Winning a fantasy football league isn't just about the draft. It’s about the grind. Honestly, by the time January rolls around, most managers have checked out. They’re looking at mock drafts or, heaven forbid, actually talking to their families on Sundays. That is a massive mistake.
If you’re still playing in playoff challenges or looking to build a dominant dynasty roster for 2026, the rotoballer fantasy football waiver wire pickups you make right now are the ones that define your future success. We aren't just looking for "guys who might play." We are looking for the next breakout stars who are currently sitting on 95% of waiver wires because people think the season is over. It’s not.
The Tight End Nightmare: George Kittle is Out
Let’s talk about the 49ers for a second. The Divisional Round just got a whole lot uglier for San Francisco fans. George Kittle tearing his Achilles is a brutal real-world blow, but in the fantasy world, it opens a door.
Jake Tonges is the name you need to know.
I know, I know. "Who?" Exactly. That’s why he’s a waiver wire gem. Tonges stepped in and finished as the overall TE3 in Week 17, and with Kittle officially done for the playoffs, Brock Purdy needs a safety valve. If you’re playing in any post-season fantasy formats or FFPC Playoff Challenges, Tonges is basically free money. He isn't Kittle—nobody is—but Kyle Shanahan’s system creates open looks for tight ends regardless of the name on the jersey.
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Purdy himself has been on a tear, grading out as the top PFF quarterback over the final weeks of the regular season. If you can pair a "waiver wire" tight end like Tonges with an elite QB in a high-powered offense, you’re already ahead of the curve.
Dynasty Stashes: The 2026 Breakout Stars
Most people treat the waiver wire as a "start him this week" tool. Smart managers treat it as a "steal him before he costs a first-round pick" tool.
Take Isaac TeSlaa in Detroit.
The hype was real in training camp, but the Lions' offense was just too crowded. Then Sam LaPorta went down. Suddenly, TeSlaa started showing those red-zone flashes everyone whispered about in August. He’s the kind of player who will be a "sleeper" in every 2026 draft guide, but you can literally just click "Add" on him right now for free.
Then there's the Green Bay situation. Malik Willis has actually looked competent. Like, surprisingly good. He’s a free agent heading into 2026, and after showing he can manage an offense and use his legs to survive, some QB-needy team is going to give him a shot to start. If he lands in a spot like Las Vegas or New York, his fantasy value triples overnight. Grab him now while he's still "the backup in Green Bay."
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Running Backs to Watch
The RB landscape is shifting fast. Kenneth Walker’s contract situation in Seattle is the elephant in the room. If the Seahawks decide to move on, Zach Charbonnet becomes a Top 15 fantasy RB instantly.
- Rasheen Ali (BAL): Derrick Henry is a freak of nature, but a new coaching staff in Baltimore could mean a more diversified backfield. Ali’s lateral agility is top-tier.
- Braelon Allen (NYJ): Breece Hall is the man, but Allen is a powerhouse. If the Jets offense can find any semblance of rhythm in 2026, Allen is the high-end insurance policy you want.
- Cam Skattebo (NYG): He was dynamite before the injury. In tandem with Jaxson Dart, he could be the centerpiece of a rebuilt Giants offense next year.
Why rotoballer fantasy football waiver wire pickups Still Matter in January
The casual player thinks the waiver wire closes after Week 17. That's why they lose.
Look at Justin Champagnie or Peyton Watson over in the NBA world—different sport, same logic. They were overlooked until they weren't. In football, the "offseason" is just a long waiver period. You’ve got guys like Darnell Washington in Pittsburgh who are mountains of men but haven't been utilized. If the Steelers finally decide to use him as more than a glorified offensive tackle, his 6'7" frame becomes a nightmare in the end zone.
Honestly, the best way to approach the rotoballer fantasy football waiver wire pickups this late in the game is to ignore the "projected points" for next week. Look at the contract status. Look at the aging veterans ahead of them on the depth chart.
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The Wide Receiver Shuffle: AJ Brown and the Bills?
Rumors are swirling about AJ Brown and a potential move to Buffalo. If that happens, the entire Eagles' receiving room changes. Parker Washington or even someone like Luther Burden III (if he's still floating around your deep keeper leagues) becomes a primary target.
The Divisional Round rankings from experts like Nick Mariano already show a shift toward younger, hungrier receivers like Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Khalil Shakir. These aren't just "waiver" guys anymore; they are the new foundation.
Actionable Next Steps
Stop looking at the 2025 stats. They’re done. They’re history. Instead, do this:
- Check the 49ers' depth chart: If you need a TE for a playoff league, Jake Tonges is the priority.
- Scan the Backup QBs: Find Malik Willis. If he's a free agent in your dynasty league, add him. The rushing floor is too high to ignore.
- Audit the Seahawks RB room: If Kenneth Walker is a cap casualty, Zach Charbonnet is the biggest "get" of the offseason.
- Identify "Contract Year" WRs: When stars move, targets vacate. Be the first to add the WR2 who is about to become a WR1 by default.
Focus on the players with a clear path to volume in 2026. The waiver wire isn't a dumpster; it's a gold mine if you know where to dig.