I compiled a top-5 list of the most surprising fantasy finishes that were successful but may not continue down that path. The list should be used as a guideline for the waiver wire. Rememberthat this list is compiled before the Monday Night Football game. Without further ado, here are my guys for Week 1.
Quarterback
Mac Jones– Jones was on top of his game as he connected on 35 of his 54 passes for 316 yards and three touchdowns. He added 15 yards rushing, which was good for 29 fantasy points. Making him the QB2 on the week. It was the most he has scored in his 31 games as a pro. It surpassed the 27 he posted against the Vikings in Week 12 in 2022. The problem with Jones is that he is more of a pocket passer who is a game manager. He hasn’t scored 20 or more in only 11 times, including the Wild Card performance against Buffalo in 2021.
Worth Mentioning: Sam Howell, Jimmy Garoppolo
Running backs
Tyler Allgeier– It was supposed to be the Bijan Robinson show. Even though Robinson was outstanding, Allgeier didn’t take a back seat. He out-pointed Robinson 24-20. Allgeier had more carries 15-10 and put up 75 yards rushing while catching three balls for another 19. While he finished as the RB4, he scored the most points in his short career. In his rookie season (2022), he put up 21 against New Orleans. Even though Allgeier will have a role in this offense, expect that Robinson will continue to build momentum and touches as the season progresses.
Roschon Johnson– Johnson became the receiving back for the Bears and brought down six of seven targets for 35 yards. He only got five carries, putting up 20 yards and scoring a touchdown from two yards out. The good news is that starter Khalil Herbert had two fewer targets than Johnson. The bad news is the offense primarily revolves around Justin Fields, and Johnson is just a backup to Herbert. He will need to score to put him inside the top 24 continuously.
Worth Mentioning: Kyren Williams, Joshua Kelley, Justice Hill, Samaje Perine, Kenneth Gainwell
Wide Receivers
Puka Nacua– The rookie splashed in the Rams offense with 10 receptions for 119 yards on 15 targets. It was enough for him to finish as the WR8 on the week. Nacua displayed why being a fifth-round pick isn’t necessarily a death sentence for fantasy production. However, he is still unknown among many circles, and it will be challenging to maintain such a steady pace, no matter how wide open the receiving room is for the Rams, while Cooper Kupp is out with a hamstring injury.
Rashid Shaheed– Shaheed became a consistent performer in the Saints offense after missing his first five weeks in 2022. That consistency was marginal by averaging over four targets per game from Weeks 13-18. However, in Week 1 in 2023, he got six targets and brought in five balls for 89 yards and a touchdown. Shaheed also added two rushing attempts for 11 yards. Unfortunately for Shaheed, he is still the number three receiver on the team behind Chris Olave and Michael Thomas. He only received 35 snaps and will have to make each one count as he did against the Titans.
TuTu Atwell– Another Rams receiver makes the list after doing nearly nothing in his rookie season outside of a 13-point effort against the Saints. Atwell caught six passes for 119 yards against Seattle. It made him the WR14 on the week, as Atwell captured stats due to the absence of Kupp.
Worth Mentioning: Zay Flowers, Romeo Doubs, Jordan Addison
