Football is finally back! With that, we are back with our weekly fantasy football waiver wire pickups! Week 1 went exactly as we all planned… Said no one ever. Here we are again taking our “perfect” drafts and realizing they’re not so perfect after all. However, if you are 0-1, your season is not even close to being over! Also, if you are 1-0, congratulations as you are ready for Week 2! Let’s not forget we can all tweak our fantasy football rosters.

No matter our record, there are always areas to improve in. Regardless of your situation, here are players you should look to add for Week 2 based on CBS Fantasy Sports roster percentages. These players are listed in order of priority. Let’s get right into it with the top waiver wire pickups as we head into Week 2.

Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups

Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers (54% Rostered)

As I stated in my early waiver wire targets, Jordan Love was someone you should look to have rostered. Sure enough, Love picked up where Aaron Rodgers left off and went 15 of 27 for 245 yards and three touchdowns. Love passed the ball to many receivers including Aaron Jones and Romeo Doubs. All this without star wide receiver Christian Watson.

Now, Love will look to top his performance in Week 2 to Atlanta, especially if Watson can return. I would be willing to spend 5-10% of my remaining FAAB on Love if I’m struggling at quarterback.

Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders (39% Rostered)

Although it wasn’t a perfect game for Howell, he was still able to pass for over 200 yards and add two total touchdowns. While we would have liked to have more rushing yards (11), we will take what we can get for now. Additionally, getting sacked six times doesn’t help his cause. However, the fantasy football upside is still there. For next week, I would keep my expectations low against the Denver Broncos. Look to spend no more than 5% of your remaining FAAB.

Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets (2% Rostered)

The Aaron Rodgers era ended faster than it started. Within the first few plays of the game, Rodgers went down with what is now confirmed as a torn Achilles. We may have seen one of the greatest quarterbacks play his final NFL snap ever. For one player though, it’s Zach Wilson who looks to take the realms. He didn’t do too badly as he went 14 of 21 for 140 yards and a touchdown. However, he still managed to throw an interception, something he’s struggled through his young career.

With a better team around him, hopefully, Wilson will take that step forward as we hoped when he was the No.2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. I would look to spend 25% to as high as 50% of FAAB in deeper leagues and 2QB/ Superflex leagues.

Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups

Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (36% Rostered) and Justice Hill (1% Rostered)

With JK Dobbins going down with a potentially torn Achilles, you have to wonder what is next for the Baltimore Ravens. Both of these running backs should be focused on most, if not all waiver wires this week. They definitely need to be added in all leagues and are my top waiver priorities overall as of this writing. I would be willing to bid as much as 20% on Gus Edwards, and no more than 5% on Justice Hill. Despite scoring the two touchdowns, Hill has never done as much as Edwards has. Edwards should be viewed as an RB3 at best, with Hill more of a Flex option.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (54% Rostered)

In a bit of a surprise, Kenneth Gainwell dominated the backfield touches. If you had read my article last week, you may have actually been in on Gainwell with me. Even though he accumulated 74 total yards, it was better than any running back in this backfield. I was thinking D’Andre Swift would have done more, but he only had one lone carry. Gainwell should be rostered in all leagues and I would be willing to spend up to 10% of my remaining FAAB on him.

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons (71% Rostered)

It’s funny to see that Tyler Allgeier wasn’t the starter for the Falcons, yet he led the team in both yards (75) and carries (15) all while scoring two rushing touchdowns. However, the Falcons were switching both Allgeier and rookie Bijan Robinson on drives throughout the whole game. Although Robinson will be the primary back, head coach Arthur Smith will look to ground and pound the ball as much as possible.

In the end, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Falcons led the league in carries once again. Allgeier won’t have this kind of performance weekly, but he should be viewed as an RB3 at best going forward. I would be willing to spend up to 10% of my remaining FAAB on him. He’s certainly worth an add off the waiver wire after this performance.

Joshua Kelley, RB, Los Angeles Rams (18% Rostered)

Although this game was a shoot-out, the split between Joshua Kelley and Austin Ekeler was eye-opening. Kelley already holds value being the backup to Ekeler. But, if Ekeler is to go down with an injury, Kelley would become a weekly starter. If this backfield trend continues, he could be this year’s Tony Pollard.

Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts (24% Rostered)

Zack Moss didn’t play in Week 1, nor did he help to do anything to get on the field. But, the Colts running game struggled to get the ball moving against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was quite disastrous, to say the least. Evan Hull left with a knee injury and Deon Jackson had just as many yards (14) as he did carries (13). Even though Jackson got the start, he proved nothing to have the same position for Week 2.

Despite the Week 1 performance, don’t give up on Hull yet. He could have done more if he didn’t get injured. Also, let’s not forget what Moss did last season. Yes, he wasn’t the best, but he performed last season than any running back has done thus far. All things considered, I would be willing to spend 5-10% of my remaining FAAB on Moss.

Leonard Fournette, RB, Free Agent (6% Rostered)

Yes, he’s a free agent. However, there is now a potential landing spot for veteran Leonard Fournette with the JK Dobbins injury. Although Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are looking to be added in the majority of leagues, Fournette should look to be added too as he could sign as soon as tomorrow. He is free as of right now, but if signed, I would be willing to spend 10% of my remaining FAAB.

