Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups Week 2 — 2026

Two weeks into the season, the waiver wire starts becoming more useful. Week 1 can fool us because one strange game script can create a misleading box score. By Week 3, we have a little more evidence. We can begin separating players who simply had a good Sunday from players whose roles are actually changing.

That distinction drives this week’s report. Injuries have opened several important opportunities, particularly at running back, while a few young receivers are beginning to establish themselves as legitimate weekly options. I am much more interested in playing time, routes, touches and a path to future volume than I am in chasing last week’s touchdowns.

For roster percentages, I used the highest percentage cited in the material reviewed for this report whenever the sources differed. That makes the availability estimates intentionally conservative.

Quick Priority List

1. Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver — best combination of immediate opportunity and long-term upside.

2. Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland — two strong weeks backed by an every-down role.

3. Tank Bigsby, RB, Philadelphia — major short-term value if Saquon Barkley misses time.

4. Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans — increasingly looks like more than a streamer.

5. Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets — strong role, rising targets and attractive matchups.

6. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore — useful while Zay Flowers remains sidelined.

7. Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers — injuries have cleared a path to a major role.

Quarterbacks

Quarterback remains deep enough that I would not spend aggressively in a normal one-QB league. Tyler Shough is the exception because he is starting to look like a player you can hold rather than rent. Bryce Young has also earned our attention after consecutive three-touchdown games.

1. Tyler Shough, NO — 49.7% rostered

Shough followed his 410-yard opener with a controlled road win in Baltimore, completing 27 of 34 passes and adding a rushing touchdown. New Orleans is playing fast and throwing frequently, while Shough has enough mobility to add points on the ground. This no longer looks like a one-week spike. If you need a quarterback, he is my preferred add.

2. Bryce Young, CAR — 34.3% rostered

Young has six touchdown passes through two games and has been dramatically more efficient than he was early in his career. The schedule has helped, so Cleveland is an important Week 3 test, but two straight strong performances are enough to change the conversation. He is worth adding now, particularly for managers who stream the position.

3. Jordan Love, GB — 44.7% rostered

Love’s Week 2 fantasy line was ordinary, but Atlanta visiting Green Bay gives him a favorable Week 3 setup. He remains a good example of why I do not want to overspend at quarterback: a capable multi-touchdown passer is still available in more than half of many leagues.

4. Geno Smith, NYJ — 6.0% rostered

Smith’s fantasy production has lagged behind his passing efficiency because the touchdowns have not arrived. Detroit creates a better streaming environment, however, because its offense can force opponents to keep throwing. This is a matchup play rather than a long-term priority.

5. Marcus Mariota, WAS — 1.0% rostered

Jayden Daniels’ elbow injury puts Mariota back into the starting lineup. His rushing ability gives him a useful fantasy floor, but Seattle is not an appealing Week 3 matchup. He matters much more in Superflex leagues than in ordinary one-QB formats.

Also consider: Cam Ward, Jameis Winston if Jaxson Dart misses time, Tyson Bagent while Caleb Williams is sidelined, and Michael Penix Jr. as a deeper stash.

Running Backs

Running back is where I would be most willing to spend this week. Several injuries have created real openings, and Jonah Coleman stands out. The important question is not simply who scored last week; it is who could inherit a meaningful workload if the player ahead of him remains out.

1. Jonah Coleman, DEN — 32.0% rostered

Coleman finally received his opportunity after hamstring injuries affected both J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey. He produced 58 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 13 touches and became Denver’s primary early-down option after Dobbins left. Even if the veterans return quickly, Coleman did enough to force his way into the rotation. If Dobbins misses time, Coleman could lead the backfield immediately. He is my top overall waiver target.

2. Tank Bigsby, PHI — 29.0% rostered

Saquon Barkley returned after suffering a stinger, which keeps Bigsby below Coleman, but this situation needs to be watched closely. Bigsby handled much of the rushing work while Barkley was limited and scored a touchdown. Will Shipley will remain involved in passing situations, but Bigsby is the back most likely to benefit if Barkley misses a game.

