Happy Tuesday, Mike here, welcome back to my weekly Waiver HUB. Follow me on Twitter (@FantasyHubbard) for all things fantasy football throughout the season.
Week 1 is in the books and week 2 is knocking on the door just a few days away. The Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Minnesota Vikings in Philly. Eagles will look to improve on their lackluster performance in New England and the Vikings are still wondering how they lost to the Bucs. Last year the Eagles destroyed Minnesota in Philly in week 2 by a score of 24-7. Jalen Hurts had 3 total TDs in that game. My prediction for this game is a statement victory for the Eagles by a score of 34-10 including a Hurts score. Keep an eye on Addison for the Vikings, could be a sneaky play here with Darius Slay draped on Justin Jefferson and Bradberry banged up a little.
Fantasy football is underway now so it’s time to make some moves and prepare for fantasy post season greatness. Injuries are inevitable so here’s another chance to hit the waiver wire and get impactful players. Another week gone, another opportunity to make your team stronger and inch your way to that league trophy and an offseason of bragging rights.
Below are my top waiver wire priorities this week. Go get those available players to help your chances at a championship. Good luck this week and remember to check back every week to stay informed on who you could target off of waivers.
TOP PRIORITY OF THE WEEK
Kenneth Gainwell – Philadelphia Eagles
Gainwell was the clear RB1 in Philly this past weekend rushing for 54 yards on 15 carries and catching all 4 of his targets for 20 receiving yards. Hurts rushed 9 times himself, but no other player had more than 1 carry. Both Boston Scott and D’Andre Swift each had 1 carry and Rashaad Penny was a healthy scratch week 1. Be wary and keep an eye on him because he plays Thursday this week, and the word is his ribs are hurting. If he is a full go, I would scoop him up and even if he sits out this week, he is the most promising of the Eagles RBs so far.
Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy – San Francisco 49ers
Purdy had a solid outing for the 49ers on Sunday where he threw for 220 yards and 2 TDs. He also gained 20 yards rushing. He didn’t have to do much to charge over the lost looking Steelers. Purdy distributed to 4 pass catchers: Aiyuk, Deebo, Kittle and CMC. All of them had at least 5 targets but it was Brandon Aiyuk that stood out in this one. Purdy connected with him 8 times for 129 yards and a score. The chemistry is undeniable between them, and Purdy has weapons all around. Purdy now has more rushing yards than he did all last season. 49ers get the Rams next who are coming off an upset win in Seattle. Purdy is a good fantasy backup QB with upside and a decent starter for those in 2 QB leagues or just want some depth.
Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers
The Packers were dogs in this game but still won by 18 points over the Bears in Chicago. No Rodgers, no problem. Love threw for 245 yards and connected for 3 passing TDs including 2 to Doubs. Love also scrambled for 12 yards. His 3 passing TDs are tied for most this week with Mac Jones and Tua Tagovailoa. Jordan did not have a turnover and looks comfortable in his QB1 role. He takes on the Falcons next in Atlanta who kept rookie Bryce Young pretty quiet in week 1. Love should be able to get to 2-0 and keep those passing TDs up, especially with Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon catching out of the backfield.
Running Backs
Gus Edwards – Baltimore Ravens
Tell me if you’ve heard this one before, JK Dobbins injured and out for the season. I know, shocker. But a speedy recovery to him and more opportunity for Gus Edwards. Gus should be top of the depth chart in week 2 with Justice Hall right behind him after Hall scored twice in week 1. Both RBs had 8 carries but Hills were minimal yards and at the goal line. Both are interesting options moving forward because we know they have Lamar Jackson, but they still love to run regardless. Edwards and the Ravens get the Bengals next in Cinci. The Bengals just allowed Deshaun Watson to score a rushing TD and allowed Chubb to hit the century mark in rushing yards. Cinci allowed over 200 total rushing yards in week 1 but be aware they aren’t going to be like that for long.
