Finding the right Fantasy Football Week 2 waiver wire targets can make or break your season. With injuries, breakout performances, and shifting depth charts after Week 1, the waiver wire is packed with must-add players who can give your roster an edge. Whether you’re looking for a running back to replace an injured starter, a wide receiver with breakout potential, or a quarterback stream for Week 2, we’ve got you covered with the top waiver wire pickups you need to prioritize.
Dylan Sampson, RB (CLE)
Rostered: 46%
Dylan Sampson led the team in rushing attempts (12 carries for 29 yards) while also posting a notable receiving line with eight catches for 64 yards. His involvement as both a runner and a pass-catcher highlights his versatility, but the committee nature of this backfield adds volatility. Jerome Ford mixed in with six carries and a reception, Raheim Sanders vultured a goal-line touchdown, and first-rounder Quinshon Judkins is expected to join the rotation in Week 2 after resolving his contract situation.
Still, Sampson offers intriguing upside in PPR formats given his eight targets, seven of which came on early downs. He looks to be the interim starter until Judkins ramps up, and if anything were to slow down Judkins’ debut, Sampson would hold real fantasy value. Long term, his role may shrink, but in the short window, Sampson is the most appealing Browns running back to stash off the waiver wire. Even when Judkins gets fully implemented, Sampson should still have a good role within the offense.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB (PIT)
Rostered: 2%
The Steelers surprised in Week 1, both with their offensive explosion in a 34-32 win and their backfield distribution. He accounted for 37% of the RB carries and recorded more receptions than any other back on the roster. The surprising rotation had Gainwell and Jaylen Warren taking a majority of the carries, with rookie Kaleb Johnson only seeing two snaps.
Pittsburgh appears committed to using a two-man rotation of Jaylen Warren and Gainwell, similar to last season’s Warren–Najee Harris setup. Warren handled the goal-line and short-yardage work, but Gainwell’s role as the passing-down back gives him weekly Flex potential, especially in deeper leagues. While he’s unlikely to be a season-long difference-maker, Gainwell could be a solid plug-and-play to start the season for running back-needy teams.
Trey Benson, RB (ARI)
Rostered: 39%
Trey Benson’s Week 1 box score looks great: eight carries for 69 yards and a catch for six yards. But nearly all of that production came on a single 52-yard run. Outside of that, he averaged just 2.4 yards per carry. James Conner remains the clear lead back in Arizona, playing 44 snaps and handling 12 carries along with four receptions, including a touchdown.
Benson’s role, however, is valuable for fantasy managers who plan ahead. He played 22 snaps, firmly positioning himself as the handcuff to Conner. Should Conner miss time, Benson would instantly vault into starting consideration. With a favorable Week 2 matchup against a Panthers defense that just allowed 200 rushing yards to Jacksonville, Benson could even sneak into deeper-league Flex territory.
Marquise Brown, WR (KC)
Rostered: 25%
Kansas City’s passing attack was missing key weapons in Week 1 with Rashee Rice suspended and Xavier Worthy sidelined, which opened the door for Marquise Brown to emerge as Patrick Mahomes’ primary target. Brown’s final stat line was boosted by a long gain against busted coverage, but the usage metrics are more important: he earned a massive 41% target share and 40% first-read share.
While Travis Kelce will naturally command more involvement going forward, Brown is locked into a featured role for at least the next few weeks. His volume should sustain him even against difficult matchups, giving him Flex appeal until Rice or Worthy return. With Mahomes under center, any receiver commanding this much opportunity is worth prioritizing on the waiver wire.
Calvin Austin, WR (PIT)
Rostered: 2.3%
Calvin Austin III took full advantage of his opportunity in Week 1, securing four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he operated as Pittsburgh’s clear WR2 behind D.K. Metcalf. Austin played 80% of the snaps and ran a route on 96.9% of Aaron Rodgers’ dropbacks, earning a 20% target share in the process.
His versatility is an added bonus, as he lined up both inside and outside, giving Pittsburgh flexibility in its personnel groupings. The upcoming matchups against tougher secondaries may temper expectations, but Austin is now firmly on the fantasy radar. In deeper leagues, he’s worth a speculative add as Rodgers’ secondary option in what looks like an aggressive Steelers passing attack.
Kayshon Boutte, WR (NE)
Rostered: 1%
Kayshon Boutte’s Week 1 performance turned heads, as he led the Patriots with six receptions for 103 yards while playing 81.6% of the offensive snaps. He matched Hunter Henry for the team lead in targets (eight) and posted a strong 2.34 yards per route run, according to PFF.