3. Emanuel Wilson, SEA — 2.0% rostered

Wilson’s value is tied to Jadarian Price’s injury, but he showed what the role can produce by rushing 21 times for 92 yards after Price exited. Seattle wants to run, and its defense can create favorable game scripts. If Price is ruled out, Wilson becomes a legitimate short-term starter. The long-term runway is shorter with Zach Charbonnet expected back later.

4. Tyjae Spears, TEN — 49.1% rostered

Spears is quietly playing a meaningful share of Tennessee’s snaps and has been effective in passing situations. Unlike many handcuffs, he does not necessarily need an injury to gain value; he could simply earn more of the backfield. He is one of the better speculative additions if he remains available.

5. Tyler Allgeier, ARI — 51.0% rostered

Allgeier remains involved enough to matter even as Jeremiyah Love works toward a larger role. Arizona has split rushing work surprisingly evenly, with Allgeier also handling substantial passing-down responsibilities. His ceiling may shrink later, but the current workload makes him useful depth.

6. Emmett Johnson, KC — 27.0% rostered

Johnson has little standalone value behind Kenneth Walker III, but he has established himself as one of the more valuable pure handcuffs. This is the kind of player worth holding at the end of a bench because one injury could immediately create a starting fantasy running back.

Also consider: Mike Washington Jr., Braelon Allen, Kaleb Johnson, Brian Robinson Jr., Keaton Mitchell and Sione Vaki. Alvin Kamara remains worth rostering in PPR formats if available, although his efficiency is concerning.

Wide Receivers

The receiver pool has several worthwhile names, but Denzel Boston separates himself because the production is supported by an every-down role. Adonai Mitchell is another player whose usage is more compelling than his touchdown total. Rashod Bateman has immediate injury-created value, while Tre Tucker is an add without being someone I would expect to repeat his Week 2 explosion every Sunday.

1. Denzel Boston, CLE — 36.0% rostered

Boston has now given us two weeks of evidence. After scoring in his debut, he followed with five catches for 95 yards and another touchdown. More importantly, he is operating as Cleveland’s clear top receiver in terms of playing time and routes. The quarterback situation lowers the ceiling, but volume can overcome an imperfect offense. A highly drafted rookie already playing virtually every passing snap should not remain on waivers.

2. Adonai Mitchell, NYJ — 17.0% rostered

Mitchell has reached at least 60 receiving yards in both games and saw his target volume jump significantly in Week 2. His role appears secure in two- and three-receiver formations, and the Jets have favorable passing matchups with Detroit and Chicago coming up. The routes and targets are already there, which makes him one of my favorite additions.

3. Rashod Bateman, BAL — 24.2% rostered

Bateman became Baltimore’s primary receiver with Zay Flowers and Ja’Kobi Lane unavailable, catching seven passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. His value changes dramatically when Flowers returns, so I view this as a short-term opportunity. If Flowers sits again, Bateman belongs in the WR3/flex conversation against Dallas.

4. Dontayvion Wicks, PHI — 28.0% rostered

Wicks has topped 70 receiving yards in each of his first two games with Philadelphia. His Week 2 snap share dipped, which introduces some uncertainty, but he remains a meaningful part of the passing game and gets Chicago next. I would rather add him for his continuing role than chase a receiver who needed one broken play to produce.

5. Tre Tucker, LV — 29.0% rostered

Tucker erupted for 119 yards and a touchdown, but we have seen occasional spike games from him before. Better quarterback play gives him a better chance to sustain value, yet Brock Bowers’ return should command a large share of the passing game. Tucker is worth adding in deeper leagues, but I would not pay as though he suddenly became a weekly WR2.

6. Malik Washington, MIA — 18.0% rostered

Washington’s box scores have been modest, but his role is strong. He is running routes on the overwhelming majority of Miami’s passing plays and has consistently earned targets. Caleb Douglas’ ankle injury could push even more work in Washington’s direction. The Miami passing game limits the ceiling, but the usage makes him a reasonable PPR depth option.

Also consider: Keon Coleman if D.J. Moore misses time, Chris Bell if Caleb Douglas is out, Kalif Raymond, Pat Bryant, Elic Ayomanor and Jacob Cowing in deeper leagues. Devaughn Vele should be added ahead of most of this group if he remains available.

