Waiver Wire: Week 2
By Tim Lazenby
With Week 1 in the books, we now look to keep our team at the top or claw our way back to contention. One of the best ways to keep your team from falling behind is grabbing up the best available talent on the waiver wire. Whether you are working with priority, FAAB or straight up first come first serve, here are some key names to look out for. Before we begin, I’m ignoring obvious handcuffs and replacements for players injured before the season began. I’m also not noting rookies with high fantasy draft capital. And while some of these players will be taken, I’ve intentionally listed players with lower ownerships, making it more likely for them to be available.
New Injuries to Take Note Of
Keenan Allen - Doubtful with hamstring
It seems unlikely Allen will play Thursday in the thriller versus Kansas City. The long term is unknown, but in the meantime, try to acquire Josh Palmer. If he’s taken, which he should be in dynasty, Jalen Guyton or DeAndre Carter should be available in most leagues. You need a piece of this offense moving forward.
Chris Godwin - Doubtful with hamstring
Drafting or acquiring Chris Godwin was dicey considering the massive injury he’d just come off of, and it saddens me to see him go down. He will most likely be out for Week 2, but Tampa Bay doesn’t seem worried about the long term. I’ve cautioned against Julio Jones, but with the injury, it makes him worthy for the time being. I’d ignore the rest of the receiving core depth in Tampa Bay.
Tee Higgins - Questionable with concussion
It remains possible that Higgins misses no time with the concussion as this isn’t a recurring issue, but if you’re worried, the always underrated Tyler Boyd is a great solution. If he’s gone, you can take a chance on the other Mike Thomas, but I’d only do it as a last resort.
Najee Harris - Questionable with foot
The injury doesn’t seem troubling to Pittsburgh, but it goes without saying that someone in your league probably already has the handcuff in Jaylen Warren. If he’s there, however, go and get him. It’s important to know that no other Steelers’ running back is usable in fantasy this season even if Najee is out long term.
Alvin Kamara - Questionable with ribs
I doubt there will be much of an issue here, but it’s worth noting. Mark Ingram is definitely worth an add, but he may not be available. Don’t go adding Tony Jones unless you are in an extremely deep dynasty league.
Eli Mitchell - Out with knee - MCL
We all should have seen this coming. Mitchell just can’t stay healthy. That being said, I, for one, am avoiding Shanahan’s backfield as usual. But, if you aren’t like me, I’d suggest ignoring Jeff Wilson Jr because people will blow up their FAAB for him. Make the sneaky play and try to get Jordan Mason for basically free.
Dak Prescott - Out with thumb
Dallas is in big trouble. And if you are a Prescott manager, he’s likely your top option. I’d find it doubtful that Cooper Rush will be successful, but if you are just on a priority system, I’d take a chance. If you are on a FAAB system, I’d spend my FAAB elsewhere on other options I’ll go over later.
Running Backs
Rex Burkhead - Houston Texans
It’s not the prettiest of moves, but Rex Burkhead earns my top spot for non-injury related running back adds this week. Unlike many, I didn’t think Dameon Pierce was going to come screaming out of the gate, but I was also surprised by how valued Burkhead was to Lovey Smith in Week 1. And if you are in a PPR league, the move is fantastic as it looks like Davis Mills is ready to throw even more in his second year.
Tyler Allgeier - Atlanta Falcons
Weird advice, eh? Listen, I know he didn’t even play in Week 1, but with Damien Williams now at least temporarily out of the picture, there’s an opportunity for Allgeier. Atlanta simply can’t lean on Cordarelle Patterson for almost 30 touches each game. You’ll have to wait for these dividends, but by the time he’s useful, I fear he’ll be gone.
Khalil Herbert - Chicago Bears
Admittedly, I don’t love the move here; but it’s a necessary evil. I don’t think Herbert is taking work away from David Montgomery, despite his poor performance this week. But I do think that they will rush the ball more until Justin Fields stops running for his life. The lack of receiving weapons also makes using Herbert more necessary.
