Week 1 Waiver-Wire Pickups: Advice for Preseason Sleepers Who May Be Available

The waiver wire is a key component of any fantasy football championship team, and there is little excuse for owners to avoid it right now.

The fact that Week 1 hasn't begun shouldn't discourage owners from picking through the goods on the market. Granted, everyone usually likes his or her draft, but that doesn't mean upgrades aren't available.

It happens each year. An owner loves the roster but goes ahead and grabs an injury-replacement running back or a high-upside wideout. Said waiver add goes on to become a weekly staple of the attack.

The above scenario isn't common, but if it's possible, why not shoot for it? Here is a look at fantasy sleepers who might be available and worth adding.

Sleepers Who May Be Available

Tajae Sharpe, WR, Tennessee Titans

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Tossing aside a well-known name for a rookie receiver out of the fifth round never sounds like a great idea. 

It's time to change the thought process, though. Tennessee Titans wideout Tajae Sharpe has turned heads this preseason and earned himself run with the first team—to the point that quarterback Marcus Mariota has praised him often.

"He makes it easy," Mariota said, according to Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. "He is a very versatile athlete. He has done a lot for us already and he gets great separation in and out of his routes. We are going to continue to expect these things out of him."

Tennessee wideouts have been a sour point for years in the fantasy realm, with guys such as Kendall Wright never living up to expectations. Sharpe could change the narrative, though, especially after his performance so far helped the team feel comfortable enough to trade Dorial Green-Beckham.

With Mariota learning and a lack of weapons on offense, Sharpe could easily surpass the 100-target mark.

Spencer Ware, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Ryan Kang/Associated Press

There is no excuse for Kansas City Chiefs running back Spencer Ware to sit on anything less than 100 percent ownership. 

Ware is the starting back for the Chiefs, as Jamaal Charles is still working his way back from injury. Long story short, it makes him a surefire RB1, not to mention one widely available in leagues.

DraftKings' Adam Levitan provided an important note on Ware:

While he rushed only 72 times last year, Ware scored six touchdowns. He did much of his damage against this year's Week 1 opponent, the San Diego Chargers. Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune elaborated:

From a fantasy standpoint, opportunities equal production, and whether he's widely known or not, Ware not only catches passes out of the backfield but is also one of the tougher backs in the league to bring down.

If Ware sits on the market in a league, he needs to receive more attention than anyone else.

Darren Sproles, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Age is but a number for a back like Darren Sproles of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

While the Kansas State product is now 33 years old, Sproles has never carried the ball more than 93 times in a season and has fresh legs entering a campaign perhaps poised to be one of his absolute best.

Why? Philadelphia doesn't have much else at running back. DeMarco Murray took 193 carries and 55 targets last year but isn't with the team. It's just Ryan Mathews ahead of Sproles on the depth chart now, but he's a guy who has mustered a full 16-game season only once in six years.

Sproles has 40 or more catches each season seven years and running, and he was ahead of his time as far as fantasy production goes. This could be one of his bigger receiving seasons if the Eagles keep trotting out rookie Carson Wentz under center.

The situation and skill set make Sproles the opposite of a fading veteran. Rather, he's a must-add option if he's gone overlooked in drafts. 

Name	Pos.	Team
Dak Prescott	QB	DAL
Sam Bradford	QB	MIN
DeAndre Washington	RB	OAK
Bilal Powell	RB	NYJ
Paul Richardson	WR	SEA
Chris Hogan	WR	NE
Tajae Sharpe	WR	TEN
Tyler Higbee	TE	LA
Clive Walford	TE	OAK

All scoring info and statistics courtesy of ESPN.com standard leagues, as are points-against info and ownership stats. Average draft position (ADP) courtesy of Fantasy Football Calculator.