Waiver Wire Analysis: Week 2

For new subscribers: The Drop List consists of players who are no longer must-have assets. Recommended additions are available in over 50% of ESPN, Sleeper, or Yahoo leagues. The Watch List contains in-depth notes on fringe waiver adds, and Deep Leagues includes player notes on potential waiver adds in 14-team and 20-round leagues. A Change Log with an updated injury report and streamers list will be added ahead of any Saturday night waivers.

If your roster is top-heavy and exclusively limited to the best stashes who could become startable in a pinch, we recommend following the updated One Injury Away list ahead of Week 2.

• Kansas City was supposed to be the easy portion of Bo Nix‘s schedule, and he faceplanted for 5.4 points as the QB31 with two rushing yards (compared to last year’s 3.8 weekly points with his legs). Carson Wentz is the better streamer in Week 2.
• Previously, Marvin Harrison Jr. only had to out-target Michael Wilson to lead Arizona’s receiving corps. Kendrick Bourne‘s debut changed that outlook, with the veteran being targeted on 28% of his routes (compared to Wilson’s 19% and MHJ’s anemic 9% rates). I would rather stash one of the receivers listed below than roster MHJ **in 10-team leagues**.

For those looking to roster the best available player(s) regardless of position, the rankings above weigh every position, minus the players’ actual positions, for all formats. These are listed in the precise order I would prioritize waiver claims in those leagues for Week 2. Adjust for what you need on your roster — immediate touches, high-upside bench stashes, targets, one-week spot starters, etc.

Early Week 2 Injury Report for Waivers

Injured player = beneficiary who is available on waivers

Jordyn Tyson = Devaughn Vele
Ladd McConkey = Tre’ Harris
Ja’Kobi Lane = Rashod Bateman, Chris Moore
A.J. Brown = Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas
De’Zhaun Stribling = Deebo Samuel, Demarcus Robinson
Davis Allen = Terrance Ferguson
Jalen McMillan = Ted Hurst
Alvin Kamara = Kendre Miller
Omar Cooper Jr. = Kenyon Sadiq, Adonai Mitchell
Kyler Murray = Carson Wentz
Sam Darnold = Drew Lock
Tua Tagovailoa = Jack Strand
Malik Davis = Emari Demercado
Dylan Sampson = Raheim Sanders

Week 2 Streaming Options

QB: Carson Wentz, Tyler Shough, Malik Willis, Geno Smith, C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Drew Lock, Cooper Rush

RB: Kaelon Black, Kendre Miller, Chris Brooks, George Holani, Tank Bigsby

WR: Devaughn Vele, Deebo Samuel, Caleb Douglas, Antonio Williams, Kalif Raymond, Pat Bryant, Dontayvion Wicks, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Rashod Bateman, Keenan Allen, Adonai Mitchell, Denzel Boston, Demarcus Robinson, Kendrick Bourne, Tre Tucker, Malik Washington

TE: T.J. Hockenson, Dalton Schultz, Cade Otton, Pat Freiermuth, Kenyon Sadiq, Mike Gesicki, Colby Parkinson, Greg Dulcich, Darren Waller

D/ST: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs

K: Cairo Santos, Daniel Carlson, Trey Smack, Harrison Butker

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Defenses | Kickers

Quarterbacks

1. Carson Wentz, Vikings — Rostered in 1% of Yahoo Leagues (Suggested 2-13% FAAB Bid)

Bryce Young spun the second-most passing yards of his career (361) for 9.8 yards per attempt, not because he’s an improved player, but because this Bears defense is prepared to lay down for the league’s most explosive plays — Sunday was a prime example in allowing Young to complete 9-of-15 passes for 14.7 YPA on throws 10 yards deep. Next up is Wentz, who trailed only Jalen Hurts (2.1) in fantasy points per dropback (1.9) off the bench. Note that the aggressive 13% FAAB suggestion above is for Superflex leagues where you roster Kyler Murray (concussion); Wentz can likely be won for $2 in 1-QB formats.

2. Tyler Shough, Saints — Rostered in 41% of Yahoo Leagues (2-4%)

Shough won’t be afforded league-highs in plays (86) and pass attempts (56) weekly, but Sunday’s opponent (Baltimore) is projected with the fourth-highest team total (27.5) of Week 2: an ominous sign New Orleans will have no choice but to keep its foot on the gas after they registered the league’s third-highest Pass Rate Over Expectation. Those potential fireworks gift Shough a QB2 floor, with another achievable top-12 finish if all goes to plan.

3. Geno Smith, Jets — Rostered in 5% of Yahoo Leagues (1%)

Smith quietly delivered the league’s most catchable pass rate (per Fantasy Sports Data) in Tennessee, completing 16-of-20 passes for 8.1 YPA (13th) when kept clean. That last part is important, as Green Bay’s 30% pressure rate ranked 23rd in Week 1. I’m personally projecting Smith to total more passing yards than Tyler Shough (though the latter’s floor is higher for his ability to scramble).

4. Malik Willis, Dolphins — Rostered in 40% of Yahoo Leagues (1%)

Even in leading Miami’s offense to a 34.5% Success Rate (30th) and -0.24 EPA/play (29th), Willis finished as the week’s QB14 for tacking on 9.9 rushing points. Any ensuing yards through the air are merely a complement to the safety net his legs provide.

5. C.J. Stroud, Texans — Rostered in 29% of Yahoo Leagues (1%)

Cincinnati’s defense blitzed on only 5.6% of snaps (32nd) in Week 1, and against Buffalo, Stroud matched Geno Smith in yards per attempt (8.1, 13th) from a clean pocket.  It’s not apples to apples, but Houston’s 24.5 team total mirrors Detroit’s, which are playing in the highest total (53.5) of Week 2.