2026 Week 1 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Report

Week 1 of 2026 hasn't been played yet, so there's no opportunity-delta data to lean on — every signal here comes from Sleeper add volume over the last 48 hours. That means some of this is draft-weekend scramble and some of it is real news-driven urgency. Availability will vary by league size and format; check your own league before assuming any of these names is sitting on the wire.

Quarterback

Malik Willis

Willis is generating buzz as the reported starter for the Miami Dolphins, which would give him a legitimate every-week job in a pass-first offense. His FantasyPros 2026 PPR projection of 271.8 points — the highest of any QB in this group — reflects real upside if the starting role holds. He's a streaming option in 1QB formats but a priority add in Superflex or 2QB leagues where starting QBs at this ADP range have real value. Confirm the depth chart before your add.

Kirk Cousins

Cousins drew 42,800 adds, putting him just behind Willis in QB add volume. His 2025 PPR total was 108.5 points across 17 games — serviceable streaming production. His 2026 projection of just 47.1 points from FantasyPros is an outlier low, which suggests some uncertainty about his role or team situation that the supplied data doesn't fully clarify. Streaming option only until the picture sharpens.

Kyler Murray

Murray's 291.4-point PPR projection is the highest of any QB here, and preseason news places him in Arizona's starting conversation. His 2025 output (80.8 PPR points in 14 games) was a shortened season. If he's healthy and starting, the upside is real — but the same availability caveat applies. Worth a stash in deeper leagues.

Deshaun Watson

The news peg is clear: Watson has been named QB1 in Cleveland, per reporting published today. His 2025 PPR total was 0.0 points across 17 games, reflecting a season where he didn't contribute fantasy value. His 2026 projection of 135.2 points implies a meaningful bounce-back if he stays on the field, but that's a big if given recent history. Low-floor streaming option at best — only relevant in very deep leagues.

Running back

Jacob Saylors

Saylors is the biggest add of the week — 235,765 on Sleeper — by a wide margin. His 2025 PPR total was just 1.1 points across 16 games, but the FantasyPros 2026 projection of 24.1 PPR points and the dynasty-community chatter suggest something changed between then and now. The supplied data doesn't specify what role or depth-chart jump triggered the explosion in adds. Don't roster him blind: find out what's behind the buzz in your own research before burning a waiver claim.

Malik Davis

Davis drew 137,007 adds — the second-highest total in this entire group. His 2025 PPR production was 40.6 points over 17 games, and his 2026 projection jumps to 75.7 points, implying an expanded role. The "Final 53" roster-move coverage flagged him as a name to watch after cutdown day. If a lead back ahead of him is gone or limited, Davis could see real touches. Priority add in PPR formats where he can contribute as a receiver out of the backfield.

Justice Hill

Hill's 2026 PPR projection of 115.1 points is the highest of any RB in this group, a meaningful step up from his 65.2-point 2025 season. The add volume (41,832) is solid. His projection suggests a real role, possibly a three-down or lead-back opportunity. Stash him now before Week 1 confirms it.

Kaelon Black

Black is a 2026 rookie who didn't play in 2025. His PPR projection of 88.6 points is notable for a first-year player, and the rookie preseason coverage suggests he turned heads in camp. If his depth chart situation is favorable, he's a dynasty stash with real redraft upside. Check his landing spot and role before adding.

Samaje Perine, Chris Brooks, Brian Robinson

All three are drawing adds in the context of the Josh Jacobs Commissioner's Exempt List situation in Green Bay. Jacobs is out, and the Packers backfield is reshuffled — MarShawn Lloyd was reported sharing first-team reps. Perine (projected 96.0 PPR points) and Brooks (78.3) both have the higher ceilings here; Robinson (86.1 projected) has a separate situation with Washington. All three are speculative adds until Week 1 snaps clarify the pecking order, but in 12-team leagues they're worth stashing given the uncertainty.

Wide receiver

Khalil Shakir

Shakir is listed as questionable, which is exactly why he's drawing 24,039 adds — managers in leagues where he's already rostered are dropping him, and waiver managers in other leagues are speculating on a buy-low. He posted 166.4 PPR points in 2025 and projects for 164.9 in 2026, meaning he's a borderline WR2 if healthy. If your league-mates are panicking and he hits waivers, snap him up. But don't start him until the injury designation clears.

Zavion Thomas

Thomas had a standout preseason Week 3, earning a specific call-out in the PFF preseason awards recap. He has no 2025 stats (didn't play), but the 2026 PPR projection of 65.0 points and the preseason performance are enough to make him a dart throw in deeper leagues. Add him in 14-team leagues or deeper, or if you're in a PPR format that rewards volume receivers.

Jalen Nailor

Nailor posted 100.7 PPR points in 2025 and projects for 127.2 in 2026 — a genuine step forward. His add volume (28,638) is solid, and he's one of the higher-floor names in this WR group. If he's available in your league, that's a roster-management oversight worth exploiting. Priority add in PPR leagues.

Cooper Kupp

Kupp's 2025 season produced 117.3 PPR points over 16 games, and his 2026 projection is 125.1. He's appearing on a "fades" list in the supplied data, which is a yellow flag worth noting. The add volume (20,166) suggests some managers are rolling the dice on him being available late. Proceed with eyes open — the fade concern is real, but if he's truly on your wire, a low-cost add is fine.

Also stashing

Keenan Allen (141.6 PPR projection, new team per preseason reports, generating 17,836 adds) and Odell Beckham (23.9 PPR projection — very low, proceed with extreme caution) round out the WR waiver conversation. Allen is the only one worth an actual add here; his new situation with Indianapolis was covered in preseason recaps and he has real starter upside if healthy. Beckham's projection is too low to recommend without a clear role spelled out.

Barion Brown, Cyrus Allen

Both are 2026 rookies with no 2025 production. Brown projects for just 18.8 PPR points; Cyrus Allen for 52.7. Both are dynasty-only stashes at this stage. Don't spend a redraft waiver claim on either until they prove they have a role in the regular season.

Tight end

Darren Waller

Waller is the most-added TE this week (82,152 adds) and the most credible. He played 14 games in 2025, posted 88.7 PPR points, and projects for 115.8 in 2026 — a genuine TE1 target. Preseason risers coverage specifically called him out as a mover. Priority add in all formats if he's on your wire.

Mark Andrews

Andrews projected for 167.1 PPR points — the highest TE projection in this group — and posted 131.0 points in 2025 over a full 17-game season. His add volume (15,309) is lower than Waller's, which means he's likely already rostered in most leagues. If he's somehow available, he's an immediate starter. Don't overthink it.

Daniel Bellinger

Bellinger posted 59.6 PPR points in 2025 and projects for 52.0 in 2026 — a slight step back. He's a streaming option in 2-TE or TE-premium formats, and a bench stash in standard leagues where TE is thin. The add volume (24,479) suggests some managers view him as a handcuff or upside play. Low-priority add.