Every league is different and every waiver wire is different. Depending on league size, roster size, and whatever format your league plays in, the availability of players on the waiver wire may differ from some other places. It’s important to keep that in mind for the Week 2 waiver wire, especially considering how managers approached the end of their drafts. Some of the players on this Week 2 waiver wire column may have been a high-upside dart throw for a manager that’s already paying off to have on their roster.
More than anything, it’s important not to overreact when submitting claims on the Week 2 waiver wire. We only have one week of games as a sample size for the players on and off our rosters. Be careful who you drop! Let me try that again, but in caps lock. BE CAREFUL WHO YOU DROP! Putting in a claim for a seemingly hot commodity on the Week 2 waiver wire may mean cutting a player already on your roster who actually has more long-term value. Evaluate your roster before submitting claims and determine if you really need to make a move or two.
You may be dealing with injuries, bye weeks, or just need to cycle out players from your bench. Whatever the case may be, the waiver wire is there to help. There’s not always a need to put in a claim for players each week, but if you do, make it count. Below, we’ll look at players at each position, who are on 50% or less of most fantasy football rosters, that could be considered on the Week 2 waiver wire.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire By Position
Running Back
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
After last night’s stunning news that Christian McCaffrey wasn’t going to play in Week 1, I can’t imagine Jordan Mason is available on your league’s Week 2 waiver wire. In the event that he is, Mason is THE top add on the Week 2 waiver wire. He rushed 28 times for 147 yards and a touchdown in the 49ers’ win against a tough New York Jets defense in prime time. Mason not only has another chance to start in Week 2 for San Francisco but depending on McCaffrey’s long-term health, is a priority handcuff for the entire 2024 season. Even if you don’t have McCaffrey on your roster, you should add Mason if available.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Yes, Justice Hill had just one carry in Week 1. However, it’s his six receptions for 52 yards on eight targets that interest me. Hill logged 54% of the Ravens’ offensive snaps in Week 1 compared to 46% of the snaps for Derrick Henry. I don’t expect that to be the team’s typical split. In fact, when the Ravens host the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2 for their home opener, Derrick Henry should push for closer to 20 or so carries and more playing time.
Hill is still a priority handcuff to Henry, in case he were to become unavailable while maintaining a PPR upside of his own in the right matchup and game script. Henry is 30 years old with 2,380 touches. Getting Hill now, even if you don’t have Henry, is as important as having Mason (above) without Christian McCaffrey.
J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
I’ll be the first to admit my skepticism about Dobbins heading into this season. His injury history, which includes an Achilles tear from last season, should’ve been enough to deter most fantasy football managers from drafting him. His 135 rushing yards on just 10 attempts in Week 1 says otherwise. I still don’t know how long Dobbins’ success will last. The Los Angeles Chargers’ offense will take some time to find its way. In fact, Gus Edwards logged one more rush attempt than Dobbins, though for just 26 total yards. Still, it would be foolish to completely ignore Dobbins’ success heading into Week 2 and he’s at least worth adding for depth at the position.
Jaylin Wright, Miami Dolphins
Why would anyone want to pick up a rookie running back who wasn’t even active in Week 1? Well, the two key guys in front of him on the depth chart, Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, are both dealing with injuries already. The Miami Dolphins also play this Thursday night to kickoff Week 2.
Wright is one of my favorite handcuffs for the 2024 season. The Dolphins traded a 2025 third round pick to draft him in this year’s fourth round. His speed fits the identity of this offense and he can handle a full workload if called upon as soon as Week 2.
Other Running Backs to Consider
Jaleel McLaughlin is a high-upside bench stash that may not be difficult to acquire on the Week 2 waiver wire. His 27 rushing yards on 10 carries, including a fumble, isn’t exactly an impressive start to the season. However, he did have 15 total touches to Javonte Williams’ nine. It’s hard to imagine starting either Broncos running back any time soon, but McLaughlin has a history of explosiveness and receiving upside worth waiting on this early in the season.
Bucky Irving is another running back taking touches from the presumed starter in front of him, Rachaad White. Irving actually led the Buccaneers in rushing yards (62), though his pass-catching upside many expected took a backseat to White. Irving logged three targets to White’s six. It’s clearer though, even after just one game, that Irving could develop into a potential league winner if he assumes a three-down role in any sort of Rachaad White absence this season.
Tank Bigsby might actually be a thing this season for the Jacksonville Jaguars. After glowing reports out of training camp, Bigsby showed up right away in Week 1 logging the same number of carries (12) as Travis Etienne. Bigsby did so on just 17 snaps compared to 37 for Etienne. Although Etienne ultimately found the end zone, Bigsby’s 6.1 yards per carry stands out in a big way. The Jaguars only attempted 21 passes so it’s hard to truly get a grasp on what this offense will look like week-to-week after just one game.
