Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Worthy: Buy 'Em or Deny 'Em

Eric Stashin

Sep 20, 2010

There were some surprising performances from Week 2, but does that mean the players are worth owning? Let’s take a look:

Demaryious Thomas - Wide Receiver - Denver Broncos
Drafted to replace Brandon Marshall, Thomas missed Week 1 but made his presence felt in his NFL debut in Week 2. He had eight receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. He also led the Broncos in targets with nine, as no other player had more then five.

He has the potential to be the go to receiver for Kyle Orton, who is breaking out in his own right (25-35, 307 yards and two TD). He probably has the most talent of any receiver on the team over Jabar Gaffney, Eddie Royal, and Brandon Lloyd.

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With the talent and potential, he’s worth stashing if you need wide receiver depth.
Verdict: Buy ‘Em

Jason Snelling - Running Back - Atlanta Falcons
With Michael Turner going out with a groin injury, Snelling got an opportunity to run wild against the Arizona Cardinals. He had 24 carries for 129 yards and two TD (not to mention five receptions for 57 yards and a TD), but the fact of the matter was that the Cardinals couldn’t stop anyone on the ground yesterday. Turner had 75 yards on just nine carries prior exiting the game.

It was a terrific showing and Snelling is certainly worth owning as a handcuff to Turner, but the early word is that the injury was minor and Turner’s absence in the second half was more precautionary then anything else.

If you are looking for a starter, he’s not the guy. If you want a handcuff, then he’s worth getting. If you have room on your bench and need depth, then he’s proven his worth because you never know what’s going to happen down the line.
Verdict: Buy ‘Em

Brandon Pettigrew - Tight End - Detroit Lions
The Lions went to a shorter passing game with Shaun Hill replacing the injured Matthew Stafford. Jahvid Best led the way with 14 targets, followed by 11 to Calvin Johnson and eight for Pettigrew, who has the potential to be the third option week in and week out.

This is not a team deep in receivers, to say the least. Pettigrew had a poor Week 1 (one catch for six yards), however, and unless you play in an extremely deep format, he is likely no better then some of the other options available on the waiver wire.

It’s a position that is extremely unpredictable and until Pettigrew proves that he can produce week in and week out, he’s not worth owning.
Verdict: Deny ‘Em

Joshua Cribbs - Wide Receiver - Cleveland Browns
Cribbs is better known for his return skills then his receiving ability. He’s a big play threat, with three receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown, but guys like him are extremely difficult to have faith in.

How often is he going to have a 65-yard reception like he did in Week 2? There’s way too much risk involved in him.
Verdict: Deny ‘Em

Tony Moeaki - Tight End - Kansas City Chiefs
He surprisingly led the Chiefs in targets with 10, picking up five receptions for 58 yards. That’s a better performance then Week 1, where he had three receptions for 21 yards and a TD.

It appears that he is going to be a major factor in the Chiefs passing game, but he still doesn’t appear to be any better then the options available on the waiver wire, at least not yet.

For now I’d leave him there and consider him a week-to-week fill-in. Another strong game and that could change, however.
Verdict: Deny ‘Em

Shaun Hill - Quarterback - Detroit Lions
It’s easy to put up numbers when you are trying to play catchup. Don’t get caught up in his 335 yard, two TD, two INT performance against the Eagles.

He’s not going to start when Matthew Stafford is healthy, and he’s not likely to give this type of performance very often.

If you are in a two-quarterback format, then maybe, but otherwise don’t bother.
Verdict: Deny ‘Em

Aaron Hernandez - Tight End - New England Patriots
He had a slow week one (one reception for 45 yards), but exploded for six catches for 101 yards against the Jets in Week 2. Rookie tight ends are tough to trust, but most don’t have Tom Brady throwing them the ball.

Still, given the unpredictability of the position to begin with, and the other options available, there’s no real reason to be grabbing a backup unless you have a weak starting option.

However, if you are in a deeper league, he’s the one I would get as he appears to have a chance for the big play (he already has two 40 plus yard receptions).
Verdict: Buy ‘Em

Mike Tolbert - Running Back - San Diego Chargers
Ryan Mathews was carted off the field yesterday, though he returned to the sidelines in pads (and didn’t enter the game). Most probably would’ve predicted Darren Sproles to be the option to take over carries, but instead it was Tolbert, who had 16 carries for 82 yards and two TD.

There is no word on the extent of Mathews injury, but Tolbert is certainly worth grabbing if you are in need of some running back help and have a roster spot you don’t mind ditching.

Of course, if Mathews is healthy (which is the early word) then Tolbert likely won’t have much value. Still, you never know what may happen, and having a back who can produce, if you have room on your roster, is always worth it.
Verdict: Buy ‘Em

What are your thoughts on these players? Who would you grab? Who would you leave on the waiver wire?

Make sure to check out Rotoprofessor’s Week 2 wrap-up: