September 13, 2016

Nick Mariano's week 2 fantasy football waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers for the 2016 NFL season. Running backs (RBs), wide receivers (WRs), quarterbacks (QBs) and tight ends (TEs).

Welcome to the second installment of the Waiver Wire weekly series for the 2016 fantasy football season. Week 1 went by without many major hitches, with the only real notable injury being Keenan Allen’s knee injury. That said, some folks may be panic-dropping players like Tyrod Taylor or looking to unload guys like Adrian Peterson and Dez Bryant. As a result, the waiver wire is likely full of more speculative adds based on Week 1 usage patterns and first impressions, but trading may be the hottest route. Let’s check in on players that are owned in roughly 40% of leagues or less, so that you can make an educated decision about who to add to your squad.

Let’s look around the league at many names who are worth mentioning as Week 1 approaches. Be sure to also check out our weekly rankings and analysis columns, with in-depth analysis for all options heading into Week 2. There are a few names here that should be included, but play on Monday Night Football first, so we’ll repeat their blurbs from the latest preseason piece.

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Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options

Joe Flacco (QB, BAL) – 37% Owned

Flacco and the Ravens got wrapped up in a real war against Buffalo in Week 1, but still pulled out a 13-7 victory in the end. The Ravens’ only touchdown came on a long bomb from Flacco to newcomer Mike Wallace, as Flacco ended with a 23-for-34, 258 yard and one TD line. This isn’t all that inspiring, but with Baltimore’s rushing offense looking like a hot mess (except for their pass-catching abilities), Flacco should be a solid play for Week 2 against a poor Browns defense that just made Carson Wentz look like a veteran in his pro debut. Speaking of that guy…

Carson Wentz (QB, PHI) – 22% Owned

The only question one really has to ask here is how much of his 278 yard, two-TD performance was on him, and how much was on Cleveland’s poor defense? Well, if you saw the amazing ball that he delivered in Jordan Matthews’ hands for his first career touchdown, then you already know the answer is quite of bit of “Column A”. Oh, and Philly gets to go face Chicago next, a defense that just allowed 21.64 standard points to Brock Osweiler. Not a bad setup.

Jimmy Garoppolo (QB, NE) – 15% Owned­

That wasn’t so bad now, was it? Jimmy G went into Arizona without Rob Gronkowski or Dion Lewis, and completed 24-of-33 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. He even sprinkled in 12 rushing yards. He wasn’t asked to light the world on fire, but this is still a notable performance from a low-owned guy against a very good defense (on the road, no less). The Patriots square off against Miami’s blah defense at home next week, as he may provide healthy QB2 numbers yet again.

Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options

Theo Riddick (RB, DET) – 36% Owned

We talked last week about how Riddick was being overlooked, so this is as good a time as any to reiterate that point. His 80 catches from last season were tied with Danny Woodhead for best RB-total in the NFL, and in Week 1 he rushed seven times for 45 yards and TD while catching all five of his targets for 63 yards and another TD celebration. Detroit won’t face Indianapolis’ awful defense every week, but Tennessee’s pass defense in Week 2 isn’t much better, and Riddick is clearly a huge part of Detroit’s passing attack.

Tevin Coleman (RB, ATL) – 34% Owned

Coleman performed quite well in the passing game against Tampa Bay, catching five of six targets for 95 yards on top of 22 rushing yards on eight totes. 117 total yards ain’t bad against an underrated front-seven for the Bucs, especially considering all Devonta Freeman could muster was 20 rushing yards (11 carries) and 20 receiving yards (four catches).

Rob Kelley (RB, WAS) – 15% Owned

Kelley has burst onto the scene this season, totaling 198 yards on 38 rushes (5.2 yards per carry) to leap from an undrafted free agent to #2 on the depth chart behind Matt Jones. This is the same Matt Jones who dealt with a right knee injury in training camp last season before a sprained toe sidelined him for a bit, then underwent minor hip surgery after the season ended and is now recovering from an AC sprain in his shoulder. The same Matt Jones that hasn’t consistently proven it on the field even when healthy. Yeah, you’re going to want the impressive #2 here.

Dwayne Washington (RB, DET) – 4% Owned

Washington got a couple of short-yardage looks in Week 1, but the one-yard TD plunge can go a long way into developing trust down the road. Detroit doesn’t have an established goal-line back right now, so there’s no reason that Washington can’t turn into their guy so long as he continues to break through the wall into the end zone. Zach Zenner was inactive here, so Week 2 will be very telling when they square up against the Titans soft defensive front.

