The fantasy football offseason is officially here, which means it’s time to look back at the moves that actually won leagues. While draft picks get all the attention, championships are often decided on the waiver wire, and 2025 was a perfect example of that. Each year, a handful of overlooked players emerge at exactly the right time and change the entire landscape of fantasy leagues. In this piece, I break down the most impactful waiver wire pickups of the season, explain how and why they broke out, and highlight the lessons fantasy managers can carry into next year.

2025’s Best Waiver Wire Pickups

Trevor Lawrence QB (JAX)

Trevor Lawrence was the ultimate reminder that waiver wire patience can win fantasy football championships. Left undrafted in most leagues after an inconsistent 2024 season, Lawrence lingered on waivers for much of the first half of 2025. Early returns did little to inspire confidence, as he posted multiple finishes outside the top 20 quarterbacks and only one top-10 performance through Week 11. For most managers, he was viewed as a matchup-dependent QB1 at best or a streaming option to avoid. Then, almost without warning, Lawrence flipped the script and became the most impactful quarterback in fantasy football when it mattered most. From Week 12 through Week 17, he averaged 26.8 fantasy points per game and finished the season as the overall QB4.

The turning point came as Jacksonville’s offense found rhythm under Liam Coen and Lawrence’s confidence as a dual-threat passer fully returned. His decision-making improved, turnovers dropped, and his rushing production re-emerged as a weekly floor-raiser. Lawrence delivered league-winning performances during the fantasy playoffs, including a 44.3-point eruption in Week 15 and back-to-back 30-point games in Weeks 16 and 17. Those who added him off waivers were rewarded with elite production at the most important time of the year. His late-season surge exemplified the value of upside over early-season consistency when evaluating waiver wire quarterbacks. Lawrence’s 2025 season will be remembered as one of the most decisive waiver wire swings in recent memory.

Michael Wilson WR (ARI)

Michael Wilson went from waiver wire afterthought to league-winning centerpiece in a matter of weeks. Entering the season with an ADP outside the top 80 wide receivers, Wilson was largely ignored through the first half of the year. That changed immediately once Marvin Harrison Jr. missed time, forcing Arizona to elevate Wilson into a primary role. The results were instant and explosive, with Wilson delivering multiple 20-plus point performances beginning in Week 11. He averaged over 21 PPR points per game from Week 11 through Week 17, finishing that stretch as the WR2 in fantasy football. For managers who reacted quickly, Wilson became a season-saving pickup.

Wilson’s production was not fluky, as his usage, route depth, and red-zone involvement all jumped during Arizona’s stretch run. He consistently converted high-leverage targets into touchdowns, providing both floor and ceiling during the fantasy playoffs. Even with Harrison briefly returning, Wilson remained heavily involved and continued to score. His chemistry with Jacoby Brissett was evident, and his ability to win both downfield and in contested situations made him difficult to fade. By season’s end, Wilson finished as a top-20 receiver despite being undrafted in nearly every league. His 2025 breakout stands as a textbook example of how injury contingencies can create league-winning waiver wire opportunities in fantasy football.

Harold Fannin Jr TE (CLE)

Harold Fannin Jr. quietly emerged as the most valuable tight end waiver wire pickup of the 2025 fantasy football season. Undrafted in the vast majority of leagues, Fannin struggled for relevance early due to quarterback instability in Cleveland and an inconsistent role. Through his first 11 games, he scored fewer than 10 PPR points in seven contests, making him nearly unusable in most lineups. Once Shedeur Sanders took over as the full-time starter and David Njoku suffered injuries, Fannin’s role and efficiency changed dramatically. Over the final stretch, he averaged 15.8 PPR points per game and vaulted into the weekly TE1 conversation. For managers streaming the position, Fannin became a difference-maker at a historically volatile spot.

The chemistry between Fannin and Sanders unlocked consistent targets over the middle of the field and near the goal line. He produced multiple touchdown performances late in the season, including a career-high outing in Week 14 that solidified his breakout. Fannin’s volume, combined with improved offensive stability, gave him one of the safest floors among tight ends during the fantasy playoffs. He finished the season as a top-five tight end in total points, an incredible return for a waiver wire add. In a year where many elite tight ends disappointed, Fannin provided clarity and reliability. His emergence reinforced the importance of monitoring quarterback changes and roles increasing throughout the season when hunting for late-season fantasy football value.

Matthew Stafford QB (LAR)

Matthew Stafford became one of the most valuable fantasy football waiver wire pickups of the 2025 season after going largely undrafted on draft day. Entering the year with concerns about age, durability, and zero rushing upside, Stafford was viewed as a low-ceiling backup option at best. That perception flipped quickly after his Week 4 explosion against Indianapolis, where he threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns and immediately became a priority waiver add. From that point forward, Stafford settled in as a weekly QB1 and never relinquished the role. He finished the season as the overall QB3 and delivered QB1 production in 10 of his final 14 games. For fantasy managers who added him early, Stafford provided elite production at virtually no cost.

What made Stafford’s fantasy football value so unique was his ability to dominate without rushing production. Operating at full command of Sean McVay’s offense, Stafford led the league in touchdown passes and ranked near the top in passing yards. His efficiency and volume offset any lack of mobility, allowing him to consistently deliver strong fantasy totals. Down the stretch, he elevated his play even further, posting multiple 300-yard, multi-touchdown performances during critical weeks. Unlike many waiver quarterbacks who fade as defenses adjust, Stafford remained reliable and matchup-proof. His 2025 season reinforced that elite pocket passers in high-volume offenses can still become league-winning waiver wire additions.

