Week 1 is in the books and the waiver wire is already full of intrigue thanks to a string of injury updates, depth chart shakeups, and roster moves that our PlayCaller beat reporters have been tracking closely. Whether you are chasing a streamer or hunting for a long-term stash, here are the players worth targeting before Tuesday's wire clears.
Love is the name to know in Arizona. PlayCaller's depth chart signals flag him as a high-severity role expansion, and he profiles as the Cardinals' featured back with genuine big-play ability as both a runner and pass catcher. Yes, the backfield is crowded with Tyler Allgeier and James Conner present, but Trey Benson is widely expected to be traded before long, which only thins the competition. Love's ownership is still manageable in most leagues, so grab him now before his workload clarifies.
Pitts bounced back last season with an 88-catch, 928-yard, 5-touchdown campaign and is locked in at Atlanta through 2026. The question mark is the quarterback situation, where Tua Tagovailoa and an injured Michael Penix are competing for the starting job. Whoever wins that battle, Pitts is the clear safety valve and red zone target. He is a strong add in leagues where tight end depth is thin, and his floor is high regardless of who takes snaps under center.
If you play in a two-quarterback or superflex format, Tua is a must-add right now. He is competing with Penix, who is dealing with a knee injury, for the Falcons' starting role, and Tua's upside in a skill-player-rich Atlanta offense is enormous. He has Pitts, a capable backfield, and now Zachariah Branch as a gadget option. Roster him while he is still available and wait for the starting job to be handed to him.
The Murray-to-Minnesota move is one of the more disruptive storylines of the offseason. Murray is competing with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, and our signals rate both situations as high severity. Murray's dual-threat ability gives him a higher floor than McCarthy in most fantasy formats, and if he wins the job, he immediately becomes a top-10 option. Stash him in deeper leagues while the competition plays out.
Branch had an 81-catch, 811-yard, 6-touchdown season at Georgia and brings slot versatility plus return value to Atlanta's receiving corps. His rookie role depends on building chemistry with whichever quarterback wins the starting battle, and there is off-field risk after a misdemeanor arrest Sunday. That said, the upside here is real if he earns trust early. He is a speculative add in deeper leagues who could develop into a weekly starter.
This is more of a caution than a pickup. Giants coach John Harbaugh described Nabers' knee injury as not simple, and his return timeline is genuinely uncertain. If you are carrying him on your roster expecting a Week 2 start, think twice. Look for a safer option on the wire and keep Nabers as a handcuff stash only.
Daniels is worth monitoring as he returns from injury. Coach Dan Quinn praised his mental sharpness in early practices, and if Daniels is fully healthy by game time, he is a high-upside streamer in a Washington offense built around his legs and arm. Check his practice reports closely as the week progresses before making a final roster decision.
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