Joshua Kelly – LA Chargers
Joshua Kelly turned it up in the Chargers season opener in a close loss to the Dolphins. Kelly matched Ekeler both getting 16 carries. Kelly turned his opportunities into 91 rushing yards, and he scored a rushing TD. Current news is that Ekeler is dealing with an ankle injury that is making his availability for next game to be determined. Kelly is a great player to add in the event Ekeler misses time. Kelly and Ekeler could be the next great RB combo. Kelly and the Chargers get the Titans next who kept the Saints in check holding them to a team total of 69 rushing yards and no scores.
Kenneth Gainwell – Philadelphia Eagles
SEE TOP PRIORITY OF THE WEEK – TOP OF PAGE
Wide Receivers
Puka Nacua – LA Rams
Puka is not the name I was expecting to be in this position even after the Kupp IR news. The 5th round pick out of BYU received 15 targets! He caught 10 of them for 119 yards doing his best Cooper impression. Nacua tied Tyreek Hill for most targets in week 1 so maybe Stafford is going to be consistent with him. Now if Matt Stafford can continue to throw 300+ yards each game Puka should be in good shape as I don’t think all their TDs will be rushing like in week 1. Rams get the 49ers next in LA which would be a shock if the Rams could create some chaos.
Zay Jones – Jacksonville Jaguars
Zay Jones looked like a reliable pass catcher on Sunday linking with Trevor Lawrence 5 times for 55 receiving yards and a TD. Calvin Ridley was for sure the go to WR racking up double digit targets, but Jones snuck in there as a solid next option. Christian Kirk only caught 1 of his 3 targets for 9 yards so Zay could be in line for more work. Jags offense is good and Lawrence to Jones is something we might be hearing all year.
Rashid Shaheed – New Orleans Saints
Shaheed was 2nd on the team this week in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. He finished with 5 catches for 89 yards and a TD. Only Olave had more receiving yards. This was his first regular season game with Derek Carr at QB and made the best of it and even escaped with a victory. Rashid and the Saints get Carolina next who didn’t let Atlanta threw a lot in week 1. I see that being different this week since the Saints have better receivers to challenge the Panthers secondary. If your fantasy league rewards you for kick/punt returns then Shaheed is a solid options after gaining 116 return yards in week 1.
Kendrick Bourne – New England Patriots
Kendrick Bourne had a game to remember against the Eagles Sunday where they almost shocked Philly. Bourne was targeted a team high 11 times and caught 6 of those for 64 yards and found the end zone twice! Mac Jones threw 3 passing TDs and over 300 passing yards leading me to believe they could continue to link up and cause some havoc together. The Pats get the Dolphins next who just scored 36 points, Tua had 466 passing yards, and Tyreek Hill claimed 215 of those yards to himself. Bourne could be in for a big game if the Patriots want to stay competitive and try to win this game.
Tight Ends
Logan Thomas – Washington Commanders
Logan Thomas led the Commanders in targets Sunday with 8 targets where he caught 4 of those for 43 yards. Not huge numbers but it’s nice to see he was the favorite target for the young Sam Howell. Thomas outperformed both McLaurin and Dotson. Next up is Denver who left the Raiders with an L but shut down the Raiders tight ends. However, they let Jimmy G and Jakobi Meyers go off for 81 yards and a TD. Airing it out should lead to good things for Washington as they have some good options to target including the experienced Logan Thomas.
Zach Ertz – Arizona Cardinals
Zach Ertz returned to football and gave it all he had for the Cardinals in a loss to the Commanders. Now Ertz may have been 4th in receiving yards on his team with 21 receiving yards, but he led the team in targets with 10 which was double anyone else’s number of targets. Joshua Dobbs will have to look to Ertz again this weekend when they face off with the G men of New York. This game has ‘unwatchable’ all over it, but fantasy football doesn’t take games off. Ertz also has a history of facing the Giants as he was a longtime Eagles. Advantage Ertz.