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Fantasy Football waiver wire Week 2: Adds, drops, streamers and more

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This is everything you need for Week 2’s waiver wire run, including streamers (both QB and DST!), adds and drops. Do yourself — and me — a favor and check the Heads Up (explanations) before dropping in your waiver question. Also, follow our live Fantasy Football waiver wire blog.

HEADS UP

  • Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
  • Yes, they are listed in order of preference — I’ll often prioritize potential upside over immediate middling production
  • No FAB suggestions here: It varies wildly by league tendencies and is always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and there is a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
  • Streaming QB and TE are grouped together— their ranking might change slightly once projections/ranks run
  • Emoji reference table:
    • 😤 = I Tried to Tell Ya — players included for several weeks (not much more to add if you don’t want them)
    • 🧐 = Check if Dropped — players whose managers might have cut for other needs or impatient
    • 😒 = Meh — don’t see long-term upside (possible temporary fill-in/mediocre starter if needed)

WORRY REPORT
More DUCKS 🦆 (scale from 1-5) = More Concern
Egg 🥚 = 1/2… or about to birth a new concern duck

QUARTERBACK

  • Matthew Stafford, LAR 🦆🥚 — The arm didn’t seem to be an issue, but the Rams offensive line did no favors, in fact, having the second-highest allowed pressure rate (14.3%, Giants first at 17.2%). They lost their center, Brian Allen, and Joseph Noteboom sprained his MCL. A pure pocket passer like Stafford needs some protection.
  • Trey Lance, SF 🦆🦆🦆 — We can give a half-pass for Lance given the weather, but “half-pass” is what some of his throws looked like. I talked about how the worry level was already one duck on the All in Football pod once Jimmy Garoppolo stuck around. The 49ers have playoff aspirations and won’t wait long if Lance’s game looks like this in good weather.
  • Aaron Rodgers, GB 🦆 — Rodgers saw a decent amount of pressure, and his receivers let him down at times, but the Packers are lacking any top-flight options without Davante Adams. Allen Lazard should help, but he’s no Adams, and defenses might often send an extra rusher while not needing to double-cover anyone.
  • Kyler Murray, ARI 🦆🦆 — Murray’s production mostly came in garbage time, and his play continues to look borderline garbage without DeAndre Hopkins.

RUNNING BACK

  • Cam Akers, LAR 🦆🦆🦆🥚 — Only three touches warrant three ducks. There is talk about urgency (aka, the doghouse) and the soft-tissue injury being an issue. James Robinson and Sterling Shepard made the Achilles worries a bit less, but as mentioned, the offensive line offsets that.
  • Rhamondre Stevenson, NE 🦆🦆🦆 — So, the worry report is based on fantasy perception, because for me, I was team Damien Harris… not that the Ty Montgomery/full committee use wasn’t concerning for him too. So, for Stevenson fans, this is a major concern given the lack of passing game work, which was supposed to put him on Harris’ level for fantasy value.
  • Josh Jacobs, LV 🦆🦆 — Jacobs had just 10 rushes and 58.9% of the snaps. Interestingly, Ameer Abdullah had just seven snaps — all on passing downs — with no Zamir White. The workload was light, but maybe the committee isn’t as bad as thought.
  • Dameon Pierce, HOU 🦆🦆 — So the Texans saw enough of Pierce… to make him the clear back half of a timeshare? Rex Burkhead led and saw all of the passing and third-and-long work. Pierce will push for more of the early-down and goal-line opportunities, but a 50/50 split now appears the plan and best-case scenario.
  • Alvin Kamara, NO 🦆 — Kamara had 63.2% of the snaps, which is around his norm, but the nine rush attempts would be his lowest per game since his rookie year. Taysom Hill looks to annoy us in a new way this year if this is a new norm and not merely due to Kamara’s rib issue.
  • Travis Etienne, JAX 🦆🦆 — James Robinson said, “Eff yo couch!” Well, more, “Eff yo Achilles assumptions.” Etienne led first-half touches at 24-13 but fell behind with 12 to Robinson’s 21 in the second half. This came after a fumble, too. A 50/50 split looks likely here, as well.

