It’s Week 2. We made it through a tumultuous opening week, where not a lot of things went according to plan.
For fantasy managers, Week 2 is a time to evaluate some potential draft mistakes, but I am not one to overreact. You went into the draft with a plan, don’t let one week derail your strategy, unless, of course, injuries force your hand. Then, it’s OK to reach out and peruse the waiver wire for assistance.
A quick look at the waiver wire has some very intriguing options you can plug into your lineup for help. However, if you had a high- or middle-round pick who didn’t live up to expectations, don’t compound the problem by dropping them prematurely and letting your competition take advantage. Remember, a lot of these guys are on the waiver wire for a reason.
However, my strategy going into draft day also involves one or two roster spots I like to keep revolving. If one or both of those spots start hitting on a regular basis, great. If not…waiver wire time!
Let’s get busy, and mine some potential gems.
Ownership percentages courtesy of Yahoo.
QUARTERBACKS
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers (22.5% owned)
It seems like we go down this road a few times per season. While it’s doubtful we’re going to see Carolina involved in many 59-37 games, which was a Scorigami, by the way, it’s hard to ignore the stats. Young racked up 361 yards, three touchdowns and one interception, while running for another score. He’s the best of the lot if you need a replacement for, say, Sam Darnold, who is dealing with a soft-tissue injury, or somebody like Drake Maye spooked you in Week 1.
Carson Wentz, Minnesota Vikings (1.7%)
Wentz threw for just 133 yards after coming on for the concussed Kyler Murray in Week 1. Murray took an ugly hit, so there is no guarantee he emerges from the concussion protocol by next Sunday. Wentz threw three touchdowns, and he has a solid cadre of receivers, including Justin Jefferson, who can make anybody look good.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (51.0%)
Stroud was involved in a good, old-fashioned Texas shootout against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. Stroud threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns, although he needs to button things up in the ball security department after losing two fumbles.
RUNNING BACKS
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (21.1%)
Hill ran six times for 18 yards in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, while posting a 10-yard reception on his only target. Look, Hill isn’t going to get much more run than that as long as Derrick Henry is available. That said, Hill will see third-down duties, and he is one injury to the King away from a prominent role.
Sione Vaki, Detroit Lions (2.6%)
The Lions have Jahmyr Gibbs, the No. 1 or 2 overall pick in most fantasy leagues. They signed Isiah Pacheco to be the primary backup once David Montgomery was traded to Houston. However, Pacheco started out with an MCL injury, forcing him to the Reserve/Injured list, and now back surgery to relieve a pinched nerve has him out until December. Vaki could easily be the next man up (or the lead back at worst) if disaster strikes with Gibbs.
Jaleel McLaughlin, Cleveland Browns (1.0%)
McLaughlin was a tremendous addition to the practice squad for the Browns organization. Now, it’s possible he gets elevated soon. Quinshon Judkins is coming back from a major injury, and he doesn’t quite look 100 percent. Backup Dylan Sampson left with a knee injury in the first quarter in Jacksonville and appears set to miss some time. Enter McLaughlin, who has good NFL experience. He could be in line for a meaningful role soon.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Antonio Williams, Washington Commanders (11.8%)
Williams racked up four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia, jelling nicely with Jayden Daniels. Terry McLaurin was erased by Philadelphia's stout pass defense, so it was newcomers Williams and Stefon Diggs leading the way in the passing game. Williams absorbed all four of his targets, and there might be more where that came from.
Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints (7.9%)
Vele is going to be a popular addition off of the waiver wire. He rolled up seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown in an unexpected shootout in Detroit. Tyler Shough threw for over 400 yards and three touchdowns. If the New Orleans passing offense comes close to replicating those types of numbers, Vele is going to be a great addition to a fantasy roster.
Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders (4.2%)
Bech had a touchdown in the opener against the Miami Dolphins, hooking up with Kirk Cousins. The wide receiver depth chart in Vegas is rather fluid, with Malik Benson Jalen Nailor and Tre Tucker as the primary competition for Bech. That’s not exactly a Pro Bowl staff, so there is room for Bech to get back into the end zone.
Keenan Allen, Indianapolis Colts (38.1%)
In case you missed it, Allen signed with the Colts late in training camp. He also had an off-the-field issue, too, but he didn’t face any disciplinary action from the team. On the field, he had six receptions in his team debut, doing Keenan Allen things. He has been a dependable PPR option throughout his career. With WR Alec Pierce getting banged up Sunday, Allen could face a prominent role in Week 2.
TIGHT ENDS
Kenyon Sadiq, New York Jets (41.8%)
Sadiq opened the season with a rushing touchdown, noting the first score of the season Sunday in Tennessee. He added three receptions for 21 yards, too. He outshone Mason Taylor, who had two catches for minus-2 yards. Sadiq has significantly more upside. Considering how much of the preseason Sadiq missed, it is possible he was just scratching the surface on Sunday.
David Njoku, Los Angeles Chargers (12.3%)
Njoku had five receptions for 58 yards in his team debut for the Bolts on Sunday. It’s hard to believe that the Browns couldn’t use this guy, but the emergence of Harold Fannin Jr. made Cleveland go another way. They’re not exactly known for making good decisions or personnel choices that are popular with the fanbase. Njoku has TE Oronde Gadsden II to contend with, but head coach Jim Harbaugh seems to prefer the veteran a little more.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (11.1%)
It seems like the fantasy world forgot about Freiermuth a bit, but he reminded them with a touchdown against Atlanta in Week 1. New head coach Mike McCarthy loves to use the tight end as a big part of his offensive game plan. It could be quite a resurgence for ’Muth’ in 2026.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Waiver Wired - Week 2
