Week 2 Waiver Wire: Week 1 Stars You Can't Trust Yet

There are the players you must add to your fantasy football squad after a brilliant season-opening performance, and then there are the players who need to show more to earn your unconditional love.

Every now and then as a sports writer, readers will spark a synapse or two in your brain and it will ignite an idea for another article.

On Wednesday, I came out with "Emerging Pickups You Can Trust," which you can find here. It got quite a bit of traction as far as reads and comments go. One comment in particular, that Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris should have been added to the list, made me think, "Why not do a piece on 'Week 1 Stars You Can't Trust Yet' and see where that goes?"

So, here it is, inspired by you, my lovely readers.

5. Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins

May as well start with Alfred Morris, eh?

Morris, a sixth-round pick out of Florida Atlantic this year, surprisingly won the starting job under Mike Shanahan this offseason. His one-cut style seemed like a nice fit in the Redskins' offensive scheme.

He didn't disappoint in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints, rushing for 96 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries.

But one quote from Shanahan after the game tells you all you need to know, via Yahoo! Sports:

"

From what I've seen through the first game, Alfred will be our starting running back. He did a very good job (against the Saints). He had two or three runs in there that a lot of people can't make. But that doesn't mean I don't have a lot of belief in (backups Roy Helu or Evan Royster). Those guys did a heck of a job for us last year and they'll continue to do a great job for us this year...

"

While we have seen Shanahan stick to one back in past (most notably, Terrell Davis and Clinton Portis), there's no denying that Helu and Royster have talent, too. Helu had three 100-yard rushing performances last season, while Royster ran for 100 yards twice.

Right now, I'm just not convinced Morris is the guy for Shanahan.

4. Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions

First of all, Kevin Smith may have had a solid game against the St. Louis Rams in Week 1, but he still needs to do a heck of a lot with his limited touches to make an impact.

Smith was very efficient in Week 1 with 13 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown and four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown, but you can't expect that kind of efficiency week in and week out.

Also, remember Smith's injury history. He has missed a combined 19 games in the past two seasons. He exploded for 201 combined yards and three combined touchdowns against the Carolina Panthers last season, then injured his ankle the next game and never was the same.

3. Mark Sanchez, QB, New York Jets

There is no denying that Mark Sanchez looked like a completely different quarterback in Week 1 against the "revamped" Buffalo Bills defense, going 19-of-27 for 266 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Sanchez not only found Santonio Holmes, he appears to have developed a connection with speedy rookie wideout Stephen Hill.

But die-hard Jets fans know more than anybody that it's within reason to be cautiously optimistic with Sanchez. The fourth-year quarterback had some nice games last season, but he also had some dreadful ones, culminating in a miserable performance against the Miami Dolphins at the end of a disappointing season.

There's reason to be optimistic. Sanchez completed a career-high 56.7 percent of his passes last season (at least denoting progress in that department) and he's behind what appears to be a solid offensive line this season.

Then again, he also committed 26 turnovers last season (18 interceptions, eight lost fumbles). 

Sanchez could show against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2 that he has indeed made progress. In the same breath, he could lay an egg and inspire Jets fans to call for Tim Tebow.

2. Michael Bush, RB, Chicago Bears

This one should be rather obvious, but I'll still explain, I suppose.

If Matt Forte goes down with an injury (knock on wood, don't blame me if he does, Bears fans), Bush is certainly a great option. He showed that he can effectively relieve a star running back when he was with the Oakland Raiders.

But he only got 12 rushes for 42 yards in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. The only thing that saved him was the fact that he rolled in for two touchdowns.

Obviously, you can't expect that to happen all the time, and Bush was facing a dreadful Colts run defense.

1. Jeremy Kerley, WR, New York Jets

Jeremy Kerley, a fifth-round pick last year, caught four balls for 45 yards and a touchdown against the Bills in Week 1, but what really boosted him was a 68-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Kerley ranked 13th in yards per punt return last season - decent but not spectacular - and he didn't run one back for a touchdown, so you can't expect him to all of a sudden be the second coming of Devin Hester.

Also, he's behind Holmes and Hill on the depth chart, so he's likely not going to get a great deal of looks moving forward (he had four targets in Week 1).

What do you think? Tweet me.