With one week of the 2022 NFL season in the books, it is time to begin the cycle that will consume us over the next four months. We know that overreaction around just about every performance is going to happen regardless of how many warnings are given or what your better instincts are so it is important to keep that at a minimum, if at all. Remember, it is just one regular season game and not much has truly changed since your draft. At the same time though there are always going to be ways in which to improve your team, or situations that necessitate it based on reasonable reactions to Week 1, so let us take a look at some NFL waiver wire picks. 

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups Week 2

Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

Carson Wentz (WAS); FAAB Bid: 1-2%

In what was a relatively competitive game against Jacksonville, Wentz was victorious in his debut with the Commanders. While we did have to deal with two interceptions, Wentz looked comfortable in his new offense as he was efficient completing 27 of 41 passes for 313 yards. The main thing though is that Wentz looked comfortable with multiple receivers as he connected for four touchdown passes. In Week 2, Wentz gets to face the Lions which should lead to another favorable performance after the Eagles put up 38 points against their defense to begin the season. 

 

Marcus Mariota (ATL); FAAB Bid: 1%

The Falcons did not look to do too much offensively through the air on Sunday, but Mariota was at least efficient as he was 20 of 33 passing for 215 yards. Atlanta clearly has work to do in the red zone, but they are also lacking in the weapon department so Mariota will be forced to do a lot with his legs. That skill set was on display this week in his debut with the Falcons as he carried the ball 12 times for 72 yards while finding a touchdown. If we take that production along with whatever we get in the passing game, there could be some real value here if Mariota continues to produce like a running back as we see some improvement in the passing game. 

 

Waiver Wire Running Backs

Jeff Wilson (SF); FAAB Bid: 6-8%

Initially we had confirmation that Wilson is the clear number two back for San Francisco, but things changed pretty quickly on Sunday once Elijah Mitchell exited with a knee injury. As news comes out regarding Mitchell’s status, Wilson’s value will update in conjunction with the former expected to be out for close to two months. The weather made things a complete mess on Sunday and Trey Lance will continue to be a large factor in the running game (13 carries for 54 yards), but Wilson’s workload, at least temporarily, does stand to increase. I would be higher on Wilson if the strategic move that San Francisco went to was not to go back to Deebo Samuel as a ball carrier (eight for 52 yards and a touchdown) as the former had nine carries for 22 yards while catching two passes for another eight yards. With the Mitchell injury, the buzz will be on Wilson and while there is also value as a handcuff here, there is competition for carries regardless of who the leader of the running backs is. If Wilson is already on a roster or if you find yourself missing out on Wilson then you can also take a look at rookies Jordan Mason who was active for Week 1 and rookie Tyrion Davis-Price who was inactive for Week 1 but likely finds himself in the rotation this week.

 

Khalil Herbert (CHI); FAAB Bid: 5%

As of Sunday afternoon, Herbert is available in 59% of Yahoo leagues, and that is simply too much for someone who is (at the least) on an even playing field with the presumed starter (David Montgomery). Both running backs were involved, but Herbert looked more impressive carrying the ball nine times for 45 yards and a touchdown as he certainly was more efficient than Montgomery. The incumbent needed 17 carries to gain just 26 yards and it was also telling that it was Herbert who picked up the touchdown. It looks like Herbert is the more dynamic option who also fits the offense better and I would look for him to continue to out produce Montgomery most weeks. 

 

Rex Burkhead (HOU); FAAB Bid: 2-3%

After the release of Marlon Mack, we thought there was some clarity in the Houston backfield that would lead to Dameon Pierce being in charge, but that was not exactly the truth. The rookie did carry the ball 11 times, but Pierce only managed to pick up 33 yards while catching one pass for six yards. Ultimately, Pierce should continue to grab more of a hold on the Houston backfield and we do not want to overreact to one game but he will also need to improve his performance. What is clear, is that Burkhead will have a true role as he led the Texans with 14 carries but just 40 yards, there is still work to be done. However, at least based on this week, Burkhead will have a true role from a receiving perspective as he was targeted eight times which led to five receptions for 30 yards. 

 

Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

Devin Duvernay (BAL); FAAB Bid; 6-8%

The Baltimore offense is generally not going to be an air-based attack but the role previously filled by Marquise Brown does have to be accounted for with the receiver now in Arizona. If we are going to go based on receptions, that honor — at least for this week — goes to Duvernay who led the Ravens receivers with four catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns while catching all four of his targets. While we do not want to go chasing last week’s touchdowns, what we did see from Duvernay was encouraging. 

 

Curtis Samuel (WAS); FAAB Bid: 4-6%

It was clear that we simply have to write off last season for Samuel as he never was truly healthy or able to generate any momentum. With Carson Wentz now under center for Washington, things should also improve for the receiving game and that was evident this past week. Samuel led the Commanders with 11 targets against Jacksonville which I would take as a sign of things to come. More importantly, Samuel delivered as he caught eight of those targets for 55 yards and a touchdown while also adding another 17 yards on four carries. 

 

Julio Jones (TB); FAAB Bid: 3-4%

Heading into the season, it was unclear what we would actually get from Jones as he struggled through staying healthy last year and he had a lack of performance to match. While Chris Godwin did start the game despite not being full recovered from a serious knee injury, he ultimately had to depart halfway through the game after injuring his hamstring and did not return. Playing with Tom Brady should certainly help Jones for as long as the veteran can remain healthy; which he certainly looked like this week. Jones caught three passes for three of his five targets for 69 yards (with a long of 48) while carrying the ball two times for 17 yards. There should be plenty of room to work for Jones and I would expect Tampa Bay to continue to utilize him in a manner that should benefit the veteran.

 

Waiver Wire Tight Ends

Gerald Everett (LAC); FAAB Bid: 3%

Everett wasted no time fitting in with his new team as perhaps the missing offensive weapon for Justin Herbert and the Chargers. On Sunday, Everett caught three of his four targets for 54 yards and an impressive touchdown and I would look for him to continue to have consistent involvement in the Chargers’ offense. With Keenan Allen dealing with an injury, Everett might also be in line to pick up an extra target or two on a temporary basis. 

 

O.J. Howard (HOU); FAAB Bid: 1%

Perhaps Howards’s third team will be the charm for the talented tight end? With tight ends we often end up in a situation in which we are chasing touchdowns, and for that reason, it is possible that we have already seen the best game of the season out of Howard. He began his time with Houston by catching both of his targets for 38 yards and two touchdowns this week, and there is a clear opportunity in the Texans offense for Howard to make a difference as there should not be much opposition for targets. 

 


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