Week 1 Takeaways
WAIVER WIRE TARGETS
This week’s waiver wire targets are listed by position, in order of priority.
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Tennessee Titans
Hill is officially the new green-dot linebacker in Tennessee, usurping Cody Barton for that role (thankfully). Hill delivered an excellent tackle rate in this one while Barton floundered again. Hill should be added in all IDP formats where he’s available.
LB Payton Wilson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Wilson exceeded 90% of the team’s defensive snaps (95%) for the first time in his career, getting a chance to put his high-end tackle efficiency to work on a larger sample size. If this holds, Wilson will be an option in all formats and the preferred IDP linebacker in Pittsburgh.
LB Josiah Trotter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The rookie second-round pick delivered a massive IDP performance in his NFL debut, but perhaps what is more important is that he was on the field for 90% of the team’s defensive snaps, making him an option in moderate IDP formats going forward.
LB Jaishawn Barham, Dallas Cowboys
If DeMarvion Overshown is going to miss time, Barham will wear the green dot in an every-down role. Barham can be a speculative add in most IDP formats for now, and if news comes out that Overshown is okay, then we can put him back into the waiver pool.
LB Shaun Dolac, Los Angeles Rams
Both Nate Landman and Omar Speights suffered injuries in Week 1, making Dolac very important at work all of a sudden. It’s unclear if or how long Landman will be out, but the potential for an every-down role for Dolac makes him a top waiver wire target for now.
LB Christian Elliss, New England Patriots
Elliss played 98% of snaps in Week 1, potentially setting him up for a full-time role going forward. Elliss can be added in most IDP formats, specifically on Sleeper where he holds DL eligibility and can be treated as a weekly DL2.
LB Drake Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
Thomas’ role increased significantly in Week 1, playing an every-down role and racking up strong production. It’s unclear if Thomas will always play an every-down role, or if this was matchup/personnel-related, but he’s worth an add in non-shallow formats.
LB Jack Gibbens, Arizona Cardinals
Gibbens played a near-every-down role in Week 1, which was far from the team’s norm last season under Nick Rallis. Gibbens was previously a deeper-league option but can now be considered in a wider range of formats, assuming this usage holds.
LB Akeem Davis-Gaither, Indianapolis Colts
Davis-Gaither is the only Colts linebacker worth considering in most IDP lineups right now, after playing 94% of snaps, with no other Colts linebacker even reaching 65%. Davis-Gaither can be an option in non-shallow formats for now.
LB Ventrell Miller, Jacksonville Jaguars
Miller had a strong IDP performance this week, though he played just 71% of defensive snaps before garbage time, which makes him an option only in non-shallow formats going forward.
LB Kendal Daniels, Atlanta Falcons
Daniels got the large majority of snaps at LB2 for the Falcons (66%), though it’s not enough to be considered outside of very deep leagues for now. Daniels operates as the backup green-dot, so there is upside with him to play an every-down role if Divine Deablo misses time.
LB Dorian Williams, Buffalo Bills
Williams came away as the clear LB2 after a bit of back-and-forth in that regard during the preseason. While it’s not an every-down role, Williams has shown a tendency to be an effective tackler and can be added in non-shallow formats.
LB Jake Hansen, Houston Texans
With Henry To’oTo’o suffering a shoulder injury this week, Hansen could operate as the next man up to start as the team’s LB2, even if in a part-time role. Hansen should be considered for deep leagues only right now.
ED Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys
Ezeiruaku led the Cowboys’ defensive line in playing time and IDP production in Week 1. He should be considered one of the better depth options to add at the position coming out of this week, for those in need in non-shallow formats.
ED Josiah Stewart, Los Angeles Rams
Myles Garrett is going to miss at least the next four games on injured reserve, creating a big opportunity for Stewart in the short-term. Stewart comes with a strong college pass-rush profile, and delivered a solid 72.5 pass-rush grade in his 2025 rookie season as well. He’ll be an option for deeper formats.
ED Tavius Robinson, Baltimore Ravens
Robinson played a hefty role (82%) and was productive as a result. He’ll be a solid depth option in deeper formats as he should continue to be productive with a high-end workload.
S Amani Hooker, Tennessee Titans
Hooker got elite IDP usage for the safety position, seemingly locking down the coveted Gus Bradley strong safety role, as he played 63% of his snaps in the box. Hooker should be added in most IDP formats, where he’s available.
S Antonio Johnson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Johnson didn’t have a high-end IDP performance this week, but his usage of 51% of snaps in the box should be what encourages us for his IDP potential going forward, assuming that holds. He can be added in deeper formats, if needed.
S Andrew Wingard, Arizona Cardinals
Wingard performed well in his Cardinals debut, taking over the old Jalen Thompson role. Wingard shared similar usage in the box as Budda Baker, and should be considered as a potential weekly starter in non-shallow formats.
CB Keionte Scott, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Scott got ideal deployment as the team’s primary nickel defender, and should be considered as a potential streaming option in most CB-required formats, depending on the matchup.