GUESSING WEEK 1’S WAIVER WIRE DARLINGS

Quentin Johnston has already probably won the battle to be the highest free agent big of Week 1 but let’s see who else might shine on Sunday to threaten to take the crown - and Rahul’s FA dollars - come Tuesday.

Jayden Reed or Romeo Doubs (WRs/Packers) - Doubs and (as Eli learned last season) Reed are basically toys from Toy Story. Leave them on the bench and turn your back and they come alive! Put them in your starting lineup and they go limp. Detroit’s defense is no joke but there’s still a chance for either or both guys to hit paydirt. The red flags, besides Jordan Love’s penchant for spreading the ball around, are that Doubs has never been consistent while Reed’s foot issue sounds like he’s delaying an inevitable surgery and every week his status is going to be an end-of-week or game-time decision.

Wandale Robinson (WR/Giants) or Theo Johnson (TE/Giants) - Robinson was quietly 13th in targets and 12th receptions last year. How does someone like that go undrafted? Because he somehow managed to turn that into only 699 yards and three touchdowns. Luckily for Wandale, Russell Wilson has entered the chat and I feel like Robinson, and TE Theo Johnson, will benefit from his style of play. Should Jaxson Dart eventually step in, it’s equally good for these guys as rookies tend to rely more on slot receivers and TEs. If Jameis gets the call, well then, it’s likely bombs away every play to Nabers.

DeMario Douglas (WR/Patriots) - I can’t believe I forgot about ol’ Pop Douglas on draft night. A slot receiver in a Josh McDaniels offense should be good for a ton of targets. Unfortunately, I do think Pop has a low ceiling as the Patriots might have to go with two TEs a lot this season to help the O-line, and Pop hasn’t been in the Pats’ jumbo packages this preseason. That also likely takes him out of a lot of red zone downs as well. But when he’s on the field, I wouldn’t be stunned if he was Drake Maye’s favorite target on Sunday as the QB will have to get the ball out quickly before Maxx Crosby kills him.

Chris Rodriguez (RB/Commanders) - The coaching staff has praised C-Rod’s goal line abilities so there’s a good chance that he’s the Thunder to Austin Ekeler’s lightning. But with Bill Croskey-Merritt waiting in the wings and Deebo Samuel likely to eat up some rushing chances, there simply might not be a lot of touches for Chris, turning C-Rod’s fantasy value to crud.

Dyami Brown (WR/Jaguars) - The Jaguars spent $10 million dollars to sign Dyami Brown so he’s going to have a role in the offense, and Carolina’s defense seems like it could be a prime opportunity for Brown to bust out. Will he have a huge role all season? Probably not, unless Travis Hunter is a bust. If Hunter lives up to the hype, Brown will be battling Brenton Strange for the leftovers of the passing attack.

Mason Taylor (TE/Jets) - The Steelers secondary could shutdown Garrett Wilson and New York doesn’t really have a second receiver. Justin Fields helped Cole Kmet have some boom days and I think Taylor could fit that role in the Jets’ offense. Taylor would be higher on the list but the Steelers might end up shutting the Jets offense down entirely.

Keaton Mitchell (RB/Ravens) - Mitchell has explosive upside should Derrick Henry get dinged up or if the Ravens decide to mix things up in the backfield more often this year. If he can break out for a couple of long runs, Rahul might not be able to stop himself from overbidding on young Keaton.

Tory Horton (WR/Seahawks) - Another hyped rookie WR, Horton hasn’t gotten as much of the spotlight because nobody outside of Washington cares about the Seahawks. Horton is an (inevitable) Cooper Kupp injury from having a major role in the offense. He beat out MVS for the deep threat role in the Seattle offense, so as of now, he only has boom-bust potential and, as J-Dubbs now known as J.D. would remind us, Sam Darnold is his QB so the busts will likely far outweigh the booms.