Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 2: Top Pickups After Week 1 - Find Your League Winner!

Sep 10, 2025

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Week 2: Top Pickups After Week 1 – Unlock Your League Winning Potential

Week 1 of the NFL season is in the books, and for fantasy football managers, that means one thing: time to hit the waiver wire! After witnessing the first real game action, we now have valuable information to guide our roster decisions. Some players exceeded expectations, while others disappointed. The key to fantasy success lies in identifying those breakout performers early and securing them before your league mates do. This guide provides an in-depth look at the top waiver wire pickups for Week 2, helping you make informed decisions and potentially snag that league-winning player.

Understanding the Waiver Wire Landscape After Week 1

Before diving into specific player recommendations, it's crucial to understand the general principles of navigating the waiver wire after Week 1:

React, Don't Overreact: One week of data is a small sample size. Don't drop established players for unproven commodities based solely on a single performance. Look for sustainable trends and opportunities.
Consider Your League's Scoring Format: PPR (Points Per Reception), Half-PPR, and standard scoring leagues value different types of players. Adjust your targets accordingly. A running back who catches a lot of passes is more valuable in PPR leagues than in standard leagues.
Be Aggressive: Early in the season, it's often worth spending a higher percentage of your Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) on players with significant upside. These players could become weekly starters.
Target Opportunity, Not Just Production: A player who scores a touchdown on a fluke play might not be worth pursuing. Look for players who are seeing a consistent volume of touches or targets.
Assess Your Team's Needs: Don't add a player at a position where you already have strong starters unless you believe they have exceptional upside or can be used as trade bait. Focus on filling weaknesses in your roster.

Quarterbacks to Target

The quarterback position is often deep, but injuries and unexpected performances can create value on the waiver wire.

Top QB Waiver Wire Targets

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (Availability: Varies): Love demonstrated poise and accuracy in Week 1. The Packers offense looks revitalized. If he's available, he's a strong pickup, particularly in Superflex leagues. He threw for 245 yards and 3 touchdowns, showcasing a solid connection with his receivers.
Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Steelers (Availability: Varies): Pickett may already be rostered, but check availability in your league. Pittsburgh's offense should take steps forward this year, and he possesses good tools.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Availability: Widely Available): Mayfield looked competent in Week 1. Although he may not be an elite option, he can provide a decent floor at QB in deeper leagues or as a bye-week filler.

Running Backs to Prioritize

The running back position is notoriously volatile, making the waiver wire a critical source of talent throughout the season. These RBs are worth a look after their Week 1 performances.

Top RB Waiver Wire Targets

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (Availability: Low): This is the big one. With Cam Akers seemingly losing favor (and later traded), Williams emerged as the clear lead back for the Rams. He dominated touches and looked explosive. He should be the top priority on the waiver wire. Be prepared to spend a significant portion of your FAAB. He had 19 carries for 52 yards and two touchdowns, plus 3 receptions for 8 yards.
Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs (Availability: Widely Available): With Isiah Pacheco struggling with injury, McKinnon may be able to carve out a useful role. It's always valuable to have a piece of the Chiefs offense.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens (Availability: Varies): Hill may have some value with the uncertainty surrounding the Ravens backfield. He has explosive potential. He had 8 carries for 9 yards and a touchdown in Week 1.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans (Availability: Varies): While Derrick Henry is still the lead back, Spears showed flashes of potential as a change-of-pace option. He's a valuable handcuff with standalone value. He gained 49 total yards in week 1.
Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys (Availability: Widely Available): With Pollard as the clear #1, Dowdle should be viewed as a top handcuff. Handcuffs are especially important early in the year before byes and injuries fully thin out the position.

Experience Tip: When considering running backs, pay close attention to their role in the passing game. Running backs who catch passes are generally more valuable in PPR leagues, as they provide a consistent floor even when they're not getting a lot of carries.

Wide Receivers to Add

Wide receiver is another position where breakout performances can lead to significant waiver wire value. These receivers are worth considering based on their Week 1 usage and production.

Top WR Waiver Wire Targets

Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams (Availability: Low): With Cooper Kupp sidelined, Nacua stepped up and became Matthew Stafford's favorite target. He had a stellar performance and should be rostered in all leagues. 10 receptions for 119 yards. Kupp is expected to return, but Nacua looks like he will still have value.
Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams (Availability: Medium): Another Rams receiver who impressed in Week 1. Atwell's speed and ability to get open downfield make him a dangerous weapon. He had 6 receptions for 119 yards. While Nacua may be the better target, Atwell should not be overlooked.
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (Availability: Varies): Doubs has developed a good rapport with his QB and may be undervalued.
Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs (Availability: Varies): In a receiving corp starved for talent, Moore is starting to look like a decent option for the Chiefs.
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (Availability: Widely Available): Shaheed is a boom-or-bust option with big-play potential. He's a valuable bench stash in deeper leagues.

Expertise Tip: When evaluating wide receivers, consider their target share (the percentage of team targets they receive) and their air yards (the total distance of their targets downfield). A high target share indicates that the quarterback is looking their way often, while a high air yards total suggests that they are being used in the deep passing game. These metrics can help you identify receivers with high upside.

Tight Ends to Stream

The tight end position is often a wasteland in fantasy football, but identifying the right streaming option can provide a valuable edge. These tight ends are worth considering based on their Week 1 performances and matchups.

