Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Report

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups Week 2 — 2026

Week 1 always creates a difficult fantasy football waiver wire environment. Some performances are the first sign of a real role change; others are simply the product of one unusual game script. The goal this week is not to chase every box-score spike. It is to identify players whose usage, opportunity, injuries around them, or depth-chart position give them a realistic path to helping a fantasy roster beyond one Sunday.

I’m doing something a bit different this year. The internet is saturated with waiver wire columns, but I don’t see anyone actually creating a general consensus. This season, in addition to creating my own list, I’m going to factor in other popular sources. The rankings below are still my rankings, but I thought including other thought tracks can strengthen the overall approach of the waiver report this year.

Quarterbacks

Quarterback is deep enough that most one-QB managers should avoid an aggressive Week 2 bid. Tyler Shough and Jordan Love are the best longer-term adds, while Bryce Young offers upside after a huge opener. Carson Wentz and Drew Lock are more important in Superflex and two-QB formats.

1. Tyler Shough, NO — 46.8% rostered

Shough threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1 and continued the useful fantasy production he showed late in his rookie season. The 56 attempts and overtime inflate the final line, and Baltimore is a tougher Week 2 matchup, but Shough has already shown enough to be rostered as a matchup-dependent starter.

2. Bryce Young, CAR — 11.1% rostered

Young exploded for 361 passing yards, three passing touchdowns and another score on the ground. Chicago’s depleted secondary and the game environment helped, so I would not treat that as his new baseline. Still, Atlanta is another reasonable matchup and Young has enough weapons to justify an upside add.

3. Jordan Love, GB — 42.2% rostered

Love threw 42 times for 387 yards and two touchdowns. His fantasy problem has usually been passing volume, not ability. With Josh Jacobs unavailable, Green Bay could become more pass-heavy. Love also gets the Jets in Week 2, making him one of the better immediate and long-term quarterback pickups.

4. Malik Willis, MIA — 21.1% rostered

Willis ran for 39 yards and a touchdown, which illustrates why his rushing ability keeps him fantasy relevant even when the passing production is ordinary. San Francisco is a difficult Week 2 matchup, so I prefer Willis as a longer-term bench stash rather than an immediate streamer.

5. Carson Wentz, MIN — 0.1% rostered

Wentz threw three touchdowns after Kyler Murray left with a concussion. If Murray sits, Wentz draws the same Chicago defense Bryce Young just attacked successfully. He is a short-term streamer in one-QB leagues and a much more important add in Superflex formats.

Also consider: Baker Mayfield (if available, I’d rank him just below Tyler Shough); Drew Lock in Superflex; Geno Smith and Jacoby Brissett as inexpensive deep-league options.

Running Backs

Running back is much thinner. Kaelon Black is the clear priority because his Week 1 role may have standalone value and his contingency upside behind Christian McCaffrey is enormous. Tyler Allgeier offers more immediate touches, while the rest of the group is primarily made up of lottery tickets and handcuffs.

1. Kaelon Black, SF — 27.0% rostered

Black received 14 carries and 15 total touches, essentially matching Christian McCaffrey’s workload. We do not know whether the split was driven by the Australia trip, game script or a real effort to reduce McCaffrey’s workload. What matters is that San Francisco trusts Black. He may have standalone value and would become an immediate high-end fantasy option if McCaffrey misses time. He is my top running-back add.

2. Tyler Allgeier, ARI — 42.1% rostered

Allgeier handled 17 carries while Jeremiyah Love worked back from an ankle injury and also received more passing-down work than expected. Love’s role should grow as he gets healthier, but Allgeier offers one of the safest short-term workloads available on waivers.

3. Mike Washington Jr., LV — 39.0% rostered

Washington turned seven carries into 41 yards after an explosive preseason. Ashton Jeanty remains the clear starter, so Washington is a bench stash rather than a Week 2 play. His speed and upside make him one of the better lottery-ticket backs if Jeanty misses time.

4. Emmett Johnson, KC — 6.7% rostered

Johnson emerged as Kenneth Walker’s primary backup. He may offer little standalone value, but Walker’s injury history gives Johnson a realistic path to a valuable role in a strong offense. It’s a rarity for any running back’s body to hold up to the workshare load Walker carried in week 1. I expect Johnson to slowly work his way into more touches.

