Justin Boone’s weekly waiver-wire breakdown is back, giving fantasy managers a hands-on guide to the best under-the-radar adds for Week 1. The rankings are based on Yahoo fantasy leagues, with a $100 FAB budget and a 50% ownership cutoff to identify true sleepers and potential every-week starters. Here’s Boone’s latest look at Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends, Defenses, and kickers to consider as rosters reset for the season’s start.
Quarterbacks
– Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (33% rostered, $1 FAB)
Penix flashed in three starts last season, finishing as a top-6 quarterback in Week 18. He’ll face a favorable opening matchup against a Buccaneers defense that allowed a lot of fantasy production to quarterbacks in 2024. With Darnell Mooney back at practice, Penix could have a full set of weapons in the opener. He’s a tantalizing QB2 with upside for week one.
– Trevor Lawrence is just over the 50% threshold and would be the top add if available.
– Streaming options: Bryce Young at Jacksonville (27%), Tua Tagovailoa at Indianapolis (25%), Geno Smith at New England (22%).
– Risky streaming options: Matthew Stafford vs. Houston (27%), Sam Darnold vs. San Francisco (14%), Daniel Jones vs. Miami (5%).
– Desperation streaming options: Russell Wilson at Washington (5%), Aaron Rodgers at the Jets (14%), Joe Flacco vs. Cincinnati (4%), Cam Ward at Denver (26%), Spencer Rattler vs. Arizona (2%).
– High-upside stash options: Jaxson Dart (6%), Anthony Richardson Sr. (4%).
Running Backs
– Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins (35% rostered, $3 FAB)
With De’Von Achane battled by a calf issue and Jaylen Wright sidelined for multiple games, Gordon is poised to take on a Week 1 role after a strong preseason. He could be a Week 1 RB3/flex with goal-line potential in an offense that’s searching for consistent scoring. Reserve him everywhere until Achane’s status is fully clear.
– Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders (7% rostered, $1 FAB)
With Brian Robinson Jr. out of the picture, Rodriguez is in the mix for a Week 1 start in what could become an early-season committee. If he earns a role, he’s a solid flex option or a patient wait-and-see stash behind the main backs.
– Dylan Sampson, Quinshon Judkins, and Jerome Ford are near or just under 50% rostered and should be rostered in most leagues until the Browns’ backfield clarity emerges.
– High-upside backups to keep rostering in many leagues: Trey Benson (39%), Ray Davis (35%), Tyler Allgeier (34%).
– Flex options: Rico Dowdle at Jacksonville (21%).
– Flex options (if healthy): Rachaad White at ATL (44%).
– Risky flex options: Jaydon Blue at PHI (38%), Woody Marks at LAR (9%), Keaton Mitchell at BUF (3%), Brashard Smith at LAC (2%).
– Risky flex options (if healthy): Najee Harris vs. KC (45%), Kyle Monangai vs. MIN (5%).
– Dart-throw flex: Justice Hill at BUF (3%).
– Other backups to roster: Will Shipley (12%), DJ Giddens (3%), Tahj Brooks (2%), Kendre Miller (3%), Kareem Hunt (17%), Jarquez Hunter (2%), Blake Corum (10%), Dameon Pierce (4%), Sean Tucker (3%), Kalel Mullings (0%).
– Deep stashes: Chris Brooks (0%), Zamir White (1%), Miles Sanders at PHI (2%), Kenneth Gainwell (1%), Ty Johnson (1%), Hassan Haskins (0%).
– Injured-reserve stashes: Tyjae Spears (36%), MarShawn Lloyd (3%).
Wide Receivers
– Christian Kirk, Texans (43% rostered, $1 FAB)
Kirk is highlighted again as an underrated option in a Texans passing attack that’s refreshed with new weapons. He’s proven to be a capable contributor in multiple formats, and a healthy Kirk could push into fantasy-WR3 territory if the offense takes a step forward. Don’t let him linger on benches in shallower leagues.
– Darnell Mooney and Keenan Allen are near or above the 50% mark and should be rostered in most leagues.
– WR4/Flex options (if healthy): Marvin Mims Jr. vs. TEN (40%), DeMario Douglas vs. LV (16%), Cedric Tillman vs. CIN (24%), Xavier Legette at JAX (17%), Romeo Doubs vs. DET (14%), Wan’Dale Robinson at WAS (19%).
