Fantasy Football Week 2 waiver wire: Streamers, Trey Benson, Hollywood Brown and more

Now that it’s Week 2 of the fantasy football season, we’re slimming down the waiver wire pickups… a bit. Like Week 1, we’re still looking to stash the most upside — potential league winners, difference makers, etc. However, we also have some must-grabs — even short-term options — due to injuries or early-season changes. And since it’s Week 2, the Worry Report and Power Up sections are back!

Heads Up

• Players must be under 60% rostered on Yahoo
• Listed in order of preference: I’ll regularly prioritize potential upside over immediate replacement production
  • RB backups have a separate secondary list based only on the lead option getting hurt
• No FAB suggestions: It varies wildly by league tendencies and is always relative (ex: if you lost your RB1 to injury and he has a clear backup, you’re going to be more aggressive)
• Streaming QB and TE are grouped together — weekly ranking can change once projections/ranks run — DST could shift a bit too
• Emojis for brevity
  • 😏 = mentioned multiple times, multiple weeks — either you want him, or you don’t
  • 🫡 = Next Man Up but with deeper startability

Worry Report
(Scale 1-5: more ducks = more worry)

• Dolphins: ♾🦆 — After one week, “Infinity Duck” is here? Yep! The Dolphins look broken. We’re talking “blow up the team” broken, and while there is time to fix things, Mike McDaniel had an entire offseason to readjust to defenses outplaying him.
• Kenneth Walker, RB, SEA: 🦆🦆🦆🦆 — Yes, I reported that sources said the Seahawks wanted Walker to “bellcow” this year, but we also talked about how you can’t bellcow unless you’re on the field. Walker missed the preseason, including most practices, and it showed. Even if Walker is still working back to 100%, I don’t see how the Seahawks go away from a timeshare given Zach Charbonnet’s effectiveness.
• Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC: 🦆🦆🦆 — The good news is that Pacheco is the early-down option. The bad news is that Kareem Hunt is solidly involved, and the Chiefs need to be in heavy control to warrant RB1 upside for Pacheco.
• Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN: 🦆 — Buy low where you can. The Titans have a bit softer go of it this week (Rams) before things get easier overall, and Ridley had 32.0 TmTGT%.
• A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI: 🦆 — This is the Eagles with Jalen Hurts… and Saquon Barkley. We’ll get WR1 performances… from both. Brown will also be a fringe WR1 in FPPG, and Smith will be in the Top 25. It’s just a rollercoaster ride.
• Jerry Jeudy, WR and David Njoku, TE, CLE: 🦆🦆 — Cedric Tillman breaking out was going to cool off Jeudy and/or Njoku a bit already. Now, Harold Fannin is in the mix, with Dylan Sampson a nice pass-catcher out of the backfield. That’s a lot of options, even for when Joe Flacco gets pass-happy.

Power Up Players
(Scale 1-5: more Mario mushrooms = more excitement)

• Justin Fields, QB, NYJ: 🍄🍄 — Yes, that was a heck of a start against a tough defense. No, that doesn’t mean using Fields shouldn’t come with Pepto Bismol. Over the past two seasons, Fields had nine QB1 performances out of his 19 games. Of those nine, seven involved at least one rushing touchdown. Of the 10 non-QB1 games, only one included a rushing score. Using Fields is not for the faint of heart, and it shouldn’t include trying to guess matchups. You ride the good with the bad… or not at all.
• Javonte Williams, RB, DAL: 🍄🍄🍄 — The Cowboys telegraphed their plans all preseason. Williams is their guy. No, Williams didn’t look quite as good as his pre-injury self from years ago, but around 90%? Yeah. And 90% is enough to carry RB2 value, as long as the work is there. The obvious question is how much and how soon Jayden Blue eats into his workload, especially in the passing game. Williams is both a nice draft value and a potential sell-high soon.
• Travis Etienne, RB, JAX: 🍄🍄🍄🍄 — Even as someone betting on Etienne to be the Jaguars’ lead, 1) I didn’t expect it to be that stark of a difference, and 2) wasn’t expecting this level of effectiveness out of the gate. Obviously, we’re not calling Etienne an RB1 or fully back… yet. His stock is way up, though.
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, WAS: 🍄🍄🍄 — So much for Bill being eased in. This is a 1-2 punch with JCM and Austin Ekeler each being RB3s with Top 15 weekly upside.
• Keon Coleman, WR, BUF: 🍄🍄🍄 — Coleman clearly is the No. 2 alongside Khalil Shakir — actually the No. 1 if you go off Route% (96.1) and production. I wouldn’t expect a deflected touchdown reception ever again, but WR3 value in a breakout year? Sign me up.
• Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF: 🍄🍄🍄🍄 — Jauan Jennings’ return muddied this picture, but Jennings got banged up in Week 1, and Pearsall was outplaying him beforehand anyway. The Pearsall breakout is off to a great start… as long as Brock Purdy is good to go.

