MUST-ADD Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Players Before Week 1

Fab identifies Cam Akers as the starter in New York, noting that Naji Harris would be the next man in if something were to happen to him.

Chris Bell is a priority waiver target; Fab projects he could lead Miami wide receivers in fantasy scoring once he ramps up, despite a slow start due to a preseason injury. He is also recommended as a long-term bench stash.

Courtland Sutton is viewed as an older receiver who could potentially be overtaken by Pat Bryant in the Denver target hierarchy.

Fab classifies Dalton Schultz as a no-brainer waiver wire add at the tight end position. He is a solid TE2 option in non-tight end premium formats, noting he fell through the cracks in early drafts despite a 2025 season where he ranked 5th in targets and 3rd in catches among tight ends.

Fab recommends Devaughn Vele as a cheap PPR value play, noting he will be on the field in two-receiver sets for New Orleans and showed late-season target volume last year.

Dontayvion Wicks is a recommended sleeper waiver addition who could produce early in the season for Philadelphia. While Mike Lemon is expected to handle slot duties initially, Wicks has demonstrated the ability to deliver 'smash weeks' and is a cheap, high-upside target.

George Holani is a speculative waiver wire pickup in Seattle, especially useful in leagues that allow post-game roster moves. With Zach Charbonnet on IR and Emanuel Wilson injured, Holani has a path to early-season opportunity.

Hayden Hurst is a fun stash candidate; if injuries occur to primary receivers like Chris Godwin or Emeka Egbuka, Hurst could see a significant role expansion.

Jacob Saylors is currently the next man in line behind Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit. While there is speculation the team could sign a veteran like Kareem Hunt if Gibbs were injured, Saylors is the current rostered backup worth a dart throw.

Jalen McMillan is a priority waiver addition in Tampa Bay. Despite a preseason neck injury, he showed late-season promise in 2024. He is positioned to benefit significantly if Emeka Egbuka misses time or if Chris Godwin's injury history continues to be a factor in the pass-heavy Tampa offense.

Jalen Nailor is a cheap, speculative PPR value play for managers in start-three wide receiver formats. Fab notes he was a productive college player at Iowa State and could become a valuable asset if the team leans into his role.

Jaylen Waddle is locked in as the wide receiver one in the Denver target hierarchy, serving as a benchmark for the growth of younger receivers like Pat Bryant.

Josh Jacobs is currently on the Commissioner Exempt list, creating a significant opportunity for MarShawn Lloyd in the Green Bay backfield. His potential absence ranges from five to 15-plus games, creating high uncertainty for his fantasy availability.

Fab expects Juwan Johnson to be a very valuable piece in the New Orleans target hierarchy early in the season.

Kayshon Boutte is a recommended waiver wire addition who is expected to see the field in two-wide receiver sets. Fab considers him a better bet for consistent playing time than Jalen Nailor, though he may require a slightly higher waiver bid.

Kendre Miller is now the backup behind Travis Etienne in New Orleans, with the team's backfield situation complicated by Alvin Kamara's early-season injury status. The vibes surrounding Miller are currently strong.

Fab classifies Kenyan Sadiq as a no-brainer waiver wire add at the tight end position. He highlights Sadiq as a sleeper tight end who is widely available on waivers; despite being a 16th overall pick with rare athletic gifts, he is being dismissed by drafters, though Fab suggests he could be a second-half breakout candidate.

Keon Coleman will be on the field in two-receiver sets for Houston and is the preferred fantasy bet in that wide receiver room over Jalen Nailor.

Fab questions how many losses Kirk Cousins can sustain before the team turns to rookie Fernando Mendoza, noting that while Cousins is the current starter, the team may eventually pivot to the rookie.

Lamar Jackson serves as the primary quarterback context for the Baltimore passing game, where younger receivers like Jacobe Lane are being monitored as potential red-zone targets.

Malachi Fields is a recommended deep-league waiver addition due to his massive size and high snap count. He offers contingent upside should Malik Nabers miss time, and his blocking ability ensures he remains on the field, creating potential for mismatch-based scoring. Fab notes he has a clear and clean path to opportunity.

Malik Washington is viewed as a floor-play option for PPR leagues, serving as a veteran who will likely see short and intermediate targets in the Dolphins' offense.

Mark Andrews is identified as a veteran who may be showing signs of regression, which could open up red-zone target opportunities for younger Baltimore receivers like Jacobe Lane.

Fab identifies MarShawn Lloyd as the priority waiver wire target, noting he is poised to be the lead back in Green Bay with Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner Exempt list. Matt LaFleur's offenses have supported top-12 running back scorers in six of the last seven seasons, and Lloyd's explosiveness and pass-catching ability make him a high-upside fantasy asset. He is the only high-priority waiver target warranting significant FAAB investment.

Fab recommends Michael Mayer as a waiver wire add specifically for managers playing in tight end premium formats. He suggests Mayer as a viable TE2; while he runs behind Brock Bowers, Fab believes Mayer could see increased usage if the team utilizes 12-personnel sets more frequently.

Najee Harris is noted as one of the few running backs who emerged during the offseason, though he is not a primary waiver target in this context. Fab lists him as a recommended handcuff target to monitor.

Pat Bryant is a buzz-worthy second-year wide receiver and 2025 third-round pick who stood out during Denver's training camp. He is a strong speculative add who could potentially overtake Courtland Sutton in the target hierarchy within a pass-oriented offense led by Bo Nix.

Rashod Bateman is a free or $0-$1 waiver alternative to Jacobe Lane. He has dealt with off-field issues, and Fab notes that Lane has a genuine opportunity to overtake him for targets in the Baltimore offense this year.

Roschon Johnson is expected to see increased touches in Week 1 due to Khalil Herbert's knee injury. While he has been a source of frustration for fantasy managers in the past, he remains a viable beneficiary of backfield injuries in Chicago.

Seth McGawan is recommended as a direct handcuff for Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis, making him a valuable insurance policy for fantasy managers who drafted Taylor.

Fab identifies Seth McGowan as a recommended handcuff target to monitor and add from the waiver wire.

Fab views Trey Tucker as the team's de facto WR1, comparing his potential role to that of Rasheed Shaheed in a Kubiak-style offense.

Trey Palmer (transcribed as Ted Hurst) is a cheap, high-upside stash for the bottom of fantasy benches. He possesses elite size and athleticism, and if he earns a role in Tampa Bay's pass-heavy ecosystem, he could provide more value than other deep-league stashes due to the team's offensive environment.

Fab suggests Tyquan Thornton as a deep-format stash who will be on the field in 11 personnel for Kansas City, with potential for more downfield opportunities if injuries occur to Xavier Worthy or Rashee Rice.

Despite having back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons under a previous coaching staff, the current Giants staff appears to be down on Tyrone Tracy, favoring Naji Harris as the handcuff. While Tracy will be rostered in most leagues, his current standing with the team is concerning.

Zay Flowers is the primary receiver in Baltimore whose potential absence would provide contingent upside for Jacobe Lane.