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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire: Week One
Last Updated on September 15, 2026 12:12 pm by Jon Mosales | Published: September 15, 2026
We are BACK! Week one is complete, and naturally, we were all wrong about everything. The good news is, it’s only been one week. There’s a chance to improve, and outside of trades (which takes two to tango), the waiver wire is it. Every year there’s a waiver wire wonder from early in the year. I believe now is the time to be aggressive, as you have the biggest opportunity for long term value to be had. As such, my FAAB recommendations will be high. If you prefer to save FAAB for throughout the season, you can subtract about 10% (or halve it for lower percentage recommendations) and probably feel okay. There’s now tangible evidence of what roles players might have, who is on the verge of a breakout, and who we may have overvalued and need to pivot from.
I’ll be pulling ownership percent’s from the three major fantasy platforms: Sleeper, Yahoo, and ESPN. The goal will be to have player available in over half of league only, there will be some player who are more widely rostered on various platforms. It’s always worth checking regardless of your league size, platform, etc. If a player is slightly above 50% but is a must roster, I will include them as well (see Romeo Doubs and Jalen Coker). The purpose of that is to help leagues of all size and experience levels. Not everything can be geared towards high level fantasy leagues, as casual leagues need advice too!
Quarterbacks
Tyler Shough struggled for three quarters, yet turned it on in the fourth and almost led the Saints to an electric week one comeback victory in overtime. He was a surprise second round pick a year ago, and proved he belonged once he got his chance in the second half of 2025. A second year under his belt with a smart offensive play caller in HC Kellen Moore has me pretty high on this offense as a whole. Shough ended up with over 400 yards and three touchdowns, though some of that production can be attributed to the game script. (FAAB: 10%)
Ownership: Sleeper 42%, Yahoo 41%, ESPN 46%
Carson Wentz finds himself in a great spot after Kyler Murray (head) left the game after a scary hit up top. The Vikings looked to rely a bit more on the run game once he entered, but it’s hard to gauge if that was the game plan all along, or a lack of trust in QB2. He completed just 12 of 19 for 133 yards, but had three touchdowns and played turnover free against a relatively good defense. Minnesota travels to Chicago for a week two showdown with a division foe. The Bears just got done giving up 361 yards and three touchdowns to Bryce Young and the Panthers, who don’t have quite the talent on offense the Vikings do. (FAAB 1-5%)
Ownership: Sleeper 0%, Yahoo 0%, ESPN 0%
Drew Lock got his number called when Seahawks starter Sam Darnold (hip) exited the game early in the first quarter. It wasn’t a terribly productive outing for the veteran journeyman, but he did what was asked, played clean ball, and led the defending champs to a win in a Super Bowl rematch. Week two bring the Arizona Cardinals who just shut down the Los Angeles Chargers, but they really profile as a surprise week one team who comes back to earth, making Lock an option for deep superflex leagues and worthy of a roster spot until we get more information on a timeline for Darnold. (1-5%)
Ownership: Sleeper 0%, Yahoo 0%, ESPN 0%
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Hi I’m Anthony, and I’m just happy to be here. From late January through early September you’ll find me in the best ball lobbies of your favorite platforms while I share everything I can right here at SportsEthos. I fell in love with the game of football at five years old, and that passion hasn’t faded. As we get older, our physical abilities start to slowly decline and our bodies fall apart. Once I became an Achilles rupture survivor at the prime age of 32, I knew my playing days were all but over. Fantasy football became a way to still connect with the sport I grew up enjoying so much. Join me while I venture into the depths of this space and shamelessly talk ball on the internet.