Waiver Wire Week 2:
Heading into week 2 fellow fantasy nerds! Maybe you smashed in week 1, maybe you fell flat on your face…Either way, you need to grab your broom and dust-pan, and clean up the waiver wire! Because if your desperate, you need it…and if you don’t feel like you need it, your complacent and that’s no way to become a champion!
QB:
Jimmy G- The Jets defense was supposed to be much improved coming into this season, but after trading Jamal Adams and CJ Mosley opting out…it is NOT. Josh Allen, who is not known as a prolific passer, just had a career day against this team. Jimmy G might be down a couple receivers and his star TE. But, he still has all those backs to throw to, a 1st round WR making his debut, and a healthy Jordan Reed. Last week, Jimmy G’s stat line: 19/33 259 pass yards, 2 TD’s.
RB:
Royce Freeman, Peyton Barber, and Myles Gaskin- Desperation only. These are not great options, but, they each offer some appeal. For Freeman, the matchup is terrible (@ Pittsburgh) but the opportunity is there. Melvin Gordon will not receive more than 60% of the workload and Phillip Lindsay is out. Freeman could be used as the goal line back. As for Barber, he appears to be the goal-line/red-zone back for the Washington team until further notice (10 of his 17 carries came inside the 20). Myles Gaskin wasn’t explosive but he was the most utilized back in that Phins rushing “attack”. Gaskin out snapped Breida AND Howard 39 to 23. He was also, quietly, 4th in yards per attempt after contact in the NFL.
WR: I’ll give you 3 to look @ here…
Russell Gage- You’ve been starring at him on your waiver wire all week, now is the time to make the move. Gage had the same # of targets and receptions as both Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. And if you look @ last year, he’s been heavily involved in the pass offense since the Sanu trade. 3rd year breakout candidate.
Brandon Aiyuk- Gave you this one last week and I’m doubling down, he didn’t end up playing, but he’s in the lineup today against the awful Jets, and he’s about the only talented receiver they have. (Fun fact: Jimmy G called Aiyuk his “safety blanket” during training camp)
Scotty Miller/Corey Davis- Miller also makes his second straight appearance on my waiver column/segment. Injuries move these two to the front of the line.
TE:
Jordan Reed- Talent has never been the issue for Reed, he’s got it, and even with Kittle in the lineup last week, the Niners still got him involved in the pass game (2 catches 12 yards). Kittle out, you could definitely do worse.
DST:
Washington Football Team- One thing I’ve learned in my years of playing fantasy, when a team shows you they can be dominant defensively in week 1…BELIEVE THEM. Jacksonville in 2017, the Bears in 2018, both found on your local waiver wire after week 1. Washington lead the NFL in sacks last week with 8, they have talent all across that defense. Matchup isn’t ideal, but they could be a weekly starter for you all season long.