• Justin Fields stays the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ starter: As lengthy as Fields retains successful, he’ll probably stay the Steelers’ beginning quarterback.
• Injuries spotlight Week 2: Multiple high operating backs, huge receivers and tight ends had been both out with harm or suffered accidents this week, giving us a number of potential choices off the waiver wire.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all of our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Start-Sit Optimizer and extra. Sign up now!
Estimated Reading Time: 24 minutes
With Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season practically full, listed here are the important thing gamers to focus on on the fantasy soccer waiver wire. Here, we’ll cowl choices for smaller and deeper leagues and likewise spotlight the gamers to keep away from.
Jump to a place group:
QB | RB | WR | TE
Quarterback
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (rostered in 31.2% of leagues on ESPN)
Fields is just QB20 on the season, however he’s nonetheless the highest quarterback on the waiver wire this week.
The fill-in signal-caller is 2-0, making it probably he’ll stay the beginning quarterback for the group going ahead. He has run the ball 22 occasions this season, which is the second most on the place, trailing solely Jayden Daniels. His speeding manufacturing helped him change into a top-six fantasy quarterback in 2022. Fields equally completed second in speeding manufacturing final season.
Fields can also be having his greatest season as a starter. His big-time throw price is the best it’s been, and his turnover-worthy throw price is the bottom it’s been. His completion share is up 10 factors from his profession common, though his common depth of goal is identical as final season.
The Steelers’ offense had a number of huge performs negated by penalties this previous week. That didn’t assist any fantasy managers who began Fields, however it’s a optimistic signal of what is to return. Fields is right here as a result of he has an opportunity to return to that top-six degree he maintained throughout his 2022 season, whereas the opposite quarterbacks are extra so pocket passers who’ve solely top-10 potential.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (9.4%)
Carr has scored the second-most fantasy factors amongst quarterbacks this season, regardless of having the Twenty ninth-most makes an attempt — the fewest amongst quarterbacks to begin in Weeks 1 and a couple of. His try complete is so low as a result of the Saints have scored too many factors too early, forcing them to run all through the second half of each video games. Carr has averaged a ridiculous 11.4 yards per try and scored 5 touchdowns.
His excessive per-play numbers are certain to regress, however because the effectivity decreases, the quantity of makes an attempt will enhance. Carr is on an eight-week stretch the place he’s been a constant fantasy starter. The Saints have a tough stretch of video games within the brief time period, however as soon as we get to November and December, they’ve one of many best schedules. Carr is usually a dominant playoff power, similar to he was final season.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (16.2%)
Smith put up huge numbers within the Seahawks’ Week 2 extra time victory, with 327 yards and a landing. He completed this with out Kenneth Walker III to assist the protection concentrate on the run sport, and with Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant additionally displaying up within the harm report and taking part in via their accidents.
Smith was QB5 in 2022. His PFF general grade improved in 2023, however his passing quantity declined, resulting in fewer fantasy factors. In Ryan Grubb’s offense, Smith’s passing quantity is again up. He won’t be an every-week fantasy starter, however he might be in the proper matchup.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (5.6%)
Darnold rounds out the trio of quarterbacks who at the moment rank within the high 10 of fantasy factors however are extensively obtainable in fantasy leagues. Darnold is much like Fields in that he’s taking part in a lot better along with his new group. His completion share is equally up by greater than 10 factors with a excessive common depth of goal. His big-time play price is far larger than in current seasons, though his turnover-worthy play price has remained at the same degree.
The Vikings’ receivers have performed an enormous position in that, however Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are injured. Darnold won’t be the most effective short-term choice due to that, however there ought to be loads of weeks this season the place he ranks among the many high 10 quarterbacks in fantasy factors.
Running Back
Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs (1.6%)
Chiefs beginning operating again Isiah Pacheco left the stadium after Week 2 on crutches and in a strolling boot.
