Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 2

 

         

Waiver Wire Pickups

These guys are generally available in at least 70% of ESPN leagues and ranked in order of priority, by position.

Your bid should vary by format and situation. Need help at RB? Prioritize that position. All set there? Then you probably don’t need to chase the top guys.

 

Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Mayfield capitalized on drawing one of the best match-ups of Week 1, throwing 289 yards and four TDs against the Commanders.

The Bucs offense picked up where it left off last season, with Mayfield spreading the ball around to his weapons to put up a solid fantasy stat line.

He looked comfortable going through progressions and feeling the pressure throughout the game, able to move around the pocket to buy time.

This is backed up in Mayfield’s PFF Passing Grade (81.7), sixth among QBs in Week 1. 

There are some potential favorable match-ups coming up for Mayfield, playing at Detroit, vs. Denver, and vs. Philadelphia in the next three weeks.

He can be a solid fill-in if you lost Jordan Love or are streaming QBs going into Week 2.

Justin Fields, Steelers 

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Fields willed the Steelers to victory despite not scoring a TD against the Falcons in Week 1.

He completed 17 of 23 passes (74%) for 156 yards, 0 TDs, and 0 INTs. Fields took only two sacks and ran for 57 yards on 14 carries. 

If Russell Wilson is still injured and Fields remains under center for Week 2, his rushing upside puts him on the low-end QB1 radar for a plus matchup against the Broncos.

Fields retained his accuracy problems throughout the game, but his dynamic rushing has remained strong. 

If you lost Jordan Love, stash Fields in case he starts, but don’t overspend if it was one start and back to the bench for him.

 

Running Backs

Jordan Mason, 49ers 

Blind-bid recommendation: 30-40%

Mason did his best Christian McCaffrey impression in Monday’s win over the Jets. He handled all 28 RB carries, with Deebo Samuel mixing in for 8. The result: 147 hard-charging yards and a score.

There’s a real chance CMC misses another game, but even if he returns, Mason belongs on rosters as an elite handcuff.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

Blind-bid recommendation: 15-20%

Irving posted a couple of explosive plays in his NFL debut, finishing with 62 yards on 9 carries.

After the win, HC Todd Bowles repeated familiar praise for the former Oregon star.

“Buck’s a ballplayer. His height and his size do not magnify how good he is as a running back,” Bowles said from the podium. “He can run up the middle, he can catch the ball, he’s tough, he finishes runs, he’s very good at making the first guy miss in the hole, and he had a heck of a ballgame.”

Rachaad White managed only 2.1 YPC but predictably led the way with 6 receptions. Irving snagged only 2 passes.

White’s unlikely to be supplanted as the primary receiving back, but there’s an opening for Irving to see a larger rushing role as the season unfolds. 

Tank Bigsby, Jaguars 

Blind-bid recommendation: 12-15%

Bigsby mixed in early and often while matching Travis Etienne’s 12 carries against the Dolphins. He even out-gained Etienne 73 to 44.

Etienne got the lone rushing TD in the game and the only two RB receptions while out-snapping Bigsby 37 to 17, so this won’t be an even split every week.

But the Jaguars trust Bigsby to be a solid contributor.

His success on film shows why the trust has increased. Bigsby’s explosion after changing direction was drastically improved from his rookie season. Add a lower pad level when he ran between the tackles, and Bigsby showed he belongs as a contributing NFL back.

This is backed up by Bigsby’s PFF Rushing Grade (81.9) which ranked fifth among all RBs in Week 1.

If Etienne ever falls with an injury, Bigsby could rise to RB2 status. It's worth stashing on the bench.

 

Wide Receivers

Adonai Mitchell, Colts

Blind-bid recommendation: 10-15%

WR Alec Pierce will draw plenty of interest from the rest of your league after his 3-125-1 outing, but when they zig, you zag.

We prefer stashing Mitchell instead, who was on the border of a huge game himself.

The rookie out-targeted Pierce five to three and was missed by QB Anthony Richardson twice.

The first miss would have been a definite 29-yard TD if Richardson had hit him, while the second looked like a potential 70-yard TD.

Mitchell flashed better route running than he showed in college, so the improvements in his skillset are coming along. With his insane athletic profile (including his 4.34 40 time), Mitchell’s potential is sky-high.

If Richardson hits those two passes, there would have been heavy FAAB dropped on Mitchell. 

