Dynasty Nerds 
Draft Nerds 
NerdHerd 
The 2026 NFL season is finally here, and as we all know, fantasy championships aren’t won on draft day—they’re won on the waiver wire. Injuries, unexpected busts, and surprise breakouts are all part of the game. Whether you’re contending for a title or rebuilding for the future, smart waiver pickups can shape your roster for years to come. This week’s waiver wire column isn’t about the obvious pickups everyone is already targeting. It’s built for deep dynasty leagues. Each week, we will break down waiver players under 50% rostered that could make an immediate impact or become valuable assets down the stretch. Please note that all roster percentages are based on 12-team SFTEP leagues on Sleeper.
Before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, I identified Chris Rodriguez and Malik Washington as two of the league’s best under-the-radar stash candidates. Heading into the 2026 season, both players have seen their value rise as larger opportunities emerged, validating those early evaluations. Rodriguez developed into a legitimate backfield contributor with an expanded offensive role, while Washington positioned himself for meaningful snaps and increased production at wide receiver. Their progression reinforces the importance of identifying talent before the rest of the fantasy football community catches on.
🔗 Start Building Your Dynasty
Week 1 Quarterback Waiver Wire Targets
Jalon Daniels | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 27% Rostership | 1-2% FAAB
This is more of a speculative add, given the uncertainty surrounding Baker Mayfield’s future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers amid contract disputes. While I fully expect Mayfield to stay in Tampa Bay for the long term, undrafted rookie free agent Jalon Daniels showed a lot of promise in the preseason and was given a vote of confidence by the Buccaneers to be the backup to Mayfield after releasing Jake Browning. Daniels is worth a taxi stash.
Week 1 Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups
Chris Brooks | Green Bay Packers | 45% Rostership | 2-5% FAAB
There is considerable uncertainty surrounding Josh Jacobs’ future with the Green Bay Packers and Week 1 status. So who will fill Jacobs’s role while he’s gone? Green Bay has a few talented running backs on the roster, but one to keep an eye on is Chris Brooks. While MarShawn Lloyd is the likely candidate for the bulk of the Packers’ backfield touches, remember Lloyd has played just one NFL game. Brooks played in all 17 games last season with Green Bay, running for 106 yards on 27 carries and adding 91 yards on 13 catches while also playing special teams. Green Bay also traded for Kaleb Johnson, but Brooks is easily the cheapest of the three backs.
George Holani | Seattle Seahawks | 39% Rostership | 5-10% FAAB
George Holani is a strong waiver-wire add while Zach Charbonnet is sidelined on the PUP list, because he’s in line for quality snaps early on in the season. Jadarian Price is expected to handle the lead role, but Holani has a complementary role on early downs and in passing situations, and in the event something happens to Price. With Charbonnet out for at least the first four games, Holani has a chance to earn enough touches to become a short-term fantasy option.
Roschon Johnson | Chicago Bears | 32% Rostership | 2-5% FAAB
Roschon Johnson is currently the only healthy running back on the Bears active roster after D’Andre Swift exited last Thursday’s practice due to an injury, and Kyle Monangai is still recovering from a hyperextended knee. The injuries to this running back room are something to monitor, but there is a path for Johnson to receive quality touches in Week 1.
Jacob Saylors | Detroit Lions | 45% Rostership | 5% FAAB
Jacob Saylors has carried the ball only twice since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2023, but he could open the season as the team’s primary backup behind Jahmyr Gibbs. Isiah Pacheco has been placed on the Injured Reserve, and head coach Dan Campbell has told reporters that he’d be comfortable playing Saylors in that role if necessary. Saylors has been one of the hottest waiver wire additions.
Samaje Perine | Cincinatti Bengals | 33% Rostership | 2-5% FAAB
A mainstay on my waiver wire list last year, Samaje Perine opens up 2026 still under 50% rostered. Perine is the clear handcuff to Chase Brown. While his weekly value remains low, in the event Brown misses time, Perine could become a weekly FLEX option and is a roster must for the Brown manager.
