Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2 (Fantasy Football)

Ohhhhhh welllllcome back FootClan! It is an honor to return to action with the first waiver wire article of the season, as we begin our quest for championship glory.

Disappointed by your team’s Week 1 showing? Don’t worry. The beauty of this game is that every week offers a clean slate, a chance to rebuild and redirect your path toward a title. Success is not defined on draft day or by one matchup. It is earned through sharp decisions that shape an entire season. The waiver wire is where contenders separate themselves from the pack and where champions begin to take form.

Last year’s first waiver wire column spotlighted difference-makers like Bucky Irving, JK Dobbins, Jordan Mason, and even a top-five finisher at QB in Baker Mayfield. Now it is time to set the tone for 2025. Let’s dig into the players who can spark your team and give you the edge heading into Week 2.

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Running Back Waiver Rankings

Player	Rank	Andy	Jason	Mike
Quinshon Judkins CLE (@ BAL)	1	1	1	4
Bhayshul Tuten JAX (@ CIN)	2	3	3	1
Trey Benson ARI (vs CAR)	3	4	2	2
Dylan Sampson CLE (@ BAL)	4	2	4	3
Kyle Monangai CHI (@ DET)	5	5	5	6
Kareem Hunt FA (N/A)	6	6	8	8
Kenneth Gainwell TB (@ HOU)	7	7	12	5
DJ Giddens IND (vs DEN)	8	9	6	10
Dameon Pierce PHI (@ KC)	9	11	7	9
Justice Hill BAL (vs CLE)	10	8	14	7
Miles Sanders FA (N/A)	11	12	9	12
A.J. Dillon CAR (@ ARI)	12	14	10	11
Will Shipley PHI (@ KC)	13	13	11	13
Roschon Johnson CHI (@ DET)	14	10	13	14

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals – After entering the league as one of last year’s more intriguing RB prospects, Trey Benson’s rookie season was largely forgettable. This offseason, however, reports of a strong camp sparked talk of him carving out a clearer role behind James Conner in Arizona’s backfield. In Week 1’s win over the Saints, Benson played a third of the offensive snaps and handled nearly every third down, finishing with eight carries for 69 yards (nice) and one catch for six. While most of his yardage came on a single breakaway run, the usage itself was encouraging, suggesting he could have some standalone value beyond being just a Conner handcuff. For now, Benson profiles more as a TD-dependent flex play, but if Conner were to miss time, as his injury history suggests is possible, Benson has league-winning upside.

Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns – Deciphering Cleveland’s backfield has been one of the tougher puzzles this offseason. After moving on from Nick Chubb, the Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins in the second round and Dylan Sampson in the fourth, while also keeping Jerome Ford in town. With Judkins only signing a day before the opener due to legal issues, Sampson stepped into the lead role and silenced speculation that Ford would open as the starter. He rushed 12 times for just 29 yards but made up for it through the air, catching all eight of his targets for 64 yards in the loss to Cincinnati. Notably, Sampson handled the team’s first carry and out-touched Ford 20–7, while benefiting from Joe Flacco’s tendency to check down at this stage of his career.

Unfortunately, the promising debut comes with plenty of uncertainty. Judkins is expected to suit up in Week 2, and the Browns face a tough test against Baltimore’s defense. With that said, there is also still a strong possibility Judkins could face a league suspension despite signing, which would put Sampson back on the fantasy radar. For now, he is worth stashing to see how the backfield shakes out, but he will be difficult to trust in lineups if Judkins is active.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs – Kareem Hunt quietly performed well as Kansas City’s RB1 last season after Isiah Pacheco’s injury, and even when Pacheco returned, Hunt remained the featured back during the playoff run. Yet Pacheco was still a popular pick as a bounce-back candidate this year, while Hunt went undrafted. In Week 1’s loss to the Chargers, Pacheco played just 51% of offensive snaps, running five times for 25 yards and catching two of three targets for three yards. His efficiency was solid on the ground, but the limited opportunities left him fantasy irrelevant. Hunt saw 38% of snaps, rushing five times for 16 yards and catching two of three targets for 10 yards.

