Week 2 Waiver Wire Top Pickups and Drops After Evaluating Week 1 Box Scores

Week 1 brought a fair amount of surprises and, unfortunately, some injuries to the fantasy football landscape. Managers who suffered the consequences are likely pondering their waiver-wire options for Week 2.

The good news is that several promising players who are likely available made their presence felt over the weekend. They might not be weekly must-starts like San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle—who will miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury—but they have enough upside to justify waiver claims.

After analyzing what we saw in Week 1, let's examine this week's top waiver targets and some players who can be dropped to make room.

All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Add: Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Samantha Chow

The Arizona Cardinals have leaned on running back James Conner over the last couple of years, but they finally appear ready to use more of a committee approach. Second-year back Trey Benson had three fewer receptions than Conner in Week 1 but only four fewer carries.

After watching Benson be the far more explosive runner against the New Orleans Saints, the Cardinals should be inclined to give him even more touches moving forward. While Conner averaged just 3.2 yards per carry, Benson averaged 8.6.

This week, Benson and the Cardinals will face a Carolina Panthers defense that was regularly gashed on the ground in Week 1. Jacksonville Jaguars starter Travis Etienne Jr. rushed for 143 yards and 8.9 yards per carry .

Benson is rostered in 53 percent of ESPN leagues but only 39 percent of Yahoo leagues.

Add: Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh

The Los Angeles Chargers stunned the football world on Friday, not by beating the Kansas City Chiefs—though they did—but by utilizing the sort of pass-first attack we're not used to seeing from a Jim Harbaugh-coached team.

The Chargers did attack Kansas City on the ground, but they threw it 34 times and ran just 25. We may see L.A. use more of the methodical, run-heavy approach we saw last year in different matchups, of course. However, managers now know that Harbaugh is willing to unleash Justin Herbert.

This makes Quentin Johnston a must-add entering Week 2. The third-year wideout caught five of seven targets for 79 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs. This week, he'll face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to WRs in Week 1.

Johnston is available in over 90 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Add: Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

The Cleveland Browns offense might not be particularly good in 2025, but it's poised to have an elite tandem of tight ends. David Njoku is an established fantasy star, and rookie third-round pick Harold Fannin Jr. already appears set to join him.

Fannin did a little bit of everything for the Browns in Week 1 and figures to be a proverbial chess piece moving forward. The Bowling Green product proved that the NFL game isn't too big for him, and Cleveland will find ways to keep him on the field.

Against the Cincinnati Bengals, Fannin logged one carry, nine targets, seven receptions and 66 scrimmage yards. He saw snaps at tight end, in the slot, and in the backfield. This week, he'll face a Baltimore Ravens defense that surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends in Week 1.

Fannin is available in over 98 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues.

Top Drops for Week 2

AP Photo/John Raoux

Panthers QB Bryce Young

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Anyone who stashed Bryce Young, hoping for a breakout in his second season under Dave Canales, can rectify that decision by dropping him. Even if the third-year QB starts playing at the level he did late in 2024, Carolina's supporting cast isn't, well, prepared to support him.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

Tank Bigsby isn't a surefire drop in the mold of Young. However, he likely has, at best, handcuff value now. The Jaguars traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday, meaning he's stuck in a backfield with Saquon Barkley, Will Shipley and AJ Dillon.

Tre Harris, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

With Johnston finally looking like a receiver Herbert can trust, rookie Tre Harris has minimal value in all but the deepest leagues. Ladd McConkey remains L.A.'s No. 1 receiver, and Keenan Allen has jumped right back into a prominent role. Harris played just five offensive snaps in the opener.

Mike Gesicki, TE, Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals used Mike Gesicki as a big slot receiver last season, and he finished with 665 yards and two touchdowns. However, the offseason addition of Noah Fant will likely cause him to see a reduced role. Fant will see the bulk of the blocking work. Gesicki saw just 16 offensive snaps in Week 1.

*Fantasy and roster information from FantasyPros.