Football is back! Which means fantasy football is back! Which means you’ll need waiver recommendations! After an interesting Week 1, here are 8 players you should target heading into Week 2.
QUARTERBACKS
Carson Wentz – WAS – 28ppg – 36%
Could this be the bounce-back year for Caron Wentz? Only time will tell, but he’s sure off to a good start with 313 yards and 4 touchdowns in Week 1. Wentz did turn the ball over (shocker) twice, but you can overlook that if you need a QB replacement or a future bye week filler.
Jameis Winston – NO – 20ppg – 17%
Winston was solid in the opening week against the Falcons, throwing for 269 yards and two touchdowns… and probably to everyone’s surprise, no turnovers. Winston is worth a roster spot in most formats, especially 2QB/Superflex leagues.
RUNNING BACKS
Jeff Wilson Jr. – SF – 3ppg – 4%
I feel like every Week 1 there is a 49ers back that either a) comes out of nowhere, or b) has to replace the starter. Welcome back to the chat, Jeff Wilson Jr.. Elijah Mitchell is out for at least 8 weeks with a sprained MCL, leaving the door open for Wilson Jr., Jordan Mason, and Tyrion Davis-Price to carry the load for a team that rushes the ball just as good as anyone. It’s worth locking up whoever you can from this backfield as Kyle Shanahan has a history of zagging while everyone else zigs.
Rex Burkhead – HOU – 9.5ppg – 17%
Just when everyone hopped on the Dameon Pierce train, Burkhead shocks everyone and out-snaps Pierce 50-20… who would’ve thought? Burkhead was bottled up, as was the entire run game for Houston, but he’s worth a roster spot in deep formats even if he splits time with Pierce.
Khalil Herbert – CHI – 11.5ppg – 25%
In a win against the 49ers this past Sunday it was Khalil Herbert, not David Montgomery, who shined for the Bears backfield. Herbert carried the ball 9 times for 45 yards and a score, he also caught his only target. Montgomery was ineffective and dominated the snap count 38-17… look for that to change going forward.
Isiah Pacheco – KC – 12ppg – 18%
Despite getting almost half the snaps as Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon, the rookie 7th rounder was the most effective back running the ball this past Sunday against the Cardinals. Pacheco had 12 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut. He was the only back to get more than 10 attempts rushing in what appeared to be a committee approach by the Chiefs. It’s worth noting CEH averaged just under 12 rushing attempts per game last year and drastically fell short of his ADP for 2021… Pacheco has an interesting opportunity to earn more touches out of the backfield going forward… especially if CEH or McKinnon go down.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Devin Duvernay – BAL – 19ppg – 3%
Duvernay had himself a duver-day (I know that one was bad) this past Sunday in a win over the Jets. He caught 4 of 4 targets for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns. For those thinking it was probably a fluke, here are some interesting notes about Duvernay…
- The Ravens typically run "21" and "12" offensive sets, and Duvernay was on the field in almost all 2 WR sets:
- 21 – 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 WR
- 12 – 1 RB, 3 TE, 2 WR
- Duvernay was only out-snapped by Rashod Bateman, which makes it appear that he has the #2 role locked up.
- Lamar Jackson is out to prove something this year amidst his contract dispute… which could only mean good things for those around him.
TIGHT ENDS
Taysom Hill – NO – 14.5ppg – 4%
Hill, listed as a tight end again in most formats, was a key part of the Saints win over the Falcons this past Sunday. Hill was mostly involved as a runner, ripping off 81 yards on 4 carries and a touchdown, he also caught his only target. Obviously, a tight end getting limited targets is not the ideal roster filler, but Hill brings an interesting opportunity to those who didn’t go with a big name in their draft and are playing the week-to-week game.
Gerald Everett – LAC – 12.5ppg – 14%
Everett has flown under most fantasy radars this season after he joined the Chargers… which does not make sense, to me at least. Everett has always been an interesting player as his athleticism and speed suggests he should be up there with the Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and George Kittle’s of the NFL, but he’s never really caught on outside of a few booming weeks. He departed an abysmal Seahawks offense last season where he was putting up top 5-10 TE numbers until Russell Wilson was injured. He joins Justin Herbert who is arguably one of the best QB’s in the league and made his presence felt with 3 receptions for 54 yards and a score on 4 targets. Yes, the Raiders were one of the worst defenses against tight ends last season, but I’m still trusting Everett to contribute in this loaded offense.
Scoring is based on .5 PPR
