Updated Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 1: Quinshon Judkins, Xavier Legette, Ollie Gordon headline top free-agent pickups

Griffin Missant

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Updated Fantasy Waiver Wire Week 1: Quinshon Judkins, Xavier Legette, Ollie Gordon headline top free-agent pickups image

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Now that your fantasy football drafts are mostly over, and the NFL is starting in the coming days, the second phase of fantasy begins. Monitoring the waiver wire is arguably more important than the draft itself. 

Your roster should not be the same throughout the season if you want to compete for the title. There are always hidden gems that we miss during draft season; these emerging fantasy options are crucial to add to your roster.

This weekly article will highlight those players that you should pick up for the long haul, as well as those who are good short-term.  

We'll also drop some recommendations for how to spend your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), based on a $100 season-long budget. Please scale your spending percentages accordingly, depending on your league's allotment.

Each player's roster percentage is based on Yahoo! Fantasy Sports league data as of Sept. 6.

FANTASY WEEK 1 RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | PK | Non-PPR Flex

Best fantasy waiver wire pickups for Week 1

NEW - Brian Robinson Jr. (69% rostered) & Isaac Guerendo (15%), RB, San Francisco 49ers

If you haven't heard about Christian McCaffrey's calf issues, you must not have him in any of your leagues. But CMC is once again on the injury report. 

Now, everything suggests CMC will play in Week 1, after all, he participated in the 49ers team walk-through on Saturday. However, we, as the fantasy community, have been told before that CMC was fine and he was, in fact, not.  

This is where Brian Robinson Jr. and Issac Guerendo come into play. If CMC is out, both of these guys are great options to start. While Robinson might be the better back, Guerendo has more experience in this Kyle Shanahan offense. 

If these guys do get a major role, expect it to be by committee in Week 1. 

UPDATE - Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns (51% rostered)

With the rookie finally agreeing to a contract with the Browns on Saturday, it's crucial to triple-check to see whether he was drafted.

While he is rostered in about half of our surveyed leagues, that's not nearly what it would be now that the news has broken.

Judkins is out for Week 1, and then he is expected to meet with the NFL this week regarding a possible suspension for the misdemeanor battery charge that was dropped. 

However, the Ohio State alum could step into game action as early as Week 2, and of course has the upside to become a bell-cow back later this season:

The Browns' backfield competition is lackluster. Judkins offers explosiveness and undeniable talent to make him one of the most profitable picks all season if you snagged him in the middle rounds. Quinshon Judkins FAAB Bid: $25+

NEW- Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns (27%)

This game has the potential to be a shootout with the total points sitting at 48.5. It might seem odd with Joe Flacco starting for the Browns, but can the Bengals' defense really string together multiple stops? 

Cedric Tillman was on the verge of breaking out last season before he suffered a concussion. 

Tillman can absolutely have a great game and is cleared to play on Sunday. This gives Flacco another target, and Tillman has shown the ability to have great fantasy performances. 

WEEK 1 FANTASY TIPS: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em | Sleepers | Busts

NEW- Tre Tucker, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (1%)

With the recent announcement that Amari Cooper is deciding to retire instead of playing the 2025 season with the Raiders, Tre Tucker moves into the WR2 slot on this team. 

Last season, Tucker had five games where he scored 10 or more fantasy points. In his best performance, Tucker scored 22.6 fantasy points and finished at the WR8 for the week. 

Tucker has the ability and talent to be an interesting flex play in deeper leagues; now, he might have the volume as well. He's not necessarily a grab-and-start guy, but he's a stash candidate for sure. There is some concern with how much Dont'e Thornton Jr. will be involved, but Tucker still is someone to monitor at least for the beginning of the season. 

Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers (20%)

After the departure of Adam Thielen. Xavier Legette became interesting. After Jalen Coker got placed on IR, Legette is now a player you need to invest in. 

If you believe the Panthers are going to be an improved offense due to Bryce Young picking up where he left off last season, Legette would greatly benefit from this.

There is a large target share available right now, even with Tetairoa McMillian healthy.

However, McMillan has been dealing with a hamstring issue all offseason, and if he misses time. Legette becomes the top WR option in this offense. Xavier Legette FAAB Bid: $10

Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans (37%)

Jayden Higgins is someone who was hyped up all offseason. The Texans used a high draft pick on Higgins in the NFL Draft; therefore, the belief is that they will use him early. 

