Week 1 delivered fantasy football surprises that smart managers must capitalize on immediately. While established players returned to form, several under-the-radar receivers exploded onto the waiver wire with massive target shares and touchdown upside.
The key to fantasy football success lies in identifying these breakout candidates before your league mates catch on. These six wide receivers represent the best combination of opportunity, talent, and roster availability heading into Week 2.
Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
Rostered: 24%
Hollywood Brown dominated target share in the Kansas City Chiefs’ Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, hauling in 10 catches on 16 targets for 99 yards. The veteran receiver stepped seamlessly into the spotlight with Rashee Rice suspended and Xavier Worthy sidelined with a shoulder injury.
With Rice facing a six-game suspension and Worthy injured after just three plays, Brown commanded a massive 32% target share in the Chiefs’ pass-heavy attack. His 16 targets represented nearly half of Patrick Mahomes’ 34 passing attempts, indicating a clear role as the primary option in the short-to-intermediate passing game. The 5’9″ speedster saw consistent work across all three levels of the field.
Mahomes HEAVES it on 4th and 7 and finds Hollywood Brown!
KCvsLAC on YouTube https://t.co/JVXS9sMZhB pic.twitter.com/CjTzI4tffq
— NFL (@NFL) September 6, 2025
Brown’s target explosion isn’t a fluke. He’s positioned to maintain significant involvement throughout Rice’s suspension for as long as Worthy is sidelined. The Chiefs averaged 38 pass attempts per game last season, and with their top two receivers unavailable, Brown has emerged as Mahomes’ primary safety valve.
His veteran presence and route-running precision make him a reliable option in an offense that will need to lean heavily on the passing game.
Aggressiveness Rating: 6
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Rostered: 49%
Keenan Allen returned to form in his Chargers reunion, catching 7 of 10 targets for 68 yards and one touchdown in the victory over Kansas City. The veteran receiver led the team in targets while operating primarily from his familiar slot position.
Allen commanded a team-high 10 targets on 40 offensive snaps, translating to a robust 25% target share in the Chargers’ balanced offensive approach. His touchdown came on a perfectly executed fade route in the red zone, showcasing the chemistry with Justin Herbert that made him a fantasy staple in previous seasons. The 33-year-old receiver ran routes from multiple alignments but found most of his success working the middle of the field.
back like he never left
📺 | @youtube pic.twitter.com/2Kvh0QUAaO
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) September 6, 2025
Allen’s Week 1 performance suggests his disappointing 2024 season in Chicago was more about context than decline. Reunited with Herbert and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Allen appears rejuvenated in a system that maximizes his route-running precision.
The Chargers threw 40 times in Week 1, a notable increase from their typically run-heavy approach. With Ladd McConkey drawing coverage as the X-receiver and Quentin Johnston operating on the perimeter, Allen’s slot role provides consistent target opportunities.
His red zone touchdown demonstrates that the goal line chemistry with Herbert remains intact. However, the Chargers’ commitment to running the ball could limit overall passing volume in positive game scripts.
Aggressiveness Rating: 8
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Rostered: 7%
Quentin Johnston secured four catches on seven targets for 51 yards in the Chargers’ Week 1 victory, operating as the team’s primary outside receiver alongside Allen and McConkey. The third-year player maintained his role despite Allen’s return to the lineup.
Johnston’s 17.5% target share represents solid involvement in a passing attack that supported three viable fantasy receivers, at least in Week 1. The TCU product’s targets came across all areas of the field, with Herbert looking his way on both intermediate routes and deeper developing patterns.
Quentin Johnston HAVE A NIGHT
⚡️ 5 receptions
⚡️ 79 yards
⚡️ 2 TDs
⚡️ 24.9 fantasy pointsTime to put in those waiver claims 👀pic.twitter.com/Z1NIoii0vt
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) September 6, 2025
Johnston’s ability to maintain a meaningful target share with Allen back in the fold is encouraging for his fantasy prospects. The 6’4″ receiver offers a different skill set than Allen and McConkey, providing Herbert with a reliable red zone and contested catch option. However, Johnston’s fantasy value remains touchdown-dependent, as evidenced by his eight scores last season despite modest yardage totals.
The Chargers’ run-first philosophy under Jim Harbaugh could limit overall passing volume, making Johnston more of a boom-or-bust weekly option. His 57% catch rate from 2024 raises efficiency concerns, and it’s unlikely the volume will be consistent every week. Consider Johnston more of a speculative add.
Aggressiveness Rating: 3
Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers
Rostered: 2%
Calvin Austin III caught four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown in Pittsburgh’s victory. The diminutive receiver provides big-play ability with his 4.30 speed and should continue seeing targets in Pittsburgh’s revamped passing attack. His efficiency on limited targets suggests room for growth with increased opportunity.
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade for DK Metcalf created questions about Austin’s role, but he maintained involvement in three-receiver sets. His slot usage provides consistent target opportunities, though the team’s run-first philosophy limits overall passing volume. Austin’s production will likely remain touchdown-dependent, but his speed creates weekly big-play potential that could make him a valuable bench stash in deeper leagues.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns
Rostered: 28%
Tillman caught five passes for 52 yards and one touchdown in Cleveland’s Week 1 contest. The third-year receiver operated as the Browns’ clear second receiving option behind Jerry Jeudy and appears primed for consistent target volume. His red zone touchdown demonstrates the scoring upside that makes him attractive for fantasy purposes.
Before a concussion ended his 2024 season early, Tillman was in the midst of a breakout. He was the WR12 from Weeks 7-12, earning a 19.7% target share. The Browns lost several receiving options from last season, creating a more straightforward path for Tillman to establish himself as a consistent weekly option.
MORE: Fantasy Waiver Wire Targets Week 2
Tillman matched Jeudy in snaps, routes run, and targets. The Browns are likely to find themselves in a negative game script on a fair number of occasions. At least as long as Joe Flacco is the quarterback, the volume should be there. He is worth rostering as a potential fantasy WR4.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
Rostered: 1%
Kayshon Boutte caught 6 of 8 targets for 103 yards in the New England Patriots’ season-opening loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The third-year receiver led New England in receiving yards while operating as Drake Maye’s primary target throughout the game. His 24-yard reception in the first quarter briefly left him shaken, but he returned to action and continued producing consistently.
Boutte commanded the highest target share among Patriots receivers with 8 targets on Maye’s 46 passing attempts. The former LSU standout benefited from playing alongside veteran Stefon Diggs, who drew coverage attention while catching 6 passes for 57 yards on his own 6 targets. Boutte’s efficiency on targets (75% catch rate) demonstrates the developing chemistry with Maye.
We have to act early, even though we don’t know how real this is.
Aggressiveness Rating: 5.0
