Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
I hope you all had a great start to the fantasy football season. We saw a ton of action in Week 1 along with some performances from some unlikely candidates. I am looking at you Ryan Fitzpatrick. Anyway, with Week 1 in the books, it’s time to look forward to Week 2. The only thing I like more than hitting the gym…is hitting up the waiver wire.
Key Tips:
- At the bottom of each position group, I have listed the order in which you should prioritize each player. Along with some free agent acquisition budget FAAB recommendations.
- Remember fantasy leagues are often won on the waiver wire, so be smart and do not spend all of your FAAB too early!
Without further ado, here are your waiver wire targets for Week 2!
Week 2 Waiver Wire QB Pickups
- Tyrod Taylor
ESPN: Less than 38% owned
Taylor is not the greatest passer, but what he lacks through the air he more than makes up on the ground. He finished Week 1 had the #6 quarterback overall with just 197 passing yards. It was his 77 rushing yards that propelled him to a top-tier fantasy week. This sets a great floor for Taylor, and he is someone that can be picked up and started in Week 2. Taylor will be taking on the Saints who just allowed over 40 fantasy points to Fitzpatrick. Worth mentioning that Fitzpatrick was able to rush for 36 yards and a touchdown against New Orleans. Bodes well for Taylor who will be sure to take off and run.
- Matt Ryan
ESPN: Less than 85% owned
Now he is probably owned in one of your leagues, but there is a solid chance the Ryan owner may drop him as waivers process. I am telling you right now that Ryan will bounce back in Week 2 at home against the Panthers. His matchup against the stout Eagles defense was tough and his fantasy numbers showed that. However, the one defense that always brings out the best in Matt Ryan in non-other than the Carolina Panthers. Last season Ryan threw for over 300 yards just four times. Two of those time were against Carolina.
- Case Keenum
ESPN: Less than 13% owned
Keenum finished just outside the top 12 quarterbacks in Week 1, most notably due to his three interceptions against the Seahawks. However, he did manage to also toss for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. In Week 2, Keenum takes on the Raiders in another plus matchup at home. Keenum has shown great chemistry with the Broncos’ receivers and I think success continues. The rest of his schedule after Week 3 is great. Week 3 is Baltimore which is tough on the road, but Weeks 4 and 5 he has Kansas City and the Jets respectively. Case closed.
*Priority Order* Matt Ryan, Tyrod Taylor, Case Keenum FAAB Spend: 6%-7% of the total budget
Week 2 Waiver Wire RB Pickups
- James Conner
ESPN: Less than 88% owned
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. In this case, one man’s holdout ruined Week 1 for some fantasy owners, while bringing sheer joy to others. Owned in the majority of most leagues, Conner stepped up big time in the absence of Le’Veon Bell. Whoever is the Steelers’ starting running back absolutely dominants so be aggressive when targeting Conner in waivers. I would go as far as spending 50-60% of my FAAB to make sure I can get Conner. You’ll fire him up in your lineups again for Week 2 against the Chiefs who gave up the second most fantasy points to the RB in Week 1.
FAAB Spend: 50-60%
- T.J. Yeldon
ESPN: Less than 9% owned
Leonard Fournette, at it again. Another season and another injury. Fournette is constantly dealing with injuries and in his absence, Yeldon’s role increased. He played on 39/63 snaps but got work in both the passing and running game. Corey Grant only played 6 snaps, so the Jaguars seem fine rolling with Yeldon as the three-down back if Fournette misses time. Even if you are not the Fournette owner, still try and add Yeldon. This will probably not be the last time Fournette deals with injuries in 2018. Yeldon has short-term value for Week 2 versus the Patriots, and long-term value as well.
FAAB Spend: 25%
- Phillip Lindsay
ESPN: Less than 2% owned
Do whatever you can to grab Philip Lindsay. He played just under 35% of the offensive snaps just under Royce Freeman (39%) and above Devontae Booker (26%) during Week 1. He had 15 carries for 71 yards along with a receiving touchdown. 15 carries is a significant amount and with his usage in the passing game, Lindsay could find himself with a weekly role in the Broncos offense. Definitely could be used in Week 2 versus the Raiders who allowed over 100 rushing yards and 39 receiving yards to Todd Gurley in Week 1.
FAAB Spend: 20%
- Aaron Jones
ESPN: Less than 42% owned
Aaron Jones is still on suspension for another week, which is why you need to pick him up now. Jamaal Williams dominated with 61.67% of the snaps over Ty Montgomery who just had 38.33% of the offensive snaps. Williams finished the day with 47 rushing yards on 15 carries (3.13 yards per carry) and no receptions. Not exactly an amazing stat line. Now add the game gone differently, Williams would have probably seen more action, but his role diminished when the Packers fell behind.
Either way, Williams was not super productive when he was carrying the ball, and in Week 2 he has the difficult Vikings defense to face. If Williams underwhelms for a second straight week who’s to say we don’t see Jones taking over that running back role? When scanning the waiver wire, you always want to think of a best-case scenario with the players you add. A player with the potential to be the starting running back on the Green Bay Packers is worth the add.
