Week 1 is in the books and if you have found yourself here that means one of two things. Either you dominated your first week and want to keep up the momentum OR your team got demolished and you need a fresh transfusion to keep those playoff hopes alive. But don’t hit the panic button just yet. Week 1 had a lot of superstars not live up to their ADP (I’m looking at you Ja’Marr Chase) but that doesn’t mean all is lost. Fantasy football is a marathon and not a sprint. However, if your team needs a lift, check out my top waiver wire targets heading into week 2.
Notable Injuries:
- Xavier Worthy (Dislocated shoulder)
- Drake London (Shoulder sprain)
- Jauan Jennings (Shoulder)
- Brock Bowers (knee)
- George Kittle (Hamstring)
- Evan Engram (Calf)
Waiver Wire Targets:
Bhayshul Tuten (Rostered in 42.2% of ESPN leagues)
News broke Monday night that Tank Bigsby has been traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. This puts Bhayshul Tuten firmly in the backup RB seat. There has been a lot of hype surrounding the rookie out of Virginia Tech since the combine. It never hurts to have a solid backup/handcuff option. If he is available in your league, he’s worth picking up and stashing on your bench.
Quentin Johnston (Rostered in 3.6% of ESPN leagues)
I know I know. As an on the record Quentin Johnston hater, it’s tough for me to put him on this list. I do have some consistency concerns and it is worth noting that he was still third on the team in targets behind McConkey and Allen but it was hard to ignore the outing for Johnston. With 79 yards and 2 touchdowns, Johnston rewarded almost no one with a 24.9 fantasy outing. One could argue that one of his touchdown catches was meant for Omarion Hampton but Johnston seemed a capable target able to stretch the field. Certainly worthy of a flex spot.
Juwan Johnson (Rostered in 1.2% of ESPN leagues) Genius Pick of the Week
Boy oh boy to the Saints sucks. You know what doesn’t suck? A tight end who gets 11 targets. In a position that is feast or famine, Juwan Johnson and his 11 targets are worth rostering. I’m a big advocate of rostering tight ends with young QBs as they often offer a safety blanket that they can rely on.
Harold Fannin Jr. (Rostered in 0.8% of ESPN leagues)
Speaking of targets, Fannin saw 9 which he turned into 7 receptions for 63 yards. That was 3 more than starter David Njoku. Joe Flacco has a penchant for targeting the same guy over and over so Fannin may be that outlet. It also is worth noting that Njoku often misses games due to injury so it is certainly worth keeping Fannin on you radar.
Justin Fields (Rostered in 70.3% of ESPN leagues)
I don’t usually include players rostered in over 50% of leagues but if Justin Fields is available you should grab him. Predictably, we saw what you typically would from Fields. A QB who will pick up points with his legs. He did just that with 48 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 attempts. What wasn’t expected, was the 218 passing yards against a very capable defense. He was accurate too with a 72.7% completion percentage. He won’t throw a lot week in and week out but this was encouraging to see. Next up is a Bills defense who just got abused by a mobile quarterback in Lamar Jackson. While Fields is not on the same level, the opportunity for points is there. As a potential top 12 QB, there is no reason Fields should be on waivers.
Michael Penix Jr. (Rostered in 20% of ESPN leagues)
Despite a tough loss to the Buccaneers, Michael Penix was an absolute beast for those few fantasy managers that started him. Throwing for 298 yards and 1 touchdown while also rushing for an additional touchdown, Penix had himself a day good for 24.02 fantasy points. The Falcons look like they have made the right choice at QB. It certainly helps his case that he has an array of weapons in Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts for you truthers out there. I also like that he threw 42 pass attempts, which before Monday night’s game was good for 5th in week 1. I feel pretty good about Penix moving forward.
J.J. McCarthy (Rostered in 66.4% of ESPN leagues)
What a debut from J.J. McCarthy. After an abysmal first half, McCarthy balled out in primetime to help propel his team to a win over the Chicago Bears. 238 yards and 2 passing touchdowns on 33 attempts ain’t half bad. You also can’t complain when he has arguably the best wide receiver in football. This offense also stands to get better once Jordan Addison returns from suspension. McCarthy is certainly worth rostering.
Jaxson Dart (Rostered in 4.5% of ESPN leagues)
After a rough week 1 loss to divisional rival Washington Commanders, head coach Brian Daboll was asked if it was fair to say if Russell Wilson will be the starter against the Dallas Cowboys next week. While he said has confidence in Wilson and that the loss wasn’t on his shoulders, the writing on the wall is kind of what we have known all along. Wilson’s handle on the starting job is shaky at best and if the team continues to lose, there is a rookie QB waiting in the wings waiting to take over. The Giants have an absolute gauntlet of a schedule so Wilson’s days as the starter are likely numbered. I’m not saying that Jaxson Dart will take over immediately. It is more likely that he is more of a bench stash kind of play. Right now it’s so early in the season and most everyone is healthy, Dart is really only a longshot play should QB injuries pile up or if you play in deeper leagues and backup QB options are slim.
*Point totals mentioned assume full point PPR scoring
Found this helpful? Follow me on X at @The_FFGenius to keep up with my weekly waiver wire targets.