Fantasy Football Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets

Week 2 was a brutal one for fantasy football managers. I lost two matchups due to injuries to Mike Evans, Jadarian Price, Jayden Daniels, DJ Moore, and Dallas Goedert.

Several significant injuries across the league have created opportunities that simply weren’t there entering the weekend. Quarterbacks Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Jaxson Dart were among the most notable players who were injured that could drastically impact fantasy lineups moving forward, affecting not only fantasy managers with those players but the entire offenses.

That makes this week’s waiver wire more important than usual.

Below are my top waiver-wire targets at each position.

⸻

Quarterbacks

1. Tyler Shough (QB), New Orleans Saints

Shough has now scored 20+ fantasy points in each of his first two games, making him much more than a speculative stash. In Week 2, he completed 27-of-34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown, while adding 23 rushing yards and a rushing TD for 22.4 fantasy points.

The volume is the biggest reason to buy in. Shough is SECOND in the league in pass attempts (90) through two games, resulting in 662 passing yards and four passing TDs. He also has 31 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground. His 95.7 passer rating through two games is a significant improvement over his 91.3 rating during his 2025 rookie season.

The takeaway: Shough has both passing volume and rushing production, giving him a legitimate path to remaining a weekly fantasy starter.

2. Bryce Young (QB), Carolina Panthers

Young has been one of the biggest early-season fantasy breakouts. After throwing for 361 yards and four TDs in Week 1, he followed it up with 287 yards and three TDs against Atlanta, producing 24.1 fantasy points.

Through two games, Young has completed 46-of-73 passes for 648 yards, six TDs and only one interception. He’s also been extremely effective pushing the ball downfield, completing 8-of-12 passes of 20+ yards.

Perhaps most importantly for fantasy, Carolina has shifted toward a more aggressive passing attack. The Panthers currently have a +3.3% pass rate over expected through two games. Similar to Shough, Young is also high atop the pass attempt leaderboard through two weeks at #5 (73).

The takeaway: Young isn’t simply benefiting from touchdowns — the Panthers are giving him more opportunities to throw, and he’s taking advantage.

⸻

Running Backs

1. Jonah Coleman (RB), Denver Broncos

Coleman is arguably the most important waiver-wire pickup of the week because his potential workload could change dramatically depending on Denver’s injury situation.

With RJ Harvey already dealing with a hamstring injury, J.K. Dobbins also left Week 2 with a hamstring issue. Coleman finished with 10 carries for 39 yards and a TD, while adding three receptions for 19 yards.

The rushing production wasn’t spectacular, but that’s not what we’re chasing here. Coleman tied Dobbins for the team lead with 10 carries, and he demonstrated that Denver is comfortable using him both as a runner and receiver.

If either Harvey or Dobbins misses Week 3, Coleman’s opportunity could increase substantially.

The takeaway: You’re not necessarily adding Coleman for what he did in Week 2 — you’re adding him for what 15+ touches could look like if Denver’s injuries persist.

2. Emanuel Wilson (RB), Seattle Seahawks

Wilson is the definition of a volume-based waiver-wire stash.

After rookie Jadarian Price exited with a chest injury, Wilson received 21 carries, turning them into 92 rushing yards. That’s a massive 21 opportunities on the ground, and Seattle clearly preferred Wilson over George Holani once Price left.

The limitation is his receiving role. Wilson saw only one target and ran five routes, so his fantasy value is heavily dependent on rushing volume.

Still, 21 carries is difficult to ignore. If Price misses time, Wilson has already shown he can handle a substantial workload.

The takeaway: The receiving floor is low, but 21 carries is feature-back usage. He’s a particularly strong stash if Price’s injury keeps him out.

3. Tank Bigsby (RB), Philadelphia Eagles

Bigsby’s value is almost entirely tied to what happens with Saquon Barkley, but that’s exactly why he’s worth adding now.

Barkley suffered a stinger in Week 2 and was limited after the injury. Bigsby ultimately led Philadelphia in both touches and fantasy points, making him the most important backup to monitor in this backfield.

This is a classic contingent-value play. Barkley has historically commanded a massive workload when healthy, so even a temporary absence could create a significant opportunity for the next running back in line.

The takeaway: Bigsby doesn’t need much standalone value to justify a roster spot. If Barkley misses time, the equation changes immediately.

4. Emmett Johnson (RB), Kansas City Chiefs

Based on how things are going, Kenneth Walker III might finish this season as RB1 overall. A big part of his success (besides him just being freakin’ good) is the success of the run blocking.

Johnson has come in to spell Walker periodically and even in limited snaps, he has been a dynamic runner.

The takeaway: He might be one of the best RB handcuffs out there. He’s especially a must-add for anybody who has Walker on their roster.