WIDE RECEIVER

  • Allen Robinson, LAR 🦆🦆 — Robinson ran a route on all but one drop-back, but Stafford targeted him just twice. While Robinson didn’t show much separation, it was partly due to the Bills doubling him all game, choosing to let Cooper Kupp do damage alone. It worked. Not more worried than the Stafford/OL concern already.
  • Adam Thielen, MIN 🦆🦆 — The new-look offense had no problems, but Thielen and K.J. Osborn had four targets apiece. It’s just one week, but a bit of a concern is Osborn getting two red zone and an end zone target with Thielen getting one and none, respectively.
  • Darnell Mooney, CHI 🦆🦆 — Again, weather is partly to blame, as Mooney tied for the “lead” in team targets with… three. A high target share matters… if there is some volume to help.
  • Robert Woods, TEN 🦆🦆🥚 — We also talked about Woods on the pod (make sure you’re checking it out with a huge “game-changing” giveaway this month) and if he gets top coverage. The Giants used Adoree Jackson on him frequently, and while Woods is still a good receiver, until Treylon Burks and others demand equal or more attention, he’ll struggle for consistency.
  • Amari Cooper, CLE 🦆🥚 — Welp. The volume was supposed to offset the low touchdown opportunity, but Donovan Peoples-Jones dominated the targets. It’s just one week, but it’s concerning.
  • Mike Williams, LAC 🦆 — With Keenan Allen questionable for Week 2, Williams needs to show up big and make it up to us. Kidding aside, Williams has bouts of inconsistency (seven games with fewer than seven points and four with two or fewer catches in 2021), and it was just one game.

TIGHT END

  • Kyle Pitts, ATL 🦆 — Drake London looked good in his first game and with barely any preseason time, which meant Pitts didn’t need to be force-fed. Pitts ran the second-most routes and tied London for seven targets. Marcus Mariota and Pitts just didn’t connect as well in the first week.
  • Irv Smith, MIN 🦆🦆🥚 — Smith could still be working his way back from the finger injury, but the 42.4% routes on drop-backs at least raise an eyebrow. Johnny Mundt had 48.5%, so let’s hope it’s just easing back in for Smith.

STREAMING QUARTERBACK RANKINGS

Top Streamers

If You’re Needy

WAIVER WIRE RUNNING BACK RANKS

  1. James Robinson, JAX 😤 — Achilles injuries mean nothing anymore (see: Sterling Shepard too), and as mentioned with Etienne’s ducks, Robinson is clearly half of the plan… if not more.
  2. Jeff Wilson, SF — 😤 That was fast. Elijah Mitchell will miss eight weeks, and even with Jordan Mason active, Wilson had all of the work with Mason seeing none. There is RB2 potential here.
  1. Rex Burkhead, HOU — As mentioned with Pierce, Burkhead is the lead. He’s worth using until the shoe drops.
  2. Jamaal Williams, DET — 😤 The Lions continue to use Williams a decent amount, especially near the goal line.
  3. Kenyan Drake, BAL — Goodbye Mike Davis… again. Drake is the lead and could hold RB3/Flex value even when J.K. Dobbins returns. If Dobbins returns for Week 2, drop Drake to ninth.
  4. Khalil Herbert, CHI — 😤 Tough to start right now, but Herbert could push for more time and even the lead.
  5. Kenneth Gainwell, PHI — 😤 Full-blown committee, but Miles Sanders and Gainwell see enough work for both to have value.
  6. Jaylen Warren, PIT — Warren is also a Long Term Stash even if Najee Harris is healthy (don’t drop him!), so make sure he’s not on waivers because this is two scares over a few weeks for Harris, already. If Harris misses Week 2, Warren would be third on this list with a ceiling of No. 1.
  1. Rachaad White, TB — White is clearly the next one up behind Leonard Fournette, though he doesn’t have startability yet.
  2. Jordan Mason, SF — As mentioned, Mason didn’t touch the ball, but he was active over Tyrion Davis-Price. It could be special teams related, but the situation is cloudy with plenty of upside.
  3. Tyrion Davis-Price, SF — While Davis-Price didn’t play, some reporters believe he’s the long-term plan for the 49ers given his build and fit, and there is a chance he’s the next one up after Wilson in Week 2. It’s the 49ers, so we need to take as many shots as possible with the options.
  4. J.D. McKissic, WSH — You know what you’re getting.
  5. Jerick McKinnon, KC 🧐 — You know what you’re getting, part deux… for the Chiefs.
  6. Damien Williams, ATL — If he’s okay, Williams was sharing work with Cordarrelle Patterson before leaving with an injury.
  7. Eno Benjamin, ARI — Benjamin had just 34.9% of the snaps but chipped in 3-for-33 on four targets. There is some matchup-based potential.
  8. Mark Ingram, NO — Kamara’s back is reportedly not serious, but we know Ingram has RB2 potential if Kamara sits.
  1. Raheem Mostert, MIA — A stash if Edmonds gets hurt, as Mostert had just 31.3% of long downs (second and third down with 7+ yards to go) and 21.4% of third downs overall.
  2. Brandon Bolden, LV 😒 — If you’re needy in a Half or Full-PPR league, Bolden had 72.7% usage on third downs with 11 routes and two targets (caught both for 21 yards and a score).
  3. Dontrell Hilliard, TEN 😒 — Hilliard had just 18.3% of the snaps. Yes, he was targeted quite a bit when on the field, but don’t overreact to the touchdowns.
  1. Samaje Perine, CIN — The next up behind Joe Mixon, currently.
  2. Boston Scott, PHI — We’ve seen that he’ll lead if Sanders misses time.
  3. Matt Breida, NYG — Next option behind Saquon Barkley.
  4. Isiah Pacheco, KC — Most of the production came in overtime, and McKinnon was the clear complementary piece to Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
  5. Tyler Allgeier, ATL — If Williams misses time, Allgeier will share some of the load.

