Following NFL Week 1, fantasy football managers are scrambling to make their latest waiver wire pickups. These additions can truly win a league, so don’t fret if you dropped a goose egg to begin the 2026 season.
But which players stand out as difference makers for this week’s top waiver wire pickups in fantasy football? Below, we’ll highlight waiver wire targets for Week 2, featuring each player’s upcoming matchup and player projections on PrizePicks.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2
Week 1 always answers a load of questions surrounding workload and usage rates. We learned plenty over the weekend, including the Dolphins’ top wide receivers, the 49ers’ backfield split, and more for PPR fantasy football leagues.
For each waiver wire target, we’ll highlight their Week 2 matchup and projections on PrizePicks, followed by their fantasy football roster percentage, per Yahoo Sports.
Top Quarterback Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2
Saints QB Tyler Shough
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Ravens
Week 2 Projections via PrizePicks: 242.5 Pass Yards, 19.5 Rush Yards
Roster Percentage: 41%
Saints QB Tyler Shough was a sleeper headed into the 2026 season, and he proved his worth in New Orleans’ furious comeback vs. the Lions.
After a rough start with three turnovers and a 21-0 deficit, Shough finished with 410 passing yards, 3 passing TDs, and 25.2 fantasy points (QB6) in the 31-30 overtime loss in Detroit. Shough’s 2 INTs and 1 fumble meant a -6 hit to his fantasy total, yet he still finished as QB6 in Week 1.
The Saints had 56 passing attempts compared to 25 rushing attempts, but much of this was likely due to a negative game script. In the 2025 season, head coach Kellen Moore featured a healthy 59.5% pass-play rate (fifth-highest).
Furthermore, WR Chris Olave was excellent with 10 receptions for 182 yards in Week 1, and this offense may return WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring), who was the #8 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, in the next few weeks off injured reserve.
After the Saints totaled 30 points in Week 1, Shough is a strong add, leading an offense that could make a leap in the 2026 campaign.
Make Tyler Shough picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 2.
Dolphins QB Malik Willis
Week 2 Matchup: vs. 49ers
Week 2 Projections via PrizePicks: 185.5 Pass Yards, 39.5 Rush Yards
Roster Percentage: 40%
The Dolphins posted only 259 total yards in a 27-13 loss vs. the Raiders to open the season. However, QB Malik Willis still showcased a path to fantasy value, generating 17.7 fantasy points (QB13) thanks to 220 passing yards, 39 rushing yards, and 1 rushing TD.
Turnovers could be an issue, though, as Willis posted 1 INT and was fortunate Miami recovered his fumble. If Willis lost the fumble, that would have been a -4 point hit to his total — which was already teetering on the edge of value.
Week 2 brings a tough matchup against the 49ers, who dominated the Rams in a 27-7 win on Thursday night. Considering the Fins are a 12.5-point underdog on PrizePicks, another negative game script may be ahead. That could be the theme for Miami going forward, consistently providing Willis with high volume.
While this wide receiving corps didn’t provide much hope entering 2026, rookie WR Caleb Douglas racked up 94 receiving yards and a strong 2.94 yards per route run, per Sumer Sports.
If his targets can produce, paired with rushing upside, Willis could be a nice depth piece for your fantasy football roster.
Predict More or Less for Malik Willis’ passing yards on PrizePicks.
Other Week 2 QB Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
- Panthers QB Bryce Young (vs. Falcons): 14% roster percentage
- Vikings QB Carson Wentz (vs. Bears): 0% roster percentage
- Seahawks QB Drew Lock (vs. Cardinals): 0% roster percentage
Top Running Back Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2
49ers RB Kaelon Black
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Dolphins
Roster Percentage: 26%
There were whispers of the 49ers decreasing RB Christian McCaffrey’s workload in 2026, and Week 1 showed just that with CMC taking 36 snaps while rookie RB Kaelon Black registered 28 snaps.
Black was the most-used tailback on the ground, tallying 14 carries to McCaffrey’s 10. As expected, CMC dominated the receiving workload by posting 8 targets and 5 receptions vs. Black’s 1 target and 1 catch.
The rookie’s 8.0 fantasy points and RB35 finish are nothing to write home about, but his volume in the run game is something to keep an eye on.
Lock in Kaelon Black picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 2.
Jaguars RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Broncos
Roster Percentage: 60%
Similar to Kaelon Black, Chris Rodriguez Jr. didn’t produce much with 2.3 fantasy points (RB61) to open 2026. However, his potential role in the red zone could be worth a roster spot.
Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten tallied 28 snaps, barely ahead of Rodriguez’s 23-snap total. Tutan took 15 rushing attempts compared to Rodriguez’s 6, but Pro Football Reference credited Rodriguez with 100.0% of the Jaguars’ red zone carries.
This is in line with August reports of Rodriguez expected to take red zone and goal line touches. Considering the Jaguars logged 34 points, 0.310 EPA per play (third), and a 59.3% success rate (first) in Week 1, via RBSDM, red zone touches should be like gold on this offense.
Make Chris Rodriguez Jr. picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 2.
Other Week 2 RB Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
- Chargers RB Keaton Mitchell (vs. Raiders): 40% roster percentage
- Cardinals RB Tyler Allgeier (vs. Seahawks): 51% roster percentage
- Saints RB Kendre Miller (vs. Ravens): 1% roster percentage
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Top Wide Receiver Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2
Dolphins WR Caleb Douglas
Week 2 Matchup: vs. 49ers
Week 2 Projections via PrizePicks: 37.5 Receiving Yards
Roster Percentage: 12%
As mentioned, QB Malik Willis may have found his favorite target in rookie Caleb Douglas. He tallied 50 snaps and 7 targets (second-most on team).
