Week 2 Waiver Wire Adds: Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season is in the books, and that means it’s time to look at waiver wire pickups. Most leagues’ waivers process on Wednesday, so this article will be posted every Tuesday afternoon. The percentages next to a player’s name explain what percentage of an FAAB budget should go toward that player in a 12-team PPR format.
Quarterbacks
Tyrod Taylor (CLE) (0-1%)
It’s completely viable to stream the quarterback position if you missed out on one of the top options. Tyrod Taylor is a top streaming target this week, as he faces a New Orleans defense that gave up 417 yards and four touchdowns to Ryan Fitzpatrick in Week 1. Running quarterbacks are underrated in standard formats, as detailed in this Rich Hribar in this 2013 article, which has since become one of the most famous fantasy football game theory articles of all time. With a plus matchup and a steady rushing floor, Taylor is an ideal streaming candidate this week.
Case Keenum (DEN) (0-1%)
Case Keenum was productive in his Denver Broncos debut, tossing 329 yards to go along with three touchdowns (and three interceptions). With a plethora of receiving options – Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, Royce Freeman, and Phillip Lindsay – at his disposal, Keenum has long-term starter potential. In an easy matchup against a sorry Oakland Raiders defense, Keenum is a startable quarterback in Week 2.
Running Backs
Nyheim Hines (IND) (5-7%)
After a rough preseason in which he fumbled four times, Nyheim Hines played 37 snaps in the Colts’ loss to Cincinnati, totaling 12 touches and 14 opportunities (rushing attempts plus targets). Marlon Mack is expected to return soon, but Hines’ role as the passing-down back is secure. The rookie played three years at North Carolina State as a wide receiver before converting to running back as a senior.
Javorius Allen (BAL) (3-5%)
An RB3 last season, Javorius Allen went undrafted in most leagues this year following the breakout of Alex Collins and the return of Kenneth Dixon from injury. Dixon will reportedly miss some time after suffering a knee injury this week, leaving Allen as the main pass-catching back in Baltimore. Collins has never been a prolific passing back – he ranked dead last in DVOA and DYAR among all running backs with 25 or more targets last year – so Allen will have a great opportunity to seize the receiving role on an offense that has heavily targeted the running position the last few seasons.
Phillip Lindsay (DEN) (3-5%)
Broncos rookie running back Phillip Lindsay shocked everyone by breaking onto the scene in Week 1, but I’m not as bullish as others on the former Colorado Buffalo. This chart by Russell Clay does not include undrafted running backs, but the trend is clear: draft capital is strongly correlated to fantasy football success. The Broncos’ usage of Lindsay in Week 1 is encouraging, but I would temper expectations. I targeted Royce Freeman at his fourth-round ADP in redraft leagues, so I expect Lindsay to play the Austin Ekeler role in the Broncos offense as Freeman’s talent shines through.
Other RB targets: TJ Yeldon (JAC), Jalen Richard (OAK)
Wide Receivers
Quincy Enunwa (NYJ) (5-10%)
Enunwa was a target of mine heading into the year, and he exceeded my expectations in Week 1 by leading all Jets players in targets with 10. Enunwa totaled more than 100 targets and 800 receiving yards the last time he was healthy, but he missed all of 2017 with a neck injury. Now healthy, Enunwa looks like quarterback Sam Darnold’s primary target. He has WR2 upside as the No. 1 wide receiver in the Jets offense. Robby Anderson recorded only one target, meaning it’s the Enunwa show in New York.
Geronimo Allison (GB) (5-7%)
As a talent, Geronimo Allison is nothing special. Allison has below average athleticism and wasn’t that productive in college. Still, opportunity trumps talent in fantasy football, and Allison is the clear-cut No. 3 wide receiver in an Aaron Rodgers offense. Allison played 70 percent of snaps in the Packers’ comeback win on Sunday night, recording five catches on eight targets. As the No. 3 wideout, Allison lacks WR1 upside, but he could assume the James Jones role in the Packers offense this year.
Other WR targets: Chris Godwin (TB), Phillip Dorsett (NE)
Tight Ends
George Kittle (SF) (5-7%)
George Kittle looked like Jimmy Garoppolo’s favorite target in Week 1, recording five catches on nine targets for 90 yards. Volume is the best indicator of fantasy football production, so Kittle is a target for teams who lost Greg Olsen or Delanie Walker.
Jared Cook (OAK) (3-5%)
Jared Cook led all tight ends in targets in Week 1 with 12, but he has less upside than Kittle because we have multiple years of Cook performing like a low-end TE1/high-end TE2. A high-floor option on a yearly basis with a frustrating weekly floor, Cook is another option for tight end-needy teams based on his Week 1 usage.
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