It's Football Time!

IT’S FOOTBALL TIME!!! The season finally officially kicks off on Thursday when the Chiefs face the Ravens. And with that, comes a change in the newsletter. I’ve given it some thought, and I’m going to continue doing the Tuesday newsletter. However, it won’t be quite the extensive recap it used to be in 2023, but I will still include a recap of the week’s games and some waiver targets for the upcoming week.

Friday’s newsletter will be the full-blown newsletter where I will dive into the upcoming slate and give you some actionable information for your start/sit decisions for the upcoming week.

As for this newsletter, I wanted to give you some stashes ahead of week 1 so we can potentially get ahead of some week 1 breakouts. I’m not expecting both a Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams to explode on the scene. Most of these guys may just be waiver fodder. However, if you can get in cheap now and the player goes off, it could significantly impact your season.

One thing to note, these waiver adds are based on NFL.com leagues, I don’t have data to look at just yet from FantasyPros since drafts are still going on and we’re not in season, so I’m basing this off of the NFL roster trends. Forgive me if some of these guys are rostered in your league.

Week 1 Stashes

• QB: Deshaun Watson

• RB: Rico Dowdle, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyrone Tracy

• WR: Xavier Legette, Darnell Mooney, Michael Wilson, Jordan Whittington

• TE: Tyler Conklin, Ben Sinnott

Watson could make a lot of people regret passing on him if he returns to the Watson we knew back in Houston. I’ve detailed my thoughts on Watson a few weeks ago, but when healthy I think he’s been better than people give him credit for.

All three of Dowdle, McLaughlin, and Tracy are the No.2 backs in their respective backfield. Dowdle and Tracy are more explosive than the backs ahead of them, but McLaughlin has had the backing of the coaching staff on his side over the incumbent Javonte Williams. Williams may bounce back and be just fine in 2024. Dowdle and Tracy, however, may find themselves in a larger role sooner rather than later.

Legette was drafted in the first round by the Panthers based on his fifth-year college production. He’s a very interesting case, as not many (if any) fifth-year breakouts succeed in the NFL. However, he was good, incredibly good, in that breakout year. 🔥 He could be a great addition to this offense. Mooney is a favorite late-round dart for me, and I detailed that on TikTok and on X:

Michael Wilson looks like the WR2 for the Cardinals and could be in for a nice season with Kyler Murray at the helm. And of course, are you living if you’re not taking the swing on the next big thing for the Rams? Jordan Whittington has been getting praise all offseason, and though it could be reactionary because of what happened in LA last year, it never hurts to take a shot.

Ben Sinnott and Tyler Conklin could both be the No.2 target in their respective passing offenses. Breece Hall could out-target Conklin but I’m speaking receiver/tight-end specifically. Sinnott has flashed in the preseason and with the Commanders trading away Jahan Dotson and lacking a receiver to work the short-area targets, Sinnott could get some looks.

I can’t wait for Zach Ertz to spoil the party. 😭 

That will do it for this edition of the Ballfield Banter newsletter! See you on Friday!