Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups: Sleepers Who May Be Available After Box Score Analysis
The second week of the NFL season got underway on Thursday night, but there's still time for fantasy managers to navigate the waiver wire.
For some managers, adding a player or two before Sunday's games may be necessary. Injuries have already begun impacting the fantasy landscape, leading to some very uncertain situations in Week 2.
Managers who don't need immediate help should still be looking to strengthen their benches.
Fortunately, some quality fantasy options are still available in many leagues, even after initial waiver claims have been made. Here, you'll find a look at a few strong waiver wire options based primarily on what we saw in Week 1.
All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love suffered an MCL sprain in Week 1 and is expected to miss multiple weeks. While Love wasn't viewed as a surefire weekly starter entering the season, he was a top option for managers looking to stream at the position.
While Love is out, managers will have to look elsewhere. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is a good place to start.
Mayfield was simply superb against a bad Washington Commanders secondary last Sunday. The 2023 Pro Bowl alternate passed for 289 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 21 yards on the ground.
With playmakers like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and rookie Jalen McMillan at his disposal, Mayfield should have a serviceable fantasy floor most weeks. He doesn't have a great matchup against the Detroit Lions this week, but he can be started in a pinch.
Detroit allowed the 13th-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in Week 1.
Mayfield will also be worth considering against the Denver Broncos in Week 3 and the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4. He's rostered in 59 percent of Yahoo leagues but only 31 percent of ESPN leagues.
Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
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San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey, the No. 1 overall pick in many fantasy drafts, didn't play in Week 1. He decided not to test the calf/Achilles injury, though he is optimistic that he'll play in Week 2.
"My mentality is I'm playing this week," McCaffrey said, per David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone.
The 49ers will exercise caution with their star running back, especially since they have a strong second option in Jordan Mason. Managers should have a Plan B as well—fortunately, San Francisco plays in the 1 p.m. window.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby isn't the top back on his team to roster. Travis Etienne is still "the guy" and possesses a ton of PPR upside. However, Bigsby and Etienne each carried 12 times against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1, and Bigsby tallied 73 rushing yards.
Bigsby should be considered a low-end flex play against the Cleveland Browns this week, as he'll likely be touchdown-dependent. However, he should provide some fantasy points, even if he underwhelms, and he's probably still available.
The 23-year-old is rostered in 26 percent of Yahoo leagues and only five percent of ESPN leagues.
Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys
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Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua has landed on injured reserve with a PCL injury. That means many managers will be without one highly drafted receiver for at least four games.
While replacing Nacua's elite upside isn't going to happen with a waiver-wire add, managers can find insurance. Dallas Cowboys receiver Brandin Cooks can help provide it.
The Browns defense did a decent job of limiting No. 1 receiver CeeDee Lamb (5 catches, 61 yards) in Week 1, but that opened up opportunities for Cooks. That's a trend that will likely continue as the Cowboys navigate the rest of the 2024 season.
Many NFL coaches subscribe to the theory that it's best to try taking away an opponent's biggest playmaker. That plan allowed Cooks to snag four receptions for 40 yards and a touchdown last Sunday.
Cooks is by no means a must-start against a talented New Orleans Saints secondary. However, he should have a solid floor as the Cowboys' No. 2 receiving option.
Tight end Jake Ferguson might play this week but is dealing with an MCL sprain. Cooks is rostered in 39 percent of Yahoo leagues and 30 percent of ESPN leagues.
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Colby Parkinson, TE, Los Angeles Rams
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Nacua's absence may also add to the value of Rams tight end Colby Parkinson. The offseason addition already has a role in L.A.'s offense because starting tight end Tyler Higbee is still recovering from last season's ACL tear and opened the year on the PUP list.
Parkinson caught four passes for 47 yards against the Lions in Week 1.
Now, with Nacua out, Parkinson could have an even bigger role in the offensive game plan. His upside is probably limited, but he's a high-floor option for managers dealing with injuries at tight end.
Ferguson's situation is worth watching, and the Browns are likely to be without standout David Njoku for the foreseeable future. The 2023 Pro Bowler suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 1 and has already been ruled out for Week 2.
"Beyond this week, I can't, we'll have to see how it goes," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal.
Parkinson is rostered in 29 percent of Yahoo leagues and only one percent of ESPN leagues.
*Fantasy roster and scoring information from FantasyPros.
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