DeAndre Washington

Waiver Wire Week 1-Top 10 fantasy football pickups

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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If you’re ready to hit the waiver wire before your fantasy football season starts, check out these top 10 fantasy football pickups.

Virgil Green (85) is fired up to be one of the top waiver wire pickups going into the 2016 fantasy football season. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Every good fantasy football owner knows that a good draft is just the first step to a successful season. Every year there are a number of useful and productive fantasy options that aren’t drafted but emerge throughout the season. To add these important and sometimes championship-winning players after the draft, you’ll need to be ready to work your league’s waiver wire.

If you’re just here for the top 10 fantasy football pickups heading into Week 1, you can skip to the next slide. However, on the rest of this slide I’ll outline some overall strategy for working the waiver wire, and let you know what to expect throughout the year from the fantasy coverage at FanSided.com.

Each Tuesday morning throughout the season, check back on the fantasy football hub for my top ten pickups from the waiver wire. Most leagues use their waiver wire as a system to ensure the worst teams have the opportunity to improve not just rewarding whichever obsessive owner is the first to jump online and add a new player.

The waiver wire system may vary from league to league, but the basic premise is usually pretty similar. Once players start their game for the week, they are “locked” as unowned and cannot be added until a certain time (usually early Wednesday morning). Owners are allowed to place a conditional claim on the player and those claims are rewarded in the reverse order of the standings. The worst team can add any player it wants (while dropping a player), and then the second-worst team gets there pickup and so on through the whole league.

Last year, some of the eventual standouts who starter the year on the waiver wire included players like Tyler Eifert, Carson Palmer, Doug Baldwin, Dion Lewis, and even Devonta Freeman. Having a good draft is an all-important step #1 on the road to fantasy football domination, but you’ll need to tweak your roster throughout the season to keep it in top shape.

To help you find the right players to pickup from the waiver wire, my top 10 pickups each week highlight at least one QB, one RB, one WR, one TE, and one D/ST. Later in the week, we’ll dive deeper into each position in case you are in a deep league where these options aren’t available. As a general rule, my pickups are always available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues with their ownership percentage included in parentheses at the top of their slide.

If you have any questions about our waiver wire pickups or our fantasy football coverage in general, feel free to drop them in the comments at the bottom of the page or send them over to FansidedFantasy on Twitter. I use that Twitter handle throughout the season to give you my fantasy opinion on any lineup question, waiver wire question, or trade you send my way.

Whether you left your team on auto-draft, stashed someone on IR, or are already done with one of your sleepers, check out these top 10 targets if you’re hitting the waiver wire before Week 1 this season.

Aug 27, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tajae Sharpe (19) rushes against Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson (29) during the first half at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Tajae Sharpe-WR-Tennessee Titans (37.0%)

The Titans completed a total overhaul of their offense this offseason upgrading at running back and wide receiver for their second-year QB Marcus Mariota. The Titans top three wide receivers are all new additions, and one of the hottest names in camp has been rookie Tajae Sharpe. Sharpe is my top waiver wire target going into the season since I think he’ll be the team’s leading receiver and get plenty of targets throughout the season.

Sharpe joined the Titans after being selected int he fifth round out of UMass without much fanfare. However, he quickly displaced higher-round draft picks Justin Hunter and Dorial Green-Bekcham while carving out a big role as a starter across the field from free agent signee Rishard Matthews.

Throughout offseason workouts, Coach Mike Mularkey and QB Mariota talked up Sharpe, but the rookie has shown to be more than just buzz with a strong preseason. In Preseason Week 2 he posted 68 yards on six catches while finding the end zone agains the Panthers. In Preseason Week 3, he only managed to haul in one pass but he did take it for an impressive 60-yard gain.

The Titans will run the ball a ton this year with their “Thunder and Thunder” attack of DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, but look for Sharpe to be their most-targeted receiver. I think he has a shot to lead the Titans WR in targets, receptions, and touchdowns this season which would make him a fringe-flex play ever week. If he’s on your waiver wire, make the move to get him.

Sep 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Denver Broncos tight end Virgil Green (85) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Virgil Green-TE-Denver Broncos (10.3%)

Not only does adding Virgil to your team from the waiver wire give you some nice fantasy team name options, Green is a huge breakout candidate who is way-too-widely available going into the season.

Green is in a great place to succeed as the tight end in Gary Kubiak’s system. Kubiak’s offense has made lots of tight ends with less potential very fantasy relevant. Green showed some good hands this preseason totaling ten catches for 97 yards and a touchdown in his three contests.

He’ll be working with first-year starter Trevor Siemian who he has shown a solid connection with from last year’s time on the second unit. Green only had 12 catches for 173 yards and a touchdown last season in the best season of his career. He should have no problem setting career highs in every meaningful category this season. He’ll be one of the Broncos favorite targets early in the season, so go Green if you need help from the waiver wire at TE .

