Welcome to the Week 1 Waiver Wire! Let’s highlight which players you should be prioritizing as we head into Week 1. I have broken down my targets into shallow, standard, and deeper league options. However, I will list more options under the standard column, as that will be the most popular range of targets.
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Deep League Targets
Note: This range will apply to leagues with deeper benches and more experienced managers, with players available in at least 75% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco, Browns (12% Rostered) | $2-4
This was the starting quarterback the fantasy community wanted for the Cleveland Browns all along. Flacco may not be the long-term answer for the franchise, but boy, is he fun for fantasy. It was only recently announced that Flacco would be the Browns’ starter, which has helped keep all three quarterbacks on their roster on the waiver wire. He is a great option for teams that missed at QB2 in Superflex leagues and is a reliable streamer in a Week 1 matchup against what may be the worst pass defense in the league in Cincinnati.
Daniel Jones, Colts (13% Rostered) | $1-2
Another quarterback in an unclear situation who emerged last week as the Week 1 starter, Jones is similar to Flacco in fantasy potential but polar opposite in the way he does it. Jones isn’t a gunslinger like Flacco, but he offers a solid rushing floor to give him high-end QB2 potential. The Colts’ Week 1 matchup against the Dolphins isn’t as juicy as the Bengals matchup, but it should still allow Jones to be a reliable streaming option. Although you really shouldn’t need a streamer already in Week 1. Unless you drafted a Saints quarterback!
Running Backs
Woody Marks, Texans (19% Rostered) $2-4
Marks was far from my favorite rookie running back during rookie draft season, but opportunity is everything in fantasy. Joe Mixon will start the season on the PUP list, and Nick Chubb is the next man up. That combination of aging and injury-plagued backs presents Marks with a unique chance to seize this backfield for himself until Mixon returns. The other running backs on this roster are Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale, and that should tell you exactly why I’m willing to take a flier on Marks. If Marks can secure a solid workload, he has RB2 potential in this offense.
Raheem Mostert, Raiders (25% Rostered) $1-2
If the fantasy community is consistent at doing one thing, it’s overvaluing players in their rookie season. Don’t get me wrong, Ashton Jeanty looks phenomenal, but so did Bijan Robinson in his rookie year. Much like Robinson, Jeanty is going to have a backfield mate that will keep him from reaching his ceiling. I’m not saying that the Raiders are going to employ a 50/50 split, but Mostert is going to see more work than anyone admits. Going into Bijan’s rookie season, everyone dismissed Tyler Allgeier, and Mostert has shown far more production than anything he ever displayed. Jeanty may be the RB1 in his sophomore season, but this year, he is being drafted above his ceiling, and that will make Mostert a nearly undrafted flex option for fantasy.
Wide Receivers
Isaac TeSlaa, Lions (22% Rostered) $3-6
Isaac TeSlaa Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The fact that TeSlaa is only rostered in 22% of leagues means that 78% of leagues aren’t paying attention. TeSlaa has been awesome in the preseason and has given every indication of being the Lions’ WR3 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. I don’t subscribe to the theory that every season has a “This Year’s Puka Nacua,” but if there is one player who could fulfill that in 2025, it’s TeSlaa. He may not have WR1 upside in a crowded offense, but there were more than enough fantasy points to go around in Detroit in 2024, and I expect much of the same this year.
Jack Bech, Raiders (25% Rostered) | $3-5
Another rookie receiver with potential, but this time it’s in a far less enticing offense. The Raiders are not going to even be in the same stratosphere as the Lions’ offense, but the upside here is that Bech could have little to no competition in the wide receiving room. Amari Cooper has recently been brought in by Las Vegas, and Jakobi Meyers has requested a trade. That is great news for Bech. Meyers was a far greater threat to Bech’s potential role than the washed-up Cooper. If Meyers moves on before Week 1 kickoff, Bech could be the breakout star of the season, and he is a steal at his current price.