FAAB Spend: 10%
[lac]Austin Ekeler
ESPN: Less than 11% owned
Austin Ekeler will not go away. As much as I love Melvin Gordon, Ekeler always seems to make the most with his touches. 5 carries for 39 yards and 5 receptions for 87 yards with a touchdown. In PPR leagues Ekeler finished as the RB #6 on the week in PPR formats. We have seen this before with certain “space” backs, having an efficient production with limited opportunities. The reason that I think Ekeler is a smart waiver add though is because this is not a flash in the pan. He did this last year too. And with the Bills on schedule for Week 2, I think Ekeler can be a solid flex play.
FAAB Spend: 5%
- Javorius Allen
ESPN: Less than 14% owned
Javorius Allen has the potential to have a significant role on the Baltimore Ravens. Kenneth Dixon will miss a few weeks with a knee injury, making the pass-catching running back role Allen’s to own. Allen actually led the Ravens in snaps (37.50%) over Alex Collins (33.75%). Collins saw his role decrease after a fumble in Week 1, so Allen could see the potential for more work if Collins continues to have fumbling issues. In Week 2, the Ravens face the Bengals who allowed 6 receptions for 65 yards to the running back position in Week 1.
FAAB Spend: 5%
- Darren Sproles
ESPN: Less than 10% owned
Darren Sproles shocked a lot of people by his usage last Thursday night. He was third in the team in total targets (7) and played the same amount of snaps as Jay Ajayi (40.28%). Even if we see Ajayi’s usage increase as the primary runner, Sproles is clearly ahead of Corey Clement in the passing game.
FAAB Spend: 3%
- Jalen Richard
ESPN: Less than 1% owned
Is Richard playing the Chris Thompson role under Jon Gruden? He wrapped up Monday night football with nine receptions for 55 yards to go along with 5 rushes for 24 yards. Now, this may have been basically what the Rams defense was allowed, but those numbers pop out. Richard is vastly superior in the passing game to Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin, so in deep PPR formats, Richard is worth an add.
FAAB Spend: 2%
*RB Priority* Conner, Yeldon, Lindsay, Jones, Ekeler, Allen, Sproles, Richard
Week 2 Waiver Wire WR Pickups
- Tyler Lockett
ESPN: Less than 53% owned
Tyler Lockett is still available in a ton of leagues. With the Doug Baldwin injury, there is a chance that Lockett could emerge as the number one wide receiver on the Seahawks. He flashed in Week 1 with 3 receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Lockett is the number one receiver to target on waivers because he already has established rapport with Russell Wilson. Played on a team-high 98.25% of offensive snaps.
FAAB Spend: 15%
- Chris Godwin
ESPN: Less than 34% owned
Godwin has the great potential to emerge. The last two games he has played Week 17 2017 season and Week 1 2018 season these are his number: DeSean Jackson has a concussion so I am hesitant to add him over Chris Godwin. That being said Godwin would benefit significantly if Jackson were to miss time. In four games last season where he had at least 6 targets he had at least 86 yards receiving.
FAAB Spend: 15%
- Quincy Enuwa
ESPN: Less than 10% owned
Arguably the best Jets wide receiver, Enuwa compiled 6 receptions for 63 yards and touchdown in a Week 1 blowout over the Lions. He had 10 targets, whereas no other Jets wide receiver had more than three targets…That is a huge sign of Enuwa becoming the alpha wide receiver in Gang Green. Enuwa can be added and started entering Week 2 versus the Dolphins.
FAAB Spend: 15%
- Geronimo Allison
ESPN: Less than 20% owned
Allison has been a personal favorite of mine, and he showed up Week 1. Was second on the team in targets (8), and was on the field for 70% of the offensive snaps. Finished with 5 catches for 69 yards and touchdown. As long as Aaron Rodgers remains the starting quarterback in Green Bay, Allison should be owned in all formats. In Week 2 the Packers will play the Vikings, which means top cornerback Xavier Rhodes will be most likely working on Davante Adams. That should open up targets for Allison.
FAAB Spend: 15%
- Brandon Marshall
ESPN: Less than 20% owned
Marshall looks most likely to be the number two option in the Seattle Seahawks passing attack behind Tyler Lockett. However, Marshall may have more touchdown upside in the red zone which is why his addition is very intriguing. Marshall was second on the team in snaps and led the Seahawks in targets. One of the best strategies in fantasy football is to acquire receivers attached to great quarterbacks. That is why Marshall is an add this week on the waiver wire. The matchup is also excellent in Week 2 against the Bears who allowed the second most fantasy points to the WR position in Week 1.
FAAB Spend: 5%
- Mike Wallace
ESPN: Less than 25% owned
Possibly more of a DFS darling play, but Mike Wallace played a ton on Thursday night. He was on the field for over 91% of the snaps and had three targets. Now that does not seem like a very forward-thinking stat line, but it is really more about the depth of the targets. Each of those targets was a long pass down the field. On Thursday night Nick Foles and Wallace never connected, but I love the matchup in Week 2 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wallace should at least be able to reel in one deep reception against the Buccaneers soft secondary.
