The waiver wire separates championship teams from also-rans in fantasy football. While draft day gets the headlines, smart managers know that weekly pickups often determine final standings. Week 2 performances reveal which players are legitimate breakouts versus one-game wonders. Success hinges on identifying emerging talent before competitors recognize the opportunity.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Rostered: 44%
Juwan Johnson hauled in five catches on nine targets for 49 yards and a really impressive touchdown in the New Orleans Saints’ Week 2 battle with San Francisco. The converted wide receiver capped his performance with a tough touchdown grab from Spencer Rattler that showcased his red zone ability and reliable hands. One week could be a fluke, but two weeks is a trend, and Johnson’s role in Kellen Moore’s offense is clearly real.
Juwan Johnson snags it for a @Saints TD!
SFvsNO on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/Q52t7zCdXk
— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025
He continues to be a key part of the offense, building on his 8-catch, 76-yard performance from Week 1 against Arizona. With both Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill on the PUP list, Johnson has emerged as the unquestioned top tight end option for the Saints. Moore has a proven track record of producing fantasy-relevant tight ends, including Jason Witten (TE12 in 2019) and Dalton Schultz (TE3 in 2021, TE11 in 2022).
We’ve seen enough through two weeks to confidently say Johnson is a top-12 tight end moving forward and needs to be universally rostered. The Saints’ three-year, $30.8 million investment in Johnson signals their long-term commitment to featuring him prominently. His 20 targets through two games demonstrate consistent usage that should continue as long as the key injury absences persist.
Aggressiveness Rating: 7.5
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
Rostered: 43%
Harold Fannin Jr. caught a team-high five passes for 48 yards in the Cleveland Browns’ blowout loss to Baltimore, posting his second consecutive useful fantasy performance. The rookie third-round pick is not supplanting David Njoku but is playing alongside him in Cleveland’s heavy two-tight end sets. The Browns are drawing up plays for Fannin, and the rookie is delivering, building on his impressive seven-catch, 63-yard debut against Cincinnati.
Through two weeks, Fannin has commanded 14 targets and caught 12 passes for 111 yards, establishing himself as a reliable red zone and intermediate target for Joe Flacco. Cleveland utilized two tight end sets on 50.7% of their offensive plays in Week 1, the second-highest rate in the NFL, creating consistent opportunities for both Fannin and Njoku to contribute. His 20% target share in his debut showcased the trust the coaching staff has in the Bowling Green product.
At this point, fantasy managers can feel reasonably confident inserting Fannin into lineups as a streaming option. He’s not quite a top-12 tight end yet, but he’s emerged as a high-end TE2, which is good enough for tight-end-needy managers. His route-running ability and reliable hands make him particularly valuable in PPR formats where his target volume provides a solid floor.
Aggressiveness Rating: 4.0
