The Week 2 fantasy football waiver claim already has some big-name takers. Puka Nacua, anyone? Before you get too upset about Week 1’s results, remember how crazy any NFL week can be. Or do you need a reminder of Week 1 from last year?
There are some notable performances that would be worthy of an early waiver. And of course lots of early worries.
HEADS UP
- Players must be less than 60% registered on Yahoo
- Listed in Order of preference — I often prioritize potential upside over immediate mediocre production
- No FAB suggestions: It varies greatly depending on league tendencies and is always relative (e.g. if you lost your RB1 due to injury and there is a clear replacement, you will be more aggressive)
- Streaming QB and TE are grouped together – weekly rankings may change as predictions/ranks are executed – daylight saving time may also shift slightly
CONCERN REPORT
More ducks (and eggs) = more worry
- Bijan Robinson 🥚, Drake London 🦆🦆🦆🦆, Kyle Pitts 🦆🦆🦆🥚, ATL -Robinson saw just 40% of the Falcons’ rushes, but outperformed Tyler Allgeier on passing downs (61.3% to 42.3%). This is less about Robinson’s concerns and more about Allgeier having value in his own right… London and Pitts are in trouble. We knew the Falcons would be run-heavy, but London had one score and Pitts three, with Desmond Ridder completing 15 of 18 for 115 yards and a touchdown. It’s bad.
- Antonio Gibson, W.S.H 🦆🦆🦆 -Gibson saw just 10.7% of the Commander’s rushes, with 87.5% of his snaps coming on passing downs. Brian Robinson also had 47.4% of the pass work, indicating Robinson is clearly in the lead.
- Cam Akers, LAR 🦆🦆🦆🥚 – Akers had 22 touchdowns to Kyren Williams’ 15, but only four passing down snaps to Williams’ 35 and 29 rushing yards to Williams’ 52. Akers got a lot of work, but Williams had much more success, potentially giving him the lead already in week 2.
- Khalil Herbert, CHI 🦆🥚 – Fortunately, Roschon Johnson had three touches on the third and fourth down while leading by more than 7 points, behind only Tony Pollard’s four points. That totaled 27.2% of Johnson’s volume. Johnson is a concern, especially in the long term, but Herbert is a little safer than you might think… for now.
- Dameon Pierce, HOU 🦆 — Pierce had 35 snaps to Devin Singletary’s 15, but touchdowns were 13-7, and the talk and use of Pierce in the bellcow role seems like a possible mirage.
- D’Andre Swift, PHI 🦆🦆🦆 – Rashaad Penny was a healthy scratch, and yet Swift only had 4.2% rushes while 88.2% of his snaps were passing plays. Swift isn’t even involved in starter discussions.
- Christian Kirk, JAX 🦆🦆🥚 — Kirk had 10 fewer snaps than Zay Jones, as well as 10 fewer routes and four fewer targets. That could change a bit against the Chiefs, but the best-case scenario is that this is a possible timeshare at the No. 2 receiver position in Jacksonville.
- Rashod Bateman, BAL 🦆🦆🦆🥚 – Not only was Bateman behind Odell Beckham and Zay Flowers, he also had six fewer snaps and routes than Isaiah Likely.
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, NE 🦆🦆🦆 – While Smith-Schuster hit a target on 25.9% of his attacks, he only hit 13.0% of the team’s targets thanks to just 27 pass shots – tied with Demario Douglas for fourth place. Sell it before things get worse – yes, sell cheap.
- Skyy Moore, KC 🦆🦆 – At least in snaps and routes, Moore was a top-two option and was a distant eighth in Chiefs targets per route run. This was a golden opportunity, and Moore dropped the ball (also Kadarius Toney, especially for that pun). Still, Nate Taylor, who covers the Chiefs for The Athletic, advises patience before dropping either one yet:
“Fantasy managers should be patient with Skyy Moore, especially when Travis Kelce returns to the lineup this Sunday against the Jaguars. Andy Reid will likely make it a point to allow Moore and Kadarius Toney a touchdown each early in the game to establish rhythm in the Chiefs’ offense. The Chiefs built their receiver room with the intention of Kelce remaining Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 target. After just one game, fantasy managers should give the Chiefs a few more weeks to see how their receiver hierarchy develops.”