Week 1 Waiver Wire FAAB Guide
| Player | Pos. | Team | Rostered | Recommended FAAB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jalon Daniels | QB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 27% | 1-2% |
| Chris Brooks | RB | Green Bay Packers | 45% | 2-5% |
| George Holani | RB | Seattle Seahawks | 39% | 5-10% |
| Roschon Johnson | RB | Chicago Bears | 32% | 2-5% |
| Jacob Saylors | RB | Detroit Lions | 45% | 5% |
| Samaje Perine | RB | Cincinnati Bengals | 33% | 2-5% |
| Odell Beckham Jr. | WR | New York Giants | 29% | 0-1% |
| Isaiah Bond | WR | Cleveland Browns | 46% | 1-2% |
| Kendrick Bourne | WR | Arizona Cardinals | 21% | 0-1% |
| Jahan Dotson | WR | Atlanta Falcons | 33% | 1-2% |
| Kalif Raymond | WR | Chicago Bears | 5% | 0-1% |
| Demarcus Robinson | WR | San Francisco 49ers | 8% | 0-1% |
| Jalen Royals | WR | Kansas City Chiefs | 45% | 2-3% |
| Jalen Tolbert | WR | Miami Dolphins | 28% | 0-1% |
| Roman Wilson | WR | Pittsburgh Steelers | 29% | 2-3% |
| Colbie Young | WR | Cincinnati Bengals | 29% | 1-2% |
| Mike Gesicki | TE | Cincinnati Bengals | 45% | 1-2% |
| Dawson Knox | TE | Buffalo Bills | 29% | 0-1% |
Week 1 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Targets
Odell Beckham Jr. | New York Giants | 29% Rostership | 0-1% FAAB
Odell Beckham Jr. posted a really strong preseason for the New York Giants and has shown that he still has some gas left in the tank. While his days of 90 receptions and 1,300 receiving yards are done, Beckham still has the chance to carve out a receiving role in this Giants offense.
Isaiah Bond | Cleveland Browns | 46% Rostership | 1-2% FAAB
Isaiah Bond flashed NFL-caliber speed and playmaking ability as a rookie. While the Browns added KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, Bond is still just 22-years old and finished the 2025 season with 338 receiving yards on 18 receptions on 44 targets. If Cleveland can ever figure out their quarterback situation, Bond has some interesting appeal as a deep-league waiver stash on pure potential alone.
Kendrick Bourne | Arizona Cardinals | 21% Rostership | 0-1% FAAB
In 2025, Kendrick Bourne quietly produced a 500+ receiving-yard season for the San Francisco 49ers, with a majority of those yards coming in back-to-back 142-yard receiving performances. Bourne now joins the Arizona Cardinals as the presumptive WR3 on a team that projects to play from behind often, and is a wide receiver talent who has shown the ability to produce high-end fantasy games.
Jahan Dotson | Atlanta Falcons | 33% Rostership | 1-2% FAAB
Jahan Dotson appears to be locked in as the team’s No. 2 wide receiver to begin the season behind Drake London. After signing a two-year, $15-million contract in the offseason, Dotson could be the 4th receiving option behind London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson on a team much like the Cardinals who is projected to play from behind.
Kalif Raymond | Chicago Bears | 5% Rostership | 0-1% FAAB
While all the hype has been toward rookie Bears receiver Zavion Thomas (who I also recommend but over the 50% threshold), Kalif Raymond has done nothing but impress his teammates and the coaching staff during training camp and practice. Raymond also reunites with Ben Johnson, who was formerly the Lions’ passing-game coordinator in 2021, when Raymond had 576 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. When Johnson was the offensive coordinator in 2022, Raymond had 616 receiving yards. While Thomas has more long-term appeal, Raymond seems to be the favorite for snaps early on in the season.
Demarcus Robinson | San Francisco 49ers | 8% Rostership | 0-1% FAAB
In a wide receiver room that has seen its fair share of chaos from both offseason departures and training camp injuries, Demarcus Robinson has been a constant, reliable option. Robinson can play all three wide receiver positions, which will come in handy if/when injuries occur in the Niners wide receiver room. Robinson has already produced in this Niners offense, with a 6-reception, 111-yard, and a touchdown performance in their wild card win over the Philadelphia Eagles. Robinson is worth a roster stash.
