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Now that your fantasy football drafts are mostly over, and the NFL is starting in the coming days, the second phase of fantasy begins. Monitoring the waiver wire is arguably more important than the draft itself.
Your roster should not be the same throughout the season if you want to compete for the title. There are always hidden gems that we miss during draft season; these emerging fantasy options are crucial to add to your roster.
This weekly article will highlight those players that you should pick up for the long haul, as well as those who are good short-term.
We'll also drop some recommendations for how to spend your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), based on a $100 season-long budget. Please scale your spending percentages accordingly, depending on your league's allotment.
Each player's roster percentage is based on Yahoo! Fantasy Sports league data.
TIPS TO WIN YOUR LEAGUE: 2025 Fantasy Draft Kit
Best fantasy waiver wire pickups for Week 1
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns (50% rostered)
It would feel wrong not to include the rookie on this list. While he is rostered in about half of the leagues, that's not nearly what it would be if he weren't dealing with this looming contract impasse.
Most of the recent reports coming out are trending towards the Browns and Judkins getting closer to a signature:
Quinshon Judkins will return to the Browns soon, potentially even at some point this week, per @MaryKayCabot.
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) September 1, 2025
If he returns early enough, he could appear some in the season opener 👀 pic.twitter.com/Dfv6Rm8UQH
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If/when that happens, Judkins becomes an immediate fantasy option. The Browns' backfield is lackluster. Judkins offers explosiveness and undeniable talent. Quinshon Judkins FAAB Bid: $20
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers (18%)
After the departure of Adam Thielen. Xavier Legette became interesting. After Jalen Coker got placed on IR, Legette is now a player you need to invest in.
If you believe the Panthers are going to be an improved offense due to Bryce Young picking up where he left off last season, Legette would greatly benefit from this.
There is a large target share available right now, even with Tetairoa McMillian healthy.
However, McMillan has been dealing with a hamstring issue all offseason, and if he misses time. Legette becomes the top WR option in this offense. Xavier Legette FAAB Bid: $10
Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans (38%)
Jayden Higgins is someone who was hyped up all offseason. The Texans used a high draft pick on Higgins in the NFL Draft; therefore, the belief is that they will use him early.
This could be your only week to secure Higgins if he has a monster game in Week 1, or really does anything notable against the Rams. Jayden Higgins FAAB Bid: $10
Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys (38%)
Let me just get this out of the way: Jaydon Blue is the best RB on the Dallas Cowboys. Before he dealt with his injury, Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer raved about Blue.
#Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says that Jaydon Blue reminds him of Darren Sproles:
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 1, 2025
“The quickness and the ability to accelerate in the hole… it’s just different. He’s got incredible lateral agility and quickness, and when he jump cuts or moves laterally, he’s able to get to… pic.twitter.com/9qcCTnk6O4
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With Blue now left off the injury report, expect him to carve out a role for himself. Blue will be the starting RB for the Cowboys by the end of the season, usurping Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Jaydon Blue FAAB Bid: $10
Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins (36%)
As of Sept. 2, De'Von Achane (calf) is likely to play Week 1. However, he has still not been fully cleared to go; we're hearing a lot of "ifs" from the Miami front office in relation to Achane's availability.
If Achane does not play, Ollie Gordon becomes the starter:
Ollie Gordon in the preseason:
— PFF Fantasy (@PFF_Fantasy) August 24, 2025
🐬 126 Yards
🐬 101 Yards After Contact
🐬 8 Rushes for First Down pic.twitter.com/2tmSneCWYJ
Even with Achane healthy, Gordon can still provide value as the RB2 with Jaylen Wright (leg) set to miss a few weeks. Gordon would complement Achane better than Wright ever did. Ollie Gordon FAAB Bid: $5
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Week 1 waiver wire streamers
Aim to scoop up these one-week fantasy players for $1 or, ideally, $0.
QB Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (25%)
When Tua Tagovailoa is healthy and playing, he's usually a reliable fantasy option. In Week 1, he gets to face the Colts indoors, so expect him to be able to air it out.
TE Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (22%)
It's supposed to be a rain-filled football game in Week 1 for the Panthers and Jags. Strange could benefit from such conditions with a shorter passing scheme.
Team Defense Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Arizona Cardinals (37%)
The Cardinals are coming into 2025 with a much-improved defensive unit. In Week 1, they get to take on the disastrous QB room in the New Orleans Saints.
Cincinnati Bengals (9%)
The Bengals' defense is far from good, but unless you expect Joe Flacco to ball out for the Brows, the Bengals should not give up too many points.
Kicker Fantasy Streaming Pickups
Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons
A little tidbit for streaming Kickers, target a middle-of-the-pack defense, and make sure they're playing in a dome to eliminate weather factors. You want the offense to be able to move, but not always score a touchdown.
2025 DRAFT SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | Value Picks | Deep Sleepers | 1 From Each Team
Week 1 Fantasy Waiver Wire Watch List
Quarterback waiver pickups to watch
- Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans (26%)
- Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (6%)
- Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (14%)
Cam Ward might get dropped at a high rate if he struggles badly vs Denver in Week 1, but he has much easier matchups afterwards. Sam Darnold has a good streaming matchup vs New Orleans in Week 3, and Dart might take over the starting job sooner than previously anticipated.
Running Back waiver pickups to watch
- Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers (21%)
- Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles (12%)
- Woody Marks, Houston Texans (9%)
All 3 of these RBs are the direct backups to the current starter. While Will Shipley and Woody Marks need the starter to be hurt, Rico Dowdle's third-down role could deliver weekly flex value in many leagues.
Wide Receiver waiver pickups to watch
- Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions (9%)
- Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks (3%)
- Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos (3%)
All three of these WRs are rookies that their respective teams love. Staying on top of news surrounding them can help you get ahead of their breakout weeks.
Tight End waiver pickups to watch
- Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (13%)
- Mason Taylor, New York Jets (12%)
- Terrance Ferguson, LA Rams (1%)
Isaiah Likely's injury needs to be monitored, but his upside is still there once he returns. Mason Taylor and Terrance Ferguson are both rookies with uncertain roles in their offense; Taylor is more solidified in the Jets' offense.