Each week, we’ll be showcasing potential fantasy football waiver pickups available in at least 50% of Yahoo leagues, and if you’re in urgent need of a roster spot after a chaotic Week 2, these names can help.
Quarterback
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (34%)
It’s understandable if you cringe at the Saints’ opening week box score because of the quality of the opponent: Carolina isn’t necessarily the toughest opponent.
But on Sunday, New Orleans gave up 35 points and 310 total yards to the Cowboys in the first half. It seems like new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has orchestrated an absolute death star. The Saints’ ground game is unstoppable, and this team is taking full advantage of the talents of preseason sleeper Rashid Shahid.
Carr is clearly the biggest beneficiary of the team’s offensive surge. As we all know, he’s had issues in the red zone for years, but when teams can score from any distance and on any down, those are just minor issues. Carr passed for 243 yards, two scores and an interception on Sunday against Dallas, plus a touchdown on the ground. He’s currently passing at an astounding 11.4 yards per attempt through two games and has a league-best completion percentage of 142.4.
The first 15 drives he has led this season have ended in a score, which is incredible.
Carr has been near perfect for two weeks, so a tailspin will come at some point, but don’t count on it coming with a short week that will leave the defense vulnerable as the Saints host the Eagles next Sunday.
Recommended FAB offer (assuming a $100 budget): $8
Subscribe to Yahoo Fantasy Forecast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you prefer.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (34%)
Smith opened the season with two straight fantasy wins, relying on DK Metcalf and Jackson Smith-Njiba to throw for 327 yards and one score in Sunday’s win over New England. Both Seattle receivers finished with double-digit catches and triple-digit yards, but Metcalf was the most productive of them all.
The Seahawks are at home against a Miami defense that barely showed up on Thursday night, and they could use Smith if they want, as he was the No. 5 overall QB just two years ago, so he’s not a low-promise fantasy option.
Fab: $6
Additional QB options
Sam Darnold was nothing short of heroic on Sunday against the Niners, passing for 268 yards and two touchdowns and winning his second straight game. He also has a slight edge on the rushing side. His fantasy appeal in Week 3 will depend a lot on Justin Jefferson’s availability (quad bruise), but the matchup against Houston is manageable.
Justin Fields has certainly done enough to hold onto his starting spot in Pittsburgh after leading the team to two wins in the season opener. He hasn’t had much of an impact on the box score yet, but he did have a couple of big plays on Sunday that were negated by penalties. We all know he has great rushing potential and can play as a super flex option.
Gardner Minshew is coming off a game against Carolina, which boasts one of the league’s most user-friendly defenses, and he’s also a guy who can throw passes to Davante Adams and Brock Bowers, which makes him even more appealing.
Superflex advocates are no doubt excited about Andy Dalton being promoted to the starter in Carolina, but everyone else should leave him alone.
Running back
Carson Steele and Samaje Perine, Kansas City Chiefs (3% and 4%)
Isaiah Pacheco broke his right fibula in the final minutes of Sunday’s home win over Kansas City, leaving Perin and Steele as the team’s two main backs. Pacheco is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
Steele carried the ball seven times against the Bengals for 24 yards (including a fumble loss) and was involved in carrying the ball before Pacheco went down. Perine only touched the ball once Sunday, but he’s the more experienced and versatile player, a veteran who recorded 50 catches for Denver. Both backs will undoubtedly be on the field with Pacheco sidelined.
Steele is a bumper car guy, built in a lab for goal-line and short-yardage roles. He rushed for 1,500 yards at Ball State in 2022 and became a preseason legend this summer. The Chiefs clearly love him. Perin is an understated but proven player who can do just about everything you need a running back to do at a bare minimum level. He’s also reliable in pass protection, which is a major concern for KC. He’s likely to be the team’s go-to back in two-minute situations and when a clear pass down is needed.
It’s hard to imagine either player taking on Pacheco’s full workload, but both are intriguing fantasy options given the team’s situation. Steele has a slight edge based on his usage early in the season. Clyde Edwards-Haley is currently unavailable for the Chiefs, as he will miss at least two more games while on the NFI list.
The team also signed Kareem Hunt, which should make the backfield even more crowded. Don’t expect too much from Hunt, who was not explosive last year, didn’t make anyone miss, and usually went down on the first contact.
FAB: $31 and $26
Braylon Allen, New York Jets (10%)
The rookie out of Wisconsin homered twice against the Titans on Sunday, one on the ground and one as a receiver. Allen is obviously not a threat to Breece Hall’s status as the main player, but he’s already clearly earned a rotation role. Against Tennessee, he played more than a third of the Jets’ offensive snaps, with nine touches. He has intimidating size (235 pounds) and enough speed to force ugly angles on would-be tacklers.