Kareem Hunt, RB, Free Agent (20% Rostered)

Just like Fournette, veteran Kareem Hunt is here in the same boat. He had many offers from teams on the table, yet never signed a contract. Now the ball is possibly in his court. Realistically, Hunt could also be signed as soon as tomorrow. However, based on how the Ravens offense likes to run I prefer Fournette over Hunt. Overall, I am willing to spend 5% of my remaining FAAB if Hunt were to sign.

Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams (11% Rostered)

How many more times will we start out the season and see Cam Akers being back in the dog house? Even with getting two touchdowns, Williams was second in carries (15) compared to Akers (22). His efficiency was better than that of Akers (3.5 vs. 1.3) yet mediocre. This offense needs a lot of work, even with a win over the Seattle Seahawks. Although Williams had a lot of carries, I would bid 1% of my remaining FAAB.

Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups

Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers (67% Rostered)

Although Romeo Doubs didn’t light up the box score, he did manage to catch two touchdowns. He was targeted five times and caught four of those for just 26 yards. However, Christian Watson is expected to be back in Week 2, which should hurt Doubs’s upside. Overall, I’d still view Doubs as a WR3 option moving forward.

Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans (72% Rostered)

The Texans’ offense struggled to no surprise, yet Collins performed better than any other Texan. Collins put up a career game finishing with six catches (11 targets) for 80 yards. Even being Bryce Young’s top target, Robert Woods wasn’t far behind him (10 targets). We have all been trying to figure out who Stroud would target the most in this offense. Although it was only the first game, it’s something to take note of. I would be willing to spend no more than 5% of my remaining FAAB on Collins.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (65% Rostered)

Overlooked in many fantasy football drafts this year, Meyers looked to be Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite target as he led the team with 10 targets for nine catches, 81 yards, and two receiving touchdowns. Let’s not forget this is still Davante Adams‘ team, but was shadowed by Patrick Surtain II. Although he had a great game, he did leave late with a concussion. Keep monitoring this, but I would spend no more than 5% of my remaining FAAB on Meyers. All things considered, he’s worth a pickup off the waiver wire.

Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints (8% Rostered)

From what Rashid Shaheed did last season, he picked up right where he left off catching five of six passes for 89 yards and Derek Carr’s lone touchdown. However, I wouldn’t rush to the wire to add him to my team as he was third in targets. But, he could be a WR3 for bye weeks. Personally, I would spend 1% of my remaining FAAB.

Kendrick Bourne, WR, New England Patriots (3% Rostered)

Yes, it’s gross, but we had no clue who the wide receiver to roster in New England. Bourne emerged as Mac Jones’ top option, as many, including myself, thought it would be one of the tight ends in Hunter Henry or Mike Gesicki. Bourne has never been the receiver that the Patriots hoped he would become when they signed him a couple of seasons ago. Maybe this is his breakout year in the Patriots offense. All in all, I would be willing to spend 1-3% of my remaining FAAB for a waiver wire pickup on Bourne.

Puka Nakua, WR, Los Angeles Rams (7% Rostered)

Rookie Puka Nakua led the Rams in targets (15), and receptions (10) and tied with receiving yards with 119. He was the first wide receiver to go over 100 receiving yards in their NFL debut since Ja’Marr Chase. Now, Cooper Kupp is out for at least another three weeks, but Nakua is someone who should look to be added in most fantasy leagues. Especially for those who lost Kupp. Personally, I would spend 1-3% of my remaining FAAB on Nakua.

Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions (72% Rostered)

Although rookie Sam LaPorta only finished with 39 receiving yards, he was targeted five times. His overall stat line won’t amaze you, but if you watched Thursday Night’s game, you would understand. He may not be the next Travis Kelce, but he is a serviceable TE1 you can use going forward. He’s clearly in the Lions’ future game plans and I would spend around 5% of my FAAB on him.

Hayden Hurst, TE, Carolina Panthers (7% Rostered)

Throughout the preseason, Hayden Hurst struggled to get any chemistry with rookie quarterback Bryce Young. In the end, it was Adam Thielen who was looked at as the top target. Hurst went on to catch five of seven targets for 41 yards and a touchdown. It was the only touchdown for the Panthers, but this game showed the talent that we know Hurst carries. Like most tight ends, they are touchdown-dependent. Hurst is no different. All things considered, I would add Hurst for 1% of my remaining FAAB.

Adam Trautman, TE, Denver Broncos (1% Rostered)

For all of us who drafted Greg Dulcich, well he didn’t perform and is out for at least the next few weeks. However, that should be even better for Adam Trautman who was already the No.2 pass-catcher for the Broncos catching all five of his targets for 34 yards. No, the yardage wasn’t much, but Sean Payton loves to use his tight ends as he brought over Trautman from the Saints. Hopefully, this holds true for him as the tight-end position as a whole in Week 1 was a disaster. He’s worth 1-5% of your remaining FAAB.

All of these players taken? Check out our deep dive waiver wire article, targeted at 14+ team leagues. 

For the latest free agent news, check out the Fantasy Football News Tracker.

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