Faraz's Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets

The 2024 season is back, and we’re already looking at the waiver wire. Here are the top options available in more than 50% of fantasy football leagues.

Check if Available:

1. Jordan Mason (RB - San Francisco 49ers)

2. Adonai Mitchell (WR - Indianapolis Colts)

3. Jerry Jeudy (WR - Cleveland Browns)

4. Curtis Samuel (WR - Buffalo Bills)

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Waiver Wire Targets:

1. J.K. Dobbins (RB - Los Angeles Chargers) - 40% FAAB

   • Dobbins surpassed all of my expectations in Week 1. He looked really good, broke big runs, and when he did slow down it was because he was gassed. His burst and initial acceleration looked to be there, though. I think Dobbins is a low-end RB2 right now, and has a chance to increase that value over the next few weeks. With Gus Edwards not looking so good, expect Dobbins to be the 1a this week on a run-first offense. Dobbins was also the goal line back and the passing down back too, so he has several ways to pile on the fantasy points, even if he doesn’t have 20+ carry upside.

2. Isaiah Likely (TE - Baltimore Ravens) - 20% FAAB

   • I think Isaiah Likely definitely needs to be prioritized on waivers, but I’d keep my expectations in check - with all of the tight ends underperforming this week, it makes him even more sought after - I wouldn’t break the bag on him just because Mark Andrews is still very involved - they’re running a lot of 12-personnel, and according to the Fantasy Life utilization report, Andrews ran a route on 75% of dropbacks, and Likely was at 69% - now, he was targeted on 34% of his routes compared to only 5% for Andrews, but I am not about to let one game defined who Andrews is at this point - he has been one of the elite TEs in the NFL, and I do think he bounces back. I also watched every one of Andrews’ routes - he’s running further downfield, and he was being bracketed and double-covered on a ton of his plays - it was extremely apparent that the Chiefs game planned to take Andrews away - he doesn’t have a good history at all against the Chiefs.

   • I do think that because of the lack of weapons for Lamar, Likely will be at worst the third passing option in this offense, so there is value here… but unless Likely can up that route participation to 75% or higher, it’s going to be really tough for him to crack the Top-5, and he’s most likely going to be in low-end TE1, maybe a mid-TE1 at best if this crazy level of target efficiency continues. If I need a TE though, I’m perfectly dropping 15-20% of my FAAB on Likely this week, and if I don’t get him, it is what it is.

3. Jaleel McLaughlin (RB - Denver Broncos) - 10% FAAB

   • Javonte Williams led with 52% of snaps, but Jaleel McLaughlin ended up with more overall work with 9 carries and 5 targets on 35% of snaps. Both were very inefficient on the ground and couldn’t get anything going. Javonte led with routes, is the primary short-yardage back, and seems to be the 2-minute back as well. Better games coming for both backs, but McLaughlin’s 33% targets/route run is a number to pay attention to and one that can make him startable in deeper leagues.

4. Rashid Shaheed (WR - New Orleans Saints) - 10% FAAB

   • Shaheed led the Saints with a 22% target share and 47% of the team’s air yards. He won’t be scoring long touchdowns every week, but he’s one of the best deep threats in the NFL and can change your fantasy outcome any given week. If he was able to make splash plays in last year’s offense, there’s a good chance he can take a step forward in Klint Kubiak’s offense.

5. Greg Dortch (WR - Arizona Cardinals) - 5% FAAB

   • Dortch is back in his natural position as a slot receiver this year, and he earned a 27% target share, 2nd behind Trey McBride. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dortch turns into a PPR magnet this year given that we’ve seen this from him in the past. He doesn’t have a huge ceiling, but he can be a weekly floor PPR flex play.

6. Josh Downs (WR - Indianapolis Colts) - 5% FAAB

   • Continue to stash Downs. He’s a very talented slot receiver who has a rapport with Anthony Richardson. Continue to keep him on the bench until he’s ready to go.

7. Colby Parkinson (TE - Los Angeles Rams) - 5% FAAB

   • There was a clear plan from the start to involve Colby Parkinson in the passing game even before Puka Nacua left the game, evidenced by his 82% route participation. There’s a decent chance Parkinson will be 2nd in targets behind Cooper Kupp next week. Solid consolation if you can’t like Likely.

8. Allen Lazard (WR - New York Jets) - 5% FAAB

   • I hate spending waiver wire money on Lazard, but he has a clear connection with Aaron Rodgers, and that’s all that matters. He led the Jets with a 31% target share on 100% route participation. Can’t ask for more.

9. Brandin Cooks (WR - Dallas Cowboys) - 3% FAAB

   • With Jake Ferguson missing a couple of weeks with a knee injury, Cooks’ 23% target share in Week 1 is worth noting. Don’t expect consistency, but you can throw him in your lineup any given week and hope for the best as the number 2 target behind CeeDee Lamb, at least until Ferguson is back.

10. Wan'Dale Robinson (WR - New York Giants) - 3% FAAB

    • Another PPR option. The quality of the offense isn’t great, but Robinson has a rapport going back a while with Daniel Jones, and it resulted in him leading the team with a 31% target share. A low 5.3 average depth of target means he’s not someone I’d like to start in any other format besides full PPR.

11. Alexander Mattison (RB - Las Vegas Raiders) - 3% FAAB

    • Mattison was the RB to start in Week 1, but we didn’t know it would be a negative game script. Still, Mattison received 26% of the rushing attempts, had a 19% target share, and owned all of the passing down snaps that mattered. He’s a deep option in PPR leagues. If the Raiders are in games or leading, expect Zamir White to be the primary back. It’s worth noting that HC Antonio Pierce gushed over Mattison in the post-game press conference.

12. Tyler Johnson (WR - Los Angeles Rams) - 2% FAAB

    • Tyler Johnson stepped into Puka’s spot after he got hurt, and earned a target on 21% of his routes, which was higher than Demarcus Robinson’s 15%. It’s possible we see Johnson do more of what Puka does since he’s his direct backup, which is why I’m moving Johnson up my list. He has more upside than Robinson.

13. Devaughn Vele (WR - Denver Broncos) - 1% FAAB

    • Vele caught all 8 of his targets in Week 1, which is great considering he’s a 7th-round rookie, but his 2.0 aDOT was as low as you can get. That can increase, but it’s good to know that a 7th round rookie made his way to becoming the primary slot receiver for Bo Nix.

14. Demarcus Robinson (WR - Los Angeles Rams) - 2% FAAB

    • With the Puka Nacua injury, it’s possible we see a few extra targets go Robinson’s way, but there isn’t much upside to chase here. He only received a 15% target share, but he did run a route on 92% of dropbacks last week. Johnson only came in after Puka’s injury.

15. Bucky Irving (RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers) - 5% FAAB

    • Keep an eye on Irving’s usage in the run game as we move forward because he completely outplayed Rachaad White in that department. Irving received 33% of the rushing attempts in his first week and looked great. We could see the number increase, but for now, he’s a stash in case that happens.

16. Jaylen Wright (RB - Miami Dolphins)

17. Zach Charbonnet (RB - Seattle Seahawks)

18. Tank Bigsby (RB - Jacksonville Jaguars)

19. Taysom Hill (TE - New Orleans Saints)

20. Jeff Wilson Jr. (RB - Miami Dolphins)

21. Jordan Whittington (WR - Los Angeles Rams)

22. Ty Chandler (RB - Minnesota Vikings)

23. Jalen Nailor (WR - Minnesota Vikings)