We are just about eight weeks into the 2025 NFL season, and things are starting to fall into place. While the world of fantasy football is constantly unpredictable, certain players are starting to prove themselves as consistent options now that we’re close to halfway through the regular season.
However, circumstances are capable of changing on a dime, and you need to be ready to adjust your gameplan at any given moment in response to a situation like an injury to one of your star players. Complacency is the enemy of fantasy champions; even if your team is winning games, if there is an obvious hole in your roster, you should be working to fix it.
The waiver wire is a great place to do exactly that. Let’s go through four high-priority additions who should be available in most leagues to add off of waivers to your fantasy lineup! As usual, we’ll also be going through a few honorable mentions as well. Let’s get into the list!
Happy National Tight Ends Day!
Note: Remember that if you don’t see a certain player on this list who you think deserves to be mentioned, it’s likely because we have already listed them in a previous article in this series!
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB, NYG)
41.9% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
This is perhaps the most obvious waiver addition of the week. Tyrone Tracy Jr. appears to be the next man up in the New York Giants’ backfield after rookie running back Cam Skattebo’s devastating ankle injury that he suffered on Sunday against Philadelphia.
Tracy is a skilled player, and it’s easy to forget that he compiled 838 rushing yards, 284 receiving yards, and six total touchdowns during his rookie campaign in 2024. The Iowa product has a background as a wide receiver and certainly showed it when he was given extended opportunities last season.
It’s clear that this offense is willing to put the ball into the hands of its running backs in the passing game. They showed this with Skattebo this season and with Tracy in 2024. The only reason I’m slightly skeptical about picking up Tracy is that I’m not totally confident that veteran running back Devin Singletary won’t also be seeing an uptick in workload in the absence of Skattebo.
Regardless, Tracy has a great opportunity to produce as the team’s lead back if he’s given the chance, and his experience as a receiver in college should allow him to continue to be a great option in PPR leagues if everything goes according to plan.
Tyjae Spears (RB, TEN)
36.4% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Titans running back Tyjae Spears began the 2025 NFL season on a sour note after being placed on injured reserve following a high-ankle sprain during the preseason. Upon Spears’ return in Week 7, he only accounted for eight touches, finishing with 40 total yards from scrimmage.
However, in Week 8 against Indianapolis, Spears showed more of his big-play ability by taking nine carries for 59 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Tulane product also reeled in all three of his targets for 23 receiving yards.
The most notable play on the day was a 41-yard sprint from Spears to set up Tennessee deep into the Colts’ territory. It’s easy to imagine the Titans giving Spears more volume after this week due to his high efficiency (6.6 YPC in Week 8).
If the third-year back finally ends up earning a starting role on this team, he could gain immense value in fantasy football. He should be a free agent in most leagues, so I see no reason not to add him despite the Titans’ general offensive dysfunctionalities. However, Spears did have his strongest performance of the year against a strong run defense unit in Indianapolis, so he may be able to perform well in fantasy football regardless of the matchup.
In short, Tyjae Spears is a low-risk, high-reward investment opportunity on the waiver wire if you need help at the running back position. He has the chance to emerge as a major part of this backfield, and that could be very profitable for his fantasy managers.
Christian Watson (WR, GB)
12.6% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
After tearing his ACL late last season, Packers wideout Christian Watson faced a long road to recovery. He was finally able to return in Week 8 and picked up right where he left off as a big-play threat for Green Bay’s offense, bringing in all four of his targets for 85 receiving yards in his first game of the season.
Green Bay’s offense is certainly loaded with solid talent, but Watson has the chance to work his way up to become one of this offense’s top targets once again. Christian Watson is known for his ability to make impressive, contested catches down the field, and his 6’4”, 208 lbs frame certainly helps him to get the job done.
Watson could end up putting together some quality play for the Packers this year, which could bring him plenty of fantasy relevance in a solid passing offense looking for explosive plays.
Jaylin Noel (WR, HOU)
12.7% Rostered in ESPN Leagues
Houston’s trio of former Iowa State wide receivers dominated during Sunday’s victory over San Francisco, totaling 166 receiving yards and two touchdowns as a group in the stead of star wideout Nico Collins.
One of the most impressive in the group was Jaylin Noel, who was selected in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Texans to contribute as a slot receiver in their offense. Noel has begun to earn a role in Houston’s offense as of late, recording 140 yards combined over his last two contests.
Noel was a great player in college, routinely winning vertically as a deep threat, routing up opposing defenders, and making spectacular receptions. It seems as though all of that has translated to the professional level, and I don’t think that it will take long for Noel to establish himself as a permanent starter in this offense. He may even be able to do so by the end of his rookie season.
Overall, Jaylin Noel has been impressive over the last two weeks, which could help him earn some fantasy relevance going forward.
HM. Isaiah Davis (RB, NYJ)
HM. Jalen Coker (WR, CAR)
HM. Colston Loveland (TE, CHI)