With the injury to Chris Godwin, fantasy football managers are left with a void on their roster. Let’s check out the extent of the injury and players you can target on your waiver wire this week.
If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.
Chris Godwin Injury Outlook
Chris Godwin (hamstring strain) could miss ‘a few weeks’
Chris Godwin has been diagnosed with a hamstring strain following his leaving Sunday’s season opener early and could be sidelined for a few weeks. However, the team is optimistic that it is not a major injury. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: This is an unfortunate situation for Godwin, who made a surprising recovery from an ACL tear to be ready to go for Week 1. The wideout was injured on his third reception of the night and was seen limping off of the field. With Tom Brady’s usual No. 2 target now out for at least a couple of weeks, Julio Jones and Russell Gage will see an increased target share while Mike Evans will continue to serve as a rock-solid WR1 in fantasy.
Waiver Wire Replacements to Target
D.J. Chark (DET): 40% rostered
- Next opponents: WAS, @ MIN, SEA
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: D.J. Chark conjured Jacksonville ghosts of yesteryear in Week 1. He had a 97.2% route participation mark, drawing a 21.6% target share. He was second on the team in receiving yards behind only Amon-Ra St. Brown. With three less-than-stellar secondaries on his plate in the upcoming weeks, Chark could become a consistent low-end WR3.
Jarvis Landry (NO): 42% rostered
- Next opponents: TB, @ CAR, MIN
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Jarvis Landry did Jarvis Landry things in Week 1, as he posted a solid (actually very nice) stat line with little fanfare. Landry commanded a 26.4% target share with a 97.0% route participation clip. With Michael Thomas and Chris Olave taking the brunt of good cornerback play over the next three weeks, Landry is poised as a dark horse to lead the team in targets by the time we get to Week 5.
Joshua Palmer (LAC): 21% rostered
- Next opponents: @ KC, JAC, @ HOU
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Joshua Palmer will be a solid waiver add this week, but please don’t go blowing the FAAB clip on him. Early reports are that Keenan Allen‘s injury isn’t a long-term deal. Palmer, in Allen’s absence, ran a route on 76.4% of passing plays, drawing a paltry 14.7% target share. Yes, he’s also in one of the league’s best offenses, but that doesn’t vault him to must-have status, especially in the short term. I wasn’t in on Joshua Palmer hype SZN, and I’m still not right now.
Jahan Dotson (WSH): 23% rostered
- Next opponents: @ DET, PHI, @ DAL
- True value: $3
- Desperate need: $6
- Budget-minded: $1
Analysis: Jahan Dotson is a talented rookie who will grab headlines for his two-touchdown performance, but I’m more interested in his route volume than chasing touchdowns. Dotson ran a route on 97.5% of Washington’s passing plays in Week 1. The problem is that he only drew a 12.1% target share. As Carson Wentz‘s fourth option in the passing game, there will be peaks and valleys throughout the season despite Dotson’s talent.
Curtis Samuel (WSH): 4% rostered
- Next opponents: @ DET, PHI, @ DAL
- True value: $4
- Desperate need: $8
- Budget-minded: $2
Analysis: Curtis Samuel also rode the Carson Wentz roller coaster in Week 1. Samuel ran a route on 87,8% of the Commanders’ passing plays. He garnered a 24.3% target share while also carrying the rock four times. This stand-alone rushing involvement gives him a higher weekly floor than Dotson, who is solely tied to Wentz’s arm. Samuel could be Dollar Store Deebo Samuel if everything hits.
Robbie Anderson (CAR): 10% rostered
- Next opponents: NYG, NO, ARI
- True value: $2
- Desperate need: $5
- Budget-minded: $1 (zero bid if possible)
Analysis: Robbie Anderson popped off with 102 receiving yards, much of it on the strength of his 75-yard reception. Anderson tied for the team lead in routes run with D.J. Moore while handling a 29.6% target share. Anderson looked like dust from every efficiency metric last year, but I’m willing to admit I could be wrong. Volume is king, and if Anderson will get it, then he’s worth a speculative add.
Others to consider:
With Kenny Golladay further cementing his dust status, Kadarius Toney in the doghouse and Wan’Dale Robinson hurt, Sterling Shepard could be the Giants’ leading receiver. He ran a route on 90.4% of the Giants’ passing attempts with a 19.0% target share. … Donovan Peoples-Jones led the Browns in every conceivable receiving category. He was first in routes, targets (11, 32.2% target share) and receiving yards. The weekly ceiling is only so high with Jacoby Brissett as your quarterback. The extra target volume this week was also the result of Amari Cooper drawing tough assignments. … Parris Campbell ran a route on 78% of Matt Ryan‘s passing attempts. With an upcoming schedule (JAC, KC, TEN) of advantageous slot matchups or high total games, Campbell worth kicking the tires on despite his 8.0% target share. … Kyle Philips and Treylon Burks make the stash position of this week’s article. Neither player (Philips 63.6%, Burks 39.3%) crested 70% routes on Ryan Tannehill‘s passing attempts in Week 1. Those usage rates will need to climb, but this offense is screaming for a wide receiver to step forward, and each of these talented rookies has the upside to do so.
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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – that allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.