NFL Waiver Wire: Week 2 Pickups

Week 1 is behind us and, as there is almost every year, a lot of fantasy surprises took place. The key is to not overreact to a big performance from a mediocre player and don't panic if a stud didn't live up to expectations. There's a fairly big list this week with many surprise performances Week 1, so let's get started.

This column is geared toward "standard" 12-team leagues and based upon a $100 free-agent budget. Please, please adjust for your league based on both the number of teams (I'm in a 24-team league, for example) and budget.

QUARTERBACK

Hail Mary

Gardner Minshew, JAC - It's hard to imagine having to use Minshew in standard formats, but he's definitely in play in superflex/two-QB formats. He had an excellent showing in relief of an injured Nick Foles on Sunday, going 22 of 25 for 275 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He'll get to work with the first team this week; Foles will miss at least the next eight games after being placed on IR on Monday. FAAB: $10-$20 in league formats mentioned, $1-$2 in standard formats

RUNNING BACK

Primary Targets

Adrian Peterson, WAS - Peterson was a surprise omission from the actives Sunday but will work his way back into the early down mix with Derrius Guice (knee) slated to miss time. Peterson went from 2018 Week 1 starter to inactive Week 1 of 2019, which likely will give him a chip on his shoulder. Despite the years adding up, he averaged 4.2 yards per carry last season and found the end zone seven times. However, passing-downs situations will be left to Chris Thompson as Peterson averaged less than two targets a game in 2018. FAAB: $8-$16

Ronald Jones, TB - Jones finally showed flashes of his potential Sunday, finishing with 93 yards from scrimmage and looking like the best running back on Tampa Bay's roster. He had 14 touches to Peyton Barber's 10 (45 yards from scrimmage), and that gap could widen. Jones could easily work himself into the Flex conversation in 12-team leagues with another game of about 15 touches. FAAB: $6-$12

Secondary Targets

Malcolm Brown, LAR - While Darrell Henderson received most of the preseason sleeper buzz it was Brown who worked as Todd Gurley's top backup in the season opener. Brown scored twice against the Panthers and had 11 carries (53 yards, 4.8 yards per carry) to Gurley's 14. While it'll be tough to count on Brown week-to-week for production, he has a prime spot as a backup to a running back with an arthritic knee. FAAB: $4-$8

Giovani Bernard, CIN - It remains to be seen if Joe Mixon (ankle) will miss time (hopefully we'll  have a good idea about that before waivers run). Bernard is more than capable of handling all three downs for the Bengals. He finished with nine touches for 63 yards at Seattle on Sunday. An MRI on Monday came back with positive news as Mixon could be ready for this week's game with the 49ers. This bid is insurance in case Mixon is out or re-injures the ankle at some point. FAAB: $3-$6

C.J. Anderson, DET - The Detroit backfield didn't look like the dominant situation most thought it was going to be for Kerryon Johnson. Anderson finished with 11 carries to Johnson's 16, showing a situation more of a timeshare than a bell cow and backup. Johnson is clearly the more talented of the two and is a better pass-catcher, but the Lions appear ready to give Anderson his touches, which might include goal-line work. FAAB: $3-$6

WIDE RECEIVER

Primary Targets

Tyrell Williams, OAK - The loss of Antonio Brown likely means the arrow is pointing up for both Williams and Darren Waller. On paper, Williams has the characteristics of a No. 1 wider receiver: 6-foot-4, 205, with 4.40 40 speed. Williams has the ability to get open downfield (10 or more yards per target the last two seasons), and in his Raiders debut Monday night he showed a good rapport with Derek Carr, finishing with six catches on seven targets for 105 yards and a touchdown. He should lead the team in targets this season and get another shot at 1,000 yards, something he had in 2016. Hunter Renfrow and J.J. Nelson also stand to benefit from the absence of Brown. FAAB: $8-$16

Jamison Crowder, NYJ - The Jets gave Crowder $17 million guaranteed in the offseason and put him to work immediately. He finished Sunday's loss with 14 catches for 99 yards on 17 targets. This suggests he'll be a PPR monster, working shorter routes while Robby Anderson stretches the defense on the outside. Don't expect big touchdown numbers from Crowder, but there's clearly a strong trust between him and Sam Darnold. FAAB: $8-$16, bump him up in full-point PPR

John Ross, CIN - Some will think Ross deserves a bigger bump than this FAAB suggests after Sunday's big game against the Seahawks, but there are a few factors working against him. Seattle sorely misses Earl Thomas, and its defense is not good as it's been recently. Ross suffered from a case of the dropsies last season, which still might be issue.  A.J. Green should be back within a few weeks, as he wasn't put on IR.  On the positive side, Ross' 12 targets Sunday were a good sign and he put on display the blazing speed for which he was drafted. Tyler Boyd is still considered the No. 1 wide receiver with Green out, but this week that means he'll be covered by Richard Sherman while Ross draws Ahkello Witherspoon. FAAB: $7-$14

