Waiver Wire Week 2: Top Pickups, Drops and Expert Analysis

The excitement of Week 1 wears off in a hurry when you’re already looking at the waiver wire to find replacements for injured players. It’s part of the process, but not necessarily a fun one, especially this early in the season.

We’ve already seen Dez Bryant, Andre Ellington and T.Y. Hilton suffer injuries that will cost them multiple games. That means the waiver wire for Week 2 has already become very important and could greatly affect how the rest of your season turns out this year.

However, it’s not all about the injuries. Some strong performances from young players, specifically at the tight end position, have added to the depth or at least provided better options over fringe players who can now be benched or even cut. 

Whether you’re coming off a sweet victory or a rough loss, working the waiver wire is important no matter how good or bad your team looks after the opening week. It’s time to take a position-by-position look at the best options to add and others you can drop heading into Week 2.

Quarterbacks

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Carson Palmer, Ari

Percent Owned: ESPN – 47.9, Yahoo – 65

Palmer looked great in his first regular-season game back from a torn ACL, lighting up the Saints for 307 yards and three touchdowns to finish Week 1 with 25.88 fantasy points, which was the second-best performance behind only Tom Brady (27.62). 

He’ll get a chance at another beatable defense in Week 2 when the Cardinals head to Chicago. The Bears allowed just 189 yards but gave up three touchdowns to Aaron Rodgers in the opener. Arizona will likely be without running back Andre Ellington, which gives them even more reason to take to the air.

Week 2 Projection: 285-295 passing yards, three passing touchdowns

Tyrod Taylor, Buf

Percent Owned: ESPN - 12.1, Yahoo – 10

I put Taylor on this list heading into Week 1, and he didn’t disappoint. In a total domination of the Colts, Taylor posted 195 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 41 yards on the ground. They weren’t huge numbers, but he still finished as a top-15 fantasy quarterback. Plus, he did that without Sammy Watkins recording a catch.

The bonus of Taylor’s legs always makes him an intriguing play, and he’ll get a chance to build on last week’s success with the Patriots coming to Buffalo on Sunday. New England allowed Ben Roethlisberger to throw for 351 yards and a touchdown, although that came in garbage time. It’s not a great matchup, but Taylor is worth an add, even if you don’t use him this week.

Week 2 Projection: 215-225 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 35-40 rushing yards

Marcus Mariota, Ten

Percent Owned: ESPN – 35.8, Yahoo – 46

Much like Tyrod Taylor, Mariota also appeared in my Week 1 waiver-wire quarterbacks, and he came through in an even bigger fashion. In his NFL debut, Mariota was the third-best fantasy QB with 24.96 fantasy points thanks to 209 passing yards and four touchdowns. Plus, he did all of that with just six rushing yards. 

Mariota's schedule gets tougher over the next month. He’ll face the Browns on the road, the Colts at home and, after a Week 4 bye, the Bills and the Dolphins at home. Other than the Colts, that’s a tough run of games after a pretty easy one against the Buccaneers in the opener.

Be careful about using him against the Browns. They held Ryan Fitzpatrick to just 179 yards and two touchdowns, picking him off once, which was good for just 13.06 fantasy points. It’s a tougher test for Mariota, and you may not want to go all-in on him just yet. 

Week 2 Projection: 220-225 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 30-35 rushing yards

Droppable Players: Jay Cutler, Colin Kaepernick

Running Backs

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Darren Sproles, Phi

Percent Owned: ESPN – 57.2, Yahoo – 42

The Eagles got off to a slow start against the Falcons and played from behind for nearly the entire game, which may have been a big reason why Sproles was featured so much in the eventual loss. He racked up a team-high 50 rushing yards and caught seven of his nine targets for 76 yards. DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews combined for 13 yards on 11 carries, but both players found the end zone.

I’d still consider Murray and Mathews the better two options to have for the duration of the season, as Sproles could struggle to be a consistent fantasy option every week if the Eagles aren’t always playing from behind. They host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, and they’ll be without Dez Bryant, so Philadelphia could have more control and may not need to use Sproles as their hurry-up back as much.

Week 2 Projection: Four carries, 24 rushing yards, four catches, 41 receiving yards

Dion Lewis, NE

Percent Owned: ESPN – 17.1, Yahoo – 16

Lewis spent the last two seasons out of the NFL, so in typical Bill Belichick fashion, he used Lewis as the primary back in the season opener with LeGarrette Blount serving a one-game suspension. Of course, it worked, and Lewis finds himself among the top waiver-wire adds heading into Week 2.

