Fantasy Football Week 1 Waiver Wire Gold: Don’t Sleep on These Game-Changers

Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (33% rostered)

Man, I’m telling you, sleeping on Penix right now is like leaving money on the table. We only got a taste of what this kid could do last season, but what a taste it was. Three starts, and by Week 18, he was putting up QB6 numbers. That’s not a fluke, that’s a glimpse of what’s coming.

Here’s what gets me fired up about Penix in Week 1: he’s facing Tampa Bay’s defense that got absolutely torched by quarterbacks last year. We’re talking about the fourth-most fantasy points allowed to the position. Kirk Cousins, who’s not exactly known for his mobility, threw for 785 yards and eight touchdowns in just two games against these guys. Eight touchdowns!

With Darnell Mooney potentially back in the fold, Penix could have his full arsenal of weapons ready to go. This isn’t just a streaming option: this is a potential season-changer sitting at 33% ownership. Get him now before everyone else figures it out.

Running Back: Where Championships Are Won

Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (35% rostered)

Here’s a situation that fantasy managers need to be all over. De’Von Achane is dealing with a calf issue, and while he might suit up for Week 1, we all know how these things go. Even if Achane plays, is Miami really going to give him a full workload coming off an injury? That’s where Gordon comes in.

This rookie showed out in preseason, and with Jaylen Wright sidelined after leg surgery, Ollie Gordon is positioned to be the primary backup – or potentially more. Miami’s always struggled in goal-line situations, and Gordon brings that bigger-back presence they’ve been missing. Even in a reduced role, he’s got RB3/flex upside, and if Achane isn’t 100%, we could be looking at a potential goldmine.

Wide Receiver: The Deep Sleeper

Christian Kirk, Texans (43% rostered)

I’ve been beating this drum all offseason, and I’m not stopping now. Kirk is criminally undervalued, and it’s driving me crazy. This is a guy who was the WR19 in fantasy points per game just two years ago. He was a top-30 option through the first 12 weeks of 2023 before injuries derailed things.

Now he’s healthy, he’s locked into a starting role in both two and three-receiver sets, and he’s playing in a Texans offense that just got a massive upgrade across the board. His teammates are calling him the “slot magician” and “slot demon.” That’s not just cute nicknames; that’s respect for what he brings to the table.

At 43% ownership, Kirk represents one of the best value plays on the entire waiver wire. We’re talking about a guy with WR3 upside in an offense that’s going to throw the ball plenty. Don’t let him sit there another week.

Tight End: The Forgotten Position

Chig Okonkwo, Titans (33% rostered)

The tight end position might be fantasy football’s biggest headache, but Okonkwo represents a rare bright spot. This guy has been money down the stretch in each of the last two seasons: TE15 over the final seven weeks of 2023, TE12 over the same stretch last year.

What really gets me excited is that his playing time surge at the end of last season carried over into the preseason. He’s playing nearly every snap, and now he’s got a quarterback upgrade in Tennessee that could unlock his full potential. After back-to-back seasons with 70-plus targets and 50-plus catches, Okonkwo is primed for a career year.

Defense and Kickers: Don’t Overlook the Details

For Week 1 streaming, the Cardinals’ defense against New Orleans jumps off the page. The Saints’ offense looked sluggish in preseason, and Arizona’s defense has some serious talent that could feast on early-season mistakes.

The Commanders’ defense against the Giants is another solid play, especially considering New York’s offensive line questions and the potential for Daniel Jones to turn the ball over.

On the kicking front, Matt Gay with Washington gets my top nod. The Commanders should move the ball against a questionable Giants defense, and Gay has the leg to connect from distance when they stall in the red zone.