Tight Ends
Cade Otton, Buccaneers (21% Rostered) | $1-2
Otton finished 2024 as the TE14, and it’s like no one even noticed. Sure, TE14 isn’t exactly noteworthy, but it’s more than consistent enough that he shouldn’t be widely available on the waiver wire in deep leagues. Most of the attention in the Buccaneers’ offense has gone to rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka, but there’s plenty of room here for Otton to be productive. Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan are both dealing with injuries, and Mike Evans is well past his prime. This leaves a great chance for Otton to rack up targets in a high-pass-volume offense led by Baker Mayfield. Otton is a great addition for managers who missed an elite tight end, or even those looking for a safer option to pair with one of the rookies.
Mike Gesicki, Bengals (21% Rostered) | $0-1
Gesicki is yet another boring tight end who finished as a high-end TE2 in 2024, but I’m willing to draft anyone who could be involved in the Bengals’ offense. Gesicki may be fourth or fifth on Cincinnati in targets, but on an offense this potent, that could be enough to make him a top-12 tight end for fantasy. He is boring and has absolutely no sex appeal, but he will be a decent option who is bound to have some blowup games throughout the year.
Standard League Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to most leagues with standard benches, with players available in at least 50% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (50% Rostered) | $2-5
Lawrence has never been able to shake his disappointing rookie season after he was anointed a “generational talent.” This shortcoming has kept his value suppressed over the past two seasons, and injuries have caused it to drop further. Lawrence has a new head coach with a proven track record, and the sky is the limit. The combination of Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter is one of the best in the league and makes his fantasy success a foregone conclusion this year. Lawrence is widely available and could easily finish as a top-five quarterback if things fall his way in 2025.
Bryce Young, Panthers (33% Rostered) | $1-2
After a terrible rookie season, many fantasy managers had given up on Bryce Young. That lackluster production continued well into his sophomore season, but a three-game stretch to close out the year gave managers hope that he could be the first overall pick that Carolina drafted. Young ended last season with three straight games of 30 fantasy points or more, and with the addition of first-round receiver Tetairoa McMillan, Young could have a breakout season on his horizon. He is a QB2 target currently but could very well be a locked-in QB1 by the end of October.
Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (40% Rostered) $1-2
Penix is a mystery box with a limited sample size. He played in only three games as a rookie but showed potential filling in for the injured Kirk Cousins. His fantasy output increased in each of his three games started, culminating with a 30-point game in Week 18 against the Panthers. Much like Young and Lawrence, Penix Jr. is a young quarterback with plenty of talent around him to lead to fantasy points. He was also a prolific rusher early on in his college career, although his rushing potential may be limited after an onslaught of injuries.
Running Backs
Ollie Gordon, Dolphins (43% Rostered) | $2-5
Gordon is another running back who falls in the category of rookies that I wasn’t interested in who are now viable options due to potential opportunity. The uncertainty surrounding the health of De’Von Achane makes Gordon a potential fantasy starter, and he’s worth a speculative add. In the past, the Miami offense has shown the ability to support highly productive running backs in fantasy, so it’s entirely possible that Gordon could have a valuable role even if Achane is healthy. Raheem Mostert was excellent in tandem with Achane in 2023, and that’s why I’ve been actively targeting both the RB1 and RB2 in this offense. Up until last week, I had been targeting Jaylen Wright, but it now appears as if Gordon has passed him on the depth chart and is the backup to roster for fantasy.
Dylan Sampson, Browns (44% Rostered) | $3-7
Dylan Sampson Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
After a chaotic offseason for rookie Quinshon Judkins, he has yet to sign his rookie contract. As of now, it remains possible that Judkins won’t play for the Browns at all. For much of the offseason, it was assumed Jerome Ford would be the Week 1 starter, but Sampson got the start in the team’s final preseason game.
Sampson is a talented back who was available on many waiver wires a week ago. He now appears to be destined to be the Browns’ Week 1 starter and as such could be the top running back add on the board. If he’s available in your league, add him now. He could be a league winner.
Braelon Allen, Jets (50% Rostered) | $1-3
Allen averaged an unimpressive 3.63 yards per carry as a rookie, but his receiving upside gives him a chance to be a solid flex play. The word out of the Jets’ coaching staff is that they will operate a committee backfield. If that scenario plays out, Allen is a free flex-worthy player.
