As we head into the first week of the 2026 season, fantasy managers are admiring their handiwork. Looking at the excellent, competitive rosters they have assembled for the campaign to come. For most of them, this week's lineup will essentially set itself. It's simple—you start the players who were drafted to be starters.
Easy-peasy lemon-squeeze-y.
But some unfortunate souls aren't so lucky.
For whatever reason, the season hasn't even started yet, and they're already staring at a hole in the lineup. It could be that they have had injury issues. Or that the draft didn't pan out the way that they had hoped. Or they missed the draft altogether because they accidentally shot themselves in the neck with a tranquilizer gun.
What? It happens.
No matter the cause, some fantasy managers have to go to the well right off the jump. Consider starting a player off the waiver wire.
And it's for those managers that we're unveiling a new column here at Footballguys in 2026—the Waiver Wire Wonders.
Each week during the 2026 season, we will be building a "lineup" (1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX) consisting of players who are available in over 50 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues. Will those players single-handedly win you a matchup? Probably not.
But they can keep the boat afloat and (hopefully) post a number that will keep you in the fight. Help you eke out a Week 1 win and start the season on the right foot—even if it's in less-than-ideal fashion.
Ugly wins count the same as the pretty ones.
Week 1 Waiver Wire Wonders
QB Malik Willis, Miami (21.2 Percent Rostered)
The good news for Malik Willis is that he got $45 million in guaranteed cabbage this offseason and gets his chance in 2026 to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. The bad news is he got that money from a Miami Dolphins team that is dreadful offensively. But while speaking to reporters, Dolphins running back De'Von Achane said he thinks Willis and the Miami offense could surprise in 2026.
"He's a very smart quarterback," Achane said. "And he doesn't make any bad decisions. I feel like he's great with the ball in his hands, and when he doesn't have the good look that he wants, I feel like he's good with using his feet."
To be clear, the Dolphins are going to be a bad team this season. The passing-game weapons are barely passable. But Willis' rushing upside offers him a weekly shot at a decent fantasy line, and while the Raiders defense should be improved, that doesn't mean it will be especially stout this season.
RB Tyler Allgeier, Arizona (36.1 Percent Rostered)
It was quite the offseason for Allgeier. When he signed a two-year deal with the Cardinals in free agency, the fifth-year pro probably thought he was finally going to get a second shot at being a lead back in the NFL—a feeling that lasted right up until Jeremiyah Love was drafted third overall. However, while addressing the media, Allgeier said that he's going to be ready if and when his name is called this season.
"I've been overshadowed," Allgeier said. "Having that underdog mentality and having that starter mentality as well. Whenever that chance comes, you just got to execute and take advantage of your opportunity. That's the biggest thing for me. It's just a mindset."
Allgeier could have as many opportunities this week against the Los Angeles Chargers as he will all season long. Love is still working his way back from an ankle injury suffered in the preseason, so at the very least we should see a committee attack. If Love is still limited, Allgeier could see one of his heavier workloads of 2026.
