Week 2 Waiver Wire for Fantasy Football

Well that was an exciting first Sunday of NFL action. And the best part of it... we aren't done yet, with two more games on tonight's Monday Night Slate. Week 1 was filled with some star-studded fantasy performances, some disappointing performances from other elite players, some unfortunate injuries and some unexpected breakout performances which may have raised some eyebrows.

In turn, there are some waiver wire pickups and sleepers for Week 2 that can have a potential impact for your teams. My piece won't cover all waiver wire adds and targets each week, as there are just too many with all the league types out there, but I'll be highlighting and prioritize the biggest impact players. Additionally, be sure to check out many more great RotoBaller articles and waiver wire analysis pieces at each position throughout the week, including risers/fallers, deeper league sleepers, rankings and more.

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Week 2 Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups

Carson Palmer (QB, ARI) - 52% Owned on Fleaflicker

It's surprising that the ownership for Carson Palmer wasn't significantly higher entering the year. Stocked with talent at nearly every surrounding position, Palmer will be throwing regularly this season to Larry Fitzgerald, John Brown, Michael Floyd (Limited in week 1), Andre Ellington, and David Johnson. That's a strong group of receivers, even without a standout elite talent currently making his presence felt. Palmer's has shown before that he can put up convincing, startable production with the Cardinals.

In 2013, when he threw for 4,200 yards and 24 touchdowns. And in 2014 when he was on pace for a 4,300 yard and 29 touchdown season. That all came against the strong NFC West defenses that have actually gotten a little worse, now that the 49ers have lost everything. Most people reading this already know everything they need to know about Palmer, but for those that don't, those numbers don't just scream good production - they're potential QB1 numbers. He's now coming off a 307 yard, 3 touchdown game. That's not a realistic pace, but it's significantly better than his averages the last two years - and his next two games are against more weak defenses. There's plenty of stat padding on the way.

Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF) - 18% Owned on Fleaflicker

On the exact opposite spectrum from Palmer, we have the unknown of Tyrod Taylor. Coming into this week, there was a lot of fantasy speculation as to what Tyrod can do this season. Like Palmer, he's surrounded by a strong supporting cast. But unlike Palmer, Tyrod offers a significantly high floor thanks to his capabilities as a rusher. It shouldn't be news that middling mobile quarterbacks are generally more valuable than statuesque quarterbacks in fantasy. I mean the math is simple. In fantasy points, 40 rushing yards is equal to 100 passing yards, and it's much easier to gain 40 yards than 100. Tyrod presents an appealing add from that perspective.

Marcus Mariota (QB, TEN) - 36% Owned on Fleaflicker

That perspective on Tyrod is also what helps make Mariota a must own right now. Although he only threw 16 passes on Sunday, those passes hit their mark with a 209 yard and 4 touchdown game. Mariota is unlikely to ever repeat that kind of efficiency again this season, but showing that kind of passing prowess (even if it was against a passing defense like the Buccaneers) seems like a good sign. Where the value gets greater is that Marcus is an athlete, and one that has the ability to run. Although not cut from the same mobile QB cloth as Robert Griffin III, whom he's often been compared to in fantasy, he still has the chance to consistently gain yardage on the ground, and that's something we'll likely see when defenses aren't just bending to his will.

 

Week 2 Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups

David Johnson (RB, ARI) - 48% Owned on Fleaflicker

Andre Ellington is going to be missing time with a PCL injury, and that leaves a big opening for the Cardinals. David Johnson is a high potential back in the NFL, although pegged by many (including myself) to be more of a project than an immediate contributor. His natural talents and receiving ability give him huge upside if he can develop as the season goes on. There's no timetable really set for Ellington's return, so Johnson will have the chance to overtake the other RB who shares his name, Chris Johnson. Even if he doesn't take it all, he should have the receiving role locked down - and as he showed on his 55 yard touchdown reception, it's a role the former wide receiver is very good at.

Dion Lewis (RB, NEP) - 8% Owned on Fleaflicker

This isn't a surprising name at all. Dion Lewis took 15 carries for 69 yards, and had 4 catches for 51 yards against the Steelers defense on Thursday night. He looked quick, agile, and impressive. That's not to say that Lewis is actually that caliber of talent - he definitely benefited from facing a defense that is likely to finish among the bottom of the the league, but having that kind of performance could lead to him being given the shot at another one. We all know the Patriots running back situation has value - Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley might seem like a story from ages ago, but imagine with me here: you know the Patriots are a top eight offense every year. You know that being in an offense that scores often and consistently puts up over 350+ yards a week is beneficial to a running back. So why not take the chance off the waiver wire?

 

Week 2 Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups

James Jones (WR, GBP) - 30% Owned on Fleaflicker

I can't believe more people didn't jump on the opportunity to own James Jones as soon as he was re-signed to the Packers. You had to know that their #3 WR spot wasn't settled. You had to know that Davante Adams hasn't proved to be the kind of player that demands targets yet. You definitely knew he was one of Aaron Rodgers' favorite end zone targets in his final season there. If you didn't know that, you know it now. James should be owned. Even if he doesn't end up becoming the top option or the second option, he's always been one of Rodgers' favorite end zone targets. As a potential FLEX option, bye week fill-in, and handcuff to the two players ahead of him - he possesses a huge upside on any given week.

Donte Moncrief (WR, IND) - 25% Owned on Fleaflicker

With T.Y. Hilton injured, Moncrief becomes the most obvious add in fantasy leagues this week. Being moved up to #2 in the Colts offense is a huge boost, despite what it looked like this week. Moncrief already showed some play-making skills last year, when on limited snaps he had two games with over 100 yards and at least one touchdown. Who knows what being placed in the starting lineup for multiple weeks could do for him?

 

Week 2 Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups

Ladarius Green (TE, SD) - 21% Owned on Fleaflicker

It finally happened. The day everyone hoped for arrived, as Ladarius Green caught 5 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. Suddenly, the mega athlete might be ready to take the next step to become the major fantasy contributor. Gates will remain out for the next three weeks, giving Green the opportunity to solidify his status as the starting TE for the Chargers. As we've all already seen, Phillip Rivers makes that a very valuable position.

Jordan Reed (TE, WAS) - 26% Owned in Fleaflicker

It was just a week of surprising tight end performances, and of them all the least surprising is Jordan Reed. We all already knew about his talent, he's shown it every single time he's been on the field. Now with a low cost investment of just a waiver pickup to be made, why not grab a player who's shown dominance and is still young enough to keep being, you know, dominant. Reed was targeted 11 times on Sunday (most on the team) leading to 7 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown.

 

Week 2 Defense (D/ST) Waiver Wire Pickups

Titans Defense - 6% Owned on Fleaflicker

It's amazing that this defense dismantled the Bucs the way did it. Sure, some of it had to do with Jameis Winston's rookie growing pains, but this team shouldn't have been that dominant. Maybe having Dick LeBeau working on your defense really does improve it that much and that quickly. I'm sort of willing to take that chance, especially as the Titans head to play the Brows this week who are likely going to be starting Johnny Manziel after Josh McCown's concussion. LeBeau's seen this team plenty of times throughout his career as the DC for the Steelers, so this isn't just a familiar foe, it's one he's destroyed time and time again. I'd be willing to take the bet that he will one more time.

 

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