Alexander Mattison is a deeper league consideration on the Week 2 waiver wire if the Raiders continue to take a “hot hand” approach with their backfield. Neither Mattison (3.8) nor Zamir White (3.2) averaged more than four yards per carry or even eclipsed 45 rushing yards for that matter. However, Mattison played 13 more snaps and drew six targets, catching four of them for 43 yards and the Raiders’ only touchdown of the day.
Wide Receiver
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
It’s unclear how long tight end Jake Ferguson will be out with his knee injury suffered in Week 1. While it’s not season-ending, it could be some time before Ferguson is back to having a significant impact in the Cowboys’ passing game. Brandin Cooks, who actually played more snaps than CeeDee Lamb, figures to be a major beneficiary of Ferguson’s absence. If he went undrafted in your fantasy league, acquiring Dak Prescott’s likely number two target on the Week 2 waiver wire is very appealing, especially if you just lost Puka Nacua to Injured Reserve. Cooks is a trustworthy veteran who made due of his 22% target share in Week 1 catching four of seven targets for 40 yards and a touchdown.
Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson, Los Angeles Rams
Both wide receivers should be considered on the Week 2 waiver wire in the absence of Puka Nacua. We now know Nacua (knee) will miss the next four games on Injured Reserve. There’s also no guarantee that he will return immediately following the Rams’ Week 6 bye. Until then, one or both of Robinson and Johnson should emerge in Week 1’s pass-heaviest offense.
Following Nacua’s exit in the second half of Sunday Night Football, it appeared Robinson continued strictly lining up out wide. He caught four of his seven targets for 42 yards. Generally speaking, Cooper Kupp operated more out of the slot meanwhile Tyler Johnson appeared to line up all over with more opportunities to get the ball into his hands quickly and make plays after. He caught five of his targets for 79 yards. The trusted name here with proven production is Demarcus Robinson, but I think Johnson has more upside.
Johnson is a fifth-year receiver who got his start buried behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on a Tom Brady-led Buccaneers team. Johnson notably had back-to-back seasons of 70+ receptions, 1,100+ and 10+ touchdowns at the Univeristy of Minnesota.
I think both Robinson and Johnson can be fantasy football relevant. The Rams passing game will run through Cooper Kupp, but there will always be some level of concern for the 31-year old receiver with a recently, lengthy injury history.
Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals
It’s hard to get a pulse for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals’ offense after just one game. I don’t expect Marvin Harrison Jr. to log just three targets, and catch just one of them, most weeks. Conversely, Greg Dortch probably won’t log a 25.8% target share either, just one target behind tight end Trey McBride. However, it is clear these are the three players Kyler Murray should be utilizing the most through the air this season. Dortch did average nearly six targets per game in the final seven games last season upon Kyler Murray’s return. He’s a potential flex option week-to-week depending on the matchup.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider
Allen Lazard and his rapport with Aaron Rodgers was on full display in Week 1. Lazard caught six of nine targets for 89 yards and two touchdowns in a negative game script. While I do think Lazard is a worthwhile add, this passing game could be trickier to predict each week as Mike Williams ramps up his return from a 2023 season-ending ACL injury.
Jakobi Meyers may end up behind tight end Brock Bowers in the Raiders’ pass game pecking order. In fact, Bowers’ eight targets led all Raiders to include Meyers (6) and even Davante Adams (6). Meyers did have 106 targets last season and could still have a big impact on an offense that figures to be playing, and passing, from behind most of this season.
Andre Iosivas is only a player worth picking up on the Week 2 waiver wire if Tee Higgins, Ja’Marr Chase, or both Bengals receivers are going to miss time. Without Tee Higgins in Week 1, Iosivas commanded a 20% target share, though he nor the entire Bengals offense, could get anything going. Iosivas isn’t a trustworthy plug-and-play off of the waiver wire against the Chiefs in Week 2, but could be a high-upside flex against the Commanders and Panthers thereafter, again, if Higgins and/or Chase are not active.
Adonai Mitchell has just one catch for two yards to show for his Week 1 debut. However, in watching the Colts versus the Texans, Mitchell could have had SO MUCH MORE. The Colts are just wild. Anthony Richardson completed just nine of 19 pass attempts and still managed 27.1 fantasy points. Four of his incompletions were to Mitchell, two of which they just missed connecting on two separate 30 and 80-yard would-be touchdowns. Mitchell has a high ceiling if this continues to be his role in an Anthony Richardson led offense each week, but beware of the boom-or-bust nature to his start.
Wan’Dale Robinson and his 12 targets are about the only bright spot to come out of Week 1 from the New York Giants for fantasy football. Malik Nabers is still the best combination of volume and talent this offense has to offer. However, stashing Robinson and his Week 1 28.5% target share in deeper PPR leagues isn’t a bad idea. There’s a chance Drew Lock starts sooner than later over Daniel Jones, too, at quarterback.
Devaughn Vele is a deep league consideration off of the Week 2 waiver wire. His 39 receiving yards in his NFL debut are no big deal, but catching all eight of his targets is. Vele could very well fade into nothingness as soon as Week 2, but there’s even a chance the Broncos trade Courtland Sutton this season which could create more opportunities for the rookie.
