Another Sunday is in the books in the NFL. Just like in week one, there were plenty of surprises, massive comebacks, spirited performances and injuries. Unfortunately, unlike last week (check those players here), there doesn’t appear to be a lot of bright, shiny gems to be found on the waiver wire. Even so, there is no need to worry. This fantasy football waiver priorities week two edition has just the magnifying glass needed to reach buried treasure. As we all know, Wednesday morning will be here before we know it and waiver claims will be processed. Before another moment passes, let’s get right to the list.

Top Week Two Running Back Waiver Pickups

Eno Benjamin, Arizona Cardinals, 3.9% Owned (all percentages come courtesy of ESPN)

One of the injured players coming out of Sunday’s action was James Conner, who suffered an ankle injury against the Raiders. It is unknown the extent of the injury or how long Connor will be out. Unless that information becomes public before waivers goes through, all Connor owners will want to have his replacement on their fantasy rosters. One of those replacements (see the other below) will be Eno Benjamin.

In the game against Las Vegas, Benjamin carried the ball eight times for 31 yards and caught three passes for another 20. While neither of those stats stands out at all, the previous Sunday, Benjamin averaged seven YPR. If Connor is a no go for Sunday, Benjamin will certainly get much more action against the Rams, and we can see if that first game rushing average is a mirage. Arizona showed life on offense late in the game against the Raiders and Benjamin could be a big part of that going forward if Connor misses time.

Even if Connor does play, more than likely, he won’t be at full speed. Benjamin has clearly earned playing time regardless and should be heavily involved the game plan. There simply aren’t many plum running backs on the waiver wire this week. If there is a need for a fresh fantasy RB, look Benjamin’s way.

Darrel Williams, Arizona Cardinals, 3.6% Owned

While Benjamin averaged seven yards a rush in week one, his backfield mate Darrel Williams also accomplished the feat against the Raiders Sunday. Additionally, Williams punched in a touchdown in the victory. That TD was the driver behind Williams scoring 13 fantasy points in the game. Williams also caught two passes, but that doesn’t seem to be a big part of his game.

The main reason that Benjamin is listed over Williams is that he was active in week one and received 22 snaps. Meanwhile, Williams was restricted to special teams. Until proven otherwise, Benjamin is the leader of the two in the Cardinals’ pecking order. While that is true, it is clear that both will receive significantly more playing time if Connor remains out for week three.

As a Connor manager myself, I prefer Benjamin of the two. However, if Benjamin is off the board or you simply like Williams, he is a quality pickup on this fantasy football waiver priorities week two edition.

Jerick McKinnon, Kansas City Chiefs, 13.6% Owned

If neither Cardinals running back inspires, perhaps Jerick McKinnon can. After all, while he isn’t a full-time starter, he shares the penthouse on an explosive Chiefs offense. It is almost an even time share between him and Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the Kansas City backfield. In fact, McKinnon actually out snapped his more heavily owned teammate 27-25 in Thursday’s game against the Chargers.

Edwards-Helaire had six more touches, but it is clear that both can co-exist next to each other.  Between the two of them, they have made rookie Isiah Pacheco completely irrelevant. Edwards-Helaire has been known to miss time in the past and McKinnon stands to receive major playing time if there was an injury. Even if both remain healthy the rest of the year, McKinnon has value, and most importantly, he has availability.

Against Los Angeles, he carried the ball four times for 12 yards while catching two passes, including a short touchdown. Perhaps the best news comes last. The Chiefs’ next opponent is Indianapolis. The Colts are a major mess so far this season and both McKinnon and Edwards-Helaire look to be in for huge games Sunday afternoon. McKinnon definitely has earned his place on this fantasy football waiver priorities week two edition.

Top Week Two Wide Receiver Waiver Pickups

Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers, 38% Owned

Through two games, Joshua Palmer has shown that he has a place in an explosive Chargers offense. In those contests, Palmer has 12 targets, resulting in seven catches. Against Kansas City on Thursday, Palmer was targeted eight times, coming away with four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. He was top two in routes run and offensive snaps among wide receivers.

Of course, when Keenan Allen returns from his hamstring injury, Palmer will return to the number three role. Even so, the Chargers have shown that they can support multiple players in their offense. Quarterback Justin Herbert has some injury concerns with his ribs coming out of the game against the Chiefs.

If he can’t go against the Jaguars, this recommendation goes to the outhouse. Palmer is a good speculative add if wide receiver help is needed, just be ready to move on if Herbert is out next Sunday.

Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots, 0.6% Owned

To be sure, one of the surprising fantasy producers among non-quarterbacks on Sunday has to be Nelson Agholor. Exploding on the scene against Pittsburgh, Agholor scored 26 fantasy points. He was targeted six times Sunday, catching all of them for 11o yards, including a spectacular 44-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Agholor was largely silent in the Patriots game one loss to Miami, but he more than made up for it against Pittsburgh in week two.

