Having a good fantasy draft sets a team up really well, but most of the time to win a fantasy football league, acquisitions need to be made during the season. Each week there are several players worth exploring on the waiver wire. Here are fantasy football players to add week 2. (Note: These are best used for standard scoring leagues. All players are owned in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
1. Darrell Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Many expected Cam Akers to be the starting running back for the Rams this season after he recovered from a torn Achilles last season. It was actually Darrell Henderson who got the vast majority of the work in week 1. He had 13 carries for 47 yards and also had five catches for 26 yards.
When asked about the usage of Akers after the game, it seemed like head coach Sean McVay wanted to get him more involved, but ended up sticking with Henderson. Historically, McVay has liked featuring one running back, so Henderson should be added. Monitor how much Akers is used, but for now, Henderson can even be started in most leagues. He is available in just over 50 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers
In week 1, Elijah Mitchell was injured against the Bears. He is expected to miss two months with a knee injury. Wilson was able to get some work in week 1 with 22 rushing yards and eight receiving yards on 11 total touches. Now, he is the most experienced running back for the 49ers moving forward.
It is no secret that Kyle Shanahan likes to use multiple running backs. Wilson is the one who should get a lot of work, but there is a chance that someone else emerges. He is worth picking up, but play Wilson at your own risk. Wilson is rostered in just 3.5 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Devin Duvernay, WR, Baltimore Ravens
There was a lot of uncertainty in the Ravens’ receiving room heading into the season after Marquise Brown was traded away. In week 1, Devin Duvernay proved to be a good target for Lamar Jackson to utilize. He had four receptions on four targets for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
After one week it looks like Duvernay can fill the deep-play void that was left by Brown this offseason. For more reasons to pick up Duvernay, his teammate Calais Campbell mentioned that he picked him up before week 1 because he knew what was coming. Duvernay is worth a pick-up and is available in over 97 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders
Samuel wasn’t drafted in plenty of leagues after a 2021 season that was subpar. In week 1, he was Carson Wentz’s favorite receiver and the Commanders used his versatile skillset. He was targeted 11 times totaling eight receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. Samuel also had four carries for 17 yards.
With Terry McLaurin only having two receptions, Samuel’s production may not hold. For now, though, he can be picked up and held. If Wentz continues to target him he can be started in the future. Samuel is available in over 91 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Tyrion Davis-Price, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Although he was listed as inactive in week 1, Davis-Price is a player to be picked up. He was a third-round pick by the 49ers and made the team over Trey Sermon, who was drafted just the year before. The plans to use Davis-Price might be fast-forwarded now that Mitchell is injured.
As mentioned, Wilson figures to get most of the carries to start. Shanahan will continue to use multiple running backs though, so Davis-Price will get his shot at some point. If fantasy managers have a thin bench, picking up Davis-Price and holding him could be a good strategy. He is rostered in just 2.9 percent of ESPN leagues.
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