Secondary Targets

John Brown, BUF  - Brown capped off a furious Bills comeback with a late touchdown against the Jets, finishing with seven catches on 10 targets for 123 yards and a score. The double-digit targets are just as important as the other production as it appears Brown is the Buffalo receiver to own. He gets an easier matchup this week against the Giants, who were dismantled by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys receiving corps Sunday. FAAB: $5-$10

Marquise Brown, BAL - First, it has to be emphasized that Sunday could go down as Lamar Jackson's best passing game of the season. The Ravens won't get to play the lowly Dolphins again, and teams will now be aware that the dangerous Brown is 100 percent back from his foot injury. Brown won't be a high-volume target, making him inconsistent week to week. The good news is that between Lamar Jackson and Baltimore's stable of running backs, Brown should occasionally be able to get behind defenses focused on stopping the run. FAAB: $5-$10

Mecole Hardman, Demarcus Robinson, KC - The injury to Tyreek Hill will apparently sideline him for weeks and it won't take long for teams to double Sammy Watkins and Travis Kelce. Watkins doesn't have the greatest history of staying healthy either, so both of these receivers listed could find themselves fantasy relevant soon. Hardman is the upside play with blazing 4.33 40 speed, though Robinson knows the offense better and has worked with Patrick Mahomes longer. These pickups are all about this up-tempo offense, and they'll both get a chance to put up numbers while Hill is out. FAAB: Hardman $5-$10, Robinson $4-$8

Terry McLaurin, WAS - Someone has to catch the football for the Redskins, right? No one really got any hype before Sunday, which was probably a mistake on everyone's part. McLaurin is only four percent owned on Yahoo while teammate Paul Richardson is at a paltry two percent. Each ended up with seven targets against the Eagles on Sunday, but it was McLaurin who turned those targets into a stat line of 5-125-1. He's ridiculously fast for a player who is 6-0, 208, running a 4.35 40 at the Combine. Remember he was teammates with Dwayne Haskins at Ohio State, and there's a good chance these two hook up on Sundays in the near future. Don't be afraid to roster Richardson for a buck or two either. FAAB: $4-$8

Danny Amendola, DET - It's hard to think Amendola will break out at age 33 after never hitting even 700 receiving yards or more than four touchdowns in a season. However, this is his first time in Detroit and finishing with a seven receptions on 13 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown is definitely encouraging. In full-point PPR formats it's reasonable to expect him to average double-digits given his ability to post a high catch rate running short to intermediate routes. Keep in mind there are two wide receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, and T.J. Hockenson has already carved out his role. FAAB: $3-$6, bump him up a bit in full-point PPR

Cody Latimer, NYG - Sterling Shepard is in the concussion protocol, putting him at risk of missing this week's game with the Bills. Even with Shepard on the field Sunday Latimer finished with eight targets, turning them into three catches for 74 yards. Expecting Latimer to get at least another eight targets this week seems reasonable, and Benny Fowler should be in line for a small workload bump as well. Keep an eye on Shepard's status this week as he may still play. FAAB: $3-$6

Hail Mary

A.J. Brown, TEN - It's a bit odd to see the Titans hang 43 on the Browns and yet Corey Davis didn't record a single stat other than three targets. Instead, it was Brown who did the damage, catching three passes for 100 yards on only four targets. The problem is Davis is likely still considered their top wide receiver, and Delanie Walker is the 1B option, if not 1A.  This is also an offense focused on running the ball, so plenty of games going 2-27 or 3-39 will be more likely than Sunday's performance in Brown's future. FAAB: $1-$2

TIGHT END

Primary Targets

T.J. Hockenson, DET - Hockenson is 51 percent owned on Yahoo, but let's talk about him anyway. He led tight ends in receiving yards in Week 1, catching six of nine targets for 131 yards and a touchdown. Hockenson is a great add if you missed out on the top 7-8 players at the position. He should make a weekly impact given his pass-catching ability. FAAB: $10-$15

DEFENSE

Hail Mary

Houston Texans - The Texans are 51 percent owned on Yahoo and are likely the best streaming option this week if available (check to see if New England is out there). Houston has the short week but it will welcome in Jacksonville and Gardner Minshew, a rookie making his first start on the road. J.J. Watt is capable of making multiple big plays, and Houston is a big favorite (-9.5) in a game featuring a low over/under (43.5). Those numbers suggest a good game for the Texans defense. FAAB: $2-$4