The NFL season is finally here! Drafts are done, rosters are set, and now it’s time to look ahead to fantasy football waiver wire targets for Week 1. This is the first edition of my weekly waiver wire column—where I’ll highlight the best sleepers, breakouts, and must-add players who could help you win your league.
As the season progresses, I’ll continue to expand this column and add exclusive content to a subscription site (free for this season while I build it out). For now, let’s focus on the most important part of Week 1: finding those under-the-radar waiver wire gems before your league-mates do.
Waiver Wire Strategy for Week 1
Before we dive into the player list, let’s talk roster construction:
- Drop backup QBs, DSTs, or Ks. Unless you’re in a superflex or deep league, carrying backups at these positions is wasting a valuable roster spot.
- Cut aging veterans with low ceilings. Don’t cling to “name value.” If a player has been average for years, move on and chase upside.
- Take home run swings. In Week 1, you’re not looking for safe 8–10 point players—you’re searching for breakout candidates who can become weekly starters or flex options.
- Listen to the podcast. I’ve included the list below with a few short notes. The podcast includes more specific thoughts. You can check it out here.
These early-season waiver wire stashes can be league-winners—or valuable trade chips down the line.
Top 5 Waiver Wire Targets – Week 1
Here are my Top 5 overall fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Week 1:
1a. RB Dylan Sampson (28.6% rostered)
1b. WR Donte Thornton Jr. (5.9% rostered)
1c. WR Ced Tillman (41.5% rostered)
4. TE Darren Waller (22.4% rostered)
5. TE Mason Taylor (6.2% rostered)
These players have breakout potential and could give you weekly starter-level production—or serve as valuable trade bait later in the season.
Waiver Wire Pickups by Position
Quarterbacks
- Trevor Lawrence – 35% rostered
- This is the same coach that helped turn Baker into a top 5 fantasy QB last season. The Jaguars have also added Travis Hunter to the mix.
- Cam Ward – 25% rostered
Running Backs
- Dylan Sampson – 28.6% rostered
- Don’t worry about Quinshon Judkins. If he ever signs, he will supplant Jerome Frod’s role. Dylan Sampson is locked in as the receiving back.
- Kareem Hunt – 12.6% rostered
- Ollie Gordon II – 36.4% rostered
- Chris Rodriguez Jr. – 2.5% rostered
- Jeremy McNichols – 0.1% rostered
- Yes, Croskey-Merrit will eventually split carries with Austin Ekeler, but he’s also listed 4th on the week 1 depth chart.
- Jaydon Blue – 44.3% rostered
- Why not higher? His frame is a bit small which means he looks more like a receiving back. I haven’t seen him in pass protection. If he can’t block, he won’t get as many opportunities as you’d like.
- Keaton Mitchell – 1.8% rostered
Wide Receivers
- Donte Thornton Jr. – 5.9% rostered
- Is he this year’s Brian Thomas Jr.? No. But he can be close. He has won the deep threat role in an offense that will throw for 4,000 yards and 25-30 touchdowns. Think of him the same way you would have thought about Tyler Lockett during Lockett’s early prime. Thornton will be a good one.
- Ced Tillman – 41.5% rostered
- I love Tillman. Flacco will be able to get him the ball (as will Gabriel and Sanders if called upon). Tillman is a red zone threat and should be on the receiving end of plenty of targets.
- Brandon Aiyuk – 40.5% rostered
- Olamide Zaccheaus – 0.4% rostered
- He’s keeping the starting slot position warm until Luther Burden III can overtake him. Zaccheaus will catch plenty of catches. This is the same system that propelled Amon-Ra St. Brown to stardom from the slot position. Burden III is the future and will start before long. But for the first few weeks? Zaccheaus is a bankable star. Pick him up and trade him early.
- DeMario Douglas – 20.2% rostered
- Jamari Thrash – 0.2% rostered
Tight Ends
- Darren Waller – 22.4% rostered
- Jonnu Smith left A LOT of short TE targets behind.
- Mason Taylor – 6.2% rostered
- I think it’s possible that Mason Taylor is this year’s version of Sam LaPorta. The offense is right. The QB is right. And by the way, I included LaPorta in this same pre-week 1 recommendation as well.
- Brenton Strange – 18.9% rostered
Defenses (DST)
- San Francisco 49ers – 16.9% rostered
- Robert Saleh is back and will develop enough talent to make up for the players lost in the offseason.
- Chicago Bears – 10.7% rostered
Final Thoughts
Week 1 is the perfect time to take risks on fantasy football sleepers and breakout candidates. Don’t waste valuable roster space on backups who won’t start—use the waiver wire to build depth and find the players who can become difference-makers by midseason.
Stay tuned each week for updated waiver wire targets, sleepers, and roster strategy tips. Let’s dominate this fantasy football season together.