Streaming Quarterbacks

• Trevor Lawrence, JAX at CIN — Offense showing signs of improvement, and high-scoring upside, but Lawrence is still mid-pack in off-target throws.
• Geno Smith, LV vs LAC — Has to do it primarily with his arm. Tougher matchup than Week 1.
• Michael Penix, ATL at MIN — Penix looked pretty good and added a bit of rushing in Week 1. If that carries into the Vikings matchup, he could replicate Caleb Williams’ Top 10 Week 1 score.
• Joe Flacco, CLE at BAL — Didn’t get the shootout we hoped, but the Ravens bring another opportunity for it.
• Matthew Stafford, LAR at TEN — For as long as his back holds up and Puka Nacua is healthy, Stafford has streamability.
• Aaron Rodgers, PIT vs SEA — Who was that man? Don’t think I’m betting on a repeat performance… and ready to have my face re-egged.
• Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs NE — Offense is broken. Boom/bust with way more bust potential.
• Daniel Jones, IND vs DEN — The rushing helps Jones’ floor, but the floor is all I’d expect. I certainly wouldn’t expect a repeat against the Broncos’ defense.
• Cam Ward, TEN vs LAR — Easier matchup, but not enough to warrant the risk.
• Bryce Young, CAR at ARI — Well, late-season Young didn’t show up, that’s for sure. Young reverted to “terrible Young,” and we need to see better before risking him.

“Thou Shall Not… Pass!”

Waiver Wire Running Backs

1. Quinshon Judkins, CLE — Signed his fully guaranteed contract and can play as soon as Week 2. The NFL might suspend him, so we have that cloud overhead, but once Judkins is up to speed, he’ll form a nice 1-2 punch with Dylan Sampson. That carries RB2 value.
2. Dylan Sampson, CLE — Calling him the Browns’ Austin Ekeler sold him a bit short in Week 1. Whether it’s sharing with Judkins or Jerome Ford until then, Sampson is a nice, reception-reliant, RB3.
3. Kenneth Gainwell, PIT — Until Kaleb Johnson pushes Gainwell for the old Najee Harris role, deep leagues and needy managers can chase Gainwell and his 41.7 RBTouch%.
4. Trey Benson, ARI 🫡 — It’s not only that Benson is one of the best handcuffs, but it’s now looking as though Benson can have standalone RB3 value in deeper leagues and in eventual bye weeks.
5. Ollie Gordon, MIA — Still holding as a backup option for De’Von Achane but also for potential standalone value… if the Dolphins figure out their mess.
6. Bhayshul Tuten, JAX — With Tank Bigsby traded to the Eagles, Tuten can step up into the timeshare role, but don’t rule out LeQuint Allen from being a thorn in Tuten’s side of becoming fantasy startable. Grab Tuten for sure, just understand it’s not a guarantee.
7. Jerome Ford, CLE — If you are thin, need an RB3, and Judkins hasn’t debuted. Clock is ticking, though.
8. Tyler Allgeier, ATL 🫡 — Arthur Smith still hanging around? The Falcons will continue to spell Bijan Robinson with Allgeier, who could see a few extra touches if Drake London and Darnell Mooney are both out.
9. Kareem Hunt, KC 🫡 — As mentioned, heavy split with Pacheco, but the floor is low for games in which the Chiefs are in control.
10. Kendre Miller, NO — Current complementary piece to Alvin Kamara, but that could shift to Devin Neal in time.
11. Miles Sanders, DAL — Jaydon Blue was inactive, and Sanders was decent with a share of the work. He may keep the role all year, which would make him a backup stash and potential desperation RB4 in a needy week.
12. DJ Giddens, IND — The Colts offense won’t click that well every week, or run the ball 40 times, but it’s clear that Giddens is the No. 2 with Benson-like potential.
13. Tyjae Spears, TEN — Reminder: he’s on the IR. When Spears is back, though, he could see 40% of the work, particularly with passing game upside.
14. Jaydon Blue, DAL — Blue kicks off a few options who could work their way into a complementary piece with RB3 value. But Blue, and the RBs below, are all pure stashes for now.
15. Najee Harris, LAC — It’s possible that Harris is being eased in given his time away, but he’s perilously close to being a pure backup plan only.
16. Rico Dowdle, CAR — There was talk of the Panthers easing off Chuba Hubbard this year, but he still had 76.0% of the RB touches. Maybe Dowdle starts to see more than his 20%, but the offense would need to support it too.
17. Blake Corum, LAR — Corum had some snaps but only two touches with Kyren Williams at 90.5 RBTouch%. The share isn’t happening yet.

