DFS Army’s Gthom goes over the the waiver wire targets for this week. These waiver wire targets are normally available in 50-percent of ESPN leagues.
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Sep 8, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) carries the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
QUARTERBACKS
Derek Carr (NO) – 10% Ownership
After demolishing the Panthers and the Cowboys, Carr has recorded six touchdowns and 463 passing yards in two games. Efficiency has been Carr’s calling card, which may make his fantasy output unsustainable. However, with back-to-back weeks of 21-plus fantasy points, his fantasy relevance can’t be ignored—especially with Jordan Love (QB, GB) and Tua Tagovailoa (QB, MIA) both expected to be out for multiple weeks.
Geno Smith (SEA) – 16% Ownership
After a modest 171 passing yards in Week 1, Smith erupted for 327 passing yards and one touchdown in Week 2 against the Patriots. The biggest issue with Smith is that he hasn’t shown much touchdown upside through the air this season.
Smith is an interesting QB2 prospect because he has an elite weapon in receiver D.K. Metcalf, along with top prospect Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He has also logged one rushing touchdown on nine carries, giving him additional ways to generate fantasy points on a weekly basis.
Smith’s upcoming schedule isn’t easy. The Seahawks host Miami, then travel to Detroit, and return home to face the New York Giants in Week 5.
Justin Fields (PIT) – 32% Ownership
The former Ohio State product remains a stash due to his high usage in the running game. Over the last two weeks Fields has finished with 14 and eight rushing attempts, respectively. While his rushing usage is strong, his efficiency as a quarterback is not. Through two contests, he averages 3.8 yards per carry and just 273 passing yards combined.
Ultimately his teammate, Russell Wilson, may relegate him in the depth chart.
Sam Darnold (MIN) – 6% Ownership
Darnold has quietly played above expectations as the starting quarterback for the Vikings. In two games he has combined for four touchdowns on 476 passing yards and mixed in eight carries for 35 rushing yards. While fantasy managers can play Darnold against the Houston Texans in Week 3, his Week 4 and 5 opponents are much tougher (@GB, NYJ).
RUNNING BACKS
Samaje Perine (KC) – 4% Ownership | Carson Steele (KC) – 2% Ownership
With starting back Isaiah Pacheco sustaining a fractured fibula, the Chiefs will likely deploy a running back by committee (RBBC). Picking the “right” running back in a newly formed RBBC is extremely difficult, but they are worth a pickup.
The RBBC will likely be led by Perine and Steele, both new to the Chiefs in 2024. One could assume Steele will handle the dirty work (goal line, 1st and 2nd downs), while Perine will contribute more on 3rd downs and receptions out of the backfield.
Steele, an undrafted rookie, has averaged three yards per carry on nine attempts for 27 yards. He also lost a fumble against the Bengals. Perine, a seventh-year veteran, has two catches on three targets for 13 receiving yards in 2024, but he has yet to record a carry. Ideally, you’re picking one of these guys up to hold through the week before starting.
In full PPR leagues, Perine is the player to target over Steele. Additionally, it would not be surprising to see the Chiefs make a trade or sign someone from a practice squad to further beef-up their backfield.
Braelon Allen (NYJ) – 7% Ownership
Welcome to the NFL, Braelon Allen. The rookie saw an expanded role in his Week 2 game against the Titans, where he scored two touchdowns on nine opportunities and totaled 56 yards.
Allen plays behind starter (and fantasy stud) Breece Hall, making him a high-end handcuff if an injury were to occur to Hall. Allen may carry stand-alone value if he continues to be this involved in the New York offense, making him worth a stash in most leagues.
Ty Chandler (MIN) – 47% Ownership
Chandler offers stand-alone FLEX value in deeper PPR leagues and doubles as a high-quality handcuff. Chandler has seen the field on 35-percent of offensive snaps in 2024, and through two games, he averages 10.5 opportunities per game; Compare that to 15 opportunities per game for the starter, Aaron Jones.
Given Aaron Jones’ injury history and Chandler’s early-season usage, Chandler should be rostered in 12-team leagues and deeper.
Antonio Gibson (NE) – 32% Ownership
New England continues to lean heavily on the run game, giving Gibson deep FLEX value and making him an interesting handcuff option. Gibson finished with over 100 yards from scrimmage on 12 opportunities in a backup role against the Seahawks in Week 2.