5. Alvin Kamara (RB), New Orleans Saints

Kamara’s Week 2 efficiency wasn’t great, but his usage was encouraging. He played just 19 snaps (29.4%) but received 14 touches, compared to Travis Etienne’s 34 snaps and 10 touches. Kamara also had a carry or target on 15 of his 19 snaps (79%). Very interesting to see Kamara’s usage given the Saints paid Etienne big money this offseason. Something to monitor closely going forward.

He finished with nine carries and five catches on six targets, giving him a strong PPR floor if his role grows.

The takeaway: Kamara’s snap share is concerning, but 14 touches on 19 snaps makes him an intriguing stash if New Orleans continues increasing his workload.

⸻

Wide Receivers

1. Dontayvion Wicks (WR, Philadelphia Eagles)

Wicks is quietly putting together an intriguing usage profile. He caught 5-of-6 targets for 74 yards in Week 2, giving him 10 targets, 7 receptions and 147 yards through two games. He has also seen a 27% target share over that span.

The takeaway: Wicks is getting legitimate passing-game volume and has already shown big-play ability, making him one of the more intriguing WR adds this week.

2. Rashod Bateman (WR), Baltimore Ravens

Bateman took advantage of Zay Flowers’ absence, catching 7-of-9 targets for 88 yards and a touchdown in Week 2. His nine targets led Baltimore’s wide receivers, while his 56.3% target share was among the highest of any WR that week.

The takeaway: Bateman’s value is tied to Flowers’ availability, but nine targets from Lamar Jackson makes him a priority add in this high-octane Baltimore offense if Flowers remains out.

3. Denzel Boston (WR), Cleveland Browns

Boston’s Week 2 usage was extremely encouraging. He caught 5-of-7 targets for 95 yards and a touchdown, accounting for a massive 46.7% target share while playing 93.1% of Cleveland’s offensive snaps.

The takeaway: Boston will be more of a boom-or-bust option in this Cleveland offense, but he has a lot of talent to really pop when it’s a “boom” week.

4. Keon Coleman (WR), Buffalo Bills

Coleman played 74.3% of Buffalo’s offensive snaps and led the Bills’ WRs with six targets in Week 2, catching all six for 63 yards and a touchdown. His opportunity increased with D.J. Moore leaving the game early.

The takeaway: It’s worth monitoring when Moore will return, but if he remains sidelined, Coleman will be an intriguing deep-league flex option.

5. Tre Tucker (WR), Las Vegas Raiders

Tucker exploded in Week 2 with 5 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown on seven targets, producing 17.9 fantasy points. His seven targets represented a 43.8% target share, and he now has 11 targets, 7 receptions and 146 yards through two games.

The takeaway: Tucker has also been a boom-or-bust player throughout much of his career, and this past week highlighted what he’s capable of on a good week. Temper expectations when Brock Bowers returns to the lineup.

Tight Ends

1. Dalton Schultz (TE), Houston Texans

Schultz had the biggest target-volume game of the week at tight end, catching 12-of-14 targets for 140 yards. He now has 22 targets, 16 receptions and 175 yards through two games. He was able to be a target hog with Collins inactive for the week.

The 14 targets are the key. Schultz saw 8 targets in Week 1 with Nico Collins on the field, so his role may not disappear completely when Collins returns.

The takeaway: Schultz has already shown legitimate target volume, making him the top TE add this week.

2. Darren Waller (TE), Carolina Panthers

Waller produced despite limited volume, catching 3-of-3 targets for 33 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2. The two scores gave him 18.3 PPR points.

The concern is the lack of targets — just three — but his ability to find the end zone gives him legitimate streaming appeal.

The takeaway: Waller is a touchdown-dependent option, but that’s valuable at a thin TE position.

3. Zach Ertz (TE), Philadelphia Eagles

Ertz is a pure opportunity-based stash after Dallas Goedert suffered an MCL sprain in Week 2 and is expected to miss time.

Ertz hasn’t played yet this season, but he brings an impressive résumé to Philadelphia with 825 career receptions, 8,592 receiving yards and 57 touchdowns.

The takeaway: There’s plenty of uncertainty, but Goedert’s injury could immediately create a meaningful role for Ertz. Hurts loves leaning on his big-bodied tight end targets, so Ertz could be a great play here. Plus, just look at what Ertz was able to do in Washington with Daniels.

4. Terrance Ferguson (TE), Los Angeles Rams

Ferguson had a breakout Week 2, catching 6-of-9 targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. His nine targets were second on the Rams, just one behind Davante Adams, in a game where Puka Nacua was inactive.

The target volume is what makes Ferguson interesting. Six catches on nine targets gives him a much stronger usage profile than a typical touchdown-dependent waiver option.

The takeaway: Ferguson’s nine targets make him one of the more intriguing TE adds this week, especially if his role remains significant even after Nacua returns.