Jul 31, 2016; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Mike Wallace (12) catches a pass during the morning session of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Wallace-WR-Baltimore Ravens (37.0%)

Just a few seasons ago, Wallace was an elite receiver for the Steelers putting up back-to-back 1,100 yard seasons. He left the Steelers before the 2013 season and has fallen all the way to the point where now he’s starting the season on the waiver wire in many fantasy formats.

Wallace actually had over 830 yards for five straight years with at least eight scores in four of those five years prior to last season. Last season was a big letdown, but it came in the run-heavy receiver-wasteland of Minnesota. He only ended up with 473 yards and two scores, but he is in a much better situation to succeed this season.

This offseason, Wallace signed with the Ravens who were badly in need of receiver help despite having a productive passing offense. Baltimore finished in the top-10 in the league in passing yards, completions, and pass play percentage despite losing Joe Flacco midway through the season. Wallace should get more opportunities to produce simply by changing purple teams from Minnesota to Baltimore.

Another factor that is in Wallace’s favor going into he season is the rash or injuries to the Baltimore receiving options ahead of him. Breshad Perriman and Steve Smith were hurt all preseason and tight end Ben Watson was lost for the season. Perriman did play in Preseason Week 4, and Smith has been practicing lately. However, both’s early season usage is extremely uncertain which should leave plenty of targets and potential for Mike Wallace.

Wallace showed a clear connection with Joe Flacco in their time on the field together this preseason and was targeted six times in the first quarter of the Preseason Week 3 “dress rehearsal.” Wallace is a big time bounce back candidate on the waiver wire, and I see him as a good fit for Flacco and coach John Harbaugh’s vertical-oriented passing game.

Aug 28, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler (17) makes the call at the line during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Osweiler-QB-Houston Texans (28.8%)

The Texans shelled out big money to bring in Brock Osweiler this offseason to solve their mess of a QB situation. If you’re hitting the waiver wire looking for QB help, Osweiler has the highest ceiling of the widely available options although he is risky since he’s unproven.

Osweiler threw for 1,967 yards in his nine games for Denver last year throwing ten touchdowns and six interceptions. He will be playing in a different system this year, though, and won’t be able to rely as heavily on the defense to carry the team.

The Houston offense around him, though, has him in a great place to succeed. He has one of the top receivers in the NFL in DeAndre Hopkins with a solid running back in Lamar Miller. This preseason, Osweiler showed strong connections with the Texans two rookie receivers as well. Both Will Fuller and Braxton Miller had good preseasons and look ready to contribute.

Remover Coach Bill O’Brien made his offense work with Ryan Fitzpatrick two seasons ago and last year pieced it together with Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer, Brandon Weeden, and T.J. Yates. I think even Osweiller’s biggest critics would see him as an improvement on that motley crew.

Osweiler finished the preseason with a flourish throwing for 146 yards and a touchdown while completing 11 of his 13 passes against the solid Arizona defense. With the weapons he has around him, Osweiler will have every chance to succeed, so take a shot on him on your waiver wire if you need QB help.

Jul 29, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) makes a catch during training camp at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Tyler Boyd-WR-Cincinnati Bengals (32.6%)

The Bengals lost Mohamed Sanu and Marvin Jones to free agency this offseason and won’t have Tyler Eifert to start the season as he works his way back from injury. With all those targets available, it would be a good idea to add Tyler Boyd off the waiver wire since he should be set up for a fast start.

Boyd has been playing behind Brandon LaFell as the team’s third WR, but LaFell has been underwhelming in recent seasons. Boyd should be able to pass him fairly quickly and develop a solid rapport with QB Andy Dalton.

Boyd was the team’s second-round pick out of Pittsburgh and looks ready to be the #2 wide receiver option in his first year in the NFL. This preseason, he caught a touchdown from A.J. McCarron in Preseason Week 2 and finished with five catches for 92 yards.

His early season upside makes him a solid pickup from the waiver wire if you need a quick fix to replace receivers you don’t really want to count on.

September 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders running back DeAndre Washington (33) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks free safety Tyvis Powell (40) during the first quarter at Oakland Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

DeAndre Washington-Oakland Raiders (32.7%)

All preseason, I’ve been very high on the Raiders offense and especially rookie running back DeAndre Washington. Washington was one of my favorite late-round fliers, but he’s ending up on the waiver wire in most leagues despite a big preseason.

Washington competed with fellow-rookie Jalen Richard throughout the preseason for the job as Latavius Murray’s primary backup. Washington won the job with a strong preseason highlighted by a big Preseason Week 3 when he ran for 55 yards on eight attempts and got into the end zone with a six-yard reception.

Washington came out of the pass-heavy Texas Tech attack, so he could emerge early in the season as a third-down option and solid receiver out of the backfield for Derek Carr. Washington struggled a bit in Preseason Week 4, but I still think he’ll end up sharing some of Murray’s workload in a rapidly improving Oakland offense this season.

