Week one of the NFL season is in the books and pro football is back in spades. As it is never too early to perfect a fantasy roster, managers should cast an eye toward the wire for potential improvements. Did a player get injured in week one, or as in the case of Gus Edwards, even before the games began? Even if that is not the case, all managers need to know the players available. To that end, these are the fantasy football top waivers to know entering week two!

Running Backs

Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers, 3.8% Owned

Of all the rookies that everyone thought would shine in week one, no one expected Elijah Mitchell would step up the brightest. The sixth round pick was called on Sunday after an injury to Raheem Mostert and fellow rookie Trey Sermon was surprisingly a healthy scratch. Mitchell made the most of this opportunity, no question about it.

Mitchell ran the ball 19 times against the Lions, and finished with 104 yards. He also scored his first NFL touchdown in the 41-33 win. Mitchell certainly proved that he can play at the NFL level. Ultimately, Mitchell’s status going forward is a lot clearer now that it’s known Mostert will miss at least eight weeks with his injury.

Finally, it would be impossible to find a running back that accomplished as much as Mitchell did in week one on the fantasy wire that is this available. Managers having running back issues will certainly want to acquire Mitchell before he is grabbed by someone else in the league.

Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles, 4% Owned

Another late round running back that impressed Sunday was Kenneth Gainwell. Like Mitchell, Gainwell played in his first NFL game Sunday and came away with his first professional touchdown. Boston Scott was the presumed number two back in Philadelphia but Gainwell clearly outplayed him against Atlanta.

Scott played the first series and then disappeared completely. He never touched the football on the day. On the other hand, Gainwell recorded nine carries for 37 yards and the TD. In addition, Gainwell caught two passes as well. Miles Sanders put forth excellent stats and is the unquestioned leader in the Eagles’ backfield. Even so, Gainwell will get his touches and with his availability, he has earned a place on this fantasy football top waivers list.

Mark Ingram, Houston Texans, 11% Owned

No one knew what the pecking order of running backs would be in Houston prior to Sunday game against Jacksonville. We may now have the answer, thanks to the performance of Mark Ingram. The other backs on the roster were nearly invisible next to Ingram, who rushed 26 times for 85 yards. The others combined for just 15 touches.

No question, a 3.3 yards per carry will excite no one. However, the others didn’t fare any better. Best of all, Ingram scored a touchdown in Houston’s surprisingly easy 37-21 win over the Jaguars. Tyrod Taylor (see below) threw the ball well and if that continues, the running game will greatly benefit.

While the competition for top back is by no means over, Ingram easily won round one. A starting running back deserves notice in fantasy and Ingram certainly deserves it. If you had Mostert and Mitchell is off the wire, Ingram is a nice pickup in his own right.

Other Week Two Running Backs to Keep an Eye on

Le’Veon Bell, Baltimore Ravens, 46% owned and rising. By now everyone knows what happened to Gus Edwards. If Edwards was drafted by you, Bell needs to be on your radar, if not already added.

Latavius Murray, Baltimore Ravens, 24.6% Owned, see above. If Bell is off the board, Murray is worth keeping an eye on.

Wide Receivers

Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots, 29% Owned

There were several NFL veterans playing for new teams Sunday and few made as big of impact as Nelson Agholor. He was the second most targeted wide receiver on the Patriots with seven. However, he was by a large margin the most effective. Agholor turned those targets into five receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown.

A 14.4 yards per catch average will get the job done by any receiver and that was Agholor’s average Sunday. Even better, he displayed an ability for many different catches in the game. Agholor demonstrated this by catching short and mid range passes down the middle of the field. Additionally, he caught a 25 yard deep ball target.

Agholor’s chemistry with rookie Mac Jones was evident from the start. It was absolutely a quality enough performance to push Agholor to the top of the wide receivers on this fantasy football top waivers list.

Zach Pascal, Indianapolis Colts, 3% Owned

Certainly, it should interest fantasy managers that there is a receiver that scored two touchdowns Sunday with less than a 3 percent ownership rate. Yet, that is exactly the case with Zach Pascal. The Colts got into the end zone twice Sunday against Seattle and Pascal was responsible for both. Pascal finished the game with four catches, five targets and 43 yards receiving. Obviously, Pascal will not score two touchdowns every game for the Colts.

However, Pascal is known as a sure handed receiver and provides a reliable presence to the Indy offense. It wouldn’t be hard to envision new quarterback Carson Wentz and Pascal developing excellent chemistry on the field. The Rams are up next and are tough defensively, no question. However, Pascal would certainly be a good stash if nothing else for future games to come for the Colts.

Sterling Shepard, New York Giants, 25.3% Owned

Prior to this weekend’s games, this football waivers watch list spotlighted players to keep an eye on. That list included Sterling Shepard. Obviously, Shepard remains on the list this week as well after his performance Sunday against Denver. The Broncos defense kept everyone on the Giants’ offense pretty much in check, but couldn’t contain Shepard.

He finished the game number one in targets and catches. Best of all, he caught the lone touchdown pass of the afternoon with a 37 yard snare. Shepard finished the game with seven catches on nine targets for 113 yards. New York has some weapons at receiver, but it was Shepard that stepped up in week one. The Giants turn around quickly and play Washington Thursday. The Chargers moved the ball on Washington Sunday and Shepard might just be a sneaky good play to take a chance on this week.

