Fantasy Football Waiver Wire, Week 2: If You Took Kenny Golladay, Take Some Time to Celebrate
Week 1 featured several rookies making big impacts. You had big names like Leonard Fournette hitting the ground running, and Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt lighting the world on fire. Included among those is Kenny Golladay, the Lions’ 3rd round pick, who had two touchdown catches including a beautiful diving effort on a long 45-yard bomb in the 4th quarter.
I missed on Golladay because I thought he would still be behind veteran Marvin Jones when the season began, but if week 1 is an indication, then Golladay is the other receiver to have in Detroit. Golladay had 7 targets (2nd to Golden Tate) while Jones was targeted just twice. Given his size, I expect Golladay to emerge as a red zone threat and be a viable top 40 WR on a weekly basis. Golladay is owned in only 37% of CBS leagues entering the week but that should change.
Here are the rest of the Fantasy Football Week 1 Waiver Wire recommendations. As always, I’ll be listing my recommendations based on all players owned in less than 70% of leagues, and mixing in a variety of ownership levels to account for differing league types.
QUARTERBACKS
Shallow and Average Leagues
Sam Bradford (52%) exploded against the Saints behind a brand new offensive line featuring five new starters, as well as a rookie running back in Dalvin Cook. While it’s hard to beat the matchup against the Saints, the week 1 performance showed that Bradford is a viable fantasy play this year and should be added.
Alex Smith (36%) stepped up to the challenge with rookie Patrick Mahomes pushing him, and with Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and now the next great KC running back in Kareem Hunt, he has some weapons. He’s a viable starter on matchup, though the matchup against the Eagles should be tougher in week 2.
Deep Leagues and 2-QB Leagues
Deshone Kizer (19%) provides rushing value and should be solidly established as the Browns starter barring injury. The matchup against the Ravens is not ideal but he’s a good QB2 option if desperate.
Trevor Siemian (18%) also has the Denver job solidified and is a low-end QB2 start in week 2 against Dallas.
RUNNING BACKS
Shallow and Average Leagues:
Kerwynn Williams (11%) becomes Mr. Right Now in Arizona. One thing you need to have fantasy value is opportunity and Williams will get the first crack with David Johnson out for 2-3 months. We don’t know how he will be used relative to change-of-pace Andre Ellington and recently re-signed Chris Johnson, but the guess here is that he is the primary back and generally in the 20-25 range (so worth starting) at RB depending on matchup. He put up decent numbers at the end of 2014, before David Johnson arrived.
Tarik Cohen (30%) showcased versatility and explosiveness, and with the lack of wide receivers, he will be a flex option and valuable as both a 2nd RB and receiving threat in Chicago. He can be the next Darren Sproles and we’ve seen plenty of years where Sproles put up solid fantasy finishes.
