Well we are done with the first week of 2023 action, so time to finetune your roster with our Week 2 Waiver Wire pickups. This week was certainly one with injuries and drama. If you were caught by any of the injuries from this past week- this should help you navigate your way through.
Making the right moves on the waiver wire is how you can really win your league. Getting those upside depth pieces, and cutting the players that are going to struggle from your roster is going to help you going forwards
Rules for Selection & Order Priority
For a player to be considered to be added, they have to:
- Have an rostered % of 50% or under on ESPN
- Players below are listed by their roster %, not priority. Know your league settings. If there is a high-priority add, you’ll know.
Derek Carr (NO) 28.1% rostered
Starting his new era in New Orleans, Quarterback Derek Carr ended Week 1 with 305 passing yards and 1 touchdown. He will be a streamable option in deeper formats for bye weeks or potential injuries with a remarkable room of talented wide receivers.
Jordan Love (GB) 15.8% rostered
Jordan Love continues the Packers & Bears dominance as he shows that he is a capable starting quarterback in the NFL. Finishing with 245 yards and 3 touchdowns, Love’s ability to deliver is obvious. He could be a viable option in deeper formats, and a great high upside QB2 in superflex formats as well.
Sam Howell (WAS) 11.2% rostered
Finishing Week 1 with a strong outing against a solid Arizona defense. Dropping back for 31 passes and completing 19 of those for 202 yards. He added a touchdown through the air and added a touchdown on the ground as well. Howell shows strong running capabilities which could enhance his upside as we get into the season.
Mac Jones (NE) 4.9% rostered
Not a lot went right for Mac Jones in the opening of the game vs the Philadelphia Eagles. However, Jones was able to show his talents throwing for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns without 2 of his receiving options. Looking forward, Jones has a matchup with the Dolphins next which could turn into a potential shootout late in the game.
Others to Consider
- Brock Purdy (SF) 24.5% rostered
- Baker Mayfield (TB) 4.1% rostered
BAL RB- Gus Edwards/ Justice Hill & Melvin Gordon (BAL) 21.4/ 0.4 & 0.2% rostered
The fantasy landscape took an unfortunate turn when J.K. Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles, ending his season before we got to experience it in full. Gus Edwards is poised to step into the early-down role, ending his day with 8 touches for 32 yards in Week 1. While he may not be a league-winner, Edwards’s volume alone could make him a valuable asset. Additionally, the Ravens promoted Melvin Gordon from the practice squad, and Justice Hill found the end zone twice. Keep an eye on this backfield, this may just turn into a 3 headed committee as it was in 2022.
Roschon Johnson (CHI) 21.1% rostered
A spectacular showing from the rookie running back in his season debut. Closing out Week 1 with 20 yards on the ground and 6 receptions through the air. Notable that most of this work was in garbage time, so I’d like to take a wait and see approach with this backfield.
Tyjae Spears (TEN) 11.7% rostered
In deeper leagues, Tyjae Spears made a surprising impact, out-snapping Derrick Henry in Week 1 (34 snaps to 30 for Henry). Spears was also on the field for every third-down snap. While Henry remains the bell-cow back, Spears’ role is worth monitoring, making him a speculative add in deeper formats.
Joshua Kelley (LAC) 11.4% rostered
A career high in rushing yards for Kelly in Week 1, along with a touchdown makes him a pick up in much deeper leagues.
Kyren Williams (LAR) 10.3% rostered
Kyren Williams, a fifth-round pick, had a productive Week 1 with 15 touches and two touchdowns. However, his efficiency is a concern, as he only managed 52 rushing yards and didn’t catch any of his targets. Consider adding him in deeper leagues but exercise caution in shallower formats as the Rams’ backfield situation unfolds.
Others to Consider
- Tyler Allgeier (ATL) 43.8% rostered
- Kenneth Gainwell (PHI) 21.7% rostered
- Zack Moss (IND) 10.6% rostered
Zay Jones (JAX) 29.9% rostered
Zay Jones emerged as the Jags’ WR2 in Week 1, and he’s available in nearly 70% of ESPN leagues. He’s a sneaky pickup for fantasy managers looking to add to their depth, especially since he can act as a reliable bye-week fill-in.
Romeo Doubs (GB) 19.2% rostered
Romeo Doubs emerged as Jordan Love’s primary target during the weekend’s game. Camp reports had hinted at their connection, and it showed as Doubs led the team in targets. Keep an eye on this situation, especially with Christian Watson nursing a hamstring injury. Doubs could be a valuable addition to your roster.
Puka Nacua (LAR) 2.8% rostered
With Cooper Kupp on IR for the first four weeks, rookie Puka Nacua stepped up for the Rams. He was targeted 15 times, catching 10 passes for 119 yards. Nacua became the first rookie WR since Ja’Marr Chase in 2021 to exceed 100 receiving yards in their NFL debut. He’s a must-add for fantasy managers looking for wide receiver depth.
Rasheed Shaheed (NO) 2.1% rostered
Sophomore wide receiver Rasheed Shaheed picked up where he left off last season, finishing Week 1 with 5 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown. He appears to be a reliable target alongside Chris Olave and Michael Thomas in a Saints offense. Shaheed is a worthy pickup given the injury history in the wide receiver room in New Orleans.
Others to Consider
- Rashee Rice (KC) 9.4% rostered
- Tutu Atwell (LAR) 5.9% rostered
- Kendrick Bourne (NE) 2.5% rostered
Luke Musgrave (GB) 8.5% rostered
The rookie out of Oregon State looked promising in his debut with the Packers. Musgrave showed that he could be poised for work in the 2023 season with less receiving options in Green Bay. Musgrave ended his Week 1 with 4 targets for 50 yards, which was second behind Wide Receiver Romeo Doubs.
Hayden Hurst (CAR) 4.9% rostered
Hurst is apart of a Carolina offense that is being controlled by Bryce Young, Rookie Quarterback and there’s going to be some bumps in the road for the #1 pick overall. However, it seemed as if Hurst acted as a safety blanket for Young in Week 1. Seeing up near 7 targets for 5 receptions and a touchdown at the goal line.
Hunter Henry (NE) 4.2% rostered
Hurst is apart of a Carolina offense that is being controlled by Bryce Young, Rookie Quarterback and there’s going to be some bumps in the road for the #1 pick overall. However, it seemed as if Hurst acted as a safety blanket for Young in Week 1. Seeing up near 7 targets for 5 receptions and a touchdown at the goal line.
Others to Consider
- Zach Ertz (ARI) 39.0% rostered
- Sam LaPorta (DET) 34.3% rostered
- Jake Ferguson (DAL) 7.0% rostered
There you have it! Any questions, or want some more specific help for your league on who to drop, just reach out. Reach out on social media, you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Or jump into our Discord server. And checkout out rankings for each Week.
Image Credit: Jamie Sabau – USA TODAY Sports
