NFL Waiver Wire: A Titan Debut

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget. This column will run every Tuesday to, hopefully, accommodate the various waiver schedules. I'll update it in the comments section during the week; please keep in mind a lot can change from Tuesday to Sunday.

QUARTERBACK

Tyrod Taylor, BUF - Taylor was written about in this column a week or two back with the note that "get him now in case he has a big Week 1 because his price will skyrocket if he does." Well, Taylor had a big game, and sadly it could have been bigger had the Bills not jumped out to such a big lead. Their games should be more competitive, though, and Taylor just missed a long touchdown to Sammie Watkins in the second half. FAAB: $5-10

Marcus Mariota, TEN - Mariota couldn't have played much better in his debut, looking like a seasoned veteran. Had the game not been such a blowout, he might have had an even better day. It looks like he has a good rapport with his top receiving target, Kendall Wright, and Delanie Walker is an underrated tight end. As with all rookies there will be some growing pains, but it appears that Mariota, not Jameis Winston, is the rookie quarterback to own in fantasy. FAAB: $5-10

Secondary Targets

Ryan Mallett, HOU - It looks like the Brian Hoyer era in Houston may be over as soon as it began as Ryan Mallett looked much more competent in relief duty Sunday. Mallett did have the advantage, though, of playing against a softer, prevent defense with the Chiefs nursing a big lead. DeAndre Hopkins' owners should hope Bill O'Brien makes the switch permanent as Mallett threw the ball his way several times. Even if the Texans stick with Hoyer, the leash won't be long and it won't take a lot to switch back to Mallett. FAAB: $3-6

Hail Mary

Matt McGloin, OAK - Early reports suggest Derek Carr will miss Week 2 against the Ravens due to his hand injury. That means McGloin will start for the Raiders in what should be a tough matchup. In most standard leagues McGloin is not a consideration, but in two-quarterback or super-flex leagues he's an option. If Carr misses extended time, bump McGloin up a buck or two. FAAB: $1-2

RUNNING BACKS

Primary Targets

Danny Woodhead, SD - There was an almost even split of carries between Woodhead (12) and Melvin Gordon (14). However, Woodhead was the preferred target in the passing game with seven from Philip Rivers. Woodhead also got goal-line work and found the end zone twice. Clearly, it's a timeshare, and it's likely Gordon continues to lead in carries while Woodhead leads in receptions. Woodhead's a great flex option in any PPR format. FAAB: $10-15

Ronnie Hillman, DEN - It was a tough, physical game in Denver and at times C.J. Anderson looked pretty banged up. He came off the field holding his ribs and then it was reported after the game that he had a toe injury, as well. Hillman and Anderson evenly split the carries at 12 apiece, though it was Hillman with the more productive day with 41 rushing yards. Anderson is supposed to be fine for Thursday night's game. but Hillman should have a significant role again. FAAB: $10-15

Dion Lewis, NE - Lewis was the workhorse in the New England backfield to kick off the season Thursday night, finishing with 120 yards from scrimmage on 19 touches. He'll lose the bulk of carries to the returning LeGarrette Blount but should still be heavily involved as the change-of-pace back. Expecting him to get about 10 touches sounds about right provided he doesn't put the ball on the ground again and end up in Belichick's doghouse. FAAB: $8-12

Secondary Targets

Chris Johnson, ARI - Just when it seemed that Chris Johnson might be out of football, he not only signs with the Cardinals but should be their starting running back this week. He had 10 carries for 37 yards and took over as the lead back when Andre Ellington left the game Sunday. In his postgame press conference, coach Bruce Arians alluded to Johnson as the lead back, even though the running back isn't close to being an elite fantasy player anymore. CJ2K will have the starting job and there is likely a reason (pass protection, ball security) David Johnson will back him up. Expect Chris to get about 15 touches while Ellington is out (2-3 weeks) in addition to handling the goal-line work. FAAB: $4-8

Hail Mary

David Johnson, ARI - As noted, it's a little odd the Cardinals are leaning on Chris and not David to fill in for the injured Ellington. Johnson looked fantastic on his 55-yard touchdown catch Sunday yet didn't record a single carry all game. He's now only an injury to Chris, or a realization from the coaches that he has more upside, away from gaining an even bigger role. For now, though, he's still a backup and an unlikely candidate for your starting lineup. FAAB: $2-4

Terrance West, TEN - It's tough to tell if West's 12 carries Sunday are a true indicator that he'll be involved in the running attack or if the blowout enabled him to get extra work. West fell out of favor in Cleveland but appears next in line to Bishop Sankey on the Tennessee depth chart. David Cobb isn't expected back until midseason, and West can be safely counted on for 5-10 touches per game, provided he's over his fumbling issues. FAAB: $1-2