Other Running Back Options
Eno Benjamin - Arizona Cardinals
Kenyan Drake - Baltimore Ravens
Zack Moss - Buffalo Bills
Wide Receivers
Zay Jones - Jacksonville Jaguars
Let’s start with an underwhelming name. I remember being ecstatic about Zay Jones when he was drafted years ago with the Buffalo Bills and that’s about the last time I could say that. But, I gotta say, Zay Jones performed very well in Week 1. As the clear number 2 option, and with the financial investment from the Jaguars organization, he’s a great addition to your bench.
DJ Chark - Detroit Lions
I am so thrilled to be right about DJ Chark. While it’s true that rookie phenom Jameson Williams hasn’t played yet due to injuries, the trio of Amon-Ra St. Brown, D’Andre Swift and TJ Hockenson were in full force. Despite the crowded room, Chark still took advantage. He is the field stretcher in Detroit and I have a feeling Goff will air it out like never before to show that he’s still the quarterback of that franchise.
Kyle Phillips - Tennessee Titans
Many fantasy football managers won’t know the name, Kyle Phillips, but people certainly know it now. While the Titans start fresh away from AJ Brown and as Derrick Henry gets older, it only makes sense that there will be new weapons. I do, however, feel that when he’s up to speed Treylon Burks is still the guy to own. But, in the meantime, snatch up Phillips now before everyone notices him.
Robbie Anderson - Carolina Panthers
It pains me to know I’m back on board with Robbie Anderson again. Had he not had a stellar Week 1, I obviously wouldn’t be. But with how anti-Baker Mayfield he was, it was shocking to see the success so quickly. Nab him up while he’s cheap. He’s worth the gamble at his current price point.
Chase Claypool - Pittsburgh Steelers
I’m still a bigger believer in Chase Claypool than most, but others should follow suit this time. Especially while Najee is in flux, Claypool’s gadget ability makes him more valuable than most give him credit for. After all, he had over a quarter of the team’s rushing attempts, even with Najee playing.
Other Wide Receiver Options
Devin Duvernay - Baltimore Ravens
Jarvis Landry - New Orleans Saints
Sterling Shepard - New York Giants
Donovan Peoples-Jones - Cleveland Browns
Greg Dortch - Arizona Cardinals
Curtis Samuel - Washington Commanders
Tight Ends
Gerald Everett - LA Chargers
This is kind of cheating here. Aside from Gerald Everett having stand alone value as the Chargers’ top tight end, it doesn’t hurt his case when he’ll be getting extra potential targets if Keenan Allen misses time. Everett is my biggest add this week at any position on the waiver wire.
Hayden Hurst - Cincinnati Bengals
Much like Everett, Hayden Hurst is good in his own rite, but if Tee Higgins misses time, it’ll only get better for Hurst owners. Let’s not forget that the Ravens drafted Hurst ahead of Mark Andrews, so his talents should not be surprising. Above all else, if CJ Uzomah was fantasy relevant with Joe Burrow, Hayden Hurst should be too.
Other Tight End Options
OJ Howard - Houston Texans
Will Dissly - Seattle Seahawks
Quarterbacks
Carson Wentz - Washington Commanders
It’s quite possible that Carson Wentz is not available in your league, but he is in an overwhelming number of leagues. While many people are thinking about how bad he was last year, take advantage and scoop him up as he’s revitalized by his new team. He’s got a real shot at being a QB1 this season with his current weapons.
Marcus Mariota - Atlanta Falcons
I need to apologize to a lot of people. I was certain Marcus Mariota was washed up but he actually looks good. He made pretty good decisions, and seemed to have good vision. He’s not good enough to win you a week yet, but with his rushing upside alone, he’s well worth an add if you need a quarterback; that’s for sure.
Other Quarterback Options
Mitch Trubisky - Pittsburgh Steelers
Jared Goff - Detroit Lions
Follow me on Twitter @NFLazenby

Tim Lazenby joined Dynasty Pros, after writing for a few years elsewhere, and is passionate about all things fantasy football. Tim has been playing fantasy sports for over twenty years now and takes his love of the game to every article he writes. Although he’s played a variety of fantasy football, he is especially in love with dynasty football. If you ask him for advice, whether you’re just joining or you’ve been playing for years, he wants nothing more than to help you succeed, than to keep that fantasy gold to himself. A lover of the game and ultimate competitor, Tim is just trying to spread the good news of fantasy football to all.