— Even with Nate’s words of caution, I’d leave Moore out for the top five wideouts below.
Related: Who do I dump? Russell Wilson, Rashaad Penny among Week 2 cuts
STREAMING QUARTERBACKS
- Brock Purdy, SF
- Jordan Love, GB
- Russell Wilson, DEN
- Derek Carr, No
- Sam Howell, W.S.H
- Baker Mayfield, TB
- Mac Jones, NE
- Desmond Ridder, ATL
- Jimmy Garoppolo, LV
- Ryan Tannehill, TEN
- Matthew Stafford, LAR
- CJ Stroud, HOU
- Kenny Pickett, PIT
- Bryce Young, CAR
- Zach Wilson, NYJ
Emojis
- 😤 = I Tried to Tell Ya – Players in for several weeks (not much more to add if you don’t want them)
- 🔍 = Check if they have been dropped – players who may have been released by their managers due to other needs or impatience
- 🎯 = Long-Term Target – Players with Starter+ potential who need patience (stash picks)
- 🫡 = Backup/Next Man Up – Players who have almost no value but have starter + advantage if an injury occurs in front of them
GO DEEPER
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 2: Streamers, Gus Edwards, Puka Nacua and more
WAIVER OF WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS
Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — The reports were correct. Gainwell leads the Eagles while Rashaad Penny is completely inactive and D’Andre Swift barely touches the ball. The Eagles will still frustrate us at times, but Gainwell is a must-see. UPDATE: Gainwell has a rib problem. Do NOT dump D’Andre Swift yet/now, and if someone else did, grab Swift to the Ravens in case Gainwell is out.Gus Edwards, B.A.L – After JK Dobbins is done, Edwards takes the lead, although many might think it’s Justice Hill just by looking at the score. Yes, Hill will also be used, and the goal-line carries are interesting for Hill and a potential problem for Edwards, but Edwards was next and had the first carry opportunities after Dobbins’ departure.Justice Hill, B.A.L – Hill has a high ceiling, especially if the Ravens use him as a goal-line rusher, similar to Ezekiel Elliott. Unless he is also the passing option, the upside is limited, especially since Edwards would be the more effective leader.Tyler Allgeier, ATL — We could expect a Devonta Freeman/Tevin Coleman repeat. While Allgeier’s deployment put a damper on Bijan Robinson’s 350-touch party, Freeman was RB6 in 2016 and Coleman was RB19. I wouldn’t peg Allgeier as a weekly RB2, but he will be a starter in this share backfield most weeks.Kyren Williams, LAR – Cam Akers dominated the carries, but Williams dominated the performance…comparatively. Williams had 52 yards on 15 carries, compared to 29 on 22 for Akers. It’s Sean McVay, so I wouldn’t trust the move yet, but Williams could easily be the Rams’ new leader.Sean Tucker, TB — 🫡 Rachaad White is clearly the main option, but Tucker looked and played better in his touches. The alarm isn’t sounding yet, but Tucker is a real threat to White’s leadership.Zack Moss, IND – 🔍 Deon Jackson didn’t capitalize on his chance to lead the Colts, and with Moss likely back, he’s in line and can be an RB3.Tyjae Spears, TEN – Derrick Henry doesn’t need a lot of touches to dominate, so the Titans keep him healthy while Spears gets a nice share (33 snaps to 28 for Henry with 25 to 13 in the passing game).Roshon Johnson, CHI — 🎯 See: Herbert worry report. Johnson is definitely worth playing if he has a chance to take the lead.Tank Bigsby, JAX — 🫡 Some errors, but Bigsby had seven touches, including two attempts at the goal line.Joshua Kelley, LAC — 🫡 In possible shootouts, Kelley has some starting ability and he would be an RB2 if Austin Ekeler missed time. Kelley would be at the helm if Ekeler were out.Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC — 🔍 Matt Nagy could have tried new things or put CEH in a timeshare with Isiah Pacheco, giving CEH a high value and ruining Jerick McKinnon’s.Elijah Mitchell, S.F — 🫡 Christian McCaffrey will miss time if the 49ers give him 25 touches each week.Jaylen Warren, PIT — 🫡 The Steelers were ugly in Week 1, and while Najee Harris still held the lead, Warren took his share and could see more.Chuba Hubbard, CAR – Worth diving into deeper leagues if they continue to use him similar to a JD McKissic type in the passing game.Jerome Ford, C.L.E — 🫡 Next man up is Nick Chubb.Damien Harris, BUF — 🫡 Will see the odd goal-line carry, but unless James Cook gets injured, Harris won’t be ready to start.Devin Singletary, HOU — 🫡 Dameon Pierce’s role as a starter in the preseason disappeared and Singletary would lead if Pierce missed time.Ty Chandler, MIN — 🎯 Not sprinkled much; pure backup for Alexander Mattison.Keaontay Ingram, ARI — 🎯 Will only be relevant if James Conner gets injured.Kendre Miller, NR – 🎯 Injured, but if Jamaal Williams continues to pull a Cam Akers, Miller could overtake him on the depth chart.De’Von Achane, MIA — 🎯 Future half/full PPR RB3 uptrend.DUMPSVILLE 🗑️ (Order I would drop)
- Evan Hull, IND -Will miss time, couldn’t push past Deon Jackson and Zack Moss returns. Would fall for any running back listed above.
- Deuce Vaughn, DAL — No use found until late garbage time. Sure, he can still have half/full PPR value in shootouts, but the lack of any passing game work is a problem, even in a blowout. Would fall for anyone over Warren.
- Jerick McKinnon, KC -It might just be a week of Matt Nagy playing, but McKinnon seems to be falling by the wayside and I’d be out for Warren for all of them, maybe even further if I’m just looking for a home run game in case of injuries comes.
- Antonio Gibson, W.S.H — See: his worry report. Would come over Bigsby for any options.
WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS
Puka Nacua, LAR — Nacua is the hottest name in most leagues, moving from speculative, long-term upside to must-grab. As mentioned in the preseason, Nacua is the better all-around receiver than Van Jefferson, with similarities to Adam Thielen and is currently filling Cooper Kupp’s role. It’s not an overreaction to consider Nacua for most lineups in Week 2.Jakobi Meyers, LV — Not only did Meyers have 38.5% of his team targets, he was also targeted on 41.7% of his routes. If healthy, Jimmy Garoppolo will at least have Meyers as a WR3 with a high floor and modest ceiling.Nico Collins, HOU – Led the Texans in targets, yards and points, and even though a lot of it was in garbage time, the Texans should have some garbage time on a regular basis.Zay Jones, JAX — The Jaguars dropped Christian Kirk to the No. 3 role and moved Jones into the 12-team starter conversation.Romeo Doubs, UK – Not only was Doubs Jordan Love’s top receiver, he was also the only Packers player with two red zone targets and/or two end zone targets, both of which he caught. Only Samori Toure (an end zone) and Dontayvion Wicks (a red zone) each had another, and neither of them could catch it.Tutu Atwell, LAR – Atwell also filled half of the Kupp gap and had eight targets for 6-119-0 and 14.9 fantasy points. He’ll be inconsistent, but he’s in play as a top-20 WR4 until Kupp returns.Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Rashee Rice, KC – MVS was the Chiefs’ only consistent top-two receiver throughout the preseason and through Week 1. Things get even worse. Also check out Nate Taylor’s breakdown with the Skyy Moore group. Don’t dump Moore or go crazy just yet, but it would be wise to plan for Rice in case Moore and/or Kadarius Toney have reached their ceiling.Darius Slayton, NYG — 🔍 The Giants stunk. But Slayton and Parris Campbell are Nos. 1 and 2, and Slayton is tied with Darren Waller for the top TmTGT% and remains Daniel Jones’ top wideout…for now.Josh Reynolds, DET – Highest snap percentage for any Lions receiver, including Amon-Ra St. Brown. Second in Route% (82.9) and TmTGT% (21.9), and Reynolds should finish in the top three every week until Jameson Williams’ suspension is