While it was a down week for the majority of the fantasy stars, I'm relatively happy the waiver wire article can kick off the year talking about situations that were unexpected, and not due to injuries. It's never a good feeling to be down 0-1 in your fantasy leagues because A.J. Brown or Ja'Marr Chase didn't perform up to expectation, and it's another thing to be out of the mix entirely because you drafted Christian McCaffrey first overall last season. Of course, there's a point in time where that will come — and yes, I probably already jinxed myself by even putting that statement to paper — but I'm going to allow myself to enjoy what was a really fun Week 1.
Just a reminder that we'll update this article daily with a handful of new fantasy football waiver wire pickups. The inclusion of players on the injury report will certainly make a difference, but especially early in the season, just a practical understanding of certain data points, or notable things on tape, can also make a critical difference.
For the audio and video component of the article, I also went through a fully developed list on the RotoWire YouTube channel that you can view below.
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars - The 25-year-old is already rostered in 52 percent of leagues, but in the oft chance that he's available, I'm intrigued by Lawrence starting against the Bengals in Week 2. Joe Flacco somewhat predictably compiled nearly 300 yards Sunday,
While it was a down week for the majority of the fantasy stars, I'm relatively happy the waiver wire article can kick off the year talking about situations that were unexpected, and not due to injuries. It's never a good feeling to be down 0-1 in your fantasy leagues because A.J. Brown or Ja'Marr Chase didn't perform up to expectation, and it's another thing to be out of the mix entirely because you drafted Christian McCaffrey first overall last season. Of course, there's a point in time where that will come — and yes, I probably already jinxed myself by even putting that statement to paper — but I'm going to allow myself to enjoy what was a really fun Week 1.
Just a reminder that we'll update this article daily with a handful of new fantasy football waiver wire pickups. The inclusion of players on the injury report will certainly make a difference, but especially early in the season, just a practical understanding of certain data points, or notable things on tape, can also make a critical difference.
For the audio and video component of the article, I also went through a fully developed list on the RotoWire YouTube channel that you can view below.
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars - The 25-year-old is already rostered in 52 percent of leagues, but in the oft chance that he's available, I'm intrigued by Lawrence starting against the Bengals in Week 2. Joe Flacco somewhat predictably compiled nearly 300 yards Sunday, but it was surprising that yardage came in a game that was close throughout. I think Lawrence easily is a top-10 fantasy QB if he's available. FAAB: 4 percent of budget if streamer QB is needed
Michael Penix, Falcons - Let's first acknowledge that 17 percent of Penix's total production, and even more from a fantasy perspective, came from a ridiculous display of athleticism from Bijan Robinson. The status of Drake London (shoulder) could also change this recommendation too. And frankly, Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores, whom the Falcons play Week 2, terrifies me against younger quarterbacks, especially someone like Penix who has accuracy concerns. But excluding all of that, the second-year quarterback is situated in an offense that you can confidently predict will offer a safer floor of production week in and week out. And that's without looking at a bunch of the other vagabond options at the position otherwise. FAAB: 1 percent of budget
Daniel Jones, Colts - I couldn't have been more wrong about this game. Week 1's are obviously tricky to predict, but the egg on my face likely will take some time to wipe away. That said, there's legitimately zero reason to pick up and start Jones next week against the Broncos. We know the rushing aspect gives the veteran quarterback a fantasy floor, but the two rushing touchdowns really only occurred after Jonathan Taylor banged his head against the proverbial door a handful times prior. It's fine to roster the 28-year-old if you like the theoretical upside, but games against the Broncos, Titans and Rams in the next three weeks limit his true starting potential. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Running Back
Quinshon Judkins, Browns - The rookie second-round pick is already rostered in 55 percent of leagues. I'm just jotting this down because it should be 100 percent by Week 2. I don't know if he plays immediately or when he emerges as the top guy, but it will happen sooner rather than later. Even in an offense that projects to be outright bad for most of the year, Nick Chubb succeeded in those scenarios in years past. On Sunday, Browns running backs combined for 21 carries for 40 yards. With the legal situation effectively resolved, the runway is officially open for Judkins. FAAB: 31 percent of budget
Dylan Sampson, Browns - I promise I'll stop recommending players closer to 50 percent rostered. But this is going to be a comprehensive article each and every week, and I don't want to leave room for error. I assumed Jerome Ford would be used frequently out of the gate, but Sampson ended up earning a 20-7 advantage in touches despite the game being relatively close. He finished with 93 scrimmage yards. The best-case scenario for fantasy managers is a combo of Judkins and Sampson re-imaging the Nick Chubb/Kareem Hunt combo from yesteryear. If you recall, the Kevin Stefanski system made both fantasy viable at their peak, and I think the same situation could occur in 2025. FAAB: 12 percent of budget
Wide Receiver