– Flex options (if healthy): Hollywood Brown at LAC (17%).
– Risky flex options: Rashod Bateman at BUF (46%), Joshua Palmer vs. BAL (25%), Dont’e Thornton Jr. at NE (9%).
– Dart-throw flex options: DeAndre Hopkins at BUF (9%), Adam Thielen at CHI (27%), Jayden Higgins at LAR (39%), Tory Horton vs. SF (3%), Isaac TeSlaa at GB (9%), Tyler Lockett at DEN (4%), Darius Slayton at WAS (2%), Amari Cooper at NE (15%), Adonai Mitchell vs. MIA (2%), Alec Pierce vs. MIA (5%), Dontayvion Wicks vs. DET (1%), Michael Wilson at NO (2%), Josh Reynolds vs. PIT (0%), KaVontae Turpin at PHI (3%), Troy Franklin vs. TEN (2%), Malik Washington at IND (2%), Ray-Ray McCloud III vs. TB (1%), Olamide Zaccheaus vs. MIN (0%).
– Dart-throw flex options (if healthy): Quentin Johnston vs. KC (5%), Jalen Nailor at CHI (0%).
– Injured-reserve stashes: Jalen Coker (8%).
– Upside stashes: Kyle Williams (11%), Pat Bryant (4%), Luther Burden III (25%), Tre’ Harris (11%), KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1%), Elic Ayomanor (3%), Jalen Royals (2%), Jaylin Lane (0%).
Tight Ends
– Chig Okonkwo, Titans (33% rostered, $1 FAB)
Okonkwo finished strong in both the 2023 and 2024 stretches, posting solid production down the stretch with near full-time involvement. He’s an athletic target who could emerge as one of the Titans’ top options in an offense that upgraded at quarterback. If the Titans sustain a target-heavy role, Okonkwo could be a low-end TE1.
– Zach Ertz is just above 50% rostered but would be the top add if available.
– Streaming options: Brenton Strange vs. CAR (22%), Jonnu Smith at NYJ (34%).
– Risky streaming options: Mason Taylor vs. PIT (12%), Ja’Tavion Sanders at JAX (2%), Theo Johnson at WAS (7%).
– Risky streaming options (if healthy): Cade Otton at ATL (7%).
– Streaming/dart-throw options: Darren Waller at IND (12%), Juwan Johnson vs. ARI (1%), Mike Gesicki at CLE (7%), Tyler Higbee vs. HOU (2%), Tyler Conklin vs. KC (0%).
– Upside stashes: Harold Fannin Jr. (1%), Isaiah Likely (14%), Elijah Arroyo (5%), Terrance Ferguson (1%), Noah Gray (1%), Cade Stover (0%).
Defenses
– Week 1 streamers:
– Cardinals at NO (36%)
– Commanders vs. NYG (32%)
– Rams vs. HOU (21%)
– Bengals at CLE (9%)
– Jets vs. PIT (26%)
– Jaguars vs. CAR (1%)
– Patriots vs. LV (14%)
Kickers
– Week 1 streamers are listed as a separate category, with options to be evaluated closer to kickoff based on matchups and kicking roles.
What this means for your roster moves
– Look to add Penix, Gordon II, Rodriguez, and Kirk in leagues where they’re under 50% rostered to gain immediate returns in Week 1.
– For deeper rosters, stash the high-upside backs and receivers (Dart-throw types) who could become weekly starters as the season unfolds.
– Monitor Achane’s status and workload; if he’s limited, Gordon II could be an easier path to a solid Week 1 floor.
– Tight end streaming can be a practical path early on; if Okonkwo is healthy and the Titans lean into their passing game, he could provide a consistent weekly floor with upside.
Summary and takeaways
This waiver rundown highlights a mix of proven vets re-emerging in favorable situations and younger up-and-coming players with clear path-to-ownership opportunities. The emphasis is on players with potential for immediate Week 1 impact and for those who can grow into longer-term contributors. For fantasy managers, the smart play is to target these under-50% players now, especially in shallower leagues, while keeping a close eye on injuries and depth-chart shifts that could shift value in a hurry.
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