Whether Week 1 went according to your fantasy football script or went totally off the rails, the fantasy football season is just getting underway, so there is plenty of time for adjustments. As you look to put your team in a place to trend in the right direction, the key to success is finding the right waiver wire pickups for Week 2.
Week 1 is always easy to overreact to, but it’s also easy to underreact and not move quickly enough. This week in these waiver wire pickups, we’ll try to find the right balance of reaction to build your team moving forward. Throughout the week, DK Network will have you covered with potential pickups and strong plays all week long, so be sure to stay tuned. This post is an early look at some of the names to keep an eye on coming out of Week 1.
Every week of the season, players from the fantasy football waiver wire step up with big games to emerge as potential pickups. In this post, I’ll list my favorite options that are set for success in Week 2. Another key factor to keep a close eye on every week is that new injuries occur — here are some new situations to keep a close eye on moving forward:
Players with new injuries from Week 1 to watch:
- WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
- WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
- WR Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
- WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
- WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
- WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
- WR Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
- TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
- TE George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
- TE Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
With those injuries in mind, here are some of my early names to watch if you’re shopping on the Week 2 waiver wire.
WR Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
From Friday night, both Hollywood Brown (19.9 FPTS) and Quentin Johnston (24.9 FPTS) stood out as great additions if available. I also highlighted Cedric Tillman (16.2 FPTS) as one of my top sleeper wide receivers on Saturday, and he stepped up as well. While wide receiver is always a position with volatility from week to week, one player who stepped up with a big game and has the potential to stay very involved is Kayshon Boutte (16.3 FPTS) in New England.
Boutte had six catches for 103 yards and tied for the team lead with eight targets. He didn’t get a touchdown, but he was regularly targeted by Drake Maye (15.78 FPTS), and looked like he’s set to be a key contributor in the Patriots’ improving offense as Maye grows this season.
Boutte was hyped as having a great offseason and big training camp, and in Week 1, he looked poised to deliver a breakout season. He’s definitely worth snagging if you have space for receiver depth.
RB Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers
After Week 1, we’re starting to get a clearer idea of some of the timeshares and what running backs will be involved. Kenneth Gainwell (5.3 FPTS) is one option that was much more involved than expected. He is available on almost all leagues’ waiver wires and looks like he’ll be a big part of the timeshare with Jaylen Warren (13.9 FPTS) and Kaleb Johnson (-0.2 FPTS)
Gainwell played 52% of the team’s offensive snaps and even made a key special teams play (highlighted below).
He finished with seven carries for 19 rushing yards and caught three passes for four yards. Another important factor to consider is that Gainwell was on the field for nine of the 10 third-down plays, which will likely lead to more pass-catching opportunities for him moving forward.
Gainwell’s yard totals weren’t impressive on Sunday, and he seemed inefficient, but the fact that he was on the field so much sets him up for success moving forward.
Since he’s a rookie with big-time upside, Johnson could grow into a larger role down the road, limiting Gainwell’s long-term value. Gainwell is an interesting short-term pickup, but if Jacory Croskey-Merritt (14.2 FPTS), Trey Benson (8.5 FPTS) or the recently signed Quinshon Judkins (DNP) are available, they have much higher ceilings long-term.
QB Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. (24.02 FPTS) and the Falcons came up short against the Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon, but the second-year QB looked excellent and finished as the seventh-highest scoring quarterback in the week coming into Sunday night and Monday night’s two games.
In his first full season as a starter, Penix got off to a strong start, completing 27 of his 42 pass attempts for 298 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown with 21 rushing yards on six carries. The touchdown came on fourth down late in the game to give his team the lead.
After the Bucs came back and took the lead, Penix led his team for a potential game-winning touchdown. He put the pass right where it needed to be, but his receiver, KhaDarel Hodge, didn’t see the pass in time to haul it in.
Penix and the Falcons are on the road for the next two weeks against the Vikings and Panthers. If he’s going to get this many passing chances and also run with the ball, he will have fringe QB1 upside in favorable matchups coming up. He’s clearly “the man” in Atlanta and looks like he’ll carry a heavy workload in Atlanta’s attack.
Other QBs to consider after strong Week 1 showings include Daniel Jones (29.48 FPTS) and Geno Smith (21.48 FPTS).
TE Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
I spotlighted Harold Fannin Jr. (13.6 FPTS) in my sleeper tight ends, and the rookie tight end was heavily involved for the Browns in Week 1. Even with David Njoku (6.7 FPTS) healthy and involved, Fannin got plenty of action.
Fannin led the team with nine targets, while Njoku had six targets. The rookie didn’t find the end zone but still looked very dangerous and is emerging as a go-to option for Joe Flacco (12.2 FPTS).
The Browns go on the road to take on the Ravens next week before a tough home matchup against the Packers. Fannin looks like he could quickly be a star, though, so he’s worth adding in all formats.
Michael Mayer (7.8 FPTS) is also worth a look since he was very involved and could have to carry even more of the workload depending on the availability of Brock Bowers (15.3 FPTS), who left with a knee injury.
Other tight ends on many waiver wires who had good Week 1’s include Juwan Johnson (15.6 FPTS), Noah Fant (12.6 FPTS) and Hunter Henry (10.6 FPTS)
Rams DST
Defense is the most streamable position in fantasy football since so much of the production is all about the matchup. The Rams are in a great matchup in Week 2 and are coming off a strong showing in Week 1.
The Rams hosted the Texans in one of the late games on Sunday, and they did a great job getting pressure on C.J. Stroud. The Rams finished with three sacks, a fumble recovery, and they only allowed nine points while grabbing this highlight-reel interception.
The Rams play the Titans next week, who struggled in Denver and didn’t find the end zone, settling for four field goals. The Titans only had one turnover but struggled to only 134 total yards and seven first downs in their road loss to Denver.
Other options that are available and in good matchups include the Cowboys DST (vs. NYG) and the 49ers DST (vs. NO).
