Week 1 of the NFL season left a lot to be desired for fantasy managers.
Christian McCaffrey was a last-minute inactive on Monday Night Football, while Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Chris Olave were just a few of the top fantasy picks who struggled.
More news: NFL Power Rankings — NFC Squads Skyrocket as AFC Contenders Tumble
Fortunately, it’s just Week 1, and there’s plenty of time for fantasy managers to get their seasons on track. This week, there are also a handful of players who can help your teams on the waiver wire.
Here are the top five players to target on waivers who are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues (and many of them, way less than 50 percent).
Christian Petersen/Getty Images
1. Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens (10.5 percent owned)
Likely was owned in just 10.5 percent of leagues before his breakout Week 1 performance in which he caught nine passes for 111 yards and one touchdown, and was one smaller shoe size away from two touchdowns. He got 12 targets and was clearly Lamar Jackson’s favorite weapon. His emergence was no one-game wonder. He’s going to be a great option at a weak tight-end position.
2. Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers (37.4 percent owned)
I mean, duh. Mason taught fantasy owners a valuable lesson about drafting your top running back’s handcuff. Somehow, he was only owned in 37.4 percent of leagues, and that was after he went up 18.9 percent on Monday.
McCaffrey could come back as soon as Week 2 and make Mason unplayable in fantasy. But if McCaffrey misses any time, Mason becomes an instant RB1. Running backs who rushed for 147 yards don’t grow on trees.
3. Wan’Dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants (6.9 percent owned)
Robinson got 12 targets in Week 1. It doesn’t matter how bad his offense is if he’s getting double-digit targets. He’s played himself into low-end flex consideration, and another double-digit target week should make fantasy managers even more confident in his breakout ability.
4. Greg Dortch, WR, Arizona Cardinals (1.6 percent owned)
Dortch has always surprisingly been a solid fantasy wide receiver — this year is no different. Dortch caught six of his eight targets for 47 yards, making him a solid depth addition in PPR leagues.
5. Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens (3.4 percent owned)
If you read Newsweek Sports’ pre-Thurday night fantasy article, you would have got your Week 1 off to a great start with Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy. You also would’ve added Justice Hill to your team before he got eight targets and scored 11.5 PPR points.
Read more: Fantasy Football — Best Under-the-Radar Starts for Chiefs vs Ravens Week 1 Opener
Hill is going to be the receiving back in an offense that loves utilizing its running backs. He’s a great addition to your bench.