X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 1 Beating the Waiver Wire: Last Minute Adds

The fantasy football season is basically 17 week-long cycles where you go through a process of trying to create a team with the best chance to win for the week and for the season. Generally, the week goes something like this; Sunday you get up and indulge in as many games as you possibly can. You play Monday Morning Quarterback the following day analyzing what you saw. Tuesday and Wednesday you start tinkering with your team for the week by adjusting lineups and pouring over waiver wire articles which should be coming from our talented RotoBaller writing staff (Yes, that's a shameless plug to my own RB article. Also check out our WR and QB articles from week 1) . By Thursday some serious decisions need to be made and an initial lineup needs to be set in time for the Thursday night game, which of course you will find a way to watch. Finally you get out of work Friday and see a glorious weekend ahead.

But the work is not done my friends. The moves that you make Friday and Saturday can change the result of your game that week and maybe even the outcome of your season. By this time, injury reports are out, practice notes are in, and even though the waiver wire has been picked over earlier in the week, there are still some potential week-saving gems out there. Which brings us to the point of this article...to find those fill-in, desperation gems that can win you a week or be valuable over the course of a season. Again, the high priority waiver wire finds have been written about all week. Here, we are digging a little deeper and finding guys that you can use in a pinch, or long shots that may play out down the road.

Editor’s Note: RotoBaller's NFL Premium Subscriptions are your secret weapon. Sign up now and get access to our in-house developed tools including the DFS matchups tool, lineup sleepers/streamers tool, live expert Q&A chats, DFS lineups picks newsletter, ADP draft sleepers tool & much more. 

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Week 1 Waiver Wire Adds: Quarterbacks (QB)

Derek Carr (OAK) - 35% owned in all FleaFlicker Leagues

In week 1 you probably don't need a QB fill in. Nobody has had a surprise injury pop up and nothing has changed enough since the draft that you will need to start Derek Carr this week. However, if you are looking for a second QB in a two-QB league, or just someone backup your starter, Carr may not be a bad option. He threw 599 times last season, 7th in the league for 2014 and 2nd most by a rookie QB in the history of the NFL. The only other rookie QB's to eclipse 550 attempts were all number 1 overall draft picks by the names of Sam Bradford, Peyton Manning, and Andrew Luck. Not bad company. This season, Carr adds dynamic rookie WR Amari Cooper to the mix, which signals to me that Carr will only improve on his 3,270 yard, 21 TD, 20th place fantasy QB finish from 2014.

 

Week 1 Waiver Wire Adds: Running Backs (RB)

Benny Cunningham (STL) - 10% owned in all FleaFlicker Leagues

This is likely a one-week play, but Cunningham can definitely provide some value this week even though he faces the daunting Seattle defense. Rookie sensation, and eventual starter, Todd Gurley has been ruled out for the week and his supposed replacement, Tre Mason, is questionable with a hamstring injury. Mason didn't practice at all this week which opens the door for Cunningham to be a decent desperation play based on the volume that he should get alone.

Chris Polk (HOU) - 21% owned in all FleaFlicker Leagues

Bang Bang Chicken and Shrimp. If you've had the pleasure of watching Hard Knocks this season, you know this is Chris Polk's saying. You also know that he's a real character and fun to pull for. As of right now, the situation in Houston is that eventual lead back, Arian Foster, is likely out for the first four weeks and potentially beyond. This leaves Alfred Blue as the week one starter in a tough matchup against the Chiefs. Blue will get the carries this week, but I'm not sure how successful he'll be, which could leave Polk as the next guy in line with a much easier schedule in the coming weeks against the Bucs, Falcons and Colts in weeks 3-5. If you're anticipating needing some help during those weeks, or want some trade bait for before Foster returns, add Polk.

 

Week 1 Waiver Wire Adds: Wide Receivers (WR)

Brandon LaFell (NE) - 52% owned in all FleaFlicker Leagues

Normally we don't highlight players that are more than 50% owned on our waiver wire pieces, but in my opinion LaFell is a special case. He was put on the PUP designated to return list earlier this week, which means he's out for at least six games. This has made him the #1 most dropped position player that wasn't cut this week, so this own percentage is only going to continue to drop. Here is how I see it...LaFell is a luxury, not a necessity. If you can carry him for six weeks while he heals up I think it will be worth the reward. LaFell was WR22 last season and the Pats passing offense looked electric last night against Pittsburgh. Eventually teams will double and triple team Gronk (not that it will completely stop him) and LaFell will reap the rewards of one on one coverage in the second half as he did last season.

