Must-Add Waiver Wire Picks for Week 2

Week 1 has come and gone, but having football back in our lives certainly feels good. Fantasy football is fresh in players’ veins looking to grab hold of their first championship in their leagues. But you don’t win your league by simply drafting well. You have to be active on the waiver wire.

Last week, there were several options fantasy managers were advised to take off the wire before the start of Week 1. Some were stashes. Others are being targeted for Week 2. Injuries have also bumped up attention to key positions so fantasy managers need options this week. So here are some high-priority targets to look for.

Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets

*Roster Percentage via ESPN Fantasy

Michael Penix, QB

Michael Penix came out of the gate swinging against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1. Finishing as a top 10 fantasy quarterback with 24 fantasy points, Penix is certainly an option for fantasy managers to pivot to. The Falcons QB threw the ball 42 times for 298 yards, adding a passing and rushing touchdown to the mix. Penix is rostered in just 20% of fantasy leagues so best believe he’s at the top of the list in this new waiver cycle.

Aaron Rodgers, QB

The old gunslinger still looks like he has some gas left in the tank after all. Rodgers, at 41, put together a masterclass of the “I still got it” variety. Rodgers tossed for touchdowns against his old squad, the New York Jets. Rodgers also averaged 8.1 yards per attempt and closed the game with a 73.3% completion percentage. The QB7 for Week 1, so if you miss out on targeting Michael Penix, Rodgers should be the next quarterback to get on your fantasy shopping list.

Dylan Sampson, RB

Second-round running back Quinshon Judkins finally signed his rookie contract but was unable to play in Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns opted to use both Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson, with Sampson outshining the veteran back. Sampson did most of his damage through the air, catching eight passes on eight targets for 64 yards. Sampson also added another 29 yards on 12 carries. While Sampson may share the backfield with Judkins upon his return, his role as the pass-catching back seems to be locked in. Sampson is rostered in nearly 33% of ESPN leagues.

LeQuint Allen Jr., RB

This might feel like jumping the gun, but with the recent trade of Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles, the “big back” role could be up for grabs in Jacksonville. Travis Etienne is firmly established as the RB1, but he will need a handcuff going forward. Allen, rostered in less than one percent of leagues, saw a few more snaps than fellow back Bhayshul Tuten but it’s still too early to tell who will lock up the RB2 spot.

Quentin Johnston, WR

Left for dead during the offseason, Quentin Johnston re-emerged as a serious receiving threat for the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers, who uncharacteristically came out throwing against the Kansas City Chiefs, targeted Johnston seven times in the contest. Johnston would finish third on the team in targets, 79 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Scoring nearly 25 fantasy points and finishing as the WR3, Johnston looks to be involved in the Chargers’ offense and has earned the trust of Justin Herbert. Johnston is rostered in just four percent of leagues, according to ESPN.

Marquise Brown, WR

With Xavier Worthy going down with a dislocated shoulder, Hollywood Brown stepped up into the WR1 role. Brown saw 16 targets against the Chargers and finished with 99 receiving yards. Totalling near 20 fantasy points in Week 1 and finishing as the WR9, Brown will assume the WR1 role until Worthy can return. Brown has the highest roster percentage on the list this week at 50% but if he’s on your waiver wire in your fantasy league, he’s worth the add.

Juwan Johnson, TE

Did you believe that Saints tight end Juwan Johnson would end up as the TE1 for fantasy in Week 1? A lot of people didn’t see that coming. But it happened. Johnson was second on the team in targets against the Arizona Cardinals with 11. Johnson finished the game with eight catches for 76 yards (9.5 per) and 15.6 fantasy points. The Saints don’t have a ton of playmakers behind Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. The hope is that Johnson can continue to be a part of the core of the Saints’ offense under Kellen Moore. Rostered in just 1.3% of leagues, add Johnson especially if you’re dealing with injuries at the tight end position.

Brenton Strange, TE

Brenton Strange makes a second appearance on the waiver list but for good reason. Strange saw as many targets as Evan Engram, George Kittle, and Dalton Kincaid in Week 1 with four but finished with 59 receiving yards. Jags QB Trevor Lawrence couldn’t hit his wide receivers but found Strange ready and available. Strange could continue to see work in the midrange area of the field to help move the ball. Strange is worth the add at 20% if you need a tight end.

Honorable Waiver Wire Mentions:

Jonnu Smith, TE – 23%

Trey Benson, RB – 51%

Juju Smith-Schuster – 1%

Elic Ayomanor, WR – 4.5%

Geno Smith, QB – 9%

Daniel Jones, QB – 5%

Cedric Tillman, WR – 43%

Harold Fannin Jr, TE – less than 1%

Tyquan Thornton, WR – less than 1%

Bhayshul Tuten, RB – 42%