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The near-identical stat lines highlight the expected timeshare. Hunt now emerges as an intriguing stash for managers willing to see if he can force more playing time. He is not a viable option for Week 2 against the Eagles, but the backfield battle will be one to watch. With the situation so murky, Brashard Smith is worth consideration in deeper leagues as well. He saw snaps in Week 1 despite no touches, and if both Hunt and Pacheco continue to struggle, Smith could emerge as the team’s most dynamic option.

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars – In case you missed it, Tank Bigsby was unexpectedly dealt to the Eagles last night. Coincidentally, the move came right after Travis Etienne torched Carolina’s defense for 143 rushing yards in Week 1. In the offseason, I wrote about Etienne’s potential resurgence, and this trade is a huge win for those who believed he could reclaim his RB1 status in Jacksonville. It also quietly opens the door for Bhayshul Tuten. Though he saw just three carries for 11 yards in the opener, Tuten is a dynamic prospect with blazing speed and the kind of upside that could translate to real fantasy relevance. All eyes will be on Jacksonville’s backfield in Week 2 against Cincinnati to see how the touches are distributed.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers – Despite a quiet stat line, Kenneth Gainwell saw enough playing time in Week 1’s win over the Jets to warrant waiver consideration. He rushed seven times for just 19 yards and caught three of four targets for four yards, a near-maximally inefficient outing. Yet Gainwell surprisingly led the backfield in snaps with 29, edging Jaylen Warren’s 25.

Rookie Kaleb Johnson, by contrast, saw only two snaps, signaling that the team currently views Gainwell and Warren as the primary backs. That could change if Johnson earns trust and flashes the burst that made him a standout at Iowa. Warren was slightly more productive in the opener, benefiting from more opportunities and better efficiency, which led to double-digit fantasy points. He remains the clear RB1 in this offense and the only one of real fantasy relevance for now. Still, Gainwell’s usage suggests he could serve as a desperation flex or bench stash to see if his role holds up in upcoming weeks.

Ollie Gordon, RB, Miami Dolphins – After a standout preseason, Ollie Gordon became a popular late-round fantasy pick this year, with the hope he could serve as the long-awaited thunder to De’Von Achane’s electric speed. While he was clearly the No. 2 back in the season opener, that translated to just two carries for four yards and a reception for negative yardage.

It was a forgettable game for Gordon, but truthfully, that applied to the entire Dolphins organization and fan base. Miami fell behind 20-0 by halftime against the Colts, forcing a desperate passing attack. While the team might struggle at times this season, it is hard to imagine them hitting this low point every week. That makes Gordon an intriguing waiver target despite his rough debut. Even if he was initially drafted in your league, make sure to drop it like it’s hot and check to see if he was prematurely dropped after waivers run. He and the Dolphins will look to rebound in Week 2 against the Patriots.

DJ Giddens, RB, Indianapolis Colts – Whether it signals a growing role or simply extra touches in a blowout, DJ Giddens saw notable usage in Week 1. Sharing the backfield with Jonathan Taylor, Giddens carried the ball 12 times for 41 yards in his NFL debut. While his fantasy value is limited with Taylor healthy, it is encouraging to see him positioned as the next man up if Taylor were to miss time. Taylor has played 14 or fewer games in each of the past three seasons.

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Miles Sanders, RB, Dallas Cowboys – If Miles Sanders is coming up in a waiver-wire discussion, it is usually a sign that the week was rough for potential RB options. Still, he did enough to warrant a mention. Javonte Williams’ dominant outing will grab headlines, but Jaydon Blue being a healthy scratch for the opener was significant, making Sanders the clear backup. He ran four times for 53 yards, highlighted by a 49-yard run but marred by a fumble on the same drive.

