X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups and Free Agent Adds - All Positions

Curtis Samuel - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Pierre's fantasy football waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers ahead of Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season. Free agent RB, WR, TE, QB and D/ST to target.

The time for overreaction is nigh. The first week of the NFL season, just like every other, was filled with surprises. It's too soon to say which standout performers are legit and can provide rest-of-season fantasy value. For now, we'll look at players who might be worth consideration on the waiver wire based on very early returns.

Below, you will find the top waiver wire options at each position with analysis of their values, both immediate and long-term. We will look only at players who are rostered in 50% or fewer leagues, according to Yahoo. Players are listed in descending order by rostered percentage, not in order of priority.

Check out all of our fantasy football waiver wire advice to get an edge on the competition!

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Quarterbacks - Waiver Wire Options

Matt Ryan, Indianapolis Colts - 43% rostered

By the time the afternoon slate was over, Ryan led all passers with 352 yards. It took 50 pass attempts in a comeback effort against the Texans, which ultimately resulted in a tie, to get to that point.

It does speak to the level of confidence the Colts have in their passing game this year. The Colts get to play in Jacksonville next week, so those who stream at quarterback should fire him up with confidence after just allowing Carson Wentz to put up big numbers.

Jameis Winston, New Orleans Saints - 46% rostered

We didn't have enough revenge narratives in Week 1, so here's another. Winston faces Tampa Bay, the team that selected him No. 1 overall in 2015 and then let him as a free agent in 2020. He was solid in a narrow Week 1 victory over Atlanta with 269 yards and two TDs.

Winston has shown that he isn't a turnover machine any longer and he'll be hungry to eat a big W against his former team. If you suddenly need a Dak Prescott replacement, Winston might be a wise choice.

Carson Wentz, Washington Commanders - 13% rostered

Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, Carson Wentz. Those are your top-three fantasy scorers at the QB position after Week 1. Wentz threw four touchdowns, two of which went to rookie Jahan Dotson. On the one hand, this came against Jacksonville and we shouldn't overreact to one game.

On the other hand, Washington travels to Detroit next week and this passing offense looks much more formidable with the quick emergence of their rookie wideout and a healthy Curtis Samuel. Wentz looks like a great option in Week 2 but the schedule gets harder with Philly and Dallas the following two weeks.

Others to consider: Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (21% rostered); Baker Mayfield, Carolina Panthers (18% rostered)

 

Running Backs - Waiver Wire Options

Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions - 47% rostered

Call him a vulture if you want. Jamaal Williams only gained 28 yards on the ground compared to D'Andre Swift's 144 but Williams scored twice while Swift scored once. The touches were pretty close as well with Swift carrying 15 times and Williams 11.

Williams is more valuable in non-PPR leagues and doesn't really have standalone value in PPR most weeks if Swift is healthy. He is a decent depth stash and high-end RB3.

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders - 46% rostered

There's no exact timetable for Robinson to return to the field after being shot in the leg but it might not be as far away as initially feared.

If you've got an empty IR slot, stashing Robinson is a smart move.

Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears - 45% rostered

Although Herbert was running well behind David Montgomery in terms of rush attempts (17-9), he managed to outgain him by 19 yards and get into the end zone.

Herbert may turn out to be the more effective runner and see his touches increase as the weeks progress but he will not be a factor as a receiver, giving him a low weekly floor in PPR leagues.

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs - 31% rostered

Either you're fired up that Pacheco wound up with 62 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL game or you're rolling your eyes because he put up garbage-time production in a blowout.

This game might not be the best marker for how the KC running game will shake out the rest of this season. It is still interesting to note that Pacheco led the team with 12 carries while Clyde Edwards-Helaire had just seven carries.

Pacheco is at least worth a roster spot in 14+ team leagues or 12-teamers with deep benches even if he is still the backup. At least he was running ahead of Ronald Jones, who didn't sniff the field.

Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers - 16% rostered

UPDATE 9/13: Elijah Mitchell was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury, and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

The initial speculation on Elijah Mitchell's knee injury is an MCL tear that could sideline him for a few weeks. Rookie Tyrion Davis-Price was a healthy scratch and Jordan Mason didn't touch the ball in Week 1, so the backfield seems to belong to Wilson alone.

That's a bit misleading, though. The leading rusher was QB Trey Lance and next up was WR Deebo Samuel. This offense is going to manufacture rushing yards in unique ways, so don't expect Wilson to see 20 carries per week. He does possess touchdown upside, assuming this offense can turn things around after a sad showing in Chicago.

Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans - 13% rostered

Pour one out for the drafters who reached on Dameon Pierce by taking him in the fifth round or sooner. Actually, this backfield will belong to Pierce before long and he should be fine by the time it matters most in the latter part of the season.

For now, it's Burkhead who led the way with 19 touches and 70 combined yards. He will be hard-pressed to put up better numbers on the road in Denver next week but then gets the Bears in Week 3. There's low-end flex appeal here based on volume.

Dontrell Hilliard, Tennessee Titans - 6% rostered

Tilting all Derrick Henry stakeholders, Hilliard scored twice and wound up with more fantasy points on the day than the man who nearly broke fantasy last year before getting hurt.

Hilliard won't be reaching the end zone nearly that often but he looks to be a key part of the passing game and more than just a handcuff for Henry. He looks to be a decent add in PPR leagues as long as you temper expectations.

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - 4% rostered

If (and only if) Najee Harris is set to miss any games, which now seems unlikely, Warren is the player to add. The undrafted free agent won the backup RB job by beating out Benny Snell Jr. and Anthony McFarland Jr. in training camp.

He doesn't have blazing speed but he was productive at Oklahoma State, has good hands, and clearly impressed the coaches this summer. Harris owners need to be on standby with waiver claims if his foot issues flare up again.

Others to considerKenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (48% rostered); Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - (34% rostered); Mark Ingram II, New Orleans Saints (22% rostered); Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals (8% rostered); Ty Davis-Price, San Francisco 49ers (3% rostered)

 

Wide Receivers - Waiver Wire Options

Jarvis Landry, New Orleans Saints - 42% rostered

All the attention in New Orleans is on Michael Thomas playing and scoring twice. It's almost like nobody's talking about the fact that Jarvis Landry doubled his yardage output and is a top-10 receiver.

Landry isn't the most exciting receiver but he's productive and could easily lead the Saints in receptions this season.

D.J. Chark, Detroit Lions - 40% rostered

Chark is another Lion who benefited from garbage time in the fourth quarter. His late touchdown padded the stats in an otherwise lackluster performance. That said, he's got the big-play ability and the Lions may be playing from behind often.

Devin Duvernay, Baltimore Ravens - 31% rostered

One of the biggest surprises of opening week was Duvernay emerging as a legitimate threat in the Ravens' passing game. He was quiet all preseason and had done little in his first two NFL seasons.

So naturally, he matched his career total of two touchdowns in the first contest of 2022. Duvernay scored twice and was the leading fantasy scorer among Flex players on the Baltimore roster. That's unlikely to repeat itself often, as Duvernay saw limited route participation.

Still, the lack of receiver depth has led to an opportunity for him to carve out a larger role, and so far, he's taken advantage. He's not a strict avoid, just don't go crazy because of this outburst.

Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders - 23% rostered

The first-rounder cashed in twice in his pro debut, including the game-winning score. It was a highlight-reel catch that showcased his hands that drew compliments all preseason.

It looks like the hype was justified. Dotson will compete for targets with Terry McLaurin but he has the type of big-play ability that makes him less volume-dependent. He is worth adding in all formats.

Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers - 18% rostered

UPDATE 9/14: Keenan Allen has officially been ruled out for Week 2 against the Chiefs.