Other Week Two Wide Receivers to Keep an Eye on

Jalen Reagor, Philadelphia Eagles, is right around 50 percent owned. If available, snatch him quickly.

Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals, 3.6% Owned scored two TDs Sunday. He looks to be a much bigger part of the Arizona offense than anyone thought going into the season.

Tight Ends

Blake Jarwin, Dalton Schultz, Dallas Cowboys, both 1.2% Owned

Without doubt, the numbers that Blake Jarwin put up against the Buccaneers in the season opener last Thursday won’t inspire anyone. That being said, Jarwin is at the top of the position depth chart for Dallas and that could mean a lot going forward. It is clear after just one game that the Cowboys’ offense, especially their passing game, will be clicking this season. That fact alone is enough to put a bright spotlight on Jarwin and Dalton Schultz as well.

Against Tampa, Jarwin caught three of four targets for 20 yards. As was stated above, those numbers are not inspiring. However, Dak Prescott was everything anyone could have asked for, passing for 403 yards and three touchdowns. As for Schultz, he caught all six of his targets for 45 yards. The targets were a good sign. Both players can live in this offense and give their managers relevant fantasy production. The tight end position is always lacking in fantasy and these two need to be on everyone’s watchlist going forward, if not outright added to a roster.

Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers, 22.6% Owned

Like Shepard above, Jared Cook was featured in last week’s This football waivers watch list will spotlight players to keep an eye on. As with Shepard, Cook makes a return visit here after catching five passes for 56 yards in the Chargers season opening 20-16 win over Washington. It was an impressive performance by both the team and Cook against a very good defense on the road.

This week, Los Angeles comes home to face a Dallas team that is much less intimidating defensively. There might be a lot of offense in this game and that should help Cook and his fantasy managers. After all, this is a player than found the end zone 16 times the previous two seasons. Justin Herbert is a fantastic, young QB, who should come to appreciate Cook’s veteran abilities. Without doubt, Cook belongs on this fantasy football top waivers list.

Other Week Two Tight Ends to Keep an Eye on

Hunter Henry, New England Patriots, is near 50 percent owned and only had three catches Sunday. Still, he could get more involved in the offense moving forward and is worth glancing his way in fantasy if tight end help is needed.

Gerald Everett, Seattle Seahawks, 10.5% Owned, caught a TD pass Sunday. Russell Wilson was his best self against the Colts and that should continue through the season. That puts Everett on the map as part of a high flying offense.

Quarterbacks

Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings, 25.9% Owned

Without doubt, Kirk Cousins wasn’t on many fantasy rosters to begin the season unless the league is very large or superflex. Perhaps that needs to change after his performance against the Bengals Sunday. Cousins threw the ball 49 times, finishing with 36 completions for 351 yards and two TDs. Best of all, he had no turnovers. His reward for those that put him on their roster this weekend? 47 fantasy points.

Without doubt, everyone will take a 73.5 percent completion rate from a quarterback. Cousins can put that check next to his name. It isn’t realistic to think that Cousins will score 47 fantasy points every week. However, he is certainly shown he is capable of big games. Ryan Fitzpatrick will miss at least three games with hip injury. If a manager was unfortunate enough to pick him up, Cousins would be a good fall back position and has earned a place on this fantasy football top waivers list for week two.

Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos, 4.8% Owned

Last week, Teddy Bridgewater was highlighted as a quarterback to keep an eye on as the season approached. Bridgewater makes a return appearance here. Bridgewater certainly earned it after completing 28 of 36 passes for 264 yards and two TDs against the Giants Sunday. He also had three carries for 19 yards. The best statistic of all? That would be Bridgewater had no turnovers.

For his efforts, Bridgewater provided any fantasy manager that started him with 37 fantasy points. The really good news is that Jacksonville is up next. The Jaguars were pushed all over the field by the Texans and Denver should be able to accomplish the same, even with the injury to Jerry Jeudy. Managers looking to upgrade their quarterback position would get a real boost from added Bridgewater this week.

Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans, 4.5% Owned

There were many observers that thought the Houston Texans might go the entire season without a victory. Everyone is well aware of the situation that Deshaun Watson finds himself in. He may not see the field at all this season, if ever. What were the Texans to do? The answer was turn the position over to Tyrod Taylor. Certainly, after one week, all systems were go in Houston as the Texans have their first win right out of the gate. 

Against the Jaguars, Taylor completed 21 of 33 passes for 291 yards and two touchdowns. Even more impressive was his 40 yards rushing. The Texans scored 27 points in the first half and never looked back, beating Jacksonville 31-27. The team played conservatively the rest of the way, but we saw what they are capable of doing on offense. Teams looking for a second quarterback or an injury replacement should definitely check out Taylor.

Other Week Two Quarterbacks to Keep an Eye on

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers, 37.9% Owned. He battled a strong Buffalo defense and came away with a victory. He isn’t ready for the retirement couch just yet.

Zach Wilson, New York Jets, 15.8% Owned. Wilson threw for 258 yards and two TDs against Carolina. His 54.1 percent completion clearly needs work. However, Wilson is a viable fantasy QB right now.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football waivers watch list edition! Everyone have a fun and enjoyable fantasy season! As always, I welcome input and suggestions from all of my readers. Have other players to include? Disagree with the selections? Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea, and be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Home – Belly Up Fantasy Sports & Picks for all the latest NFL and sports news!

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