2021 Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
Quarterback
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 44%
Winston completed 14-of-20 passes for 148 yards and an EYE-POPPING 5 TDs. LASIK Jameis has arrived and we are here for it. He did have a pick that was reversed due to penalty but he was otherwise uber efficient. The Saints take on the Carolina Panthers this week and Winston should be a solid streamer this week and perhaps moving forward.
Others to Consider: Tyrod Taylor (4% at Cleveland), Teddy Bridgewater (11% at Jacksonville)
RUNNING BACK
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Roster Percentage: 11%
When news broke that Trey Sermon was a healthy scratch, it was Elijah Mitchell who was announced as the backup. This was a surprise to most because not only did Sermon run with the starters in preseason, he also showed well and without any negative press from the beat reporters. Starting RB Raheem Mostert wound up playing only four snaps, before leaving with a knee injury (out for season). The rookie put up 104 yards and a TD on 19 carries. The touchdown was a 39-yard run where he was basically untouched but that is the type of offensive production we have learned to admire from the 49er Shanahan run offense. Mitchell is a back similar to Mostert with 4.35, 40 speed and a 5’10” 201 lb frame. I do think we see Sermon active in week two but after Mitchell devoured 86% of the RB touches he needs to be the number one priority add this week.
Mark Ingram, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 22%
Coming into week one there were many who question which back would take the lead in the Texans offense. This was Mark Ingram in week 1 who lead the team with 70% of the teams RB rushes and played 45% of the team’s offensive snaps. Ingram had the second most run attempts in the league (26 for 85 yards and a TD) only behind Joe Mixon.
The surprise for all of us is the “tanking” Texans played with a positive game script which allowed them to stick with the run game. Moving forward I don’t foresee this happening. I do expect to see David Johnson who received a 12% target share (Ingram 3%) to be in on passing downs in weeks to come.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
Roster Percentage: 9%
As expected Miles Sanders lead the Eagles in carries with 15, but the surprise here was to see the workload of Kenneth Gainwell with 9 carries for 37 yards and a TD. He also had a second TD called back on a penalty. Gainwell added two receptions for 6 yards (9.4% target share).
Carlos Hyde, Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster Percentage: 16%
Coach Urban Meyer has made many questionable decisions in Jacksonville so far and its only week 1. One of the biggest surprises of the week was to see Hyde lead the team in rushing attempts with 9 compared to perceived workhorse James Robinson’s 5 attempts. Hyde finished the day with 44 yards on the ground adding 2 catches for 14 yards.
Tony Jones Jr., New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 23%
Once Latavius Murray was waived by the Saints, Jones became the de facto RB2 for the team. Jones showed well in preseason and wound up playing on 33% of the offensive snaps rushing 50 yards on 11 attempts.
Others to Consider: Latavius Murray (62%) Le’Veon Bell (46%), Larry Rountree (1%), James White (34%), David Johnson (52%)
WIDE RECIEVER
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
Roster Percentage: 40%
Shepard was one of the bright spots for the Giants offense which struggled mightily against a Broncos defense in week 1. Shepard had an impressive outing catching 7-of-9 balls for 113 yards and a TD. The volume could take a slight dip once TE Evan Ingram returns but he should continue to be a season long safety valve for Daniel Jones.
Tim Patrick, Denver Broncos
Roster Percentage: 2%
Jerry Judy is expected to be out 4–6 weeks with a high ankle sprain. Patrick was on the field for the second most snaps for the Broncos catching all 4 of his targets for 39 yards and a touchdown. When in a similar role last season he average a 17% target share and the Broncos offense should be much more efficient with Bridgewater under center. He’s a strong add this week for teams looking for a WR3 with upside moving forward.
Sammy Watkins, Baltimore Ravens
Roster Percentage: 14%
Watkins lead the injury plagued Ravens in receiving catching 4-of-8 targets for 96 yards. Watkins is the de facto WR1 for a team that goes up against the high-powered Chiefs in week 2. He should continue to see volume and be a possibility as your WR3/Flex this week.
Cole Beasley, Buffalo Bills
Roster Percentage: 45%
Going up against a stout Steelers defense Beasley hauled in 8 of his 13 targets for 60 yards. Best suited for PPR leagues he should continue to produce WR3 value in fantasy.
Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills
Roster Percentage: 21%
Like the before mentioned Beasley the Bills offense struggled to get going but Sanders finished the day catching 4 of his 8 targets for 52 yards. The Bills offense is something I want a piece of moving forward and Sanders should provide weekly WR4 value season long.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
Roster Percentage: 39%
With Will Fuller suspended for week 1 Parker assumed the WR1 role hauling in 4-of-7 targets for 81 yards. The receiver core could be hard to predict week-to-week with Fuller rejoining the team this week but Parker could return WR4 value throughout the season..
Others to Consider: Nelson Agholor (33%) Rondale Moore (27%) Jalen Reagor (21%) Bryan Edwards (19%) Christian Kirk (15%) Marquez Valldes-Scantling (12%) Zach Pascal (2%) KJ Osborn (0%) Cedrick Wilson (0%)
TIGHT END
Juwan Johnson & Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 11% (both)
Johnson made headlines catching 3-of-3 targets for 21 yards and TWO touchdowns. The redzone usage is hard to ignore although it was the fellow Saints TE Adam Trautman who lead the team with 6 targets (45% of Winston’s 20 targets went to TEs). I think both are waiver considerations for TE needy teams although it seems for now Johnson is the redzone favorite.
Jared Cook, LA Chargers
Roster Percentage: 26%
5-of-8 targets for 56 yards; 3rd in the team in targets (17% target share) and receptions on a fast paced fantasy friendly offense.
James O’Shaughnessy, Jacksonville Jaguars
Roster Percentage: 0%
6-of-8 targets for 48 yards; 39 passing routes (2nd most routes run in the NFL for TEs) on 16% target share.
DEFENSE
New Orleans @ CAR
Chicago vs CIN
New York Giants @ WAS
Green Bay vs DET
