Top Players to Add in Week 2
A great draft can make a great team, but leagues are won on the waiver wire. Injuries happen, top draft picks become busts, and no names become household names. Successfully navigating the waiver wire will lead to a winning season.
As a reminder, I’ll be covering Waivers every Tuesday morning right here on QBList.com. You can also catch me and Brian Hartman (aka @TooMuch_Brian) on the Waiver podcast every Tuesday morning and the Start/Sit podcast every Thursday morning, wherever you listen to podcasts. If you like my work, give me a follow on Twitter @marioadamojr. With that out of the way, let’s dive into it.
Here are my top five targets, as well as some honorable mentions, to help you win through the wire this week.
An important thing to consider: this article focuses on players who are rostered in 50% or fewer of leagues. There could be players rostered in over 50% of leagues that are available in your league. Be vigilant; watch your league’s Free Agency pool and look for players who were given up on too early.
| Player | Position | Team | Roster % | Week 2 Opponent | |
| 1 | Devaughn Vele | WR | NO | 5% | @ BAL |
| 2 | Tyler Allgeier | RB | ARI | 23% | v SEA |
| 3 | Devin Singletary | RB | NYG | 1% | @ LAR |
| 4 | Jalen Coker | WR | CAR | 28% | @ ATL |
| 5 | Kaelon Black | RB | SF | 21% | v MIA |
1. Devaughn Vele – In the preseason, I wanted as many pieces of this Saints’ offense as I could get my hands on, and that’s only continued heading into Week 2. We continue to witness that Tyler Shough is that guy, currently sitting at QB6. Will he throw the ball 56 times every week, 14 more than second place? Unlikely, as the Lions have a tissue-paper secondary. But the numbers are promising for Devaughn Vele. While I could rave about his 9 targets, seventh most among WRs in Week 1 heading into Monday Night Football, I’m more excited about his snap count. Vele was on the field for 91% of the Saints’ snaps compared to WR1 Chris Olave and his 86%. Between the numbers supporting Vele being a key part of this offense, the fact that Jordyn Tyson is missing at what looks like two months on IR, and as much as I hate to say it, Olave isn’t known as the poster boy of health, it’s (big) easy to see how this is just the tip of the iceberg for Vele.
Vele is my top waiver target heading into Week 2.
2. Tyler Allgeier – Heading into the season, all eyes were on rookie Jeremiyah Love. As they should have been, the player selected third overall is already looking as advertised as RB18 heading into Monday Night Football. The worry I had about the Cardinals offense heading into this season was how many touchdowns this team can realistically score. While I was so caught up on that question, which didn’t appear to be a problem against the Chargers, I forgot to focus on usage. Love had 11 carries and 4 targets, good for 15 opportunities. His backfield mate and RB1 on the Arizona depth chart, Tyler Allgeier, had 17 carries and 2 targets. His 19 opportunities are tied for 10th amongst running backs, higher than notable names including Christian McCaffrey, Cam Skattebo, and Travis Etienne Jr. While I expect Love’s usage to increase as the season progresses, I do not expect a dramatic split to happen this season. Baked into all that usage is premier handcuff status.
Allgeier is my top running back waiver target this week.
3. Devin Singletary – I knew Tyrone Tracy Jr’s days were numbered when he failed to pick up a blitz in a preseason game and faded him accordingly. I thought this team signed Najee Harris for a reason: to play backup to injury-prone bowling ball Cam Skattebo. I thought no way could Devin ‘Single Carry’ Singletary keep his role. Maybe it was more a reflection of the Dallas defense, but Singletary touched the ball on four straight plays, capped off with a touchdown. I don’t expect this Madden strategy to work every week, but this showed me Singletary is trusted as the guy behind Skattebo. That role carries heavy handcuff upside as well as Flex usage week after week.
4. Jalen Coker – Bryce Young, certified Coke Head. This past week, Jalen Coker nearly doubled his previous career high with a week-leading 29.8. He finished narrowly ahead of Tetairoa McMillan in snap count (84% to 82%). While I attribute much of Coker’s success to the matchup, the Panthers travel to Atlanta next week, where Young is historically strong. I don’t think this Panthers offense is the next must-have-a-part-of offense; I feel they are a team that can thrive in favorable situations.
Coker is a spot start kind of player, but not a must-add waiver target.
5. Kaelon Black – Finishing off this trend of running backs that have firmly secured themselves as a premium handcuff with Flex upside, Kaelon Black is the latest name in the carousel of Christian McCaffrey handcuffs. Something that separates Black from the others: opportunity. McCaffrey’s lowest snap count percentage (SC%) last year was 71%. He played 55% this week. Black’s 43% this week clears Brian Robinson Jr’s season-high last year of 29%. Black had more carries than McCaffrey (14 to 10), suggesting to me the team wants to keep McCaffrey out of the substation’s harm’s way all season.
Others Receiving Votes
T.J. Hockenson, MIN (43% Rostered) – When Carson Wentz was the starter in Philadelphia (2016-2018), he targeted tight ends nearly 33% of the time, more than any other QB in that time frame. Nearly a decade later, Wentz is still the same guy. T.J. Hockenson and his 5 targets led all players not named Justin Jefferson. Jordan Addison, the next highest non-TE, had 2. It looks like we’ll be seeing more of Wentz, which means we’ll be seeing more of Hockenson.
Hockenson is my top tight end waiver target this week.
Malik Washington, MIA (18%) – While Caleb Douglas had the more impressive day, I’m looking at Malik Washington. Washington had more targets and was on the field for nearly every offensive snap (98%). I’m trusting the process and ranking Washington over Douglas for the Miami wide receiver I’m targeting.
Tyler Shough, NO (48%) – It’s not how you start, but how you finish, and Tyler Shough finished as QB6. Shough currently leads the league in passing yards. Yes, it’s a one-game sample size against a bad defense, but he finished inside the top nine back-to-back to close out last season. There’s no reason to think he can’t keep this up.
Carson Wentz, MIN (1%) – It sounds crazy, but Carson Wentz appears to be a solid fantasy option in 2026. It appears Kyler Murray will miss time in Minnesota, leaving the door open for Wentz to start. The next three matchups all appear to be favorable, especially next week against the Bears. I like Wentz in deeper leagues and especially consider him a must-add in SuperFlex.
Jacoby Brissett, ARI (9%) – How soon we forget. Jacoby Brissett was QB5 from weeks 9-18 last year. It seems like Arizona will continue to be competitive in games, and it won’t be entirely through the ground game.
Bryce Young, CAR (16%) – Has Bryce Young been unleashed this year? I don’t think so. I think he’s a great spot starter, and boy is a great spot this week. Young and the Panthers are traveling to Atlanta to face their divisional rival. Young has historically thrived against the Falcons, averaging more yards, more touchdowns, and a better completion percentage against them than all other teams. If you banked too much on Kyler Murray or are looking for a great option in DFS, I think this is a great week for Young.
Defense Wins Championships
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (14%) host the Cleveland Browns this week. It sounds like Deshaun Watson will again start this week, and that is the offense we want to target. After being careless with the football last week, I expect turnover differential to be a focus of the Buccaneers.
The San Francisco 49ers (16%) face the Dolphins back in their return from Down Under. The Dolphins are young and inexperienced, while the 49ers are coming off extended rest.
Photo adapted by Aaron Polcare