Why the fantasy football waiver wire is more important than ever

Why the fantasy football waiver wire is more important than ever

It may sound like a cliché, but those who are hoisting their fantasy football championship trophies today are doing it because of their work on the waiver wire, not the work they did on draft day.

Yes, it is important to do your research and have a strong draft, but with the number of injuries and position battles won and lost throughout the season, it is the hard work and dedication to free agent pickups that win a league. And it’s not just one player either.

The tenacity to fight for a variety of players throughout the season is what brings home the тιтle.

The season opened with a number of waiver darlings who quickly became game-changers. Those who lost Christian McCaffrey to open the year never missed a beat if they added Jordan Mason.

His three 100-yard efforts through the first four weeks helped erase the loss of this season’s first-overall pick and for those who added Mason and didn’t lose McCaffrey, their start to the season was probably even more powerful.

Jordan Mason #24 of the San Francisco 49ers was an early boon for fantasy owners. Getty Images

But the early waiver treasures didn’t stop with Mason. Both Chuba Hubbard and Bucky Irving gradually became strong running back options while Darnell Mooney and Rashid Shaheed quickly turned heads for those in need of wide receiver help. No one likes to lose matchups to open the season and these players helped prevent just that.

During the middle of the season, we lost players like Nico Collins, Chris Godwin, Cooper Kupp, Stefon Diggs, Brandon Aiyuk and Jonathan Taylor. Fantasy owners were panicked by the loss of such marquee talent but we were all quickly introduced to the likes of Jauan Jennings, Andre Iosivas and Nick Westbrook-Ihkine.

Bucky Irving certaily guided a few teams to the fantasy football championship AP

We were also re-introduced to some retro names like Kareem Hunt, Jonnu Smith and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. But the big one might have been when Bengals running back Chase Brown took over in Cincinnati. He replaced Zack Moss around Week 8 and never looked back.

Even the end of the season was filled with a variety of waiver saviors. Zach Charbonnet took over for the injured Kenneth Walker, Tyjae Spears replaced Tony Pollard and the Dallas Cowboys finally started to lean on Rico Dowdle more. Jerry Jeudy jelled with Jameis Winston for a few weeks, Adam Thielen returned from injury and Jalen McMillan was finally leaned on to fill the role vacated by Godwin’s injury. His five touchdowns in a four-game span to close the season helped numerous people win their leagues.

Every year, fantasy football managers freak out over who they’re going to pick in the first round, when all along, all they really need is a little in-season elbow grease. ‘

Chuba Hubbard dominated for the Panthers to close the season. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Betting on the NFL?

Next year, when your quest for a championship commences, be sure to remember that your first pick is just the first step in a 17-week process. It’s about your commitment to strong, in-season waiver wire work that puts you in the winner’s circle.

Howard Bender is the head of content at FantasyAlarm.com. Follow him on X @rotobuzzguy and catch him on the award-winning “Fantasy Alarm Radio Show” on the SiriusXM fantasy sports channel weekdays from 6-8 p.m. Go to FantasyAlarm.com for all your fantasy football news and advice.

Related Posts

Bears weigh .2b South Side stadium project as city searches for a way to keep NFL team in Chicago

Bears weigh $3.2b South Side stadium project as city searches for a way to keep NFL team in Chicago

The effort to keep the NFL’s Bears in Chicago has led one developer to offer up an area on the city’s South Side. In what some see…

BREAKING NEWSBengals agree to 6million extensions with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Joe Burrow’s favorite receivers

BREAKING NEWSBengals agree to $276million extensions with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, Joe Burrow’s favorite receivers

The Cincinnati Bengals have agreed to spend $276 million to keep quarterback Joe Burrow’s favorite targets, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. As reported by Fox Sports’ Jordan…

Ja’Marr Chase agrees to historic contract extension, Tee Higgins also re-ups in 6M Bengals bonanza

Ja’Marr Chase agrees to historic contract extension, Tee Higgins also re-ups in $276M Bengals bonanza

The Bengals have come to agreements on contract extensions with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, keeping the wide receiver duo in Cincinnati for the next four years. …

Tennessee тιтans reveal major decision one month before making the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft

Tennessee тιтans reveal major decision one month before making the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft

The Tennessee тιтans have decided to cut Chidobe Awuzie lose after signing the veteran cornerback to a lucrative three-year contract last spring, when he figured to be…

Former NFL Rookie of the Year dies at 84: Minnesota Vikings fans bid farewell to receiver Paul Flatley

Former NFL Rookie of the Year dies at 84: Minnesota Vikings fans bid farewell to receiver Paul Flatley

Paul Flatley, the first in a long line of great Minnesota Vikings wide receivers, has pᴀssed away at 84, the team announced Sunday. The Vikings said he…

Najee Harris appears to take brutal swipe at the Steelers in his first interview since leaving the team 

Najee Harris appears to take brutal swipe at the Steelers in his first interview since leaving the team 

Najee Harris had some harsh criticism for the Pittsburgh Steelers’ facilities in his first interview since departing the team in free agency. Harris spent all four years…