Allen has had three impressive seasons at the collegiate level and yet is somehow still only 20. He’s a backup back who is performing well enough to merit flex consideration.
Fab: $11
Other RB additions
Antonio Gibson had one of the best rushing yards of the week on Sunday, totaling 103 yards on 12 touches. While Rhamondre Stevenson is still the Patriots’ clear lead back, Gibson has landed a key supporting role.
Rico Dowdle had more snaps and touches than Ezekiel Elliott in Sunday’s non-competitive loss to New Orleans, but was scoreless on 59 yards on 11 chances. He’s a player who could be at least as productive as Zeke going forward.
Ty Chandler has played more than a third of Minnesota’s offensive snaps through the first two weeks of the season, totaling 21 touches. He outgained Aaron Jones 82 yards to 32 on Sunday.
If you’re into that sort of thing, Chubba Hubbard continues to be the go-to back for a Carolina offense that’s hopeless and boring to watch.
Houston doesn’t have any exciting options in the backfield behind Joe Mixon, but they do have some familiar names. With Mixon suffering an ankle injury on Sunday night, Cam Akers could be in fantasy conversations against Minnesota in Week 3. Akers looked snappy enough against the Bears (7-of-32 completions) but was replaced in the second half after losing a fumble.
Jalen Wright might be Miami’s healthiest running back right now. Raheem Mostert has a pectoral issue and Jeff Wilson injured an oblique muscle Thursday night. Wright was the SEC’s most efficient 1,000-yard rusher last season and has Dolphins-level speed (4.38).
Wide receiver and tight end
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers (7%)
There were few expectations for Johnston this year after his rookie season was filled with dropped passes and missed opportunities, and he wasn’t on anyone’s radar in fantasy leagues due to his typical size and build.
But Johnston was always expected to improve, even though he was a first-round draft pick. And on Sunday against the Panthers, that improvement was clear. Johnston won an early play in single coverage, caught a 29-yard touchdown pass, then slid freely through the end zone for a second (much easier) score. He looked like a nearly competent, fully-functional NFL receiver while facing a terrible defense, which is a positive sign.
Given the Chargers’ inconsistent receiver corps, targets should continue to flow to Johnston, and his combination of size (6-foot-4) and athleticism (40.5-inch vertical jump) certainly makes him worth trying if the results translate on the field.
Fab: $9
Andrei Iosivas, Cincinnati Bengals (7%)
Iosivas had two touchdown passes in Sunday’s win over the Chiefs, but one was on a dirty route and the other was a ridiculous toe-drag.
It was a light day for Iothivas, but you can’t argue with the quality. The former sixth-round pick generated a lot of buzz late in the summer, and rightfully so. Iothivas will be a big favorite around the league no matter how long Tee Higgins is out.
Fab: $6
Additional WRs and TEs to consider
Alec Pierce backed up his opening week with five catches and a 56-yard run to the end zone. The return of Josh Downs will make Indianapolis’ receivers even more unpredictable, but Pierce is clearly the preferred option for the young quarterback.
Jauan Jennings is likely to get more playing time no matter how long Deebo Samuel is out, and he’s clearly part of a reliable offensive line. He has seven catches for 101 yards in two games so far.
Jalen Naylor has been on the road for the second straight week, and they’ll certainly need him in Week 3 against the Texans, as Jefferson (quadriceps) and Jordan Addison (ankle) are both currently injured.
If you’re not looking for new ways to add to the Rams’ offense, that’s understandable — and probably the right approach — but with Puka Nacua (knee) and Cooper Kupp (ankle) both out for multiple weeks, it’s my duty to let you know that Demarcus Robinson, Tutu Atwell and Colby Parkinson will be the prime targets.
Jalen Tolbert showed enough muscle to be a worthy addition in deep leagues with nine targets for 82 yards, but Dallas’ receiving room remains crowded.
Hunter Henry entered Sunday leading New England receivers in targets (12), catches (8) and receiving yards (109) — more than enough numbers to make him a player to watch at a position of disappointment and despair: tight end.
Mike Gesicki was a busy pitcher on Sunday (7-91) with two great matchups coming up against Washington and Carolina.
defense
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5%)
The Buccaneers are coming off a home game against rookie Bo Nix and the Broncos, so this D/ST is an obvious target. Their next game should be less challenging than Sunday’s surprisingly good game against Detroit. Tampa Bay is coming off two takeaways, so Week 3 should be more of the same, with more opportunities for defensive TDs.
Fab: $2
Las Vegas Raiders (8%)
Maxx Crosby and company are coming off a great win over the Ravens and have some great matchups coming up against Carolina, Cleveland and Denver. Add Bryce Young, Andy Dalton and the Panthers to this group and consider holding onto them through the end of September. The Raiders may have multiple turnovers in the future.
Fab: $2
