Fantasy Football, Week 2: Waiver wire pickups

Week 1 of the NFL season is already behind us, and your fantasy team could already be in trouble. There were a ton of surprising top performers to start the season you should consider adding to bolster your bench.

Malcom Brown, RB Los Angeles Rams

7.9 percent rostered
Last Week: 21 touches; 120 yards; 2 touchdowns

Despite many assuming rookie Cam Akers would be the dominant lead back for the Rams, Malcom Brown ended up with the most production in their Week 1 win over the Cowboys. The Rams running back situation could turn into a committee, but having Brown on your roster now is worth the possibility of him taking over.

Nyheim Hines, RB Indianapolis Colts

34.2 percent rostered
Last Week: 15 touches; 73 yards; 2 touchdowns

Hines is the biggest name right now for waiver wire pickups after Marlon Mack went down with an injury. Jonathan Taylor was a highly drafted player, while Hines still posted good production in the Colts first game

Jerrick McKinnon, RB San Francisco 49ers

16.1 percent rostered
Last Week: 6 touches; 44 yards; 1 touchdown

It feels like it’s been decades since we’ve seen Jerrick McKinnon play. In his first game back with the 49ers he reached the end zone as the secondary option to Raheem Mostert. McKinnon could work his way into a larger role later on in the season.

James Robinson, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

29.1 percent rostered
Last Week: 17 touches; 90 yards

The Jaguars traded away Leonard Fournette, leaving many speculating who would take over the load. The surprising choice was undrafted free agent James Robinson, who saw 17 touches in his debut. Expect Robinson to be the featured back in Jacksonville after a productive day against a strong defense.

Joshua Kelley, RB Los Angeles Chargers

11.3 percent rostered
Last Week: 12 touches; 60 yards; 1 touchdown

Melvin Gordon departed from the Chargers in free agency, making Austin Ekeler the lead man to replace him. As we’ve seen in the past under Anthony Lynn, the Chargers love to use multiple running backs. Kelley started the season well by scoring in his first career game in the NFL.

Russell Gage, WR Atlanta Falcons

3.8 percent rostered
Last Week: 9 receptions; 12 targets; 127 yards

Gage had a huge performance in the first week of the season, making him an intriguing option for deeper leagues. If you’re in need of a bench receiver, Gage is the perfect guy to watch and see how his 2020 season develops.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR Green Bay Packers

1.9 percent rostered
Last Week: 4 receptions; 6 targets; 96 yards; 1 touchdown

Aside from Devante Adams, Aaron Rodgers is short on receiving options. Adams had an explosive first game, while Valdes-Scantling may have flashed his potential as the second most productive receiver in their offense. It’s far too early to say for sure, but worth the investment to scoop him up now.

Willie Snead IV, WR Baltimore Ravnes

0.7 percent rostered
Last Week: 4 receptions; 4 targets; 64 yards; 1 touchdown

Lamar Jackson looked really good to start the 2020 season, meaning his receivers could reap the rewards. Veteran Willie Snead had a strong first outing, and considering how widely available he is it could benefit you to claim him.

Scotty Miller, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

3.7 percent rostered
Last Week: 5 receptions; 6 targets; 73 yards

Even though Tom Brady has a plethora of weapons to pass it to, Scotty Miller emerged as Brady’s no-name bail out target. We’ve seen all of the different small, shifty receivers emerge as huge targets for Brady throughout his career. Miller could be his guy in Tampa Bay.

Dallas Goedert, TE Philadelphia Eagles

27.2 percent rostered
Last Week: 8 receptions; 9 targets; 101 yards; 1 touchdown

Talk about production! Goedert might be the second best tight end on the Eagles, but he still had the best game Week One. Wentz loves to dish it to his tight ends, and Goedert could see a ton of targets in 2020.

Logan Thomas, TE Washington Football Team

0.5 percent rostered
Last Week: 4 receptions; 8 targets; 37 yards; 1 touchdown

Logan Thomas might not be the most attractive tight end pickup, but snagging a touchdown this past week might be a glimpse at more to come as the primary tight end for the Washington Football Team

Mitch Trubisky, QB Chicago Bears

2.7 percent rostered
Last Week: 243 passing yards; 26 rushing yards; 3 touchdowns

The last person anyone wants on their fantasy team this year is Mitch Trubisky, BUT, he did have the seventh-best performance out of any quarterback in Week 1. If you don’t have a reliable backup or even starter, Trubisky is worth sitting on your bench for the first weeks of the season. If he has a bounce back year, Trubisky could be an underrated spot starter for your team.

Washington Football Team D/ST

1.9 percent rostered
Last Week: 2 interceptions; 8 sacks; 1 fumble recovery

This is going to sound crazy, but signing Washington’s defense might be a really smart move. While their Week One performance might have been a fluke, it is hard to ignore their sack and turnover production. After adding Chase Young it is clear they can overwhelm average to below average offensive lines. Next week they play the Arizona Cardinals, and while they have a high powered offense, the Washington Football Team could still earn you points with sacks against a weak offensive line.