I hope your fantasy teams started better than mine — I went 0-3, with one squad finishing dead last. The good news? It’s only Week 2, and there’s plenty of season left. The bad news? This might be the stingiest Week 2 waiver wire I’ve ever seen.
If you’re familiar with my Streamers for the Desperate series, you can skip down to this week’s rankings.
If you’re new, here’s the quick background. These articles are based on the principles I outlined in How To Own Your League's Waiver Wire, and they’re geared toward deep roster leagues (18–24 spots), where free agents thin out quickly, with extra consideration for dynasty and keeper formats.
Players with an asterisk (*) are available in my toughest 24-man league, where streaming is truly challenging. Rookies and sophomores have an (R) and (S) after their name to indicate they might have longer term upside potential.
I loosely rank the players, but your roster needs and league type should guide who you prioritize. In parentheses after each name you’ll see the opponent’s rank against that position for the next four weeks — “1st” being the toughest matchup, “32nd” the softest.
If you are playing in more standard formats, such as a Yahoo redraft league, check out ASL’s Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Adds by Alex Cuilla and Week 2 Injuries & Opportunities by Chris Hexter.
Finally, a word on philosophy: I put in waiver requests every week for every team, not just to cover immediate needs but to strengthen my roster top-to-bottom. Deep benches build injury resilience and force other managers into weaker options — which opens the door for trades and future draft capital.
Quarterbacks
Aaron Rodgers, Pit v Sea (18th, 19th, 24th, 4th) – Rodgers carved up the Jets in a revenge game, throwing four touchdowns to four different receivers while completing 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards. He showed strong timing with DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin, though the Steelers offense overall wasn’t dominant in yardage. Seattle presents a tougher Week 2 test, but Rodgers is firmly back on the fantasy radar as a QB2 who can spike into QB1 territory in good matchups.
Geno Smith, LV v LAC (27th, 9th,, 22nd, 5th) – Smith posted 362 passing yards in his Raiders debut, the most for a first start in franchise history since 1980, along with a touchdown and an interception. He spread the ball to seven different pass catchers and flashed chemistry with Tre Tucker and star TE Brock Bowers (who left with a minor knee scare). Smith did tweak his hamstring but played through it, so watch practice reports. If healthy, he’s a viable QB2 with some upside in what could be a high-scoring AFC West battle against the Chargers.
Daniel Jones, Ind v Den (1st, 6th, 7th, 16th) – Jones looked sharp in his Colts debut, completing 22 of 29 passes for 272 yards and a touchdown, while also punching in two rushing scores on designed runs at the goal line. He was efficient throughout, showing early chemistry with Michael Pittman and rookie Tyler Warren. His rushing boosts the floor, but tough matchups the next three weeks limit ceiling. Given the coming matchup schedule, expectations should be tempered. However, Jones profiles more as a matchup-dependent QB2 until we see him succeed against tougher defenses. He can reach low-end QB1 territory in softer spots, but Week 2 against Denver will be a real litmus test.
*Joe Flacco, Cle @ Bal (32nd, 12th, 15th, 24th) – Flacco threw a whopping 45 passes in Week 1, finishing with only 290 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions. His accuracy faltered late, but he spread the ball effectively and remains locked into a high-volume role for a Browns team likely to play from behind often. It's hard to imagine the Raven's being the weakest defense against QBs. Expect the Ravens to tighten up coverage in Week 2 and consider Flacco a desperation superflex streamer, with limited upside outside of deep leagues.
*Russell Wilson, NYG @ Dal (23rd, 28th, 27th, 17th) – Wilson’s Giants debut was underwhelming: 168 passing yards on 37 attempts, no scores, and eight carries for a team-high 44 rushing yards. He’ll remain the starter for now, but head coach Brian Daboll noted rookie Jaxson Dart is waiting in the wings. Dallas’ defense might offer some relief, but Wilson is still a weak QB2, with the risk of being benched by mid-season.