FAAB Spend: 2%
- Ryan Grant
ESPN: Less than 10% owned
It was unknown going into the season who exactly would be the number two wide receiver behind T.Y. Hilton. If Week is any indicator of who has that role, it appears Grant is lined up at the number two on the Colts. He finished with nine targets and played 65 snaps. Those 65 snaps only trailed Hilton and Jack Doyle of the offensive skill players.
- Dante Pettis
ESPN: Less than 1% owned
Marquise Goodwin left the game in Week 1 with a quad injury and Pettis stepped up. Overall he finished the game playing in 72.73% of the offensive snaps. Pettis made the most of his opportunities and it is promising that Garroppolo targeted him in the end zone. Pierre Garcon has not exactly created much buzz this offseason, and with Goodwin possibly hurt, there’s an opportunity for Pettis to step into a larger role on the 49ers offense.
FAAB Spend: 1%
FAAB Spend: 2%
- Phillip Dorsett
ESPN: Less than 5% owned
Keep your eyes out for Chris Hogan as well. Some owners may be trigger happy after his abysmal Week 1 performance. Even though Hogan beat his defender for an easy touchdown, but was held on the play. Tom Brady looks to have trust in Dorsett, so that is why he is worth an add. Not sure he will be useful in Week 2 versus Jacksonville, but his matchups are better in the following weeks. He is getting starter snaps, so he has value at least till Julian Edelman returns.
FAAB Spend: 1%
*WR Priority* Lockett, Godwin, Enuwa, Allison, Marshall, Wallace, Grant, Pettis, Dorsett
Week 2 Waiver Wire TE Pickups
- Jared Cook
ESPN: Less than 28% owned
Can somebody check in the kitchen? I think the Cook is on fire. Seriously on Monday night, Cook was the one dominant force on the Raiders going for 180 receiving yards on 9 receptions. Now Cook has done this to use before. Flashed big and then disappear. However, the Raiders have some many question marks on offense, that you may need to roll with Cook. Or you can add him and then trade him to the Delanie Walker owner.
FAAB Spend: 10%
- Ricky Seals-Jones
ESPN: Less than .5% owned
Yeah, no doubt Seal-Jones put up a dud in Week 1. But what is most important about it were his snaps. He was on the field for over 92% of the offensive snaps. What is most enticing about Seals-Jones this week is his matchup against the Rams in Week 2. The Rams in Week 1 allowed 180 receiving yards to tight end, Jared Cook. That’s something that I can definitely buy into.
FAAB Spend: 5%
- George Kittle
ESPN: Less than 38% owned
Kittle’s preseason injury really hurt his stock in drafts. I am surprised at how low his ownership percentage is at, but this is where you need to take advantage. He led the 49ers in targets (9) and was second on the team in offensive skill position snaps. He actually could have even had a larger fantasy day, but was unable to haul in a pass from Jimmy Garoppolo that could have been an 80-yard touchdown. With the potential to realistically be the number one option in the 49ers offense Kittle is my number one add the tight end position. In Week 2, Kittle takes on the Lions who have traditionally been terrible versus the tight end position.
FAAB Spend: 15%
- Jonnu Smith
ESPN: Less than .3% owned
Enter Jonnu Smith, the athletic freak who will take place for Delanie Walker. Smith has a great profile and many fantasy players have been waiting for his opportunity to finally come. With injuries across the board in Tennesee, Smith has a real opportunity here to emerge as a go-to weapon for Marcus Mariota.
FAAB Spend: 3%
- Ian Thomas
ESPN: Less than .5% owned
Maybe Greg Olsen should have just retired…The veteran tight looks to be out for at least awhile with another foot injury. The same injury that kept him out of action for such a long time last season. Regardless in his absence, Thomas will step in. The Panthers really like this guy as they took him with their first pick in the fourth round. Will take some time as a rookie tight end but may be worth stashing in deeper or two tight end formats.
FAAB Spend: 1%
*TE Priority* Kittle, Cook, Seals-Jones, Smith, Thomas
Defense/Special Teams Waiver Wire Pickups
[lac]Los Angeles Chargers
ESPN: Less than 3% owned
A lot of owners may drop the Chargers defense after they put up a dud versus the Chiefs in Week 2. If that happens to send them a thank you letter. The Chargers have the Bills in Week 2. New fantasy football tip? Play any defense that plays Nathan Peterman and the Bills.
– Andrew Erickson is a fantasy writer for Gridiron Experts. Follow me and vote in my twitter poll!
Who Will Be The Top Player Off The Waiver Wire Entering Week 2? #FantasyFootball #WaiverWire
— Andrew Erickson
(@AndrewErickson_) September 10, 2018
Andrew Erickson | Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2 - Gridiron Experts
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