Purely Next Man Up Ranks
(if an injury ahead of them)

1. Trey Benson, ARI
2. Tyler Allgeier, ATL
3. Ray Davis, BUF
4. Rachaad White, TB
5. DJ Giddens, IND
6. Najee Harris, LAC
7. Kenneth Gainwell, PIT
8. Kareem Hunt, KC
9. Ollie Gordon, MIA
10. Tyjae Spears, TEN
11. Rico Dowdle, CAR
12. Blake Corum, LAR
13. Tahj Brooks, CIN
14. Kyle Monangai, CHI
15. Kendre Miller, NO

Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

1. Brandon Aiyuk, SF — Check if available. Still under 60% rostered.
2. Hollywood Brown, KC — While Andy Reid said, “day to day” for Xavier Worthy, I’d be a bit skeptical of his availability, let alone effectiveness. Brown might need a baker’s dozen targets every week just to be a WR3, but until Rashee Rice is back, Brown is startable in most leagues.
3. Cedric Tillman, CLE — It’s just one week, but the breakout looks likely with Joe Flacco at quarterback.
4. Darnell Mooney, ATL — If he can play, Mooney would have WR4 value, and even more if he’s back and Drake London is out.
5. Quentin Johnston, LAC — Don’t forget he was a first-round draft pick. Yes, his hands have almost derailed his career, but Johnston had 87.8% of the routes in Week 1, ahead of Keenan Allen at 78.0%, who primarily saw the field in three-wide. This could be Kevin Ogletree, but it also could be the Week 1 find who carries Top 40 value the rest of the season.
6. Romeo Doubs, GB — The only Packers wideout over 56.5% of the routes (Matthew Golden was second). Count me as frustrated as anyone, believing we were done with this nonsense. While I was wrong — at least for one week — about Golden being the No. 1, the Doubs as a top-two option is true with Jayden Reed playing 52.2% of the routes, all in three-wide sets.
7. Keenan Allen, LAC — As mentioned, Allen was third in routes, but he was first in targets. Until we see the Johnston/Allen situation clear up, both are worth holding.
8. Kayshon Boutte, NE — Boutte led in the Pats in routes, targets and yards, but Stefon Diggs had a 28.0 TGT% (percent of routes targeted) to Boutte’s 18.2%. Boutte is a fine bench stash to see if he’s a top-two option with a fully healthy and integrated Diggs, but don’t go crazy, as it’s more likely Boutte, DeMario Douglas and Hunter Henry rotate value.
9. Calvin Austin, PIT — Roman Wilson, I’ll miss my hope for you. It’s not even a potential debate who the No. 2 is in Pittsburgh. Austin had 85.3% of the routes with three tight ends ahead of Wilson as the No. 3 wideout. With Austin’s big-play potential locked into the No. 2 role, he is roster-worthy in most leagues.
10. Christian Kirk, HOU — When Kirk returns, he could step back into the No. 2 role if Jayden Higgins and others haven’t taken advantage of Kirk’s absence.
11. Jayden Higgins, HOU — Hey everyone! He led in yards! Shh. It was only 32. Xavier Hutchinson played ahead of Higgins and received preseason buzz, but Higgins has the higher potential, and as he climbs to the No. 2 spot — and C.J. Stroud hopefully rebounds — Higgins can bring WR4 value, depending on Kirk’s effectiveness and health.
