By admin 
With Week 1 behind us, it is officially time for the first waiver wire claims of the season.
Whether you started the season with a win or a loss, there is probably a player either on your bench or even in your starting lineup who underperformed your expectations while another player at that position shined on Sunday. Or maybe you suffered an injury that opened up a spot.
If you are looking to bolster your roster with some no-name, undrafted skill players that are flying under the radar, these are some of the top wide receivers and running backs to consider, according to Fantasy Pros’ Pat Fitzmaurice.
Top Wide Receivers Available On the Week 2 Waiver Wire
Deebo Samuel: Six receptions from WR3
Deebo Samuel scored double-digit fantasy points last week thanks to nearly 50 receiving yards and a score.
While that is already decent WR3 production, it could have been a whole lot more. Samuel was stopped on an angle route at the goal line and was just a couple of yards away from another 6 points. He finished the game with 6 receptions on 7 targets.
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Perhaps the biggest thing working in Samuel’s favor is the loss of De’Zhaun Stribling. The rookie wideout was expected to be one of the top producers in the 49ers offense. But with him now sidelined for at least a few weeks, Samuel’s value just shot up. He should get plenty of targets moving forward.
He’s rostered in 62% of leagues, according to Fantasy Pros, so there is no guarantee that he’s available in yours. But if he is, Deebo is someone to consider, especially if you’re a Zay Flowers fantasy owner.
Devaughn Vele is only rostered in 10% of leagues
I’ve already put my waiver claim in for Vele after seeing what he did Sunday. The 28-year old New Orleans Saints veteran laid out to make at least two amazing catches for his free-wheeling quarterback on Sunday, and I immediately knew that he was worth a claim.
Vele finished the game with 7 receptions on 9 targets for 69 yards and a score. If he has another game like that, he won’t be under the radar for much longer. The best part is that he is rostered in only 10% of leagues, so there is a good chance he is available.
Related: 3 Big Fantasy Takeaways From Seattle’s Win Over New England
Vele played more than 90% of the Saints’ snaps, according to FP, and was the main guy sitting across from superstar Chris Olave in two-wideout sets.
As a Zay Flowers fantasy owner, he may be the perfect guy to add should the Ravens star wideout need significant time on the mend.
Devaughn Vele makes a diving catch and we’ve got a one-score game in Detroit 👀
NOvsDET on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPluspic.twitter.com/vASfQLavrg
Read more SF Giants’ Devers set to undergo core muscle surgery
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2026
Top Waiver Wire Running Backs After Week 1
Kaelon Black gets a healthy share of touches
Fitzmaurice seems to love the performance the 49ers offense put on in Melbourne this week because his top waiver wide receiver and his top waiver running back play for Kyle Shanahan.
Black is Christian McCaffrey’s rookie backup, but he gets plenty of work in the Niners’ backfield. He finished the game with 15 touches, including 14 carries for 65 yards. Kyle Shanahan likes to get creative with his offense and spread the wealth around, and Black seems to be a potential beneficiary of that largesse, much to the chagrin of CMC owners.
Black is only rostered in 21% of leagues, according to FP. But Fitzmaurice expects him to be a popular waiver wire pick after he played 43.1% of the 49ers offensive snaps.
Tyjae Spears: Look beyond the headline stats
Picking up players who had solid Week 1 stats takes some effort, but it’s not rocket science. Picking up a player with anemic stats, but who is still a breakout candidate, takes a bit more work.
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears finished Sunday’s loss to the Jets with just 3 rushes for 12 yards, 1 reception of 4 yards, and 0 TDs. So, the reason for the optimism? Usage.
Spears only played one fewer snap than presumed lead back Tony Pollard while running 17 passing routes compared to Pollard’s 8. According to Fitzmaurice, the Titans’ backfield might be more of a committee than fantasy managers anticipated. The downside is that the Titans’ offense is expected to be horrible this season. So even with some opportunities, it isn’t guaranteed that Spears will produce.
Still, he is rostered in only 47% of leagues, and if you’re looking for a hidden gem who is on no one’s radar after Week 1, Spears could be your guy.
Top Waiver Wire Tight End Available After Week 1
Dalton Schultz will see favorable week 2 matchup
In previous seasons, Dalton Schultz would have been a must-draft tight end. This season, he is rostered in only 34% of leagues.
His four receptions for 35 yards on eight targets probably won’t lead to a rush to pick him up, but he has a favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals coming up next week.
The Bengals gave up the most fantasy points to tight ends by far last season, and while their defense looked markedly better on Sunday, it’s hard for the Bengals to change their stripes.
Plus, while the Bills did a good job containing him, Schultz still had 8 targets, second on the team behind only Nico Collins’ 10.
Read more Ravens considering free-agent WR signing after injuries
Related: Four Fantasy Football Flex Players You Must Start Week 1
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 3:33 PM.