Week 2: Pickups: Last-Minute Waiver Acquisitions That Could Win Your Matchup

For fantasy football owners, last-minute waiver pickups can be the difference between a championship and watching the playoffs from home.

As critical players are late scratches from the lineup, your team can get riddled with unforeseen holes and it's instant desperation time. 

Luckily, there are still a few strong options left languishing on the waiver wire. These guys have both the skill and the opportunity to be among their position's top scorers in Week 2.

With that in mind, here's a look at some last-minute pickups that could win your matchup this week.

(Note: All of these players are available in more than 50 percent of ESPN.com standard leagues.)

Jonathan Dwyer (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers)

Ownership: 44.2 Percent

Though the Steelers rushing attack struggled in their Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos, Dwyer was by far the most effective running back. 

The third-year back put up nine carries for 43 yards while fighting through one of the league's best front sevens. His counterpart, Isaac Redman, did not fare so well, carrying the ball 11 times for just 20 yards.

Offensively, the Steelers were light-years better with Dwyer handling the backfield duties. And, according to head coach Mike Tomlin, the coaching staff noticed and the former Georgia Tech star will get more carries on Sunday.

Via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Ed Bouchette: 

"

I thought Jonathan Dwyer provided a spark play and represented himself well and will probably get an increased opportunity because of it. 

I think we're capable of being better. We're still going to continue to play a number of people. We haven't sorted out specifically what that rotation is to this point.

"

Considering the New York Jets gave up 169 yards on 14 carries to the Buffalo Bills' C.J. Spiller last week, Dwyer should be in store for a huge game on Sunday.

And with incumbent Rashard Mendenhall still struggling to return from an ACL injury, he could even be a clutch pickup going forward.

Dexter McCluster (WR/RB, Kansas City Chiefs)

Ownership: 23.4 percent

After struggling to find a solid role in the Chiefs' offense in his first two seasons, it seems like McCluster is finally on the verge of a breakout.

The former Ole Miss star led the Chiefs last week with six receptions for 82 yards. Most importantly, McCluster's 10 targets were by far the most on the team, and he has seemingly become Matt Cassel's safety blanket underneath.

Considering McCluster's penchant for making big plays, expect some of those six-yard underneath throws to start going the distance soon.

A matchup against a weak Bills secondary awaits McCluster, so he should be in store for a huge game in Week 2.. Cassel will undoubtedly look to atone for his mediocre home performance last week, so expect McCluster to get work early and often in the passing game.

Curtis Brinkley (RB, San Diego Chargers)

Ownership: 0.3 percent

Chargers starting running back Ryan Mathews is currently listed as questionable (per CBS Sports), but it's looking less likely by the day that he suits up on Sunday.

He was cleared for contact on Thursday (per Michael Gehlken of the San Diego Union-Tribune), and while that may seem like an encouraging sign, playing just three days after taking his first contact in a month seems unreasonable.

Consequently, look for a healthy dose of Brinkley on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Both Brinkley and Ronnie Brown looked terrible in Week 1, but it's worth nothing that the youngster got 10 carries to the veteran's five.

And considering the Titans gave up 125 yards and touchdown to New England Patriots back Stevan Ridley last week, there should be more rushing lanes open for San Diego this week. 

If you're desperate at running back, Brinkley could be the steal of the week. 

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