Examining Week 1 Waiver Wire Fantasy Football Lineup Options After Injury Reports

The first week of the NFL season can be a tricky one for fantasy managers to navigate. Rosters and roles have changed, and no one knows exactly who this year's stars will be.

Those who predicted Jahan Dotson outperforming A.J. Brown in the opener? Put your hands down. You're fibbing.

Injuries further complicate matters, and while the Week 1 injury report isn't extensive, it includes a few notable names. Here, you'll find a look at this week's top remaining plays, the latest injury buzz and some of the best waiver-wire targets likely to still be available.

All rankings and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
4. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
8. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
10. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

There are no major quarterback injuries on the Week 1 report, so managers may only be targeting the waiver wire for depth and/or another streaming option.

Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller Trevor Lawrence is a strong Week 1 streaming option who might be available. The fifth-year pro is only rostered in 51 percent of Yahoo leagues and 38 percent of ESPN leagues.

While we don't know exactly what to expect from Lawrence under new head coach Liam Coen, his opening matchup is intriguing. The Carolina Panthers are set to visit Jacksonville after allowing the third-most fantasy points to opposing QBs last season.

Other quarterbacks to consider include Michael Penix Jr. (rostered in 33% of Yahoo leagues, 20% of ESPN) and Bryce Young (26%, 15%).

Running Back

AP Photo/John Raoux

Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten

1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
4. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
6. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
8. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
9. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
10. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

The most notable addition to this week's injury report is Christian McCaffrey, who is listed as questionable with a calf injury. However, the San Francisco 49ers star doesn't appear concerned.

"I feel great about where I'm at," McCaffrey told reporters on Friday.

Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (knee) has been ruled out, though that was widely expected.

Lawrence isn't the only Jaguar worth considering for play against the Panthers. Rookie running back Bhayshul Tuten has enough big-play ability to reward managers, even in a backfield that also includes Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby.

No team allowed more fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024 than Carolina. Tuten is rostered in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues and just 44 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other RBs to target on the wire include Trey Benson (39% Yahoo, 53% ESPN) and Dylan Sampson (47%, 33%).

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski

Bears WR Luther Burden III

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
4. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
5. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
6. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
8. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
9. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

To the surprise of no one, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) has been ruled out. He's recovered well enough from last year's season-ending injury that he avoided IR and the PUP list to start the season. However, he was never really expected to be available in Week 1.

San Francisco 49ers receiver Jordan Watkins (ankle) is doubtful, while Atlanta Falcons receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) and Miami Dolphins receiver D'Wayne Eskridge (concussion) are questionable.

Seattle Seahawks receivers Jake Bobo (concussion) and Dareke Young (hamstring) have been ruled out.

Chicago Bears rookie Luther Burden III could have a notable NFL debut against the rival Minnesota Vikings. He'll have to contend with the likes of Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland for targets, but no team allowed more fantasy points to opposing receivers in 2024 than Minnesota.

Burden is rostered in only 23 percent of Yahoo leagues and 18 percent of ESPN leagues.

Other receivers to consider include Marvin Mims Jr. (40% Yahoo, 40% ESPN) and Adam Thielen (27%, 43%).

Tight End

AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes

Patriots TE Hunter Henry

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
3. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
4. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
5. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
6. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
7. Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
8. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
9. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
10. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Injury Report and Waiver Wire Targets

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (foot), Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (hip) and Denver Broncos tight end Nate Atkins (ankle) have been ruled out.

Managers seeking a starting-caliber replacement may be able to land New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, who is rostered in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues and 44 percent of ESPN leagues. Henry caught 66 passes for 674 yards and two touchdowns last season and should remain Drake Maye's top target at tight end.

Henry and the Patriots are set to host a Las Vegas Raiders team that allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2024.

Other tight ends who could be available include Zach Ertz (51% Yahoo, 41% ESPN) and Chigoziem Okonkwo (35%, 11%).

*Fantasy scoring and roster information from FantasyPros.