The Patriots rotated receivers heavily, but Boutte’s big-play ability and consistent involvement give him staying power, especially while Stefon Diggs works his way into the offense. Boutte now has 343 receiving yards across his last four games dating back to 2024, ranking fifth-most among WRs over that span. He’s not a must-start, but he’s a strong waiver wire add for managers seeking depth with upside.
Quentin Johnston, WR (LAC)
Rostered: 8%
Quentin Johnston delivered one of Week 1’s best breakout performances with 79 yards and two touchdowns against the Chiefs. He commanded a 20.6% target share, posted 2.19 yards per route run, and saw 50% of the Chargers’ end-zone targets. His 87.8% route participation rate suggests the coaching staff trusts him as a full-time starter.
Despite offseason additions like Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Johnston still managed to lock down the X receiver position in the Chargers offense. While Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey will siphon volume, Johnston’s role in high-value red-zone situations makes him a top waiver wire add. He averaged 11.6 PPR points per game last season, but with early-season matchups against the Raiders and Giants, he could quickly climb into weekly Flex territory.
Brenton Strange, TE (JAX)
Rostered: 21%
Brenton Strange stepped into the starting tight end role for Jacksonville and made an immediate impact with four receptions for 59 yards. He played 78.8% of the snaps, including nearly every snap in two-tight-end sets and 90% of the snaps in third-down situations. His usage across formations suggests he’s locked in as the team’s primary receiving tight end.
While his Week 1 target share was modest (12.9%), Strange’s efficiency stood out with 2.45 yards per route run. Given the thin landscape at tight end, Strange is a top waiver wire option for managers seeking help. He may not be a consistent TE1, but he offers streaming value and the upside to carve out a bigger role in Jacksonville’s pass-heavy offense.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE (CLE)
Rostered: 2%
Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. flashed in Week 1, leading the Browns with seven receptions for 63 yards. He played 72.3% of the snaps, ran a route on 71% of dropbacks, and earned a 20% target share, per PFF. Fannin was particularly effective in short-to-intermediate areas, becoming a reliable safety valve for Cleveland’s passing game.
David Njoku remains the established starter, but Fannin’s usage suggests a lot of 12-personnel in store for the Browns this season. Njoku is in the final year of his contract, and there’s speculation the Browns might explore trade options. While Fannin isn’t a safe start yet, he’s worth stashing as a developmental piece with potential to take over more responsibility as the season progresses with Joe Flacco’s historic usage of the TE position.
San Francisco 49ers, DEF
Rostered: Streamer
The 49ers’ defense came out sharp in Week 1, holding Seattle to just 14 points, 230 total yards, and 4.6 yards per play. They also forced two turnovers and notched a sack in the process. San Francisco looks poised for another strong showing in Week 2 with a favorable matchup against the Saints, whose offense will likely be a target for streaming defenses all season.
Honorable Waiver Wire Mentions
- Michael Penix Jr. QB (ATL) – 20% rostered
- Daniel Jones QB (IND) – 5% rostered
- Kyle Monangai RB (CHI) – 3% rostered
- Kareem Hunt RB (KC) – 13% rostered
- Ollie Gordon RB (MIA) – 42% rostered
- Cedric Tillman WR (CLE) – 28% rostered
- Adam Thielen WR (MIN) – 28% rostered
- Romeo Doubs WR (GB) – 15% rostered
- Wan’Dale Robinson WR (NYG) – 20% rostered
- Hunter Henry TE (NE) – 44% rostered (ESPN)
- Chig Okonkwo TE (TEN) – 35% rostered
- Juwan Johnson TE (NO – 1% rostered
- Seattle Seahawks DEF (Stash for Week 3) – 22% rostered
- Los Angeles Rams DEF – 27% rostered
- New England Patriots DEF – 14% rostered
Droppable Players
- Cooper Kupp WR (SEA)
- Bhayshul Tuten RB (JAC)
- CJ Stroud QB (HOU)
- Tua Tagovailoa QB (MIA)
- Rachaad White RB (TB)
Don’t Drop these Guys Just Yet
- Josh Downs WR (IND)
- Kaleb Johnson RB (PIT)
- Dak Prescott QB (DAL)
- Braelon Allen RB (NYJ)
- Marvin Mims WR (DEN)