Wide Receivers
Demario Douglas, Patriots (26% Rostered) | $2-4
Adding Douglas is simply throwing a dart at the Patriots’ receiving corps in hopes of hitting the bullseye. Truthfully, there might not be a bullseye at all on this roster. But if I were to make a bet, that bet would be on Douglas.
He has locked up the role of slot receiver, a role that has been fruitful for fantasy in the past. Douglas will never be a league winner in this offense, but he could be a reliable bench receiver in case of injury or bye weeks.
Cedric Tillman, Browns (30% Rostered) | $1-3
Joe Flacco is going to start for the Browns in 2025, and that means they are going to throw a lot. Currently, their only proven pass catchers are Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku.
But Tillman has the size and speed to be a dominant X-receiver. In this high-pass-volume offense, he has top-25 upside at the position.
Xavier Legette, Panthers (29% Rostered) | $1-3
Bryce Young started to show signs of life at the end of 2024. If he can take a big step this season, Carolina could be a solid offense. As we currently sit, Tetairoa McMillan is the WR1 for the Panthers, but with Adam Thielen being traded to Minnesota and Jalen Coker going on IR, there is room for Legette to have a sophomore breakout.
Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely, Ravens (39% Rostered) | $1-3
Likely was the darling of the tight end rankings only a year ago, but now he has seemingly been forgotten. Mark Andrews is still ahead of him on the depth chart, so that has caused him to slide in drafts. The problem is that Andrews was awful for much of last season.
The fantasy community seems to have forgotten that for the first half of the season, Andrews was being dropped for streaming tight ends. Apparently, his sins have been forgiven, and he is a stud again. I’m not convinced and would still like to hold on to Likely, were I to need a high-upside desperation play at tight end.
Brenton Strange, Jaguars (32% Rostered) | $1-2
In 2024, Evan Engram was a volume monster for the Jaguars. While Engram was inefficient with that volume, it was still there. The Jaguars added Travis Hunter in the draft, so their tight end volume is likely to decline. But even if the targets for Strange are significantly fewer than they were for Engram, they will still be sizeable.
If Strange can be more efficient than the notoriously inefficient Engram, he could be a steal and a low-end TE1.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (41% Rostered) | $1-2
Yawn! Sorry, I’m having difficulties containing my excitement for Henry. Yawn! While he is perhaps the most boring name in fantasy football, he will finish the season as a top 12 tight end. He is the perfect target for a manager who has drafted a risky TE1 like one of the rookies. Add him to your bench and fire him up with confidence if your TE1 struggles.
Henry is boring and won’t win you a week, but he won’t lose it either.
Shallow League Targets
Note: This range will primarily apply to home leagues and those with shorter benches, with players available in at least 25% of leagues. Each player is listed with their current rostership percentage and a recommended FAAB bid range for a $100 budget. All values are in reference to four-point per passing touchdown leagues with Half-PPR scoring unless otherwise noted.
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields, Jets (60% Rostered) | $4-6
Fields is perhaps the riskiest player in the game. I do not advise anyone to roster him as your only quarterback, but he is a great home run swing. One thing is certain for Fields: When he plays, he is a top-10 fantasy quarterback because of his legs.
If you missed an elite quarterback, add Fields and hope he keeps his job. But you should also roster a safer veteran as an insurance policy for when his arm inevitably gets him benched.
Jordan Love, Packers (68% Rostered) | $5-7
Two years ago, Love finished as the QB5. My, how quickly we have forgotten. Love was unimpressive last season, but the Packers have a loaded roster going into 2025. Rookie Matthew Golden was added to a deep group of receiving options and will surely give him massive upside.
In 2024, Love’s rushing went away while he dealt with various injuries. If he can return to a modest level of rushing production, he should be a locked-in top 10 quarterback in this offense.
Running Backs
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (71% Rostered) | $2-5
Rookie fever has made former fantasy asset Rhamondre Stevenson fall out of favor. While I love TreVeyon Henderson’s upside, particularly in PPR, he is not going to make Stevenson a moot point.
