Week 2 Fantasy Rundown

By: Josh Frey-Sam

Let’s just call it for what it is — the waiver wire sucked this week. That is, unless you’re in a guillotine league.

A quick bit of context for those who have no idea what a guillotine league is: called a “chopped” format on Sleeper, the team with the lowest total score every week is eliminated, and all their players hit the waiver wire.

Yes, that means there are first-round picks up for grabs every Tuesday.

Yours truly survived the first week, and the big fish on the market is Ja’Marr Chase. It’s a full FAAB dump for me in an attempt to get the Bengals’ WR1, even though I already have Tee Higgins.

It would be my only big pick up of the year, but I think it’s worth it, considering Joe Burrow is my quarterback. I would like to think that a Burrow/Chase/Higgins triple-stack will keep me safe for a while.

Reminder: Every Saturday, I will write about fantasy start/sit questions posed by you. To get your’s answered, DM me @jfreysam on Instagram or email me [email protected].

Enough about me, though.

As mentioned, the waiver wire is a bit barren, but there are a couple of intriguing options that I’d check to see if they’re still available.

RB Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (rostered in 38% of leagues)

It was only a matter of time before the Jags moved one of their running backs. With Tank Bigsby shipped to Philadelphia, Travis Etienne — 16 carries for 143 yards in Week 1 — presumably steps into the clear RB1 role in this offence, which is a massive boost to his stock. Tuten also becomes a must-add, in my opinion. Not only would he be one of the top waiver wire adds in the event ETN gets injured, but he’s also the most explosive and well-rounded back in Jacksonville this year. Bigsby was moved to give Tuten a path to more opportunities.

WR Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs (rostered in 34% of leagues)

Hollywood commanded a whopping 42% target share in the Chiefs’ season opener, logging 10 grabs for 99 yards. I was high on Brown early in the off-season, as I thought his being fully healthy could pave the way to a more explosive Chiefs offence this season. Then he suffered an ankle injury early in training camp and has been under the radar since. With Xavier Worthy’s status (this week and the season) in the air and Rashee Rice still serving a suspension, I believe Brown becomes a must-add. It’ll be him and Travis Kelce’s show through the air, so the volume alone makes him worth a pick-up.

WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (rostered in 34% of leagues)

A 19% target share for Tillman was awesome to see, but I watched this game from beginning to end and can say the second-year receiver looked awesome. While Jerry Jeudy struggled with drops, Tillman made a few big catches for the Browns on Sunday. I think he’s a guy to stash, as the Browns are going to be trialling in a lot of games and aren’t afraid to let Flacco sling it.

Two guys who will be coveted on the wire but who I wasn’t crazy about adding: Chargers’ WR Quentin Johnston and Browns TE Harold Fannin. Two different situations, but both for the same reason: I don’t think we will see a sustained level of production.

A few takes from Week 1:

Jaxson Smith-Njigba is a WR1 — confirmed. There were questions around whether this was actually the case for fantasy entering the season, but JSN shut everyone up on Sunday, commanding 59% (!!!) of targets, with nine grabs for 124 yards. It proved that while the Seahawks’ offence might struggle this season — 230 total yards on Sunday — JSN will remain a must-start.

Garrett Wilson could be a sell-high candidate in a few weeks. Listen, I was as shocked as anyone to see Justin Fields light up the Steelers’ defence, including finding Wilson seven times for 95 yards and a tug, but I’m not sure I see that level of play maintaining all season. After the Bills this week, the Jets play Tampa Bay and Miami, in what could be a couple of spike weeks for Wilson. I think he could command you something decent on the market — something more consistent. Keep an eye on him.

Chase Brown is going to be elite. Brown was a borderline My Guy for me this season, and he backed it up entirely in Week 1. The usage was amazing. This is his backfield — 22 carries and two receptions (he’ll be targeted more as the season rolls on). If anyone is even thinking about selling, jump on him.

A couple of backfields that caught my eye…

Minnesota: All signs pointed to this being a 1A, 1B situation with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason, but Mason outrushed Jones 15 to 8 and outtouched him 16 to 11. It was disappointing for Jones owners, certainly, despite his touchdown catch, but exciting for Mason owners, who very well could turn to him as a weekly flex option.

Arizona: I’m not even sure I saw this much usage coming for Trey Benson. The second-year back tallied eight rushes and nine total touches for 75 yards on Sunday, while seeing a ton of work on third down. The Cardinals might have a plan in place to not overwork James Conner, who still managed 12 rushes and four catches for 44 total yards and a touchdown. I wonder if Benson could enter Jordan Mason territory…

Washington: Daniel Jeremiah, whom I respect deeply, recently suggested that rookie RB Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt could win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award. It’s tough to argue his theory after Week 1. Tallying ten carries for 82 yards and a touchdown, Bill, a seventh-round pick, was easily the best rusher for Washington out of the gates. Austin Ekeler will maintain his third-down role regardless, but this could quickly become Bill’s backfield on early downs.

WEEK 2 STONKS

 📈 RB Javonte Williams, TE Dallas Goedert, WR Keenan Allen, WR Ricky Pearsall, WR Hollywood Brown, WR Kayshon Boutte, WR Jakobi Meyers, RB Breece Hall, WR Deebo Samuel, RB Christian McCaffrey, RB Travis Etienne, RB Dylan Sampson, RB Zach Charbonnet, WR Jayden Reed, WR Keon Coleman, WR Zay Flowers,

📉 WR Tyreek Hill, WR Jaylen Waddle, RB Jerome Ford

Thanks for reading and, as always, have a great day.

Josh