With injuries already starting to pile up two weeks into the season, the waiver wire becomes incredibly important. Let’s take a look at some players to target at each position. As a reminder, the roster percentage for each player is based on ESPN. I’ve tried my best to include targets for typical leagues that are 10-12 teams and some targets that are likely available even in deeper leagues.
If you have any questions on who to add or drop, or want personalized team advice, click the link below and shoot me a message on Discord. Anyone in that channel will also be given access to my top 48 RB/WR rankings and top 24 QB/TE rankings each week. That being said, let’s dive right into the top sit/starts for week two of the fantasy football season!
Quarterback Targets
Derek Carr (10%)
Last week I wrote that “Despite how bad the Panthers may be, you don’t score 47 points in the NFL without a good offense.” After how easily the Cowboys handled business in week 1 against the Browns, I expected the Saints to have a harder time. After manhandling the Cowboys, I’m finding myself resigned to admitting that the Saints are better than I expected and their offense is somehow working. I don’t expect Carr to be a league winner, but he should certainly be rostered. He’s done all of this relying primarily on Alvin Kamara and Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave has yet to put together a great game.
Best Adds for Deep Leagues
Sklyar Thompson (4%)
There is a lot of speculation and opinions on all sides regarding Tua Tagovailoa’s concussion and the prospects of his career moving forward. Putting my personal opinions aside, there is a chance that Tua misses significant time and Thompson really doesn’t have to be an amazing quarterback to be able to put up decent numbers. If the weapons around him stay healthy, he just needs to get the ball in their hands.
Running Back Targets
Rico Dowdle (37%)
Dowdle didn’t have a great stat line in week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, but with the Cowboys needing to get something to work against the Saints, Dowdle ended up with more carries than Ezekiel Elilott and a respectable 4 receptions on 5 targets. In a PPR league that’s all you can ask for in a waiver wire pickup. If Dowdle can continue to be more effective and efficient than Elliott, he could see more work as the season progresses.
Braelon Allen (7%)
Allen is someone that I loved getting in dynasty rookie drafts this year despite the fact that Breece Hall is in the way of a decent workload. Being a fan of a Big Ten school, I got to watch Allen run over defenses in college and know he can be a great player in the right situation. Yesterday (with him on my bench in multiple leagues) he put up 2 touchdowns and had 11 touches. Touchdowns are the least consistent stat in fantasy football, but I view him as a high ceiling handcuff if Hall ever misses time, and someone that could work his way into a modest workload as the season progresses.
Best Adds for Deep Leagues
Samaje Perine (4%) or Carson Steele (2%)
The Kansas City Chiefs feel like they haven’t put it all together offensively, but Isiah Pacheco was incredibly productive before his injury. I don’t see the Chiefs having a real workhorse back while Pacheco is out, but both Perine and Steele should get touches. If you’re feeling risky, guys like Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette are free agents and could be getting calls from the Chiefs for a tryout.
Wide Receiver Targets
Alec Pierce (14%)
The Colts’ passing offense is confusing, frustrating, and at times awe-inspiring with Anthony Richardson at quarterback. He completes half-field missiles and misses 5 yard out routes. After a few games last year and two more this season, I feel confident saying that when Richardson has statistical success, it will be with his legs and long, downfield passes rather than short and intermediate ones. This bodes well for Alec Pierce and not so well for someone like Josh Downs. While Pierce will be a boom or bust type player, he is a threat for significant yardage and touchdowns on a weekly basis.
Quentin Johnston (7%)
I am in disbelief that I’m writing this, but Quentin Johnston had a great game. Yes, it was against the Panthers, and yes, the Chargers will still run the ball far more than they throw, but Johnston has a few key things going for him. He has Justin Herbert at quarterback, he has minimal target competition, and he has unrealized talent. If he can get some confidence and build a connection with Herbert, Johnston could be a good player. We likely will see a different leading receiver many weeks throughout the year for this Chargers team, but Johnston had as many targets as Ladd McConkey and Joshua Palmer combined yesterday along with 2 touchdowns.
Jalen Tolbert (4%)
Tolbert isn’t quite at the level I would consider a desperation add, but he certainly isn’t a priority add. I view him as the wide receiver handcuff of sorts in the Dallas offense. With Ferguson out, and Dallas having to throw to stay in the game, Tolbert led the team in targets and receptions. If Ferguson continues to have injury struggles or if someone like Lamb or Cooks happens to get hurt, Tolbert could be in line for a good target share once again.
Tight End Targets
Mike Gesicki (3%)
Gesicki almost had a touchdown in week 1 and was peppered with targets in week 2. The Bengals offense is somewhat of an enigma right now with Gesicki and Trenton Irwin each having more targets than Ja’marr Chase. With matchups against Washington and Carolina in the next two weeks, the Bengals should be able to move the ball, and Gesicki could post some solid production as a result.
Luke Schoonmaker (1%)
Schoonmaker played well on Sunday, but is only worth an add if Ferguson is out again in week 3. If you have someone like Ferguson, Engram, or Njoku as your starter, Schoonmaker wouldn’t be a bad option if you’re in a pinch.