You’ll never win your fantasy football league without playing the waiver wire. Regardless of how good your team looks, injuries can strike at a moments notice. The key to a successful season is looking to upgrade any position you possibly can. With that in mind, there are quite a few solid quarterbacks available on the open market. Whether you need a Week Two starter or just need a deeper bench, players like Patrick Mahomes and Ryan Fitzpatrick, among others, should be added to your fantasy team.
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Patrick Mahomes, Ryan Fitzpatrick Among Best Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Entering Week One, Patrick Mahomes was owned in just 37.3% of NFL.com fantasy leagues. While the second-year player had promise, it’s hard to blame owners for not trusting the unproven starter. However, after one week, everyone who needs a quarterback should be putting in a claim for Mahomes.
Mahomes was electric against a Los Angeles Chargers team loaded with talent. His big arm and Tyreek Hill’s breakneck speed were made for each other, and the first-year starter ended his night with 256 passing yards and four touchdowns. His numbers should only improve as his season goes on.
Ryan Fitzpatrick
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently riding the good Ryan Fitzpatrick. As has been the norm throughout his career, Fitzpatrick joined the Bucs as a backup before inheriting the starting position. He proceeded to light up the New Orleans Saints in Week One, throwing for 417 yards and four touchdowns against a good-on-paper Saints defense. Additionally, Fitzpatrick added an additional 36 yards and a rushing touchdown on the night.
History shows that Fitzpatrick has about five or six games like this before falling back into his old form. If you’re in need of a short-term starter at quarterback, make sure you put in a waiver claim for Fitzpatrick.
Alex Smith
Astonishingly, Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith is owned in just 54.6% of NFL.com leagues. While he should never be your full-season QB1, Smith is more than capable of being a high-upside QB2. Last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, Smith finished as the fourth-best quarterback in fantasy with 295.2 points, per ESPN’s traditional scoring.
While he won’t have that success in a new system, he still has the potential to put up that type of success. In his first game, Smith put up 255 yards and two touchdowns while facing an Arizona Cardinals defense which should be good. Make sure to put in a claim if you play in a league where Smith is a free agent.
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