Early-season pivots on the waiver wire can unlock a championship ceiling in shallow or deep leagues. This guide spotlights 40% rostered-or-less targets at QB, RB, WR, and TE, led by Geno Smith in Las Vegas and Daniel Jones in Indianapolis, with Jake Browning as a speculative Cincinnati stash. Jones’s rushing upside in the Colts’ offense and Smith’s steady floor with a pass-heavy attack around Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, and Ashton Jeanty give managers a ready-made path to weekly upside. The emphasis is proactive waivers—read workload shifts, grab the right pass-catchers, and stay ahead of the curve for Week 3 and beyond.

Among the deeper targets, this piece highlights Colts weapons and a few sneaky lever-pullers in Cincinnati. The strategy centers on identifying players seeing increased or sustained workload, then acting fast to fortify your roster in deep benches. With the season moving quickly, being proactive on waivers is the difference between scrambling and a steady path to a fantasy championship.

The article also stresses a position-by-position view (QB, RB, WR, TE) and invites readers to consult 2025 rankings for a fuller picture of upside across formats. Stay nimble, monitor early-season scripts, and pounce when the numbers align with your roster needs.

Week 2 amplifies the fantasy risk/reward dial. Burrow’s constant pressure underlines Cincinnati’s line woes and the risk of stacking Bengals. Green Bay’s defense has become a true fantasy anchor—elite in pressure, run defense, and coverage—with secondary playmakers driving points even without big turnover totals. Detroit’s offense exploded for 52 points and 511 yards, striking fear into defenses, while Kansas City’s offense looks off-kilter and vulnerable to a multi-faceted pass rush. The rookie QB cohort remains a work in progress, underscoring the value of timing, protection, and supportive playmakers.

Week 3 spotlights a primetime parade: Buffalo hosts Miami on Thursday as the lone double-digit spread (Bills -12.5). Sunday Night features New York against Kansas City, while Monday Night pits Baltimore against Detroit. A slate of marquee matchups—Patriots at Steelers, Eagles at Rams, Bears at Cowboys—gives fantasy managers a wealth of angles. The sportsbook scene is rich with promos from DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, FanDuel and Fanatics. SportsLine's model leans Steelers to cover Patriots, Chiefs to win at the Giants, and Ravens-Lions to go Over, underscoring high-scoring ceilings and key DFS targets like Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jared Goff.

Denver fell to No.16 in USA TODAY's NFL power rankings after Week 2, a 29-28 loss to Indianapolis, exposing offensive concerns as they head to Los Angeles to face the Chargers.

Bo Nix targets Troy Franklin as the primary weapon, and Franklin's rising production hints at a growing fantasy role for Denver's pass catchers.

Across the AFC West, Chargers No.6, Chiefs No.8, Raiders No.23; Eagles No.1 and Miami No.32 define the league. Week 3's Broncos-Chargers matchup will shape early-season fantasy decisions.