The fantasy football roster churn never sleeps, and though you may have drafted the “perfect” team, there are always opportunities available on the waiver wire.
Let's look at the top waiver wire targets for Week 1 of the 2025 fantasy football season.
As a reminder, the drop list consists of players who are no longer must-roster assets in shallow leagues, recommended adds are available in at least 60% of ESPN leagues, and the watch list consists of players worth monitoring.
The deep cuts section for running backs and receivers highlights players who are rostered in fewer than 5% of ESPN leagues, for all you “not in my league” degens.
I will not list recommended FAAB percentages for every player because that decision involves too many factors to make an accurate recommendation, including league size, team weaknesses, and the aggressiveness of the other managers in your league.
That said, I will try to clarify when there is a player I am going big on in FAAB bidding.
Finally, I will not be ranking kickers and defenses because, frankly, I don’t care about them and want them to disappear from the game.
With those caveats out of the way, let’s get to it.
Contents
Best Week 1 Wavier Wire Pickups: Quarterback
- Joe Flacco
- Trevor Lawrence
- Bryce Young
Best Week 1 Wavier Wire Pickups: Running Back
- Dylan Sampson
- Dameon Pierce
- Ollie Gordon II
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Chris Rodriguez Jr.
- Woody Marks
Best Week 1 Wavier Wire Pickups: Wide Receiver
- Marvin Mims Jr.
- Josh Palmer
- Christian Kirk
- Romeo Doubs
Best Week 1 Wavier Wire Pickups: Tight Ends
- Brenton Strange
- Ja'Tavion Sanders
Quarterback Waiver Targets, Week 1
1. Joe Flacco, Browns – Available in 97.9% of ESPN Leagues
The fantasy gods have blessed teams that completely punted at quarterback in their fantasy drafts, delivering a Bengals matchup at home for Joe Flacco in Week 1. The Bengals were awful against quarterbacks last season – sixth-most points allowed per game to the position – and have the excellent fantasy combination of a bad defense and a great offense. Flacco averaged nearly 41 attempts per game during his five with the Browns in 2023, throwing for 7.9 yards per attempt and a 6.4% touchdown rate.
2. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars – Available in 65.4% of ESPN leagues
The addition of new coach Liam Coen should create a better fantasy environment for Trevor Lawrence. Last year, Coen helped Baker Mayfield lower his depth of target, increase his efficiency, and post the best season of his career. Lawrence probably is not going to touch the 7.2% touchdown rate Mayfield had last season, but he gets a good matchup in Week 1 against the Panthers, has good weapons around him, and should get a boost from the coaching change.
3. Bryce Young, Panthers – Available in 85.2% of ESPN leagues
The other side of that game should also be good for Bryce Young, who was quietly the QB10 over the second half of last season. Some likely unsustainable rushing touchdowns during that stretch propped up that number, but he also showed more with his legs overall outside the touchdowns during the back half of last season. Jaguars-Panthers is a game I am targeting in DFS this week, so both quarterbacks are in play.
Watch List: Cam Ward is not someone to target this week in single quarterback leagues. The Denver defense is legit, and rookie quarterbacks do not have the strongest track record in Week 1. That said, the No. 1 overall pick could turn into a streaming option this year. While he is unlikely to be a prolific runner, he pushes the ball down the field, and that could produce some good scores in favorable matchups…Based on what we saw from him in the preseason, Jaxson Dart is the No. 1 stash in 2QB and Superflex formats, though he is almost certainly already rostered in those leagues.
Running Back Waiver Targets, Week 1
There are a ton of handcuff types and upside rookies available at ESPN. All of them are good bench fillers.
Jaydon Blue and Braelon Allen are just above the cutoff for this article, but there are several names available:
- Tyler Allgeier
- Ray Davis
- Justice Hill
- Will Shipley
- Kendre Miller
- DJ Giddens
1. Dylan Sampson, Browns – Available in 73.1% of ESPN leagues
Quinshon Judkins could return to the team at some point, but he will be a rookie who missed all of training camp. It would not be a surprise if Dylan Sampson is the lead back in Cleveland for the majority of the season, given the boom-or-bust nature of Jerome Ford.
2. Dameon Pierce, Texans – Available in 93.5% of ESPN leagues
Nick Chubb should be the starter in Week 1. Chubb was also one of the least efficient running backs in the league last season. Dameon Pierce has not done much since his rookie season back in 2022, but he should fit better in Houston’s new offense.
3. Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins – Available in 66.6% of ESPN leagues
Not only is Ollie Gordon the only healthy back on Miami’s roster outside of De’Von Achane, who is returning from a preseason injury of his own, but he profiles as the kind of player who can win the short-yardage role. The vibes are bad in Miami, but the offense was good with Tua Tagovailoa healthy last season.
4. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars – Available in 60.2% of ESPN leagues
I continue to bet on Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne to lead the Jaguars backfield, but there is enough uncertainty to make Bhayshul Tuten a better bench stash than the names listed at the top of this section. If he gets the chance, Tuten has the traits to create big plays.
