Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups: 5 Sleepers Who May Still Be Available

I feel like between August and sometime in December, I type the word "sleeper" approximately 435,646,423,321 times. I might even being shooting low here. Let me put it this way—I use the word sleeper far more than I actually sleep.

Whatever—sleep is for the offseason.

And sleepers are for right now! Surely you are scouring waivers this week, seeking that one sleeper who might change your season. Below, I think I've identified five that could be in the running. 

A note before we get started: In my Week 2 waiver wire guide, I generally target players who I believe should absolutely be available in your league or young sleepers who could be set for a breakout, so you won't see those players on this list. Here, I focused on players who might still be available for you—despite the fact that they should be more widely owned—or veterans who could be revitalized in a new scheme after a strong start.

Okay, let's get to it!

All ownership stats and point totals via ESPN standard leagues.

Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints

USA TODAY Sports

Believe me, I didn't expect to see Cooks on this list. But as of Tuesday evening, the explosive rookie wide receiver was owned in just 62.7 percent of ESPN leagues, a surprising mark for a player who absolutely should be rostered across the board.

If you had doubts about the Saints finding a role for him this season, think again. Cooks caught seven passes for 77 yards and a score on eight targets. Only Jimmy Graham (10) was targeted more.

Cooks is a quick, flashy option that can make plays after the catch and is in one of the most dangerous passing offenses in football. If this guy is somehow available in your league, get him immediately. 

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

What do you think Andy Dalton has to do to prove he has worth in fantasy leagues? Last year's No. 5 quarterback is owned in just 68.1 percent of ESPN leagues. I wouldn't have thought of him as a sleeper, but that ownership number suggests to me that enough people are down on Dalton to qualify him for the term. 

I don't get it, quite frankly. After all, all he did was start his season by throwing for 301 yards and a touchdown. Coley Harvey of ESPN took a closer look at his performance:

"

He might not have had too many wow moments, aside from the late-game touchdown, but he didn't have any poor ones, either. He mostly made adequate checks and protection shifts at the line, giving himself several opportunities to avoid pressure right in the nick of time. His pre-snap adjustments along with solid blocking by his linemen contributed to the Bengals not allowing a sack all afternoon. 

Dalton also was clean. After having seven interceptions in his previous two games against the Ravens, he didn't have any Sunday. He minimized the turnovers, remained upright and passed for more than 300 yards. That is exactly the kind of performance the Bengals will take from him. With a defense as good as Cincinnati's, that's the exact type of performance the Bengals believe will win them games. 

"

He's got excellent weapons in support in A.J. Green and Giovani Bernard (among others), the Bengals clearly trust him, and he keeps delivering for fantasy owners.

I know, I know, you all have the playoff fiasco fresh in your minds. Well, let it go, folks—Dalton should at least be considered a QB2 in all formats with weekly QB1 upside, and if he's available in your league, you shouldn't hesitate to add him.

Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

USA TODAY Sports

Read enough fantasy writers out there and you know that many chose Zach Ertz as the diamond in the rough at tight end this summer. But America hasn't quite caught up, as he's owned in just 57.8 percent of ESPN leagues.

That will probably change shortly. 

The Eagles star-in-the-making opened his season with three catches for 77 yards and a score, giving Nick Foles a big, athletic target over the middle. And he's already getting a lot more work than last year, as Martin Frank of the Delaware News Journal tweeted:

There are plenty of targets to be had in Philly, and Ertz looks like he'll be claiming a lot of him. Get on the bandwagon while there's still room!

Carson Palmer, QB, Arizona Cardinals

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Old Man Palmer isn't done yet, folks.

The Cardinals starting quarterback opened his season by throwing for 304 yards and two touchdowns. And with an array of weapons that includes Michael Floyd, Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Ellington and super-deep sleeper prospect John Brown, Palmer should keep on posting solid numbers.

Owned in just 17.3 percent of ESPN leagues, Palmer is a fantastic QB2 option to have stashed on your bench. His propensity for turnovers is worrisome, but as a QB2, you can take his warts given his week-to-week upside.

Rod Streater, WR, Oakland Raiders

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Good old Rod Streater. He always seems to make at least one appearance per season on an article like this one.

But maybe—just maybe—the receiver owned in 4.3 percent of ESPN leagues has some staying power this year. After all, he appears to have forged a nice chemistry with rookie quarterback Derek Carr and opened his year with five catches for 46 yards and a score on a team-high seven targets. 

Now, he's not an explosive player or a guy who is likely to crack the WR2 discussion anytime soon, but he's a solid player and one who could put up nice numbers this year and be worthy of your flex from time to time. If nothing else, he's worth monitoring, and in deeper leagues, he's worth rostering.