Waiver Wire: Week 2

11th September 202311th September 2023 Jeremy Galtman

The waiver wire article is set up to help give you the best possible players that may still be available on your league’s waivers. The following players are all rostered in under 50% based on ESPN’s leagues. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me on X (Twitter) @JGalt93.

Quarterback

Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers (24.5 % Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants, and Arizona Cardinals

Purdy wasn’t the best QB in week 1 but he sure wasn’t the worst. Purdy had a hard challenge against a tough Pittsburgh Steelers, but Purdy decided it was not a real challenge. Purdy had a solid state line of 19/29, 220 yards, and 2 TD’s, also adding 20 yards rushing. He showed confidence in the pocket and had a great connection with Brandon Aiyuk throughout the game. If Purdy can put up those numbers against tough D, I would love to see what he’s going to do against the Rams this upcoming week. If you need a solid QB in a good offense, I would look to add Purdy this week. He is a solid mid-tier QB2 with a safe floor and a decent ceiling going forward.

Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers (15.8 % Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions

Love was a lot better than most were thinking he would be, especially in his first game as the true starter for the Packers. He had a great stat line of 15/27, 245 yards, and 3 TDs and added 12 yards rushing. Now we can always say that it was beginners luck but I don’t believe that to be the case. Love looked like he was in control and let’s not forget that he did all of this without his WR1. Love should continue to have success, especially in a great matchup against the Falcons this week. If Love continues to have success like he did this past week, he could certainly walk his way into the starting conversation every week. Love is a mid-tier QB2 with an upside going forward.

Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots (4.9% Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys

Jones surprised everyone by being able to compete against the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday. Jones had a solid stat line of 35/54, 316 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT, and added 15 yards rushing. Now I don’t expect Jones to be the 2nd highest scoring QB every week but it does give promise to what he is capable of doing the rest of the season. Jones showed that he didn’t need to have a true WR1 to succeed. He spread the ball around and did so against one of the better defenses in the league. If you need a floor play with upside at the QB position, I wouldn’t fault you for taking a chance on Mac. The Patriots should continue to have success against the Dolphins this week. Jones is a low-end QB2 with an upside going forward.

Honorable Mention(s):

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders
Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams

Running Back

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons (43.6 % Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Jacksonville Jaguars

I would say that Tyler Allgeier’s usage this past Sunday had to be the biggest surprise of the weekend from a fantasy standpoint. His stat line was 15/75/2 in the rushing game and 3/19 in the passing game. He received 5 more carries than Bijan Robinson and was the clear goal-line back. It is clear what Arthur Smith wants to do this year and it is run, run, and run the ball some more. Allgeier is probably at the top of my waiver wire list this week. I don’t believe that kind of usage is the type of workload of a one-week wonder. We saw him succeed in this offense last year and he should continue to have success this season as well. Allgeier is a high-end flex with a massive upside going forward.

Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears (21.1% Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Denver Broncos

I was high on Johnson going into the draft but then he ended up in a crowded running back room in Chicago. Now going off of this past week, this backfield does look like a three-headed committee but that does not scare me away from adding Johnson to my roster. Johnson was used decently in the rushing and passing game in week 1. Johnson will continue to get work in this backfield and will be in a 1a/1b situation with Khalil Herbert this season. Johnson is a flex play with upside going forward.

Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams (10.2 % Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule:San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Indianapolis Colts

I think it is pretty obvious that the Rams don’t want Cam Akers to be “the guy” in 2023 with the kind of workload they gave to Kyren Williams in week 1. Akers had 7 more carries than Williams but Williams was far more efficient. He finished with a stat line of 15/52/2. Similar to Allgeier and Joshua Kelley, I don’t see that kind of usage just disappearing going forward. Williams may not get two scores every week but he will certainly be involved in the team’s plans in the future, especially without Cooper Kupp on the offense. Williams is certainly worth an add and can be looked at as a low-end flex with an upside going forward. If this kind of usage continues then I would have him ranked as a high-end flex every week.