5. Chris Rodriguez Jr, Commanders – Available in 98.0% of ESPN leagues
Bill Croskey-Merritt is rightfully getting the fantasy buzz, but there is another option for early down work in Washington now that Brian Robinson Jr. is no longer around. In fact, coach Dan Quinn had nothing but praise for Chris Rodriguez and even suggested Rodriguez could end up as the short-yardage and goal-line back. There is enough uncertainty in Washington’s backfield to stash Rodriguez in every league.
6. Woody Marks, Texans – Available in 87.6% of ESPN leagues
Training camp news and preseason usage were not great for Woody Marks, but he is a rookie on a team with a questionable depth chart. More importantly, he could be the best fit if the Texans are forced to lean into the passing game.
Watch List: Add the entire list at the top of this section to the watch list. Overall, any of the clear handcuffs and upside rookies can be stashed where possible…Teams with available IR spots should be targeting Tyjae Spears, who should be back when first eligible in Week 5 if the reports of a high-ankle sprain are correct.
Deep Cuts: Kyle Monangai has been my top late-round target in best ball drafts over the last month. It could come to nothing, but he also could be the goal-line back for a Ben Johnson-coached offense…Brashard Smith’s Week 1 role will be one to watch after some promising usage late in the preseason…Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson are the only backs on Green Bay’s roster behind Josh Jacobs.
Wide Receiver Waiver Targets, Week 1
1. Marvin Mims Jr, Broncos – Available in 61.8% of ESPN leagues
Denver’s defense is very good, and the Broncos made an effort to improve their run game this offseason. That could mean we do not get enough pass volume to support Courtland Sutton, Evan Engram, AND a third fantasy viable player in the passing game. Still, the path is there for Marvin Mims to be much closer to a full time player this season. Mims led all qualified receivers in fantasy points per target last year.
2. Josh Palmer, Bills – Available in 88.3% of ESPN leagues
It seems like Khalil Shakir will be ready for Week 1, but Josh Palmer should be a nearly every-down player for an offense led by Josh Allen. He was one of the more mispriced players for all of fantasy draft season.
3. Christian Kirk, Texans – Available in 71.5% of ESPN leagues
Christian Kirk appears set to open the season as the No. 2 receiver in Houston. With the uncertainty in the backfield and issues along the offensive line, we should see the Texans lean more into C.J. Stroud and the passing game under their new offensive coordinator.
4. Romeo Doubs, Packers – Available in 81.8% of ESPN leagues
Christian Watson is out. Jayden Reed is trying to play through a foot injury. Dontayvion Wicks does not catch passes. Romeo Doubs is inevitable.
Watch List: Amari Cooper struggled after joining the Bills last season, and he now has to learn another new offense in a hurry. Perhaps he develops a role as the season goes on, but the Raiders already have target earners in Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers…Kyle Williams got some offseason buzz (and remains one to watch), but it looks like DeMario Douglas will be the No. 2 option behind Stefon Diggs…Tyler Lockett is not a sexy name at this point in his career, but he should have a role in Tennessee…The Lions made a trade to leave open the No. 3 receiver job for Isaac TeSlaa. That seems notable.
Deep Cuts: As mentioned above with Mims, there is some concern that the Broncos just don’t have the target volume to support multiple fantasy pass catchers, but it is promising for both Pat Bryant and Troy Franklin that Denver made a trade to clear the depth chart for them…Someone other than Calvin Ridley will have to catch passes in Tennessee. Elic Ayomanor made the case that it should be him in the preseason…Tutu Atwell should be on the field a lot. It is unclear whether that will result in targets, but he should be out there…Ditto for Josh Reynolds…Despite initially being released at final cuts, Hunter Renfrow is the favorite for the slot role in Carolina with Adam Thielen traded and Jalen Coker on injured reserve…The Chiefs want a more explosive passing attack this season. Tyquan Thornton could be their path to those explosive plays.
Tight End Waiver Targets, Week 1
1. Brenton Strange, Jaguars – Available in 81.7% of ESPN leagues
If we are right about the changes to the Jaguars passing game (see Trevor Lawrence above), Brenton Strange would stand to benefit as the clear pass catching option at the position on the depth chart. The Panthers allowed the second-most points per game to tight ends last season.
2. Ja’Tavion Sanders, Panthers – Available in 98.9% of ESPN leagues
The streaming options in Week 1 are not great, and most teams should be going with the guy they drafted. Ja'Tavion Sanders did earn some buzz in camp, though, and could benefit from the slot receiver uncertainty in Carolina.
Watch List: It looks like Darren Waller will be active in Week 1. He is not a perfect fit for the Jonnu Smith role from last season, but we know the Dolphins can create fantasy value for their tight end…Continuing the “someone else has to catch passes in Tennessee” line from the receiver section, Chig Okonkwo…Cleveland has questions behind Jerry Jeudy at receiver, which could open the door for Harold Fannin Jr. to get targets even as the No. 2 tight end on the roster…AJ Barner should play a lot of snaps for the Seahawks. It remains to be seen if that will result in targets, but he should be on the field.