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Donte Moncrief, IND - T.Y. Hilton is expected to miss at least a few weeks as he is without a timetable to return. Moncrief should step into the No. 1 wide-receiver role and has the talent to produce at a high level. He finished Sunday's game with six catches for 46 yards and a touchdown, numbers he could reproduce weekly while Hilton is out. It will also help that the Colts won't again face a stifling Bills defense. FAAB: $25-30

Terrance Williams, DAL - Like Moncrief, Williams is next in line after Dez Bryant suffered a broken foot that will sideline him 4-6 weeks. Williams turned in a modest performance Sunday night with five catches for 60 yards and was targeted a couple times in the end zone. He's going to have a more prominent role with Bryant out, and the Cowboys play in a division that should feature a lot of high-scoring games. FAAB: $25-30

Secondary Targets

James Jones, GB - Jones will be atop most owners' waiver-wire lists, but both Moncrief and Williams are better options. It's tough to see Jones consistently producing week in and week out, and at the end of the day he's still the third wide receiver in the Green Bay offense. Playing with Aaron Rodgers is the key, and it's important to remember that even playing with him in his prime Jones was never a 1,000-yard receiver. FAAB: $10-15

Nate Washington, HOU - Washington turned in a nice game Sunday, eclipsing the 100-yard mark on six catches. It's worth noting the Texans played catch-up the entire game and passed much more than usual. Washington is a solid yet unspectacular fantasy player who is likely to turn in 5-50 or 6-60 games as opposed to what he did Sunday. FAAB: $4-8

Tavon Austin, STL - Austin seemed to be a forgotten man heading into fantasy drafts but made a big impact in the Rams' upset of the Seahawks. He had a kick return for touchdown and rushed for another score. But he had four carries for 17 yards and only two catches for -5 yards, showing his upside is limited. The carries are an added bonus, but they'll likely disappear once Todd Gurley is healthy. Still, the Rams made it a point to get him involved in the game Sunday, and given the return they got, he should continue to see more than five touches per game. FAAB: $4-8

Percy Harvin, BUF - Harvin wasn't even a lock to suit up Sunday as he missed most of preseason battling a hip injury. He looked fantastic for the Bills, though, catching a long touchdown pass and showing elusiveness after the catch. Fact is, it's probably a matter of time before Harvin injures himself, and while it appeared Greg Roman made a point of getting him involved, both Robert Woods and Sammy Watkins are the primary receivers. Harvin likely led the team in targets Sunday due to shutdown corner Vontae Davis shadowing Watkins the entire game. Expect Harvin to be a "boom or bust" player each week. FAAB: $4-8

Hail Mary

Cole Beasley, DAL - Beasley had a costly fumble that was returned for a touchdown Sunday night and that could have been the difference in the game if it wasn't for Tony Romo's late game-winning drive. Beasley had already carved himself a nice role in the Dallas offense as the third wide receiver but will now get even more work with Bryant out. FAAB: $2-4

Rashad Greene, JAC - Greene, who showed a lot of upside at Florida State a year ago, had a whopping 13 targets Sunday and turned those into seven catches, though for only 28 yards. He found the end zone as well but suffered a back in injury. His targets could also take a hit once Marqise Lee returns. FAAB: $2-4

Phillip Dorsett, IND - Dorsett had a forgettable game Sunday, losing a muffed punt and finishing with only two catches for 45 yards. The Hilton injury will open up more of an opportunity for playing time, however, with the speedster counted on to stretch the field for the Colts. FAAB: $2-4

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

Jordan Reed, WAS - I was ready to talk about Tyler Eifert (note that both of these tight ends were discussed in this column prior to the start of the season), but he's 86 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. However, Reed (56 percent owned) is available enough to warrant mentioning again. The loss of DeSean Jackson for 3-4 weeks will increase the opportunities for Reed, who made an extremely athletic play on a fade route to score against the Dolphins. Reed's issue has always been staying healthy, and now that he's 100 percent he can be relied on as a starter. FAAB: $10-15

Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB - While most would call it a garbage-time touchdown, ASJ's second touchdown had to elate his owners. He finished the day with more than 100 receiving yards and two touchdowns and appears to have some chemistry with Jameis Winston. It's never been definitively backed up that young quarterbacks like to go to their tight ends, but there is something to be said about Winston leaning on his tight end during his college days. At Florida State he often connected with talented tight end Nick O'Leary. The only minor red flags on ASJ are that he may have been utilized a little more with the Buccaneers playing from behind and the absence of Mike Evans. That said, he has nice upside and is a good consolation prize if you miss out on Reed. FAAB: $8-12

Defense

Tennessee Titans - This will be the one time this is going to be said: stream defenses against the Browns. The Titans turned in an outstanding Week 1 performance against Jameis Winston and should be in line for a repeat performance this week. The Titans take on the hapless Browns who appear to be one of the worst teams in football. Josh McCown might be out, inserting turnover machine Johnny Manziel into the lineup. Use the Titans this week and check the schedule every week to see who Cleveland plays. FAAB: $1-2