over.Jayden Reed, GB – Reed will be harder to trust when Christian Watson returns, but he can still overtake Doubs on the depth chart and be in the top two until Watson plays.Kendrick Bourne, NE – He’s a flyer as long as DeVante Parker is out.Allen Robinson, PIT – 🔍 This might make you puke as hard as I did when I finished the All in Football pod early Monday – if you were watching live, you know – but as long as Diontae Johnson is out, Robinson will Will be a top two option for Kenny Pickett for a long time. However, ARob and Pickett still only reach WR4 value.Allen Lazard, NYJ – Losing Aaron Rodgers negates Lazard’s overhead touchdown. He’s still the No. 2 pick, but to fantasy: Lazard is just a WR4 with a low WR2 upside and an invisible bottom.Robert Woods, HOU — Ground game. Yay?Adam Thielen, CAR – It was as ugly as can be, but like Slayton, it’s worth keeping Thielen where you can.Tyler Boyd, CIN — 🫡 Benefits and ease of use if Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins ever get hurt.Curtis Samuel, W.S.H – Ten of his 17 games last year resulted in 9+ fantasy points – Samuel is a floor player for needy teams.Darnell Mooney, CHI — Maybe DJ Moore takes all the attention and Justin Fields takes the easier option in Mooney.Michael Wilson, ARI — 🎯 Wilson is already one of the Cardinals’ top-2 receivers and just needs some working quarterback play to be useful.Josh Downs, IND — 🎯 Downs was one of Anthony Richardson’s early favorites and he can transform into a half/full PPR activist over time.Quentin Johnston, LAC — 🎯 Impressive talent. Future WR3 uptrend.Jonathan Mingo, CAR — 🎯 Future upward trend as development progresses.Rashid Shaheed, NO – It will be inconsistent value, but similar to a Tyler Boyd, the Saints’ No. 3 receiver will be a deeper player and have top-40 value if one of the Saints’ top options is injured.Van Jefferson, LAR – While Nacua and Atwell took the spotlight, Jefferson had the same number of routes, making him a boom/bust WR4.Marvin Mims, DEN — 🎯1% of snaps. 6.3 TmTGT%. This happened while Jerry Jeudy was out. Mims is a great long-term talent – hide it if you can – but he’s also degradable – see below.Hunter Renfrow, LV – This only applies if Meyers is out, and if so, Renfrow just jumps in close to Bourne as a temporary option.MEH 😒
- River Craft, MIA — We saw that last year. The Dolphins often have a third receiving option that comes up and proves valuable, but after Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, it’s far too volatile to rely on any one option.
- Trey Palmer, TB — We have a hard time trusting the lead running back. I don’t want to rely on the third wide receiver in this offense.
DUMPSVILLE 🗑️ (Order I would drop)
- Michael Gallup, DAL – Not a top-3 option if you include Tony Pollard, and possibly not even a top-4 option if Jake Ferguson is involved. Would go down with any wideout.
- Jonathan Mingo, CAR – Struggled to get open, finished third in TmTGT% and Bryce Young needs time. I wouldn’t drop him after Mooney for anyone.
- Rashod Bateman, BAL – Behind Odell Beckham, Zay Flowers and of course Mark Andrews. May be slow to come back from injury and would therefore only resort to MVS for now.
- Quentin Johnston, LAC – Johnston is buried and sees fewer routes than both starting tight ends. He still has a high ceiling, especially if Mike Williams misses time, but Johnston must first surpass Josh Palmer on the depth chart. For everyone, climb above MVS and down to Woods if you need points now.
- Marvin Mims, DEN – Waiver if possible, but also possible in flatter leagues through Doubs.
STREAMING TIGHT ENDS
STREAMING DST
Week 2
- NYG at ARI
- ATL vs GB
- HOU vs. IND
- CLE at PIT
- IND at HOU
- CHI in TB
- KC at JAX
- LAC at TEN
week 3
- CIN vs LAR
- SEA vs. CAR
- JAX vs. HOU
- KC vs CHI
- DET vs ATL
- LAC at MIN
- NYG at SF
(Photo by Charles Brock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