*Spencer Rattler (S), NO v SF (2nd, 18th, 29th, 20th) – Sophomore Rattler got the Saints starting job in stiff competition, but didn't do much with it. He avoided turnovers but struggled with efficiency, averaging just 4.7 yards per attempt on 46 passes. He ran a bit (29 yards), but his grip on the starting job could loosen quickly if results don’t improve. The 49ers are a tough Week 2 matchup, but given that he is in a developmental second year he might be a dynasty stash or emergency streamer in deeper formats.
Running Backs
*Kenneth Gainwell, Pit v Sea (12th, 32nd, 7th, 6th) – Gainwell logged 7 carries for 19 yards and caught 3 passes for 4 yards, while playing 54% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps — well ahead of rookie Kaleb Johnson, who barely saw the field. Efficiency was poor, but the usage was encouraging. Gainwell looks like the clear No. 2 behind Jaylen Warren, and in this offense that’s enough for desperation RB3/flex consideration. Still, Johnson’s role could grow as the season goes, capping Gainwell’s long-term upside.
*Miles Sanders, Dal v NYG (28th, 23rd, 22nd, 17th) – Sanders’ day was a tale of extremes: a 49-yard burst that set up scoring position, immediately followed by a costly fumble that ended his night. He finished with just 4 carries for 53 yards and 1 reception for -3, while Javonte Williams dominated the work (17 touches, 2 TDs). Sanders is holding off rookie Jaydon Blue for now, but his leash is short. In deeper leagues, he’s worth stashing for the explosiveness, but the role is strictly handcuff/change-of-pace unless Dallas’ depth chart reshuffles. If you’re looking for longer-term upside, DJ Giddens is the better hold; if you’re streaming Week 2 specifically, Sanders is the safer desperation play.
DJ Giddens (R), Ind v Den (1st, 30th, 5th, 11th) – Giddens handled 12 carries for 41 yards, stepping in when Jonathan Taylor took a breather. He looked comfortable in his debut, showing enough burst to suggest he could carve out regular rotational work. The Colts’ backfield will get more crowded once Tyler Goodson returns from injury, but Giddens already profiles as one of the better pure backup runners in the league. In Week 2 the Colts face a stout Broncos run defense, which will be a good test for the rookie's running back skills. The Colts' schedule lightens up in Week 3 against the Titans. With the RB waiver wire barren, he’s worth holding as a stash with upside, especially in dynasty formats.
*Kyle Juszczyk, SF @ NO (20th, 14th, 18th, 5th) – Juszczyk caught both of his Week 1 targets for 32 yards, sneaking out of the backfield for a pair of chain-moving plays. With George Kittle sidelined by a hamstring injury and the 49ers’ wide receiver group thinned early in the year, there’s talk he could see a modest uptick in involvement. Even so, Juszczyk remains a long shot for steady fantasy value — fullbacks rarely command the kind of volume needed to matter outside of very deep or specialized formats. He’s strictly a desperation dart throw, though he could vulture touches if San Francisco leans on creativity to patch over injuries.
*Raheim Sanders (R), Cle @ Bal (24th, 22nd, 9th, 6th) – The rookie found the box score with just 3 carries for 3 yards and a touchdown, but usage tells the real story. He sits behind Jerome Ford and three other young backs (Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Ahmani Marshall). Sampson saw most of the Week 1 work, and Judkins is expected to rise as the lead option once settled. Sanders is purely a dynasty stash in deeper leagues, with little immediate redraft appeal.
Receivers
Marquise Brown, KCC v Phi (16th, 24th, 31st, 5th) – Brown turned in a 10-99-0 line on a team-high 16 targets after Xavier Worthy left early with a shoulder injury. Hollywood was clearly Mahomes’ go-to in Worthy’s absence, and while much of the work was short-area, his 49-yard grab showed he can still stretch the field. If Worthy misses Week 2, Brown’s volume makes him an automatic start. If Worthy returns, Brown should retain enough of a role to be flex-worthy, but moves down two or three notches in our rankings.