Stevenson is going to get enough of the early-down and goal-line work to be a viable fantasy asset and is at such a price that he can’t miss.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt/Austin Ekeler, Commanders (72% Rostered) | $5-7/$7-10
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Let me be clear. I am primarily targeting Austin Ekeler in this backfield, but since Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the hot name, I included him as well.
I see the rushing work being split 33/33/33 between Ekeler, Croskey-Merritt, and Chris Rodriguez, but the majority of the receiving work is going to go to Ekeler. For that reason, I believe Ekeler is the Washington back to target in fantasy. Especially given the fact that he is far cheaper than Croskey-Merritt.
Wide Receivers
Keon Coleman, Bills (75% Rostered) | $2-4
The trendy name in the Bills’ receiving corps all offseason has been Khalil Shakir. But Shakir has never wowed me, and I see him as little more than a flex option. The Bills receiver with true potential as an Alpha WR is Keon Coleman.
Aside from running back James Cook, there isn’t a legit pass catcher on this roster. Coleman has league-winning upside if he can take a step forward in year two.
Rashid Shaheed, Saints (66% Rostered) | $3-5
Shaheed was well on his way to a breakout season in 2024 before an injury ended his season. The quarterback situation in New Orleans is awful, but even with Spencer Rattler under center, Shaheed has WR2 upside.
Tight Ends
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (72% Rostered) | $2-4
Ferguson is unexciting and now has added target competition, but with Dak Prescott back as his quarterback, he is a threat to be a top-six tight end. Prescott targets his tight ends like no other quarterback, and Ferguson will see this trend continue in 2025.
Zach Ertz, Commanders (56% Rostered) | $1-2
Zach Ertz is even older and less exciting than Hunter Henry, but he is consistent and will continue to be a streaming option until he finally hangs it up. If you missed at tight end, Ertz can get you by.
Defenses
(Available in at least 50% of leagues)
Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints (47% Rostered) | $0-1
Let’s start the theme of the season off in Week 1. If you need to stream a D/ST, add whoever faces New Orleans. In Week 1, Spencer Rattler draws the start for the Saints, but regardless of who is at quarterback, this team lacks a competent passer. If they can shut down Alvin Kamara, the Cardinals could easily start the year with a shutout.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Cleveland Browns (16% Rostered) | $0-1
This matchup seemed far more appealing with a rookie starting at quarterback for the Browns, but Joe Flacco isn’t a deal breaker. Flacco will throw enough to put some points on the board, but he’s a YOLO-ball turnover machine. The Bengals could easily secure a pick six in this one.
New York Jets vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10% Rostered) | $0-1
Aaron Rodgers plays a slow, methodical brand of football that milks the clock and keeps the score low. That is great for managers streaming the Jets’ D/ST. This game currently has an Over/Under of 38.5, which is four points lower than the next closest game. The slow-paced and likely low-scoring affair should make it a favorable matchup for fantasy managers.
Kickers
(Available in at least 50% of leagues)
Ka’imi Fairbairn, HOU @ LAR (49% Rostered) | $1
Fairbairn finished 2024 as the K4 overall and was as consistent as they come. In Week 1, he gets a matchup with the Rams. While that matchup has a modest O/U of 44.5 points, the spread of 2.5 is a game script that is beneficial to kickers. Add in a dome game for this showdown, and it is the perfect setup for Fairbairn to carry over his success from 2024 into 2025.
Wil Lutz, DEN vs. TEN (24% Rostered) | $1
Lutz was the K7 last season and was reliable for fantasy purposes. His Week 1 matchup against the Titans has a low O/U of only 41.5 points, but the Broncos are being favored by 7.5 points; that implied total should give him plenty of opportunities. Lutz isn’t as enticing as Fairbairn, but he should finish as a top-10 kicker in Week 1.
Evan McPherson, CIN @ CLE (46% Rostered) | $1
McPherson finished 2024 as the K29 after missing the majority of the season. That down year is why he is available in so many leagues. He won’t be on waivers for long. This Week 1 tilt with the Browns has one of the highest totals of the week at 47.5 points, and the Bengals being favored by 5.5 makes McPherson an easy start in Week 1. McPherson will be back to a locked-in top-12 kicker in a matter of weeks, so add him while you can.
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