Demarcus Robinson, Rams 

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8% 

Tyler Johnson supplied the Rams’ longest play on Sunday night – a 63-yarder that showed nice YAC ability.

Still, it was Robinson matched him in targets (7) while leading in routes (47 to 33).

Recall that Robinson tallied games of 6-82 and 6-92 down the stretch last season. Now, he'll look to chip in following Puka Nacua's multi-week knee injury. 

 

Tight Ends

Isaiah Likely, Ravens

Blind-bid recommendation: 25-35%

Likely shined Thursday night, catching nine of 12 targets for 111 yards and a TD. 

The Ravens appear headed to a base 12 personnel with two TEs. Likely had a 66% snap count, and Mark Andrews had a 74% snap count. 

OC Todd Monken utilized Likely on short routes, screens, and check-downs while Andrews ran mid- to deep routes. 

The Chiefs would shift the blitz away from Andrews and bracket with their safety to double-cover him for most of the game. If defenses don’t focus on Andrews, Likely’s stats could return to earth.  

In addition, Likely’s 69% route rate is a bit less than we want, but that may improve as the season progresses.

This may be Likely’s best performance of the season, but he can still settle as a TE1.

We don’t love splurging too much FAAB on Likely, despite the poor TE landscape after Week 1. But if you can grab him for a little more than a quarter of your FAAB budget, he is worth it. 

 

Top Streaming Defense for Week 2 

Los Angeles Chargers 

Until Bryce Young and the Panthers show they can score points, targeting whichever defense is facing them is likely a winning strategy. This week, it is the Chargers.

Last week, the Chargers held the division-rival Raiders to only 10 points, four sacks, and three turnovers. 

Despite the cross-country trip for the Chargers, this could be another ugly game for the Panthers' offense.

Check out the rest of our Defense and Special teams stream recommendations for Week 2 to go even deeper on a D/ST to add off the waiver wire. 

 

Grab This Guy

Jaylen Wright, RB, Dolphins

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

You’re not grabbing Wright for what he did in Week 1. In fact, he wasn’t even active.

You’d be picking up the rookie for what he could do long-term. So if your league features a small bench … feel free to move along.

After all, between HC Mike McDaniel’s scheme and Wright’s blazing speed, the rookie isn’t short on intrigue.

Now, Miami might even need to play him early on.

The Fins listed De'Von Achane (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (chest) as did not practice on their initial injury report. We’ll see about their status for Thursday night vs. Buffalo. 

Either way, the banged-up backfield only helps Wright’s chances of seeing the field.

 

Drop Candidates

Barring injury, these guys bring unappealing short-term fantasy outlooks:

Luke Musgrave, TE, Packers

Musgrave ran only 8 routes against the Eagles. Meanwhile, Tucker Kraft ran 30. Jordan Love’s knee injury only adds to the case for a drop.

Roschon Johnson, RB, Bears 

Johnson was a healthy scratch for Week 1, as Chicago decided to elevate Travis Homer as the RB3.

Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos

Keep Mims if your league awards individual kick return/punt return yards. (He totaled 8 returns against Seattle.) His offensive role was non-existent, though.

Dylan Laube, RB, Raiders

The Vegas offense mustered only 10 points against the new-look Chargers. Laube didn’t see action as the RB3.

Ben Sinnott, TE, Commanders

Long-term, we remain intrigued here. But Sinnott played the TE3 role out of the gate, behind both Zach Ertz and John Bates.

Cole Kmet, TE, Bears

We’re giving Caleb Williams some grace following his shaky NFL debut.

But Kmet, who signed a contract extension last summer, saw only 1 target in the opener. He ran 11 routes; 10 fewer than Gerald Everett.

 

Deep-League Waiver Wire Pickups 

Alexander Mattison, Raiders

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Not only was Mattison on the field early and often for the Raiders, but he also worked as the primary pass-catching RB. He caught four of six targets for 46 yards and a TD. 

He also out-carried Zamir White 13 to five. With White losing a fumble, Mattison likely retains the role moving forward.

The Raiders look like they won’t score many points this season, but Mattison has PPR value in deeper leagues as a starting RB.

Justice Hill, Ravens

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

HC John Harbaugh said recently that the team didn’t sign Derrick Henry to give him 30+ weekly carries.

(Smart, coach.)

