Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets

By Matt Barker

For some, opening up whichever browser you choose to use and typing in ‘Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets’ into whichever search engine you choose to use, can trigger some sort of PTSD from seasons past where you’ve experienced the blow of a Saquon Barkley or a David Johnson season ending injury in week 1.

To those people, I feel for you. I truly hope you are not the same people who have also lost Jeudy, Mostert, Fitzpatrick or Gallup to multi-week injuries. And if you are, then I hope the below suggestions help ease that pain and bring forth a sense of optimism. Everything’s going to be okay.

Here’s my top 6 waiver adds for week 2:

Jameis Winston – QB, New Orleans Saints (35% owned)

Credit: Phelan M. Ebenhack (Associated Press)

The former Buccaneer, first overall pick, laughing stock and all-round entertainer went off to the righteous tune of 14/20, 148 yards, five touchdowns and ZERO interceptions. A staggering line considering the type of swashbuckling attitude he’s approached the position with in the past. Jameis looks reborn in a tried and tested system, he deserves to be a priority pickup if your QB isn’t one of the top 10 options.

Deep league option: 

Tyrod Taylor – QB, Houston Texans (4% owned): 21/291/2 passing, 4/40 rushing in week 1

Elijah Mitchell – RB, San Francisco 49ers (4% owned)

Raheem Mostert suffered a knee injury on the 2nd drive on Sunday (this guy just cannot catch a break) and Trey Sermon was a surprise healthy scratch. In stepped 6th round rookie Elijah Mitchell to rumble for 19/104/1 against a soft Lions defense. He appears to have over taken Sermon on the depth chart (thanks for the heads up Shanahan) and with the aforementioned Mostert injury – which is likely an 8 week absence – he’s my top pickup this week.

Mark Ingram – RB, Houston Texans (16% owned)

Credit: Patrick McDermott (Getty Images)

Twenty six carries… just as you thought the Houston Texans backfield couldn’t get any more comical, they give Mark Ingram 26 carries in week 1. Somehow in a position where they were able to salt a lead over the Jags, Magic Mark piled on 86 yards and a score, clearly leading this backfield on early downs. Whether this continues is a mystery, as David Johnson and Phillip Lindsay also scored, along with getting 6 and 8 touches respectively. One thing for certain is the Texans will not be salting many leads this year, so proceed with caution. But any time a running back gets 26 carries you have to pay attention.

Sterling Shepard – WR, New York Giants (31% owned)

Mr Shepard has been known to trick us in the past flashing these types of lines – 7 catches, 113 yards and one touchdown, to then follow it up with multiple dud games and disappear. But reports out of camp in preseason that he was the top receiver, plus the strong finish to 2020 season (22 targets, 189 yards and two touchdowns over his last two games) signals this volume and production could be here to stay. He also done this against a stacked Broncos D in week 1. He’s a pick up and play now flex option in 12 team leagues, especially while Saquon Barkley is working his way back to fitness.

Tim Patrick – WR, Denver Broncos (1% owned)

Credit: Dustin Bradford (Getty Images)

Patrick had a mini-breakout last year with Drew Lock under center (79/742/6), Courtland Sutton missing and Jerry Jeudy still learning the ropes as a rookie. Heading into 2021 that breakout looked like it wouldn’t lead to much with Sutton back and a projected focus on the run game. However, the aforementioned Jeudy suffered a rotten high ankle sprain, likely sidelining him for multiple weeks, giving Tim Patrick the chance to shine again. This week he caught all 4 targets for 39 yards and a score – look for that to continue this week and more. Behind Shepard he’s my favourite WR pickup.

Kenneth Gainwell – RB, Philadelphia Eagles (6% owned)

The Eagles looked great, albeit against a terrible looking Falcons side, and rookie Gainwell chipped in with a big part straight out the blocks with a 9/37/1 line on the ground and 3 targets. He looked heavily involved and the direct backup to Miles Sanders, with Boston Scott nowhere to be seen. It’s extremely promising to see Gainwell this involved so early, and with Hurts looking as solid as he did the Eagles offense could be a surprise one for us. You won’t start him this week vs 49ers but it can only get better from here – I’d prioritise Gainwell as a bench stash with upside if Sanders goes down.

Matt Barker

MATT BARKER

FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Packers fan with a soft spot for Washngton, Matt will likely revert to WFT when Aaron Rodgers departs. Based in London, Matt has followed the NFL for 9 years and become an extremely keen fantasy player/data lover. Find him on Twitter @mattjbarks.

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