Top Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups from 2026 NFL Preseason

With the arrival of the 2026 NFL season, it's tempting to give all of you fantasy football managers a hearty "Congrats!" on a draft season well done.

Unfortunately, your work is far from finished. In fact, it sort of just started.

Because all you've done so far is assemble your first roster. Now, you have to properly handle it by nailing your start-or-sit lineup decisions and perpetually working the waiver wire for potential upgrades. Speaking of, there are already waiver-wire targets (rostered in fewer than 50 percent of leagues, per FantasyPros), so let's get them on your radar asap.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals (21% Rostered)

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Even when Arizona was operating at full-strength, it was giving goal-line work to Allgeier. Which should surprise no one. The 5'10", 225-pounder is such a short-yardage asset that he managed to 15 rushing scores over the past three seasons despite sharing a backfield with Bijan Robinson.

After moving to Arizona, Allgeier's competition for carries are now rookie Jeremiyah Love, who is working his way back from a high ankle sprain, and veteran James Conner, who landed on injured reserve with a foot ailment.

Given Allgeier's handcuff appeal, he probably should've been more rostered already, especially once the Cardinals tipped their goal-line plans for him.

But with question marks about Love's availability, Allgeier feels like a must-roster in all but the shallowest leagues.

Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers (28% Rostered)

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Ever since Love erupted for 4,159 passing yards and 32 touchdowns in 2023, the Packers have dialed back his usage to the point of robbing him of standard league-relevance. They have stressed the ground game like a team with a shaky quarterback, even though he has completed nearly 65 percent of his passes with 48 touchdowns against 17 interceptions the past two seasons.

If this is the year in which Green Bay reconfigures its offensive approach, Love might be in line for the best campaign of his career.

Less congestion in the receiving room could lead to more clarity of that hierarchy and perhaps a better connection with the top playmakers. Josh Jacobs' placement on the commissioner's exempt list could force the Packers to lean into their passing game. Love also draws one of the most favorable schedules for fantasy quarterbacks.

This all feels like stars-aligning fortune coming together for Love. Add him now before a potential Week 1 effort skyrockets his rostership.

Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans (24% Rostered)

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Spears has long tantalized with sleeper talent. He's also three years into his NFL career and has yet to produce 500 rushing yards or six-plus scores in a season.

For some, that will be a sign he may never awaken. For others, it's a reminder that development doesn't always happen on our preferred timeline, making patience an absolute must.

Especially when patience may no longer be needed.

Spears saw more preseason snaps with the Titans starters than Tony Pollard did, which could the early indication of a changing of the guard. With Tennessee still trudging through a rebuild, one can only assume it would prefer the 25-year-old Spears to wrestle control of this backfield away from the 29-year-old Pollard (who isn't signed beyond this season).