Fantasy Football: Week 2 Waiver Wire
It was a strange Week 1 in fantasy football. Now it’s time to look to Week 2 and most importantly, which players you should potentially look to scoop up in your league. Hear or Watch The Fantasy Footballers discuss the top Waivers pickups every Tuesday.
Wide Receivers
Cooper Kupp vs WAS (ESPN 15%, Yahoo 27%)
With upcoming matchups against the Redskins, 49ers, and Cowboys, Cooper Kupp is a solid add for those in need of a WR. Sammy Watkins should continue to draw top coverage, leaving opportunity for Kupp. We’ll see in the coming weeks how much of the Rams’ offense Week 1 success was actually them and how much was a product of a terrible Colts defense.
Kenny Golladay @NYG (ESPN 8%, Yahoo 19%)
Kenny G. continues to impress with his smooth routes. While Mike believes in the talent, he still doesn’t predict Kenny G overtaking Golden Tate or Marvin Jones in the Lions offense. That combined with a nasty upcoming matchup with the Giants, temper expectations for the emerging rookie.
Marqise Lee vs TEN (ESPN 20%, Yahoo 16%)
Allen Hurns vs TEN (ESPN 1%, Yahoo 9%)
With Allen Robinson out for the season, targets have to go somewhere. Some are projecting more catches for Marqise Lee, while others projecting an uptick for Allen Hurns. In 2015, Hurns finished in the Top 15 among WRs in fantasy points, so it’s clear who has the most upside.
Nelson Agholor @KC (ESPN 5%, Yahoo 14%)
A big part of his Week 1 success was one broken play, however, he’s looked good so far this year. The former NFL 1st rounder has the opportunity, and is just now in his third season in the league. If you need a WR, Agholor is worth throwing %5 of your FAAB budget.
Running Backs
Tarik Cohen @TB (ESPN 7.5%, Yahoo 14%)
Cohen has looked electric not only in preseason but in Week 1 as well. He was targeted 12 times in the passing game, where we can expect him to get most of his production with Jordan Howard taking the bulk of the carries. Also, fellow pass catching back, Benny Cunningham, is dealing with a high ankle sprain. Cohen should get 8-12 touches a game going forward and needs to be owned everywhere.
Javorius (Buck) Allen vs CLE (ESPN 0.6%, Yahoo 2%)
With Danny Woodhead sidelined, Javorius Allen ended up getting MORE carries in Week 1 than starter Terrance West. The timetable for Woodhead to return is roughly 4-6 weeks but as long as he’s out, Javorius should have a lot of opportunity.
Kerwynn Williams @IND (ESPN 1.3%, Yahoo 7%)
Chris Johnson @IND (ESPN 0.2% Yahoo 0%)
With David Johnson out, the Cardinals have resigned Chris Johnson. Kerwynn Williams has been named the starter for Week 2, and coach Bruce Arians said that Andre Ellington would be the 3rd down back. This could be a messy fantasy situation on a mediocre offense.
Marlon Mack vs ARI (ESPN 3%, Yahoo 9%)
Robert Turbin received 2 total carries. It appears that Mack is the back to own behind Frank Gore.
Mike Tolbert @CAR (ESPN 1%, Yahoo 1%)
Tolbert should continue to vulture TDs from LeSean McCoy. However, you can’t count on him for anything more than a hopeful TD week-to-week.
Chris Carson vs SF (ESPN 5%, Yahoo 15%)
Carson was fairly effective on 6 carries in Week 1. Lacy was terrible, but then Thomas Rawls is set to return in Week 2. This is potentially the messiest backfield in the league. They do have a juicy matchup with the 49ers in Week 2 though. So if you’re feeling lucky (or desperate)…
Tight Ends
Charles Clay @CAR (ESPN 7%, Yahoo 11%)
While he may not score a TD every week, he could very well lead this team in targets. He saw 9 in Week 1. After most of the elite tight ends pooped the bed in Week 1, a guy with guaranteed targets seems pretty appealing.
Austin Hooper vs GB (ESPN 36%, Yahoo 55%)
Hooper had 2 targets in Week 1 and made the most of them totaling 128 yards and a TD! The TD play is worth re-watching as Hooper delivers a nasty stiff arm en route to 6 points. Hooper is as good a play as any “non-elite” tight ends; he’s on a great offense and has little competition for receptions. Still, don’t be surprised if he isn’t a consistent option week-to-week.
George Kittle @SEA (ESPN 0.6%, Yahoo 1%)
Kittle is the starting TE for what could be a really bad offense. Still, the rookie has shown he’s talented and with enough targets could be a PPR flex option or bye-week fill-in. Keep an eye on Kittle.
Zach Miller @TB (ESPN 1.6%, Yahoo 5%)
With Kevin White out or the season, Zach Miller should see an uptick in targets. The Bears’ wide receiving corps is depleted. This offense may struggle, but Miller has shown that when healthy, he can soak up targets and be a fantasy TE1.
Quarterbacks
Check out this week’s QB Streamers.