The Patriots gave Lewis 15 carries, which he turned into 69 yards. He added 51 yards on four receptions (five targets) and easily outperformed Brandon Bolden, who wound up with five carries for one yard and one catch for 12 yards, which is why he should never come up in a fantasy question again.

Blount will return from his suspension for the second game, which takes place in Buffalo. The Bills gave up just 44 rushing yards to the Colts running backs in Week 1, so it’ll be a tougher matchup for Lewis, and there may not be as many carries to go around with Blount back in the mix.

Week 2 Projection: Eight carries, 32 rushing yards, four receptions, 48 receiving yards

Lance Dunbar, Dal

Percent Owned: ESPN – 3.5, Yahoo – 3

Do we have any more clarity in the Cowboys backfield? Based on Week 1’s events, roles did seem to emerge in a comeback victory over the Giants. With Dallas trailing for much of the second half, they were in catch-up mode, which explains why Dunbar led the team’s backfield with 46 percent of the offensive snaps compared to 39 percent for Joseph Randle and just 14 percent for Darren McFadden.

It was Randle leading the way on the ground with 16 carries for 65 yards, but Dunbar was the team’s leading receiver thanks to eight receptions on eight targets for 70 yards. Randle added three receptions on 42 yards (three targets), while Dunbar didn’t receive a carry.

The Cowboys made it pretty clear they trust Dunbar as a receiver out of the backfield and will turn to him if they’re trailing. With Dez Bryant out thanks to a broken foot, they may need Dunbar to play another important role against a potentially dangerous Eagles offense in Week 2.

Week 2 Projection: Six receptions, 50 receiving yards, two carries, eight rushing yards

Ronnie Hillman, Den

Percent Owned: ESPN – 46.5, Yahoo – 31

Hillman generated some buzz during the preseason, and that has continued into the regular season following a busier role than initially expected in the opener. Hillman wasn’t particularly good, but he led the team with 12 carries for 41 yards. C.J. Anderson had just 12 carries for 29 yards and added four receptions for 19 yards on eight targets. While the carries were even, the snaps were not. Anderson played 74 percent compared to just 22 percent for Hillman.

Why does that make Hillman worthy of adding this week? 

The Broncos play Thursday night against the Chiefs, and Anderson injured his ankle and toe in Week 1, although both were downplayed by head coach Gary Kubiak. Still, the Broncos may not want to push him too hard early in the season on a short week, so Hillman may be asked to play a bigger role. Kansas City allowed just 92 rushing yards to the Texans running backs in their Week 1 victory.

Week 2 Projection: 13 carries, 42 rushing yards, three receptions, 18 receiving yards

David Johnson, Ari

Percent Owned: ESPN – 37.1, Yahoo – 21

You are probably wondering why I went with David Johnson over Chris Johnson as the Cardinals running back to add after Andre Ellington went down with a Grade 1 PCL sprain in Week 1. Bruce Arians said he has confidence in Chris if he’s the “lead dog,” per Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic.

According to Darren Urban of the team’s official website, Arians said he doesn’t think it’s healthy to push rookies into a big role and that he wants them to earn it. David Johnson played just five snaps, but he ripped off this 55-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown on one of his only two targets. I sure think that’s proving it.

Plus, what exactly has Chris Johnson proved in the month he’s been with the team? In the Week 1 win over the Saints, he had just 37 yards on 10 carries. That’s hardly impressive in what was a beatable matchup against the Saints.

The Cardinals have another beatable matchup against the Bears in their second game. Green Bay ran for 133 yards on 30 attempts, including 19 rushes for 85 yards and a touchdown by Eddie Lacy in their victory in Chicago. I’m willing to bet on talent and upside with David over a has-been like Chris, no matter what Arians says.

Week 2 Projection: 10 carries, 41 rushing yards, four receptions, 50 receiving yards

Benny Cunningham, StL

Percent Owned: ESPN – 15.3, Yahoo – 16

Cunningham and the Rams looked mighty good in an upset win over the Seahawks in overtime to open the season. While I predicted the upset, I wasn’t very high on Cunningham, but he proved me wrong. With Todd Gurley (knee) and Tre Mason (hamstring) both inactive, Cunningham ran for 45 yards on 16 carries and added four receptions for 77 yards on six targets.

With Gurley not expected to play in Week 2 and Mason missing all of practice last week, it could be all about Cunningham once again with the Rams heading to Washington. They allowed 74 yards on 18 attempts to the Dolphins in an opening-week loss, although Miami didn’t really commit to the ground game for some odd reason.

Cunningham could get volume if he’s the man in Week 2, and with a decent matchup, he’s worth the add, especially if Mason continues to have hamstring issues that linger longer than expected. 

