The top 11 waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 of fantasy football

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The top 11 waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 of fantasy football
Mark Ingram. Bob Levey/Getty Images
  • After Week 1, it's time to turn your team into a contender.
  • Several players have emerged as potential targets for the rest of the season.
  • Here are 11 waiver-wire targets for fantasy players looking to fill in any gaps in their roster.
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The first Sunday of the NFL season is in the books, so it's time for fantasy players to get serious about their teams.

We've collected 11 waiver-wire targets for fantasy players looking to add depth to their rosters, going position by position to give you the best chance of earning a first-round bye in the fantasy playoffs.

All ownership percentages come from ESPN, and scoring is based on a standard ESPN points-per-reception format.

Elijah Mitchell, RB, San Francisco 49ers

The top 11 waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 of fantasy football
Elijah Mitchell. AP Photo/Duane Burleson

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 0.7%

Week 1 stats: 104 rushing yards, one touchdown - 16.4 fantasy points

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One thing to know: Starting running back Raheem Mostert went down early with an injury, opening the door for Elijah Mitchell to have a big day on Sunday. It's unclear how bad Mostert's injury is, but while he is out, Mitchell should be worthy of a starting spot in your lineup, and in that time, could win an even greater share of the 49ers offense.

Mark Ingram, RB, Houston Texans

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 11%

Week 1 stats: 85 rushing yards, one touchdown - 14.5 fantasy points

One thing to know: Heading into the season, it looked as though the Texans would be splitting up the workload at running back, given the depth of veterans they had at the position. But on Sunday, Mark Ingram pretty clearly emerged as the lead back, taking 26 of the Texans' 41 carries.

Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 3.5%

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Week 1 stats: 37 rushing yards, 2 receptions, 6 receiving yards, 1 touchdown - 12.3 fantasy points

One thing to know: Rookie Kenneth Gainwell appears to have the second spot on the depth chart behind Miles Sanders. Despite having a man in front of him, the way he was used on Sunday seemed to show he has a role in the offense. Given it was his first game as a pro, there's still plenty of room for that role to grow.

Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 3.4%

Week 1 stats: Five receptions, 70 receiving yards, two touchdowns - 24 fantasy points

One thing to know: The Cardinals offense came out firing on Sunday, and no one benefitted more than Christian Kirk. While he doesn't play every down, he's a proven weapon that has been able to bring fantasy value in the past, even with a smaller role.

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Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants

The top 11 waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 of fantasy football
Sterling Shepard. AP Photo/Steve Luciano

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 24.8%

Week 1 stats: Seven receptions, 113 receiving yards, one touchdown - 24.3 fantasy points

One thing to know: The Giants' receiving corps is pretty crowded between Kenny Golladay, Darius Slayton, and rookie Kadarious Toney. But even with the competition, Sterling Shepard shined on Sunday as the leading receiver.

Zach Pascal, WR, Indianapolis Colts

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 2.4%

Week 1 stats: Four receptions, 43 receiving yards, two touchdowns - 20.3 fantasy points

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One thing to know: You won't be able to count on Zach Pascal to score every week, but he's a red-zone target for new quarterback Carson Wentz. Pascal led the Colts in targets among wide receivers with five. Even if he's not in the end zone like he was on Sunday, he could still have value if he continues to grow into a WR1 role that is wide open with T.Y. Hilton out to start the season.

KJ Hamler, WR, Denver Broncos

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 1.8%

Week 1 stats: Three receptions, 41 receiving yards - 7.1 fantasy points

One thing to know: The biggest target KJ Hamler had was the one you don't see in his box score. With the ball at midfield, Hamler streaked wide open down the middle of the field. Hamler dropped it. It was an embarrassing miss, but the speed Hamler showed on the play was an example of why the Broncos see him as such a weapon. Next time, Hamler will come down with that ball, and you might want him on your roster when he does.

Nelson Agholor, WR, New England Patriots

The top 11 waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 of fantasy football
Nelson Agholor. AP Photo/Winslow Townson

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 30%

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Week 1 stats: Five receptions, 72 receiving yards, one touchdown - 18.2 fantasy points

One thing to know: The Patriots have been looking for a steady wide receiver for years, and they may have finally found one in Agholor. Rookie quarterback Mac Jones, who was making the first start, favored Agholor, sending seven targets his way.

Van Jefferson, WR, Los Angeles Rams

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 1.6%

Week 1 stats: Two receptions, 80 receiving yards, one touchdown - 16 fantasy points

One thing to know: There's so much talent in the Rams offense, it may be hard for Van Jefferson to find regular targets. But Jefferson is such a valuable deep threat that sending a few balls his way per game might be too tempting for Sean McVay to resist. Given Matthew Stafford's ability with the long ball, Jefferson is a good candidate as a proverbial "feast-or-famine" fantasy receiver.

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Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 1.3%

Week 1 stats: Three receptions, 21 receiving yards, two touchdowns - 17.1 fantasy points

One thing to know: Johnson is not going to score two touchdowns every game, but he's a red-zone target for the Saints offense, and the Saints are going to score a lot of points this year.

Streaming defense: Arizona Cardinals

The top 11 waiver-wire pickups for Week 2 of fantasy football
Chandler Jones. AP Photo/Mark Zaleski

ESPN fantasy % rostered: 5.1%

Week 1 stats: One interception, two fumble recoveries, six sacks, 13 points against - 17 fantasy points

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One thing to know: No defense scored more fantasy points on Sunday than Arizona, and they are available to be picked up in nearly every ESPN league. Next week they play at home against a visiting Vikings team.

And in case you need a QB...

Ideally, you won't need a new quarterback just one week into the season, especially given there haven't been any big positions at the position yet this year. But if you're getting a little antsy, you have some options.

Jameis Winston (26.2% rostered) threw five touchdowns for the Saints in the first game of the post-Drew Brees era. While he only completed 14 passes for 148 yards, there's little doubt that the yards will come for the 2019 passing leader.

Also, if you have an extra spot on your bench, it might be time to stash one of the two currently benched rookie quarterbacks in the league. Both Trey Lance (30.6% rostered) and Justin Fields (49.5% rostered) got limited snaps with the 49ers and Bears, respectively, both scoring for their team after being featured at QB in goal-line sets.

When they eventually usurp the starters, both Lance and Fields should be solid fantasy contributors for the rest of the season.

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