After diving into the week 1 data, I have seven recommendations for players to look at for waiver claims in your dynasty leagues. All rostership percentages are from Sleeper. Let’s jump right in!

Zack Moss – RB – Buffalo Bills – 62% rostered

With Zack Moss on waivers in 38% of leagues, he feels worth a shout here. He caught all six of his targets and added six rushes too. With James Cook waiting in the wings, it feels like Moss may not be a long-term investment. But six targets in PPR is enormous. Moss could be a startable flex play in a lot of leagues. If he can find the endzone he’ll be in the RB3 type consideration. Notably, James Cook had no targets and Devin Singletary had just two. If James Cook fumbles again in the coming weeks, then this should keep Zack Moss in the pass-down back role for the next few weeks at least.

Kyle Phillips – WR – Tennessee Titans – 58% rostered

After good signs in camp, Kyle Phillips translated this into a week 1 performance with 9 targets and 6 catches for 66 yards. The rookie dictated a huge 29% target share with Robert Woods and Treylon Burks in play, despite only being on field for 48% of snaps. He and Burks were involved in the game plan yet Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhene only got four targets between them. Maybe that will change in the coming weeks, but if your league is in that 42% of leagues that has Phillips on waivers then he is worth a decent chunk of your FAAB. The hope is that the Titans keep him on the field for every play down the line. Maybe he can slot into that Hunter Renfrow type role.

Tyler Conklin – TE – New York Jets – 51% rostered

So the Jets are seemingly going to be utilising Conklin as their receiving tight end. The former Vikings TE was on the field for 92% of the offensive snaps. On those snaps, he caught 4 passes from 7 targets for only 14 yards and a garbage time touchdown. CJ Uzomah who was expected to have a role was only on the field for 27% of snaps and was not targeted once. Thus if you are feeling a need to go for a Jets tight end and Conklin is still available, then it looks like he is the guy based on week 1.

Kylen Granson – TE – Indianapolis Colts – 21% rostered

Granson is a guy that I feel like I’ve had stashed on my bench/taxi for a lifetime. However in week 1 it seems Granson has emerged as the leading tight end for Indianapolis. His 55% snap share is the highest he has recorded, alongside his other new career highs of seven targets and three receptions. It’s nothing ground-breaking but if Granson can maintain this 15% target share then it appears he is the leading option. However with Jelani Woods and Mo-Alie Cox waiting in the wings, it’s going to take a few more weeks to work out who – if any – of these guys are going to emerge as a viable starter in your lineups.

Shi Smith – WR – Carolina Panthers – 13% rostered

Somewhat unexpectedly Shi Smith was used a lot in the slot. His usage kept Terrace Marshall and Rashard Higgins on the sidelines, playing 77% of offensive snaps. Shi Smith was one of those late round fliers from 2021 that never really seemed to get going but maybe he will get this chance now. Only three targets went his way, with one being caught, but if the usage is repeated again next week his stat line should improve

Greg Dortch – WR – Arizona Cardinals – 8% rostered

There was a bit of hype bubbling around Dortch in the last couple of weeks. Despite his name sounding like a Game of Thrones character, many figured this was the sort of noise that wouldn’t really translate into playing time, thus his “8% rostered” tag. However with Rondale Moore ruled out and DeAndre Hopkins not in the action, this presented Dortch with a chance and he took it, snagging 7 catches for 63 yards off his 9 targets. He barely left the game when the offense were on the field. Surely the Cardinals will give him time next week and at 8% rostered it’s likely he should be available if you need a spot start. If Rondale Moore does return, expectations need to be tempered as that 82% slot rate would likely subside.

Juwan Johnson – TE – New Orleans Saints – 7% rostered

Adam Trautman SZN is over. It saddens me to say it, but I think its time to give up on him. However Juwan Johnson looks like the guy to grab for the Saints. Based on week one it seems that Johnson is the receiving TE with Trautman playing a role as a blocker. The five targets and two catches might not impress too much, but he was only a few routes run short of Landry, Thomas and Olave with 27 in this game. He has a lot of competition for targets with three wideouts that are going to be expecting volume. If Jameis can hold off Taysom Hill in the Redzone and Juwan Johnson can maintain his 75% snap share, we could have ourselves a viable tight end option here.

Already looking forward to bringing you some even better options in week two!

 

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