Gibson’s ceiling will remain capped as long as teammate Rhamondre Stevenson serves as the goal-line back and preferred receiving option. However, if Gibson takes over the goal-line work or Stevenson suffers an injury, Gibson’s fantasy stock would increase substantially.
Bucky Irving (TB) – 29% Ownership
Irving’s teammate, Rachaad White, exited Week 2’s contest with a groin injury but later returned to the game. If the injury lingers, Irving becomes an intriguing prospect.
The rookie running back has shown RB3/FLEX value through two games this season, averaging 9.5 opportunities per game. Like most running backs on this list, he’s not someone you can start with confidence, but he can be played in desperation.
Keep an eye on White’s recovery leading up to Week 3. If White misses extended time, Irving would instantly become a high-end RB2 with weekly RB1 upside.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Quentin Johnston (LAC) – 7% Ownership
Two touchdowns will grab the attention of fantasy managers in all leagues, especially from a low-owned player like Johnston. He finished his Week 2 contest with two touchdowns, five receptions on six targets, and 51 receiving yards.
It’s hard to determine if Johnston is the WR1 in this offense or if it was just an outlier game. Last week, he had a disappointing 3/38/0 stat line on a low snap percentage of 67%. Despite that, Johnston should be rostered heading into Week 3 if you need help at the wide receiver position.
Demarcus Robinson (LAR) – 34% Ownership
With the Rams’ top two receivers injured, targets will have to go somewhere, and Robinson should see more usage as a result. Robinson saw an expanded role in Week 2 (92-percent of snaps) but disappointed fantasy managers by posting only seven fantasy points on two receptions, four targets, and 50 receiving yards. What stung the most was that fellow backup receiver, Tutu Atwell, outscored Robinson for fantasy during Week 2.
The confidence in Robinson comes from his proven ability to handle an increased target share. Last season, he had a five-game stretch where he was featured much more prominently, averaging 15.4 fantasy points per game during that time.
The bottom line is that this Rams offense looks far removed from what it produced for fantasy at the end of 2023. Losing both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp to injury is a huge downgrade for this offense, and it will affect the fantasy value of the players in L.A. Robinson seems hard to trust beyond a WR3/FLEX role in Week 3.
Gabe Davis (JAC) – 45% Ownership
While Gabe Davis has not proven himself in 2024, he should be stashed in leagues where he’s available. Davis has a history of being a volatile fantasy player due to his reliance on the deep ball. We saw the Jags attempt to unlock his deep-play potential in Week 1, when Davis averaged 20.67 yards per target with a 100-percent route participation rate. In Week 2, Davis finished with 14.33 yards per catch on three receptions, seven targets, and 43 receiving yards.
Davis is on the field often, and his usage in Jacksonville’s system suggests that positive regression is on the way. When those better days arrive, you’ll want him on your roster, either to stream during BYE weeks or to trade to another team.
Alec Pierce (IND) – 14% Ownership
Pierce is the kind of fantasy player that savvy managers don’t pay much attention to, but beginners want to add him and immediately start him. You can understand the optimism for Pierce because he the WR8 in fantasy overall (pre-MNF) but proceed with caution.
In his first two seasons, Pierce averaged 15.16 yards per reception; in 2024 that average has ballooned to 22.63 yards per reception. Further, his yards per target in 2022 and 2023 were 7.6 and 7.91 respectively; in 2024 that has moved up to 18.1. Additionally, he has already matched his career-high in touchdown totals (2) this season.
Pierce will continue to be interesting if he scores touchdowns. The issue with depending on touchdowns is that it generally creates extremely volatile fantasy players. Lastly, we need to acknowledge that Pierce’s role has been increased due to the injury of his teammate, Josh Downs. Be very hesitant to start Pierce if Downs returns to action.
Khalil Shakir (BUF) – 49% Ownership
Targets and fantasy outcomes for Buffalo pass catchers will likely be volatile throughout the season. At the moment, Shakir seems to be the player to pick up and start from this receiving corps.
In two games, he has surpassed double-digit PPR points, averaging 12 yards per target and 12 yards per catch. He posted 3/42/1 in Week 1 and 5/54/0 in Week 2. These performances make him worthy of WR3/FLEX consideration. Continue playing Shakir in PPR formats if he maintains this level of fantasy production.
