Having a good fantasy draft sets a team up really well, but most of the time to win a fantasy football league, acquisitions need to be made during the season. Each week there are several players worth exploring on the waiver wire. Here are fantasy football players to add week 1. (Note: These are best used for standard scoring leagues. All players are rostered in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
Woody Marks is a rookie running back for the Houston Texans. Last season at USC, he had 1,133 rushing yards, 321 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
The Texans have some running back issues heading into the season. Joe Mixon is set to miss the first four games of the season due to injury. Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce are also on the roster, but Chubb has a large injury history, while Pierce had fallen out of favor in the Texans’ running back rotation. Marks is a fourth-round pick that can bring some juice and provide long-term value, even if the Texans trust the veterans in the first week of the season. He is rostered in just over 11 percent of ESPN leagues.
Pierce was a starting running back for the Texans just three years ago. He has 1,648 rushing yards, 268 receiving yards and nine touchdowns over his three seasons with the team.
As mentioned, the Texans have their fair share of running back issues to start the year. Pierce should get some opportunities early in the season, along with Nick Chubb. If he plays well, Pierce could end up earning the role in the long-term, especially if Mixon and Chubb battle injuries. He is rostered in just 5.6 percent of ESPN leagues.
Ollie Gordon is a rookie running back who played his college ball at Oklahoma State. Last season, he rushed for 880 yards and 13 touchdowns. The year before that in 2023, he had a highly-productive season in which he rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns.
The Dolphins drafted Gordon in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. De’Von Achane has been dealing with a calf injury, but should suit up for week 1. Jaylen Wright was slated to be the backup, but he is dealing with a leg injury and didn’t practice on Monday. That leaves the door open for Gordon to get some work to start the year and more if he earns more time. He is available in over 69 percent of ESPN leagues.
Allen was used more than many expected during the 2024 NFL season. Even though the Jets had Breece Hall, Allen still rushed for 334 yards and two touchdowns as a rookie.
Hall is still on the roster, but the Jets will likely run the ball more in 2025 with Justin Fields at quarterback and Aaron Glenn as head coach. While Glenn is defensive-minded, he is coming from Detroit, where multiple running backs were productive. Allen could really help the Jets rushing attack this season and he is rostered in just 40 percent of ESPN leagues.
Brown only had nine catches for 91 yards last season for the Chiefs after recovering from injury. He is now dealing with an ankle injury, but he is projected to play in week 1.
While Xavier Worthy and Brown have similar roles, they can both be productive in the Chiefs’ offense. What gives them more opportunity to start the year is Rashee Rice’s six-game suspension. When he gets back, Brown’s role in the offense may change, but for the time being he should be added. He is rostered in just 40.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
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