12. Troy Franklin, DEN — Remember all of that team talk, usage and, yeah, just about everything pointing to Marvin Mims being the No. 2 and Sean Payton utilizing him? Well, Week 1 said, “Tough luck, suckers.” Mims was third in routes, had just four targets and barely saw slot work (22.2% of his snaps). Franklin had the No. 2 role, and with nice slot usage (51.2%) for Payton’s offense. Franklin is worth picking up and stashing to see if this is for real.
13. Marvin Mims, DEN — Don’t drop him yet. Sean Payton got us again, but he loves rotating everyone! Wait a week to see if Franklin is truly ahead.
14. Elic Ayomanor, TEN — Ayomanor is not only ahead of Van Jefferson, he’s already ahead of Tyler Lockett too. Similar to Johnston for the Chargers, the vet is in the primary slot and three-wide role. Cam Ward and the Titans need to be more effective, but when that happens in better matchups, Ayomanor can be a WR5 boom/bust play.
15. Xavier Legette, CAR — Legette has about one more week of stashability, and not just because Young needs to do much, much better. Legette was on the field less than Hunter Renfrow. If that continues, Legette — awesomely fun accent and all — is waivuh foddah (how I think he’d sound saying it).
16. Tory Horton, SEA — Patience with Cooper Kupp. But also, stash Horton if proves out that Kupp is toast.
17. Isaac TeSlaa, DET — Yes, we already knew TeSlaa should be more involved, Dan Campbell. Even so, without an injury to the big three, it’s hard to see anything more than Best Ball value. And those drafts are done.
18. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG — As long as Russell Wilson is the quarterback, Robinson is a low-ceiling, high… eh… mid-floor WR4.
19. Ray-Ray McCloud, ATL — If London and Mooney are out, this is Fauxllywood Brown.
20. Kendrick Bourne, SF — He’s back. The 49ers are scrambling for options, and if Jauan Jennings is out, Bourne knows this offense and could be a desperation play — again, if Purdy is okay.
21. JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC — Only here if Worthy is out and you’re desperate. Smith-Schuster was next up after Brown, and with Jalen Royals sidelined. Again, this is desperation. You can smell it.

Equipping Dislike

• Tre Tucker, LV — Actually on the field as much as Jakobi Meyers, but there just isn’t enough after Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers for startability.
• Dont’e Thornton, LV — Can’t use him outside of a Hail Mary play with a healthy Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers.
• DeAndre Hopkins, BAL — Only 54.5% of the routes. Oh, and two targets. Enough said.

Streaming Tight Ends

• Juwan Johnson, NO — Johnson was one of nine players, and the only tight end, with 100% route participation.
• Hunter Henry, NE — Was a top-two option for Drake Maye again.
• Brenton Strange, JAX — Shootout potential.
• Zach Ertz, WAS — It’s Ertz. You know.
• Jonnu Smith, PIT — Splitting work with Pat Freiermuth, but Smith was targeted more.
• Harold Fannin, CLE — More of a stash, but Fannin could force the issue with his ability.
• Jake Tonges, SF — With George Kittle out, a Hail Mary tight end toss… unless it’s Mac Jones at quarterback.

Streaming DST
(First team listed is streamer)

Week 2

• SF at NO
• LAR at TEN
• ARI vs CAR
• DAL vs NYG
• CIN vs JAX
• GB vs WAS
• SEA at PIT
• LAC at LV

Week 3

• GB at CLE
• SEA vs NO
• SF vs ARI
• TB vs NYJ
• NE vs PIT
• CHI vs DAL
• WAS vs LV

(Photo of Hollywood Brown: Buda Mendes / Getty Images)