BE PATIENT — LONG TERM UPSIDE STASH
(Might be over 60% rostered — try not to drop them)

Tyler Allgeier, ATL; James Cook, BUF; Samaje Perine, CIN; Jerome Ford, CLE; Snoop Conner, JAX; Isiah Pacheco, KC; Isaiah Spiller, LAC; Zamir White, LV; Matt Breida, NYG; Boston Scott, PHI; Rachaad White, TB; Hasaan Haskins, TEN; Brian Robinson, WSH

DUMPSVILLE 🗑 (in the order I’d drop)

  • Ronald Jones, KC — Gameday inactive.
  • Mike Davis, BAL — Whether or not J.K. Dobbins returns, Drake already replaced Davis on the depth chart.
  • Sony Michel and Joshua Kelley, LAC — Workload behind Austin Ekeler is an even split (both had 16 snaps… well, at least Kelley had two targets, so drop Michel first).
  • Darrel Williams, ARI — Eno Benjamin is the backup, and while Williams would get a share if James Conner got hurt, it appears it would be a split at best.

WAIVER WIRE WIDE RECEIVER RANKS

  1. Tyler Boyd, CIN — 😤 Tee Higgins suffered a concussion, and while Boyd remained in the slot, he’d be Joe Burrow’s second option after Ja’Marr Chase with Top 25 upside. If Higgins is okay, Boyd slides to ninth.
  2. D.J. Chark, DET — 😤 Chark ran as many routes as Amon-Ra St. Brown with 8-4-52-1, good for a Top 25 finish. The rebound looks to be here… until Jameson Williams is ready.
  3. Robbie Anderson, CAR — 😤 And everyone called me crazy. Hey, I’m taking all of the good calls and enjoying them while hoping it makes up for Akers in Week 1.
  1. Joshua Palmer, LAC — If Keenan Allen is out, Palmer has Top 25 upside, even though DeAndre Carter had the better Week 1. Carter ran just 40.0% of the routes, all in 3+WR sets. Palmer had 71.4%, and while he also had 100% in 3+WR, only 42.0% were in the slot, while Carter was 72.0%. As soon as Allen is back, Palmer is down to MVS level.
  2. Jarvis Landry, NO — Michael Thomas is back, leaving Landry and Chris Olave battling for second, and in Week 1, Landry won. It will likely be Olave in the long run and inconsistent along the way, but Landry is a decent play with favorable matchups.
  3. Jahan Dotson, WSH — As seen in the preseason, Dotson is already the No. 2 for the Commanders and made the most of his five targets. He’s a WR3 with weekly upside for more.
  4. Russell Gage, TB 🧐 — With Chris Godwin missing a few weeks now, Gage can jump into the Top 35, even with Julio Jones looking rejuvenated. Gage has a bit more upside if he sees a big volume jump, as he gets back to 100% himself. The risk is that he stays behind Jones in value, but the ceiling is this “rank” while Godwin is out. Obviously, he’s also potentially a short-term value play as well.
  5. Christian Watson, GB — With no Allen Lazard, Watson tied Sammy Watkins with 65.1% routes run, even with that ugly, early drop. He has the highest ceiling outside of Lazard, and possibly even more than him.
  6. Devin Duvernay, BAL — Great game but only 52.9% routes, same as Isaiah Likely and well behind Rashod Bateman at 73.5. Duvernay is worth grabbing if dropped, but I wouldn’t expect reliability.
  7. Curtis Samuel, WSH — Samuel is back, but he’s working primarily in three-wide and the slot. That makes him volatile and more of a WR4.
  8. Jakobi Meyers, NE — Eh, he’s the McKissic of receivers.
  1. Michael Gallup, DAL — The Dak Prescott injury crushes Gallup’s upside, but once healthy, he’s still the No. 2 for the Cowboys.
  2. Sterling Shepard, NYG 🧐 — Shepard and Robinson made the Achilles concern an afterthought. With Kadarius Toney buried, Shepard looks to be the only usable Giants receiver.
  3. Treylon Burks, TEN — Way behind Robert Woods and even Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Kyle Phillips currently, Burks still produced the second-best receiving line. Burks is a slow burn worth stashing if you haven’t already.