Sanders had some productive fantasy seasons early in his career, but has largely been irrelevant over the past three years. He is not a priority add this week, but seeing him step into the No. 2 role is encouraging. If Williams were to get injured or struggle like last season, Sanders appears to have the initial leg up. That said, Blue may be the more intriguing stash despite his Week 1 inactive status, as his skill set poses a greater threat to usurp Williams as the lead back. All eyes will be on this backfield in Week 2 as the team looks to secure a win against the Giants.

Wide Receiver Waiver Rankings

Player	Rank	Andy	Jason	Mike
Keenan Allen FA (N/A)	1	1	1	2
Quentin Johnston LAC (@ LV)	2	4	3	1
Cedric Tillman CLE (@ BAL)	3	3	4	3
Marquise Brown PHI (@ KC)	4	2	6	4
Kayshon Boutte NE (@ MIA)	5	7	2	6
Elic Ayomanor TEN (vs LAR)	6	8	8	7
Tyquan Thornton KC (vs PHI)	7	5	7	9
Romeo Doubs NE (@ MIA)	8	13	5	5
Calvin Austin III NYG (@ DAL)	9	9	9	10
Tre Tucker LV (vs LAC)	10	10	13	8
Darnell Mooney NYG (@ DAL)	11	6	11	18
Xavier Hutchinson HOU (vs TB)	12	11	12	13
Ray-Ray McCloud III FA (N/A)	13	12	10	15
Adam Thielen FA (N/A)	14	14	16	11
Kendrick Bourne ARI (vs CAR)	15	17	14	12
Wan'Dale Robinson TEN (vs LAR)	16	15	17	14
Jalen Nailor LV (vs LAC)	17	18	15	16
Casey Washington ATL (@ MIN)	18	16	18	17

Marquise Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs – Sometimes a player’s biggest strength is simply staying healthy and available. That has typically been a challenge for Hollywood Brown throughout his career, but he entered Week 1 fully recovered and ready to go. After Xavier Worthy left early with a shoulder injury on Kansas City’s opening drive, Brown unexpectedly became the leader of the WR room and seized the opportunity, posting 10 catches on a massive 16 targets for 99 yards. 

With Worthy expected to be sidelined and Rashee Rice suspended for the next five games, Brown has a legitimate shot to be a focal point in Kansas City’s high-powered offense. Outside of the aging Travis Kelce, his main target competition comes from JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton. Brown has flashed plenty of fantasy relevance before, but he has not cracked the top 40 at the position since finishing WR22 in 2021, largely due to injuries. If he can stay on the field, he carries WR2 upside in the weeks ahead, though Week 2 will be a tough test in a Super Bowl rematch against the formidable Eagles’ defense.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers – What more does Quentin Johnston need to do to earn some respect? Long mocked for his shaky hands, he silenced critics in Week 1 with an electric performance against the Chiefs, hauling in five of seven targets for 79 yards and two scores. Despite preseason questions about his role with added rookie competition, Johnston ran the second-most routes on the team, four more than Keenan Allen. 

We have seen him flash before, and plenty of unheralded players have popped in Week 1 only to fade, so it is important not to overreact. Still, completely dismissing his performance would be just as reckless. Johnston is still capable of a Year 3 breakout after finishing as the WR37 last season and carries more fantasy value than his reputation suggests. He should still slot in behind Ladd McConkey and Allen in the pecking order, and the Chargers are likely to lean more on the run than they did in this opener, but Johnston should still be rostered in the majority of leagues. His next chance to prove it comes in Week 2 against a vulnerable Raiders secondary, where he profiles as a volatile flex play with upside.

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns – While many expected Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku to deliver big numbers in a prime matchup against the Bengals, it was Cedric Tillman who led Cleveland in fantasy production in Week 1. He caught five of eight targets for 52 yards and a TD, flashing clear chemistry with his new QB, Joe Flacco. The matchup was favorable, but this was not a complete fluke.

