Hello everyone, as we enter week 1, I wanted to get my annual list of players you shoudl consider picking up PRIOR to the start of the season. In previous years, you would have seen the likes of Sam LaPorta, Kyle Monangai and Kyren Williams on this list.
My theory on the early part of the season is pretty simple: it’s always easy to find a stable veteran. By that, I mean that if you draft an average wide receiver or an older running back that has never played exceptionally well, you’re safe to drop him. I highly recommend stacking your roster with up and coming players that could break out in week 1 instead. You don’t want to be in a bidding war early next week if you don’t have to.
I’ve included a number of players on this list at each key position. We all know that there are season-long starters to be had on the waiver wire right now. I think the guys below are the best bets to be those guys:
Quarterbacks:
- Baker Mayfield – he’s probably already on a roster. He had a stinker of a year last year and I don’t love his offensive coordinator, but I think this offense will be much better (if they can stay healthy).
- Tyler Shough – as I said in the Fantasy Football Almanac, Shough finished 2025 on a tear. The Saints overhauled their offensive personnel in the offseason. I love what they have brewing.
- Danny Dimes (Daniel Jones) – hey may start the year slowly, but guys are bouncing back from achilles injuries. The addition of Keenan Allen in the offseason to fill the role vacated by Michael Pittman was sneaky-good. And Jones gets you rushing TDs.
- Malik Willis – I’m surprised he never received much hype. What’s important in a fantasy QB these days? Rushing yardage. Malik Willis doesn’t have a deep statistical library, but he was an impactful passer, didn’t turn the ball over much and ran the ball well in limited action in Green Bay. This system in Miami will be very similar (it is also Shanahan-based). And the rookie receivers in Miami are better than they are currenlty getting credit for.
Running Backs
- Zach Charbonnet – we already saw it on Wednesday night. The Seahawks are going to rotate their running backs. If you have an injury slot, pick Charbonnet up and stash him.
- George Holani – he’ll continue to see touches until Charbonnet returns
- Chris Rodriguez – Tuten got all of the hype, but Rodriguez has a very high career yards per carry average. He also has history with head coach Liam Coen. Tuten will be good, but I will not be the least bit surprised to see Rodriguez in a 50/50 carry split.
- Mike Washington Jr. – I’ve been talking him up all offseason. He should already be on a roster, but as I said in my podcast this week – Washington is the more explosive runnign back. I think he’s the better receiver out of the backfield. We saw Klint Kubiak split touches between Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet in Seattle last year. Is it really out of the question that he won’t split touches between Jeanty, a 3.7 ypc guy last season and his extremly fast rookie RB? Snap him up!
- Emmett Johnson – I didn’t immediately love Johnson coming out of the draft, but he really impressed me during the preseason. I like Mike Washington a bit more, but Johnson is a close second for me.
- Dylan Sampson – I talked him up quite a bit last year and was walking tall after his strong 2025 week-one performance – then the Browns benched him despite having no real contributors in the passing game. I think the new coaching staff will use Sampson a bit more in the screen game. Sampson is a longshot, but if you’re thin and missed out on Mike Washington, he’s not a bad choice.
- Kaleb Johnson – It’s looking like Jacobs will be suspended at least 6 games. Marshawn Lloyd is the starter, but he didn’t impress me much (though neither has Kaleb Johnson to this point). Johnson has the tools. Many thought he was the best runnign back coming out of the 2025 draft. I think Green Bay may be able to wash off the stink that Arthur Smith and the former Steeler offensive coaching staff put on him. If Johnson starts over Lloyd in the first few games this year, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.
Wide Receivers
- KC Concepcion – he’s taken in over 2/3 of leagues right now, but if he’s available, run to the waiver wire grab him.
- Deebo Samuel – he’s also likely taken, but he’ll be a factor in San Fran this year. And I”m still looking for more news on rookie Dezhuan Stribling. I think Stribling will be more impactful after San Fran’s bye week (if healthy). It’s kind of a goofy injury situation with the rookie.
- Keenan Allen – as I said, I don’t love using roster spots on stable, but unimpressive veterans. But he could be as good as a WR2 if he and Daniel Jones can stay healthy. Still, I’d rather have the young guys.
- Tre Tucker and Jalen Nailor – you need to add one of these guys, if not both. This is a very receiver-friendly offensive system. By the depth chart, Tre Tucker should be the Left Outside WR. If that’s the case, he should be the better of the two. Still, my money is on Jalen Nailor to break out. Both will be involved. Both will lineup on either side of the field in 2 WR sets. Both will be flex options all year. In my new dynasty league, I actually added both of these guys very late (I will keep whichver one is better and drop/trade the other).
- Devaughn Vele – he was a PPR factor late last year. With rookie Jordyn Tyson on IR and a pair of other rookies (Bryce Lance and Barion Brown) working on the outside, I think Vele could pop early in the year.
- Caleb Douglas/Chris Bell – The Miami rookies are going to be solid this year. I think Chris Bell will lead the Dolphins in targets when all is said and done. Caleb Douglas is the deep option and could be the better option in TD-only and standard formats. I play mostly in PPR, so I like Bell.
Tight Ends
- TJ Hockenson – with the change in QB, I think “Hock” is set for a massive rebound season. He has top-8 potential. My projections have him in the top-5.
- Chig Okonkwo – take it from me (a fan): Washington’s offensive line is bad, and they have no depth. I’m not sure how that happens, but Washington has pulled it off. Anyway, Daniels is going ot have to throw a lot of quick passes. Zach Ertz benefitted from these targets in previous years. Chig is your new PPR low-cast tight end.
- Mason Taylor and Kenyon Sadiq – I think you can pencil in a 3,500 yard passing season for the Jets this year. I actually like the Jets skill players. Mason Taylor will start the season as a starter, but Sadiq has crazy physical tools that you don’t see often. Had he played in preseason, Sadiq probably would have been drafted by the tenth round. Instead, we have a physical freak and first-round TE going undrafted in many leagues. Why not pick him up and stash him? There aen’t many players like him in the league.