  4. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, KC — MVS had a higher route percentage than JuJu Smith-Schuster (80.5 to 78.0%). Mecole Hardman scored but was out there just 61.0% of the time with 61.1% of his snaps in the slot. MVS has a higher ceiling to Hardman unless he loses the No. 2 role.
  5. Romeo Doubs, GB — Got all the preseason love, but ran routes just 55.8% of the game. It could be a trio of Lazard-Watson-Doubs before long, but even then, Doubs ceiling is limited with both of those in the lineup.
  1. Isaiah McKenzie, BUF — McKenzie isn’t a weekly, must-start yet, as 55.3% routes run and 100% 3+WR use limits him, but if he settles into the Cole Beasley role with route work into the 65-70% range, McKenzie could be a weekly WR3.
  2. Zay Jones, JAX — Jones looks to have replaced Marvin Jones as the No. 2 in Jacksonville. If so, there is some boom/bust WR4 upside here.
  3. Donovan Peoples-Jones, CLE — I’m not pronouncing DPJ the No. 1 for the Browns just yet, but in Week 1, Jacoby Brissett did what I expected him to do with Amari Cooper: peppering Peoples-Jones with 11 targets instead of Cooper.
  4. Corey Davis, NYJ — Davis will eventually cede way to Garrett Wilson as the No. 2, but for now, he’s on the field more with more routes run, giving Davis the current edge. Though, Davis taps out as a WR4, and once Wilson passes him, Wilson would be a WR3.
  5. Rondale Moore, ARI — If returns this week, still can find McKenzie-like value.
  6. Garrett Wilson, NYJ — See: Corey Davis breakdown.
  7. Alec Pierce, IND — Goose egg in his debut, and even though Parris Campbell spent 78.3% of his time in the slot, Pierce ran eight fewer routes. Be patient.
  1. Nico Collins, HOU — As expected, the clear No. 2, but it’s the Texans, and Collins is capped as a high-risk/high-reward WR4.
  2. Van Jefferson, LAR — The Rams need him given their thinning receiver corps, and when things were clicking last year, the No. 3 receiver had some WR4 value.
  3. Parris Campbell, IND — If you stashed him, wait and see one more week, as the passing game had plenty of hiccups outside of Michael Pittman.
  4. Mecole Hardman, KC 😒 — See: MVS. Hardman is third and needs an injury to make consistent noise.
  5. Kyle Phillips, TEN — Hard to see Phillips maintaining his lead over Burks, so unless Woods is toast or hurt, Phillips is unlikely to be usable.
  6. DeAndre Carter, LAC 😒 — Allen doesn’t sound like he’ll be out long.
  7. Greg Dortch, ARI — The Cardinals wanted Moore to take a step forward this year, but maybe Dortch did enough to push Moore, or even A.J. Green.
  8. Noah Brown, DAL 😒 — Might have been an intriguing flier with Prescott, but not now.

BE PATIENT — LONG TERM UPSIDE STASH
(Might be over 60% rostered — try not to drop them)

Isaiah McKenzie, BUF; Terrace Marshall, CAR; David Bell, CLE; KJ Hamler, DEN; Jameson Williams, DET; Christian Watson, GB; Romeo Doubs, GB; Nico Collins, HOU; Alec Pierce, IND; Skyy Moore, KC; Joshua Palmer, LAC; Van Jefferson, LAR; K.J. Osborn, MIN; Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG; George Pickens, PIT; Danny Gray, SF; Kyle Phillips, TEN

DUMPSVILLE 🗑 (in the order I’d drop)

  • Sammy Watkins, GB — With Lazard out, Watson barely seeing the field and Doubs starting his first game, Watkins still couldn’t produce.
  • Kenny Golladay, NYG — He was worth a late flier in case anything was left in the tank, but Daniel Jones can find him and Golladay can’t find space.
  • Marvin Jones, JAX — It’s not for certain that Zay Jones took over, but in a shallow league where pressed, Marvin Jones is cuttable.
  • DeVante Parker, NE — Offense is abysmal, though, if you can hold, Parker ran a route on 100% of the dropbacks.

WAIVER WIRE TIGHT ENDS

Top Streamers

If You’re Needy

STREAMING DST RANKINGS

  • CLE vs NYJ
  • NYG vs CAR
  • CIN at DAL
  • PIT vs NE
  • CAR at NYG
  • LV vs ARI
  • NYJ at CLE

(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

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