Fantasy Football: Week 2 Waiver Targets
Week 1 of the fantasy football season is just about in the books, but the first week had surprises, as we all expected. In standard fantasy football leagues, waivers tend to run on Tuesday.
Most leagues seem to utilize pure waiver transactions, although I’d argue FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) is the way to go. There are plenty of interesting players who are available in most leagues.
Let’s go through the top 5 pickups heading into week 2.
(All fantasy points are in half-point formats)
1). RB Nyheim Hines, IND: 27.3 FP
FAAB to spend: 20%
Hines is rostered in 20% of Yahoo fantasy leagues and should be in for an expanded workload due to the season-ending Achilles injury to Marlon Mack.
Before the Mack injury, Hines was already a thorn in the side of Jonathan Taylor owners; he had a red zone touchdown and seemed to be 33% of the RB committee. With Mack out, Hines figures to be the passing down specialist who may also receive some goal-line work, in an offense with check down machine Philip Rivers at the helm.
Hines had eight targets and seven rushing attempts for the Colts in their loss to Jacksonville; I expect him to continue to see a significant role as Taylor is brought along slowly. If you’re desperate for RB help, or even if you’re somewhat weak at RB, 20% of your FAAB isn’t a stretch to spend on Hines.
2). Malcolm Brown, LAR: 26.00 FB
FAAB to spend: 12%
Brown has fooled us in the past with epic Week 1 performances to wind up having a limited role for the rest of the season, so I tread lightly here.
However, 18 carries for 79 yards and two scores is a solid outing. His involvement in the passing game (4 targets, three catches, for 31 yards) was also delightful, but I do believe Darrell Henderson may be used a bit more once he’s fully acclimated to being healthy.
I also expect an early committee between Brown, Henderson, and rookie out of Florida State Cam Akers. Brown is on 26% of Yahoo rosters on an offense that was able to simplistically move the football against a pretty lackluster Dallas defense.
The Rams are at the Eagles and Buffalo, and home against the Giants in the next three affairs.
3). Parris Campbell, IND: 14.00 FP
FAAB to spend: 9%
Campbell is on only 22% of rosters in Yahoo leagues. Head coach Frank Reich used Campbell in a variety of different ways against Jacksonville. He was used on the ground once for nine yards, and he was targeted nine times for six catches for 71 yards.
Campbell operates out of the slot, and quarterback Philip Rivers has a propensity to target short to intermediate passes out of the slot and the running back position. Campbell gets the Vikings and Jets at home next week, and the short passing game should benefit Campbell’s skill set.
He tied for the team lead in targets and did well with the workload. He could be a solid FLEX play in a 3-receiver league going forward.
4). RB Joshua Kelly, LAC: 12.00 FP
FAAB to spend: 8%
Kelly surpassed Justin Jackson, who received two carries in the contest, for the running back role behind Austin Ekeler, and the rookie received touches in the red zone. Kelley rushed 12 times for 60 yards and a score, while almost punching it in a second time for the Chargers.
He wasn’t used in the receiving game due to Ekeler’s skill set, but Kelly seems to have the trust of the Chargers coaching staff.
My hesitation is that Jackson’s quad injury may have resulted in him sitting out after his two early carries, which allowed Kelly to earn the role. I don’t think Jackson is going away, but this week one showing by Kelly still speaks volumes about his potential in this mediocre offense.
5). James Robinson, JAC: 10.00 FP
FAAB to spend: 5%
The reality of the injuries in the Jacksonville RB room led to Robinson dominating the early-down work in a surprisingly positive game script. Robinson had 16 carries for 62 yards on the ground and added a catch for 28 yards.
I’m not sure how many positive game scripts Robinson will see, and I’m a bit hesitant to pick him up because he gets to travel to Nashville to battle the Titans next week.
Nevertheless, Robinson may be a solid contributor in Week 3 against Miami and Week 4 against the Bengals, especially if Devine Ozigbo and Ryquell Armstead stay inactive.
