Most important waiver wire options after Week 1

Week 1 of NFL action is almost complete. Sloppy football, turnovers and weird scoring dominated most games. As injuries plague NFL squads, fantasy football players feel the impacts. So, who are the must-add waiver wire options after NFL Week 1?

Note: This was written before Monday Night Football, so if a key injury occurs in the Bills Jets game, adjust accordingly. 

Most important waiver wire options after Week 1

Justice Hill, RB Baltimore Ravens

After reports that J.K. Dobbins tore his Achilles tendon, Hill is the type of player you spend all of your waiver money on. When Dobbins went down, Hill took the majority of the touches and had a solid day against the Houston Texans. This is a high-powered offense that loves to use their running backs, and now Hill is the top option.

Hill was a standout prospect from Oklahoma State but found himself in a loaded backfield in Baltimore. He previously tore his Achilles tendon but looked explosive Sunday and is fully recovered. This is the move that can win leagues.

Hill is available in 99.7% of leagues on ESPN

Kyren Williams, RB Los Angeles Rams

Beat reporters called this Akers backfield for the last seven months. In week one, Kyren Williams took all of the important snaps, scored multiple touchdowns, and was a focal point of the offense. Even though it’s a low-volume offense, Williams is a FLEX option as squads start dealing with injury issues.

Williams is available in 89.7% of leagues on ESPN

Rashee Rice, WR Kansas City Chiefs

After a long season of debating whether the wide receiver one in Kansas City was Kadarius Toney or Skyy Moore, the answer is Rashee Rice. In the Chiefs' upset loss on Thursday, Rice was their most productive receiver. As every other receiver dropped passes and lost rapport with Patrick Mahomes, Rice scored a touchdown and only had two of his five targets go for an incompletion.

In contrast, Toney had five targets resulting in one completion (and one touchdown for the Lions). The rookie did everything right to earn more playing time moving forward. Rice is worth a small waiver bid to add to the end of the bench, or play as a FLEX option in deeper leagues.

Rice is available in 90.5% of leagues on ESPN

Hayden Hurst, TE Carolina Panthers

Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to be bad for their pass catchers. But Bryce Young loved throwing the ball to Hurst on Sunday. Of Young’s 146 passing yards, Hurst had 41. He also caught Young's lone touchdown on the day. He won’t ever escalate to Travis Kelce heights, but he’s a low-end TE1 option week to week. He’s worth a free add, or the bare minimum bid in FAAB leagues.

Hurst is available in 95.2% of leagues on ESPN

Donald Parham Jr. and Quentin Johnston, TE and WR Los Angeles Chargers

Johnston was drafted in most leagues. But on the off chance that someone dropped him to make room for another option, he is a smash play for season-long formats. Mike Williams went down, and Keenan Allen has been far from the picture of health. Herbert is one of the best players in the league, so any pass catcher of his is a target for waiver additions.

Johnston is available in 30.4% of leagues on ESPN

Parham was targeted over Everett where it matters most, in the red zone. He’s a massive target at 6’8″ and earned Herbert’s trust this game. He’s a touchdown-reliant option, but in a top offense for 2023, why not take a swing?

Parham is available in 99.9% of leagues on ESPN

New York Giants, D/ST

Changing defenses week after week to find the best matchups is one of the championship-winning strategies in fantasy football. The Giants play the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2. While the Cardinals did their best against the Washington Commanders, their offense looks atrocious.

The Giants Defense is available in 97.7% of leagues on ESPN

Honorable Mentions

Puka Nacua, WR Los Angeles Rams

Draft capital is supposed to be a major indicator of usage and success in the NFL. No one told Nacua that. He exploded for 10 targets and over 100 yards in his first NFL game.

Jordan Love, QB Green Bay Packers

Maybe it’s not just Aaron Rogers that owns the Bears. Love is a must add player in Superflex or deep leagues, and is worth a look as a streamer next week against the Falcons.