Kenneth Gainwell RB (PIT)

Kenneth Gainwell entered the 2025 fantasy football season as an afterthought in drafts but quickly became one of the most impactful waiver wire pickups at running back. With Jaylen Warren and rookie Kaleb Johnson expected to dominate the backfield, Gainwell carried an ADP outside the top 80 at his position. That narrative shifted in Week 4 when he delivered a massive fantasy performance while Warren was sidelined, immediately placing him on the waiver radar. Rather than fading back into obscurity, Gainwell carved out a consistent role that only expanded as the season progressed. From Week 11 onward, he averaged 17.4 PPR points per game and finished as a top-12 running back in five of his final seven contests. For managers searching for late-season stability, Gainwell became a difference-maker.

The key to Gainwell’s fantasy football success was his involvement in the passing game, which provided both floor and flexibility. Even in a timeshare, he consistently led the Steelers’ backfield in targets and receptions. That usage insulated him from negative game script and made him particularly valuable in PPR formats. Gainwell’s role near the goal line further boosted his weekly ceiling, allowing him to convert opportunities into touchdowns. While he never functioned as a traditional workhorse, his versatility made him a dependable starter during the fantasy playoffs. In a season defined by uncertainty at running back, Gainwell stood out as one of the most reliable waiver wire wins of the year.

Wan’Dale Robinson WR (NYG)

Wan’Dale Robinson quietly emerged as one of the most underrated receivers in fantasy football during the 2025 season after going undrafted in most leagues. Entering the year with a WR63 ADP, Robinson was largely overlooked due to expectations that Malik Nabers would dominate the Giants’ target share. That perception changed quickly once Robinson opened the season with back-to-back productive outings and established himself as a reliable slot option. When Nabers suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 4, Robinson’s role expanded immediately. From that point forward, he became a weekly starter in PPR formats, finishing the season as the overall WR14. For fantasy managers who reacted quickly, Robinson turned into a league-saving waiver wire addition.

Robinson’s fantasy football value was built on consistency rather than spike weeks, which made him especially valuable during the grind of the season. Operating primarily from the slot, he commanded steady volume and became the Giants’ most dependable chain mover. He recorded double-digit PPR points in eight of his final 11 games, offering a stable floor in a volatile offense. Even when touchdown production was limited, his reception totals kept him fantasy relevant. Robinson’s first 1,000-yard season came despite offensive struggles around him, underscoring how secure his role became. His breakout helped secure some more money in free agency this year, and it will be intriguing to see where he lands in 2026.

Rico Dowdle RB (CAR)

Rico Dowdle emerged as one of the most impactful running back waiver wire pickups of the 2025 fantasy football season after beginning the year buried on draft boards. With Chuba Hubbard entrenched as Carolina’s lead back, Dowdle entered the season with an RB54 ADP and minimal expectations. That changed quickly when Hubbard suffered a calf injury ahead of Week 5, opening the door for Dowdle to take on a larger role. Dowdle capitalized immediately, delivering back-to-back 30-point fantasy performances and forcing his way into a featured workload. From Week 4 through Week 17, he ranked among the top running backs in total fantasy points. For managers desperate at the position, Dowdle became a critical waiver wire find.

Dowdle’s value stemmed from opportunity and volume rather than elite efficiency, but that still translated to usable fantasy production. He played over half of Carolina’s offensive snaps in most games down the stretch and led the backfield in touches after Hubbard’s injury. While his late-season efficiency dipped, his role remained intact, keeping him in starting lineups during the fantasy playoffs. Dowdle finished the year with over 1,200 scrimmage yards and solid weekly usage. His rise highlighted how quickly backfields can flip when injuries strike. In a season where running back depth was tested, Dowdle proved to be one of the better waiver wire claims in fantasy football.

Jaxson Dart QB (NYG)

Jaxson Dart was the most electric add at quarterback early on in the season after emerging from near-total irrelevance to weekly QB1 status. Undrafted in almost all leagues due to his expected backup role behind Russell Wilson, Dart became an immediate priority add once he took over as the Giants’ starter in Week 4. He delivered 19.8 fantasy points in his first career start and never looked overwhelmed by the moment. Over his 11 starts, Dart averaged 20.6 fantasy points per game and finished as a top-12 quarterback in seven contests. His ability to provide both a stable floor and week-winning upside separated him from typical midseason quarterback streamers. For managers who acted quickly, Dart became a season-altering waiver wire addition.

The foundation of Dart’s fantasy football value was his rushing production, which insulated him from volatility as a passer. He carried the ball 86 times for 487 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, eclipsing 50 rushing yards in six starts. That dual-threat profile allowed him to survive lower passing-volume games while still delivering strong fantasy totals. Even when his efficiency fluctuated, designed runs and red-zone usage kept his scoring intact. Aside from a disastrous Week 16 performance against Minnesota, Dart provided consistent starter-level production throughout the fantasy playoffs. His emergence reinforced a familiar lesson in fantasy football: mobile quarterbacks with opportunity can become league-winning waiver wire claims almost overnight.

Honorable Mentions

Daniel Jones QB (IND)
Woody Marks RB (HOU)
Kyle Monangai RB (CHI)
Alec Pierce WR (IND)
Parker Washington WR (JAX)
Juwan Johnson TE (NO)
Dalton Schultz TE (HOU)