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Week 1 fantasy football waiver wire pickups for Jerome Ford, Ollie Gordon II, Roschon Johnson in 2025. Read their waiver wire outlooks for fantasy football.
Picking up the right players before the start of the season could really go a long way for your fantasy team. That means now is the perfect time to get rid of that extra defense or that third tight end on your roster and pick up a player who could emerge as an underrated fantasy option for your team throughout the year.
In this article, we will determine whether players like Jerome Ford, Ollie Gordon II, and Roschon Johnson should be picked up before Week 1. Ford could have a large role in Cleveland's backfield to begin the year, while both Gordon and Johnson could see opportunities throughout the season.
So, are Ford, Gordon, and Johnson worth adding off the waiver wire in Week 1? Here are the latest outlooks on each for fantasy football.
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Jerome Ford Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 45% of leagues
This whole Browns backfield has a major question mark heading into Week 1. Quinshon Judkins is still unsigned, but the expectation is that he could report to Cleveland soon. According to Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, she said earlier on Monday that Judkins could be back with the team "as soon as this week."
If that happens to be the case, then Ford would lose some fantasy value. However, there's still a good chance that Ford will begin the season as Cleveland's RB1, especially since it might take Judkins some time to learn the playbook and get acclimated. Therefore, the 25-year-old is worth an add in most leagues before Week 1.
JEROME FORD REVERSES FIELD FOR THE 69-YARD RUN 🔥
📺: #CLEvsPIT on ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/zWM8hlwLFw pic.twitter.com/vKk11EADHH— NFL (@NFL) September 19, 2023
Ford was the Browns' starting running back to begin last season, and he was a solid fantasy option in the first five weeks. He averaged 11.9 PPR fantasy points per game during that span, including an 18.9 PPR fantasy point day against the Cowboys in Week 1. So, as long as Judkins is still unsigned and not with the team, the third-year back should be added in all formats.
Baller Move: Add in All Leagues
Ollie Gordon II Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 34% of leagues
After a dominant 2023 college season in which Gordon ran for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns, many believed that he was going to be the next great NFL running back. Unfortunately, a disappointing 2024 campaign hurt his draft stock. He went in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and appeared to be third in the pecking order in Miami's backfield early in the offseason.
However, that quickly changed. Gordon impressed in the preseason and figures to be Miami's RB2 when the team opens the season on the road against the Indianapolis Colts. That's because Jaylen Wright is expected to be out multiple weeks due to a leg injury. Wright underwent a procedure on his leg last week and will almost certainly miss the season opener.
Starting to feel like Ollie Gordon will play the Raheem Mostert role and have standalone value all season.
This doesn't affect De'Von Achane for me, as he's still one of my favorite targets in the early 2nd round.
But it makes Gordon a priority, whether you have Achane or not.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) September 1, 2025
Therefore, Gordon is worth stashing on your bench ahead of Week 1. While De'Von Achane is the clear RB1 in this backfield, the rookie should be somewhat involved in the running game for Miami. Given that Achane is coming back from his own calf injury, Gordon is in a prime spot to see opportunities right away.
Baller Move: Add in 12+ Team Leagues
Roschon Johnson Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups
Rostered in 7% of leagues
The hype surrounding Johnson entering training camp was at an all-time high. Although he averaged a career-low 2.73 yards per carry in 2024, many fantasy managers believed that the Bears running back could be a sneaky option throughout the 2025 campaign with the addition of head coach Ben Johnson.
The former Lions offensive coordinator ran a two-man backfield throughout his days in Detroit, which included a one-two punch of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. However, it's hard to see Johnson being a consistent piece in this Bears offense to begin the 2025 fantasy season.
“It’s been very strange to not hear a lot about Roschon (Johnson) … I’m very interested because the running game is so crucial to what Ben Johnson wants to do.”
Carmen Vitali breaks down the Bears’ RB options on The Chicago Football Show! pic.twitter.com/Ig696inVqF
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) August 27, 2025
Johnson has been nursing a foot injury for close to one month now, and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai has impressed the coaching staff all offseason. While Johnson could be the team's goal-line back this season, he isn't quite an add in most fantasy leagues before Week 1.
Baller Move: Monitor in 14+ 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:
Compare up to four players and we'll tell you who to pickup...
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2025 Player Decisions. Today's focus is on specific players - Jerome Ford, Ollie Gordon II, Roschon Johnson. These are some common searches for 2025 fantasy football waiver wire pickups.
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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Popular Waiver Wire Searches. Curious to see some tough waiver wire decisions for 2025? Below you will find a list of some popular Who Should I Pickup? searches that RotoBaller readers are looking at. Click any of the links to see the result and recommendation.
Popular Player Comparison Searches - Who To Pickup
Below are some popular searches and comparisons from our Who To Pickup tool for 2025 for Jerome Ford, Ollie Gordon II, Roschon Johnson:
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