Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2 (Fantasy Football)

Feeling let down by your Week 1 performance? Don’t sweat it. The magic of fantasy football is that every week is a new beginning, a chance to start fresh and redefine your path to glory. As you prepare for your next battle, leveraging the waiver wire becomes crucial in transforming your roster into a true powerhouse. Championships are not decided on draft day or by a single week’s score. Instead, they are earned through the strategic decisions that define a season. This is where champions are forged, and the path to the crown is sealed.

Last season, our first waiver wire article highlighted several league winners, including Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Raheem Mostert, Jordan Love, and Sam LaPorta. Now, as we gear up for this year’s first waiver wire Wednesday, we’ll break down the key players who can lead your team to victory. Let’s dive in and get you ready to dominate your league!

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Running Backs

Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers – As if Week 1 weren’t chaotic enough, news broke just an hour before Monday Night Football that Christian McCaffrey would miss the game due to a lingering calf strain. For fantasy managers who drafted him with the first overall pick, it was a crushing blow, but it paved the way for Jordan Mason to step into the spotlight. Mason capitalized in his first NFL start, racking up 147 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries, while also catching his lone target for five yards. With one of the league’s best offensive lines and Kyle Shanahan’s brilliant play-calling, the 49ers’ run scheme has historically elevated many running backs. 

Yet Mason’s performance was not just a product of the system. He showcased exceptional burst, power, and vision in this standout performance. Reports already suggest McCaffrey might miss Sunday’s game against the Minnesota Vikings, positioning Mason as a legitimate RB1 for Week 2. Even when McCaffrey returns, Mason could have earned himself a larger role in the offense. With his potential to carry you through this week and his status as one of the most valuable handcuffs in fantasy, he is the must-have waiver wire pickup of the week.

JK Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers – Nicknamed “JK One Leg” on the podcast, JK Dobbins proved both legs are very much intact and supercharged in the Chargers’ season opener. Dobbins looked electric in his Los Angeles debut, rushing 10 times for 135 yards and a touchdown. He also caught all three of his targets for an additional four yards. Highlighting his explosive performance, he broke off two separate runs of 46 and 61 yards in the second half.

Coming off a series of devastating injuries that cast doubt over his future, Dobbins displayed elite burst and acceleration reminiscent of his early days as one of the league’s most exciting young backs. Despite this standout showing, Dobbins had one fewer carry than his backfield mate Gus Edwards, who was far less effective with his opportunities. While it is still unclear who will emerge as the lead back as the season progresses, Dobbins clearly had the upper hand in Week 1.

Dobbins should be a priority waiver add in all leagues, and he is poised for another heavy workload in Week 2 against a Carolina defense that just surrendered 47 points to the New Orleans Saints in their season opener.

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Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens – Though his role may be game-script dependent, it was encouraging to see Justice Hill‘s heavy involvement in Baltimore’s season opener. In Thursday night’s loss to the Chiefs, Hill was a key piece in the passing game, catching six of eight targets for 52 yards. He logged just one carry for three yards, and with Derrick Henry healthy, his role in the running game will remain limited. However, Hill did out-snap Henry 43 to 37, which suggests his involvement could continue to grow, especially as a receiving threat.

If Hill can consistently draw targets, he could be a valuable depth piece, particularly in PPR leagues. He is worth a low-budget waiver pickup for managers in deeper leagues, though his upside remains tied to game flow and passing volume.

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos – Let’s be brutally honest here. There was almost nothing encouraging about the Denver Broncos’ offense in their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. With rookie quarterback Bo Nix at the helm, the team struggled to generate positive drives or scoring opportunities. One notable takeaway from this disappointing performance was that, despite his inefficiency, Jaleel McLaughlin out-touched Javonte Williams. McLaughlin turned his 15 opportunities into just 28 yards, which, while underwhelming, was still slightly better than Williams’ 23 yards on 10 touches.

