2014 Fantasy Football: Predicting Week 1 Waiver-Wire Breakouts

Fantasy football drafts are all done, games have been played (with Seattle thoroughly outplaying Green Bay Thursday night) and now we're all ready for out first full set of games this weekend. After that, our next natural tendencies will be to scour the waiver wire.

While you'd like to ride out who you drafted, sometimes those early-season gems turn out to be gold. Remember how good Julius Thomas was in Week 1 last year against the Ravens (five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns) and how he parlayed that into stardom?

So, yeah, you may want to stay ahead of the curve. And while the following players in the slides ahead may not be sure things, they have matchups they can possibly exploit, and in turn make them waiver-wire darlings.

Here are the five players (ranked in order of fantasy relevance) who may break out in Week 1 and become great waiver-wire fodder next week.

Honorable Mentions

Frank Franklin II/Associated Press

Other players who can surprise in Week 1 and become popular pickups next week: 

• John Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
• Dri Archer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Tavon Austin/Kenny Britt, WR, St. Louis Rams
• Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Timothy Wright, TE, New England Patriots
• Mohamed Sanu, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
• Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts 

5. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

Coming off an impressive preseason, Travis Kelce is a popular name among fantasy players these days.

After recording 11 receptions for 193 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the preseason, Kelce looks like he could be a sneaky breakout this year. With the Kansas City Chiefs receiving corps being less than stellar, Kelce could be a target Alex Smith locks in on early and often.

While the Tennessee Titans, the Chiefs' Week 1 opponent, have a good secondary, Kelce is capable of finding soft spots in the zone. He may just be headed for a breakout year. You don't want to miss out, do you?

4. Markus Wheaton, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

Although Markus Wheaton did not have a great preseason, his quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, likes what he's seen from him, reports Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

While, of course, Antonio Brown is Roethlisberger's main weapon of choice, Brown can't do it alone. And with Emmanuel Sanders now in Denver, Wheaton has a chance for success as the Steelers' secondary receiver.

That success may come this week when the Steelers take on the Cleveland Browns. With Cleveland's stud cornerback Joe Haden likely covering Brown, Wheaton may be matched up with Buster Skrine. It's a matchup Wheaton may be able to exploit.

3. Derek Carr, QB, Oakland Raiders

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

There are plenty of good quarterbacks in the league, with many of them being much better fantasy options than Derek Carr. However, the potential Carr possesses should not be overlooked.

After completing 30 of 45 passes for 326 yards and four touchdowns (one interception) in the preseason, Carr has perked up the ears of savvy fantasy players. While he'll have his ups and downs in his rookie year— after all, the Raiders offense is no juggernaut—Carr's upside is legit.

And he could immediately start his season off with a bang. Facing a banged-up New York Jets secondary, if Carr gets the necessary protection in the pocket, he could be poised for a huge afternoon.

2. Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Plenty of knowledgeable fantasy players probably already own Jordan Matthews. In case you don't, keep the rookie receiver on your radar.

Although he will be behind Jeremy Maclin and Riley Cooper on the wide receiver depth chart, Matthews has big-play ability that will not go unnoticed. Equipped with a big frame (6'3”, 212 lbs.), he could become a major target for Nick Foles in the red zone.

With a game on tap this Sunday against a vulnerable Jacksonville Jaguars secondary, Matthews could make his impact felt sooner than later.

1. Cody Latimer/Andre Caldwell, WR, Denver Broncos

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Cody Latimer, WR, Denver Broncos

With the news that Wes Welker is suspended for the first four games of the season, it opens the door for Denver Broncos receivers Cody Latimer and Andre Caldwell to make an impact early on.

The first instinct is to think the coveted rookie prospect Latimer will shine. He very well may do so, as he has tremendous size, speed and athletic ability. It may take him some time to adjust, but the skills are clearly there and he may find gaps in the Indianapolis Colts' secondary if given the chance.

Caldwell, on the other hand, should not be so easily dismissed. Last year when Welker was out with a concussion in Week 15 against San Diego, Caldwell reeled in six catches for 59 yards and two touchdowns.

Playing out of the slot, Caldwell could once again rack up a lot of receptions and yardage Sunday night. Peyton Manning knows how to spread the ball around, and Caldwell could certainly get a lot of good looks Sunday.

Either one or both of Latimer and Caldwell could very well end up becoming a wanted man come next week.

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