Waiver Gems That Turn into League Winners

Fantasy football isn’t just won in the draft. The true game-changers are often the surprise players who rise from the waiver wire and turn into every-week starters. Names like Priest Holmes, an afterthought in Baltimore who became a legend in Kansas City, and Arian Foster, an undrafted free agent who lapped the field as the overall RB1 in 2010, are etched into fantasy lore. These weren’t one-week wonders; they were fundamental shifts in a player’s role and opportunity that savvy managers identified and rode to glory.

💬 Who’s your favorite waiver gem of all time? Priest Holmes, Arian Foster, or someone else? Drop it in the comments ⬇️

The key to finding these league-winners isn’t chasing last week’s points. It’s identifying players with the underlying metrics. Let’s move from history to the present and break down five current waiver claims who have the profile of a season-winning stash, not just a one-week plug.

1. Blake Corum (RB, Los Angeles Rams)

This isn’t about a touchdown. This is about a tangible, coach-verified shift in philosophy. For years, Sean McVay has been a one-back workhorse coach. Kyren Williams was that guy. But in Week 2, we saw a meaningful change: Williams’ snap share dropped from 82% to the low 70s, while Corum’s jumped from 17% to 30%. After the game, McVay didn’t hide his intentions, stating he envisions a 65/35 split moving forward.

This is a seismic shift. Corum isn’t just a handcuff anymore; he’s a weekly flex option with league-winning upside. The efficiency is there: two of his six carries have gone for 15+ yards, showcasing the burst that Williams lacks. If Corum maintains this 35% snap share, he’s a viable RB3/flex. If Williams were to miss time, Corum immediately becomes a top-12 RB. This is the exact type of profile you invest in—a talented player on a high-powered offense whose role is actively expanding.

Stash him now. You’re not buying Week 2’s touchdown; you’re buying the 18 snaps and the coach’s quote that followed. That’s how you win leagues.

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2. Jake Browning (QB, Cincinnati Bengals)

We’ve seen this movie before, and it was a blockbuster. When Joe Burrow went down in 2023, Browning averaged 20.5 fantasy points per game over seven starts, finishing as a top-12 QB in four of those outings. Now, he’s back under center with the same elite weapons: Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The situation is even more fertile for fantasy production now. The Bengals’ defense is a liability, which will force Browning to throw early and often to keep pace. In his relief appearance in Week 2, he played 48 snaps and averaged 7.5 yards per attempt, immediately sparking the offense. He’s not a scrambler, but he’s an efficient passer in a system that demands it. The upcoming schedule (MIN, DEN, DET, GB) is tough, but that likely means more pass-heavy game scripts.

In superflex and deeper 1QB leagues, Browning is a priority add. He’s a proven commodity in this system with top-10 weekly upside thanks to his surrounding talent and negative game scripts.

3. Elic Ayomanor (WR, Tennessee Titans)

Target share is king for wide receivers, and the rookie is already ruling the roost in Tennessee. Ayomanor leads all rookie receivers with a 23.2% team target share and has seen 6+ targets in both games to start his career. His snap count is rock-solid for a first-year player, averaging 46.5 snaps per game and operating as the clear WR2 behind Calvin Ridley.

His spectacular touchdown in Week 2 wasn’t a fluke; it was a showcase of the talent that made him a preseason sleeper. He has excellent size and body control, and he’s already building a strong rapport with fellow rookie QB Cam Ward. The Titans’ offense has faced two brutal defenses (DEN, LAR) to start, suppressing his numbers. The schedule opens up significantly now, starting with a Colts secondary riddled with injuries.

Ayomanor is more than a flashy play; he’s a foundational piece of the Titans’ passing attack. Stash him now and watch his value skyrocket as the matchups get easier.

👉 Would you rather stash rookie WRs like Ayomanor, or go with proven vets like Wan’Dale Robinson? Let us know in the comments.

4. Wan’Dale Robinson (WR, New York Giants)

Forget the 8-142-1 outlier line from Week 2. Focus on the role. Robinson has always been a PPR safety valve, but his usage has fundamentally changed. He’s running a career-high 34.8% of his routes vertically and is no longer just a short-area target. His average route depth has jumped to 11.9 yards, and his air yards per target sit at 10.4.

Most importantly, he’s on the field constantly, averaging 49.5 snaps per game. He is the undisputed #2 option behind Malik Nabers and Russell Wilson’s trusted target on third downs (he led the NFL in third-down catches in 2024). While he won’t post 28 points every week, his floor is secure with his target volume, and his ceiling is now higher than ever with his expanded downfield role.

Robinson is evolving from a PPR flex into a every-week WR3 with weekly upside. His snap share and evolving role make him a valuable asset, not a sell-high candidate.

5. Trevor Lawrence (QB, Jacksonville Jaguars)

This is a bet on positive regression and raw volume. Lawrence is currently the QB12 through two weeks, but it feels like he’s left meat on the bone. The important metric? He’s played 137 snaps, one of the highest totals for a QB, because the Jaguars’ defense can’t get off the field. Volume is the lifeblood of fantasy, and Lawrence is getting plenty of it.

The touchdown rate is encouraging—his four passing TDs through two games tie a career-best start. The connection with Brian Thomas Jr. has been shaky, but that is a positive regression candidate itself. Once that timing clicks, Lawrence’s numbers will jump. He may not be elite, but a high-volume QB who throws a lot in the red zone is a perfect backup or streamer. The upcoming schedule (HOU, SF, KC) will keep him throwing.

In deeper leagues, Lawrence is a high-floor stash. You’re betting on the law of averages and a massive snap count to fuel consistent, startable production.

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Winning the waiver wire isn’t about who scored the most points last week. It’s about diagnosing why it happened and determining if it can continue. Priest Holmes had a new team and a new scheme. Arian Foster had a vacuum of opportunity and preseason buzz.

The players listed above aren’t just flash-in-the-pan performers. They have the key indicators: rising snap counts, coach endorsements, elite talent around them, and shifting offensive roles. You’re not just adding a player for Week 3; you’re investing in a profile that wins championships in Weeks 14, 15, and 16.

📲 Don’t keep this list to yourself — share it with your league and prove who’s running things this season. 🏆

FAQ

• Q1: Who is the top waiver wire add in Week 3 (2025)?
  A: Blake Corum is emerging as a 35% snap-share flex with league-winning upside.

• Q2: Is Jake Browning worth picking up in 1QB leagues?
  A: Only in deeper leagues; in Superflex he’s a priority add with top-10 upside.

• Q3: Which rookie WR is the best stash in Week 3?
  A: Elic Ayomanor has a 23% target share and favorable matchups ahead.

• Q4: Should I stash Wan’Dale Robinson?
  A: Yes, his role has expanded into vertical routes, giving him a WR3 floor with upside.

• Q5: Why stash Trevor Lawrence if he’s QB12 already?
  A: His high snap count and TD regression suggest a top-8 QB finish is coming.