The reality is that this backfield, and the offense as a whole, could be a complete mess. However, a running back leading his team in touches warrants consideration in most leagues, especially since McLaughlin showed flashes of potential late last season. He will aim to improve his efficiency in Week 2, facing a tough Pittsburgh Steelers defense. With TJ Watt likely pressuring Nix all game, McLaughlin could see plenty of checkdowns, providing a glimmer of hope for fantasy relevance.

Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders – After Zamir White struggled early in the game, Las Vegas turned to Alexander Mattison to shake things up. Mattison immediately capitalized on his opportunities, energizing the offense with his presence on the field. Despite his disappointing stint as Minnesota’s lead back last season, Mattison still brings value in the right role. He finished Sunday’s game with 62 total yards on nine touches, compared to White’s underwhelming 46 yards on 15 touches.

While Mattison is not without his limitations, he is effective both as a runner and a receiver, out-snapping White 35 to 23. Although he is not the flashiest waiver pickup this week, he has proven to be a part of Las Vegas’ offensive plans and could emerge as the more valuable back in certain game scripts.

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Bucky Irving had an impressive NFL debut on Sunday, making the most of his opportunities while complementing Rachaad White in the backfield. Irving carried the ball nine times for 62 yards and added two receptions for 14 yards, emerging as Tampa Bay’s leading rusher despite receiving fewer than 10 carries. His explosive running provided a spark to the offense, offering a dimension that White, while an excellent pass-catching back, does not consistently deliver. White remains the clear RB1 in Tampa Bay, but if Irving continues to prove his value, he could gradually carve out a larger role as the season unfolds.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – Tank Bigsby’s rookie season may not have been as explosive as his nickname suggests, but the Jaguars remain committed to increasing his involvement to help lighten Travis Etienne’s workload. In their Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, the team followed through by giving Bigsby the same number of carries as Etienne. Bigsby made the most of his 12 rushing attempts, racking up 73 yards — 29 more than Etienne. While it is highly unlikely that they will continue splitting opportunities evenly, Bigsby’s usage and performance were promising. His next challenge will come against a daunting Cleveland Browns defense. While he may not be startable in his current role, if Bigsby continues to impress, he could quickly become one of the most valuable insurance policies in the league, ready to thrive should Etienne miss time.

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Jaylen Wright & Jeff Wilson, RBs, Miami Dolphins – Even though Jaylen Wright was a healthy scratch in Miami’s season opener, he is still an intriguing speculative add this week. Drafted in the third round this year, Wright boasts a strong blend of size and speed, making him an ideal fit for Miami’s offensive system if given the opportunity. With both Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane leaving Week 1 with minor injuries, there is uncertainty surrounding their availability for Week 2, especially with the quick Thursday night turnaround. Jeff Wilson is another interesting option, and he actually saw some action in Week 1, carrying the ball five times for 26 yards. While adding either back is speculative, it is a worthwhile gamble if you have room on your roster, though it is currently premature to assume either starter will miss time.

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Wide Receivers

Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys – Every year, Brandin Cooks seems to be undervalued in fantasy drafts, only to outperform his ADP and prove himself as a valuable depth piece. If Week 1 is any indication, Cooks is on track for another productive year in his 11th NFL season. The veteran wideout caught four of seven targets for 40 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s dominant win over the Cleveland Browns. With CeeDee Lamb commanding the lion’s share of targets and defensive attention, Cooks could benefit as the clear second option in the offense.

Although his production has declined in recent seasons, Cooks’ role in this offense is crucial, especially with the potential loss of tight end Jake Ferguson. He is a priority add at wide receiver this week and should remain a key piece heading into a Week 2 matchup against one of his (several) former teams, the New Orleans Saints.

Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints – In last year’s episode of the “Top 10 Tips & Tricks for Winning Your Fantasy League in 2023” on the podcast, the guys emphasized the importance of focusing on upside and injecting volatility into your lineups. Few players in the league bring as much big-play potential to your lineup as Rashid Shaheed. In Sunday’s season opener against the Carolina Panthers, Shaheed hauled in three of five targets for 73 yards and a touchdown, with most of those yards coming from a 59-yard score in the first quarter. While his inconsistent usage can make him difficult to rely on, his explosive upside makes him a viable weekly flex option capable of swinging matchups. Shaheed has clear chemistry with Derek Carr and appears to be a key part of New Orleans’ passing attack moving forward. However, trusting him in Week 2 will be a challenge as the Saints face a stout Cowboys defense.

