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Week 1 fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Nick Chubb, Dylan Sampson in 2025. Read their waiver wire outlooks for fantasy football.
Finding a starting running back on the waiver wire can often be difficult later in the season. However, during the opening month, there are often several names that emerge as full-time starters. It is crucial to prevent your leaguemates from adding them to their roster.
In this piece, we will look at two rookie running backs who are currently competing for the starting role and a veteran who appears to have moved up the depth chart due to injuries.
Are Croskey-Merritt, Chubb, and Sampson worth adding off the waiver wire in Week 1? Here are the latest outlooks on each for fantasy football.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 60% of leagues
The 24-year-old seventh-round pick out of Arizona may have been the biggest riser in terms of fantasy stock this preseason. After being viewed as an afterthought in dynasty formats, Croskey-Merritt has emerged as a must-roster player in even the most shallow redraft leagues.
Earlier in the preseason, the Commanders opted to trade their presumed starting running back, Brian Robinson Jr., to the San Francisco 49ers. More importantly, they did not look to add Nayeon to the running back room, which will provide Croskey-Merritt an excellent opportunity to claim the starting job.
While veteran Austin Ekeler will likely continue his role as the clear third-down running back, Croskey-Merritt will only have to compete alongside Chris Rodriguez Jr. for the lead job. However, it appears the coaching staff has already decided on who their starter will be as Croskey-Merritt rested in the preseason finale, along with many key starters, while Rodriguez played.
He is a must-add in all formats ahead of Week 1 as he should lead the backfield in their season opener.
Every Preseason carry/catch by Jacory Croskey-Merritt (#32/Commanders). pic.twitter.com/dWN5ZAcRoe
— Franz Scout (@FranztheScout) August 26, 2025
Baller Move: Add in All Leagues
Nick Chubb Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 50% of leagues
Earlier in the offseason, the Texans signed the veteran Nick Chubb to a one-year contract to likely serve as the 1B to the expected workhorse Joe Mixon. However, Mixon has been dealing with a lingering foot/ankle injury and was officially listed on the reserve/non-football injury list, which will keep him sidelined for the first four games of the season.
As a result, the 29-year-old Chubb has a clear path to open the season as the team's RB1.
While Chubb could face competition from Dameon Pierce and potentially rookie Woody Marks, given his experience as a lead running back, the Texans will likely give Chubb the first opportunities to claim the starting job.
Last season, Chubb showed some rust as he returned from an MCL, ACL, and meniscus tear. He made his season debut in Week 7 but posted a career-low 3.3 YPC. He only found the back of the end zone three times.
Despite this, he did play on one of the worst offenses in the sport, which limited his upside. This season, he will be joining C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, who have their eyes set on competing in the postseason.
With Mixon not having a clear timetable, Chubb has a viable path to lead the team in carries and is worth adding in all formats ahead of Week 1.
They really tried telling us Nick Chubb didnt have that burst in him & looked slow during no pads period
That man still got sum left in the tank ! pic.twitter.com/rTSxAxwHji
— AyooNoah (@AyooTexanNation) August 14, 2025
Baller Move: Add in All Leagues
Dylan Sampson Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 35% of leagues
The third running back we will examine is another rookie, Dylan Sampson. Sampson was the second rookie running back the Browns selected in this year's draft. While he initially expected to take a backseat to the Ohio State standout Quinshon Judkins, due to his legal issues and remaining unsigned, Sampson has a path to open the season as the team's starter.
With Judkins away from the team, Sampson has seen first-team reps alongside veteran Jerome Ford.
In the preseason, Sampson was consistently given the first carry with the first-team, which his a very positive sign for his season outlook. While the 20-year-old does have some risk, as the Browns may opt to give Ford a slightly larger workload earlier in the season, he also has the upside to take the starting job later in the season.
In his final season in Tennessee, Sampson led the SEC in rushing yards and scores.
He is a top high-upside stash option in all 12+ team leagues heading into the opening week of the season. Sampson will likely be the top waiver wire pick following the first week of NFL action. Get ahead of your leagues and stash him now.
DYLAN SAMPSON CONTINUES TO BALL THIS SEASON 🔥
A 27-YD TOUCHDOWN TO RETAKE THE LEAD VS. GEORGIA 😤 pic.twitter.com/HmuJLppFvZ
— ESPN (@espn) November 17, 2024
Baller Move: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
Who Should I Pickup Tool
Trying to decide who to pickup off the waiver wire? Check the Who Should I Pickup tool here:
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Who Should I Pickup? Some common 2025 fantasy football waiver wire decisions are regarding players like Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Nick Chubb, Dylan Sampson. But not to worry, we are here to help make these waiver wire decisions and build winning teams in 2025. Set your optimal fantasy football lineups in 2025. Our free Who Should I Pickup? tool will help make your fantasy football waiver wire decisions. Compare up to four NFL players, and we tell you who to pickup... all free! Make the right decisions.
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Using The Tool. This is a simple tool but very powerful. The first step is to enter the player names that you want to compare. In the first box, search for the first player name. In the second box, search for the second player name. Compare up to four NFL players at once, and then click the Who To Pickup? button to see who the recommended waiver wire pickups are based on fantasy football rankings, projections and more.
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