Week 2 Projection: 15 carries, 52 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, five receptions, 35 receiving yards

Droppable Players: Denard Robinson, Andre Williams, Fred Jackson, Brandon Bolden

Wide Receivers

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Stevie Johnson, SD 

Percent Owned: ESPN – 29.2, Yahoo – 64

Johnson is still widely available heading into Week 2, even though he was pegged for an important role in the absence of Antonio Gates for the first four weeks. You'd better grab Johnson while you can, because he’s one of the top waiver-wire adds of the week after a great debut with the Chargers.

Keenan Allen had the biggest game and played all the snaps, but Johnson was also very busy and very productive. He started and was on the field for 91 percent of the offensive snaps. He caught all six of his targets for 82 yards and a 12-yard touchdown in a big comeback victory over the Lions.

The Chargers won’t have as easy of a time against a better Bengals defense in Week 2, but he already has the eye and trust of quarterback Philip Rivers, and that’s more than enough for me, especially with Gates out of the lineup for three more games.

Week 2 Projection: Six receptions, 73 receiving yards, one touchdown

Brandon Coleman, NO

Percent Owned: ESPN – 16.9, Yahoo – 27 

If you took my advice last week or during the preseason, Coleman may be on your team already, but if he’s out there, it’s time to make a move and make it quickly, because Coleman made noise in his 2015 debut against the Cardinals. 

Coleman posted four receptions for 41 yards and had a 12-yard touchdown. That’s impressive enough, but if you look at the bigger picture, we see hints of a bright future for Coleman. He had the same amount of targets as Marques Colston, but Colston had just three receptions for 29 yards. In perhaps the most telling stat, Coleman ended up playing 78 percent of the snaps compared to 62 percent for Colston.

Are the Saints already pushing Coleman up the depth chart? They certainly need the size, especially in the red zone. They’ll have a chance to bounce back from their opening-week loss with a much better matchup against the visiting Buccaneers. Tampa Bay allowed 13 receptions, 209 yards and four touchdowns to Titans receivers in an ugly loss.

Week 2 Projection: Five receptions, 54 receiving yards, one touchdown

James Jones, GB

Percent Owned: ESPN – 30.8, Yahoo – 32

If you banked on Jones reconnecting with Aaron Rodgers after a couple of years apart, you won’t have to worry about entering the scrum to get Jones on the waiver wire this week.

In his first action with the Packers since 2013, Jones fell right back into place by catching all four of his targets for 51 yards and touchdowns of 13 yards and one yard. Jones played 92 percent of the snaps compared to 97 percent for Davante Adams and 90 percent for Randall Cobb, who came into the game with an injured shoulder. 

The Packers like to work out of three-wide sets as their base offense, so the snap count isn’t that surprising, although Jones falling right back into place wasn’t expected right away, especially not with that output.

Green Bay faces a much stiffer test when they battle the Seahawks in Week 2. Jones is definitely worth an add, but playing him won’t come with a ton of confidence.

Week 2 Projection: Four receptions, 44 yards

Donte Moncrief, Ind

Percent Owned: ESPN – 31, Yahoo – 12

The Colts had a rough opening week, losing both the game to the Bills and T.Y. Hilton to a bruised knee, which could keep him out until the end of the month, according to owner Jim Irsay. That means Moncrief gets a short-term bump, especially after how he produced in Buffalo.

Moncrief posted six receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown while playing 74 percent of the snaps, which was second to only Andre Johnson, who led the receivers with 82 percent of the snaps. Rookie Phillip Dorsett wound up with just 22 percent of the snaps and has two catches for 45 yards.

Things won’t get easier for the Colts as they face the Jets on Monday night. Moncrief’s knowledge of the offense and experience give him the immediate nod over Dorsett for fantasy purposes.

Week 2 Projection: Five receptions, 59 yards, one touchdown

Terrance Williams, Dal

Percent Owned: ESPN – 44.5, Yahoo – 57

The Cowboys suffered the biggest injury on the offensive side of the ball when Dez Bryant broke his foot in the opener. Bryant’s already had surgery and could miss up to eight weeks, leaving a gaping hole in the team’s receiving corps.

Williams gets the biggest bump of the team’s wide receivers, and he did put up strong numbers in the win over the Giants. He caught five of his eight targets for 60 yards. Williams has usually been a boom-or-bust guy for fantasy and has been a downfield option for much of his time in Dallas.

He’ll get a chance to prove he’s more than that with a decent matchup against the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday. The Eagles had no answers for Julio Jones and the Falcons receivers, allowing 23 receptions for 298 yards and a pair of touchdowns in their Week 1 loss.