Tight Ends

Tight end is mostly about opportunity this week. Injuries have cleared the depth chart for Oronde Gadsden II, while Dalton Schultz demonstrated what his role can become when Houston is forced into a pass-heavy game. Pat Freiermuth is the best pure matchup streamer.

1. Dalton Schultz, HOU — 21.3% rostered

Schultz exploded for 12 catches and 140 yards with Nico Collins unavailable. I would not project anything close to that every week because Houston threw 55 times and the matchup was unusually favorable. Still, Schultz has a history of producing when given volume, and Collins’ health could keep the opportunity elevated in the short term.

2. Oronde Gadsden II, LAC — 14.0% rostered

Gadsden may be the more interesting upside play. Injuries to David Njoku and Charlie Kolar have dramatically simplified a previously crowded Chargers tight-end rotation. Gadsden showed legitimate receiving upside last season, and now he should have the snaps and routes to prove whether that breakout stretch was sustainable.

3. Pat Freiermuth, PIT — 21.6% rostered

Freiermuth has opened the season with steady involvement and now gets Cincinnati, a matchup that has repeatedly produced opportunities for opposing tight ends. He is not suddenly an elite option, but if you need a Week 3 starter, the combination of role and matchup makes him one of the better streamers.

4. Terrance Ferguson, LAR — 19.3% rostered

Ferguson’s role moved in the right direction in Week 2, including more early-down work, and he responded with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. The target share could decline as the Rams get healthier, but increasing playing time is exactly what we want from a young receiving tight end.

5. Darren Waller, CAR — 5.0% rostered

Waller scored twice in Week 2, but he has only five targets through two games, so touchdown dependence is a real concern. The encouraging part is that his route participation and overall usage increased. He is a speculative add rather than a player I would automatically start.

Also consider: T.J. Hockenson if available, Kenyon Sadiq, Chig Okonkwo when healthy, and Zach Ertz as a deeper injury-driven stash if Dallas Goedert misses time.

D/ST

Defense remains a streaming position for me. I care more about opponent, quarterback situation and the next couple of matchups than last week’s fantasy total. Several widely available units have favorable Week 3 spots.

1. Kansas City Chiefs, KC — 36.0% rostered

Kansas City gets a Miami offense that has struggled to score and has allowed Malik Willis to take repeated sacks. The Chiefs also have another usable matchup with Las Vegas coming next, giving managers a chance to get more than one week from the pickup.

2. Green Bay Packers, GB — 35.0% rostered

Green Bay hosts an Atlanta offense that has struggled badly through two weeks. The exact value depends somewhat on who starts at quarterback for the Falcons, but the Packers have held both of their first two opponents under 300 total yards and remain one of the better Week 3 streamers.

3. Carolina Panthers, CAR — 7.0% rostered

Carolina rebounded from its ugly opener by dominating Atlanta and now gets Cleveland. This is not an endorsement of the Panthers as a set-it-and-forget-it defense; it is a matchup play against an offense that remains capable of sacks and turnovers.

4. New Orleans Saints, NO — 17.0% rostered

New Orleans just held Baltimore to 17 points and generated three sacks. The Saints now get home games against Las Vegas and Atlanta, so this is one of the more interesting options if you want a streamer who might remain useful for multiple weeks.

5. New York Giants, NYG — 15.0% rostered

The Giants draw Tennessee at home. The Titans have shown flashes, but the offense remains inconsistent enough to target with a streaming defense. This is a straightforward one-week matchup play.

My Final Thoughts

This week’s waiver wire is stronger than last week’s because several opportunities are tied to real injuries rather than one unusual box score. Jonah Coleman is the player I would be most willing to spend on. He has an immediate path to touches and enough talent to keep a meaningful role even after Denver gets healthier.

At wide receiver, Denzel Boston is the player I do not want to miss. Two touchdowns are nice, but the reason to add him is the role. He is already functioning like Cleveland’s top receiver. Adonai Mitchell is a strong alternative for managers who want target volume and favorable upcoming matchups.

The same rule applies everywhere else: chase opportunity before points. A touchdown can disappear next Sunday. Routes, snaps, goal-line work and a clear place on the depth chart are much more likely to tell us which waiver additions will still matter a month from now.