2014 Fantasy Football: Predicting Week 2 Waiver Wire Breakouts

Looking to stay ahead of the curve and scout potential Week 2 waiver wire breakouts in your fantasy football league before they happen? Then the players listed in this slideshow could prove to be a good primer.

With the following players unowned in many leagues in addition to having favorable matchups this week, they could be the guys fantasy players will rush the waiver wire to add. While there is some inherent risk with some of these guys (after all, there is a reason why they are unowned in many leagues), they have many things going in their favor.

Here, then, are the five players (ranked in order of fantasy relevance) who may break out in Week 2.

Honorable Mentions

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A few other players who could be primed for a breakout weekend:

Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans

Santonio Holmes, Chicago Bears

Dexter McCluster, Tennessee Titans

Andrew Hawkins, Cleveland Browns

Mohamed Sanu, Cincinnati Bengals

5. Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans

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This is based on the assumption that Justin Hunter is owned in your league, but if he is not, immediately grab him first. Regardless if Hunter is owned or not, this is about Nate Washington being the next best streaming option.

You see, Washington and the Titans will be matched up with the porous defense of the Dallas Cowboys. All Titans skill players (Jake Locker, Shonn Greene, Bishop Sankey, Kendall Wright, Hunter and Delanie Walker) have the potential to go off. Most of these guys are likely already owned, but Washington could be available in most leagues.

He may be the lottery ticket that pays off this week. If the Cowboys don't pay attention to Washington, he can burn then. Not to mention, he did have a decent showing in last week's game against the the Chiefs, when he hauled in four catches for 59 yards. If he explodes against the Cowboys, Washington could become a popular pickup off the wire next week.

4. Rod Streater, Oakland Raiders

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After racking up five catches (on seven targets) for 46 yards and a touchdown in his game against the Jets last week, Rod Streater is becoming a popular sleeper. Even though Denarius Moore received more targets (eight) than Streater last week, Moore only hauled in two receptions for a measly eight yards.

That said, Streater could be developing a nice rapport with rookie quarterback Derek Carr and be the receiver Carr leans on. As Streater enters his third year with the Raiders, he could be one of those magical “third-year” receivers who finally taps his full potential this year.

With a game on deck against a vulnerable Texans team (especially in regards to their secondary), if Streater can post back-to-back quality outings to start out the year, he'll be on his way toward a potential breakout season and a guy you'll want on your team.

3. Malcom Floyd, San Diego Chargers

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

On the surface, a matchup this week with the Seahawks is daunting for Malcom Floyd and the Chargers. However, there is a good chance that San Diego may fall behind early and try to play catch up, which in turn could lead to a great deal of garbage-time stats for Floyd.

Against the Cardinals on Monday, Floyd was targeted six times in the passing game, while hauling in four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown. Keenan Allen, even though he is a bit banged up, could perhaps be shadowed by Richard Sherman this week. Therefore, Floyd could get loose for a few big plays. At 6'5”, 225 pounds, Floyd always presents Phillip Rivers with a big target in the red zone.

After coming back from a neck injury, Floyd is looking healthy these days and is ready to become a trusted asset in fantasy circles once again.

2. Jarrett Boykin, Green Bay Packers

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Although he didn't get off to a roaring start in Week 1, when he recorded no stats while matched up against stud Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, Boykin could be a game away from making his presence known again.

After doing nothing in his game at Seattle, some owners may have cooled on him and if so, they may have dropped the ball in the process. Now the Seattle game is out of the way, expect the Packers offense to rebound in full force.

And this week's matchup with the Jets might be just the antidote. The Jets have a banged up secondary and Boykin could excel in this matchup. While Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are the preferred targets for Aaron Rodgers, Rodgers wont forget about Boykin. Expect Boykin to sizzle in this matchup and become a trendy pickup next week.

1. Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati Bengals

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Considering Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson intimated Jeremy Hill would get more touches, as Richard Skinner of the Cincinnati Inquirer reported, savvy fantasy players who smell blood are set to pounce on Hill.

While Giovani Bernard is still the preferred choice for touches in Cincinnati, Hill is closing in and it may be only a matter of time until this unit is a true timeshare. With Bernard rushing for only 48 yards on 14 carries in Week 1, Hill could come in and jump start the Bengals rushing attack.

This week the Bengals will be facing a vulnerable Falcons run defense (who allowed the Saints to rack up 139 rushing yards and three touchdowns last week) at home and even if Bernard gets the majority of carries, Hill should get a fair share, too. If he capitalizes on the moment, Hill could be a wanted man come next week.

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