Travaris Cadet (RB, NO) – 1% Owned

C.J. Spiller was inactive for Week 1, and it was Cadet who ended up seeing seven targets out of the backfield on Sunday (catching three of them for 14 yards and a TD). While a 35-34 duel can’t be counted on to occur each week, it’s clear that he has the trust of the Saints’ coaches and a role in this offense moving forward. Deep-league PPR types should take note.

Jalen Richard (RB, OAK) – 1% Owned

Richard burst onto the scene with a wild 75-yard rushing TD, and appears to have outjockeyed rookie DeAndre Washington for #2 RB duties in Oakland behind Latavius Murray. Murray still got the majority of touches at RB in Oakland’s crazy shootout with New Orleans, but they appeared to find something (and eventually won) by utilizing a more up-tempo, pass-happy offense that didn’t call for him. Richard isn’t a must-add, but his position in the backfield is worth noting for all of those who are hedging against Murray holding onto the #1 job all season long.

More Options: Shaun Draughn (3% owned)

Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options

Higher-Owned Names Worth Adding First:

Will Fuller (WR, HOU), Mohamed Sanu (WR, ATL), Phillip Dorsett (WR, IND), Chris Hogan (WR, NE), Mike Wallace (WR, BAL)

Nelson Agholor (WR, PHI) – 40% Owned

Right at that ownership threshold, Agholor caught four of his five targets for 57 yards and a lovely TD on Sunday against the Browns. Yes, we’ve covered how the Browns factor in, but it’s still nice to see some chemistry emerge between two young playmakers for Philadelphia. The Eagles get another cake matchup against a soft Bears defense in Week 2, so Agholor should have a good chance at building up some serious momentum to begin the season.

Ted Ginn (WR, CAR) – 38% Owned

Mr. “All-or-Nothing” was much more “nothing” in Thursday’s season opener, logging only five yards on his one catch (though he did have a 20-yard rush). The thing is, Denver’s defense is still pretty darn good and make judging Ginn that much more difficult. Carolina gets a much easier matchup in Week 2 against San Francisco’s secondary, giving Ginn and his 739 yards and 10 touchdowns from last season a much better chance at shining forth. Carolina may not need to pass often in that matchup, but they may also just put up 50 and get everyone a TD.

Terrelle Pryor (WR, CLE) – 23% Owned

Pryor was targeted seven times on Sunday against the Eagles, catching three of those for 68 yards as he showed off his deep-threat skills. While his ceiling will come down when Josh Gordon returns in Week 5 (presumably), Pryor may just carve out a spot in this offense by then. The most immediate X-factor here will be the health of RGIII, who is undergoing an MRI on his shoulder. Josh McCown can run an offense just fine, but it’d be better for Pryor’s skillset to have Griffin firing the ball.

Tyrell Williams (WR, SD) – 14% Owned

It is a damn shame to see Keenan Allen go down with what is all-but-technically confirmed as a season-ending ACL tear, but we all must move on. Williams stepped up and caught two of his five targets for 71 yards against a solid Chiefs secondary, and should have a chance to step up as one of Philip Rivers’ primary receiving options for the 2016 season with two of their preseason WRs already on the shelf. Williams is a good buy, but it should be noted that San Diego’s entire offense is dampened by the loss of Allen. They’ll take on Jacksonville’s improved defense in Week 2, where they’ll need Williams to put in work.

Eli Rogers (WR, PIT) – 11% Owned

Once it was announced that Martavis Bryant would miss the 2016 season, the hype train has made its way to many stations. First it was Markus Wheaton’s turn, but that quickly subsided for some Sammie Coates hype. Then he fumbled twice and had too many lapses to retain a starting spot on the depth chart. Enter: Eli Rogers. He’s going to open the season as Pittsburgh’s slot man, which should yield some nice deep-league value, especially with Le’Veon Bell on the shelf until Week 4. Reevaluate then, but enjoy the now until then.

Cole Beasley (WR, DAL) – 9% Owned

Beasley has been known in deeper PPR circles for a while now, but seeing 12 targets in Week 1 should raise the bar a bit. He caught eight of those for 65 yards on Sunday against the Giants, and this may be a fairly regular occurrence as long as Dak Prescott is running this offense. The youngster could use a steady presence across the middle, and may not have the comfort level necessary to sling it deep to Dez Bryant on a regular basis when he can hit those short-to-intermediate routes to Beasley and Jason Witten over the middle.

