Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements (Fantasy Football)

Fantasy football can be an extremely fun game to play. It can also be highly frustrating at times. Nothing is more annoying than needing to make a last-minute waiver-wire move because someone in your starting lineup is out for the week. Sadly, there isn’t much you can do about it. However, I’m going to try to help.

Every week, I will have six players you can grab off the waiver wire at the last minute and throw into your lineup. Some will succeed, while others will fail. Unfortunately, that’s how the game of fantasy football is played. Let’s dive into my six last-minute waiver wire targets for Week 1.

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Last-Minute Waiver Wire Pickups & Injury Replacements

All the players in this article are rostered in under 35% of ESPN leagues.

Joe Flacco (QB – CLE) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (2.4% Rostered)

While Flacco won’t be the Browns’ starting quarterback all season long, fantasy players should jump at the chance to start him in Week 1, especially in superflex leagues. The veteran averaged 1.7 passing touchdowns and 14 fantasy points per game in his six starts for the Indianapolis Colts last year, totaling at least two passing scores in 62.5% of his contests. Furthermore, Flacco was the QB2 over the final five weeks of the fantasy season in 2023 with the Browns, averaging 2.6 passing touchdowns and 21.8 fantasy points per game.

More importantly, this AFC North matchup should be a shootout. DraftKings has the over/under for this game at 47.5 points, the second-highest for Week 1. Meanwhile, the Bengals project to have the worst pass defense in the NFL despite having Trey Hendrickson back on the field. Last year, they surrendered 30 passing touchdowns, the fourth-most in the league. Furthermore, Cincinnati gave up 18.1 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks, the sixth-most last season. Expect Flacco to take advantage of the Bengals’ defense and have at least two passing touchdowns.

Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (32.4% Rostered)

Unfortunately, the Browns will be without second-round running back Quinshon Judkins for Sunday’s matchup against the Bengals, as the former Ohio State star, despite recently signing his rookie contract. Therefore, Sampson and Jerome Ford will carry the backfield workload in Week 1. While Ford is the better starting option, Sampson should see enough volume to put up flex production against the division rivals. The rookie played meaningful snaps with the first-team offense in the preseason. More importantly, Sampson can handle a significant workload on the ground and in the air.

Last year, he had 258 rushing attempts for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the SEC in every category. Furthermore, Sampson averaged 8.6 yards per reception at Tennessee. Meanwhile, the Bengals held running backs to 18.9 PPR fantasy points per game last season, the 13th-fewest in the NFL. However, Cleveland’s running backs averaged 15.5 rushing attempts for 66 yards, a touchdown, and 19.2 fantasy points per game against Cincinnati last year, totaling nine receptions on 13 targets for 61 receiving yards. Sampson could have a top-20 finish with enough volume.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB – WAS) vs. New York Giants (2.7% Rostered)

The Commanders’ backfield has been a popular topic for fantasy players over the past month. They traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers, with many believing Washington will hand Jacory Croskey-Merritt the starting role. However, the coaching staff loves Rodriguez. While the rookie will eventually be the team’s lead running back, expect Rodriguez to get the start in Week 1 against the Giants. He was the Commanders’ best running back in the preseason, averaging 6.9 yards per rushing attempt and 0.69 PPR fantasy points per touch.

New York made several moves to improve their pass defense this offseason, signing Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo to massive contracts in free agency. Furthermore, the Giants used the third-overall pick in the NFL Draft on Abdul Carter. However, they didn’t do much to improve their run defense. Last year, New York surrendered 24.3 fantasy points per game to running backs, the second-most in the league. They also gave up 14 rushing touchdowns to running backs. Don’t be surprised if Rodriguez finds the end zone at least once on Sunday.

Ray-Ray McCloud III (WR – ATL) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3.9% Rostered)

Despite suffering a shoulder injury early in training camp, Darnell Mooney is questionable for Sunday’s critical Week 1 matchup against the Buccaneers. However, fantasy players in deeper leagues should add McCloud off the waiver wire and start him on Sunday, even if Mooney plays in what should be a high-scoring game between NFC South rivals. The veteran had a career year in 2024, finishing the season as the WR50, averaging 8.3 PPR fantasy points per game. McCloud also set career highs in receptions (62), targets (87), and receiving yards (686).

Furthermore, the veteran wide receiver is a borderline must-start WR3 in standard-size leagues if Mooney can’t play. Last season, McCloud was productive with an increase in targets. He averaged 5.1 targets per game for the year. However, the veteran averaged 11.9 fantasy points per game in the seven contests with at least six targets. More importantly, McCloud had nine receptions on 12 targets for 75 receiving yards and 18.2 fantasy points against Tampa Bay last season with Mooney healthy. He could have a top-24 finish if Mooney can’t play.

Hunter Renfrow (WR – CAR) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (2.3% Rostered)

Renfrow missed the 2024 season, dealing with an autoimmune disease, which led to him losing significant weight and struggling with fatigue. However, the veteran wide receiver is 100% healthy and ready to be Bryce Young’s starting slot receiver in Week 1 with Jalen Coker on injured reserve (quad) and Adam Thielen traded to the Minnesota Vikings. Renfrow was once a fantasy star, finishing the 2021 season as the WR10, averaging 15.2 PPR fantasy points per game. The veteran finished ninth in the NFL with nine receiving touchdowns that year.

While Renfrow likely won’t have meaningful fantasy value when Coker returns from a quad injury, the veteran wide receiver is a sneaky good flex option this week because of the matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville surrendered 34.6 fantasy points per game to wide receivers last season, the seventh-most in the NFL. According to DraftKings, the over/under for this game is 46.5 points, one of the highest totals for Week 1. Don’t be surprised if Renfrow is one of the top wide receivers mentioned in waiver wire articles on Tuesday.

Dalton Schultz (TE – HOU) vs. Los Angeles Rams (6.5% Rostered)

The Texans made massive changes to their receiving corps this offseason. Stefon Diggs left in free agency, while Tank Dell is expected to miss the year with a significant knee injury. Houston traded for Christian Kirk and spent two Day 2 draft picks on Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Unfortunately, Kirk won’t play Sunday against the Rams because of a hamstring injury. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Schultz sees an increase in targets with Kirk out of the lineup and the rookies playing in their first NFL game.

Last year, the veteran finished as the TE20, averaging seven PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, the Texans’ passing attack struggled under former offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik. However, Schultz has a history as a startable fantasy tight end, averaging at least 9.2 fantasy points per game the previous four seasons. Furthermore, he averaged 11.9 fantasy points per game in the four contests with seven or more targets last year. More importantly, the Rams surrendered 15.9 fantasy points per game to tight ends in 2024, the most in the NFL.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.