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What’s up party people?! Week 1 has come and gone, and many of you fine folks will be looking to fill holes on your bench and in your starting lineup. Those of us who lost Keenan Allen (such a huge blow for such a young, talented receiver) are desperate for some help at the WR position, that’s where I come in.
Below you will find some deeper waiver wire grabs heading into Week 2. If you are forced to pick between two players, find me on twitter @Ben_Ruppert_21, and I will be more than happy to help you out. Now, let’s get rolling.
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Week 2 Waiver Wire - Wide Receivers (WR)
Check out my entries from Week 1 as well. If players like Will Fuller, Tajae Sharpe, Mohamed Sanu or Phillip Dorsett are still out there, PICK THEM UP FIRST. Below are deeper options who will likely be available in many leagues.
Brandon LaFell, WR, CIN – 19% owned
A.J. Green caught everything that was thrown his way in dominating fashion, leaving little else to go around for the other receivers. Coming into the season, it was thought that second round pick Tyler Boyd was the receiver that would take on the WR2 spot. After Week 1, it looks like that spot belongs to Brandon LaFell.
This week LaFell caught four passes on four targets, for 91 yards including a nice 49-yard reception. With Green commanding a ton of targets, there won’t be a lot of extra to go around for the other Bengal receivers. However, with a big game coming up against the Steelers next week, LaFell could be in for another solid game like this one.
LaFell has shown inconsistencies throughout his career, but as long as he is the number two option for Andy Dalton he will have some value as a deeper option in fantasy circles. He is only one year removed from a season when he caught 74 passes for 953 yards and seven scores. He has the talent to make plays if given the volume. He is worth an add as long as he can hold off Boyd for the majority of targets behind Green.
Tyrell Williams, WR, SD – 14% owned
The injury to Keenan Allen affects much more than just us fantasy owners. Allen was the target Philip Rivers relied on more than anyone else, and is by far the most talented receiver in this offense. His absence creates a big hole at the WR position, and is likely to be addressed internally.
Travis Benjamin was brought in during the offseason to give Rivers another weapon on the outside, but figures to be mainly a deep threat in the Chargers offense. Benjamin has averaged nearly 15 YPC during his NFL career. Into the picture comes undrafted free agent Tyrell Williams, who has a similar build to Allen at 6’3”, 215 lbs. He showed great speed catching two passes on five targets for 71 yards against the Chiefs, and looked good during the preseason catching seven balls for 83 yards.
If you’re an Allen owner looking to help fill the void, look no further than Williams. He has the potential to shine in a pass-first offense, that is in need of a new top receiving target. He will attempt to follow in the footsteps receivers Malcom Floyd and Vincent Jackson; big bodied, small-school talent turned San Diego stand-out receiver.
Cole Beasley, WR, DAL – 9% owned
Dak Prescott was impressive in his NFL debut, completing 25-of-45 passes for 227 yards, unfortunately without any TDs. He will likely improve on those numbers as he involves top WR Dez Bryant more, who is far and away his best red zone target. In yesterday’s game, he showed the ability to go through multiple reads, and found ways to consistently hit TE Jason Witten and WR Cole Beasley.
Both of those options provided Prescott with a safe, sure-handed option for passes on multiple occasions. Beasley ended the day with 8 receptions on 12 targets for 65 yards. Every season Beasley has been in the league, he has been able to increase his yardage and TD totals. Beasley is a short, shifty receiver with the ability to run precise routes. He is exactly the type of receiver Prescott needs to look towards when he finds himself in troubles, much like what he did all of this week.
Beasley could have had himself an even better day, but had a costly drop near the goal line on the game's opening series, forcing the Cowboys to settle for a field goal. Good thing for Beasley is that even after this, Prescott continued to look his way early and often. He provides much more value in PPR leagues, due to the type of player he is and the amount of short catches he makes. He makes for an interesting add this week as the offense continues to develop with Prescott.
More Options: Jeremy Kerley (3% owned), Eli Rogers (8% owned), Mike Wallace (35% owned), Victor Cruz (19% owned), Chris Hogan (31% owned)
Other Wide Receivers To Consider Adding
Quincy Enunwa, WR, NYJ - 2% owned
Quincy Enunwa was targeted eight times on Sunday, catching seven passes for 54 yards and a TD. He led the team in receptions, and was second in receiving yards to Matt Forte. Enunwa was surprisingly targeted more than Eric Decker and as much as Brandon Marshall, a theme which doesn’t figure to continue as the season rolls on. However, at 6’2” and 225 lbs., he provides Ryan Fitzpatrick with another big bodied option in a pass-first offense who has the potential for games like this one moving forward. He is worth a speculative add at the very least.
Nelson Agholor, WR, PHI - 4% owned
Nelson Agholor had about as rough of a rookie season as you can have. The first round pick in 2015 caught only 23 passes on 44 targets for 283 yards and a score. He also had four recorded drops, giving him a 9.1% drop rate, eighth worst in the league. He looked much better to open 2016, catching four passes on five targets for 57 yards and a score. With Zach Ertz dealing with a rib injury, Agholor will be a receiver rookie QB Carson Wentz looks to each week along with Jordan Matthews. Agholor has the talent as a former first round pick, so if he can keep up this level of play he is worth an add.
Terrelle Pryor, WR, CLE - 23% owned
Terrelle Pryor was the most targeted receiver in the Browns offense on Sunday, catching three passes on seven targets for 68 yards. It was his first ever start in the NFL as a WR. His longest reception was 44-yards, where he used his big frame to jump over his defender and secure the ball. Pryor also saw a target in the red zone, but the throw was off-target and he was unable to make the catch. Robert Griffin III was placed on the IR by the Browns after this game with a shoulder injury, meaning next week Josh McCown will lead the way. McCown did well last season with the Browns, and figures to give the passing game overall a nice bump. Pryor and rookie Corey Coleman should both see a bump in production, along with TE Gary Barnidge.
Eddie Royal, WR, CHI - 7 % owned
Eddie Royal was effective during Week 1, catching four passes on six targets for 57 yards and a TD. He operated as the second receiver in the offense behind stud Alshon Jeffery. The Texans defense held TE Zach Miller in check, and second year WR Kevin White made a costly mistake leading to a third quarter interception. White was only targeted once after that happened. While it is likely White pushed Royal for the WR2 spot in the offense at some point this season, he will need to do plenty of work to get to that point. As long as Royal is in this role, he will hold fantasy value with the amount the Bears will need to pass this season.
That’s all for this week folks, hope you get everyone you claim! For all your WR waiver wire questions, read these articles each week and hit me up on twitter @Ben_Ruppert_21. I am more than happy to lend a hand to hungry fantasy owners!
Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