Tillman was trending toward a breakout last season before a concussion cut things short, and he now looks ready to pick up where he left off. Since Amari Cooper‘s departure, Tillman has outscored Jeudy in four of the five games they have played together, a strong indication that he could be emerging as the team’s new WR1. Cleveland’s offense has plenty of mouths to feed, yet Flacco has shown he can support multiple fantasy contributors. Tillman’s next challenge comes against a much tougher Baltimore defense, though the likelihood of Cleveland playing from behind could set him up for another productive outing.

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Kayshon Boutte, WR, New England Patriots – While much went wrong for New England’s offense in their season opener, one bright spot was the growing connection between Kayshon Boutte and QB Drake Maye. Once a highly touted prospect out of LSU, Boutte stumbled early in his career but showed signs of life late last season, closing with two games of 18+ fantasy points in his final three. He carried that momentum into Week 1, leading the Patriots with six catches on eight targets for 103 yards in the loss to the Raiders. With Stefon Diggs still getting back to full form following offseason surgery and New England in desperate need of reliable playmakers, Boutte has a golden opportunity to establish himself as more than just a one-week wonder. He will look to build on his breakout against a Miami defense that was just carved up by Daniel Jones and the Colts.

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers – Since Davante Adams’ departure, projecting Green Bay’s top fantasy receiver has been about as tricky as getting to the center of a Tootsie Pop. The team seemed to address it by taking Matthew Golden in the first round of the draft, but in Week 1’s dominant win over the Lions, the rookie played just 48% of snaps and caught two passes for 16 yards. Jayden Reed found the end zone but saw even fewer snaps.

Meanwhile, the often forgotten Romeo Doubs quietly emerged as the most reliable option. He played 71% of snaps, led the team in routes, and caught two of four targets for a team-high 68 yards. While not eye-popping, Doubs appears to be Green Bay’s steadier WR unless Golden or Reed can carve out a bigger role. He has clear chemistry with Jordan Love, and the Packers offense looks poised to be one of the league’s better passing attacks. Doubs may not fill up the stat sheet weekly, but he offers consistent flex value and will look to keep his momentum going in a pivotal Week 2 matchup against the Commanders.

Calvin Austin III, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers – The Aaron Rodgers era in Pittsburgh began with questions about who would step up alongside DK Metcalf in the passing game. If Week 1 was any indication, Calvin Austin might be the answer. In a surprisingly sharp Steelers offense that dropped 34 points on the Jets, Austin hauled in four of six targets for 70 yards and a TD. It is unlikely Pittsburgh will be this explosive every week, and it is just as unlikely Austin sustains a true breakout season, but the opportunity is there. With limited competition for targets, he could emerge as a volatile boom-or-bust flex play in the right matchups.

Darnell Mooney & Ray-Ray McCloud III, WRs, Atlanta Falcons – Drake London’s shoulder injury late in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay could open the door for other Atlanta pass-catchers. If he is forced to miss time, Kyle Pitts probably should emerge as the top option, but Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud III would be next in line. Mooney, who sat out Week 1 with a shoulder issue of his own, could return as early as Week 2 and should be the priority add after finishing as WR31 last season with clear big-play potential. McCloud was effective in the season opener, hauling in three of five targets for 51 yards, but carries a lower ceiling due to his size limitations. Monitor practice reports on both London and Mooney ahead of Atlanta’s Week 2 matchup with Minnesota.

Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans – Cam Ward’s NFL debut with the Titans was one to forget, but it did reveal a development worth monitoring. Ward struggled mightily against Denver’s defense in Week 1, yet he consistently looked the way of fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor. Despite catching just two of seven targets for 13 yards, Ayomanor’s usage in his first career game is encouraging. He is not startable yet, but his early target volume makes him an intriguing stash in case he carves out a meaningful role in Tennessee’s offense. His next test comes in another difficult matchup against the Rams in Week 2.

