Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterbacks (Week 1)

Amazing how quickly fantasy football draft season comes and goes, isn’t it? Some of you still have last-drafts coming up in the final days before the NFL’s Thursday-night opener, but most of us have shifted from draft mode to in-season mode. Most leagues have a waiver wire run just before Week 1, so it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start managing.

Not that you’re obligated to do any waiver wire shopping this week. Maybe you’re perfectly content with the hand you’re holding. No problemo.

Some fantasy football managers confuse activity with productivity, doing more harm than good with restless overmanagement. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for your fantasy football team is nothing. There is a concept of Taoism called wu wei, which essentially means “do without doing.” In other words, inactivity is sometimes the most prudent choice.

On the other hand …

Early waiver wire shopping has its benefits. A year ago, this Week 1 waiver wire article included Puka Nacua, De’Von Achane, Jake Ferguson, Jayden Reed and Jordan Love. All were rostered in under 50% of Yahoo leagues heading into Week 1, and all became impactful fantasy assets.

Who among this summer’s widely undrafted players might be able to help your fantasy football team? Let’s have a look at our top fantasy football waiver wire pickups ahead of Week 1. Below we dive into our top fantasy football Week 1 waiver wire pickups at Quarterbacks.

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks

Deshaun Watson (QB – CLE): 34% rostered

It’s possible Watson is toast. Shoulder injuries have limited him to 12 games with the Browns over the last two seasons, and when he’s played, he’s looked like a shell of his former self. Watson was reportedly dealing with a sore arm in late August, raising concerns that his shoulder still wasn’t right. However, the case for acquiring Watson is simple: He was a top-five fantasy quarterback for three consecutive seasons from 2018 to 2020, and he’s never been cheaper. Watson plays behind a strong offensive line and has a quality group of pass-catchers. Pick him up, watch him for a few weeks, and throw him overboard if the results are discouraging. This is a low-risk investment with a potentially handsome reward.

Geno Smith (QB – SEA): 31% rostered

Smith was QB5 in fantasy scoring two seasons ago before turning in a lesser (but not completely terrible) performance in 2023. New offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb could help inspire a return to Geno’s 2022 form, and the veteran QB has a terrific trio of receivers in D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Jackson Smith-Njigba. Three of Seattle’s first four opponents were among the worst 12 teams in terms of fantasy points allowed to QBs last season.

Baker Mayfield (QB – TB): 33% rostered

Mayfield opens with a game against the Commanders, who allowed 20.8 fantasy points per game to opposing QBs last season and still have a shaky group of cornerbacks. Then it’s a matchup against the Lions, who allowed 19.4 FPPG to quarterbacks last year. Mayfield could be poised for a quick start.

Bryce Young (QB – CAR): 9% rostered

Young was regarded as toxic in most fantasy drafts, and there’s no denying that last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick had a nightmare of a rookie season. In Young’s defense, his supporting cast last season was awful. It’s still not great, but Young now has a powerful ally in new Panthers head coach Dave Canales, a noted QB whisperer who worked wonders with Baker Mayfield last year as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator and also coaxed a 40-TD season out of Russell Wilson in 2020 as the Seahawks’ passing game coordinator. It’s possible we will see major growth from Young, who, by the way, has a very manageable schedule this season.

NFL Puka Nacua De’Von Achane Jake Ferguson Jayden Reed Jordan Love Deshaun Watson Geno Smith D.K. Metcalf Tyler Lockett Baker Mayfield Bryce Young Russell Wilson