Fantasy: Waiver Wire - Week 2

Every Monday during the season, theScore's Justin Boone runs down the recommended waiver wire pickups.

Ownership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues. FAAB bids are set off a $100 budget. Only players owned in less than 60 percent of leagues are considered.

Quarterbacks

Josh Allen, Bills

It may seem insane for me to be recommending a quarterback who turned the ball over four times in Week 1 and might have had more if defenders held on to a couple of other errant passes. However, Allen delivered in the fourth quarter with the game on the line and his rushing stats helped him finish with 16 fantasy points. Starting Allen will be a roller-coaster ride, but if he continues to use his legs, his fantasy floor remains high and his ceiling is week-winning. The Giants should also offer an easier matchup after they were decimated by Dak Prescott for 405 passing yards and four touchdowns.

Sam Darnold, Jets

The streaming options at quarterback aren't overly exciting this week, but like Allen, Darnold is a one-game pickup who could turn into a full-time fantasy starter. Fortunately, he won't have to face the Bills' smothering pass defense every Sunday, though he acquitted himself well by not turning the ball over and nearly leading the Jets to a win. His next opponent - the Browns - are licking their wounds after allowing perennial underachiever Marcus Mariota to throw three touchdowns against them in Week 1.

Other options: Jimmy Garoppolo at CIN (55% owned), Matthew Stafford vs. LAC (26% owned), Marcus Mariota vs. IND (7% owned)

Running backs

Malcolm Brown, Rams

Few players saw their fantasy stock rise more in the opener than Brown, who was given just four fewer touches than Todd Gurley. Brown also handled the majority of the red-zone work - scoring twice. Gurley didn't see a single snap when the Rams were inside the 5-yard line, and though his supporters will argue he essentially doubled Brown in playing time and yardage, we know opportunity is the more sticky stat to follow. Concerns over Gurley's arthritic knee persist, and the Rams' actions indicate they're worried as well. The first game of the season proved Brown is more than just the clear handcuff, making him a must-add as a weekly flex option with league-winning upside.

Chris Thompson/Adrian Peterson, Redskins

After missing his rookie season due to a torn ACL, Derrius Guice finally made his NFL debut but underwhelmed with 38 yards on 13 touches. On Monday, he had an MRI on his other knee and is now expected to miss time once again. Peterson will handle lead back duties, but with Washington projected to be trailing more often than not, Thompson is the more valuable add in PPR formats. The passing-down specialist had seven catches for 68 yards and three carries for 10 yards in Week 1.

Ronald Jones, Buccaneers

Despite some early-game struggles, Jones was by far the most effective member of the Bucs' backfield, collecting 75 rushing yards and one catch for 18 yards. In the second half, Jones actually looked the part of an NFL back for the first time since being drafted, generating hope that the light may have turned on for him at the start of his sophomore campaign. He's worth adding to your bench to see if this becomes more than just a one-week aberration.

Raheem Mostert, 49ers

Tevin Coleman suffered a high ankle sprain in the opener and has already been ruled out for Week 2. Matt Breida is the obvious beneficiary, but Mostert will step into the productive sidekick role in Kyle Shanahan's rushing attack. Mostert turned nine carries into 40 yards Sunday and had a touchdown nullified by a holding call. With Coleman out, Breida is an RB2 and Mostert a flex play with upside.

Giovani Bernard, Bengals

Joe Mixon appears to have avoided a serious ankle injury and has a shot to suit up in Week 2. If he's sidelined, Bernard would assume a workhorse role, which is exactly what happened when Mixon exited against the Seahawks on the weekend. As a starter, Bernard would be in the low-end RB2 mix.

