Week 1 In the Scope Targets (2024)

The 2024 NFL season kicks off this week, and we are back with another year of “In the Scope,” where we strive to help you stay ahead of the curve by identifying players who could become hot commodities on the waiver wire in the future. This week, we’re focusing on players who might have gone undrafted but could emerge as must-adds after Week 1.

Let’s dive into the potential game-changers that you can snag for free before the rest of your league catches on!

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Rostership percentages courtesy of ESPN Points Per Reception (PPR) redraft fantasy football leagues as of Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Check Your Waivers: Mainstream Fantasy Football Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

Before we get into the hidden gems, we always touch on some mainstream waiver wire targets who could also provide value if they’re still available in your league. These players are likely rostered in more competitive leagues, but it’s worth checking your waivers just in case:

Quarterback

Baker Mayfield (QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) | 30.9%

Running Backs

Jaleel McLaughlin (RB, Denver Broncos) | 42.6%
Rico Dowdle (RB, Dallas Cowboys) | 37.2%
Jaylen Wright (RB, Miami Dolphins) | 23.4%
Khalil Herbert (RB, Chicago Bears) | 20.4%

Wide Receivers

Khalil Shakir (WR, Buffalo Bills) | 48.4%
Rashid Shaheed (WR, New Orleans Saints) | 44.9%
Dontayvion Wicks (WR, Green Bay Packers) | 20.6%
Michael Wilson (WR, Arizona Cardinals) | 17.8%
Andrei Iosivas (WR, Cincinnati Bengals) | 1.9%

Tight End

Tyler Conklin (TE, New York Jets) | 39.5%

In the Scope Targets: Top Fantasy Football Week 1 Free Agent Finds

Without further ado, let’s get into the under-rostered, under-the-radar players who could emerge as this season’s waiver wire steals.

Greg Dortch (WR, Arizona Cardinals) | 1.2% Rostered

Greg Dortch has a chance to be a sneaky-good pickup before the season even begins. With Kyler Murray back under center and the Arizona Cardinals offense expected to improve significantly, Dortch could carve out a substantial role. Last season, the Cardinals ranked 17th in plays per game and 19th in yards per game, averaging 324 yards per game. With a full offseason to build chemistry, Murray is poised to elevate this unit into the top 15, potentially even top 10, especially with the addition of premier rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.

Dortch isn’t a new name; we saw flashes of his potential two years ago when he commanded nine or more targets in five different games. His ability to earn targets is impressive, and he boasted an 81.3% catch rate during that 2022 season. As the slot receiver, Dortch has a strong rapport with Murray and he could see consistent volume in that role once again.

The Cardinals’ early-season schedule features matchups against the Bills, Rams and Lions, which suggests they’ll need to pass frequently, which should give Dortch plenty of opportunities to shine.

Ja’Lynn Polk (WR, New England Patriots) | 30.6% Rostered

Ja’Lynn Polk might be one of the most overlooked wide receivers heading into the season. Drafted in the second round out of Washington, Polk has the potential to emerge as the New England Patriots’ No. 1 receiving option. During his final season in Washington, Polk had 111 targets and converted them into 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Patriots are expected to trail in many games this season despite having a solid defense, meaning they’ll need to throw the ball often. Polk could benefit from this game script and develop into a reliable fantasy option. If things go south early for the Patriots, we might even see rookie quarterback Drake Maye take over, which could boost Polk’s value further as he gains experience and builds chemistry with the new signal-caller. He’s a great stash candidate with potential for a breakout rookie year.

Quentin Johnston (WR, Los Angeles Chargers) | 4.3% Rostered

Quentin Johnston is another player with immense upside, especially considering his physical profile and his role on the offense. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Johnston brings a rare blend of size, speed and athleticism to the Chargers’ already-potent passing attack. With veterans like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams leaving in the offseason, Johnston is poised to take a significant leap in his second year.

With Justin Herbert’s big arm, Johnston’s ability to stretch the field vertically will be crucial, particularly in contested catch situations. His versatility to line up across multiple areas of the field only adds to his value, making him a name to watch as a breakout candidate. The Chargers have one of the best QBs in the league, and if Johnston continues on his current trajectory, he could become a fantasy difference-maker in no time. Stash him now before he becomes a priority waiver wire add after Week 1.

Check out all of our content for Week 1 of the fantasy football season:

Thanks for reading our “In the Scope” targets to add after the Week 1 waiver wire run. Check out more of our fantasy football and other written content here at In-Between Media, or head over to our YouTube channel to get your fix via video.

*Photo Credit: Eric Canha – USA TODAY Sports*

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