Waiver Wire Week 2: Tank Bigsby, Bucky Irving, Greg Dortch Highlight Pickups to Know

Running back depth can be hard to find in some fantasy football leagues.

The good news for fantasy football players is that a few backup running backs may have larger workloads than we initially expected.

Tank Bigsby and Bucky Irving each turned decent Week 1 performances that set a foundation for what they can do in 2024.

No one is ready to rank Bigsby and Irving as consistent fantasy starters yet, but the Week 1 numbers at least make them worth adding as depth now before they become even more popular on the waiver wire.

Tank Bigsby

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ATLANTA, GA AUGUST 23: Jacksonville running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs the ball during the preseason NFL game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Atlanta Falcons on August 23rd, 2024 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tank Bigsby finished Week 1 with more rushing yards on the same amount of carries as Travis Etienne.

The Jacksonville Jaguars running back had a long run of 26 yards that contributed to the gap.

All of Bigsby's numbers are promising enough to warrant an early season waiver-wire pickup.

He had 12 carries, as did Etienne, and it is worth noting that Etienne lost a fumble in the loss to the Miami Dolphins.

Jacksonville will probably still split carries moving forward, but if Bigsby's workload is similar to Week 1, he could turn into a decent bye-week replacement or a starter in a FLEX spot depending on matchups.

Bucky Irving

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 8: Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Raymond James Stadium on September 8, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Bucky Irving also led his team in rushing on Sunday afternoon.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie ran for 62 yards on nine carries, a stat line that was highlighted by a 31-yard carry.

Irving's longest run almost matched Rachaad White's rushing-yard total for the entire game. White finished with 35 yards on 15 carries.

Irving's 6.9 yards per carry was exponentially better than White's 2.1 yards per carry. That's the biggest stat to hold on to in Tampa Bay's running back battle.

The first-year back out of Oregon may have a better path to playing time since White is not as highly regarded as Etienne inside his specific offense.

Irving is more than worth the pickup now because he could explode on the fantasy football scene in the coming weeks.

Greg Dortch

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ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 08: Greg Dortch #4 of the Arizona Cardinals returns a punt against Cam Lewis #39 of the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter at Highmark Stadium on September 08, 2024 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

Greg Dortch was one of the most surprising performers at wide receiver on Sunday.

Everyone expected Kyler Murray to target Marvin Harrison Jr. at an incredibly high rate in the wide out's first NFL game.

Instead, Greg Dortch led the Arizona Cardinals with eight targets, six receptions and 47 receiving yards. Harrison only had one catch for four yards.

Harrison will likely end up as Arizona's No. 1 pass-catcher by the end of the season, but the chemistry Dortch has with Kyler Murray could be important for fantasy football players over the next few weeks as Harrison acclimates himself to the NFL.

Arizona's Week 2 matchup with the Los Angeles Rams may be tough, but the following two home games versus the Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders could be huge opportunities for all Cardinals wideouts.

Detroit allowed 304 passing yards to Matthew Stafford on Sunday night and the Commanders let up 289 passing yards and four aerial touchdowns to Baker Mayfield.