Frey’s Fantasy Focus: Last-Minute Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups
Josh Frey
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Now that everyone has gotten the chance to try out their shiny new fantasy football teams, it’s time to start finding areas to improve. Whether you won or lost your week one matchup, there are a few last minute additions that can be made to improve your team at all positions. All players will be rostered on less than 50% of ESPN’s fantasy teams, and their percentage will be represented in parentheses. Make sure to take a look at these players in order to get the edge on your week two opponents.
QB Taylor Heinicke (1.2%)
Ryan Fitzpatrick’s reign in Washington has ended almost as quickly as it started, and he is headed to IR after suffering a hip injury. In limited snaps last week, Taylor Heinicke showed much of the same talent that we saw in the 2020 playoff game. He also gets a very favorable matchup on Thursday night against the New York Giants, who made Teddy Bridgewater look like Peyton Manning much of week one’s game. Heinicke won’t be the top fantasy QB by any means, but if your options are players like Ryan Tannehill or Matt Ryan with difficult matchups, this is a great chance to stream him.
RB Latavius Murray (47.5%)
Latavius Murray has been a hot commodity on the market this week, being picked up on over 30% of rosters over the past couple days. It’s not without reason, either. Despite being picked up just days before Monday night’s contest in Vegas, the veteran RB led the Baltimore Ravens backfield in touches. It was a modest day for Murray, carrying 10 times for 28 yards, but being a reliable goal-line back, his touchdown threat is always there. Given that the Chiefs gave up four touchdowns on the ground last week, there’s a lot to like about Murray this Sunday.
WR Sterling Shepard (43.9%)
Sterling Shepard was one of the few bright spots in the New York Giants loss over the weekend. The longest tenured Giant caught seven of nine targets for 113 yards and a touchdown. Another outburst like this would be a surprise, but if Shepard had his way with a strong Denver secondary, he should get opportunities against Washington. If nothing else, New York will likely be playing from behind, so Daniel Jones will be forced to throw the ball.
WR Nelson Agholor (34.7%)
The Miami Dolphins defense still isn’t necessarily top-tier, but it is certainly better than the Jets. Nelson Agholor found his way to five receptions, 72 yards, and a touchdown last weekend, and it is a big possibility that he will be the leading receiver for the Patriots this year. The Patriots are looking for a bounce back week, so I would bet on another 10-point performance from the former Raider.