Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 2: Malcolm Brown sits at top

With Week 1 of fantasy football in the books, it’s now time to look ahead. More specifically, we need to take a look at the fantasy football waiver wire pickups list for Week 2. We know that championships can be won on the waiver wire, but it’s about picking the right people at the right time. I’ll help you do just that with my Week 2 fantasy waiver wire recommendations below.

Waiver Wire Week 2 Pickups: Quarterbacks

Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

Rivers is working with a talented wide receiver group and will need to pass the ball against the Vikings to win, especially with Marlon Mack out with a torn Achilles injury.

Gardner Minshew, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Tennessee Titans)

I’m the president of the Minshew Fan Club, so this fantasy waiver wire pickup suggestion makes me very happy. No bells or whistles when it comes to Minshew, just a good old fashion hard nose baller who went 19 for 20 and three touchdowns in Week 1.

Other quarterbacks to consider in Week 2

• Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (at New York Jets)
• Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears (at New York Giants)
• Teddy Bridgewater, Carolina Panthers (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Waiver Wire Week 2 Pickups: Running Backs

Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams (at Philadelphia Eagles)

Sunday night, I tweeted, “Sean McVay must have drafted Brown on his fantasy team” and was kinda not kidding. All the hype around Cam Akers this season led to a huge let down in Week 1. Brown rushed 18 times for 79 yards and two touchdowns, as well as three receptions for 31 receiving yards. Brown will be at the very top of my fantasy football waiver wire pickup list.

James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars (at Tennessee Titans)

In Week 1, Robinson ran the ball 16 times for 62 rushing yards. He seems to be the featured back at the moment, so ride him while he’s hot!

Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

Hines and Jonathan Taylor will now share the load in the Colts backfield with Marlon Mack out with an Achilles injury. Hines played 11 more offensive snaps than Taylor and was utilized more in the red zone and goal line. Rivers and Hines had good chemistry in Week 1 and hopefully, that continues against the Vikings.

Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Kansas City Chiefs)

Justin Jackson was injured Sunday, which opened the door for Kelley, and he ran right through it for 60 yards and a touchdown. Kelley also averaged over four yards per carry after contact. This was not pleasing to those who drafted Austin Ekeler in the second round, no doubt!

Other running backs to consider in Week 2

• Adrian Peterson, Detroit Lions (at Green Bay Packers)
• Peyton Barber, Washington Football Team (at Arizona Cardinals)

Other running backs to consider in Week 2 due to injury

• Frank Gore, New York Jets (vs. San Francisco 49ers) for Le’Veon Bell (hamstring)
• Benny Snell, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Denver Broncos) for James Conner (ankle)

Waiver Wire Week 2 Pickups: Wide Receivers and Tight Ends

Parris Campbell, WR, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

How is Campbell still available in over 70% of most leagues? I targeted him in late rounds of my fantasy football drafts and for good reason. He is off to a great start this season, with 9 targets and 6 receptions for 79 yards. I expect Rivers to continue to look his way on Sunday against the Vikings.

Anthony Miller, WR, Chicago Bears (vs. New York Giants)

I’d like to see Miller play more offensive possessions moving forward, and considering he had the game-winning touchdown, maybe that will be the case. With that being said, Miller posted the most receiving yards with 76 and faces one of the worst secondaries in the NFL in Week 2.

Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons (at Dallas Cowboys)

Gage had 12 targets on Sunday, posting 9 catches for 114 yards, obviously picking up where he left off in 2019. The Falcons offense is going to be explosive and Gage will be a huge factor this season.

Robby Anderson, WR, Carolina Panthers (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Carolina Panthers Head Coach, Matt Rhule, and Anderson have a history – Rhule coached Anderson in college. So, it’s not a surprise that Robby got off to a hot start in Week 1, with 8 targets, 6 receptions for 115 yards, and a score. I’m expecting a lot more of that, especially in Week 2 against a Bucs defense that is vulnerable against the pass.

Other wide receivers to consider in Week 2

• Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
• Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers (vs. Dallas Cowboys)
• Scotty Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers)
• Laviska Shenault Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at Tennessee Titans)

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Los Angeles Rams)

The Philadelphia Eagles have a ton of injuries and it’s only Week 2. One thing is evident – Doug Pederson will be utilizing both tight ends a lot this season, if they can stay healthy. Goedert caught eight of nine targets for over 100 yards and found the end zone. Younger and healthier than Zack Ertz, #RunDontWalk to pick him up!

Jonnu Smith, TE, Tennessee Titans (at Jacksonville Jaguars)

I had Smith as a late-round draft pick with a ton of upside, and he did not disappoint on Monday night. Tannehill looked his way seven times, and he went four for 36 yards with a score. Smith has a favorable matchup in Week 2 against the Jaguars and should be considered for your fantasy football waiver wire pickup list.

Tight ends to consider in Week 2 due to injury

Jordan Reed, San Francisco 49ers (at New York Jets) for George Kittle (leg)

Which defense should I stream in Week 2?

Los Angeles Rams (at Philadelphia Eagles)

Looking for defense on your fantasy football waiver wire pickup list? The Eagles began the season with a plethora of injuries and lost another five starters DURING their game against Washington. Carson Wentz is playing without any protection and is forcing throws, which results in turnovers. The Rams defense has a juicy matchup in Week 2.

Anita Marks is the Chief Fantasy Analyst at Pro Football Network. Marks is also a gambling analyst for ESPN and appears on Daily Wager, which airs from 6-7 PM ET on ESPN 2. Her radio show – Weekend Wager – airs on ESPN New York (98.7) FM every Friday at 10 PM ET. Follow her on Twitter: @AnitaMarks.