Demarcus Robinson & Tyler Johnson, WRs, Los Angeles Rams – It is easy to overlook how Demarcus Robinson ended last season, but he finished on an absolute tear, scoring a touchdown in every game from Weeks 13-16 and posting two games with six receptions for over 80 yards. Despite this strong close, Robinson was largely ignored in fantasy drafts, overshadowed by the presence of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. However, he picked up right where he left off in the Rams’ season opener, catching four of seven targets for 42 yards while playing 92% of the offensive snaps.

Robinson’s chemistry with Matthew Stafford was on display when he made a key reception in a crucial moment, further solidifying the trust between them. With Nacua missing most of the game due to a knee injury, Robinson quickly became an integral part of the offense alongside Kupp. With Nacua being placed on IR, missing a minimum of four games, Robinson has the potential to replicate his late-season production from last year. Given his role and a favorable Week 2 matchup against Arizona’s vulnerable secondary, Robinson should be a priority add at the wide receiver position.

*Also keep an eye on Tyler Johnson, who caught five of his seven targets for 79 yards in Week 1. With Johnson playing ahead of both Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell, he has a real chance to establish himself as a key contributor while Nacua is sidelined.

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Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets – Though Allen Lazard has been largely ineffective since leaving the Green Bay Packers, he showed strong signs of life in Week 1 with the New York Jets. Lazard hauled in six of nine targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns, finishing as the WR3 for the week. Despite his sluggish play leading up to this performance, it is worth remembering that Lazard finished as the WR32 in 2022 with Aaron Rodgers under center. The long-standing trust and chemistry between the two were on full display in the team’s season opener. 

With the Jets’ limited offensive weapons outside of Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson, Lazard has a clear path to establishing himself as the team’s WR2. While Mike Williams continues to work his way back to full form, Lazard is poised to take advantage of the opportunity and solidify his role. His next challenge comes in Week 2 against a beatable Tennessee Titans’ secondary.

Greg Dortch, WR, Arizona Cardinals – There are few players in the NFL easier to root for than Greg Dortch. Despite his smaller stature, he plays with incredible heart and consistently impresses when given ample opportunities. In Arizona’s season opener against the Buffalo Bills, Dortch stepped up as the team’s leading receiver, hauling in six of eight targets for 47 yards. He finished with just one fewer target than Trey McBride, signaling the trust he has earned from Kyler Murray and the coaching staff.

Meanwhile, Marvin Harrison Jr. had an uncharacteristically quiet NFL debut, catching just one of three targets for four yards. A bounce-back performance is almost inevitable for the first-round pick with his generational talent and potential, and he is expected to take over the WR1 role sooner rather than later. Despite maximizing his opportunities, Dortch was only on the field for 61% of the offensive snaps and was absent from two-wide sets that featured Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.

Even as the third option behind McBride and Harrison Jr. moving forward, Dortch has a defined and valuable role in this offense. His speed and big-play ability give him an elevated fantasy ceiling, making him a sneaky asset in deeper leagues. He will have a chance to build on this momentum in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, where he will continue carving out his place in Arizona’s passing attack.

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Tight Ends

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Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens – While Mark Andrews seemed likely to be the focal point of Baltimore’s offensive attack in the season opener, it was Isaiah Likely who stole the spotlight. Usually only known for relevance when Andrews misses time due to injury, Likely made a statement in the first game of the season and appears to be a key piece in this evolving offense. Despite playing slightly fewer snaps than Andrews, Likely maximized his opportunities, hauling in nine of 12 targets for 111 yards and a touchdown.

