10 Best Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds Heading Into NFL Week 1

Best Waiver Wire Adds at a Glance

• Malik Willis, Dolphins
• Jonah Coleman, Denver Broncos
• Kayshon Boutte, Texans

There’s never a bad time to improve your roster.

While the post-Week 1 waiver run will be important, there’s a chance you can make a valuable addition right now.

With that in mind, here are some of the best adds you can make to your squads this week.

All NFL projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research. NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

Quarterbacks

Malik Willis, Dolphins

Malik Willis was one of my favorite late-round QBs this draft season, and if you like to stream quarterbacks, Willis needs to be on your radar in Week 1.

The Miami Dolphins are at the Las Vegas Raiders. While the 39.5-point total is gross, Willis’ appeal come from his legs. He averaged 30.1 rushing yards per game last year and recorded two rushing scores across four appearances (one start). That gives him a decent floor and an enticing ceiling. It’s fair to have questions about this Miami offense, but Willis’ rushing prowess makes him an interesting fantasy play.

Running Backs

Keaton Mitchell, Chargers

Keaton Mitchell is one of my favorite pre-Week 1 waiver additions because his path to a meaningful role in the Los Angeles Chargers‘ is more doable than his roster percentage suggests. The Chargers have indicated that they plan to use all three of his primary running backs. Mitchell has already shown explosive ability, averaging 6.3 yards per carry over his NFL career and 5.8 yards per carry on 59 attempts last season.

Omarion Hampton is the lead back, so this isn't a recommendation based on Mitchell immediately taking over the backfield. His appeal comes from the possibility of Chargers OC Mike McDaniel finding creative ways to get him touches as a runner and receiver. He's exactly the type of player I'd rather stash now than chase after a few strong games.

Dylan Sampson, Browns

Dylan Sampson is another running back who could become much more valuable once we see how the Cleveland Browns distribute their backfield touches.

The appeal is his ability to provide value in more than just a pure rushing role. Sampson has the talent to emerge as a more important part of Cleveland's offense than his current roster percentage suggests, making him a strong bench stash before we have a peak behind the curtain at the 2026 season. I would be particularly interested in him in deeper leagues.

Tank Bigsby, Eagles

Tank Bigsby has a fairly straightforward fantasy value proposition heading into 2026: he's backing up Saquon Barkley in the Philadelphia Eagles‘ backfield. That alone makes him worth considering in a significant number of leagues, especially because Philadelphia should continue to give its running game plenty of opportunities.

Bigsby’s upside changes dramatically if Barkley misses time. He also has the physical profile to handle a substantial rushing workload if Philadelphia ever needs him in that role. In leagues with deep benches, Bigsby is exactly the type of contingency back worth stashing.

Jonah Coleman, Broncos

Jonah Coleman is an intriguing upside play because there is a chance his role is bigger than what his current fantasy ranking suggests.

That doesn't make him a good Week 1 starting option, but waiver-wire additions should not be judged only on their immediate projections. Coleman has the potential to become a more meaningful part of the Denver Broncos‘ backfield as the season progresses as the team has been singing his praises most of the summer.

Wide Receivers

Malik Washington, Dolphins

Malik Washington is my favorite WR pickup. Not only does Miami have a favorable Week 1 matchup at Las Vegas, Washington has some sleeper appeal for 2026.

He showed growth in 2025, finishing with 46 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns across 17 games. With the Dolphins lacking a ton of proven pass-catchers, Washington has a path to a meaningful weekly role.

Kayshon Boutte, Texans

Kayshon Boutte is a high-upside stash who could end up eventually being a key piece for the Houston Texans’ offense.

He was traded from New England to Houston this offseason after producing 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns in 14 games last year, including a 16.7 yards-per-grab average that ranked fifth in the NFL. Tank Dell is on injured reserve to start the season, and although Houston's current projected Week 1 starters are Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel, Boutte has a chance to work his way into a larger role as he gets comfortable in the offense.

Tight Ends

Chig Okonkwo, Commanders

Tight end is one of the toughest positions to find reliable waiver-wire production, which makes Chigoziem Okonkwo particularly appealing.

I'm more interested in Okonkwo as a potential season-long streamer than an automatic Week 1 starter. The big benefit is opportunity: tight ends don't need enormous target totals to become fantasy relevant, and Okonkwo has enough athletic ability to produce if his role grows. He is one of the better options to stash if you don't feel great about your current TE situation.

Brenton Strange, Jaguars

Brenton Strange is another tight end who deserves more attention in deeper leagues.

The case for Strange is primarily about opportunity and the potential for a larger offensive role. Tight end is shallow enough that a player with a potential starting role can quickly become valuable, especially if the Jacksonville Jaguars‘ offense has a good year. He's a particularly reasonable pickup for managers who waited on the TE position in their draft.

Defenses

Las Vegas Raiders D/ST

While I like Malik Willis as a late-round QB option, the Vegas D/ST is a viable streamer in a season-opening home date with the Fins. Miami’s WR room lacks proven commodities, and Willis doesn’t have a large sample size of being a good passer. If you’re streaming defenses, the Raiders are a solid Week 1 play.

Fantasy Football Waivers FAQ

What is the waiver wire in fantasy football?

The waiver wire is where fantasy managers can add players who are not currently on a roster in their league. It is one of the best ways to improve your team during the season, especially when injuries, role changes, and breakout performances create new opportunities.

When should I make waiver wire claims?

Most leagues process waivers once or twice per week so it is important to check your league's settings. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning are common waiver periods, but managers should also monitor news throughout the week for late-breaking opportunities.

Which positions should I prioritize on the waiver wire?

Running backs and wide receivers with expanding roles are usually the most valuable waiver targets. Quarterbacks — especially in two-QB formats — tight ends, and defenses can also be strong additions when they have favorable upcoming matchups.

How much FAAB should I spend on a waiver wire player?

FAAB spending should depend on a player's projected role, upside, your FAAB budget and how badly your roster needs help. It is usually worth being more aggressive for a player who could become a weekly starter than for a short-term streaming option.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.