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 rostered in less than 50 percent of ESPN leagues)
1. Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Denver Broncos
Last season, McLaughlin got some more work than expected after being an undrafted free agent out of Youngstown State. He had 410 rushing yards, 160 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season. In week 1, McLaughlin had 10 carries for 27 yards. He also had five catches for one yard.
McLaughlin looks like he will get the early down work for the Broncos. He had more touches than Javonte Williams, which makes him worth picking up. The coming weeks will be telling on whether he can be started or how the backfield shakes out overall. McLaughlin is rostered in 44.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
2. Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Pierce has been a deep threat throughout his NFL career. In his three seasons of NFL football, he has 76 catches for 1,232 yards and five touchdowns. He played well in week 1 against the Texans, catching all three of his targets for 125 yards and a touchdown.
It is important to note that Pierce is a boom-or-bust play that is dependent on the deep ball to provide value. With Anthony Richardson’s arm strength, he and Pierce pair well together. While he isn’t worth starting every week, he can be rostered. He is available in over 99 percent of ESPN leagues.
3. Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Likely has been the second tight end who has played well with Mark Andrews healthy, but also filled in nicely when he has been injured. He has 75 catches for 895 yards and nine touchdowns in his career. In week 1 against the Chiefs, Likely was targeted 12 times. He caught nine passes for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Andrews will still have a huge role in the offense that he didn’t fulfill in week 1. The Ravens can support at least rostering two tight ends. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken used multiple tight ends during his time as Georgia’s offensive coordinator. Baltimore doesn’t have too much depth at receiver, so the use of two tight ends is necessary. Likely is rostered in less than 10 percent of ESPN leagues.
4. Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Shaheed may not have been known a few years ago, but he has really made an impact on the Saints. He has 77 catches for 1,280 yards and eight touchdowns in his career of two seasons. Last week, he hauled in three catches on five targets for 73 yards and a touchdown.
His speed is game-breaking, as he has the ability to produce big plays. Behind Chris Olave, Shaheed should be the second-most productive wide receiver on the Saints Roster. In his first season, he had 488 receiving yards. He improved to 739 receiving yards last season, so if more improvements happen, he should be rosterable and can be started some weeks. He is rostered in just 42.3 percent of ESPN leagues.
5. Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
As a rookie backing up Travis Etienne, Bigsby had 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns. This season in week 1, Bigsby had 12 carries for 73 yards. He did not record a reception.
Bigsby outrushed Etienne in week 1. He won’t offer much as a pass catcher, but his improvements that can already be seen in week 1 are worth noting. Bigsby can be added and stashed to see if he can continue to have a role out of the backfield.
*BONUS- Jordan Mason. Christian McCaffrey missed Sunday Night Football and now is on IR and will miss at least four weeks. Mason is the running back to pick up from the 49ers’ backfield. He is a no. 1 priority after the McCaffrey news.
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