Week 2 Waiver Watch of Truth
Some fantasy players believe leagues are won in drafts, others believe they’re won through trades, I personally believe championships are won on the waiver wire. Every league is different and it’s undoubtedly a combination of the three but let’s make sure you’re up to speed on this week’s top waiver wire adds.
Quarterbacks
Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars
Minshew madness is back! He started off the season by becoming the first player in NFL history to throw 3 touchdowns and complete at least 95% of his passes on kickoff weekend. The mustached machine put up 20.8 fantasy points in stylish fashion with 3 scores, 0 turnovers and only 1 incomplete pass. He threw to 10 different receivers for only 173 yards but that will surely increase once they’re trailing in games. If you’re in need of a QB or are just looking to stash one on your bench, Minshew is a great option and is only owned in 14.9% of ESPN leagues.
Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers
Teddy Checkdown was earning that nickname on Sunday but then salvaged his performance for fantasy owners by throwing a 75 yard beauty to Robby Anderson. Bridgewater has the weapons around him to be a fantasy stud and got off to a decent start with a 19.4 point outing. He only threw for the one touchdown but he did rack up 270 yards through the air and added 26 on the ground. Bridgewater could be a great QB2 with QB1 upside and he’s rostered in just 14.8% of ESPN leagues.
Honorable mentions: Ryan Tannehill TEN, and Kirk Cousins MIN.
Running Back
Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts
Hines is an obvious must add as starting RB Marlon Mack went down with a season ending ankle injury. Hines looked great with a stat line of 7/28/1 on the ground to go along with 8/45/1 through the air for a whopping 27.3 points in PPR formats against the Jaguars. With Mack out for the remainder of the season there will be plenty of work to go around. Stud rookie Jonathan Taylor will be the starter but Hines will get plenty of touches. Old man Rivers looks like he found a new friend giving Hines a real chance to produce Austin Ekeler type numbers. I highly recommend scooping up Hines if possible, he is owned in 34.4% of ESPN leagues.
Malcolm Brown, Las Angeles Rams
Last week Brown was named the starter of this 3 back committee and took full advantage vs Dallas with a healthy 4.4 YPC on 18 carries as well as 3 receptions and a pair of touchdowns. Those 21 touches for 110 yards and 2 scores easily outdid the other two backs combined. Rookie second round pick Cam Akers tallied 15 touches and Darrell Henderson received just 3. Brown most likely won’t keep up his week 1 production of 26 points but he’s definitely worth stashing on your bench in any league especially if you own Akers or Henderson. Brown is owned in just 7.9% of ESPN leagues. Go get him!
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Robinson is the lead back for Jacksonville with little to no competition for carries. He was actually the only back to receive a handoff and he got 16 of them for 62 yards. He also caught a pass for 28 yards. There’s a good chance he’s not available in your league but if he’s out there go scoop him up! He’s rostered in 29.1% of ESPN leagues.
Joshua Kelly, Las Angeles Chargers
Kelly has been competing with Justin Jackson for the complimentary role to Austin Ekeler and week 1 was won decisively by Kelly. Jackson managed just 2 carries for 4 yards and went down with a quadriceps injury. Jackson is currently listed as day-to-day. Kelly however looked great as he rushed for 60 yards on 12 carries including one for a touchdown. Kelly could be playable in deeper leagues but is definitely worth a bench stash especially if you own Ekeler. Kelly is rostered in just 11.3% of ESPN leagues.
Peyton Barber, Washington Football Team
Since the releases of running backs Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson we’ve witnessed rookie Antonio Gibson’s hype train reach full steam. I’ve even heard of people so amped up about him that they drafted him in the 4th round. Making judgments based off of week one is always a slippery slope but it’s safe to say that Gibson won’t be an every down workhorse and Barber will have a sizable role in this offense. The former Buccaneer didn’t wow us by any means but he did show his nose for the end zone as he scored two second half touchdowns which helped the Football team to an impressive come from behind win over their divisional rival Eagles. Barber had 17 carries for only 29 yards for a pathetic 1.7 YPC but did score two TDs. He should be picked up especially if you own Gibson. Barber is rostered in only 1.3% of ESPN leagues.
Honorable mentions: Frank Gore NYJ, Jerrick McKinnon SF, Adrian Peterson DET, Benny Snell PIT, Myles Gaskin MIA, and Carlos Hyde SEA.
Wide Receiver
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers
Lazard won the WR2 job on Green Bay’s offense and he showed why on Sunday. He managed to catch all four of his targets for 63 yards and a touchdown for a nice 18.2 PPR points. Lazard is rostered in 25% of ESPN leagues, if he’s unavailable in your league and you still want a piece of that Packers Pie, Marquez Valdes-Scantling put up similar numbers and he seems to have the WR3 spot locked down. He caught 4 of 5 targets for 96 yards including a beautiful 45 yard TD. He’s owned in just 1.9% of ESPN leagues.
Russell Gage, Atlanta Falcons
Gage showed he was a baller late last season and picked up right where he left off. There is plenty of opportunities to go around on this prolific passing offense. That was on display Sunday vs Seattle as Gage, Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley each caught 9 of 12 targets for over 100 yards. Gage is a must add and is only owned in 3.8% of ESPN leagues.
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
Campbell started things off on the right foot with Phillip Rivers as he tied Ty Hilton for the team lead in targets with nine. Campbell could be a great PPR contributor as the Colts showed they’ll be trailing often. He caught 6 passes for 71 yards as he showed good chemistry with Rivers. Campbell is rostered in 29.8% of ESPN leagues.
Scotty Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Miller showed great chemistry with Tom Brady throughout training camp and that showed again on Sunday against the Saints. We all know that Brady loves throwing to the slot and Miller will be that guy for the GOAT. Miller had a productive week 1 hauling in five catches for 73 yards on six targets. That’s not bad considering that Godwin was the leading receiver and caught 6 of 7 targets for 79 yards. Scoop up Scotty if you can. He’s rostered in just 3.7 of ESPN leagues.
Honorable mentions: Danny Amendola DET, Keelan Cole JAX, Laviska Shenault JAX, Corey Davis TEN, Willie Snead BAL, and Jakeem Grant MIA.
Tight End
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert is a must add. Don’t blow your load on him if your waivers are a bidding system but Goedert is a baller! He finished as a top 10 fantasy Tight End last season and earned enough trust from me that I actually drafted him as my TE1 in a league. Goedert was Wentz’s favorite target on Sunday catching 8 of his 9 targets for 101 yards and a score for a ridiculous 24.1 points! Goedert is a great option if you’re in need of a TE or more flex options. He is owned in 27.2 of ESPN leagues.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
Thomas may not be an exciting fantasy option but he is a viable option if you’re scouring the waiver wire for a TE with little competition for work. He led the Football Team in targets and was on the receiving end of the only touchdown through the air. He caught 4 of his 8 targets and was on the field for 52 of the 70 offensive snaps. Thomas is well worth a look in deeper leagues and is almost sure to be available as he’s only owned in 0.4% of ESPN leagues.
Honorable mentions: Jonnu Smith TEN,
C.J. Uzomah CIN, and Dalton Schultz DAL.
Take all of this with a grain of salt as I obviously don’t know the details of your specific situation, what you need, who you’d drop and who else is available in your league.
Thanks for reading and as always, stay true.