The second-year wideout wasn't very active in Week 1, catching three passes for five yards. The Bolts spread the ball around to multiple players with nine different players catching a pass.

Palmer will have to step up his game if Keenan Allen is out, which sounds more likely than not.

Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars - 12% rostered

The preseason connection carried over for Trevor Lawrence and Zay Jones. Christian Kirk led the way as expected with 117 yards but Zay Jones was second on the Jags across all receiving categories with nine targets, six receptions, and 65 yards. I suspect the Jags will be passing a lot this season and Jones will be one of the main beneficiaries.

K.J. Osborn, Minnesota Vikings - 11% rostered

Unlike Week 1 of the 2021 season, Justin Jefferson proved he is the undisputed alpha in the Minnesota offense. That left crumbs for the other guys like Adam Thielen and K.J. Osborn, who finished with 36 and 14 yards, respectively.

Osborn should see more action in future weeks but as the third option in the passing game, his output will be uneven on a weekly basis.

Robbie Anderson, Carolina Panthers - 10% rostered

The final stat line is deceiving in this case. Seeing that the artist formerly known as Robby Anderson came away with 102 yards and a touchdown and finished as a top-10 fantasy WR on the week is jolting.

Consider that most of that came on one play due to a busted coverage where Anderson scampered 75 yards to the end zone and it makes more sense. Anderson will be a boom-or-bust asset.

Sterling Shepard, New York Giants - 9% rostered

It's like Shepard never even tore his Achilles... In a move that should be every bit as surprising as Cam Akers suiting up for last year's playoffs, Shepard was active in Week 1 after suffering the season-ending injury late in 2021. And he was very active.

Shepard hauled in a 65-yard TD and looked like the best receiver in New York. With Wan'Dale Robinson getting injured and Kadarius Toney looking like he has no grasp of the playbook, it would be less surprising if Shepard was the WR1 here.

Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders - 4% rostered

It looks like we have the Curtis Samuel of old back. It was a lost season for Samuel in 2021 due to injuries so expectations were low heading into 2022. So far, so good. He caught eight passes for 55 yards and a TD, as well as being involved as a runner with four carries for 17 yards.

His activity level is a good sign that he's back to 100% and doing the things that made him so valuable in fantasy football when he was in Carolina. If Antonio Gibson suffers an injury or recurrence of fumble-itis, we could see Samuel serve as the lead runner and receiver.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, Cleveland Browns - 4% rostered

DPJ was more than just a deep threat in the season opener. He led the Browns with 11 targets, almost twice as much as Amari Cooper and more than the rest of the WR/TE group combined.

That's an unexpected development for sure. This passing offense won't be dynamic for another 10 weeks when Deshaun Watson is eligible to return so Peoples-Jones hasn't quite entered Flex territory yet; he is someone to keep an eye on for now.

Kyle Philips, Tennessee Titans - 1% rostered

Philips is a player who I've previously profiled as a high-upside sleeper. He was the main target for Ryan Tannehill on the day and led all rookie receivers in target share at 27%.

It's not an exaggeration to say he could be this year's Hunter Renfrow providing tons of value in PPR leagues.

Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals - 0% rostered

Not Marquise Brown, Zach Ertz, or A.J. Green. Not even Andy Isabella. The leading receiver for the Cardinals in Week 1 was Greg Dortch, a former undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest who has strictly been used on special teams the last couple of years.

It's hard to imagine this continues once they get Rondale Moore and DeAndre Hopkins back but for the time being, Dortch could be a consideration in very deep leagues.

Others to consider: Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans (46% rostered); Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots (39% rostered); Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (34% rostered); Olamide Zaccheaus, Atlanta Falcons (0% rostered)

 

Tight Ends - Waiver Wire Options

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers - 27% rostered

Although it was a little disconcerting to see guys like Tre' McKitty, Richard Rodgers, and Zander Horvath getting a combined seven targets, it didn't prevent Everett from scoring and putting up a nice fantasy day with 54 yards and a touchdown on three grabs.