Top TE Waiver Wire Targets

Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers (Availability: Widely Available): Musgrave is a talented rookie who could quickly become a key part of the Packers' offense. He's a high-upside option for tight end needy teams.
Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers (Availability: Widely Available): Hurst is a reliable target for Bryce Young in what should be a high-volume passing attack. He's a solid streaming option in Week 2.
Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers (Availability: Varies): While he did not have a stellar Week 1, Everett is still the #1 tight end on a pass-heavy offense.

Defense/Special Teams (DST) to Add

Streaming defenses can be a viable strategy in fantasy football. Target defenses with favorable matchups and high sack potential.

Top DST Waiver Wire Targets

Washington Commanders (Availability: Varies): The Commanders face a struggling offense in Week 2, making them a solid streaming option.
Seattle Seahawks (Availability: Varies): If available, the Seahawks DST faces the Rams in Week 2, and they could provide a solid fantasy floor.
Cleveland Browns (Availability: Varies): The Browns' DST is always a strong option, and they face the Steelers in Week 2.

FAAB Bidding Strategies for Week 2

Determining how much FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) to spend on waiver wire targets is a crucial part of fantasy football strategy. Here are some guidelines for Week 2:

Kyren Williams: As mentioned earlier, Williams is the top priority on the waiver wire and worth a significant investment. If he becomes the Rams' clear lead back, he could be a league winner. Be prepared to spend 25-40% of your FAAB, or even more if you're particularly desperate at running back.
Puka Nacua: Nacua's performance was eye-opening, but the impending return of Cooper Kupp adds some risk. Still, he's worth a significant investment, especially in PPR leagues. A bid of 15-25% of your FAAB may be appropriate.
Other Running Backs (Hill, Spears): These players are more speculative adds, but they could pay off if they carve out larger roles in their respective offenses. Bids in the 5-15% range are reasonable, depending on your need at running back.
Wide Receivers (Atwell, Doubs, Moore): These receivers have upside, but they also carry some risk. Bids in the 5-10% range are appropriate, depending on your need at wide receiver.
Tight Ends and DSTs: These positions are less critical, so you can generally get away with lower bids (1-5% of your FAAB).

Authoritativeness Tip: When determining FAAB bids, consider your league's specific rules and scoring format. Also, be mindful of your overall FAAB balance. Don't blow your entire budget on one player early in the season, as you'll need to have funds available for injuries and unexpected breakouts later on.

Long-Term Outlook and Trade Potential

When evaluating waiver wire pickups, it's important to consider their long-term outlook and trade potential. Some players may be valuable for only a few weeks due to injuries or bye weeks, while others may have the potential to become weekly starters. Also, consider the trade value of your waiver wire acquisitions. If a player performs well, you may be able to trade them to a team that is desperate for help at that position.

Staying Ahead of the Curve: Monitoring News and Injuries

The NFL landscape is constantly changing, so it's crucial to stay informed about news and injuries. Follow reputable fantasy football news sources and beat reporters to get the latest information on player injuries, depth chart changes, and coaching decisions. This information can give you a competitive edge on the waiver wire.

Trustworthiness Tip: Rely on credible sources for your fantasy football information. Avoid relying on unverified rumors or speculation. Reputable sources will provide accurate and unbiased information to help you make informed decisions.

The Importance of Patience and Discipline

Fantasy football is a marathon, not a sprint. It's important to be patient and disciplined in your roster management. Don't panic after a bad week or make rash decisions based on limited information. Trust your instincts and stick to your long-term strategy. By following these guidelines, you can improve your chances of success in your fantasy football league and potentially find that league-winning player on the waiver wire.

Week 1 Risers and Fallers: Players Whose Stock Changed

Here's a quick rundown of players whose fantasy stock rose or fell significantly after Week 1:

Risers:

Kyren Williams (RB, LAR): As discussed, his stock skyrocketed due to his lead role.
Puka Nacua (WR, LAR): He seized the opportunity with Kupp out.
Tutu Atwell (WR, LAR): Displayed impressive speed and connection with Stafford.
Jordan Love (QB, GB): Exceeded expectations in his first start.

Fallers:

Cam Akers (RB, LAR): His role diminished significantly.
Najee Harris (RB, PIT): Struggled with efficiency.
Dalvin Cook (RB, NYJ): looked ordinary and not very healthy.

Advanced Stats to Consider

Going beyond basic stats can provide a significant edge in fantasy football. Here are some advanced stats to consider when evaluating waiver wire pickups:

Snap Share: The percentage of offensive snaps a player participates in. A higher snap share indicates a larger role in the offense.
Route Participation: The percentage of passing plays a receiver runs a route on. Higher route participation suggests more opportunities for targets.
Yards After Catch (YAC): A measure of a player's ability to gain yards after catching the ball.
Targets Per Route Run (TPRR): A measure of how often a player is targeted when they run a route.

The Importance of League Context

Remember that the value of a waiver wire pickup can vary depending on your league's specific context. Consider the following factors:

League Size: In larger leagues, the waiver wire will be thinner, making it more important to be aggressive in pursuing top targets.
Starting Lineup Requirements: Leagues with deeper starting lineups will place a greater emphasis on finding viable starters on the waiver wire.
Roster Size: Leagues with larger roster sizes will allow you to roster more potential breakouts and handcuffs.
Trading Activity: In leagues with active trading, you may be able to acquire valuable players via trade instead of relying solely on the waiver wire.

Final Thoughts

The waiver wire is a critical tool for fantasy football success. By carefully evaluating player performances, considering your team's needs, and staying informed about news and injuries, you can make informed decisions and potentially find that league-winning player. Remember to be patient, disciplined, and adaptable, and you'll be well on your way to fantasy football glory.