Dynasty Waivers of the Future: Week 1

My colleague Josh Fahlsing and I gaze into our crystal footballs each week to find players who may become popular waiver targets in the future so that you can pick them up now for next to nothing. We'll start with our priorities, then gaze deeper for lightly rostered gems who have been largely overlooked by dynasty managers so far. We'll indicate the percentage of Sleeper dynasty leagues rostering each player we discuss.

Dynasty Waiver Priority Pickups

Even the deepest rosters don't have unlimited bench space. If you have room for just one player, then one of these options might be your best bet before the season kicks off. They either have potentially immediate roles in their respective offenses, or they have clear paths to fantasy-relevant work if a regular starter were to miss time. I'll start with a dynasty waiver target I believe is being undervalued, but not for much longer.

WR Olamide Zaccheaus, Chicago Bears (20% rostered)

Jeff: The Bears selected Luther Burden III early in the second round to be their primary slot receiver, a fantasy-valuable role in a Ben Johnson offense. Is he ready? A hamstring injury suffered in the spring bled into training camp, taking away valuable practice time and opening the door for Zaccheaus. By most accounts, he had a stellar training camp. Our most recent preseason update notes that he took the majority of offensive snaps alongside the starters, lining up in the slot 60 percent of the time. Notably, he has become one of Caleb Williams' “most trusted targets.”

While Zaccheaus is not necessarily the name on every analyst's lips right now, I'm not alone in prioritizing him as a pre-Week 1 waiver pickup. Our Dave Kluge, resident Bears fan, is also high on him.

Everytime I mention Olamide Zaccheaus, I get laughed at.

I know we all had prior expectations about the Bears' WRs. But it seems foolish to ignore the consistent drumbeat. He costs almost nothing in drafts and could be in a role that provides him with 100+ targets.

— Dave Kluge (@DaveKluge) August 21, 2025

Most fantasy analysts still see Burden as the team's primary slot receiver. Burden will see the field, but I see Zaccheaus used more heavily at first. He may play his way into the primary slot role for the season, potentially earning those 100 targets that Dave sees as a real possibility. Yet, he's rostered in only about one out of every five Sleeper leagues. If he's available in yours, get him now. If not, and a trade isn't feasible, then at least take the over on his season-long receiving prop.

Josh, who is your highest priority dynasty waiver pickup this week?

QB Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (17% rostered)

Josh: If I only have one pickup this week to speculate at quarterback, I'll take it on Jake Browning. There's nothing profound here. If the worst should happen and Joe Burrow were to miss time, then Browning would step into an offense surrounded by weapons that could even prop me up as a fantasy quarterback. Okay, that might be a stretch, but you get the idea. If you're relying on Burrow and you have the space, Browning should be on your roster. If you aren't relying on Burrow, why not take a shot at sticking it to the manager who is?

Jeff, are you also considering adding a quarterback from the dynasty waiver wire?

QB Tanner McKee, Philadelphia Eagles (19% rostered)

Jeff: I am, Josh. Backup quarterbacks are among the best speculative adds a dynasty manager can make, especially in superflex formats. I'm always on the lookout for backup quarterbacks with no lurking threat to their QB2 status who stand to inherit a highly productive offense if the starter is out. Browning is a great choice and meets that criteria, but I'm targeting Tanner McKee on the dynasty waiver wire. A 2023 sixth-round selection, McKee entered the NFL lacking the gaudy numbers other quarterbacks put up while in college because he played at Stanford. He made up for it by demonstrating NFL-level poise, decision-making, and accuracy. 

Surrounded mostly by backups, McKee completed 30 of 45 passes for 323 yards and four touchdowns against the New York Giants' starters in Week 18 last season. Prior to fracturing his thumb in a preseason practice, McKee was 20-of-25 passing for 252 yards, two touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Dynasty managers may be concerned by the arrival of Sam Howell, whom the Eagles acquired to step in as Jalen Hurts' primary backup, but they may not understand that the move was made solely in case McKee was not ready for Week 1. Take advantage of your league mates' jitters and acquire McKee while he's still on the mend. 

Josh, who else are you buying right now who is being discounted by the fantasy community?

TE Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers (40% rostered)

Josh: If you've been following our training camp reports, you already know that Luke Musgrave is essentially a co-starter now with presumed starter Tucker Kraft. It seems like a long time ago, but it was only 2023 when Musgrave was drafted ahead of Kraft and became the full-time tight end. Kidney and ankle injuries caused him to get Wally Pipped by Kraft in 2024, but he has had a healthy summer. I expect Green Bay to utilize a lot of 12 personnel this season, which has Musgrave primed to see the field frequently. Kraft has dealt with some ball security issues this summer, too, so don't sleep on Musgrave potentially ascending even further.

At 40% owned in Sleeper dynasty leagues, there is a decent chance someone in your league already has him. If you have depth where that team is weak, or you have a mid-round 2026 rookie pick to spare, he might be worth an inquiry. Don't go crazy, though. Green Bay and Jordan Love spread the ball around, so while a Green Bay tight end can fill a hole in your starting lineup, he's probably still only a tier-two or tier-three starter in the dynasty tight end pecking order.

Is there anyone else you're working the phones for before the season kicks off, Jeff?

WR KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys (19% rostered)

Jeff: I've been on the Turpin Train for much of the offseason. Dallas re-signed him to a 3-year deal after letting Brandin Cooks leave in free agency. Turpin figures to remain their top kick returner, but his role on the offense is growing. Last year, he achieved career highs with 31 receptions and 420 receiving yards. He also recorded 16 rushing attempts for 92 yards. In the Cowboys' initial depth chart for Week 1, Turpin is listed alongside Jalen Tolbert as a third starting wide receiver with the word “or” in between their names. 

Preseason reports indicate Turpin was primarily treated as one of the core receivers alongside CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, while Tolbert saw more preseason game action. No other wide receivers are on the active roster, which suggests Jonathan Mingo will be the fifth option once he returns from injury. The extent to which Turpin can handle increased snaps on offense will be something to watch over the first few weeks, but don't wait to find out before acquiring him by trade or off the dynasty waiver wire, as that window may be closing fast.

Well-aimed Dynasty Waiver Dart Throws

That covers all of our Week 1 priorities and players with pathways to immediate fantasy-relevant production, but many of them may already be on rosters in most deep-benched leagues. Let's get to some of the guys we like who are most likely sitting on the dynasty waiver wires of even the deepest leagues. Josh, who's one of the deeper dart throws you're looking at this week?