NFL Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Trends and Targets for Week 2
Week 1 is in the books we will look at the top players picked up on the waiver wire between Monday and today who is worth your top waiver priority or a big portion of your Fantasy Football league? Read on and see what I think. All players listed are available in grater than or near 50% of leagues.
Quarterbacks:
If you are one of the many unfortunate Aaron Rodgers managers, week one couldn't be worse.
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
25% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Start with Kyler Murray rostered in 25% of leagues, grab him, and throw him in the IR slot he is by far the best QB available in the majority of leagues, and then it is just a waiting game. He's a stash option for the playoffs, but I'm aware that most need a stream option in week 2.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
33% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
If that is not an option, the only option on the majority of waiver wires is Matthew Stafford, QB of the LA Rams. Stafford got 14.5 in standard leagues. But after this week's game against the 49ers, the next eight weeks are against subpar passing defenses. The offense leaned into what they do best: a strong rushing attack and dynamic play action pass game. While he didn't net a TD against the Seashawks, he threw for over 334 passing yards. Also, Cooper Kupp could return as early as week 4.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
53% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
I'm not buying available players that had better fantasy finishes like Jimmy Garropolo (16% rostered in Yahoo), Mac Jones (10% rostered in Yahoo) and Baker Mayfield (10% rostered in Yahoo). But Jordan Love is an interesting option as he's coming off a 29 point performance against the Chicago bears. Love was able to throw for 245 yd and three touchdowns in his debut as the number one quarterback for the Packers. His next to matchups are interesting as he takes on the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. If you're streaming quarterbacks and he's available, I'd give him a shot.
Running Backs:
JK Dobbins managers, listen up he isn't coming back. Johnathan Taylor managers you have a long wait until your first or second round guy comes back. These are the names you should look at.
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers
48% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Joshua Kelly is only valuable if you have Austin Ekler on your team as a handcuff. If Ekler misses time Kelly might be a guy to sneak into a flex spot but that is really it. But the 228 total rushing yards against an improved Dolphins defense shows that in a deep league, you might want to consider Kelley for flex options.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
33% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Gus Edwards, Justice Hill, and Melvin Gordon: If I have to pick one, I'll take Justice Hill, but honestly, I'm out on all three until someone comes out and shows they are at all consistent. I'm passing. I will DEFINITELY NOT trade for one, ahem cough, BARRY.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
43% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
I'm buying Williams got twice as many snaps as presumed starter Cam Akers. Also, more relevant snaps (outside of garbage time). Using some high waiver priority to get this guy on the team is worth the risk. He won't be RB 7 every week, but he is a mid-tier flex option every week. I'm buying in most of my leagues.
Rochon Johnson, Chicago Bears
25% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
This guy is a long-term play. He has the opportunity to get 50-50 touches with Kalil Herbert if he does not take the starting position outright by week ten or so. He is a stash, and see what happens.
Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles:
61% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
I'm buying on Gainwell. Clearly, the RB1 over guys like Swift and Rashad Penny, who got one and zero attempts last week, respectively. Gainwell finished with 14 carries for 54 rushing yards on the way to a solid 11 fantasy points. I'm a buyer. Be care as he has popped up on the injury list as a non-participant in practice on Tuesday with a rib injury.
Wide Receivers:
There are a couple of surprise names on the top 24 WRs who might be worth a pickup here they are.
Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams:
64% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Short term, these guys are well worth the gamble, except this week when they play the 49ers. The other problem is that their value decreases the minute that Cooper Kupp returns from IR, which could be as early as week 6. If you are a Cooper Kupp manager, Nacua looks like the better pick. Nacua had a solid preseason in mini camp heading into the game opener. His first game he had 22.9 fantasy points as he hit double digit catches (10 catches) for 119 yards. He was clearly Stafford's number one option and even when Kupp comes back, he'll be a focus in the offense.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers:
43% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Christian Watson is set to return in the next week or two. But it is unknown what, if any, impact that has on Doubs. He is worth a stash to see what happens. While on the surface, his stat line didn't impress, 4 catches for 26 yards, he was a red zone target hauled in 2 touchdowns. The offense in Green Bay is more free-flowing as Jordan Love doesn't have a favorite target like Aaron Rodgers did. Love spreads the ball around and it gives Doubs more opportunities to make plays.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders:
61% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Jimmy G throws short, easy passes. The short routes are going to Jakobi Meyers. I'm a buyer on Meyers, who played very well for the Pats for years. In the game against the underrated Broncos defense, Meyers racked up 9 catches for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns. While I don't think he'll tally 29 fantasy points per game, I'm buying.
Tight Ends:
Dalton Kincade, Luke Musgrave, and Sam LaPorta: These two rookie TEs look to be breaking the trend of unproductive rookie TEs. They all looked like relatively big parts of their respective offenses. If you aren't streaming TEs, they are all worth a stash. If you are streaming, take LaPorta.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots:
36% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
Hunter Henry, last week's top fantasy TE, is playing against the Miami Dolphins who let Donald Parham score 9 fantasy points against them. Henry netted 16 fantasy points against a solid Eagles defense. He should be rostered in all league because of the top heavy TE position.
Defense / Special Teams:
Browns DEF/ST:
42% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
The Browns are playing against the Steelers this week which looked very pedestrian against the 49ers. Follow those weeks with mostly drool-worthy subpar offenses like the Titans, Cardinals, and Colts.
Giants DEF/ST:
26% Rostered according to Yahoo! Fantasy Sports
The Giants are playing against the Cardinals this week. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.