Other options: Alexander Mattison at GB (21% owned), Carlos Hyde vs. JAX (31% owned), Justin Jackson at DET (42% owned), Justice Hill vs. ARI (32% owned), Ito Smith vs. PHI (21% owned), Jaylen Samuels at NE (41% owned), Rex Burkhead at MIA (5% owned), Ryquell Armstead at HOU (2% owned)

Wide receivers

Marquise Brown, Ravens

Brown flew under the radar in the preseason as the Ravens eased him back after Lisfranc surgery. Still learning the offense, Brown was limited to 12 snaps in his debut, which he maximized for 147 yards and two scores, including touchdowns of 47 and 83 yards. Baltimore is improving through the air, but its offense is run-first, which will make the rookie a more volatile fantasy weapon. Think DeSean Jackson, who has his share of monster games mixed with a fairly low floor when the deep ball doesn't hit. Regardless, Brown is in the WR3 conversation for Week 2 and needs to be owned in all leagues.

John Brown, Bills

Brown occupied this same spot last week and yet he continues to be available in over half of leagues. Maybe his 7-123-1 stat line from Week 1 will help correct that. The 178-pound speedster is already a fan favorite in Buffalo after hauling in a 38-yard game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter on his Bills debut. The 10 targets are equally notable and a great sign of things to come. He's firmly in the WR3 ranks moving forward.

DK Metcalf, Seahawks

Several rookies are enticing fantasy owners as potential breakout candidates on the waiver wire this week. Metcalf backed up the hype by catching four balls for 89 yards and surprisingly leading the Seahawks' receiving corps in targets Sunday. His route tree might not be expansive, but it doesn't matter - his size and speed will allow him to thrive downfield.

Terry McLaurin, Redskins

Rising snap counts for talented rookies can often foreshadow breakouts. So, while someone like A.J. Brown managed 100 yards on three receptions, it's notable that he only saw the field on 42.6% of the Titans' offensive plays. Compare that to Terry McLaurin who was a near full-time player at 92.5% in Washington. McLaurin racked up 125 yards and a touchdown on five grabs and has the makings of a boom-or-bust WR4 in his first season. Even when Dwayne Haskins eventually takes over at quarterback, the pair have a connection from their time together at Ohio State.

MeCole Hardman, Chiefs

Tyreek Hill reportedly avoided surgery and will only miss a few weeks with his collarbone injury. That puts a slight damper on Hardman's fantasy value, though he'll be a potential flex player in deeper leagues during that time.

Jamison Crowder, Jets

Normally, my recommendation is to shy away from volume-dependent slot receivers. However, Crowder makes me want to break that trend after he saw 17 targets in the opener. He also became the first wideout with 14 catches who was unable to crack the 100-yard barrier, meaning his depth of target is likely to remain extremely low. Those who speculated Crowder could eclipse 100 receptions in 2019 are feeling pretty good after Week 1, especially if they're rostering him on their PPR teams.

Other options: John Ross vs. SF (9% owned), AJ Brown vs. IND (3% owned), DJ Chark at HOU (2% owned), Chris Conley at HOU (1% owned), James Washington vs. SEA (36% owned), Travis Benjamin at DET (0% owned), Parris Campbell at TEN (6% owned), Preston Williams vs. NE (2% owned), Cody Latimer vs. BUF (0% owned)

Tight ends

T.J. Hockenson, Lions

Hockenson headlined this section last week only to go out and set the rookie record for yards by a tight end in their debut. He finished with six catches, 131 yards, and a touchdown while leading the team in receiving and tying for second with nine targets. The matchup, the game script, and overtime all helped him reach those marks, but if you don't think Hockenson has a chance to break the mold as a rookie fantasy starter at tight end, you clearly weren't watching.

Darren Waller, Raiders

Waller was an intriguing option when Antonio Brown was on the Raiders. With AB gone and Jon Gruden stating their offense runs through the tight end position, Waller could emerge as a low-end TE1 if he's up to the challenge.

Other options: Jimmy Graham vs. MIN (48% owned), Trey Burton at DEN (57% owned), Chris Herndon - returns from suspension Week 6 (14% owned), Tyler Eifert vs. SF (9% owned), Vernon Davis vs. DAL (2% owned)