon/USA Today Sports
Wide Receiver
Jonathan Mingo/ DJ Chark, Panthers
Hopefully, you are all set with wide receivers for week one, but I like stashing one of these two Carolina receivers if you have the bench space available. Chark may not start Week 1, but he and Young were connecting at camp before his injury, and he has proven he can put up a 1,000-yard season when healthy. He's tall and speedy with great play-making ability. Jonathan Mingo is another interesting add. In his senior year at Ole Miss, Mingo had 51 catches for 861 yards and five touchdowns. The athletic 6'2 receiver is known for his ability to create yards after the catch, and he has both size and speed. Someone has to emerge in this offense, and it's worth taking a chance on at least one of these two receivers.
Michael Wilson, Cardinals
I know, I know. It's hard to get excited about the Arizona offense. Still, it looks like Wilson could open the season as the WR2, and let's face it- Arizona will probably be playing a lot from behind. That can add up to fantasy value. Wilson has been lining up on the outside in two and three WR sets in the preseason, with Rondale Moore operating exclusively in the slot this preseason. That bodes well for the rookie third-round pick out of Stanford, whose 6' 4 frame also gives him an advantage in the red-zone.
Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports
Tight End
Tyler Higbee, Rams
With questions as to whether Cooper Kupp will be ready to start the season, I like Higbee as a streamer this Sunday. In his last full season with Matthew Stafford (who apparently is having trouble relating to the younger in Los Angeles), Higbee finished as the TE14, and his five receiving touchdowns were tied for ninth in the NFL. He has the chance to be the number two target for Stafford this season, but the number one target for Stafford this Sunday. Seattle's defense ranked 27th vs. the tight end position in 2022.
Logan Thomas, Commanders
This is another great streaming option. Not only will Howell likely be without Terry McLaurin, but the Cardinals continue to be abysmal vs. the tight end. Last season, Arizona ranked last in the league vs. tight ends, allowing an average of more than 14 fantasy points per game.
Defense/Special Teams
Consider streaming the Commanders vs. a rudderless Arizona Cardinals team. The Commanders are favored by 7.5, the second-largest spread of the slate in Las Vegas.