Corey "Philly" Brown (CAR) - 7% owned in all FleaFlicker Leagues

Brown had a terrible pre-season, there is no dancing around that fact. However, he has some skills and is starting in week one with a healthy Cam Newton at the helm. I expect Cam to look to Greg Olsen early and often, but I'm sure Jacksonville is expecting that too, meaning that Brown, who is starting alongside Ted Ginn at WR, will be Cam's next look. A desperation play indeed, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Philly get 10 targets in this game.

 

Week 1 Waiver Wire Adds: Tight Ends (TE)

Richard Rodgers (GB) - 25% owned in all FleaFlicker Leagues

With Jordy Nelson out for the season there are a lot of targets to go around in Green Bay. Sure, Davante Adams will eat up most of them, but I have a feeling that in the red zone, Rodgers may become a favorite of Aaron Rodgers. I expect the Pack to move up and down the field against the Chicago Bears defense on Sunday and spend a lot of time in the aforementioned red zone making a Rodgers to Rodgers TD hookup more than likely.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Dameon Pierce

Activated From PUP, Returning to Practice
Travis Hunter

Listed as Starting Receiver, Backup Defensive Back
Travis Etienne Jr.

Tank Bigsby Listed as Co-Starters
J.J. McCarthy

to Play in Preseason Opener
T.J. Hockenson

Remains Sidelined on Monday
Grayson Rodriguez

to Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Jaydon Blue

Standing Out "More and More"
Isaac Paredes

Won't Have Surgery, Hoping to Return This Year
J.K. Dobbins

the RB1 for Denver?
Jauan Jennings

Says He's Dealing With Calf Issue
Chris Godwin

Could Miss a Couple Weeks to Start the Season
Daniss Jenkins

Agrees to Two-Way Deal Wth Detroit
Jaylen Martin

Waived by Wizards
De'Aaron Fox

Inks Extension With Spurs on Monday
Cam Skattebo

MRI Exam Brings Optimism
Isaac Guerendo

to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Najee Harris

Still No Timetable for Najee Harris at Training Camp
Kenny Pickett

Dillon Gabriel Limited With Injuries on Monday
Shedeur Sanders

Returns to Practice
Kenneth Walker III

Misses Third Straight Practice with Foot Injury
Jameson Williams

Expcted to See Uptick in Targets
Jakobi Meyers

to be Used in Different Ways in Chip Kelly's Offense
Tatsuro Taira

Gets Submission Win
Michael Penix Jr.

Kyle Pitts Sr., Michael Penix Jr. Connecting in the Offseason
Travis Etienne Jr.

Seen as Dangerous Part of Screen Game
HyunSung Park

Undefeated No More
Mateusz Rębecki

Mateusz Rebecki Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 108
Chase Brown

Expected to be Used More in Passing Game
Chris Duncan

Wins Three In A Row
Bucky Irving

Expected to Have High-Volume Role
Elves Brener

Loses Three In A Row
Esteban Ribovics

Returns To The Win Column
Nora Cornolle

Gets Dominated At UFC Vegas 108
Karol Rosa

Outclasses Nora Cornolle
J.J. Spaun

Finishes Tied for 23rd at Open Championship
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied for 34th at Open Championship
Xander Schauffele

Finishes Tied For Seventh at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied for 19th at Wyndham Championship
Si Woo Kim

Misses The Cut at Wyndham Championship
Tommy Fleetwood

Finishes Tied for 16th at Open Championship
Wyndham Clark

Finishes Tied for 12th at 3M Open
Sam Burns

Finishes Tied for 61st at 3M Open
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Suffers TKO Loss
Austin Riley

Braves Place Austin Riley Back on Injured List
Neil Magny

Gets Back In The Win Column
Danny Silva

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Kevin Vallejos

Remains Undefeated In The UFC
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Charges Back to Sixth at Iowa
Chase Briscoe

Finished Second Despite Being Trapped a Lap Down and Causing Two Wrecks
Brad Keselowski

Arguably Had the Best Drive at Iowa but Finished Third
Austin Dillon

Earns a Quiet Top Ten at Iowa
Kyle Larson

Poor Pit Strategy and Clash with Teammate Foil Kyle Larson at Iowa
William Byron

Stretches His Fuel to His Second Victory of 2025 At Iowa
Ryan Blaney

Continues A Strong Run of Success At Iowa
Ryan Preece

Eventful Race at Iowa Results In A Top-5 Finish
Denny Hamlin

Struggled Massively At Iowa
Tommy Edman

Likely Going on 10-Day Injured List
Austin Riley

Leaves With Abdominal Pain
Aaron Judge

on Track to Return Tuesday
Max Muncy

Could Return as Early as Monday
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Play for Iowa Lineups?
Denny Hamlin