Everyone watching football Sunday had to see the meltdown that the Baltimore Ravens had against those same Dolphins Sunday. The Ravens just happen to be the next team on the Patriots’ schedule. Obviously, Agholor isn’t going to score 26 fantasy points every week.

However, if anyone should be in starting lineups in week three, it is a receiver going up against the Ravens until they prove they can pass defend. If wide receiver is a need, Agholor can certainly fix that problem this week.

Ashton Dulin, Indianapolis Colts, 2.4% Owned

As mentioned above, the Colts are a complete mess at the moment. Because of that, it probably is a surprise to find one of their players recommended on this fantasy football waiver priorities week two edition. However, when looking at his numbers, it is clear that better days are ahead if Matt Ryan can ever figure out how to throw a forward pass again. Even though the Colts did absolutely nothing against Jacksonville, Ashton Dulin had a productive fantasy day.

In the game, Dulin was targeted seven times, coming away with five receptions for 79 yards. His 15.8 YPC was very good, especially considering the Colts generated little offense. Even more impressive is the fact that Dulin finished the game with 12 fantasy points. That is more than a lot of other team’s starting wide receivers.

Through the first two games of the season, Dulin has 13 targets. All that is missing from Dulin’s resume is a touchdown. Indianapolis’ next two games are at home. Perhaps he will reach the endzone in one, or both, of those games. If a manager is short on wide outs on the roster, Dulin is certainly worth a flier.

Top Week Two Tight End Waiver Pickups

Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers, 30.7% Owned

Without question, any tight end that has ten targets in a game demands fantasy attention. That is exactly the number that Gerald Everett had Thursday against Kansas City. Everett turned those targets into six catches for 71 yards. His 11.8 yards per catch is excellent for a tight end. Of course, he will probably be remembered for the rest of this week of the play that resulted in the Chiefs returning an interception at the goal line into a 99-yard pick six.

However, the truth of the matter is that Everett signaled to come out of the game before the play, but none of his coaches noticed. The interception can’t be blamed on either the quarterback or the tight end. As noted above, Herbert has to be monitored for his rib injury. If he starts, Everett is an absolute go against Jacksonville.

Even if Herbert doesn’t play, Everett will still have value as backups frequently look to the tight end. Everett is definitely recommended for pickup on this fantasy football waiver priorities week two edition.

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars, 16.8% Owned

Honestly, I never thought the day would come where Evan Engram would receive a recommendation for anything from me. Yet here he is on this fantasy football waiver priorities week two edition. A tight end coming off an eight-target day tends to get attention, especially at a razor-thin position. Engram turned those targets into seven catches for 46 yards. He has totaled 12 targets through the first two games of the season.

Most impressive is the fact that Engram has caught all but one those targets. He and Quarterback Trevor Lawrence certainly seem to be on the same page on the field. Lawrence is looking much more comfortable under center than he ever did a year ago, and the entire offense will see better days going forward.

Unbelievably, Engram has bright days ahead of him. That is a statement that I never thought would be made again. However, tight end is almost never a strong fantasy position on a team. If needed, Engram can help solve the issue until another option comes available.

Top Week Two Quarterback Waiver Pickups

Jimmy Garoppolo, San Fransisco 49ers, 1.0% Owned

To be sure, the most unfortunate event of the day Sunday was the season ending injury suffered by Trey Lance. Despite efforts all preseason to trade Jimmy Garoppolo, he remained with San Fransisco and is now the starter. Garoppolo came into the game against the Seahawks and led the 49ers to a 27-7 victory. While the stats weren’t eye opening, Garoppolo threw and ran for a touchdown.

He finished with 13 completions in 21 attempts for 154 yards. Garoppolo also carried the ball four times. Without question, all of those numbers will rise with Garoppolo playing entire games going forward. Best of all, he now has a full week playing with the first team offense to prepare for Sunday’s game against Denver.

Hopefully, those in two quarterback leagues didn’t drop Garoppolo. If he was cut loose in your league, don’t waste another moment reading this. Go get him immediately! In large leagues with a suspect starting QB, there is no question Garoppolo is worthy of a waiver claim. Make the move today!

Other Quarterback Pickup Consideration:

Last week, the recommendation went out to pick up Carson Wentz. Obviously, that word was heard as his ownership rate rose to just over the 50 percent mark. More than likely, he is not universally available on the waiver wire. Check just to make sure, however, as Wentz only has seven TD passes in the first two games.

The Final Word

Thank you for joining me for this fantasy football waiver priorities week two edition! As always, I welcome any and all suggestions, comments and input from my readers. Let’s discuss! Follow me on twitter @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Tune in for the Belly Up Fantasy Live Preview Show every Sunday morning at 11 AM EST. Be sure to turn to Belly Up Sports and Belly Up Fantasy Sports for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!