Aug 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kenneth Dixon (30) runs during the first half against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Kenneth Dixon-RB-Baltimore Ravens (14.3%)

Dixon would have been all the waiver wire rage heading into the season if it wasn’t for a knee injury that has him sidelined for the first few weeks of the season. Dixon was putting together an impressive preseason before the injury.

Dixon was one of the better running backs in last year’s draft but he slid all the way to the fourth round where the Ravens scooped him up at pick 134. It was hard to tell exactly what kind of back Dixon will be from his college tape since he played in the wide-open spread offense of Louisiana Tech.

So far in his time in the NFL, Dixon has drawn rave reviews and been very impressive. He led the team in rushing with 44 yards on his nine carries in Preseason Week 1 and added 63 more yards on 13 carries in the following two weeks. He didn’t play Preseason Week 4 after tweaking his knee, but the Ravens were comfortable enough with his progress and his injury to release veteran Justin Forsett earlier this week.

While Forsett may return to Baltimore soon, Dixon has a good chance to emerge as the lead back by midseason. MMQB’s Peter King predicted he’ll be the team’s lead back by mid-October. While West, Allen, and possibly Forsett make the situation murky, you could end up with one of the better rookie running backs if you can stash Dixon off of the waiver wire.

Aug 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Redskins running back Robert Kelley (22) scores a touchdown over Atlanta Falcons linebacker Tyler Starr (52) in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Redskins 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Robert Kelley-RB-Washington Redskins (4.2%)

Washington’s offense needs some help this season in the backfield after losing veteran Alfred Morris to the Cowboys as a free agent. Matt Jones is expected to step in as the workhorse back, but Robert Kelley has had a strong preseason and earned his way into some carries to start the season. If you need some help from the waiver wire, Kelley is a great option available in 95% of ESPN leagues.

Matt Jones went down in Preseason Week 2 with a shoulder injury, and he hasn’t played since. He is expected to return for Week 1 against the Steelers, but the third-round pick out of Florida still needs to prove he can be a consistent option. Jones has shown flashes but has also struggled.

Kelley joined Washington as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane, and he emerged this preseason as a strong backup. Kelley ran for 198 yards on his 38 carries averaging 5.21 yards per carry. He used his time with Jones out as an opportunity to work with the first team offense and claim more of the workload going into the season.

Some beat writers have even gone as far to anticipate a 40-60 split with Kelley and Jones which would definitely make Kelley a fantasy option. He is worth a look on the waiver wire especially with Jones lack of durability. Kelley isn’t going to run past people with blinding speed, but he is a decisive and powerful runner that could be a good goal line option as the season goes on as well.

Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) catches a touchdown pass during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos won 27-20. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Tyrell Williams-WR-San Diego Chargers (1.1%)

If you want a deep league sleeper to stash heading into the season, check out Tyrell Williams of the Chargers who is on almost every waiver wire. Williams is expected to start and play plenty of plays for the Chargers who run a very pass-heavy scheme.

Last year, Williams was basically red-shirted after joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of Western Oregon. He wasn’t active until week 11 and didn’t make a catch until Week 17 against the Broncos. In that game, he hauled in two passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Williams is an athletic specimen who combines good speed with a big 6’4 frame. He has improved throughout the offseason and preseason emerging as a very solid option for the Chargers three-wide receiver sets. Williams will not only get lots of time in three-wide sets, but he could even split time across from Keenan Allen with Travis Benjamin who is viewed as a situational deep threat by some.

This preseason, Williams hauled in seven catches for 83 yards while playing with the first team for most snaps. He took a huge leap in fantasy value when Stevie Williams was lost for the season, so give him a look late in your fantasy drafts or grab him on your deep-league waiver wire.

While obviously, Philip Rivers will focus on Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates, and Danny Woodhead, I think Williams will emerge as a ownable option in most leagues as the season goes on. The Chargers

Aug 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebackers James Harrison (92) and Ryan Shazier (50) and defensive end Cameron Heyward (97) line up against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half of their game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Bridge-USA TODAY Sports

Pittsburgh Steelers (20.9%)

The Steelers are a fringe-top-ten defense according to most rankings and ADP coming into the season. They open the season with a Week 1 game in Washington on Monday Night Football.

The Steelers D/ST finished in the top six last year in sacks, fumbles recovered, and interceptions. They ended up as the #8 defense in fantasy points despite allowing the 11th-most yards in the league. James Harrison has worked his way through the NFL’s convoluted system and will be the veteran voice leading the way in Week 1.

The Steelers have some nice young starters as well in cornerbacks Artie Burns and Sean Davis while adding Justin Gilbert for depth in the secondary just a few days ago. Up front, the big name is Cameron Heyward while Stephon Tuitt is an emerging force as well.

With a solid group of playmakers and a good matchup against Washington in Week 1, the Steelers are my favorite streaming defense that is widely available on the waiver wire.