Jalen Royals | Kansas City Chiefs | 45% Rostership | 2-3% FAAB
Jalen Royals had a relatively quiet rookie season, with only two receptions. However, Royals has begun to generate some buzz in his sophomore season. Royals has produced well in the preseason, and while all the hype is around rookie Cyrus Allen, Royals could be the sneaky add for your dynasty rosters.
Jalen Tolbert | Miami Dolphins | 28% Rostership | 0-1% FAAB
The 27-year-old Jalen Tolbert is expected to be the top veteran contributor while their young wide receivers adapt to the fast pace of the NFL, especially after the Dolphins traded Tutu Atwell to the Rams. Tolbert should start the season as a starting wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins and should be viewed similarly to Kalif Raymond in terms of snap share throughout the season.
Roman Wilson | Pittsburgh Steelers | 29% Rostership | 2-3% FAAB
Aaron Rodgers praised Roman Wilson, saying he is a great kid and that he “has had a fantastic camp,” according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Rodgers went on to say that he has the “utmost confidence” in Wilson, who is “going to have to play a big role” in the offense in 2026. Rodgers and Wilson have developed some chemistry together during training camp and preseason. History has shown with Rodgers that if he trusts you, he will target you. The former 2025 third-round rookie is in line to have a better sophomore season in Pittsburgh.
Colbie Young | Cincinatti Bengals | 29% Rostership | 1-2% FAAB
Colbie Young is an interesting prospect. A fourth-round pick from the University of Georgia, Young was a talented receiver who faced some legal troubles during his time in college. Young was arrested and charged with battery and assault of an unborn child, and he later reached a plea deal in the case and was sentenced to probation. Early on in the season, Young may be inactive on game day, but I could see Young carving out a role in this offense later in the season with the potential to be the WR3 in this offense. Young was one of my favorite targets in the fifth round of my rookie drafts.
Week 1 Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups
Mike Gesicki | Cincinatti Bengals | 45% Rostership | 1-2% FAAB
Another mainstay on last year’s waiver wire list, Mike Gesicki enters 2026 as the Bengals top pass-catching tight end. While he may not offer much upside, Gesicki should be over 50% rostered as a starting tight end in tight-end premium leagues still holds some value.
Dawson Knox | Buffalo Bills | 29% Rostership | 0-1% FAAB
Dawson Knox is a touchdown-dependent option while Dalton Kincaid is healthy, but would be a good handcuff to the Kincaid manager, as Kincaid has never been able to play a full NFL season. In tight end premium leagues, you can never have enough tight end fliers.
Over 50% Rostered | Week 1 Fantasy Football
Other players who are great waiver wire additions but have over 50% rostership include: Drew Allar, LeQuint Allen Jr., Jacoby Brissett, Demond Claiborne, Kirk Cousins, Isaiah Davis, Malik Davis, Ray Davis, Chimere Dike, DeMario Douglas, Greg Dulcich, Evan Engram, Ryan Flournoy, DJ Giddens, Najee Harris, Gunnar Helm, Justice Hill, Andrei Iosivas, Jordan James, Mac Jones, Michael Mayer, Seth McGowan, Colby Parkinson, Eli Raridon, Shedeur Sanders, Mason Taylor, Zavion Thomas, Brenen Thompson, Sean Tucker, Devaughn Vele, Kimani Vidal, Darren Waller, Deshaun Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, Kyle Williams, and Jaylen Wright
Take Control of Your Dynasty Today
Want to see where your lineup stacks up? Start building like the pros with our most powerful tools and resources:
- 📱 Dynasty Nerds App → Analyze trades, compare rosters—see where you rank.
- 🏈 Dynasty Rankings → Updated player values for every position.
- 🎓 Rookie Mock Draft Hub → Find the next wave of talent for your drafts.
- 🚀 Join the NerdHerd → Unlock premium tools and exclusive extra podcast.
👉 It’s time to take control of your dynasty and see where your lineup truly ranks.
