After the first week of action, the NFL waiver wire is stocked full of players who could help enhance fantasy football rosters as Week 2 approaches.
Is your current starting fantasy quarterback off to a slow start? Perhaps, your star wide receiver fell short of expectations. If your fantasy team needs help — amongst multiple player injuries — check out the best waiver wire pickups for NFL Week 2.
Waiver wire week 2: Quarterbacks
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
The unspeakable happened. The Jets lost Aaron Rodgers for the season after he tore his Achilles early on in Monday Night Football. With that said, Zach Wilson will be a top waiver wire pickup in Week 2 for those who lost Rodgers or simply need some depth.
Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, Joe Flacco, Nick Foles and Tom Brady
Keep an eye on the Jets as they will likely look to add a veteran QB to work with Zach Wilson with Rodgers gone for the season. The aforementioned quarterbacks are potential candidates that the Jets may consider. Those with deeper benches looking to take advantage, from a fantasy standpoint, stay tuned.
Even the Goat himself, Tom Brady cannot be ruled out.
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
If your current QB is lagging behind, hit the Week 2 waiver wire and pick up Stafford if he’s available. Due to an injury-plagued 2022, Stafford scared many away in 2023 redraft leagues. To the contrary, Stafford played strong and threw for 334 yards in Week 1. Perhaps he’s back on track.
Mac Jones, New England Patriots
Off to a sluggish start accompanied by an ugly pick-six, Jones took his passing game into overdrive and finished the day with 316 yards and three TDs. For those combing the Week 2 waiver wire looking for a streamable QB, Jones is a smart pickup. He’ll next face Miami when the game script should call for plenty of passing plays.
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Jordan Love tops the Week 2 waiver pickups at QB after he threw for three touchdowns and 245 yards in his Week 1 debut. Love was dialed in and the chemistry he shared with RB Aaron Jones should continue to flourish. Even if Jones is sidelined (hamstring tweak), Love sports plenty of upside.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
There’s no bones about it. Purdy is one of the best waiver wire pickups for those looking for QB enhancements in Week 2. Purdy and Brandon Aiyuk last connected for two touchdowns on the road while making the Steel Curtain in Pittsburgh fall to pieces. Get him on your roster, ASAP.
Waiver wire week 2: Running Backs
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Likely on waiver wires everywhere due to the presence of Bijan Robinson, Allgeier must be rostered. While both running backs played in tandem, Allgeier actually outscored Robinson in fantasy points while racking up 94 total yards and two TDs. If this pattern continues, those who claim Allgeier in Week 2 will be happy campers.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
In another bait-and-switch situation, Williams far out-scored Cam Akers in fantasy points in Week 1, making him a top waiver-wire RB to target in Week 2. Williams was the more efficient of the two backs as showcased by his two trips to the end zone. Moving forward, Williams may have carved out a secure role for himself.
Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers
Kelley is one of the best RB waiver wire pickups for Week 2 after his dazzling Sunday performance. Never mind that fantasy stud Austin Ekeler recorded 164 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, Kelley still found room to rush for 91 yards and a TD while trying to keep pace with the Dolphins. To keep Ekeler fresh for the season, Kelley should remain involved. That’s especially true with Ekeler hobbled by an ankle injury.
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Johnson made his mark when he rushed for 20 yards and scored in a bad beatdown against the Packers in Week 1. Those with an extra roster spot should target and secure Johnson to see how the team utilizes him in unison with Khalil Herbert.
Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
Things have once again gone south for star RB JK Dobbins. But, sadly, the show must go on making Justice Hill, (who scored twice on Sunday) a savvy waiver wire pickup in Week 2. The Ravens will likely take the running back-by-committee approach, utilizing Hill and Gus Edwards to move the ball this season.
Melvin Gordon, Baltimore Ravens
Joining both Hill and Edwards is Gordon to add to a complex backfield. Nevertheless, Gordon is the most experienced of the three, making him worthy of a waiver pickup just to see how the Ravens utilize him.
Waiver wire week 2: Wide Receivers
Puca Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Run to your Week 2 waiver wire and pick up Puca Nacua immediately! So much for writing off the Rams just because Cooper Kupp is sidelined. Matthew Stafford targeted Nacua 15 times in Week 1, resulting in 10 catches for 119 yards in an underdog win in Seattle. This is enough proof to consider Nacua a reliable fantasy WR starting with Week 2.
Related: Week 2 fantasy rankings
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Available on many waiver wires, Shaheed last caught five-of-six targets for 89 yards and a TD off the hands of Derek Carr. Shaheed’s big playability he showed off in his rookie 2022 season (17.4 yards per reception), looks to continue this year.
Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
Bourne will be a highly sought-after Week 2 waiver wire target after rising to the top of the WR squad in New England. Mac Jones targeted him a team-high 11 times, resulting in six catches for 64 yards and two TDs.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Addison Minnesota’s second-most effective WR on Sunday, making him an exciting waiver wire target for Week 2. Justin Jefferson remains the star, however, Addison is worth a pickup after scoring his first NFL touchdown in Week 1.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Should Collins be available, he makes an excellent waiver wire pickup after leading the Texans in targets (11) in Week 1. He recorded 80 yards while averaging 13.3 yards per catch. Gamescript from often playing behind will force the Texans to throw the ball tons this season.
Calvin Austin, Pittsburgh Steelers
If Diontae Johnson remains sidelined, Calvin Austin is a Week 2 waiver wire sleeper who could have some relevance down the stretch. Note that Austin caught all six of his targets once he became involved in the game following Johnson’s departure. Those with deep roster spots should take notice.
Waiver wire week 2: Tight Ends
Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers
With so many tight end injuries, Hurst is an NFL waiver wire pickup in Week 2. Aside from Miles Sanders, Hurst was the second-most involved player on offense in Week 1. He garnered a team-high seven targets which he turned into five receptions for 41 yards and a TD.
Related: 2023 NFL defense rankings
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson is a fantasy waiver wire pickup for Week 2 if he’s available. Kirk Cousins last targeted him nine times (second to Justin Jefferson) and this should be the plan moving forward when it comes to Hockenson’s involvement.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
The veteran tight end is an enticing waiver wire option for Week 2 after recording 56 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s opener. Let’s hope the chemistry continues when the Pats next face the Dolphins.
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
A dark horse TE waiver wire pickup, LaPorta turned some heads in his Thursday Night Football debut. Rarely do rookie TEs make a fantasy impact like LaPorta did, catching all five of his targets for 39 yards in Week 1. More of this goodness should be on the horizon, eventually making LaPorta a start-worthy fantasy tight end on a weekly basis.