The best time to add a potential fantasy breakout isn’t always after the player has a big game. Sometimes, the smarter move is to get ahead of the breakout while the player is still available. With Week 1 approaching, these fantasy football players to buy are worth adding to your roster before their roles become clearer.
Each could see his fantasy value rise quickly if the right opportunities develop. That makes them particularly appealing as late-round additions, bench stashes or inexpensive waiver-wire targets.
Players to Buy Now
Tyler Allgeier (RB – Cardinals)
Tyler Allgeier is an easy player to overlook because the Arizona Cardinals invested the No. 3 overall pick in rookie running back Jeremiyah Love. But with Week 1 approaching, Allgeier is currently listed as Arizona’s RB1, putting him in position to have an immediate role in the offense.
Love remains the long-term favorite to become the centerpiece of the backfield, but that doesn’t necessarily make Allgeier irrelevant. The Cardinals could ease Love into action after his preseason ankle injury, and even once Love takes over the backfield, Allgeier could retain a role in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Why buy Allgeier now?
- Currently listed as RB1: The Cardinals’ Week 1 depth chart has Allgeier ahead of Love.
- Love’s injury creates uncertainty: The rookie missed most of the preseason with an ankle injury, potentially opening the door for Allgeier to handle more work early.
- Goal-line potential: Even if Love becomes the primary runner, Allgeier could carve out valuable touchdown opportunities.
- Excellent insurance: If Love suffers another injury or isn’t ready to handle a full workload, Allgeier’s value could spike quickly.
- Extremely cheap: Allgeier can be acquired at a fraction of the cost of most starting running backs despite having a legitimate path to early-season touches.
Fantasy recommendation: Allgeier is an ideal late-round bench stash for fantasy owners who want immediate Week 1 potential and valuable insurance behind a highly drafted rookie.
Ja’Kobi Lane (WR – Ravens)
Ja’Kobi Lane enters his rookie season with an intriguing combination of size, talent and opportunity. The Ravens selected Lane in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and his 6-foot-4 frame gives him a physical profile that can create mismatches in the red zone and down the field.
Baltimore’s receiver situation also makes Lane worth monitoring immediately. Zay Flowers is dealing with a hamstring issue, while Devontez Walker has been limited by a groin injury. If either player misses time, Lane could see his path to the field accelerate.
Why buy Lane now?
- Excellent size: Lane’s 6-foot-4 frame gives him an advantage near the goal line and in contested-catch situations.
- Third-round draft capital: Baltimore invested meaningful draft capital in him rather than treating him as a developmental afterthought.
- Immediate opportunity: Injuries elsewhere in the Ravens’ receiver room could create additional targets early.
- Lamar Jackson factor: Playing with an elite quarterback gives Lane significant touchdown and big-play upside.
- Cheap acquisition: Lane is exactly the type of player who can be stashed before his role becomes obvious.
Fantasy recommendation: Lane is a high-upside bench stash who is worth buying now in deeper leagues before an expanded role makes him much harder to acquire.
Jalen Coker (WR – Panthers)
Jalen Coker is entering his third NFL season after quietly establishing himself as a productive receiver in Carolina.
The biggest appeal with Coker is that he doesn’t need to come out of nowhere to become fantasy relevant. The team signed him to an extension and a larger role could turn that production into a useful fantasy season.
Why buy Coker now?
- Already productive: Coker showed last season that he can produce meaningful numbers at the NFL level.
- Strong size: At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, he has the physical profile to handle a significant receiving role.
- Ascending opportunity: Coker has a chance to take on a larger role rather than simply hoping for a few manufactured touches.
- Proven target earner: His production in limited games suggests he can convert opportunity into volume.
- Low acquisition cost: Coker remains the type of player fantasy owners can target without spending significant draft or waiver capital.
Fantasy recommendation: Coker is one of the better late additions for fantasy owners looking for a receiver who combines a reasonable floor with the potential for a bigger role.
Pat Bryant (WR – Denver Broncos)
Pat Bryant may be the most interesting player on this list for fantasy owners willing to be patient. The former Illinois standout was a third-round pick by Denver in 2025 and showed flashes as a rookie, finishing with 31 receptions for 378 yards and a touchdown.
Bryant’s path to a breakout isn’t completely clear entering Week 1. Denver’s depth chart has Marvin Mims Jr., Courtland Sutton, and Jaylen Waddle all ahead of him. Still, Bryant has reportedly generated positive buzz heading into the season, and his role could grow as the year progresses.
Why buy Bryant now?
- Former third-round pick: Denver has already demonstrated that it views Bryant as a legitimate long-term piece.
- Year-2 breakout potential: A second NFL season can be a significant development point for young receivers.
- Physical upside: Bryant’s size and contested-catch ability give him a path to valuable red-zone targets.
- Growing opportunity: He doesn’t need to immediately become Denver’s No. 1 receiver to become fantasy useful.
- Potentially overlooked: The current depth chart could keep his fantasy price low despite his upside.
Fantasy recommendation: Bryant is a speculative stash rather than an immediate starter, but he’s worth buying before Week 1 if you have a bench spot available for a potential second-year breakout.
Mark Andrews (TE – Ravens)
Mark Andrews might be one of the easiest tight ends to overlook in fantasy drafts this year, but the veteran remains an intriguing buy at his current price. Andrews had a disappointing 2025 season, but his history and continued role in Baltimore’s offense make him an appealing late-round target.
The Ravens also enter 2026 with a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle. Doyle previously worked as the Broncos’ tight ends coach before becoming Chicago’s offensive coordinator, and his background under offensive-minded coaches gives fantasy owners another reason to believe tight ends can remain an important part of the Baltimore offense. Reports out of Baltimore have specifically indicated that tight ends will remain important under Doyle.
Andrews isn’t being drafted like the elite tight end he has been in the past. That’s exactly what makes him interesting. Fantasy owners aren’t paying for a return to his peak; they’re betting on a veteran still capable of producing useful numbers in an offense where he should remain involved.
Why buy Andrews now?
- Dirt-cheap acquisition cost: Andrews is available at a price that reflects his disappointing 2025 season rather than his career ceiling.
- Established NFL production: He has already demonstrated the ability to be a high-volume, touchdown-producing fantasy tight end.
- Important role remains: Baltimore continues to view Andrews as an important veteran and leader.
- New offensive coordinator: Declan Doyle brings a fresh offensive approach to Baltimore.
- Tight end-friendly background: Doyle has significant experience working with tight ends, and reports indicate the position will remain important in his offense.
- Touchdown upside: Andrews’ size and history make him particularly interesting if he remains a significant red-zone target.
Fantasy recommendation: Andrews is one of the best cheap tight end bets for fantasy owners willing to bet on a rebound, especially if his current draft cost remains near the bottom of the position’s starting tiers.
The Best Fantasy Football Players to Buy Before Week 1
The goal with late additions isn’t necessarily to find a player who will immediately become a weekly starter. It’s to identify players whose value could change quickly once real games begin.
Fantasy owners should consider adding these types of players before Week 1 rather than waiting until their roles are obvious. Once a receiver starts producing targets, touchdowns or big plays, the cost of acquiring him can rise quickly.
For fantasy owners with an open bench spot, these fantasy football players to buy before Week 1 are worth keeping on the radar.