** Adding top-tier running backs back-ups is always a good decision if you have the space to do so.**

Honorable Mention(s):

Joshua Kelley, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Kareem Hunt, RB, FA
Leonard Fournette,RB, FA

Wide Receiver

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers (19.1%Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Detroit Lions

Doubs has been the preseason stud for the Packers for the last two preseasons and it is continuing into the season this year. Without Christian Watson in week 1, Doubs was able to put together a solid stat line of 4,26,2. Now his success was pretty heavily reliant on the touchdowns but I believe that Doubs can either get enough targets/ yardage or touchdowns on any given week to warrant being added in all formats. Christian Watson should hopefully be returning in week 2 but that doesn’t scare me away from Doubs either. I believe that Jordan Love will show that he is capable of supporting two flex-worthy wide receivers with an upside in fantasy this season. Doubs is a high-end flex this week if Watson doesn’t return and is a low-end flex with upside if he does against the Falcons.

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams (12.5% Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Indianapolis Colts

Fantasy analysts have been touting Nacua all offseason and that is the exact reason why he was one of my favorite rookie picks in the later rounds of your rookie drafts this year. Nacua is legit and as long as Cooper Kupp remains out he should continue to receive a heavy target share. He had a great stat line of 10/119/0. I am not saying that he will receive 15 targets every week but he should continue to be one of the top targets for Matthew Stafford. While Doubs is my top wide receiver add for the week, I wouldn’t fault you for taking Nacua over him. He is even more valuable in full PPR leagues. Nacua is a solid flex play with upside going forward.

Kendrick Bourne, WR, New England Patriots (2.3% Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys

Bourne was the highest scorer of all of the wide receivers in this article and the impressive thing is that he did it against a very good Philly defense. Bourne finished Sunday’s matchup with a solid stat line of 6/64/2. Bourne has had success here and there throughout his career but it has never been consistent, which is why I don’t have him at the top of my list. He is worth an add and should be monitored in the next few weeks. The Patriots were without Devante Parker this week, so there is a chance that is why Bourne was utilized heavily. Regardless, Bourne showed a good connection with Mac Jones in week 1. Add him onto your bench and if Parker is out once again, Bourne is a solid flex play in what could be a high-scoring matchup in Miami this week. Bourne is a low-end flex with an upside going forward.

Honorable Mention(s):

Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
Tutu Atwell, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Reynolds, WR, Detroit Lions
Allen Robinson II, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

Tight Ends

Sam Laporta, TE, Detroit Lions (34.3 % Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, and Green Bay Packers

Laporta wasn’t the highest scorer at the position this past week and he didn’t score a touchdown but I do believe that he is the best TE still available on the waiver wire heading into week 2. He received a solid target share in week 1 against the Chiefs and there is no reason that he shouldn’t continue to have success going forward. Laporta finished with a respectable state line of 5/39/0 in week 1. I like the fact that he received and caught all 5 of his targets. That should give Jared Goff the confidence needed to continue targeting him going forward. If you are a TE-needy team like most of us, I would try to add Laporta this week before he starts having more success in the red zone. Laporta is a high-end TE2 with upside this week against the Seahawks.

Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots (4.1% Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys

You know it was a weird week when Hunter Henry was the highest-scoring TE in fantasy. Now I don’t expect that to happen maybe ever again this season but I do think that Henry can turn into a starter at an extremely weak fantasy position. Henry finished this past week’s matchup with a stat line of 5/56/1. That is as good as it gets at the tight end position, especially off of the waiver wire. There had to be someone to break out as the top target for the Patriots as there were no clear signs as to who it would be before the season. Henry could very well be that player and could provide fantasy managers with a solid floor and plenty of upside going forward. Henry is worth an add this week, especially if you have Travis Kelce or Mark Andrews. Henry is a mid-tier TE2 with upside this week against the Miami Dolphins.

Hayden Hurst, TE, Carolina Panthers (4.8% Rostered)

Upcoming Schedule: New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, and Minnesota Vikings

If I have said it once, I will say it a million times. Rookie QBs love their tight ends. Hurst is not a stranger to success in fantasy football as he has been a reliable option at times in the past. He is now in a situation with no clear leading receiver, which means that his chances of getting targets are as good as anyone. Hurst is not flashy and will most likely not win you your matchups but he should have a steady stream of targets and will have a strong red zone presence for the Panthers. Hurst is a low-end TE2 with an upside going forward. You should be able to pick him up and play him this week against the New Orleans Saints.

Honorable Mention(s):

Luke Musgrave, TE, Green Bay Packers
Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints
Zach Ertz, TE, Arizona Cardinals
Adam Trautman, TE, Denver Broncos

Defense Streaming Options:

New York Giants Defense Vs. Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals Vs. New York Giants

Green Bay Packers Defense Vs. Atlanta Falcons

Indianapolis Colts Defense Vs. Houston Texans