If Keenan Allen misses time due to a hamstring injury that forced an early exit, Everett could see even more attention in what should be a shootout with the Chiefs next week.

Robert Tonyan, Green Bay Packers - 25% rostered

The more you watch the Packers' offense, the more you realize why they're going with a WRBC (wide receiver by committee). No wideout gained as much as 40 yards and the leading receiver was A.J. Dillon.

Tonyan wasn't overly impressive, gaining 36 yards on three receptions but he looked healthy after suffering an ACL tear a year ago and should serve as a red-zone target going forward. If Allen Lazard isn't ready for another couple of weeks, Tonyan could be a solid streamer.

Hayden Hurst, Cincinnati Bengals - 11% rostered

Only three tight ends were targeted more than Hurst in Week 1. He came away with five catches for 46 yards and didn't reach the end zone, so it won't go down as a standout performance. With Tee Higgins possibly in the concussion protocol, Hurst should see plenty more targets when they face the Cowboys.

O.J. Howard, Houston Texans - 1% rostered

Raise your hand if you knew Howard was on the active roster in Houston. Hands down, liars.

Howard was allowed to walk from Tampa and released by Buffalo in the preseason, ending up in Houston just days before the season began. Apparently, he didn't need much time to insert himself into the lineup and become a factor in the passing game.

Howard caught two touchdowns in his first game as a Texan. They were his only two catches on the day but he still somehow wound up second on the team with 38 receiving yards. Spending big on Howard with your early FAB might prove to be a mistake, so consider him a TD-dependent replacement for injuries or byes.

Others to consider: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars (25% rostered); Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks (18% rostered); Cameron Brate, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9% rostered)

 

Team Defense - Waiver Wire Options

Cincinnati Bengals Defense - 45% rostered

Before the season, a matchup with the Cowboys would seem like a great time to avoid a DST. The way they looked on Sunday night was bad enough but now that Dak Prescott is set to miss several weeks, it's a good time to test the Bengals' defense against the mostly inexperienced Cooper Rush.

Pittsburgh Steelers Defense - 30% rostered

It's understandable why the Steelers were passed over in the season opener as they faced the defending AFC champion Bengals on the road. It also logically follows that they will be the most-added DST in fantasy after picking off Joe Burrow four times, forcing a fumble, and sacking him seven times.

In Week 2, they will be at home to take on a Patriots team that struggled to move the ball under OC Matt Patricia. Unfortunately, they'll be without Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt, who suffered a pectoral muscle injury and will miss this game. Don't expect a performance like we just witnessed from this version of the Steel Curtain, but feel free to fire them up in Week 2.

New York Giants Defense - 1% rostered

This is your deep-league/desperation streaming option for the week. The G-Men only came away with one sack and one turnover against Tennessee but the defense did enough to eke out the win. They should have an easier path to sacks when they face Baker Mayfield and the Panthers next week.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Waiver Wire Pickups and Advice




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Brandon Aiyuk

Making Good Progress From Knee Injury
Keon Coleman

Inconsistent at Minicamp
Mitchell Trubisky

Not a Lock for Backup Job
Dalton Kincaid

Adds Strength and Bulk
James Cook

a Full Participant in Mandatory Minicamp
Tyrese Haliburton

Struggles in Friday's Loss to OKC
Jacob Misiorowski

Expected to Make Next Start
Chet Holmgren

Dominates the Glass in Game 4
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Leads the Way in Game 4
Jalen Williams

Has a Quality Showing on Friday Night
Charlie Morton

Continues Good Work With 10 Strikeouts
James Wood

Homers, Drives in Four
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice to Snap Skid
Isaac Paredes

Astros Hopeful Isaac Paredes Can Avoid the Injured List
Royce Lewis

Dealing With Hamstring Strain
Kodai Senga

Diagnosed With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Gleyber Torres