Quentin Johnston, LAC @ LV (27th, 2nd, 25th, 10th) – Johnston finally flashed the upside the Chargers hoped for when they drafted him in 2023, catching 5 of 7 for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns in Brazil. Keenan Allen and sophomore Ladd McConkey still paced the team in targets, so Johnston may remain volatile, but Justin Herbert looked ready to spread it around. In what could be another high-volume passing script against the Raiders, Johnston is a priority waiver add with WR2 upside if this usage sticks. That said, Johnston has been inconsistent before, and managers should brace for volatility — he could spike one week and vanish the next.
*Kayshon Boutte (S), NE @ Mia (27th, 21st, 18th, 13th) – Boutte broke out for 6 catches on 8 targets for 103 yards, co-leading the Patriots in receptions and targets. The second-year WR showed strong chemistry with Drake Maye and picked up right where he left off at the end of 2024. On a roster thin at WR talent, Boutte could quickly become the most reliable fantasy option in New England’s passing game. The bigger question is whether QB Drake Maye can sustain a receiver week to week — Boutte’s breakout may prove more matchup-driven than stable. He's worth a strong pickup in dynasty and deeper redraft formats.
*Calvin Austin III, Pit v Sea (4th, 29th, 22nd, Bye) – Austin caught 4 of 6 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Jets’ soft secondary. He sits firmly behind DK Metcalf in the pecking order, but Aaron Rodgers looked sharp in his Steelers debut giving Austin chances against single coverage. With Seattle on deck (a much tougher matchup), expectations should be tempered — he’s a desperation flex in deeper leagues.
Joshua Palmer, Buf @ NYJ (25th, 21st, 7th, 29th) – Palmer drew 9 targets in Week 1, catching 5 for 61 yards. That’s encouraging volume, but he remains third on the depth chart behind Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman. With Buffalo’s offense likely to spread looks around, Palmer’s path is more “bye-week fill-in” than weekly starter. Still, in deeper leagues, his target share is worth monitoring.
*Jahan Dotson, Phi @ KCC (32nd, 8th, 14th, 2nd) – Dotson caught all 3 of his targets for 59 yards, including a 51-yard bomb that highlighted his big-play ability. While the Eagles’ passing attack runs through A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, Dotson has locked down the WR3 role ahead of John Metchie. He’s a boom/bust bench piece but with a soft matchup in Week 2 he has sneaky boom potential this week.
Tre Tucker, LV v Cle (23rd, 10th, 6th, 9th) – With Amari Cooper retiring, the Raiders’ young WR corps is wide open. Tucker produced 54 yards and a touchdown on 2 catches (3 targets) in Week 1. His target volume was light, but Cooper’s departure and Geno Smith’s 362 passing yards suggest there’s opportunity for growth. Tucker is a speculative stash who could become a consistent WR3 if his role expands.
*JuJu Smith-Schuster, KCC v Phi (16th, 25th, 31st, 5th) – JuJu caught all 5 of his targets for 55 yards, finishing behind Hollywood Brown but ahead of most other Chiefs wideouts once Xavier Worthy left. If Worthy’s shoulder keeps him sidelined, JuJu could hold a temporary WR3 role along side Brown. In shallow leagues he’s waiver bait, but in deep formats he’s worth a speculative add in case his snap share grows.
Tight Ends
Harold Fannin (R), Cle @ Bal (30th, 21st, 17th, 10th) - The rookie TE opened strong, catching 7 of 9 targets for 63 yards and even adding a carry for 3 yards. He led Cleveland in targets, edging veteran David Njoku, and showed the same versatility he flashed in preseason. A fourth-quarter drop stalled a drive, but otherwise he looked ahead of schedule in his development. With Jerry Jeudy and Njoku likely drawing more defensive focus, Fannin could continue to find space underneath. He’s not a locked-in starter yet, but in deeper leagues he’s worth a speculative add as a TE2 with upside.
