Week 1 C2C Waiver Gems: Building Tomorrow’s Winning Roster Today

Week 1 of the college football season is a goldmine for managers. It’s not just about who popped off in the box score, it’s about spotting the signals that point to future value. Which young players earned starting roles? Who’s carving out snaps in a crowded depth chart? Which freshmen are already trusted enough to see the field? These are the questions I ask when hunting for waiver wire gems, because they reveal the players who could shape your roster for years to come. Here are my top eight waiver wire targets from Week 1, each showing the kind of usage that screams long-term C2C upside.

Quarterbacks Already Holding the Keys

Nothing excites me more in C2C than young quarterbacks who’ve already earned the starting nod. These two signal callers are proving they’re ahead of schedule and deserve your attention.

Drake Lindsey, QB, Minnesota

I’m all in on Drake Lindsey, a redshirt freshman who stepped into Minnesota’s starting role in Week 1. At 6’5 with a prototypical frame and a live arm, Lindsey showed poise beyond his years in a Gophers run heavy offense. His stat line wasn’t jaw-dropping (P.J. Fleck’s system leans on the ground game) but starting in the Big Ten as a redshirt freshman is a massive signal. Lindsey’s early trust from the coaching staff suggests he’s Minnesota’s QB of the future, likely for multiple seasons. For your college roster, he’s a high upside QB2. On the NFL side, his physical tools and development trajectory point to Day 2 draft potential. Grab him now in any C2C league.

Dylan Longergan, QB, Boston College

Dylan Longergan, a former four star recruit who transferred from Alabama and won Boston College’s starting job, and I’m impressed by what I saw in Week 1. His arm strength and mobility shined through, even if the box score didn’t scream superstar. Longergan’s ability to make on time throws and extend plays fits perfectly in the ACC, and his early starting role accelerates his development. For C2C, he’s a must-add in deeper leagues, especially if you need a fill in week to week. He’s got multi year starter potential at Boston College, and his NFL ceiling is as a high end backup or low end starter. If he’s available, I’m making room for him on my roster.

Running Backs to Stash for the Future

Running backs who earn early snaps in crowded backfields are always on my radar. These two showed enough in Week 1 to warrant a pickup.