Is A Top Driver to Consider for DFS At Iowa
Ryan Blaney

Is A Favorite to Go Back-To-Back With Iowa Victories
Tyler Reddick

has Plenty of Upside for Sunday's Race at Iowa
Carson Hocevar

What Should Fantasy Players do with Carson Hocevar at Iowa?
Chris Buescher

Is Chris Buescher Worth Rostering For Iowa DFS Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Could Be A Solid DFS Option for Iowa
Logan Henderson

Recalled, Starting Sunday
Jacob Misiorowski

Placed on 15-Day Injured List
Ryan Preece

Offers Plenty of Upside For DFS Lineups At Iowa On Sunday
NASCAR

A.J. Allmendinger Will Start in the Top 10 for the Second Week In A Row at Iowa
Austin Dillon

Could Austin Dillon Be A Decent DFS Option for Iowa?
Michael McDowell

Is Michael McDowell Worth Rostering for Iowa DFS Lineups?
Zane Smith

Should DFS Players Roster Zane Smith At Iowa?
NHL

Jakub Lauko Returns to Czechia
Nicholas Robertson

Signs One-Year Contract with Maple Leafs
Alex Laferriere

Kings Re-Sign Alex Laferriere to Three-Year Deal
Duop Reath

Has Salary Guaranteed by Portland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Agrees to Contract Extension with the Lakers
William Contreras

Goes Deep in Five-Hit Night
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Exits Early Friday, Expects to Play Saturday
Randy Rodríguez

Randy Rodriguez Named New Giants Closer
Jaden Springer

Signs Exhibit-9 Deal with New Orleans
Julian Champagnie

has Salary Guaranteed by San Antonio
Jackson Chourio

Could be Out a Month
Aaron Judge

Yankees Eyeing Return for Aaron Judge Next Week
Juan Soto

Back in Lineup Against Giants
Jeremy Peña

Jeremy Pena Reinstated and Starting on Friday
George Springer

Goes on Concussion Injured List
JoJo Romero

the Top Candidate for Saves in St. Louis
Nolan Arenado

Going on Injured List With Shoulder Injury
Conor McGregor

Enters UFC Testing Pool
Grayson Rodriguez

Considering Having Surgery
Devin Williams

Yankees Plan to Keep Devin Williams in Closer's Role
HyunSung Park

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Tatsuro Taira

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Event
Mateusz Rębecki

Mateusz Rebecki Looks For His Second Consecutive Win
Chris Duncan

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Elves Brener

Looks For His Fourth UFC Win
Esteban Ribovics

Set For UFC Vegas 108 Main Card Bout
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos

Elizeu Zaleski Dos Santos Aims To Bounce Back
Karol Rosa

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mikal Bridges

Signs Extension with Knicks
Connor McDavid

Oilers Hope to Finalize Connor McDavid's Contract Extension Soon
BUF

Devon Levi Re-Signs With Sabres for Two Years
Martin Pospisil

Signs Three-Year Extension
Dario Šarić

Dario Saric Hoping to Have Meaningful Role with Kings
Donte DiVincenzo

to Skip EuroBasket Due to Injury
Ayo Dosunmu

Set to Remain in Chicago
Malevy Leons

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Thunder
Daeqwon Plowden

Kings Pick Up Daeqwon Plowden on Two-Way Deal
Bryce McGowens

Signs Two-Way Deal with Pelicans
Jonathan Kuminga

Declines Latest Offers from Golden State
Gary Woodland

Eyeing Strong Finish to Reach Playoffs
Max McGreevy

Chasing a Miracle at Wyndham
Stephan Jaeger

a Solid Value Play at Wyndham Championship
Max Homa

Fighting to Salvage Disappointing Season
Nicolai Hojgaard

a Sleeper at Wyndham Championship
Rickie Fowler

Riding Quiet Momentum Into Wyndham
Brian Campbell

a Wild Card at Wyndham Championship
Akshay Bhatia

Looking to Flip the Script at Wyndham Championship
Aaron Rai

Finishes Tied For 34th at Open Championship
Andrew Novak

Finishes Tied For 63rd at Open Championship
Hideki Matsuyama

Finishes Tied For 16th at Open Championship
Kurt Kitayama

Wins 3M Open
Tom Kim

Finishes Tied For 28th at 3M Open
Charlie McAvoy

Ready to Go for Next Season
Dylan Samberg

Agrees to Three-Year Contract with Jets
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF