Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire
By Brandon Lane
QUARTERBACK
Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders
*Roster Percentage: 14%
Just like their name suggests, the Commanders offense came out fast and furious and CHUCK’n bombs. Finishing as the fantasy QB3 in most formats Wentz completed 27 of his 41 attempts for 313 yards, and FOUR touchdowns. He, of course, did stay true to form throwing back-to-back picks in the third quarter so don’t take those blinders off on this hot start. But for those struggling at quarterback, Wentz is worth a shot to see how things unfold. The Commanders take on the Lions this week which is another exploitable match-up if you are looking to stream a QB.
Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 46%
Winston is another roller coaster quarterback that could lead to some frustrating start/sit decisions. And if you started him in Week 1 you had to be VERY afraid at his first half stat line, completing only five passes for 24 yards. But the second half the Saints let Jameis…JAMEIS, eventually completing 23-of-34 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. It was exciting to see the return of Michael Thomas who was the beneficiary of both of those TDs, but the Saints also showcased their depth with newly acquired Jarvis Landry leading the team in targets and exciting rookie Chris Olave showing why New Orleans selected him in the first round. While I do think Winston is worth an add, Week 2 is not a time I would chose to start him as he faces off against a ferocious Buccaneers defense.
Marcus Mariota, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: 9%
In fantasy we like quarterbacks with the cheat code and Mariota reminded us he is still very much a mobile QB rushing 12 times for 72 yards and touchdown. Although he also reminded us he is still mediocre through the air completing just 20-of-33 passes for 215 yards (averaging only 6.5 yards per attempt). While the Falcons receiving corps are thin they do have two exciting young talents in rookie wideout Drake London and second year tight-end Kyle Pitts who should help Mariota produce more through the air as the season progresses. That said I would bench Mariota this week against a strong and likely spiteful Rams defense.
Others to Consider:
Davis Mills (6% at Denver)
RUNNING BACK
If available:
James Robinson (59%)
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears
Roster Percentage: 41%
Fantasy Football is all about upside and Khalil Herbert is a talented running back who I expect will see more playing time as the season progresses. And if David Montgomery were ever to miss time, you have yourself a weekly RB2 in all leagues. In Week 1 Herbert rushed nine times for 45 yards and a touchdown in a game with horrible weather and even worse field conditions. Currently he is no more than a flex consideration but Herbert is someone I would consider rostering in all leagues.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 48%
Running behind an elite O-Line on an offense that has picked up the tempo Williams should be a hot add in all leagues. I’m not one to chase touchdowns in Week 1, but I don’t think this is a fluke. Williams rushed 11 times for 28 yards and two touchdowns and while he is the clear backup to D’Andre Swift, the Lions will continue to give him weekly opportunities and goal line usage.
Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers
Roster Percentage: 18%
Starting 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell exited Week 1 with a sprained MCL and has been placed on IR (likely out 8 weeks). Many will likely be placing Jeff Wilson at the top of their waiver adds this week but I’m a bit more cautious about his projected usage. He did take over as the lead back once Mitchell went down (rushing nine times for 22 yards) but as we have seen before Deebo Samuel was also used as a running back. The team could also lean on rookies Jordan Mason and Tyrion Davis-Price making this situation hard to predict. Out of the three backs I am suggesting Wilson as the add here but you should keep the rookies on your radar.
Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans
Roster Percentage: 13%
I discussed Burkhead and his strong 2021 finish with the Texans in last weeks article. I believed he would have a role in this backfield and that role turned out to be the clear cut starter 71% of snaps compared to rookie Dameon Pierce 29%. Burkhead ran the ball 14 times for 40 yards adding five catches for 30 yards. While I expect Pierce to gain snaps as the season progresses Rex is worth flex consideration in many leagues.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Roster Percentage: 31%
Pacheco was a spicy name in fantasy circles this off season and he got a chance to show us what he can do in Week 1. CEH was the clear lead in this backfield but when the Chiefs had the game in hand Pacheco was given his chance and showed nicely rushing 12 times for 62 yards and a touchdown against the Cardinals. It’s possible we see the rookie get additional run as the season progresses.
Kenyan Drake, Baltimore Ravens
Roster Percentage: 12%
This is one I got wrong coming into Week 1. I believed this was going to be Mike Davis filling in for J.K. Dobbins as the starter with newly signed Kenyan Drake sprinkled in. It turned out Drake was the clear starter with 11 rushes for 31 yards and one grab for an additional 15 yards. Mike Davis was a non-factor only receiving two carries (including a fumble). Drake is worth an add for as long as Dobbins is sidelined but keep your expectations in check.