5. Chris Rodriguez Jr., JAX — 31.0% rostered

Rodriguez was behind Bhayshul Tuten in total carries but handled the goal-line snap and much of the short-yardage work. A secondary rushing role in a productive Jacksonville offense can still create bye-week value, and Rodriguez has a path to more work if he earns it.

6. Kendre Miller, NO — 1.0% rostered

Miller matched Travis Etienne Jr. with nine carries and scored the Saints’ rushing touchdown. Alvin Kamara’s eventual return clouds the long-term picture, so Miller is a deeper speculative add rather than someone I would immediately start.

Also consider: Sione Vaki, Seth McGowan and Devin Singletary. Jordan Mason should be added immediately if he is still available.

Wide Receivers

Wide receiver is the deepest and most interesting position this week. Several players combined strong Week 1 production with starter-level routes or new opportunities created by injuries. I would prioritize sustainable playing time over chasing a single touchdown.

1. Jalen Coker, CAR — 51.0% rostered

Coker is slightly above the usual waiver cutoff in some leagues, but check anyway. He caught eight of nine targets for 138 yards and two touchdowns after finishing last season strongly. Tetairoa McMillan remains a major part of the offense, but Carolina may have more of a 1A/1B receiving combination than expected. Monitor Coker’s health after he was seen in a walking boot.

2. Devaughn Vele, NO — 13.0% rostered

Vele is my favorite widely available receiver for immediate lineup help. Jordyn Tyson is expected to miss significant time, and Vele stepped directly into the No. 2 role with seven catches, 69 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. His recent production and rapport with Tyler Shough make the role feel more sustainable than a one-week fluke.

3. Caleb Douglas, MIA — 16.0% rostered

Douglas played more than 90% of the snaps and caught five of seven targets for 94 yards. Malik Washington was also heavily involved, but Douglas offers an appealing combination of downfield production and an every-down role in an unsettled receiving room.

4. Dontayvion Wicks, PHI — 10.1% rostered

Wicks caught only two passes, but they produced 73 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he played more than 90% of the snaps as Philadelphia’s outside X receiver. The target volume may be volatile in a run-oriented offense, but an every-down receiver with big-play ability belongs on deeper-league rosters.

5. Denzel Boston, CLE — 25.4% rostered

Boston played more than 90% of the snaps in both 11 and 12 personnel and finished as Cleveland’s receiving-yardage leader. The offense is a concern, but the role gives him a legitimate path to becoming the team’s top fantasy receiver.

6. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ — 16.0% rostered

Mitchell ran a route on more than three-quarters of the Jets’ pass plays and caught all three targets for 60 yards. Omar Cooper Jr.’s ankle injury could create additional opportunity. Mitchell’s downfield ability makes him an intriguing deeper-league add.

7. Antonio Williams, WAS — 2.0% rostered

Williams caught all four of his targets for 64 yards and a touchdown despite limited routes. He still needs to earn more playing time, but Week 1 gave Washington a reason to expand his role. This is the type of high-upside lottery ticket I would rather stash than a low-ceiling veteran.

Also consider: Malik Washington, Mack Hollins while A.J. Brown is out, Demarcus Robinson while De’Zhaun Stribling is sidelined, Tre’ Harris if Ladd McConkey misses time, Pat Bryant, Kalif Raymond and Rashod Bateman. I think Chris Bell will eventually be the top targeted Dolphin receiver, but it may take time for that to unfold. Deebo Samuel should be added immediately if available.

Tight Ends

Tight end produced several attractive Week 1 box scores, but I would be careful about chasing touchdowns. Routes and role matter more. Michael Mayer has the clearest immediate opportunity if Brock Bowers remains out, while Brenton Strange and Chig Okonkwo have underlying usage worth monitoring.

1. Chig Okonkwo, WAS — 8.2% rostered

Okonkwo ran a route on 85.2% of Washington’s pass plays before suffering a hamstring injury. That usage is far more interesting than a random touchdown spike. If the injury is minor, he has a realistic path to weekly fantasy relevance. Managers who need an immediate Week 2 starter should wait for the injury update.