Furthermore, Douglas displayed his ability to generate big plays with 18.8 yards per catch and a 30-yard reception in Week 1. Fins WR Malik Washington should also be on your radar considering his team-high 8 targets and 54 snaps on Sunday.
Douglas’ 5 catches for 94 receiving yards led to 14.4 fantasy points (WR22), which would have meant a quality start for most fantasy teams — especially in deeper leagues.
Miami is setting up to feature a high pass volume team due to large deficits. As double-digit underdogs vs. the 49ers for Week 2, Douglas may have plenty of routes and targets coming his way.
Make Caleb Douglas picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 2
Browns WR Denzel Boston
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Buccaneers
Week 2 Projections via PrizePicks: 30.5 Receiving Yards
Roster Percentage: 28%
Another rookie wide receiver makes the list. Similar to Douglas, Denzel Boston isn’t on the most exciting team in the world. In fact, the Browns are likely in an even worse situation considering QB Deshaun Watson’s -0.027 adjusted EPA per play (23rd) in Week 1.
Boston logged 4 targets, 2 receptions, 59 receiving yards, and 1 TD in his NFL debut. That generated 13.9 fantasy points (WR24).
Boston finished with 47 snaps compared to fellow rookie WR KC Concepcion’s 35 snaps and 4 targets. Further, Concepcion had a 7.0 average depth of target (aDOT), paling in comparison to Boston’s absurd 29.0 aDOT, per Pro Football Focus.
If Boston is dominating the downfield work with a higher snap share than Concepcion, he could become our best option for exposure to the Browns’ passing offense in 2026. Cleveland is another team that will likely fall in plenty of negative game scripts, including Week 2’s 8.5-point spread vs. the Buccaneers, per PrizePicks.
Lock in Denzel Boston picks on PrizePicks for NFL Week 2.
Other Week 2 WR Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
- Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks (vs. Titans): 16% roster percentage
- Saints WR Devaughn Vele (vs. Ravens): 7% roster percentage
- Jets WR Adonai Mitchell (vs. Packers): 16% roster percentage
- Commanders WR Antonio Williams (vs. Cowboys): 2% roster percentage
- Dolphins WR Malik Washington (vs. 49ers): 14% roster percentage
Top Tight End Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2
Jaguars TE Brenton Strange
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Packers
Roster Percentage: 31%
If there’s a way to find exposure to the Jaguars offense, take it.
QB Trevor Lawrence racked up 0.716 adjusted EPA per play (second) with a ridiculous 22.3 completion percentage over expectation (first) in Week 1. He wasn’t throwing constant checkdowns either, featuring a flashy 11.5 aDOT.
Brenton Strange could be the best option for finding a widely available Jacksonville target on the waiver wire, as he registered 3 targets, 2 receptions, 23 receiving yards, 1 TD, and 10.3 fantasy points (TE14) in Week 1.
Keep in mind Strange had a solid 15.8% target share and a 15.4% red zone target share in the 2025 season, per PlayerProfiler. If his red zone work keeps up, similar to what we saw in Week 1, Strange could maintain fantasy football roster spots for most of the upcoming season.
Predict Brenton Strange stats on PrizePicks for NFL Week 2.
Other Week 2 TE Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
- Raiders TE Michael Mayer (vs. Chargers): 26% roster percentage
- Commanders TE Chig Okonkwo (vs. Cowboys): 34% roster percentage
- Bengals TE Mike Gesicki (vs. Texans): 2% roster percentage
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Top Defense (D/ST) Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2
Buccaneers Defense
Week 2 Matchup: vs. Browns
Week 2 Total via PrizePicks: Browns vs. Buccaneers Over/Under – 41.5
Roster Percentage: 6% roster percentage
Week 1’s 33-27 loss vs. the Cincinnati Bengals initially looks like a poor performance from the Buccaneers’ defense. However, the unit provided 9.0 fantasy points (D/ST10), in large part thanks to a pick-six.
Tampa Bay was put in several bad spots thanks to the offense logging 4 turnovers. Considering the constant short fields, the Bucs’ defense held well by giving up a touchdown on only 2 of the Bengals’ 5 red zone opportunities.
Week 2’s battle with the Browns should be a much more favorable matchup. Cleveland posted -0.206 EPA per play (26th), and most importantly, the unit had 2 turnovers while allowing 5 sacks vs. the Jaguars.
Make your Browns vs. Buccaneers picks on PrizePicks!
Other Week 2 D/ST Waiver Wire Pickups to Target
- Chiefs D/ST (vs. Colts): 13% roster percentage
- Bengals D/ST (vs. Texans): 4% roster percentage
- Panthers D/ST (vs. Falcons): 1% roster percentage
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Miami’s passing game leads the way for this week’s waiver wire, featuring QB Malik Willis, WR Caleb Douglas, and WR Malik Washington. Plus, RB Kaelon Black and RB Chris Rodriguez Jr. are drawing attention following Week 1’s workload.
Don’t wait until kickoff — make your NFL Week 2 picks on PrizePIcks now! You can make picks on the winner, spread, and over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks, now available in 36 states. With PrizePicks, just pick players and predict More or Less on their stats!
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