Josh Reynolds (DEN) – 2% Ownership
Denver is not likely to be a high-powered offense, so Reynolds probably offers only WR3/FLEX consideration until he proves more. That said, it’s hard to ignore his 13 targets through two games. Additionally, Reynolds has posted solid numbers, averaging 10.62 yards per target and 15.33 yards per reception over the first two weeks.
However, some underlying stats are concerning. After an 80-percent snap share in Week 1, it dropped to 67-percent in Week 2—a difference of 14 snaps week-over-week.
Reynolds will continue to be a player with limited upside, but he may offer a PPR floor going forward.
Tyler Johnson (LAR) 13% Ownership | Tutu Atwell (LAR) – 1% Ownership
With starters Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp injured, the Rams will be desperate for receivers to step up. Best case scenario: one of these players will outshine the other pass catchers, along with teammate Demarcus Robinson.
In two games, Johnson posted 5/79/0 on seven targets and 2/20/0 on three targets, respectively. As for Atwell, he saw limited action in Week 1 before posting 3/12/0 on four targets, indicating that Atwell only became part of the mix after two major injuries to the receiving group.
Johnson is the preferred option from this group since he had a snap percentage of 87-percent in Week 2. Both are worth stashing in case one breaks out.
Elijah Moore (CLE) – 1% Ownership
While Moore has not earned the trust to be started in fantasy, he should be looked at by managers that need help at the position in PPR formats. Moore finished Week 2 with six receptions on eight targets and 44 receiving yards.
The reason Moore is difficult to trust is because he has a 3.79 yards per target average and starting wide receiver Amari Cooper has yet to get going through two weeks. In Week 3, Moore and the Browns face a New York Giants defense which bleeds fantasy points.
TIGHT ENDS
Hunter Henry (NE) – 10% Ownership
Hunter Henry is never sexy, but always around. He wrapped up Week 2 with eight receptions on 12 targets for 109 receiving yards, totaling 18.9 fantasy points. While this was likely an outlier game, New England is lacking dominant pass catchers. Unless Henry continues to see this type of usage, he should be considered a TE2 who can be streamed in the right matchup.
Zach Ertz (WAS) – 6% Ownership
The 11-year veteran is averaging 3.5 targets per game and finished with 10 PPR points in Week 2. While Ertz is unlikely to ever be a scoring leader for your team, he does hold some “desperation” relevancy heading into Week 3.
The biggest question marks surrounding Ertz are his team’s inconsistent offensive output and the elite scrambling ability of his quarterback, which can reduce targets for pass catchers in this offense.
Luke Schoonmaker (DAL) – 1% Ownership
Schoonmaker will be relevant any week that starter Jake Ferguson is out. There is a decent chance Ferguson will miss Week 3, but it’s not guaranteed as he logged limited practices leading up to Week 2.
In one week as Dallas’s flier TE1, the former Michigan Wolverine posted 10.3 PPR points on six receptions, six targets, and 43 receiving yards. Dallas is a system that schemes plays for the tight end position, and that will continue regardless of who lines up at the position.
Schoonmaker is a plug-and-play tight end until Ferguson returns to the field.
Mike Gesicki (CIN) – 2.5% Ownership
Gesicki had four targets in Week 1 and nine targets in Week 2. He seems like a tight end that fantasy managers struggling to fill the position should consider rostering. However, it is difficult to get fully on board with starting Gesicki, as his snap percentages were 35-percent in Week 1 and 47-percent in Week 2. In the week he saw 47-percent of the snaps, the Bengals ran more three-tight-end sets, and third-stringer Erick All Jr. actually outsnapped Gesicki 33 to 30.
Tight end production is notoriously limited in fantasy football. If you have the room for Gesicki, he may be worth stashing, but his snap percentage makes it challenging to trust him in Week 3.
Brenton Strange (JAC) – 1% Ownership
With a late scratch to starter Evan Engram due to a hamstring injury, Strange was called upon to be Jacksonville’s TE1 in Week 2. The second-year Penn State alum hauled in three receptions on six targets for 65 receiving yards. Consider Strange a high-end TE2 for fantasy if he makes another start. If Engram comes back in Week 3, Strange can be dropped.
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