Tight End Waiver Rankings

Player	Rank	Andy	Jason	Mike
Harold Fannin Jr. CLE (@ BAL)	1	1	4	2
Isaiah Likely NYG (@ DAL)	2	2	2	4
Juwan Johnson NO (vs SF)	3	4	3	1
Jonnu Smith FA (N/A)	4	6	1	5
Brenton Strange JAX (@ CIN)	5	3	5	3
Hunter Henry NE (@ MIA)	6	5	9	6
Jake Tonges SF (@ NO)	7	9	8	7
Michael Mayer LV (vs LAC)	8	8	7	8
Zach Ertz FA (N/A)	9	7	6	9

Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints – It feels like every year Juwan Johnson shows flashes of a breakout, only to be derailed by inconsistency or injury. Now in his sixth season, he reminded everyone of his upside in the Saints’ opener. Johnson never came off the field and emerged as a focal point in the passing game, catching eight of 11 targets for a team-high 76 yards in a loss to Arizona. He showcased elite usage with a 96% route participation rate and a 24% target share.

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Outside of Alvin Kamara, Chris Olave, and Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans is desperate for playmakers. Spencer Rattler may not be close to an elite QB, but with 46 pass attempts in Week 1 and the Saints likely to be in catch-up mode often, Johnson is set up for steady volume. If he can repeat this performance against San Francisco in Week 2, Johnson could quickly move from a streaming option to an every-week starting option thanks to his heavy involvement in the offense.

Harold Fannin, TE, Cleveland Browns – For much of the offseason, Harold Fannin was viewed as the most coveted TE prospect behind Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. Despite his dominance at Bowling Green, he slipped to the third round, going after several less accomplished prospects. His draft stock likely took a hit after a poor combine and concerns about his level of competition. With David Njoku entrenched as Cleveland’s starter, Fannin drifted off the fantasy radar—until Week 1.

Fannin played 72% of snaps, led the team with nine targets, caught seven passes for 63 yards, and even added a carry for three yards. He logged 55 snaps across multiple alignments, including 29 inline, 16 from the slot, and six out wide. That kind of versatility hints at a role that could grow quickly. The challenge is that Cleveland still has Njoku, Cedric Tillman, and Jerry Jeudy competing for targets, and they are not likely to throw 45 times or face the Bengals’ defense every week. Even so, Fannin’s usage makes him one of the most intriguing TE pickups heading into a Week 2 matchup with the Ravens.

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots – Hunter Henry has always been capable of the occasional strong outing, but consistency has limited his fantasy value. Still, he built solid chemistry with Drake Maye last season and remains a key piece of New England’s offense. In Week 1, Henry hauled in four of eight targets for 66 yards, operating as a reliable safety valve for his young QB. His reunion with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is also notable. The last time they worked together, Henry finished as the TE9 with nine TDs in 2021. Henry enters a favorable Week 2 matchup against Miami with an opportunity to build on his strong start to the season.

Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens – Even after missing Week 1 with a foot injury that required surgery in early August, Isaiah Likely remains one of the most intriguing TE pickups. He may need time to regain full form, but his return is approaching, and he has the upside to be a true difference-maker this season. Meanwhile, Mark Andrews’ decline continued with just one catch for five yards in the opener, making Likely’s potential impact even harder to ignore. 

Quarterback Waiver Rankings

Player	Rank	Andy	Jason	Mike
Justin Fields KC (vs PHI)	1	1	1	1
Daniel Jones IND (vs DEN)	2	2	2	3
Michael Penix Jr. ATL (@ MIN)	3	3	4	2
Geno Smith NYJ (vs BUF)	4	5	3	4
Aaron Rodgers FA (N/A)	5	4	5	5
Matthew Stafford LAR (@ TEN)	6	6	6	6

Team DEF/ST Waiver Rankings

Player	Rank	Andy	Jason	Mike
San Francisco 49ers SF (@ NO)	1	1	2	3
Arizona Cardinals ARI (vs CAR)	2	2	3	1
Los Angeles Rams LAR (@ TEN)	3	3	1	2
New England Patriots NE (@ MIA)	4	4	4	5
Dallas Cowboys DAL (vs NYG)	5	5	5	6
Seattle Seahawks SEA (@ PIT)	6	6	6	4

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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 key contributors 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 promising 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.

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