Tight End
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
In eight games last season, without Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely averaged 4.25 targets, 3.1 receptions, and 46.5 yards per game. That eight-game stretch, including the playoffs, includes six total touchdowns, as well. Likely’s production yielded an average of 15.0 fantasy points per game in Points Per Reception leagues from Weeks 13 through 18 last season as the TE5.
If you’re even considering Likely on the Week 2 waiver wire, you probably faded the top-ranked tight ends in your draft last month. You might have also ended up with David Njoku or Jake Ferguson, who are now both set to miss time with injuries. If any of this speaks to you, Isaiah Likely needs to be your top priority on the Week 2 waiver wire. Even if those tight ends return, it will be a painful process of streaming the position by then. Not to mention, you may struggle to win games with such a deficit at the position in your lineup.
Suggesting Isaiah Likely as the top tight end, or even player, on the Week 2 waiver wire isn’t a knock against Mark Andrews. In fact, I expect the Baltimore Ravens to continue running a lot of two tight end sets on offense. You shouldn’t expect a repeat of Likely’s 9/111/1 receiving line from Week 1 on a consistent basis. In fact, I think the Ravens run all over the Las Vegas Raiders in Baltimore’s home opener in Week 2. Likely is still the absolute best tight end option you’ll have a chance of acquiring this season on the waiver wire. He also has Lamar Jackson as his quarterback. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by.
Other Tight Ends to Consider
Colby Parkinson is the top tight end on the Los Angeles Rams. After one week of play, Matthew Stafford leads the league with 49 pass attempts. Though Parkinson accounts for just 10% of the Rams’ Week 1 targets, consider Cooper Kupp’s 21 targets account for 43% of the Rams’ passing game share. Moving forward, Kupp will likely lead the offense in targets, especially with Puka Nacua heading to Injured Reserve. Parkinson could be a beneficiary until his return, however. Nacua is out four games so, in addition to the Rams’ Week 6 bye, we won’t see Nacua until Week 7 at the earliest.
Tucker Kraft is a plausible Week 2 waiver wire add for tight end needy teams. Looking beyond the box score, Kraft played an extremely notable 95% of the Packers’ offensive snaps. Without Jordan Love, this offense becomes more unpredictable than it already was. If they move forward with the same personnel usage, at least Kraft will be on the field a ton for Malik Willis to possibly lock in on him as a top target. It’s one of the better shots you can take at the position on the Week 2 waiver wire if you miss out on Isaiah Likely.
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I’m willing to rank Baker Mayfield as the top Week 2 waiver wire quarterback because of my belief in his consistency for the duration of the season. We’ve already seen Mayfield succeed as the starting quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His 2023 season was a major bounce-back. In 2024, his weapons are the same and, although it’s a new offensive coordinator, Mayfield and Liam Coen have a brief history of familiarity from their time together with the Los Angeles Rams. Baker’s 29.7 points in Week 1 trails only Josh Allen (31.2). This is after averaging 22.5 points per game as the QB5 in last year’s fantasy football playoffs. Mayfield still shouldn’t crack 1QB league lineups but is a much more confident Superflex starter moving forward.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers
It doesn’t exactly feel right suggesting Fields on the Week 2 waiver wire for a few reasons. For starters, we don’t know if he’s even going to start Week 2, assuming Russell Wilson (calf) is ready to go. Secondly, while Fields and the Steelers did pick up a crucial road win, the offense failed to score a single touchdown. All 18 points were a result of six successful field goals from kicker Chris Boswell, including five from 40+ yards and three from 50+ yards. The key to Fields’ fantasy success is his rushing ability. He did log 14 rush attempts for 57 yards supporting nearly half of his 11.9 fantasy points. If he does secure the starting role, and improve in the passing game, he can finish inside the top 10 any given week given his mobility.
Other Quarterbacks to Consider
Geno Smith will have better days ahead for fantasy football purposes. The first two offensive plays for the Seahawks in Week 1 were a loss of seven yards on a sack then an interception. Seattle never quite looked right, but still came away with a win. You know things are obscure when Lockett’s six receptions for 77 yards are better than both DK Metcalf (3 for 29) and Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2 for 19) combined. I still believe in Ryan Grubb’s pass-friendly offense from here on out with the weapons in it around Geno Smith.
Sam Darnold isn’t a consideration for 1QB leagues but should be on the Superflex radar for the Week 2 waiver wire. Not only does Darnold have Justin Jefferson to throw to, but he notably completed 19 of 24 passes in Week 1. Darnold’s ceiling is likely matchup-dependent each week, but the floor is there if you’re in a pinch.
Michael Penix is a Superflex stash to consider after watching Kirk Cousins struggle in Week 1. Cousins and the entire Atlanta Falcons offense was on my Week 1 hot seat and the seat is that much after after a home loss to the Steelers.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!