The fantasy football waiver wire is always full of surprises, especially early in the season when hidden gems begin to surface. Every week brings new opportunities to add depth, stash upside, and potentially land a breakout player before the rest of the league catches on. What looks like a small role today can quickly evolve into fantasy relevance tomorrow. The question is whether now is the right time to make your move.
Should Calvin Austin III Be a Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Add in Week 2?
Rostered: 2%
Austin caught four passes for 70 yards in Pittsburgh’s victory. The diminutive receiver provides big-play ability with his 4.30 speed and should continue seeing targets in Pittsburgh’s revamped passing attack. His efficiency on limited targets suggests room for growth with increased opportunity.
Calvin Austin pic.twitter.com/eouXRtfB9E
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 4, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ trade for DK Metcalf created questions about Austin’s role, but he maintained involvement in three-receiver sets. His slot usage provides consistent target opportunities, though the team’s run-first philosophy limits overall passing volume. Austin’s production will likely remain touchdown-dependent, but his speed creates weekly big-play potential that could make him a valuable bench stash in deeper leagues.
Aggressiveness Rating: 0.0
Waiver Wire Watch: Austin’s Speed Creates Fantasy Football Upside
In the ever-changing landscape of fantasy football, it’s important to separate short-term noise from long-term value. Austin isn’t a must-start option right now, but his involvement in Pittsburgh’s offense suggests he’s more than just a gadget player. His speed alone makes him a threat to score anytime he touches the ball, and with defenses focused on bigger names, he could continue to carve out a steady role.
READ MORE: Fantasy Waiver Wire Targets Week 2: Top Players to Add
The addition of Metcalf might cap his ceiling, but it also creates favorable matchups where Austin can take advantage of coverage mismatches. Fantasy managers searching for upside should view him as a low-cost investment who could pay off down the line, especially in deeper leagues or formats that reward big plays.
If your roster has room, stashing Austin now could save you from fighting for him later if his role grows. While he may never become a consistent WR2 or weekly starter, he offers enough spark to be worth monitoring as the season progresses. In Week 2 and beyond, managers willing to play the long game may find Austin to be one of the sneaky waiver adds that shifts matchups when it matters most.
