Fantasy football waiver wire: Wide receivers to replace Puka Nacua?

Eric Moody, ESPNSep 9, 2024, 02:56 PM ET

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The NFL is a “next man up” league and, by extension, your fantasy football league is as well. You acquired your team during the preseason draft, but it’s the moves you make as the season unfolds that will ultimately decide if you’re playoff-bound or planning for next season. Every week, we’ll help you identify the players available in more than 50% of ESPN leagues whose value has taken a turn for the better and should be added to your roster as starters or as a smart stashes for your bench.

Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua was ruled out for the rest of Sunday’s game after suffering a knee injury in the first half against the Detroit Lions. Last season, Nacua set records for the most receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) by a rookie in league history.

On Monday afternoon, Rams head coach Sean McVay announced that Nacua will be placed on IR due to a sprained PCL, meaning he will miss at least four games. Since the Rams have a bye in Week 6, that means the soonest Nacua can possibly return to game action is Week 7.

With that in mind, let’s get into this week’s waiver wire at every position, starting with the receivers who might most help you weather Nacua’s prolonged absence.

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With Nacua sidelined on Sunday, Tyler Johnson (unrostered in ESPN leagues) and Demarcus Robinson (14.8% rostered) both stepped up. Johnson finished with seven targets and 12.9 fantasy points, while Robinson had seven targets and 8.2 points. Of the pair, Robinson (who played on more snaps and ran more routes) is my preferred waiver wire claim. He had a strong finish to last season, averaging 6.8 targets, 63.8 receiving yards, and 0.80 touchdowns per game. Against a vulnerable Arizona Cardinals secondary in Week 2, Robinson is firmly on the flex radar.

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (42.0%): With the Michael Thomas era officially at an end, Shaheed’s target share was expected to rise this season as the Saints’ No. 2 receiver behind Chris Olave. While the team didn’t need much from the latter against the Panthers, Shaheed made the most of his opportunities, catching three out of five targets for 16.3 fantasy points. Last season, he led the league with nine receptions of 30-plus air yards, and he scored on his first such target this season. Although he faces a tough Dallas Cowboys secondary in Week 2, Shaheed is worth adding to your roster. His snap count and routes run are similar to what Olave was getting on a regular basis last season.

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys (29.7%): The Cowboys are thin on reliable receiving options behind CeeDee Lamb. TE Jake Ferguson suffered an MCL sprain in Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns, but he may still try and play through the injury. In Week 1, Cooks had seven targets and scored 14.5 fantasy points. For his career, the veteran receiver has averaged 14.5 fantasy points per regular season game in which he’s had seven or more targets. In Week 2, the Cowboys face a Saints secondary led by star CB Marshon Lattimore, but the veteran did have to leave Week 1’s game due to a hamstring injury.

Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (6.8%): Robinson led the Giants with 12 targets, which was tied for the second-most targets in the league in Week 1, and he’s clearly a key player for Daniel Jones alongside Malik Nabers. Robinson ended up with 11.8 fantasy points, but he had a low average depth of target, mainly serving as a checkdown option for Jones. For Week 2, he’s on the flex radar for those in deeper leagues, especially with the Washington Commanders secondary having been torched by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1.

Quick hits

Should fantasy managers be reaching for a guy like Arizona’s Greg Dortch? Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals (1.6%): While Dortch led the Cardinals with six receptions and 47 receiving yards against the Buffalo Bills, there’s more to the story. He was used only in 3-WR sets, which limits his impact. He’s a better fit for managers in deeper leagues, especially since quarterback Kyler Murray averaged just 2.9 air yards per completion in Week 1.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (0.5%): Pierce had the best game of his career, racking up 21.5 fantasy points. However, with just three targets, it’s going to be tough for him to maintain this level of production, especially on a Colts offense that isn’t expected to be pass-heavy with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. That said, Pierce is worth stashing in deeper leagues.

Devaughn Vele, Denver Broncos (0.1%): Vele seems to have secured his spot as the Broncos’ No. 3 receiver. The only players with more snaps and routes in Week 1 were Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds. It’s evident that Vele has built good chemistry with rookie QB Bo Nix; he caught all eight of his targets and scored 11.9 fantasy points. He’s worth considering for deeper leagues, but it might be best to wait and see how things develop before jumping in here.

Quarterbacks

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Yates: Baker Mayfield ‘looked excellent’ in Week 1

Field Yates is impressed with Baker Mayfield’s fantasy performance against the Commanders.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34%): Mayfield turned his career around last season with the Buccaneers, finishing as the season’s QB10, and he’s picked up right where he left off, feeding the ball to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, one of the best WR duos in the league. Mayfield scored 29.6 fantasy points in Week 1 against the Commanders and became just the seventh player in league history to throw for four touchdowns while completing 80% of his passes in a season opener.

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In Week 2, Tampa Bay faces the Lions, who allowed 317 passing yards to Matthew Stafford on Sunday night. If you have Jordan Love (knee) on your roster, Mayfield should be your top target.

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams (35.8%): Speaking of Stafford, he gives fantasy managers a solid floor, even if he doesn’t always offer the highest ceiling. Despite Nacua being out, Stafford is still a solid option; Since joining the Rams, he’s averaged 35.1 passing attempts and 17.4 fantasy points per game. Plus, Arizona’s defense isn’t a formidable Week 2 opponent for the veteran.

