Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 2

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Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Roster percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. Free Agent Budget (FAB) amounts are based on a $100 salary cap. Only players rostered in less than 50% of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan, Colts

In his first game with the Colts, Ryan threw for 352 yards and a score with some help from a full period of overtime. It was still a solid showing, and his connection with Michael Pittman is evident.

Next up is a Jaguars defense that gave up 313 yards and four touchdowns to Carson Wentz and the Commanders in Week 1. If Ryan is truly an upgrade on Wentz in Indianapolis, he should have no problem putting up big stats on his new division rival.

If you're looking for a Dak Prescott replacement, Ryan is the first place to start.

Carson Wentz, Commanders

If Ryan is already rostered, you could turn your focus to the man he replaced in Indy.

It's not just due to Wentz's big Week 1 stat line. The situation in Washington is loaded with fantasy potential thanks to the presence of an underrated offensive line, star wideout Terry McLaurin, first-round rookie Jahan Dotson, a rejuvenated Antonio Gibson, pass-catching specialist J.D. McKissic, as well as versatile weapon Curtis Samuel and tight end Logan Thomas, who are finally healthy and contributing to the Commanders' attack.

Prior to the conclusion of Monday Night Football, Wentz has the third-most fantasy points among quarterbacks in Week 1. He'll have a chance to post a second straight top-10 performance against a Lions squad that allowed the Eagles' offense to move the ball with ease on Sunday.

Risky streaming options: Jameis Winston vs. TB (46% rostered), Jared Goff vs. WAS (21% rostered), Baker Mayfield at NYG (18% rostered)

Dart-throw streaming options: Daniel Jones vs. CAR (25% rostered), Marcus Mariota at LAR (9% rostered), Davis Mills at DEN (6% rostered), Mitch Trubisky vs. NE (7% rostered)

2QB/Superflex considerations only: Jacoby Brissett vs. NYJ (2% rostered), Joe Flacco at CLE (1% rostered), Geno Smith at SF (3% rostered), Cooper Rush vs. CIN (0% rostered)

Long-term stashes: Zach Wilson (5% rostered), Kenny Pickett (5% rostered)

Running backs

Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers

Kyle Shanahan's love of speedy, 200-pound running backs has led to some incredible fantasy games, with the likes of Raheem Mostert, Matt Breida, and Elijah Mitchell. Unfortunately, none of them were able to stay healthy for long once they were given bigger workloads.

After Mitchell missed six games last season, he suffered an MCL injury in the opener that'll keep him on the sidelines for the next two months.

The next man up is Wilson, who had re-established himself as the No. 2 back in San Francisco by the end of the summer and handled all the backfield snaps when Mitchell left this week's game.

If this offense can find its rhythm away from the monsoon-like conditions it dealt with in Chicago, Wilson could produce top-25 fantasy stats as the team's starter.

Mitchell's absence also means rookies Tyrion Davis-Price (3% rostered) and Jordan Mason (1% rostered) could be one injury away from a starring role. Mason was active over Davis-Price this week, but it's unclear if that's because he's ahead of him on the depth chart or due to the former's special teams value. If you're choosing between them, Mason would be my stash over Davis-Price - but they both should be rostered now.

Jaylen Warren, Steelers

Warren is the other notable injury add this week after Najee Harris was forced from Sunday's game with a foot issue.

The injury isn't believed to be serious, and the Steelers are holding out hope Harris will be able to play in Week 2, a source told Jordan Schultz, theScore's NFL insider. However, his practice participation will need to be monitored throughout the week until we know for sure if he's ready to suit up against the Patriots.

Either way, Warren needs to be picked up since he's the immediate backup in Pittsburgh. The undrafted free agent beat out veterans Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland Jr. to secure the role and was the only other back to see touches in this week's contest.

If Warren does get a start, he would be an RB3 flex option in fantasy, with his upside capped by the Steelers' weak offensive line. Pittsburgh's blockers did their backs no favors on Sunday, as both Harris and Warren averaged an embarrassing 2.3 yards per carry versus the Bengals.

Khalil Herbert, Kenneth Gainwell, Jamaal Williams, and Brian Robinson are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

High-upside backups like Rachaad White (38% rostered) and Isiah Pacheco (31% rostered) should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Kenyan Drake vs. MIA (12% rostered), Rex Burkhead at DEN (13% rostered), Eno Benjamin at LV (8% rostered), J.D. McKissic at DET (28% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Zack Moss vs. TEN (6% rostered), Dontrell Hilliard at BUF (7% rostered), Boston Scott vs. MIN (5% rostered), Brandon Bolden vs. ARI (0% rostered)

Other backups to consider: Mark Ingram vs. TB (27% rostered), Tyler Allgeier at LAR (21% rostered), Samaje Perine at DAL (7% rostered), Matt Breida vs. CAR (1% rostered), Josh Kelley at KC (1% rostered), Sony Michel at KC (9% rostered), D'Onta Foreman at NYG (9% rostered), Zamir White vs. ARI (14% rostered)

Injury stashes: Gus Edwards (13% rostered)

Wide receivers

Jahan Dotson, Commanders

Welcome back, Mr. Dotson.

