After one week in the books, here's a list of potential standout players to pick up on the waiver wire.
Below, we highlight the most important players to consider on the waiver wire after Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Staying on top of waivers each week provides a nice edge for fantasy managers trying to stay afloat as injuries and chaos strike each week – and Week 1 surely brought plenty of both.
You’ll find several top waiver options in this weekly feature – along with suggested FAAB bids – followed by a few players to monitor in deeper formats. Generally, players listed here will be available in at least 50% of Sleeper leagues.
Top Waiver Wire Pickups After Week 1
RB Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
Mason surged to Sleeper’s No. 1 trending player on Monday night once Christian McCaffrey was declared a surprise inactive. With all eyes on the undrafted running back Monday night, Mason delivered for the fantasy community. He totaled 147 rushing yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, along with a five-yard catch. While Deebo Samuel mixed in for eight carries (and a TD) out of the backfield, Mason soaked up the rest of the work.
McCaffrey’s injury timetable is murky, and his Week 2 availability is already said to be in doubt.
Mason looks like a fringe fantasy RB1 anytime he draws a start. Beyond that, it’s logical to think McCaffrey will be at a heightened injury risk throughout the season, as this training camp injury keeps lingering.
Entering Monday Night Football, Mason was available in 38% of Sleeper leagues, and he’s an easy player to either unload 50-70% of your FAAB on or use the No. 1 waiver priority.
TE Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Likely is, uh, likely on everyone’s radar after catching nine of 12 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. Mark Andrews did run a couple more routes than Likely, but he looked less dynamic on the field and totaled just two catches for 14 yards.
Likely carries some risk, as there’s a chance Andrews out-produces him for the rest of the season. Upside is critical in fantasy football, though, and Likely clearly has elite fantasy potential each week. He was used more like a receiver than a tight end, too, targeted more than nine yards downfield on average, whereas most tight ends travel just five or six yards downfield on their targets.
Likely is only rostered in 31% of Sleeper leagues, so there’s a strong chance he’s available. Fantasy managers should consider dropping 40-55% of their FAAB on Likely – or their No. 1 waiver claim – if they’re in need of tight end help. Think of him as a risky top-eight option going forward.
WR Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott led the league in passing touchdowns (36) last year, and the Cowboys look like one of the better passing attacks yet again. The veteran Cooks finished second on the team in targets behind CeeDee Lamb in Cleveland (10-7), and he caught four of them for 40 yards and a score. Tight end Jake Ferguson is banged up after Week 1, so Cooks should be locked into a fantasy-friendly role for at least the next few weeks.
He’s probably a fantasy WR3, but his weekly ceiling is more than 20 fantasy points in this offense. Cooks is only rostered in 39% of Sleeper leagues, and 10-20% of your FAAB is suitable for those needing WR help.
QB Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mayfield cooked the Commanders’ shaky pass defense over and over on Sunday, throwing for 289 yards and four touchdowns. His 29.7 fantasy points were second to only Josh Allen at the position, and Mayfield showed great chemistry with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He won't face the Commanders every week, but it was an encouraging 2024 debut for a player who quietly threw 28 TD passes last season.
Mayfield is 41% rostered on Sleeper, and QB-needy managers can throw 7-15% of their FAAB at him.
RB Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders were open about going with a hot-hand approach at running back in Week 1. Mattison looked like a more exciting player than Zamir White on Sunday, and Mattison’s 31-yard touchdown reception involved hurdling two Chargers defenders. However, we need to be realistic, and five carries for 19 yards doesn’t inspire confidence for a workhorse role. Mattison’s four receptions, 43 receiving yards and 16.2 PPR points won’t happen every week, but it’s reasonable to think this lowly Raiders team will be trailing often in games.
Mattison is rostered in just 10% of Sleeper leagues, and 5-10% of your FAAB budget can be allocated to him. There’s a chance his price gets out of control though, as he’s one of the top trending players in the Sleeper app.
WR Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Shaheed tied for the team lead with five targets on Sunday, carving up the Panthers for 73 yards and a score. He’s a volatile fantasy WR4-type who is rostered in 44% of Sleeper leagues, and 5-10% of your FAAB budget can be set aside for him.
TE Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams
WR Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams
WR Tyler Johnson, Los Angeles Rams
Puka Nacua just hit IR with a knee injury and will miss at least the next four games. The Rams’ receiving depth chart is now wide open behind Cooper Kupp, and Parkinson’s five targets and heavy route participation in Week 1 were a pleasant surprise. He caught four passes for 47 yards, good enough for the fantasy TE7 on the week.
Parkinson is only rostered in 10% of Sleeper leagues, and he can probably be obtained for less than 5% of your FAAB budget.
At receiver, Robinson and Johnson both commanded seven targets. Robinson is the preferred option among the two, since he has a longer track record of production. Fantasy managers can consider 3-5% of their FAAB on Robinson (12% rostered in Sleeper leagues) and 1% on Johnson (0% rostered).
Sneak Peek: Deeper and Potential Future Additions
RB Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos
McLaughlin surprisingly out-touched Javonte Williams, but the tiny pass-catching back should only be considered in deep PPR formats given his small stature and the Broncos’ offensive woes.
RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The rookie looked explosive in his debut, and he racked up 76 total yards on 11 touches, though mostly in garbage time.
RB Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bigsby outgained Travis Etienne on the ground (73-44), but it’s unlikely he ever becomes fantasy-relevant without an Etienne injury.
WR Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
For those desperate for PPR production in Week 2, Robinson is coming off a 12-target game and now has a date with the Commanders secondary.
TE Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys
If Ferguson misses time, the 2023 second-round pick has speed and plays in the right offense for fantasy football.
Line Up Your Targets
Make sure to act quickly to secure your waiver wire targets, with most leagues running waivers on Tuesday nights. For more in-depth stats and to view all the trending players in real time, check out the Sleeper app.
Working the waiver wire to your favor is a critical part of fantasy football success, and we’ll be with you every week to help you chase down those playoff berths and fantasy championships.
