As the NFL season kicks off, savvy fantasy managers know that early-week stashes can be the difference between winning and missing the playoffs. Finding players with emerging roles, injury insurance, or breakout potential is key to building depth. Here are the top waiver wire targets for Week 1, complete with why they’re worth adding before everyone else catches on.
Dylan Sampson RB (CLE) – 27% rostered
Dylan Sampson is my favorite waiver wire stash of the week. The former 2024 SEC Offensive Player of the Year fits perfectly as a change-of-pace back with upside to become the lead running back if Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned. Paired with veteran Jerome Ford, Sampson impressed in the preseason with his vision, patience, and ability to create yards after contact. He accumulated 929 of 1,491 rushing yards after contact in college.
The Browns invested high draft capital in two running backs, signaling limited confidence in Ford long-term. Expect Sampson to be utilized heavily in both the running and passing game, giving him immediate PPR appeal. Cleveland’s schedule also ranks among the easiest for running backs this year, making him a high-upside add with both short and long-term fantasy potential.
Jalen Coker WR (CAR) – 9% rostered
Jalen Coker is a high-upside receiver who can be stashed on your bench while he recovers from a short-term IR stint. The rookie WR impressed last season, ranking second among rookie receivers in yards per route run against man coverage, trailing only Ladd McConkey. He carved out a role in Carolina’s offense late in the year, producing four games with at least 60 receiving yards and an 18.3% target share in the six games he played significant snaps.
With Adam Thielen gone and Hunter Renfrow not seizing a bigger role, Coker has a clear path to a starting slot role. When he returns from IR, he could immediately function as a WR3/flex option in PPR formats. Coupled with Tetairoa McMillan ahead of him for targets, Coker’s upside is enormous if Bryce Young leans on his slot options consistently like he did at the end of last season with Adam Thielen. He’s a perfect long-term stash for those looking to gain an edge in the middle rounds.
Ollie Gordon RB (MIA) – 33% rostered
Ollie Gordon enters the season with immense upside in a Dolphins backfield that has been hit with injuries. The 2023 workhorse at Oklahoma State rushed for 1,732 yards and 22 touchdowns while adding 39 receptions, showcasing his ability to contribute on all downs before a down 2024 season. Despite seeing his draft stock slip, Gordon has performed well this preseason, averaging over 4 yards per carry. The Dolphins’ backups outside of Gordon are all struggling with injuries, and De’Von Achane has been nursing a calf injury for most of the preseason.
Even with De’Von Achane healthy, Gordon has earned first-team reps and could take over goal-line touches due to his size and skill set. In the event of injuries, he could emerge as a league-winning RB. With his proven college production and the opportunity to see significant playing time early, Gordon is a must-add waiver wire option with both immediate and long-term potential.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. RB (WAS) – 2% rostered
Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a low-owned player with immediate upside. Many have declared Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the team’s lead back, but Rodriguez has some claim for early down work. The Washington backfield benefits from Jayden Daniels’ rushing abilities and a strong run-blocking offensive line. Rodriguez has a chance to handle early-down work and goal-line touches. He has a career 3.73 yards-after-contact per attempt mark, highlighting his ability to gain tough yards and break tackles consistently.
Rodriguez has already shown flashes of fantasy relevance and would immediately be a strong flex play if he assumes the lead role. Week 1 betting markets even favor him slightly over Croskey-Merritt for an anytime touchdown, emphasizing the confidence in his potential workload. He’s a classic deep stash that could pay off big early in the season.
Chig Okonkwo TE (TEN) – 11% rostered
Chig Okonkwo may finally be ready to break out in his fourth NFL season. He finished last season with six or more targets in four of his final five games and now benefits from a rookie quarterback, Cam Ward, who plays an aggressive passing style. With Calvin Ridley as the only established receiving option, Okonkwo has room to emerge as Tennessee’s primary tight end.
While Week 1 may not be ideal, his Week 2 matchup against the Rams, who gave up the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2024, offers an opportunity for a big performance. Okonkwo could quickly become a weekly TE1, making him an ideal waiver stash for managers who can afford to wait after a potential slow start to the season.
Adam Thielen WR (MIN) – 44% rostered
Adam Thielen is a veteran option that deserves immediate lineup consideration. With Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games and other Vikings receivers dealing with injuries, Thielen was reacquired to provide stability and experience. Over the final six weeks of 2024, he posted 37 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns, finishing as the WR13 in half-PPR scoring.
Though he is 35, Thielen remains productive and is slated for favorable early matchups against Atlanta and Cincinnati. While he may not offer season-long upside, he can provide critical points in Weeks 2 and 3 for teams looking for a reliable veteran to start while their younger options develop. Thielen is the perfect player to fill in for teams that have Rashee Rice and Jordan Addison missing the first few games of the season.
Marvin Mims WR (DEN) – 38% rostered
Marvin Mims showed late-season explosiveness in 2024, averaging 62 receiving yards and six touchdowns in Denver’s last seven games. Despite limited snaps, he averaged 0.72 PPR points per play and led all receivers in designed screens last season. Only 23 years old, Mims is entering his second year with increased opportunity as Denver head coach Sean Payton plans to expand his role in the passing game.
If Mims stays healthy and sees an increased target share, he could emerge as a weekly WR2, offering upside that makes him a valuable late-round stash. His combination of efficiency and big-play ability makes him a high-reward add for fantasy managers who can afford to hold him on the bench early in the season.
Honorable Mentions
- Bryce Young QB (CAR) – 21% rostered
- Trevor Lawrence QB (JAC) – 30% rostered
- Jaydon Blue RB (DAL) – 40% rostered
- Tyjae Spears RB (TEN) – 37% rostered
- Ray Davis RB (BUF) – 29% rostered
- Will Shipley RB (PHI) – 15% rostered
- Brashard Smith RB (KC) – 1% rostered
- Christian Kirk WR (HOU) – 35% rostered
- Luther Burden WR (CHI) – 22% rostered
- Romeo Doubs WR (GB) – 16% rostered
- Dont’e Thornton WR (LV) – 6% rostered
- Brenton Strange TE (JAC) – 20% rostered
- Mason Taylor TE (NYJ – 9% rostered