Quick hits

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (11.1%): Fields had a pedestrian performance against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1, scoring a mere 11.9 fantasy points. He was filling in for Russell Wilson, who was sidelined due to a calf injury, but didn’t do enough to stake a clear claim on the starter’s job. Despite that, the Steelers won, which is a nice boost for Fields; His rushing ability makes him a speculative add, especially if Wilson has to miss more time. Pittsburgh might still even consider making Fields the starter somewhere down the line, and if that becomes the case, note that he has averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game as a starter for his career.

Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (4.4%): Carr didn’t have to do much with the Saints dominating the Carolina Panthers, attempting only 23 passes. Still, he was efficient, scoring 21.3 fantasy points while getting great protection from his offensive line. It was a strong debut for new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. The Saints face a tougher challenge in Week 2 against the Cowboys. While his stock has risen for all formats, Carr would be an even better pickup in superflex and other two-QB leagues.

Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (4.2%): Darnold looks to be a QB worth streaming in the right matchup, especially for managers in superflex formats. He could have had a bigger fantasy Week 1 than his 14.6 points had the Giants had been more competitive. It’s not advisable to start him in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, but the Vikings do face the Houston Texans in Week 3 and the Green Bay Packers in Week 4 — both much more favorable situations.

Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns (0.2%): Deshaun Watson had the worst game of his career Sunday against the Cowboys, averaging just 2.6 air yards per pass completion, the lowest mark he’s ever recorded. Watson also posted a 9.4 total QBR, which is the lowest he’s ever had in a game with double-digit passing attempts. Winston might be a worthwhile speculative add for managers in deeper superflex leagues, just in case he gets a chance to take over the show in Cleveland.

Running backs

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Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (23.7%): Christian McCaffrey was inactive for the 49ers’ Monday Night Football game against the New York Jets due to a calf and Achilles injury. McCaffrey has averaged 20.4 touches per game with the 49ers. While he’s out, Mason and rookie Isaac Guerendo will step up. Prioritize Mason on the waiver wire. We should get more details about the extent of McCaffrey’s injuries in the coming days.

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (20.7%): Rachaad White averaged 19.8 touches per game last season, which was a big factor in him finishing at RB4. In Week 1 against the Commanders, even though White had 21 touches, Irving managed to see 11 touches of his own and got a chance to show off his versatility. The rookie is a proven runner, with 2,238 rushing yards over his final two seasons at Oregon, ranking 10th in the FBS. He’s definitely a great player to stash on your bench. In Week 2, the Buccaneers will face the Lions.

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins (22.4%): Raheem Mostert (chest) and De’Von Achane (ankle) were listed as non-participants in Monday’s practice. Their status needs to be closely monitored ahead of Thursday night’s game against the Bills. If one or both are limited or ruled out, Wright could step in to fill the void. The rookie was a healthy scratch on Sunday against the Jaguars, but he led the University of Tennessee in rushing yards the past two seasons and excels in yards after contact. He’s also a solid receiver out of the backfield. Wright is a great stash for your bench if you have the space.

Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders (10.2%): Zamir White finished Week 1 with 15 touches and 4.6 fantasy points. Mattison, meanwhile, turned his nine touches into 16.2 fantasy points, thanks to a 31-yard receiving touchdown. This was Mattison’s fourth receiving score of the last two seasons, tying him with five other running backs for the fourth-most over this span. Only Christian McCaffrey (7), Saquon Barkley (5), and Jerome Ford (5) have managed more. Mattison also played on more snaps than White, so while the Raiders backfield will still likely be a committee going forward, it’s worth stashing Mattison in case he makes the case for the lead role in upcoming weeks.

Quick hits

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Which Jaguars RB should fantasy managers roster?

Field Yates and Daniel Dopp discuss whether Travis Etienne Jr. or Tank Bigsby is the better fantasy option for the Jaguars.

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars (4.6%): The Jaguars’ coaching staff mentioned this offseason that they’d like to get Bigsby more involved in order to help lighten Travis Etienne Jr.’s workload, and we saw that play out in Week 1 against the Dolphins. While Etienne did play on more snaps, both he and Bigsby had a similar number of touches. Stash and monitor Bigsby to see if he gets enough action to warrant flex play going forward. Plus, if Etienne misses any time, the Jaguars do appear to be comfortable leaning on Bigsby to fill the gap.

Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (3.3%): It was surprising to see Hill play on nearly as many snaps as Derrick Henry against the Chiefs last Thursday night. Hill was used primarily in passing situations, while Henry handled most of the rushing duties. With the Ravens playing catchup for much of the game, Hill ended up with 11.5 fantasy points, mostly from catching six on his eight targets for 65 yards. While he might not offer standalone value as a flex option outside of very deep leagues, Hill is definitely worth stashing as Henry’s backup.

Tight ends

Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (9.8%): Likely was heavily involved in Baltimore’s passing game — even with a healthy Mark Andrews — which surprised many fantasy managers. Likely finished the game with 12 targets and 26.1 fantasy points. Another key takeaway is that Likely and Andrews played on a similar number of snaps and ran a similar number of routes. Likely is also cutting into Andrews’ snap total when the Ravens are in 11-personnel. If this trend continues, it will be easier to confidently insert Likely into fantasy lineups. If you’re in need of a tight end, Likely should be your top priority. It looks like the offseason hype surrounding him in Baltimore was justified.

Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (1.5%): Parkinson played on nearly all of the TE snaps for the Rams on Sunday night against the Lions. Only Robinson and Cooper Kupp ran more routes than Parkinson. With Tyler Higbee on the PUP list and with no current timetable for a return, Parkinson has become an every-down player. He finished with five targets and 8.7 fantasy points. If you miss out on Likely, Parkinson is a solid contingency plan.

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