13 Players To Pick Up Before Week 1 - Waiver Wire

Josh Norris (0:00)

You know what time it is, the first Waiver Wire episode of the season. I don't know, we're going to give you 12 to 15 names that you should consider at the end of your bench, at the end of your roster right now. Look, I understand you drafted all these names. They're all your babies, they're all going to do well this year.

We just have an open mind, an open ear to some of the names that we bring up, like, you know, Terrance Ferguson and Dontayvion Wicks and even Chris Bell, the rookie wide receiver here from the Miami Dolphins. Joel Smyth joins me for this episode and every single Monday night for the rest of the season to set you up to succeed on the Waiver Wire every single year. So stay tuned to this episode of Yahoo Fancy Football with Josh and Hayden. I want all of you to take a moment, close your eyes and think of the best sporting event that you've ever attended. That instead of just sitting on your couch watching on television, you actually went to the game. For me, I was in college, Steph Curry Davidson was playing the NCAA Tournament against Georgetown in Raleigh. It was like Patrick Ewing Jr., all these like 6'11 guys versus Steph Curry and these 6'7 dudes. And I was like, I have to go see this. I have to go see the guy that is launching shots from half court, even if they have no chance to win. And guess what? They won. And it was so much better because I was actually there versus sitting at home. And you can be there in the action by using game time. College football is coming up, NFL preseason to watch your favorite rookies. It's all available here on game time. And it's not just that. Like I am scrolling to see what is available this weekend in my area. I can go see Hillary Duff if I want to or the dirty GovNas. I mean, whatever you want, it's here on game time. So get your friends together, get your tickets and tell them it's game time. Download, yes, the game time app, create an account and use code fantasy for $20 off your first purchase terms apply. Again, create an account and redeem the code F-A-N-T-A-S-Y for $20 off. Find college football and NFL matchups on game time and download the app today. Just because your draft is complete doesn't mean your roster construction is over. No, no, no. Today, we have at least a dozen names for you to consider ahead of week one and to do that with me every single week once Monday Night Football hits triple zeros, that is Joel Smyth. Joel does fantastic work over at Yahoo. Obviously, you know, his social media bubble, he is simply the best at his deep analysis. Joel, I have an opening question for you that I think fits perfectly into what you do so well.

Waiver Wire budget advice, fab dollars, okay? Are people too aggressive or conservative early in the season?

Joel Smyth (2:43)

I like to be aggressive in general early on. I will say one piece with that, the deeper the league you have, the more aggressive you should be. I would say if you are on a double flex, three receiver, 12 team, 14 team, 16 team, all that, I would be more aggressive in week one if you are in a deeper league because it's going to get to a point where there's just like not many players that are available and there's more teams that are going after those very few players. If you're in a smaller league, then I feel like you can be a little bit more patient. But I did look into this even last year. I remember after week one last season, it was really bad on waivers. I don't know if you remember this, where it was just like, Olly, like, oh, this isn't very fun. We got no waiver options after the first week or good.

And then I looked at the article, Justin Boone wrote it on Yahoo. And there were three names in there still, Trevor Lawrence, Rico Daddle and Kenny Gainwell. Where at the time, it was still like, are they really going to be that good? But it was top five quarterback and two Fantasy running back, two still in week one. So I still lean more aggressive after that first weekend.

Josh Norris (3:46)

Yeah, and Harold Fenn was a big pickup or should have been after week one. That kind of goes into my view on this too, Joel. If you have a belief in a player or in a situation, go for it. Unload the fab early on. Don't be shy, especially if they still have an unknown element to them that others might be questioning that's going to repeat itself a bit more. Like, for example, we're going to talk about Terrance Ferguson here today. If he goes for 87 yards and a touchdown in week one and plays 70% of the snaps for the Rams, I'm going to go nuts with my budget here. Versus another tight end. Let's say Durham Smyth somehow catches two touchdowns and 55 yards in his debut for the Ravens.