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| Bill Feig / Associated Press |
| Saints running back Mike Bell was impressive in a season-opening 45-27 win over the Detroit Lions. |
Michael Fabiano offers up 10 players to target off the waiver wire to improve your fantasy team after Week 1. The number in parenthesis is the percentage of NFL.com leagues that the player is still listed as a free agent.
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() New Orleans Saints |
![]() Mike Bell, RB |
(Free agent -- 70 percent): Bell looked like a fantasy superstar against the Lions, rushing for 143 yards on 28 carries. He played a prominent role in the offense in the absence of Pierre Thomas (knee). Bell is all of the sudden a fantasy relevant option as long as Thomas is out. At worst, he should be added as insurance for owners who drafted Thomas. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() Seattle Seahawks |
![]() Nate Burleson, WR |
(Free agent -- 52 percent): Burleson will see more targets in the Seahawks' pass attack with Deion Branch still at less than 100 percent and no longer able to perform well on a consistent basis due to injuries. That was evident in Week 1, as he hauled in seven passes for 74 yards and scored a touchdown. OK, it was against the Rams, but Burleson should be on the radar in leagues with 12-plus teams. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() Philadelphia Eagles |
![]() Brent Celek, TE |
(Free agent -- 45 percent): Celek's lack of skill as an effective blocker can keep him off the field at times, but he's still well worth a look in fantasy leagues. With L.J. Smith now in Baltimore, Celek will see a more prominent role in the offense for coach Andy Reid. That fact was true against the Panthers, as he hauled in six passes for 37 yards and scored one touchdown. He's worth a roster spot as a fantasy reserve. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() Indianapolis Colts |
![]() Austin Collie, WR |
(Free agent -- 97 percent) The Colts have lost Anthony Gonzalez for several weeks with an injured knee, so Collie and Pierre Garcon have sudden value in fantasy circles. Collie was the better of the two wideouts in the preseason, however, so he's the one to target off the waiver wire. He might not have much name value, but Collie does have some guy named Peyton Manning as his quarterback. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() Dallas Cowboys |
![]() Patrick Crayton, WR |
(Free agent -- 33 percent): No Terrell Owens, no problem for the Cowboys. Crayton will see more targets with T.O. no longer in the mix, and he can make plays when allowed the chance. He showed that against the Buccaneers with four catches, 135 yards and one touchdown. He might not be the most consistent wide receiver, but Crayton should still be owned in most leagues with 12-plus teams. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() Tennessee Titans |
![]() Justin Gage, WR |
(Free agent -- 43 percent): Gage had a spectacular start to the regular season, posting seven catches for 78 yards with one touchdown in a loss to the Steelers. The veteran, while inconsistent at times, is still one of the top targets in the Titans passing game for Kerry Collins and will no doubt be a popular option off the waiver wire this week. Add him as a matchup-based starter in all larger fantasy leagues. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() Baltimore Ravens |
![]() Todd Heap, TE |
(Free agent -- 69 percent) Is Heap finally on his way back to fantasy relevance? He sure looked like it in Week 1, hauling in five passes for 74 yards and scored a touchdown in a win over the Chiefs. Heap, once considered a top-five tight end in fantasy circles, appears to be more of an option in the passing game for Joe Flacco and could be a gem off the waiver wire. If you need a tight end, he's worth a look. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() St. Louis Rams |
![]() Laurent Robinson, WR |
(Free agent -- 88 percent): Robinson isn't going to light the fantasy world on fire, but he did show flashes of potential in his regular-season debut with the Rams. He led the team in catches (five) and yards (87) and averaged a strong 17.4 yards per reception in a loss to the Seahawks. While his value is still low in the grand scheme of fantasy football, Robinson is worth a look in larger leagues. |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() New York Giants |
![]() Steve Smith, WR |
(Free agent -- 25 percent): It might be hard to trust any wide receivers in a Giants uniform this season, but Smith looked like the most attractive fantasy option in Week 1. He led the team in receptions (six) and yards (80) and could turn out to be a great possession option for Eli Manning. Smith won't score a ton of touchdowns, but he is worth a roster spot in all fantasy leagues (especially PPR formats). |
| Team | Player | Analysis |
![]() Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
![]() Cadillac Williams, RB |
(Free agent -- 31 percent): There might not have been a bigger surprise in the NFL than the re-emergence of Williams, who is coming off two major knee injuries in the past two years. Now the starter in Tampa Bay, Williams looked fast and elusive in rushing for 97 yards and a score against the Cowboys. Williams should be owned in all leagues and is a perfect sell-high candidate in trade talks. |
Have a burning question for Michael Fabiano on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section below or send it to AskFabiano@nfl.com, and the best questions will be answered throughout the season right here on NFL.com!





