Others to Consider:
Kenneth Gainwell (48%), Mark Ingram (26%), Tyler Allgeier (21%), Dontrell Hilliard (7%), Jaylen Warren (4%)
WIDE RECEIVER
Jahan Dotson & Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
Roster Percentage: 23/5%
Jahan Dotson caught 3-of-5 targets for 40 yards and two touchdowns. While he didn’t see the target share of others on the team he did show good hands and seemed to be a trusted safety valve for Wentz.
If you told me Curtis Samuel was going to be a target hog in week 1 I would have laughed. But that is exactly what he was, leading the team with 11 targets and catching 8 of them for 55 yards and one touchdown. But he didn’t stop there, he lined up in the backfield 8 times receiving five carries for 17 yards. OK Mr. Samuel, you have my attention.
Both receivers are worth adding and while I think Dotson is a better prospect late in the season you cant ignore the Samuel usage making him a must add.
Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 43%
Much of the focus was put on the return of Michael Thomas and the debut of rookie Chris Olave, but it was Jarvis Landry who lead the team in targets. The newly acquired wideout had a very efficient day catching 7 of his 9 targets for 114 yards. While I don’t expect this type of production against the Bucs this week, Landry could prove to be a solid WR3 for fantasy teams this season.
Robbie Anderson, Carolina Panthers
Roster Percentage: 11%
Anderson was one of the more surprising stat lines of the week catching 5 of his 8 targets for 102 yards and a touchdown. He lead the team with a 32% target share and he out-targeted WR1 DJ Moore 8-to-6. The Panthers struggled in this game and 75 of Anderson’s 102 yards came on a blown coverage score. Anderson is worthy of a bench stash to see if he can keep it up.
Garrett Wilson/Corey Davis, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 21/6%
Let me start by saying I’m not sure you can trust any WR on the Jets as long as Joe Flacco is under center but I will say they have a lot of talented pass catching options. In his debut, first round rookie Garrett Wilson caught 4-of-8 targets for 52 yards. As it stand he looks to be the 3rd option in this offense but it’s hard to deny the potential in this rookie. He executed good route running ability and after the catch toughness fighting for extra yards.
I mentioned Corey Davis in last weeks article as someone to keep an eye on. He seems to have a rapport with Flacco and it resulted in six catches for 77 yards. He led all receivers with 9 targets and could have had a bigger game if Flacco had placed the ball where it needed to be.
For the immediate future I prefer Davis of the two as he is an every down receiver but its a situation to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Others to Consider:
Russell Gage (48%) Treylon Burks (45%) DJ Chark Jr. (40%), Devin Duvernay (31%), Joshua Palmer (21%), Zay Jones (12%), Donovan Peoples-Jones (4%)
TIGHT END
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
Roster Percentage: 27%
I was a bit surprised to see the Chargers rotate the tight end position as much as they did but Everett did lead the bunch running 23 routes while catching 3 balls for 54 yards and a touchdown. This is a high-powered offense that is going to throw a ton this season and that is exactly why I want in on that action with Everett. I don’t expect Keenan Allen to suit up on a short week against the Chiefs so Everett is a plug-and-play for me this week.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Roster Percentage: 10%
Tight End eligible in most leagues Hill could be the cheat code we all need at this unpredictable position. While Hill isn’t playing Quarterback he’s also not really playing TE. He’s basically a scat back who in week 1 rushed four times for 81 yards and a touchdown. While his production will be hard to predict the upside is one that can win you some weeks.
Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers
Roster Percentage: 24%
Coming back from a torn ACL and limited all week I was a bit unsure of what sort of usage we would see from Tonyan in Week 1. But he looked healthy to me and he caught 3 of his 5 targets for 36 yards. On the other hand ‘healthy’ is not a word I would use to describe this Packers offense. They looked lost, and while they figure things out I think that will lead to more opportunities for Tonyan who is a weekly red-zone threat. This week the Packers take on the Bears which should be a plus match-up for Tonyan to be considered as a back-end TE1.
Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals
Roster Percentage: 10%
Hurst was more involved that I expected in Week 1 catching 5 of his 8 targets for 46 yards. Tee Higgins was concussed early in the game which could have elevated his usage, but with the state of the TE landscape usage is what we are seeking.
Others to Consider:
Tyler Conklin (2%), O.J. Howard (1%)
DEFENSE
Cleveland vs NYJ
Pittsburgh vs NE
Cincinnati @ DAL
New York Giants vs CAR
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*Roster percentages based on Yahoo
