It was a wild Week 1 in the NFL. We had several surprising finishes, including the Bears pulling off an impressive comeback against the Lions. We also had a lot of noteworthy individual performances that might have significant impacts on the remainder of the fantasy football season. Attacking the waiver wire early can be a difference maker for your team, so let’s dive in and highlight some players to consider adding who are still available in the majority of Yahoo league.
Mike Barner’s Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups Vid!
**50% OFF Awesemo+ NFL WEEKLY**
The Fantasy Football season kicks off in full on Sunday, and we’re offering you 50% off the Awesemo+ NFL Weekly Pass by 50% when you use promo code REDZONE. The Weekly Pass gets you access to Awesemo’s leading fantasy points and ownership projections, lineup builder and top stacks tool. Use promo code REDZONE before time runs out on Tuesday, 9/15/20.
Fantasy Football: Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups
Nyheim Hines, Colts (80% available)
One of the biggest injuries from a fantasy perspective in the first week was the Colts losing Marlon Mack (Achilles) for the season. They will now turn to rookie Jonathan Taylor to take on the lead role at running back. However, don’t forget about Hines. He’s received 139 targets over the last two seasons, and he was busy in the passing game in Week 1, catching all eight of his targets for 45 yards and a touchdown. There will still be a role for him with this team, which should make him a popular waiver wire target, especially in PPR leagues.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 1
Benny Snell, Steelers (86% available)
The Steelers handled the Giants with ease Monday night, but they did come away with at least one noteworthy injury. James Conner (ankle) didn’t take the field in the second half, which resulted in plenty of work for Snell. He made the most of his opportunity, rushing 19 times for 113 yards. Conner didn’t even look good when he was in the game, rushing six times for nine yards. If Conner were to miss any time, Snell would be in line for a huge role. Even if Conner’s injury isn’t series, he could eventually lose carries to Snell if he continues to struggle. Adding Snell now could pay off in the long run.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 2
Mike Williams, Chargers (55% available)
Probably the only reason why Williams is still available in this many leagues is because the initial reports were that he could miss most of September with a shoulder injury. The good news is that he apparently had a quick recovery because he was able to take the field in Week 1. He wasn’t limited either, catching four of nine targets for 69 yards. With opposing defenses focusing their efforts on slowing down Keenan Allen, Williams has an excellent chance to be productive moving forward. Expect the Chargers to have to throw a lot in Week 2 as they try to keep up with the Chiefs’ offense.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 3
Malcolm Brown, Rams (74% available)
A significant hole opened up in the Rams backfield this offseason when they moved on from Todd Gurley. The team drafted Cam Akers in the second round, who they hope will be a fixture at running back for years to come. However, with no preseason games, it might take some time for him to get comfortable within the offense. He was only on the field for 24 of the team’s 74 offensive snaps in Week 1, finishing with 14 carries for 39 yards.
It was Brown who was actually the featured back in the game, finishing with 18 carries for 79 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught three of four targets for 31 yards. Darrell Henderson could also be in the mix as his hamstring continues to improve, but it looks like Brown could at least see the bulk of the carries for the next week or two. If he continues to play well, he could hang onto the role, which would put him in an ideal spot within a potent offense.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 4
Robby Anderson, Panthers (69% available)
The Panthers are expected to have a run-heavy offense with Christian McCaffrey leading the way. Their new quarterback Teddy Bridgewater hasn’t really been known for airing things out in the passing game during his career, but he has generally been efficient. He did that again in Week 1, completing 22 of 34 passes against the Raiders for 270 yards and a touchdown.
One of the main beneficiaries of his performance was Robby Anderson, who caught six of eight targets for 115 yards and a touchdown. Although D.J. Moore wasn’t overly productive, he was busy with nine targets. That’s encouraging since Anderson didn’t receive his targets at the expense of Moore, who is the leader of their wide receiver group. Don’t be surprised if Anderson challenges for 100 targets and 1,000 receiving yards this year.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 5
Laviska Shenault, Jaguars (88% available)
The Jaguars pulled off one of the biggest upsets Sunday by defeating the Colts. Quarterback Gardner Minshew led their efficient offensive performance by completing 19 of 20 passes for 173 yards and three touchdowns. Their rookie second-round pick Shenault was a part of the action, catching three of four targets for 37 yards and a score.
What was interesting is that the Jaguars decided to make Dede Westbrook inactive for the game, paving the way for more opportunities at wide receiver behind D.J. Chark. On team that might have to throw a lot because they are down big in games, Shenault could provide valuable production moving forward.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 6
Russell Gage, Falcons (98% available)
The Falcons’ defense is bad. They were lit up for 38 points by the Seahawks on Sunday, which forced Matt Ryan to attempt 54 passes. The result was three wide receivers finishing with at least 100 receiving yards each, including Gage. He received 12 targets overall, catching nine of them for 114 yards.
Expect the Falcons to be put into a lot of situations where they need to play catch-up this season, which should lead to some excellent passing numbers. Gage is third on the depth chart behind Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, but with tight end Austin Hooper no longer around, Gage can still receive enough targets to be worth adding in many leagues.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 7
Frank Gore, New York Jets (96% available)
Gore’s performance in the first game of the season is not what makes him someone to pursue on waivers. He wasn’t all that busy, rushing six times for 24 yards. However, a lot more work could be coming his way with Le’Veon Bell (hamstring) potentially out for a couple of weeks. La’Mical Perine (ankle) was unable to play Sunday, and his status is still up in the air for Week 2, so we could be looking at Josh Adams being Gore’s only competition for carries.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 8
Myles Gaskin, Miami Dolphins (100% available)
Heading into the season, it was expected that Jordan Howard and Matt Breida would lead the Dolphins’ backfield. Howard struggled mightily against the Patriots in Week 1, taking his eight carries for only seven yards, although he did score a touchdown. Breida also didn’t receive much work, totaling five carries and no targets.
Their most active back was actually Gaskin, who had nine carries and four targets. He finished with 66 total yards, and this could very well be a situation in which the Dolphins ride the hot hand each week. That doesn’t make Gaskin someone to add in 10 or 12-team leagues, but if you play in deeper formats, Gaskin might be worth a look.
Week 2 Waiver Wire Priority: 9
Follow us on all of our social channels! Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more great Awesemo content.
Don’t forget to check out the loads of free content on our Fantasy Football home page, including more fantasy football Week 2 columns, including Start ’em Sit ’em.
