A week of the fantasy football season is in the books, so where on the waiver wire should you target in Week 2?
Fantasy football went to plan in the first week, right? Oh, you didn’t know Aaron Rodgers was going to lay a dud, that Jameis Winston was going to throw five touchdowns, that Derrick Henry was going to be outside of the top 25 running backs? Well shame on you then — but not really.
Week 1 can always be weird for fantasy football but managers win leagues based on how they can adjust. And that obviously means taking what we saw and getting on the waiver wire based upon what happened. So we’re coming to you as we will every week with the best options to target on the waiver wire.
With a few running backs and wide receivers in addition to a tight end and a quarterback, these are players you should add to your roster for Week 2. (Note: Roster percentages are via ESPN Fantasy.)
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets for Week 2
Elijah Mitchell, RB, 49ers (Roster Percentage: 3.8) – With Raheem Mostert now out for the year, it was Elijah Mitchell that took over in Week 1 and starred. He finished with 19 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown. There was no passing game work but any running back getting the bulk of the touches in a Kyle Shanahan offense must be rostered in fantasy football.
Zach Pascal, WR, Colts (Roster Percentage: 3.0) – It was evident that Carson Wentz was largely dinking and dunking in the Colts passing offense, so that Pascal had five targets for four grabs with 43 yards and two scores is worthwhile. His underneath speed is going to make him a favorite option if the offense persists in this manner.
Gerald Everett, TE, Seahawks (Roster Percentage: 12.5) – Everett was part of a timeshare with the Rams but is “the guy” in Seattle. He had only two targets but caught both of them for 20 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. I expect that role to increase slightly and he’ll be a red-zone target for Russell Wilson.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles (Roster Percentage: 4.8) – Gainwell is still the RB2 in Philadelphia behind Miles Sanders but he’s going to get work. He looked well with that as the rookie put up 37 yards and a score on nine carries and also added two receptions on three targets for six yards. His upside is big if his role increases.
Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants (Roster Percentage: 30.2) – I’ve been anti-Giants in fantasy football this season because I have no faith in Daniel Jones or the line. But Shepard was a monster in Week 1 with seven catches on nine targets for 113 yards and a score. With Golladay and Toney struggling, Shepard might be the top target in this New York offense.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Texans (Roster Percentage: 4.5) – Taylor was one of the biggest surprises in Week 1 as he threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns along with 40 rushing yards. No, the Texans won’t face the Jaguars every week but Taylor is a veteran and the offense looked functional, which could make him worthy of a roster spot.
Tim Patrick, WR, Broncos (Roster Percentage: 0.7) – Though he only had four catches on as many targets for 39 yards and a touchdown, the work is going to increase for Patrick. We saw that last season amid wide receiver injuries and now Jerry Jeudy is out for several weeks. Teddy Bridgewater looked good, which should give Patrick quite enticing upside.