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Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups: Get Cedric Tillman Before He Explodes

Week 1 hasn’t even kicked off yet … but there’s already an opportunity to improve your fantasy team.

Early drafts and late-breaking injuries have opened up roster holes, while preseason action has brought new targets. That makes this the perfect time to work the waiver wire and give your roster an early boost.

Here are 9 players -- plus a Week 1 streaming defense -- to consider adding now.

Quarterbacks

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-6%

Superflex managers who drafted early may have banked on Anthony Richardson emerging as the Colts’ starter. However, Shane Steichen chose Daniel Jones ahead of the preseason finale. 

Jones fizzled out in New York but is now a full season removed from his ACL tear in Week 9 of 2023.

He’s a more credible passer than Richardson and should be an upgrade for a talented Indianapolis pass-catching group. Jones also remained a good rusher even in the wake of that knee injury. 

His 26.5 yards per game ranked 11th among multi-game starters at QB last year. Don’t be surprised if that rate rebounds in 2025. Jones topped 30.0 in three of the previous four seasons, with a high of 44.3 yards per game in 2022.

The Colts carry an implied total of 24 points versus a depleted Miami defense in Week 1. That’s tied for 11th-most in the opening slate.

That makes Jones an attractive Superflex streaming option that can be acquired relatively easily. 

Running Backs

Ollie Gordon, Miami Dolphins

Blind Bid Recommendation: 10-18%

Expect Jaylen Wright to miss several games after undergoing a “minor procedure.”

This puts Gordon -- an excellent power complement to De'Von Achane -- in position for Week 1 touches. Note that Achane topped 15 carries in only three of 17 games last season.

The rookie stands 6’1, 226 pounds and brings a new element to Miami’s speed-based offense. He posted a solid 3.88 yards after contact per attempt on 26 preseason rushes.

Plus, if Gordon excels in September, he may hold the No. 2 RB role even when Wright returns.

Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-8%

Most fantasy leagues have seen Jacory Croskey-Merritt scooped up already, while Rodriguez trails way behind in perceived value. We’ve gotten no indication from the coaching staff, though, that Croskey-Merritt will lead the backfield right away -- or at all. 

Rodriguez dropped weight this offseason to increase his speed. He also worked to improve his receiving skills. Rodriguez looked noticeably faster in the preseason, breaking off a 40-yard rush and averaging 6.9 yards per carry. 

With Brian Robinson Jr. now in San Francisco, Rodriguez has a chance to play his way into a big role in what is shaping up to be a committee backfield for one of the league’s most potent offenses. 

Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

After a strong NFL debut, Pierce struggled in Bobby Slowik’s zone scheme last season. New OC Nick Caley champions a more physical gap scheme that is a far better fit for Pierce. 

We don’t know if or when Joe Mixon will play in 2025, and Nick Chubb struggled to regain his form last year after a second devastating knee injury. 

Pierce could emerge as Houston’s between-the-tackles runner if Chubb remains ineffective. He’s worth a minimal bid as a hold for fantasy managers in deeper leagues with a free roster spot. 

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

You’re probably not a big fan of the Saints' offense in 2025. And you know what? We get it.

But Miller looks like an overlooked handcuff ahead of Week 1. 

We saw him secure that role in the preseason, when he led Saints RBs in first-team snaps. (Alvin Kamara didn’t suit up.)

HC Kellen Moore also seems impressed with Miller’s current form.

"Kendre has really had a steady entire offseason. I thought he's done a phenomenal job. ... He's just been consistent week in and week out. ... He runs really, really hard. He's a physical player. We like what we've seen."

Stash Miller and see how he’s utilized alongside the 30-year-old Kamara.

Wide Receivers

Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns

Blind Bid Recommendation: 5-8%

Tillman showed promise last year before a Week 12 concussion ended his season. Before that, Tillman had a stretch with three consecutive games with over 75 yards and three combined touchdowns. 

Tillman’s now penciled in as Cleveland’s No. 2 WR, entering his third season. He will see plenty of fantasy-friendly game scripts with Joe Flacco slinging the ball and a Browns team that figures to trail plenty. 

View Tillman as a solid depth piece with potential to emerge as a top-36 option if the Browns are forced to play in a come-from-behind fashion regularly. 

Tory Horton, Seattle Seahawks

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

Horton exited college with a strong blend of size, athleticism, and production. 

The 6’2, 196-pounder broke out with a 78-1,131-8 receiving line as a 2022 sophomore at Colorado State. A knee injury derailed his 2024, but he returned to light up the Combine with a 9.40 Relative Athletic Score.

Questions about his knee caused a drop to Round 5 of the NFL Draft. But by all accounts, he has developed quickly this summer and will have a shot at seeing significant snaps alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.

Note: Horton could supply additional fantasy value if your league scores return yards. He’s a candidate for punt-return work.

Isaac TeSlaa, Detroit Lions

Blind Bid Recommendation: 3-5%

TeSlaa was the talk of the preseason, scoring a touchdown in each of Detroit’s three preseason tilts. But the third-round rookie also made several highlight-reel catches and used his 6-foot-4 frame like a seasoned pro. 

Detroit’s trade of Tim Patrick to Jacksonville opens an immediate role as the Lions’ No. 3 WR. 

Although he didn’t play any preseason reps with Jared Goff, TeSlaa is one of the offseason’s fastest risers. 

Tight Ends

Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans

Blind Bid Recommendation: 1-3%

Okonkwo posted TE21 numbers last season with dreadful QB play. In Weeks 13-17 last season, Okonkwo had a 72% route rate and had a 22.1% target share. 

He was TE8 in expected points and 13th in PPR PPG during that stretch.

No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward will be an instant upgrade under center for Tennessee’s offense. There is an adage that says a TE is a rookie QB’s best friend. 

Okonkwo has surpassed 70 targets in back-to-back seasons and is in a much more fantasy-friendly spot in 2025. He will offer weekly streaming value with a shot at posting top-15 overall numbers.

Top Streaming Defense for Week 1

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints 

The Cardinals were middle-of-the-pack last season but have been trending in the right direction. Arizona finished 2024 as the 19th-ranked defense after finishing 31st in 2023. 

The Cardinals also added DE Josh Sweat and used their first five picks of the 2025 NFL Draft to address the defense.

This week, the Red Birds travel to New Orleans to face a Saints’ offense that is opening the season with Spencer Rattler under center. 

Rattler looked overwhelmed last season, averaging 188 passing yards per game and throwing 4 touchdowns in 7 starts. And little we saw this preseason indicates that Rattler will be significantly better to open the season.

In Week 1, the Saints have the third-lowest implied total (18.5 points), making Arizona an appealing streaming option to open 2025. 

Next Up

Streaming Defense Week 2: Rams DST Primed To Stay Hot

Next Article  

Jody Smith, Analyst

Jody Smith has been playing fantasy football for over 30 years, the last 15 as an analyst, writer, and editor. Jody's rankings have been among the most consistent, placing him inside the top-10 in multi-year accuracy.