Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is almost in the books, and there were some major surprises. Several players posted impressive stats despite low expectations from fantasy managers, placing themselves on fantasy radars for the next few weeks.
Adding these players before they string a few more solid weeks together could be a great move for your fantasy team to add another solid contributor on the bench or even the starting lineup.
However, it is just Week 1, and many teams and players are still adjusting to the new season. Things will change, and it’s important not to overreact too much to the results of the opening slate of games. But adding a few of these players, if possible, could pay dividends down the road.
Here are eight players you should be adding to your fantasy football roster off of waivers ahead of Week 2 of the NFL season who could make a major impact!
Daniel Jones (QB, IND)
5% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
In a Week 1 home win against the Miami Dolphins, veteran quarterback Daniel Jones played one of the best games of his career. He came into the season with perhaps the lowest expectations of any starting quarterback, but came away with one of the best performances of the week.
Against an injured and lackluster Miami defense, Jones looked comfortable and poised, delivering strikes over the middle and down the field on a routine basis. Two rushing touchdowns added an extra bump to his total this week, but 272 passing yards and an additional touchdown through the air made his stat line even more encouraging.
Indianapolis takes on a formidable defense against Denver in Week 2, so that contest may truly prove if Jones’ impressive performance in the opening week of the 2025 season can be the expectation moving forward. Nonetheless, he impressed the entire NFL. His value as a runner and a passer could lead to serious value.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB, ATL)
20% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had a strong performance against the Buccaneers despite ending the day with a loss. He managed to compile 298 passing yards and a touchdown through the air while also logging 21 yards and a score on the ground.
Penix has certainly started the season out strong, and a few more performances like this will get him firmly onto the fantasy radar on a weekly basis. With a strong group of weapons to pass the ball to that includes Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Darnell Mooney, the 2024 first-round pick could have a breakout season in his sophomore campaign.
Aaron Rodgers (QB, PIT)
9% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
New Steelers quarterback and NFL legend Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock in a shootout victory against the New York Jets on Sunday, passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
This was the best game we have seen from Rodgers in a few years, so if this change of scenery has really given him the ability to look like his old self, he’s worth a pick-up. Don’t get me wrong, Rodgers showed some signs of life in New York in 2024, but this game was something different entirely.
Pittsburgh’s offense looked sharp and explosive, and if Rodgers can build up even more chemistry with DK Metcalf, he could prove everyone wrong and turn in a productive season.
Trey Benson (RB, ARI)
51% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Second-year running back Trey Benson got more volume than some expected in Arizona’s Week 1 win over New Orleans. Benson is a very talented running back, and he could finally be getting his chance to shine in the Cardinals’ offense.
There were reports coming out of camp in the offseason that Arizona’s backfield could feature a split workload. If that’s the case, Benson will be fairly valuable in fantasy football.
Benson converted eight carries into 69 rushing yards, averaging a whopping 8.6 yards per carry, while also bringing in his lone target for six receiving yards. He was one of my favorite late-round targets in drafts this year, and he may end up serving a vital role in the offense this season. If he’s available in your league, picking him up is a good idea.
Quentin Johnston (WR, LAC)
4% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Chargers wideout Quentin Johnston seemed to prove the doubters wrong on Friday night when he took in five receptions from seven targets for 79 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
Quarterback Justin Herbert provided plenty of volume for his receivers against Kansas City and looked the part of a top-five quarterback. This allowed Johnston to enjoy a breakout performance, cashing in multiple big plays for touchdowns.
If the former TCU Horned Frog ends up as the Chargers’ top target in the red zone going forward, he could see some consistent value in fantasy.
Joshua Palmer (WR, BUF)
13% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Like Benson, Joshua Palmer was one of my favorite late-round targets in fantasy drafts ahead of the 2025 season. He signed a three-year, $29M contract with Buffalo this offseason after spending the previous four years of his career in Los Angeles with the Chargers.
On Sunday night, Palmer saw a good amount of volume, registering five receptions off of nine targets for 61 receiving yards. He’ll be catching passes from 2025 league MVP Josh Allen for the remainder of the season, so he’ll certainly be receiving high-quality targets. If Palmer can work his way into an even larger target share, he could be a fantasy gem in the making.
Hollywood Brown (WR, KC)
50% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Kansas City is without question thin at the wide receiver position at the moment. Their top receiver, Rashee Rice, is currently serving a six-game suspension due to some past legal issues. Xavier Worthy, the team’s first-round pick in 2024, collided with tight end Travis Kelce just a few plays into Friday’s game against Los Angeles and was ruled out with a shoulder injury shortly after. His timetable is currently uncertain.
This leaves veteran receiver Hollywood Brown as the next man up at receiver. This waiver pickup won’t just be a dart throw. Brown saw 16 targets in Week 1 after Worthy’s injury; if this trend continues, Brown could play a major role in the offense until Worthy and Rice return to the field.
The target share is hard to argue with. If he receives anything close to that number in the coming weeks, he’s absolutely worth stashing on your fantasy squad.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, CLE)
1% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. was one of the biggest surprises of Week 1, catching seven of nine targets for 63 receiving yards during Cleveland’s loss versus Cincinnati. Fannin looked like the player we saw at Bowling Green and could become a regular contributor in the passing game if given the chance.
He’s a great route runner and phenomenal after the catch, so Fannin earning more snaps is not out of the question. The 2025 third-round pick could have a strong rookie season in Cleveland if he develops a strong connection to quarterback Joe Flacco.
With a unique skill set such as his, Fannin could make a strong impression in his rookie campaign.
HM. Dylan Sampson (RB, CLE)
HM. Cedric Tillman (WR, CLE)
HM. Calvin Austin III (WR, PIT)
HM. Juwan Johnson (TE, NO)