Week 2 Wide Receivers: Waiver Wire Pickups & Adds

September 8, 2014

Bill Dubiel analyzes Week 2 fantasy football wide receivers (WR) - waiver wire pickups, adds and sleepers for both PPR and non-PPR leagues. NFL wide receivers are a key component.

The fantasy football season is here, and with it comes the need to make some changes to your lineups.

I’ll be your wide receiver guru for the 2014 season, taking a look at NFL wide receivers who could be waiver wire pickups, adds or sleepers for your fantasy teams. So don’t hesitate to reach out to me @Roto_Dubs with any questions whenever.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at some wide receivers that could be useful either in the near future or for the long haul. Each week I'll also give you a bonus player to avoid (usually someone who might be a popular pickup that I disagree with). Let's get to it!

Editor’s Note: be sure to check out our famous fantasy football waiver wire pickups list, which is our daily updated list of NFL waiver wire adds and players to pickup for all positions.

Fantasy Football Wide Receivers (WR)

Kelvin Benjamin (WR, CAR)

Owned in 71% of Fleaflicker, 38.2% of ESPN leagues

Benjamin is an über-talented rookie that I have as offensive rookie of the year. With his talent he is automatically the best receiver on the Panthers, and he showed the league exactly what he brings to the table in Week 1. He’s fast, athletic, and has outstanding hands. He even showed shades of Megatron’s freakish ability to catch balls that he has no business catching.

Bear in mind as well that that production came with Derek Anderson at the helm. I don’t see any reason why his targets will go down when Cam Newton returns, and I think Cam will appreciate having a legitimate vertical threat to work with. If he’s available, grab him. If he’s not, consider trading for him.

Baller Move: Add in all leagues, target for trade at WR3 value

Markus Wheaton (WR, PIT)

Owned in 60% of Fleaflicker, 28.9% of ESPN leagues

I’m not sure why, but people seem to forget that Big Ben can be an amazing fantasy asset. Accordingly, his receivers can be exceptional from a fantasy perspective, and Wheaton has all the makings of a PPR monster. Antonio Brown is of course still the deep threat and the WR1, but with defenses keying in on him Wheaton can run wild.

Wheaton now occupies the role that Emmanuel Sanders had last season, and Sanders came away with a very respectable season opposite Brown. Roethlisberger showed that he’s not afraid to look Wheaton’s way in Week 1, and I think that trend will continue throughout the season. I believe he’ll rise to every-week WR3 status in a matter of weeks.

Baller Move: Add in all leagues, target for trade at WR3 value

Donnie Avery (WR, KC)

Owned in 4% of Fleaflicker, 8.2% of ESPN leagues

I’m not sure what happened to the Chiefs offense in Week 1, but they had a bright spot in Donnie Avery. Stepping up in the absence of the suspended Dwayne Bowe, Avery had seven catches for 84 yards. I hate—HATE—Dwayne Bowe, and I think Avery has a shot at establishing himself as a reliable option for Alex Smith in the slot and occasionally out wide.However, do NOT take this as me saying to add him no matter what. However if you’ve got some dead weight on your squad, this could be a good addition in a PPR format.

Baller Move: Add in deep PPR leagues

Andrew Hawkins (WR, CLE)

Owned in 37% of Fleaflicker, 12.0% of ESPN leagues

So with defenses keying in on Jordan Cameron, SOMEBODY has to catch passes in Cleveland, right? I think this is your guy. Hawkins is quick and could be a really solid option, particularly in PPR. He burned a very solid Steelers pass defense for 87 yards on eight catches, which you’ll take every time out from your WR3 or flex spot.

I don’t see anyone else becoming a real threat to eat into his targets either, as Miles Austin’s best days (wait, there were good days?) are behind him, and as I said defenses are going to be wary of Cameron. If he’s available in your league, ditch some dead weight and add him.

Baller Move: Add in deep PPR/standard leagues

Other Wide Receiver Options: Steve Smith (BAL - 68% owned), Greg Jennings (MIN - 38% owned), Brian Quick (STL - 3% owned), Kenbrell Thompkins (NE - 12% owned),

Wide Receiver To Avoid (Bonus)

Allen Hurns (WR, JAC)

Owned in 6% of Fleaflicker, 3.2% of ESPN leagues

He blew up in week one, with four catches for 110 yards and two scores. Those numbers are attractive, but let’s not forget that the only reason Hurns earned a start was because Cecil Shorts was out with a hamstring injury. Hurns’ value is dependent on Shorts’ health, as despite his outburst, Hurns is still the third receiver on the team behind Shorts and fellow rookie Marqise Lee. Don’t be wowed by the Week 1 stats—let someone else take the gamble.

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