Beyond Andrews and Zay Flowers, the Baltimore passing game lacks a consistent target earner. While it might be a stretch to expect Likely to lead the team in opportunities each week, there is plenty of reason to believe he can be a key contributor in nearly every game. With few established wide receivers on the depth chart, Likely could take on a role more like a wide receiver within the offense, even though he remains tight end eligible in fantasy football. His versatility and playmaking ability with the ball in his hands make him a dangerous and highly valuable weapon.

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It is unlikely that Likely will be the top-scoring tight end every week, especially with Andrews due for a rebound performance. However, there should be plenty of opportunities for both to thrive most weeks. While expectations for Likely should be elevated, it is worth remembering that last season’s Week 1 top-scoring tight ends included lesser-known names like Hunter Henry, Hayden Hurst, Donald Parham Jr., Blake Bell, and Harrison Bryant. This underscores that anomaly performances from under-the-radar tight ends are not uncommon, but many ultimately prove to be one-hit wonders, unable to sustain that level of production. 

Likely’s upside is undeniable, and even if you already have a solid tight end, he is more than worth adding to your team. He should be rostered in all leagues and is unquestionably one of the top pickups of the week.

Colby Parkinson, TE, Los Angeles Rams – Replacing the injured Tyler Higbee in the Rams’ starting lineup, Colby Parkinson quietly had a very impressive debut with his new team. Parkinson rarely left the field in Week 1, playing 89% of the team’s offensive snaps and caught four of his five targets for 47 yards. Similar to Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson, Parkinson should benefit in added opportunities while Puka Nacua is sidelined. With several injuries to various tight ends in Week 1 and others who will be active but disappointed in their season opener, Parkinson profiles as a steady streamer in deeper leagues. He also could benefit from playing against a weak Arizona Cardinals defense in Week 2.

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Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers –

Even in a dream matchup against the vulnerable Washington Commanders‘ defense, Baker Mayfield‘s season debut exceeded all expectations. After revitalizing his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, Mayfield picked up right where he left off, completing 24 of 30 passes for 289 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 21 rushing yards on three scrambles, boosting his fantasy output.

Mayfield has the luxury of playing alongside a future Hall of Fame wide receiver in Mike Evans, who seems to produce double-digit touchdown seasons in his sleep. He also benefits from a resurgent Chris Godwin, a key target over the middle, and Rachaad White, another dynamic weapon out of the backfield. While it is clear that Mayfield will not always face defenses as porous as Washington’s every week, his supporting cast provides enough firepower for another top-10 fantasy finish if everything continues to click. Though expectations should remain measured, Mayfield is a solid streaming option in favorable matchups. His next test comes in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, in what profiles to be a high-scoring affair.

Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams – While Matthew Stafford failed to light up the fantasy scoreboard in Week 1, he played excellent football and nearly led the Rams to victory over his former team, the Detroit Lions. Stafford completed 34 of 49 passes for 317 yards, throwing one touchdown and an unfortunate interception. His chemistry with Cooper Kupp looked as sharp as ever, which bodes well for fantasy managers. Although the injury to Puka Nacua may slightly cap Stafford’s overall upside, he gets a favorable Week 2 matchup against an Arizona Cardinals defense that was just shredded by Josh Allen. While Stafford’s reliability hinges on having both Kupp and Nacua healthy, he is still a strong streaming option for the upcoming week.

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• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings

Team DEF/ST

• Complete Waiver Wire Rankings
• Weekly Waivers Episode of The Fantasy Footballers Podcast

Final Thoughts

The first week of the fantasy football season always presents a strategic dilemma: how to process new data without overreacting to its limited scope. As mentioned in the introduction, several league winners emerged after Week 1 last year, rewarding savvy managers who were willing to spend aggressively to pick them up. Yet, at the same time, many fantasy managers prematurely gave up on underperforming members of their roster, missing out on their true value due to impatience. 

Striking the right balance is key. Use your FAAB budget early, when some of the most impactful pickups will still be available, but resist the temptation to drop players solely based on a poor Week 1 showing. Whether you kicked off the season with a win or a loss, it is essential to put last week behind you and focus on the upcoming matchup. The first step to moving forward is maximizing the waiver wire. Hopefully, some of these hidden gems will help propel you to victory in the week ahead.