Week 2 Projection: Six receptions, 80 yards, one touchdown

Droppable Players: Brian Quick, Allen Hurns, Danny Amendola, Kenny Stills, Dwayne Bowe

Tight Ends

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Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB

Percent Owned: ESPN – 24.1, Yahoo – 60

The opening week was all about the tight ends, and Seferian-Jenkins was no exception. While his team came up very short, he didn’t, and that gave fantasy players a lone bright spot to focus on in the Buccaneers offense. He posted five receptions on seven targets for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

Tampa Bay played without wide receiver Mike Evans in their opening-week loss, and there’s no indication if his hamstring will be in good enough shape to play against the Saints in New Orleans for Week 2. I like ASJ a lot either way, but another absence by Evans would give a slight bump to the second-year tight end. Arizona got the Saints for 19 receptions, 307 yards and three TDs in their win.

Week 2 Projection: Five receptions, 75 yards, one touchdown

Eric Ebron, Det

Percent Owned: ESPN – 13.6, Yahoo – 8

The Lions blew a sizable lead to the Chargers in their Week 1 loss, but if you’re a selfish fantasy player, I know you looked past that and saw Ebron come through with four receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown on five targets.

We got a great week out of the tight end position, especially from young TEs like Ebron, who had something to prove coming off disappointing 2014 performances. The Lions needed to find a third receiver to go along with Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, so if Ebron can keep this up, they’ll be thrilled, and so will the fantasy world.

He’ll head to Minnesota for a Week 2 battle against the Vikings. They held the 49ers TEs to six receptions for 87 yards in a victory Monday night. Ebron and the Lions should pose a much bigger challenge through the air.

Week 2 Projection: Four receptions, 48 yards

Jordan Reed, Was

Percent Owned: ESPN – 32, Yahoo – 56

Reed’s talent has never been a question, but his health has been, and that’s ruined his fantasy value over and over again. Luckily, he was healthy coming into this season and stayed that way in a nice Week 1 performance.

The Redskins lost DeSean Jackson to a hamstring injury early in the game, so they ended up leaning on Reed more, and he responded with seven receptions, 63 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets in a loss to the Dolphins. Reed’s role should remain significant, especially with Jackson’s injury expected to sideline him for three to four weeks, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Reed will try to follow up his strong start on Sunday against the visiting Rams. Jimmy Graham touched up St. Louis for six receptions, 51 yards and a touchdown. It’s not an awful matchup for Reed to replicate those numbers.

Week 2 Projection: Six receptions, 63 yards

Droppable Players: Larry Donnell, Owen Daniels, Charles Clay

Defenses

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Carolina Panthers

Percent Owned: ESPN – 69.3, Yahoo – 77

Unfortunately, this is a bad week to stream defenses, since almost all of the best matchups belong to defenses that are highly owned, which is why I had to settle for the Panthers, even though they’re on a lot of rosters heading into Week 2.

They get the Texans in Carolina, although they may not know who the quarterback is. Bill O’Brien is playing that decision close to the vest following the benching of Brian Hoyer in favor of Ryan Mallett at the end of their Week 1 loss to Kansas City.

Carolina limited the Jaguars to just 183 passing yards, 96 rushing yards and nine points. Plus, they scored a defensive touchdown on an interception return off Blake Bortles. They might have another chance at that no matter which quarterback is under center on Sunday.

Week 2 Projection: Two interceptions, three sacks, one fumble recovery, 18-21 points allowed

Kickers

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Brandon McManus, Den

Percent Owned: ESPN – 59.3, Yahoo – 19

McManus led things off for me in the waiver-wire adds last week, and he remains there with a wide availability heading into Week 2.

The Broncos offense may not be anywhere near what it was in previous seasons under Peyton Manning, but they should still give McManus plenty of chances, and in Week 1, he came through. McManus hit all four of his field-goal attempts, including kicks of 57 and 56 yards in the first quarter.

Josh Lambo, SD

Percent Owned: ESPN – 2.1, Yahoo – 3

Lambo is another repeat appearance thanks to a ridiculously low ownership percentage. He scored nine points in Week 1, including both of his field-goal attempts in a comeback win for the Chargers.

He’ll kick in friendly confines for more than half the season and should get plenty of opportunities as part of a team with a pretty good offense.

Chandler Catanzaro, Ari

Percent Owned: ESPN – 14.6, Yahoo – 3

If you’re looking to play the matchups, Catanzaro could be the man to roll with for Week 2.

He hit his only field-goal attempt in Week 1 and made all four of his extra points, which wasn’t a big fantasy day. However, the Cardinals have a good, efficient offense and should have no issues scoring on the Bears. With opportunities likely coming his way, Catanzaro is a nice add for this week.

Fantasy leaders and snaps counts provided by NFL.com. Targets provided by ESPN.com.