Keenan Allen, Chargers - I don't think the Chargers will have a 65/35 run/pass ratio most weeks, but it was uncanny how Allen just immediately turned into vintage 2023 form despite being in a new system relative to any point in Los Angeles career. The veteran is already rostered in 50 percent of leagues, but let this serve as a marker that I'd happily pay whatever trade price is needed to acquire Allen entering Week 2. For as long as he's healthy, Allen is immediately fantasy WR3 territory. FAAB: 17 percent of budget
Hollywood Brown, Chiefs - Brown made this list last week, but with Xavier Worthy (shoulder) out for an undetermined time and Rashee Rice still in the throngs of a six-game suspension, this is probably priority pickup No. 1 for me. The 28-year-old likely won't see 16 targets most week, but Brown has been a volume guy basically his entire career and suddenly is thrust into a similarly critical role for the Chiefs. The only thing stopping me from being more aggressive is that Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are creative enough to not "have to" funnel an offense through one player. And there's a defined expiration date on WR1 Brown in the near future. FAAB: 8 percent of budget
Quentin Johnston, Chargers - Two LAC receivers on the waiver-wire list? Again, I'm relatively confident Greg Roman zagged a Kansas City defense that seemed far too geared up to stop the run in Brazil, but we can't ignore what happened Friday. The third-year wide receiver might have a boneheaded drop or two upcoming, but he's easily the team's best blocker in the receiving corps, and as such he'll have a defined snap count (81 percent of Week 1 snaps) that can sustain reliable volume even if Johnston doesn't score multiple touchdowns each week. FAAB: 5 percent of budget
Cedric Tillman, Browns - There's an uncomfortable amount of Cleveland players littering the list, but after watching Sunday night's thrilling BUF/BAL game, I have some degree of faith Joe Flacco can sustain a competitive fantasy offense against the Ravens in Week 2. Once Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel inevitably take over under center, I'll have some reservations Tillman will see enough volume to sustain a fantasy roster spot. But until that point the 25-year-old needs to be rostered in far more than 28 percent of fantasy leagues. FAAB: 5 percent of budget if you need a Week 2 starter
Calvin Austin, Steelers - The third-year wide receiver cemented his status as Pittsburgh's No. 2 target easily surpassing Roman Wilson (10) and Ben Skowronek (10) in snaps with 44. Maybe a return of vintage Aaron Rodgers will make Austin a more reliable start most weeks, but I don't think it's a bold take to assume the Steelers will not be a top-5 offense week to week. FAAB: 2-3 percent of budget
Kayshon Boutte, Patriots - Another third-year wideout, Boutte now has three fantasy WR2 performances in the last four games dating to last season. The LSU product was once considered one of the better collegiate wide receivers in the nation before a legal situation simultaneously coupled with underperforming at the NFL Combine had Boutte tumble down draft boards. Someone from New England's situation will emerge as a starting fantasy asset each week, but I'm still hesitant to assume it'll be Boutte as opposed to Stefon Diggs or third-round rookie Kyle Williams. FAAB: 2-3 percent of budget
Tight End
Jonnu Smith, Steelers - I'm somewhat stunned Smith is only rostered in 31 percent of leagues. Obviously the situational downgrade from Miami to Pittsburgh was pronounced, but Arthur Smith intentionally took mountains of criticism to use the veteran over everyone's favorite TE Kyle Pitts in Atlanta. What did people think was going to happen after the Steelers gave up critical draft capital to get Smith this go around? I don't buy the premise Aaron Rodgers will lead a top-10 fantasy offense week in and week out, but there's just such little competition for volume in Pittsburgh that I think it's fair to just take the data points (six targets, t-3rd) at face value. FAAB: 6 percent of budget
Juwan Johnson, Saints - Johnson has always been a known waiver-wire commodity given his touchdown upside, but this version of New Orleans likely will result in career highs across the board due for the 28-year-old due to sheer volume. The sixth-year player has never seen more than 66 targets in a single season, but with the Saints projected to be a miserable team and the fragility of Chris Olave (chest) and other pass catchers, it would be somewhat stunning Johnson doesn't get close to doubling that mark in 2025. FAAB: 5-7 percent of budget
Harold Fannin, Browns - Another repeat from last week, but I'm kicking myself I wasn't a bit more adamant recommending him throughout the offseason. Jerry Jeudy and Cedric Tillman played about 85 percent of the team's offensive snaps. I mention that only to illustrate that Fannin's 72 percent of offensive snaps easily put him near the the top of TE2s in the league, and David Njoku wound up playing 86 percent of the offensive snaps. All of this is important because people might see Fannin's line of 7-9-63 and dismiss it haphazardly. Don't be that person. Kevin Stefanski's preferred offense always has relied on multiple tight ends, but with the third-round rookie you're also getting arguably one of the better pass catchers at the position to boot. FAAB: 3 percent of budget
Brenton Strange, Jaguars - I think there's reason to assume the hour-plus weather delay impacted the rhythm of this game, but it was reassuring to see Strange involved in the offense throughout. Four targets isn't actually all that rich considering Trevor Lawrence threw 31 passes in a game that Jacksonville had control of throughout, but there could be games (like Week 2 against the Bengals) where volume will simply be present. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
Noah Fant, Bengals - I wanted to put Fant higher on the list, but Drew Sample actually played more snaps (33) than Fant (26), and Mike Gesicki still saw some run (15) as well. The former Seahawks tight end had five targets and there's going to be weeks in which the Bengals need to win shoot outs, but there's other tight ends that have a more defined role in more comfortable fantasy situations. FAAB: 0 percent of budget