Henry certainly wasn’t brought in to catch the ball. We saw that in Week 1, as Hill chipped in with 6 grabs on 8 targets. 

Now, Lamar Jackson won’t attempt 41+ passes most weeks (Baltimore played from behind in the second half). But Hill impressed both out of the backfield and as a protector, so there’s reason to believe he can pop when the game script calls for more passing.

Long-term, we’ll see if Hill can hold off Keaton Mitchell for the No. 2 role. Mitchell is currently on the PUP list (ACL tear).

Samaje Perine, Chiefs

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Despite only playing six snaps on Thursday Night, Perine was targeted twice through the air and picked up one reception for 10 yards.

Joining the team only a week before the Week 1 game disadvantaged Perine; his snaps, rushes, and targets should all slightly increase in future weeks.

If Isiah Pacheco falls with an injury, Perine will likely slide right into the lead role while still getting targets.

It's a solid stash in deep leagues.

Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Robinson led the Giants with 12 targets and a 29% share but didn’t put up an outstanding fantasy day. 

He caught half of those targets for 44 yards but did not find the end zone in the game. 

Robinson finally looked completely healthy showcasing a quick first step off the line and clean cuts on his in routes. His PFF receiving grade (73.8) ranked 19th among WRs in Week 1.

With the Giants scoring the least points of any team in Week 1, Robinson’s upside is capped.

Even so, in PPR leagues, the volume and targets are enough to provide solid depth, especially with bye weeks only three weeks away!

Greg Dortch, Cardinals

Blind-bid recommendation: 5-8%

Here’s the main winner of Marvin Harrison’s quiet NFL debut.

Dortch finished third among Arizona WRs in routes but led the unit in targets (8), catches (6) and yards (47). 

This passing game hit a wall in the second half. But Arizona’s upcoming schedule of Rams, Lions, and Commanders – all at home – should lead to more consistent showings.

Ultimately, Dortch isn’t a big-play threat or a great TD bet. But he brings the potential to be a steady FLEX option in PPR.

Luke McCaffrey, Commanders 

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

McCaffrey caught just 3 balls for 18 yards in his NFL debut.

But here’s the encouraging part: Fellow rookie Jayden Daniels didn’t look lost in his first meaningful NFL action. As expected, his legs helped him escape pressure and either deliver on the move or scramble.

Plus, this WR corps had nobody emerge against a thinned-out Bucs defense.

McCaffrey ranked second behind Terry McLaurin in routes (24) and should continue seeing slot snaps moving forward.

Jalen Nailor, Vikings

Blind-bid recommendation: 0-2%

Jordan Addison injured his right ankle on Sunday after being limited in practice all week due to a left ankle injury.

When Addison was on the sideline, Nailor stepped into his role and caught his lone target for a 21-yard TD. He ultimately played 26 of 55 snaps in the game. 

Nailor’s impressive route-running on his score, splitting two defenders and accelerating past the slot corner to get wide open, may earn him an increased snap count if Addison misses time.

This is backed up with Nailor’s PFF Receiving Grade (72.5) ranked 23rd among WRs in Week 1.

Nailor is a solid stash in very deep leagues, and it is projected to play an increased role and have more red-zone targets.

Zach Ertz, Commanders

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Erts earned early looks from rookie QB Jayden Daniels in the Commanders opening game against the Buccaneers, tying for a team-lead four targets.

His final stat line was only three catches for 28 yards, but it is positive news for Ertz, who had a 71% snap count. This is especially true with rookie Ben Sinnott, who only had a 22% snap count with no targets in the game.

With how barren the TE landscape looked in Week 1, Ertz offers PPR upside and a solid floor due to his rapport with Daniels.

He ranked 13th among TEs in PFF receiving grade (63.8).

At 33 years old, Ertz has lost a step from his early playing days, but he remains savvy in finding holes in the zone and hunkering down to be an easy check-down target. 

That should bode well for his fantasy performance in future weeks.

Colby Parkinson, Rams

Blind-bid recommendation: 3-5%

Parkinson tallied 4 grabs for 47 yards in his Rams debut. He saw just a 10.2% target share, but that figures to rise with Puka Nacua on IR.

Week 2 turns up an excellent scoring matchup with Arizona.

Note: Tyler Higbee is on the PUP list until at least Week 5. But according to beat reporter Jourdan Rodrigue, the team isn’t expecting Higbee to return immediately.