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

The back end of fantasy football rosters will go through a ton of change throughout the NFL season.

Fantasy football players will mine the waiver wire each week in search of the difference-makers who can win them weekly matchups, or even a championship.

The sleeper options on the waiver wire can be tough to pinpoint in Week 1 because of a whole host of unknowns across the league.

However, we have a good idea of at least a few players who could see a decent amount of targets that turn them into higher-profile pickups after Week 1.

Van Jefferson

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PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 09: Van Jefferson #11 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in action against the Houston Texans on August 9, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Van Jefferson enters the regular season as Pittsburgh's No. 2 wide receiver.

He emerged in the role during an offseason in which the Steelers traded Diontae Johnson to Carolina and failed in a pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk.

George Pickens is the No. 1 wide out and will receive a heavy load of targets, but Russell Wilson can't throw to just one player all game.

Jefferson has one season with more than 400 receiving yards in his career, so it is understandably hard to trust him from a fantasy football perspective.

Jefferson's best season came with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021. He's been a fantasy football afterthought over the last two seasons.

However, he is in the No. 2 role, and if you look at him as a fantasy prospect in his current role and do not factor in his past, he at least has some intrigue.

It may take a week or two for fantasy football players to jump on Jefferson on the waiver wire, but he may be worth the last spot on your roster for now.

Andrei Iosivas

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CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 07: Andrei Iosivas #80 of the Cincinnati Bengals scores a touchdown during the third quarter in the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Andrei Iosivas is Tyler Boyd's replacement in the Cincinnati Bengals offense.

Iosivas is listed as the No. 3 wide receiver behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins for the opener against the New England Patriots.

Chase's contract situation could benefit Iosivas in Week 1 if the star wideout does not play. Chase has not been practicing with the Bengals.

Iosivas featured in a small role inside the Cincinnati offense in his rookie campaign. He should cruise past his 116 receiving yards from 2023 in September.

How much usage Iosivas sees is the real question. Chase and Higgins are the top pass-catchers, Mike Gesicki is now the Bengals' tight end and the team has two decent pass-catching running backs in Zack Moss and Chase Brown.

At least for Week 1, Iosivas is worth a roster spot because of the unknowns surrounding Chase's status and the weak opponent in New England.

Jaleel McLaughlin

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DENVER, COLORADO - AUGUST 18: Jaleel McLaughlin #38 of the Denver Broncos runs the ball in the first half during the preseason game against the Green Bay Packers at Empower Field At Mile High on August 18, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Tyler Schank/Getty Images)

Jaleel McLaughlin has the potential to be one of the breakout running backs in fantasy football.

McLaughlin is fighting to take some snaps from Javonte Williams inside Sean Payton's system in Denver.

McLaughlin ran for 410 yards last season, but that is not the key statistic fantasy football players should pay attention to.

He caught 31 of his 36 targets in 2023. His receiving talents could be vital to a Denver offense that may utilize more checkdowns and short passes in Bo Nix's first season.

Denver's wide receiver depth is thin behind Courtland Sutton, and if Nix faces a ton of pressure, he will look to someone like McLaughlin to gain yards on short pass plays.