The draft is over. Your team is set. But for the true contender, the work has just begun. Championship seasons aren’t just won in the draft’s middle rounds; they are forged in the urgency of the opening kickoff. A win in Week 1 sets the tone, creates momentum, and puts you in the driver’s seat. This isn’t the time for patience, it’s the time for action.
Your mission is clear, secure an early victory without mortgaging your future. This requires a proactive approach to the waiver wire, strategic streaming, and savvy trade discussions before the first whistle even blows. This is your contender’s checklist.
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The Waiver Wire:
Do not wait until Tuesday night to look at waivers. The most impactful pickups are often identified before Week 1, stashed on the end of your bench in case a golden opportunity arises. You’re looking for high-upside handcuffs and potential breakouts lurking in the shadows. This preemptive strike is what separates contenders from the pack, it’s about owning a player before his value is obvious to everyone else.
Priority Stashes to Target Now:
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, WSH):
The buzz out of Commanders camp is deafening. With Austin Ekeler’s role uncertain and Brian Robinson Jr.’s roster status suddenly shaky, the seventh-round rookie could explode onto the scene. He’s a must-add lottery ticket.
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Isaiah Davis (RB, NYJ):
Breece Hall’s name has surfaced in trade rumors. Even if he stays, the Jets’ run-heavy offense under OC Tanner Engstrand can support multiple backs. Davis was hyper-efficient in limited work last year (5.8 YPC) and offers immense handcuff value with standalone flex potential.
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Tory Horton (WR, SEA):
The rookie is pushing for the Seahawks’ WR3 job and has been a standout in camp. With questions around Cooper Kupp’s health and a high-volume offense expected, Horton could quickly become a relevant fantasy option.
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Sean Tucker (RB, TB):
With Rachaad White nursing a groin injury and coaches publicly stating they need to get Tucker the ball more, the path to touches is clearing. He’s a classic post-hype sleeper who could command a significant role.
The Strategy: Your final bench spot should never be wasted on a player with zero path to relevance. Drop that second defense or fourth tight end for one of these high-upside stashes. The goal is to own the next big thing before they’re the number one claim on everyone’s list. This is how you build depth that isn’t just warm bodies, but rather a pipeline of potential league-winners.
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Week 1 Streaming: Start Sharp
You don’t have to be stuck with a bad matchup. Contenders identify soft spots in the schedule and attack them without sentimentality. This is especially true for the onesie positions: quarterback and tight end. The points from your QB and TE spots are worth the same as those from your RB and WR slots, ignoring a bad matchup there is a critical mistake. Winning Week 1 is about maximizing every single starting position.
Prime Streaming Options for Week 1:
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Quarterback: Bryce Young (CAR)
His ADP is in the 13th round for a reason, but his finish to 2024 was promising (QB11 from Weeks 12-17). He’s a dual-threat playing behind a good line with upgraded weapons, facing a defense that will likely force Carolina into a shootout. He’s the perfect high-upside, cheap streaming option to outkick his draft cost.
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Tight End: Hunter Henry (NE)
Consistently undervalued, Henry is a red-zone threat on a team that will have to throw. He has a rapport with quarterback Jacoby Brissett and faces a favorable matchup to start the year. He’s free at the end of drafts and provides a safe, high-floor option.
The Strategy: Streaming isn’t just for later in the year. Identify your team’s weakest starter, check their matchup, and see if a higher-upside, perfectly-matched player is sitting on your waiver wire. Making this bold move in Week 1 can be the difference between 1-0 and 0-1. Don’t be a slave to the draft capital you invested, be a slave to the points on the scoreboard.
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The Early Trade Market: Buy Before the Boom
The most advantageous trades are executed before a player’s value skyrockets. Week 1 is fraught with overreactions. The savvy contender identifies players with depressed value due to preseason noise or crowded depth charts and pounces. The hours after the draft are the most fertile ground for trades, as managers are emotionally attached to their “guys” but may already be doubting others on their squad.
Buy-Low Trade Targets:
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Breece Hall (RB, NYJ):
If his manager is spooked by the committee talk and trade rumors, now is the time to strike. His talent is undeniable, and any shift in his situation makes him a league-winner. Buy the dip.
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Terry McLaurin (WR, WSH):
A contract dispute has slightly muddied his outlook, depressing his value. He remains an elite talent. Once the situation resolves, his price will return to its second-round draft capital.
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Chris Olave (WR, NO):
A minor preseason injury and a new quarterback have caused some hesitation. His talent is too immense to be held down for long. Target the manager who is nervous and see if you can package a WR2 and a piece for this potential WR1.
The Strategy: Package two good players for one great one. Identify a manager in your league who is depth-weak and may be willing to part with a stud for two startable assets. Your goal is to consolidate talent and create a lineup that is bulletproof for Week 1 and beyond. Depth is crucial, but a top-heavy roster anchored by elite, every-week starters is how you dominate from wire to wire.
The Contender’s Mindset
Your draft built the foundation. This checklist builds the championship roster. The difference between winning your league and just competing in it is acted upon in the days before the season starts.
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Be Ruthless with Your Bench.
Your bench is not for storing mediocrity. It’s a landing spot for high-upside stashes and a tool for managing weekly matchups. Every single spot is a valuable asset.
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Play the Matchups.
- Don’t fall in love with your draft capital. If your late-round QB has a brutal matchup, stream a better one. Winning weekly is about maximizing points, not being proven “right.”
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Leverage Uncertainty.
- Use the natural anxiety of Week 1 to your advantage in trade talks. Other managers are nervous, you need to be calculated.
This is it. The preparation is done. Execute your plan, work the wire, and set a lineup with conviction. Go get that Week 1 win. The season starts now.