With already so many injuries surrounding key fantasy players, you may find yourself digging deeper on the waiver wire than you ever expected heading into the second week of the season. Here are five players to consider adding from the waiver wire heading into Week 2 if you’re in a pinch due to injury.
RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
No wonder the Browns felt the need to add a running back early in the 2025 NFL draft. Without Judkins, the Browns’ running backs were pitiful in Week 1, putting up just 40 rushing yards on 21 carries (1.9 yards per carry). After a disastrous offseason that kept him off the field all summer, Judkins was finally a full participant at Browns practice this week, and he could make his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. Yes, Judkins may deal with a long suspension at some point this season or next, but as long as he is on the field, he should be a good fantasy contributor and could be a massive steal off waivers.
Available in 44% of ESPN leagues and 40% of Yahoo! Leagues.
WR Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
After missing Week 1 due to a shoulder injury, Mooney has been cleared with no injury designation for Week 2. In his two games played with Michael Penix Jr., Mooney saw 11 targets and had a five-reception, 82-yard game in Penix’s first start. Mooney scored 13-plus points in eight of 16 games played last year, with 15-plus points in seven of those games. Mooney gets a nice matchup in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position since the start of the 2024 season. Last season in his matchup against the Vikings, Mooney put up 142 yards and 20.2 fantasy points. He should be rostered in all fantasy leagues and can be started in a pinch in Week 2.
Available in 38% of ESPN leagues and 50% of Yahoo! Leagues.
WR Olamide Zaccheaus, Chicago Bears
In a surprising turn of events, Zaccheaus is playing a significant role in the Bears’ offense, despite their unit being stacked with talented weapons. After catching Caleb Williams‘ only passing touchdown in the preseason, Zaccheaus was targeted seven times in Week 1, second most on the Bears behind Rome Odunze. At the end of last season, Zaccheaus put up big fantasy performances with the Washington Commanders, scoring 24 and 23.3 points in two of the last three weeks of 2024. Zaccheaus and the Bears’ wide receivers get a favorable matchup against the Detroit Lions this weekend — the Lions have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to wide receivers since the start of the 2024 season.
Available in 99.5% of ESPN leagues and 99% of Yahoo! Leagues.
WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns
Joe Flacco targeted only two wide receivers more than once in Week 1 – Jerry Jeudy and Tillman, who each saw eight targets and played exactly 88.2% of the Browns’ offensive snaps. Tillman finished as the WR18 with 16.2 fantasy points in Week 1 and has another good matchup this Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Tillman scored a career high 25.4 fantasy points in his only game played against the Ravens in 2024, while putting up 99 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the game.
Available in 54% of ESPN leagues and 63% of Yahoo! Leagues.
TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
The TE1 in fantasy points in Week 1 is still available on waivers in over 50% of leagues on both ESPN and Yahoo! Fantasy. The answer to who will be Spencer Rattler‘s top targets behind Chris Olave was answered in Week 1. Johnson played on 99% of the Saints’ offensive snaps in their season-opener and was targeted 11 times in the game. He led the team with eight receptions and 76 receiving yards in the game. Johnson was the only tight end to see double-digit targets in Week 1, and he is going to be a necessary target for Rattler moving forward. Johnson should be rostered in all leagues, and if you are looking for a replacement for George Kittle, Johnson is a great option.
Available in 58% of ESPN leagues and 61% of Yahoo! Leagues.
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