The first week of the fantasy football season is always full of surprises, and this one was no exception. As the dust settles, savvy managers are already looking to capitalize on early trends and breakout performances by scouring the Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire to boost their team’s rest of season upside.
Whether you’re seeking to replace an injured or unproductive starter or bolster your bench with high-upside players, identifying the right targets now can give you a crucial edge over the competition. Just look at last year when Kyren Williams, Puka Nacua, and Gus Edwards led this very same article in Week 2.
In this crucial early stage of the season, acting quickly on players who either showcased their potential in Week 1 or benefited from surprising shifts in their team’s depth chart is essential. These early fantasy football Week 2 waiver wire pickups could significantly impact your fantasy roster, so don’t miss out on the chance to strengthen your lineup before your league catches on.
Note: Roster % based on Yahoo and Sleeper; H/T PFF for snap percentages
EARLY FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 2 WAIVER WIRE
ISAIAH LIKELY, TE BALTIMORE RAVENS (Yahoo: 28%, Sleeper: 30%)
Isaiah Likely’s Week 1 breakout performance makes him a prime Week 2 waiver wire target. Likely led the Ravens with nine receptions for 111 yards, including a 49-yard touchdown. His team-leading 12 targets and 3.17 yards per route run also show he’s more than just a backup to Mark Andrews.
While Likely was previously seen as a “handcuff” to Andrews, only stepping up when the veteran was sidelined, his expanded role in Week 1 suggests a shift in the Ravens’ offense. With the Ravens adopting 12 personnel as their base offense, Likely was on the field for 53 snaps, nearly matching Andrews’ 59. This significant increase in playing time, even in 11 personnel, indicates that Likely could be in for a much more significant role this season.
Fantasy managers should take note of the potential upside Likely offers. Despite Andrews being on the field, Likely out-targeted him and was the go-to option for Lamar Jackson in crucial situations. While it’s too early to say that Likely will ultimately surpass Andrews, the signs are promising for a productive fantasy season.
With the Ravens’ passing offense still searching for consistent playmakers, Likely has a clear path to becoming one of their top receiving threats. Adding Likely from the waiver wire could be a game-changer at the always-tricky tight end spot, especially if he continues to see significant snaps and targets. Keep an eye on him as the season progresses, as he could emerge as a weekly starter.
JK DOBBINS, RB LA CHARGERS (48%, 59%)
J.K. Dobbins is a borderline Week 2 Waiver Wire target nearing 50% on Yahoo and nearly 60% on Sleeper, but he made the cut on one platform. Coming off a 2023 Week 1 Achilles injury, he returned in a big way, rushing for 135 yards on just 10 carries, including a 61-yard run and a 12-yard touchdown.
Dobbins led the Ravens’ backfield and showcased his explosiveness, proving he is back to 100% after two significant injuries during his short NFL career. While Gus Edwards also saw some early-down work, Dobbins clearly emerged as the primary back, both on the ground and in the passing game, where he added three receptions for four yards and ran 17 routes. The fact that Dobbins outperformed expectations and took on the passing-down role further elevates his fantasy value, making him a strong candidate for your starting lineup moving forward.
The Ravens’ decision to use a two-man backfield, with rookie Kimani Vidal inactive, also highlights Dobbins’ growing role in the offense. Edwards, who many expected to handle a larger share of early-down and goal-line work, took a backseat to Dobbins, especially in crucial situations.
With Edwards’ role limited and less impactful for fantasy purposes, Dobbins stands out as the clear lead back in Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman’s run-heavy attack. Given Dobbins’ explosive performance in what should be a juicy fantasy situation, he should be a priority add from the waiver wire, offering significant, league-winning upside for your fantasy roster.
BUCKY IRVING, RB TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (21%, 25%)
In the words of our fearless leader, the closest thing we’ll get to a 2024 Kyren Williams is Bucky Irving. The rookie from Oregon impressed in Week 1, leading the Bucs in rushing with 62 yards, averaging a strong 6.9 yards per carry compared to Rachaad White’s 2.1.
This efficiency, combined with Irving’s significant playing time—taking snaps away from White—suggests the rookie could quickly carve out a more significant role in the Buccaneers’ backfield. Given how effective Irving was with his opportunities, it’s clear the Buccaneers may start to lean more on him in early-down situations, and potentially in goal-line scenarios, which would significantly boost his fantasy value.
Rachaad White, who typically dominated snaps last season, playing at least 70% of the offensive snaps in all but one game, saw his snap share dip below 70% in Week 1. This decline, coupled with Irving’s standout performance, signals a potential shift in the Buccaneers’ backfield.
As a result, Irving is a top waiver wire target, with the potential to deliver substantial fantasy value in the ascending Buccaneers’ offense.
JUSTIN FIELDS, QB PITTSBURGH STEELERS (14%, 24%)
Justin Fields might not have had a crazy impressive Week 1 from a fantasy perspective, but he’s still a Konami quarterback worth targeting on the Week 2 waiver wire.
Despite throwing for just 156 yards and not accounting for any touchdowns, Fields still managed to score 11.94 fantasy points, showing his potential even on a day when he doesn’t find the end zone. Just one touchdown would have pushed him into QB1 territory, and considering his dual-threat ability, most weeks he’ll likely contribute at least one score.
With the Steelers securing a win and Fields avoiding turnovers, there’s a decent chance the team will stick with him over a healthy Russell Wilson moving forward. Given his history of strong fantasy performances in a starting role, Fields has the potential to deliver solid fantasy numbers, especially as he gets more comfortable in Arthur Smith’s offense. If you’re looking for a quarterback with real upside, Fields is definitely worth adding to your roster.
JALEN MCMILLAN, WR TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5%, 13%)
Jalen McMillan is a rookie worth targeting off the Week 2 waiver wire, especially in deeper leagues. Although he isn’t yet at the level of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, McMillan led the Buccaneers wide receivers in offensive snaps and routes run in Week 1, playing 49 of 52 snaps in 11 personnel and out of 63 total snaps.
His elite involvement in the offense, coupled with his 32-yard touchdown catch, suggests that he could see more opportunities, particularly if Evans or Godwin miss time in the future. McMillan’s potential for increased targets and his ability to make big plays make him a valuable addition to your fantasy roster. Not to mention, Baker Mayfield’s ability to make several players fantasy-relevant is impressive.
OTHERS TO TARGET: QB Baker Mayfield (34%, 42%), QB Sam Darnold (10%, 15%), WR Brandin Cooks (33%, 40%), WR Demarcus Robinson (6%, 12%), RB Bucky Irving (21%, 26%), RB Justice Hill (4%, 1%), RB Tank Bigsby (5%, 11%)
