Rizzla takes a look at the hottest pickups for Week 2 of the 2019 Fantasy Football season in his Waiver Wire Rankings.
Week 1 was the week of the deep threat. DeSean Jackson exploded for eight receptions, 152 receiving yards and two touchdowns. That was not even the biggest line of the day. That belonged to Sammy Watkins who, in part due to Tyreek Hill leaving the game with an injury, popped off for nine receptions, 198 receiving yards and three touchdowns. They were not the only deep threats to go off in an exciting Week 1.
Week 1 saw breakout games for more than a few young wideouts. Marquise Brown went over 130 receiving yards in the first quarter and finished his day with four receptions, 147 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He is available in 69 percent of leagues and should be your top target if you play in a league where he is still available. Brown was not the only young speedster to go off as Washington’s Terry McLaurin hauled in five receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. His seven targets tied him with Paul Richardson for the highest mark among wide receivers. McLaurin had four times as many yards. He is available in 97 percent of Yahoo leagues. McLaurin and Brown are the only two number one receivers on the waiver wire.
While we are discussing young deep threats no Week 2 waiver wire rankings would be complete with John Ross. Ross finally had his long-awaited breakout game. He shocked the world but still left fantasy points on the field. The speedster went off by hauling in seven of his 12 targets for a career high 158 yards and two touchdowns. Deep threat Phillip Dorsett also had himself a game as he hauled in four receptions, 95 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Available in 96 percent of Yahoo leagues Dorsett should be viewed as upside bye week filler. He is no more than the Patriots fourth receiver going forward. Two receivers battling for the Jacksonville Jaguars number two receiver role had big games. The 98 percent available D.J. Chark looked great with Nick Foles under center. He hauled in all four of his targets for 146 yards and a score.
Fellow deep threat Chris Conley also had a game as he hauled in six of his seven targets for 97 yards. Available in 99 percent of Yahoo leagues, Conley is the better add of the two as he appeared to have better chemistry with new starter Gardner Minshew. Not the only veteran deep threat to make waves in Week 1, Ted Ginn also showed up in a highly competitive affair against the Houston Texans. Ginn hauled in all seven of his targets for 101 receiving yards. He is available in 89 percent of Yahoo leagues.
The 95 percent available Danny Amendola led the Detroit Lions in both targets and receptions. He hauled in seven of 13 looks for 104 yards and a score. He could very well maintain a high volume role out of the slot for the Lions. A flex3 with flex upside, Amendola is available in 95 percent of Yahoo leagues. Fellow slot man Jamison Crowder had a big afternoon hauling in a whopping 14 of his 17 targets for 99 receiving yards. Available in 54 percent of Yahoo leagues Crowder should continue to eat with Robby Anderson drawing opposing defenses number one receivers. Another veteran slot receiver that deserves attention in deeper leagues is Randall Cobb. He looks to be ticketed for a large market share from Dak Prescott and is available in 90 percent of Yahoo leagues.
Outside of the wide receiver position, the pickings are much more slim. At tight end the 52 percent available Jimmy Graham hauled in three of his six targets for 30 yards and a touchdown. Graham vowed to have a better season and fantasy football owners should take notice. Darren Waller is the toast of the waiver wire market as he is somehow available in 56 percent of fantasy leagues. This makes me believe 56 percent of leagues are 6-10 team leagues, but that is neither here nor there. The converted wide receiver hauled in seven of his eight targets for 70 receiving yards against the Broncos and should have even bigger days ahead. At running back Malcolm Brown played over Darrell Henderson as he had been all preseason. While the fact that he played ahead of Henderson was not a surprise, his extensive red zone usage was. Brown was the RB11 in Week 1 on the strength of 11 carries for 53 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The handcuff to own in the Rams backfield and is available in 87 percent of Yahoo leagues.
The 86 percent unowned Chris Thompson saw ten targets and hauled in seven Week 1 receptions for 68 receiving yards. He is a must add with Derrius Guice injured once again. After being inactive in Week 1, Adrian Peterson will not be starting for Washington. He is available in 62 percent of Yahoo leagues. Left for dead by fantasy owners, Carlos Hyde predictably led the Texans backfield in carries. However, contrary to what many believed prior to the season, he looked good doing it. He racked up 8.3 yards per carry on ten rushes. Last but certainly not least, Giovani Bernard could be in for a major workload this Sunday if Joe Mixon is unable to suit up. The latest reports suggest Mixon will give it a go, but Bernard is still worth a speculative bid.