Charles Johnson (WR, MIN) – 9% Owned

Charles Johnson was overlooked heading into this season, and his one catch, five yard effort will only leave him deeper in the shadows. Johnson actually saw six targets on Sunday, but they were fairly poor, low-percentage Shaun Hill targets. People were still expecting Laquon Treadwell here, but Treadwell went without a single target against Tennessee here. Johnson’s best chance for success will come when he and newly-acquired Sam Bradford get on the same page, so savvy owners may want to tuck him away until signs of that come about.

Quincy Enunwa (WR, NYJ) – 2% Owned

Enunwa operated primary out of the slot for the Jets in their Week 1 matchup against the Bengals, catching seven of his eight targets for 54 yards and a quick-out TD. The Jets rolled the pocket and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick found Enunwa for their first TD of the game, as Fitz was clearly comfortable looking Enunwa’s way on the shorter slot routes. Since the Jets really don’t have a tight end, Enunwa stands to provide plenty of action across the middle for those in deeper PPR formats. The Jets will face the Bills in Buffalo in Week 2, which isn’t an ideal matchup, but his role as a 6-8 target WR may hold steady all season long.

Malcolm Mitchell (WR, NE) – 1% Owned

Mitchell caught two of his five targets against Arizona on Sunday, tallying 33 yards on what could’ve been a much bigger game. The “X” receiver role doesn’t yield much in New England’s offense, but Mitchell could still provide some nice deep-league returns, especially when Tom Brady comes back. Mitchell’s next chance to find paydirt will come against the Dolphins at home next week, which is certainly a “plus” matchup.

More Options: Jeremy Kerley (1% owned), Victor Cruz (19% owned)

Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options

Virgil Green (TE, DEN) – 30% Owned

Let’s start this off by reiterating last week’s blurb: Green stands at 6’5”. This was never more apparent than on opening night when he stood wide open in the end zone. All Trevor Siemian had to do was flick the ball over the linebacker. Alas, Siemian fired it too low, underestimating Green’s reach (okay, so he likely just goofed rather than underestimate, but work with me here) and failing to convert on the TD. While it doesn’t show up on the box score, you know that it is being made clear on the tape to Siemian. Green ended up catching four of his five targets for 28 yards, but don’t cut him just yet. A date against Indianapolis’ soft defense looms on the Week 2 horizon.

Vance McDonald (TE, SF) – 22% Owned

McDonald has a sneaky-high ceiling should he beat out Garrett Celek in earnest for the clear-cut starting TE spot on the 49ers. While it’s highly unlikely that Celek just drops off (unless he gets hurt), McDonald appears to have secured the starting TE job for now. He also has a decent chemistry with QB Blaine Gabbert, and with safety valve slot-man Bruce Ellington out for the season now, McDonald could be the hot read for Gabbert. Don’t look to San Francisco’s offense for any gold, but those in deeper PPR formats who would settle for some silver may be pleased with what they find here.

Jesse James (TE, PIT) – 21% Owned

With Ladarius Green’s status for the season completely up in the air, the 6’7” 22-year-old should provide Ben Roethlisberger with a huge target over the middle and in the end zone. This is an offense that is set to put the pedal to the floor and light the world up, and anyone starting on it deserves to be owned and will probably be a fantastic start. Plus, his name lends itself to incredible outlaw-related smack talk.

Larry Donnell (TE, NYG) – 1% Owned

It was Donnell’s time to shine in Week 1, as he showed off his size on Sunday when he hauled in a TD over the middle to help the Giants pull off their Week 1 win. “Time to shine” is aggressive, but what can I say, I’m happy for the guy after the horrifying neck injury that he dealt with. In all seriousness though, this is close to the ceiling of what one can expect from Donnell. He’s a good option in the red zone but is unlikely to top 3-4 catches in any given week. For what it’s worth, Will Tye (11% owned) saw three targets to Donnell’s two.

Jack Doyle (IND, TE) – 1% Owned

Doyle was the recipient of two Andrew Luck TDs in Week 1, though he still only saw four targets. He caught three of them for 35 yards in all, and really should not be counted on moving forward for any sustainable production. Dwayne Allen caught four-of-six targets for 53 yards and a TD as well, and is definitely the TE1 here. This just happened to be a shootout against a rather poor Detroit defense, and 74-point affairs cannot be relied on week-to-week. The Colts defense is bad, and games like this may occur, but Doyle is sixth in the pecking order here.