Fantasy Football 2012: Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

Admittedly, the first week of the fantasy football season isn't generally the time of year when you want to be sent hurrying to the waiver wire looking for pickups.

That said, we don't always get what we want, and whether your team has been hit early by injuries or you're just trying to stay ahead of the curve, it's always a good idea to know what's out there.

Here's a look at the top handful of pickups for the opening week of the 2012 season.

Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks

If your league has already drafted but free agency hasn't opened yet, I can say with a fair amount of certainty who the top waiver claim will be.

After an outstanding preseason that saw third-round rookie quarterback Russell Wilson throw for 536 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for another 150 yards, fantasy owners have been sent scrambling to their waiver wires in search of the scrambling quarterback.

It's important not to get too carried away by the hype, but there's also no denying that Wilson's dual-threat ability increases his fantasy value, making him very much worth a look as a backup signal-caller.

Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Whether you're a fantasy owner of running back Ryan Mathews of the San Diego Chargers or Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, it's time to look to Plan B for a Week 1 starter at the position.

If you turn to the waiver wire to do so, I'd suggest Jonathan Dwyer of the Pittsburgh Steelers, who continues to gain ground on Isaac Redman in the battle to start for the Pittsburgh Steelers while Rashard Mendenhall is sidelined.

The third-year pro gained 63 yards on 13 carries in Pittsburgh's preseason finale, and Dwyer has made a very positive impression on Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin, who told the team's official site that Dwyer's solid performance was "really a snapshot of his growth and development throughout this training camp and preseason."

Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins

OK, so Dwyer's not available. Now what?

If you're forced to look a little deeper for a running back to play, then you may have to be a brave soul and delve into the dark and treacherous waters of the Washington Redskins backfield.

Those waters may have cleared a bit with Friday's release of running back Tim Hightower. After rushing for 107 yards on 14 carries in Washington's third preseason game, rookie running back Alfred Morris sat in the finale, which could indicate that he will be the opening-day starter.

However, Roy Helu and Evan Royster both played well in that finale, so it could also mean nothing.

Monitor the situation closely, and welcome to "Shanahanigans"...your table is waiting.

Dwayne Harris, WR, Dallas Cowboys

This is another Week 1 pickup that calls for an iron will, but sometimes desperate times call for desperate measures, and if you're already combing the waiver wire for a pickup, guess what?

You're probably desperate.

Second-year pro Dwayne Harris stated his case to be the Dallas Cowboys' third wide receiver in the preseason, staging a coming-out party of sorts with eight catches for 173 yards and three touchdowns.

In 2011, the third wide receiver spot in Big D produced a top-20 fantasy receiver in Laurent Robinson, and while both Miles Austin and Dez Bryant are expected to start the season opener against the New York Giants, both players are also dinged up.

Add in the very real possibility that the Wednesday night affair could be a high-scoring one, and Dwyane Harris is worth a look from fantasy teams in need of wide receiver help.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense/Special Teams

If you read my fantasy football articles here at Bleacher Report—and if you don't, shame on you—then you know I'm a big proponent of playing "matchups" with defenses that can be found on your fantasy league's waiver wire.

An excellent example of taking advantage of this philosophy lies with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars, who ranked a very respectable sixth in the National Football League in total defense in 2011, travel to face a Minnesota Vikings team that ranked 18th in the NFL in offense last year and will likely be without their top offensive weapon, running back Adrian Peterson.

Those are the sorts of matchups that should produce at least decent fantasy production, making the Jaguars a solid plug-and-play defense for the season's first week.