2. Brenton Strange, JAX — 22.8% rostered

Strange’s Week 1 line was modest outside of the touchdown, but his route participation remained consistent with last season, when he produced at a borderline starter level during healthy stretches. Jacksonville’s offense gives him enough touchdown upside to remain useful.

3. Michael Mayer, LV — 30.0% rostered

Mayer caught six passes on seven targets and remains a viable fantasy option for as long as Brock Bowers is sidelined. Bowers could return quickly, which makes Mayer’s value somewhat temporary, but managers who need immediate help should have him near the top of the tight-end list.

4. Pat Freiermuth, PIT — 15.0% rostered

Freiermuth caught all five of his targets for 46 yards and a touchdown. He has a long enough track record to be a reasonable low-end starter at a shallow position, even if the weekly ceiling remains limited.

5. Mike Gesicki, CIN — 2.0% rostered

Gesicki caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown, but his playing time did not expand enough to make the production feel completely sustainable. He is a viable streamer, but I would not chase the Week 1 box score with a large bid. It’s not like J’Marr Chase is going to repeat his poor week 1 performance often.

Also consider: Juwan Johnson if he is available, Greg Dulcich as a deeper usage-based stash, Kenyon Sadiq for upside and Terrance Ferguson if another manager overreacted to a quiet Week 1.

D/ST

Streaming defense is about matchup as much as talent. San Francisco is the clear priority after a strong opener and now gets Miami at home. Tampa Bay also draws a vulnerable Cleveland offense, while Carolina and Green Bay offer reasonable matchup-based alternatives.

1. San Francisco 49ers, SF — 7.3% rostered

San Francisco held the Rams down in Australia despite not recording a sack. With Fred Warner and Nick Bosa healthy, the unit looked much closer to its vintage form. Miami and Malik Willis provide a better opportunity for sacks and turnovers in Week 2, and the 49ers then remain home for additional games. This is the best defensive add of the week.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TB — 13.0% rostered

Tampa Bay scored well enough against Cincinnati and now gets the much more attractive Cleveland matchup. Streaming against the Browns is likely to be a recurring strategy this season, making the Buccaneers one of the safest Week 2 options.

3. Green Bay Packers, GB — 16.0% rostered

Green Bay struggled late against Minnesota but now faces Geno Smith and the Jets. The Packers should have more opportunities to generate sacks and turnovers than they did in Week 1.

4. Carolina Panthers, CAR — 1.0% rostered

Carolina’s defense gets an Atlanta offense that surrendered a big fantasy day to Pittsburgh’s D/ST. This is more matchup play than long-term endorsement, but that is exactly what a streaming defense is supposed to be.

Also consider: Look ahead one week when possible. The best D/ST streamers are often acquired before everyone else starts targeting the same favorable matchup.

My Final Thoughts

Week 1 waivers are where fantasy managers can create a real advantage, but they are also where people spend too much chasing last Sunday’s points. Kaelon Black is the player I would be most willing to spend aggressively on because his upside changes dramatically if Christian McCaffrey misses time, and his Week 1 usage suggests he may not need an injury to have some value.

At wide receiver, I want players whose opportunities look repeatable. Devaughn Vele and Caleb Douglas fit that description, while Jalen Coker should be checked in every league despite being slightly above the normal availability cutoff. At quarterback and tight end, the depth of the waiver pool is a reason to remain disciplined. There are useful options, but there is little reason to win a bidding war for a replaceable streamer in Week 2.

The most important thing is to separate opportunity from production. Touchdowns disappear. Roles are much more useful. The players who stay on the field, earn routes, handle goal-line work or sit one injury away from a major workload are the players I want to add before the rest of the league catches up.

Quick Priority List

1. Kaelon Black, RB, San Francisco — highest combination of standalone and contingency upside.

2. Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina — add immediately if available and healthy.

3. Devaughn Vele, WR, New Orleans — best widely available receiver for immediate use.

4. Caleb Douglas, WR, Miami — every-down role with room to grow.

5. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona — safest short-term available running-back workload.

6. Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans — best longer-term quarterback add for managers who need one.

7. Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Philadelphia — every-down role and big-play upside.

8. Michael Mayer, TE, Las Vegas — strong short-term TE option while Brock Bowers is limited or out.