Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books and there are a lot of players available on the fantasy football waiver wire that performed well. With Week 2 on tap, here are waiver wire pickups managers should prioritize. If you need to add pickups through the waiver wire, you came to the right place. After a Week 1 filled with injuries and underperformers, the waiver wire is ripe with overperformers ready to be rostered.
Whether you won or lost, had good luck or bad luck, you can never have too much talent on your roster. This early into the season, you very well could find a season-long starter and pick them up on the waiver wire.
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 2: Running backs
1. Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers backfield continues to have bad luck when it comes to injuries. Elijah Mitchell suffered a sprained MCL in Week 1 vs. the Chicago Bears and is now on IR.
Only rostered in 0.6% of NFL.com fantasy leagues currently, Wilson is expected to take over the early down role for the 49ers for the next 6-8 weeks. A starting running back on any team is an asset, especially on the team that was #1 in rushing in 2021. Wilson is a priority add in all formats.
2. Rex Burkhead, Texans
In a big turn of events, veteran Rex Burkhead saw more snaps and touches than rookie Dameon Pierce in Week 1 vs. the Colts. He turned his 19 touches into 90 total scrimmage yards.
Only rostered in 2.1% of NFL.com fantasy leagues currently, Burkhead is the more experienced pass-blocking and pass-catching running back of the two. Until Pierce improves, expect to see Burkhead on the field more, as the Texans will oftentimes be in passing situations. Burkhead is worth a pickup in PPR formats.
3. Zack Moss, Bills
Surprisingly, Zack Moss was more productive than both Devin Singleterry and James Cook during the Buffalo Bills @ Los Angeles Rams Thursday Night Football Matchup.
Only rostered in 1.4% of NFL.com fantasy leagues currently, he has an assumed pass-catching role in this backfield. He is worth a flyer in PPR formats, especially if Cook further cements himself in the dog house in Week 2 or onward.
If he’s still available, pick up Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 2: Wide Receivers
1. Curtis Samuel Commanders
After spending 2021 riddled with injuries, Samuel appears to be back to his explosive, playmaking self in 2022. The wide receiver/gadget player had 8 receptions on 11 targets and 4 carries for 72 total scrimmage yards and
Available in over 95% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Samuel will be busy all season long and can be plugged into starting lineups as a WR3/flex instantly. He is a priority add in all formats.
2. Zay Jones Jaguars
The new free agent acquisition started his Jaguars campaign by showing his chemistry with second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The two connected for 6 passes for 65 yards.
Available in nearly 99% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Zay Jones is expected to surpass veteran Marvin Jones Jr. as the number 2 wide receiver in Jacksonville. Being that they will oftentimes be in passing situations, Jones should continue to be busy this season. He is worth a pickup in PPR formats.
3. Kyle Phillips, Titans
The 2022 5th round selection Kyle Philips found himself on the field more than 2022 1st round selection Treylon Burks. Operating as a slot receiver, he received a team-high 9 targets, securing 6 of them for 66 yards in the Tennessee Titans match against the New York Giants.
Available in virtually 100% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Philips is a player worth stashing on your bench. His ceiling is higher than any boom or bust candidates currently on the waiver wire.
Fantasy Football waiver wire, Week 2: Quarterbacks & Tight Ends
1. Matt Ryan, Colts (QB)
Although the Colts are a run-first team, Matt Ryan attempted 50 passes in his first game as a Colt. He completed 32 of these 50 passes for 352 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Available in nearly 75% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the Colts have found themselves yet another veteran bridge quarterback until they find their future quarterback. The team is hoping he can keep their playoff aspirations afloat with top-half of the league play, and for that reason, he is worth stashing on your bench. He may just keep your fantasy aspirations afloat.
2. Marcus Mariota, Falcons (QB)
He may not always be able to help the Falcons win, but he may be able to help your fantasy team win. The dual-threat quarterback completed 20 of 33 passes for 215 yards while also rushing 12 times for 72 yards, one touchdown, and one fumble in his Week 1 loss against the New Orleans Saints.
Available in nearly 97% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, Atlanta has several playmakers for Mariota to feed. Even when facing tough defenses, his rushing upside provides a high floor. He’s worth a flyer with injuries and/or bye weeks approaching week 6.
If he’s still available, add Cooper Rush, Cowboys (QB)
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 2: Tight Ends
3. Albert Okwuegbunam, Broncos (TE)
The offseason darling had his hype dwindle down closer to the regular season. However, in his first game with Russell Wilson, Albert “O” received 6 targets and hauled in 5 of them for 33 yards.
Only rostered in nearly 25% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, expect his depth of targets to increase as the Broncos’ chemistry continues to improve. With it being harder and harder to find tight ends in fantasy, Albert “O” is worth a flyer.
4. Taysom Hill, Saints (TE)
The fantasy football “tight end” took snaps at tight end, wide receiver, quarterback, and running back. He finished as a top 5 fantasy tight end in all formats with 4 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown and 1 reception for 2 yards.
Only rostered in 6% of NFL.com fantasy leagues, the Saints still intend to use Hill as a gadget player and offensive weapon. As long as he is still playable in the tight end slot, he is worth adding and stashing on your bench. He could end up being a game-changer for your team later in the season.