Week 1 might not long have arrived, but already it can pay to be looking ahead to Week 2 and considering the players on waivers that you should be stashing now, rather than having an all-out Waiver Wire War with your fellow league mates in a few days time.
This column will take a look ahead each week at players rostered less than 50% on Yahoo leagues.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Stashes
Sam Howell (QB – WAS): 22% Rostered
It’s fair to be unconvinced by Sam Howell‘s NFL career so far. After all, Howell was unable to push Taylor Heinicke to the point where he would start ahead of him in 2022, having to wait till the final game of the season before it took Heinicke finally convincing the coaching staff to give Howell a start. Howell completed 11 of his 19 passes for 169 yards and a touchdown, as well as adding one on the ground, in a reasonable debut, and looks ready to build on that this year going through preseason with a 76% completion record for 265 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. In Howell’s last year at college, he rushed for 800 yards and 11 touchdowns, which is the kind of production we’ll be hoping to see in Week 1. If Howell does that, he’ll be a hot name on waivers ahead of a Week 2 game against the Broncos.
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT): 49% Rostered
Najee Harris isn’t going to roll over and let Jaylen Warren take the lead back duties away from him, but this weekend’s fixture against the 49ers might allow the Niners defensive line to exploit a weak Steelers offensive line, if that happens then it’s entirely possible that Kenny Pickett looks to get the ball out quickly and to players near the line of scrimmage. In the post-Roethlisberger era, Warren has been the better receiving back, putting up 8.3 yards per reception to Harris’s 5.5. Warren should be rostered in all formats, as his ability to play in all areas of the game makes him a true standalone value, as well as a top-tier handcuff.
Ty Chandler (RB – MIN): 8% Rostered
Jaylen Warren should be your priority but don’t overlook the primary backup in Minnesota either. The Vikings seem ready to place their faith in Alexander Mattison, but we really have seen very little of Mattison throughout his NFL career, with an average of 6.8 touches per game through four years in the league. DeWayne McBride was cut from the roster during training camp and Kene Nwangwu was placed on short-term IR, meaning that Ty Chandler is essentially all the Vikings have been Mattison for the time being.
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