This could be your only week to secure Higgins if he has a monster game in Week 1, or really does anything notable against the Rams. Jayden Higgins FAAB Bid: $10

Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys (34%)

Let me just get this out of the way: Jaydon Blue is the best RB on the Dallas Cowboys. Before he dealt with his injury, Dallas head coach Brian Schottenheimer raved about Blue. 

#Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer says that Jaydon Blue reminds him of Darren Sproles:

“The quickness and the ability to accelerate in the hole… it’s just different. He’s got incredible lateral agility and quickness, and when he jump cuts or moves laterally, he’s able to get to… pic.twitter.com/9qcCTnk6O4

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 1, 2025

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With Blue now left off the injury report, expect him to carve out a role for himself. Blue will be the starting RB for the Cowboys by the end of the season, usurping Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Jaydon Blue FAAB Bid: $10

Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins (43%)

As of Sept. 2, De'Von Achane (calf) is likely to play Week 1. However, he has still not been fully cleared to go; we're hearing a lot of "ifs" from the Miami front office in relation to Achane's availability.

If Achane does not play, Ollie Gordon becomes the starter:

Even with Achane healthy, Gordon can still provide value as the RB2 with Jaylen Wright (leg) set to miss a few weeks. Gordon would complement Achane better than Wright ever did. Ollie Gordon FAAB Bid: $5

NEW - FANTASY FOOTBALL TOOLS: Fantasy News | NFL Player Stats | NFL Transactions | NFL Depth Charts | Fantasy Injury Reports

Week 1 waiver wire streamers

Aim to scoop up these one-week fantasy players for $1 or, ideally, $0.

QB Fantasy Streaming Pickups 

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins (25%)

When Tua Tagovailoa is healthy and playing, he's usually a reliable fantasy option. In Week 1, he gets to face the Colts indoors, so expect him to be able to air it out. 

TE Fantasy Streaming Pickups 

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars (22%) 

It's supposed to be a rain-filled football game in Week 1 for the Panthers and Jags. Strange could benefit from such conditions with a shorter passing scheme. 

Team Defense Fantasy Streaming Pickups

Arizona Cardinals (58%)

The Cardinals are coming into 2025 with a much-improved defensive unit. In Week 1, they get to take on the disastrous QB room in the New Orleans Saints. 

Cincinnati Bengals (13%)

The Bengals' defense is far from good, but unless you expect Joe Flacco to ball out for the Brows, the Bengals should not give up too many points. 

Kicker Fantasy Streaming Pickups

Younghoe Koo, Atlanta Falcons (24%)

A little tidbit for streaming Kickers, target a middle-of-the-pack defense, and make sure they're playing in a dome to eliminate weather factors. You want the offense to be able to move, but not always score a touchdown. 

NEW - FANTASY TOOLS: Fantasy News | NFL Player Stats | NFL Transactions | NFL Depth Charts | Fantasy Injury Reports

Week 1 Fantasy Waiver Wire Watch List

Quarterback waiver pickups to watch

  • Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans (26%)
  • Jaxson Dart, New York Giants (6%)
  • Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (14%)

Cam Ward might get dropped at a high rate if he struggles badly vs Denver in Week 1, but he has much easier matchups afterwards. Sam Darnold has a good streaming matchup vs New Orleans in Week 3, and Dart might take over the starting job sooner than previously anticipated. 

Running Back waiver pickups to watch

  • Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers (21%)
  • Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles (12%)
  • Woody Marks, Houston Texans (9%)

All 3 of these RBs are the direct backups to the current starter. While Will Shipley and Woody Marks need the starter to be hurt, Rico Dowdle's third-down role could deliver weekly flex value in many leagues.

Wide Receiver waiver pickups to watch

  • Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions (9%)
  • Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks (3%)
  • Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos (3%)

All three of these WRs are rookies that their respective teams love. Staying on top of news surrounding them can help you get ahead of their breakout weeks. 

Tight End waiver pickups to watch

  • Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (13%)
  • Mason Taylor, New York Jets (12%)
  • Terrance Ferguson, LA Rams (1%)

Isaiah Likely's injury needs to be monitored, but his upside is still there once he returns. Mason Taylor and Terrance Ferguson are both rookies with uncertain roles in their offense; Taylor is more solidified in the Jets' offense. 

Griffin Missant

Griffin Missant joined The Sporting News in 2025 as a fantasy football intern. He graduated from Grand Valley State University, where he covered the Lakers football program. He has also worked for Sleeper and the Fantasy Trade Room. He has played fantasy for over a decade, and has been passionate about fantasy football ever since.