*Noah Fant, Cin v Jac (5th, 10th, 11th, 17th) – Fant joined the Bengals late in camp, but he wasted no time making an impact, leading the team in targets (5) and receptions (4) while scoring their only receiving TD in Week 1. He was expected to play behind Mike Gesicki, but early usage suggests he’s already carved out a meaningful role. Volume may dip in future weeks, but for now Fant is a viable streamer with red-zone appeal.
*Jake Tonges, SF @ NO (24th, 25th, 5th, 16th) – Thrust into action after George Kittle left with a hamstring injury, Tonges made the most of limited snaps (3-15-1) by hauling in the game-winning score. Luke Farrell actually played more, but Tonges is the better receiver. If Kittle misses time, Tonges becomes a desperation streamer with touchdown upside (*), though the timeshare will cap his ceiling.
*Davis Allen, LAR @ Ten (12th, 10th, 7th, 3rd) – Allen (1-13-1) turned two targets into a touchdown, but remains buried on the Rams’ depth chart behind Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, and Colby Parkinson. His Week 1 score was more of an outlier than a sign of usage. He’s strictly a dynasty stash or dart throw in very deep formats.
*Michael Mayer, LV v LAC (22nd, 4th, 7th, 6th) – Mayer caught all 4 of his targets for 38 yards, stepping up when sophomore star Brock Bowers exited with a knee scare. Bowers is considered day-to-day and wants to play, but if he misses Week 2, Mayer slides into a full-time receiving role and could push fringe TE1 status for the week. Dynasty managers should already be holding Mayer, and redraft players should monitor Bowers’ practice reports closely.
*Hunter Long, Jac @ Cin (29th, 13th, 3rd, 14th) – Long played just seven offensive snaps, but turned one of them into a six-yard touchdown. He’s still entrenched as Jacksonville’s TE3 behind Evan Engram and Johnny Mundt, so his fantasy value is negligible outside of deep leagues. The Week 1 score was more fluke than role expansion.
*Cade Stover, Hou v TBB (20th, 5th, 12th, 30th) – Stover (4-22-0) saw more snaps than Dalton Schultz before suffering a broken foot late in the game. He’s now expected to miss multiple weeks, which wipes out his early-season intrigue. Dynasty managers may still want to hold him long-term given his Ohio State connection with C.J. Stroud, but for 2025 redraft, he’s off the radar.
Kickers
Joey Slye, Ten v LAR (28th, 1st, 2nd, 11th) – Slye hit 4 field goals in Week 1 and gets another soft spot at home versus the Rams. Not flashy, but his Week 1 volume and schedule make him a strong Week 2 play.
Spencer Shrader, Ind @ Den (30th, 15th, 28th, 14th) – Shrader came out hot in Week 1, hitting 4 field goals, 3 extra points. He faces another favorable matchup in Week 2 against the Broncos.
Matt Prater, Buf @ NYJ (29th, 32nd, 23rd, 22nd) – Prater nailed the game-winner in Week 1 but reverted to the practice squad after filling in for Tyler Bass (hip/groin). If Bass sits again, expect Prater to be elevated — but this is a situation to monitor throughout the week.
Chad Ryland, Ari v Car (31st, 16th, 4th, 15th) – Ryland had a steady opener, hitting 2 field goals and 2 extra points. He’s a safe Week 2 option against Panthers, though with less ceiling than Shrader or Slye.
Defense / Special Teams
Los Angeles Rams @ Ten (32nd, 2nd, 6th, 18th)
Indianapolis Colts vs Den (30th, 32nd, 26th, 21st)
Chicago Bears @ Det (24th, 15th, 20th, Bye)
Tennessee Titans vs LAR (23rd, 2nd, 30th, 20th)
Jacksonville Jaguars @ Cin (18th, 29th, 17th, 7th)