For the second straight week, the Commanders rookie wideout headlines our receiver section - only this time he's coming off a 40-yard, two-touchdown debut.

It still boggles the mind how a player with first-round draft capital and a ton of positive training camp and preseason buzz could be so undervalued by the fantasy community, but it seems like that'll be rectified during this week's waiver run.

Treat Dotson as a WR3/flex moving forward.

Robbie Anderson, Panthers

Anderson surprisingly led the Panthers in targets during their close loss to the Browns, en route to a 5-102-1 stat line that featured a 75-yard score.

Though DJ Moore will normally have the biggest target share in most games, it was still a good sign that Anderson has something to offer to this offense. He's currently the WR10 with only two teams left to play, giving him a strong shot to earn WR1 fantasy honors on the week.

With the depth at receiver, you shouldn't go overboard bidding on him, but Anderson is worth adding to see if he can keep up this hot start.

Josh Palmer/DeAndre Carter, Chargers

While we wait for the results of the MRI on Keenan Allen's hamstring, fantasy managers need to prepare for the veteran wideout to miss Thursday's game versus the Chiefs and maybe longer.

If he's sidelined for any amount of time, Palmer would handle the bulk of the outside snaps across from Mike Williams, with Carter picking up some of the slot work.

It was Carter who paced the receiving corps after Allen left, resulting in a four-catch, 64-yard, one-touchdown performance. He's a quick-twitch weapon who adds a different wrinkle to the offense.

Palmer is the more intriguing option as a versatile third-round pick who flashed when given the opportunity during his rookie campaign last season.

Rostering pass-catchers attached to Justin Herbert is a smart move for fantasy managers most weeks, and if Allen is held out, Palmer could sneak into the WR3 conversation while Carter provides flex value.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Tyler Boyd, Isaiah Mckenzie, Treylon Burks, and Russell Gage are close to or above the 50% rostered mark but should be rostered in most leagues.

Risky flex options: Jarvis Landry vs. TB (42% rostered), Jakobi Meyers at PIT (38% rostered), Curtis Samuel at DET (5% rostered), D.J. Chark vs. WAS (40% rostered), Donovan Peoples-Jones vs. NYJ (4% rostered)

Risky flex options (if healthy): Rondale Moore at LV (25% rostered)

Dart-throw flex options: Kyle Philips at BUF (1% rostered), Sterling Shepard vs. CAR (1% rostered), Corey Davis at CLE (6% rostered), Romeo Doubs vs. CHI (34% rostered), Devin Duvernay vs. MIA (31% rostered)

Long-term rookie stashes: Garrett Wilson at CLE (21% rostered), Christian Watson vs. CHI (11% rostered), Skyy Moore vs. LAC (38% rostered), Alec Pierce at JAX (8% rostered)

Other receivers to consider: Nico Collins at DEN (33% rostered), Marvin Jones vs. IND (7% rostered), Zay Jones vs. IND (12% rostered), K.J. Osborn at PHI (10% rostered), Parris Campbell at JAX (6% rostered), Mecole Hardman vs. LAC (30% rostered), KJ Hamler vs. HOU (5% rostered), Greg Dortch at LV (0% rostered), Olamide Zaccheaus at LAR (0% rostered)

Injury stashes: Jameson Williams (24% rostered), Michael Gallup (39% rostered), Tyquan Thornton (1% rostered), Odell Beckham Jr. (9% rostered)

Tight ends

Gerald Everett, Chargers

We're going back to the Chargers' passing attack for our top tight end pickup of the week.

Everett put up the fourth-most fantasy points among tight ends so far this week (pending MNF), and his underlying metrics provide hope that kind of production could continue.

The 28-year-old Everett is a potential fantasy TE1 regardless of whether Allen is available on Thursday. If you lost George Kittle or are disappointed in the late-round tight end you drafted, go get Everett immediately.

Risky streamer options: Robert Tonyan vs. CHI (23% rostered), Logan Thomas at DET (6% rostered)

Dart-throw streamer options: Hayden Hurst at DAL (10% rostered), Evan Engram vs. IND (25% rostered), Tyler Conklin at CLE (2% rostered), Juwan Johnson vs. TB (0% rostered), Taysom Hill vs. TB (10% rostered), Cameron Brate at NO (9% rostered)

Long-term rookie stashes: Isaiah Likely vs. MIA (11% rostered)

Defenses

Week 2 streamers

Favorable upcoming schedules: Steelers (30% rostered), Bengals (45% rostered), Eagles (41% rostered)