Goes Deep Twice on Friday
Jonathan India

Leaves With Apparent Shoulder Injury
Evan Carter

Leaves Early With Wrist Soreness
Anthony Richardson

Should be Fine for Training Camp
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
A.J. Puk

Pauses Throwing Program
Matt Chapman

Can Begin Rehabbing in a Week
Logan Gilbert

Next Start Could Come in the Big Leagues
Cam Akers

Joining Saints
Yordan Alvarez

Still Not Hitting
Michael Mayer

to Get More Involved
Aaron Rodgers

DK Metcalf Building Chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Colston Loveland

Likely to be Primary Tight End
Jacob Wilson

Returns on Friday
Justin Martinez

Out 12-13 Months With UCL Sprain
Will Johnson

Returns to Practice
Harold Fannin Jr.

Could Have Big Role in Rookie Season
Matt Chapman

Could Miss the Rest of June
Quentin Johnston

Still Running With Starters
Rashawn Slater

Takes Part in Minicamp
Jack Bech

Mostly Working With Second-Team Offense
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Makes Strides This Offseason
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Ashton Jeanty

to be Part of Committee Backfield?
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Christian McCaffrey

Takes Part in Mandatory Minicamp
Jordan Watkins

has Been Standing Out
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Jacob Cowing

on the Rise
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Demarcus Robinson

a Frequent Target This Spring
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Cody Brundage

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alonzo Menifield

Opens Up UFC Atlanta Main Card
Oumar Sy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Aaron Civale

Traded to the White Sox
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled With Cramps
Framber Valdez

Punches Out 12 in Win
Isaac Paredes

Homers, Exits Early With Hamstring Injury
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Chris Kreider

Ducks Acquire Chris Kreider From Rangers
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Cale Makar

Wins His Second Norris Trophy
Lane Hutson

Voted NHL's Best Rookie
CGY

Adam Klapka Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Considered a Game-Time Call Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Undergoes Successful Knee Procedure
Kevin Porter Jr.

Likely to Decline Player Option
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Kevin Durant

Knicks Not Looking to Trade for Kevin Durant
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
Jordan Spieth

Can Contend at Oakmont
Shane Lowry

a Strong Value Play at U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka

Seeks Another Major Win at Oakmont
Viktor Hovland

Still Can Improve at U.S. Open
Michael Kim

a Boom-or-Bust Value Play at U.S. Open
Russell Henley

Looking to Play the Weekend at Oakmont
Tyrrell Hatton

a Safe Option at U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Eyeing Third U.S. Open Title
Darius Garland

Kings Targeting Darius Garland
Kevin Durant

Expected to Be Moved Soon
Denny Hamlin

Charges Late to Win at Michigan
Carson Hocevar

Michigan Run is Derailed by A Late-Race Flat Tire
Kyle Larson

Up-and-Down Day Ends With Top-Five Finish at Michigan
Ross Chastain

Quietly Finishes Sixth at Michigan
Corey Perry

Nets Power-Play Goal in Monday's Loss
Stuart Skinner

Gets Pulled in Heavy Game 3 Defeat
Evan Rodrigues

Extends Scoring Streak with Multi-Point Effort
Sam Reinhart

Collects Two Points in Monday's Win
Chris Buescher

Takes Second Place After William Byron Runs Out of Fuel
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has a Great Points Day to Build Buffer Over the Playoff Cut Line
Ryan Blaney

Flat Tire Results in Poor Finish for Ryan Blaney
Alex Bowman

Playoffs in Doubt After Stage 2 Crash at Michigan
Sean O'Malley

Submitted For The First Time In His Career
Merab Dvalishvili

Defends Bantamweight Belt At UFC 316
Julianna Peña

Julianna Pena No Longer A Champion
Kayla Harrison

Is The New Champion
Joe Pyfer

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum

Drops Decision
Patchy Mix

Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
Mario Bautista

Extends His Win Streak
Vicente Luque

Submitted At UFC 316
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF