5 Week 1 Free Agents to Target

You wont find Julius Thomas on this list. You saw enough of him Thursday night.

Instead here are 5 Week 1 Free Agents to Target, even before we see anymore Week 1 games. It is unlikely that there will be an Alfred Morris type darling sitting around on Monday morning, but currently there are some available players in a lot of leagues who can help your team.

Obviously, your league’s roster formats and scoring settings will dictate whether any of these players are viable options, but at least one of them should be an upgrade on most teams.

5 Week 1 Free Agents to Target

WR Justin Blackmon, Jacksonville Jaguars

(ESPN – 37.7% | CBS – 79% | Yahoo – 52%)

Maybe the folks on CBS realize that he is just suspended and not dead. Blackmon will return in Week 5 and instantly flirt with being a 2nd fake WR and at worst settle in as a fringe number 3 WR.

There are issues, but talent isn’t one of them and he was a beast down the stretch last season. In standard scoring leagues he was the 12th ranked Wide Receiver in the 2nd half last season.

Find some room on your bench for Blackmon.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

(ESPN – 17.3% | CBS – 76% | Yahoo – 42%)

Where Pierre Thomas fits into the Running Back Committee in New Orleans is yet to be fully determined, but it shouldn’t matter. Thomas always produces fantasy points as a perfect blend of his two committee teammates.

He is equally effective rushing and catching the ball out of the backfield and is a proven fantasy producer. He’ll have weeks where he cashes in, but predicting them will be tough, regardless, he should be owned in more leagues.

If there is an injury, his value sky rockets and he is going to produce at a decent rate anyway. Last year was the only time he fell outside the top 30 Running Backs, when he played more than 6 games. He finished 32nd in standard scoring.

Greg Little, Cleveland Browns

(ESPN – 12.1% | CBS – 30% | Yahoo – 19%)

With all the Josh Gordon love, everyone has overlooked the guy who has lead the team in receptions the past 2 years and enters his magical 3rd year. Is he going to burst on the scene and become a must-start fantasy option?

Not likely.

But, he is going to be targeted and a part of an improved and vertical offense, especially in the first 2 weeks while Gordon is serving his suspension.

It might not be pretty, but opportunity is the first requirement for fantasy success and Little will get chances to produce.

Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals

(ESPN – 2.9% | CBS – 41% | Yahoo – 14%)

The Bengals 2012 3rd Rounder emerged as a starter in Week 5 and responded by scoring 4 times in his next 3 games. He injured his foot in Week 8 and here we are.

He is a tough matchup in the Red Zone and with the Bengals improvements on offense expect Sanu to carve out a nice niche for himself.

Expecting him to be a weekly starter is a stretch, but if you’re in deeper formats he will contribute. Furthermore, he has showed signs already and finished August strong, so he should be owned.

RB Roy Helu, Washington Redskins

(ESPN – 58.8% | CBS – 56% | Yahoo – 22%)

In 2011 the Washington back burst out and won a big role in the offense. Helu averaged 4.24 yards on 151 carries and caught 49 balls out of the backfield.

Enter Alfred Morris, an unfortunate Helu turf toe injury and one of the best rookie running stat lines in recent memory.

Don’t sleep on Helu though, he has looked excellent in preseason and he will see the field. He is a top handcuff option at least and could slowly eat into some of Morris’ touches. No one is projecting Morris to struggle, but it could happen.

Enjoy the rest of all the Week 1 real and fake football action and check back for more Free Agents and Waiver Wire help and advice. Did I leave anyone off my 5 Week 1 Free Agents to Target?