Week one of the 2025 NFL season is over, and so is your season. Ja’Marr Chase is a bust. Jahmyr Gibbs is a bust. Quentin Johnson is good. Nothing makes sense—especially your fantasy football roster. Before you give up on your fantasy season, remember that the waiver wire exists to save you from the cruel and unforgiving fantasy football gods. I will provide you with the best options available. If I don’t mention someone whom you think I should be talking about, know there are many reasons why I overlooked them. Maybe they are owned in most leagues. Maybe they are so bad that I don’t even consider them. Maybe it’s because your opinions cannot be trusted. After all, you are here. So let us examine our best week two waiver wire players for your championship run:
Week Two Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Michael Penix, Atlanta Falcons (29% rostered)
With 298 passing yards, one passing TD, and one rushing TD, Michael Penix finished as QB10 on the week. Every year, there is a quarterback who is undrafted in most leagues that finishes as a QB1 in fantasy. Thus far, Michael Penix is probably the best candidate to be that guy. He has elite weapons and is a second-year player who showed flashes in his three starts at the end of last year. He could very easily end up this year’s Sam Darnold.
Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (8% rostered)
In week two, Danny Dimes finished as the QB2. Just like everyone predicted. In week one, Daniel Jones had 272 passing yards and one touchdown, along with 26 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. While I understand that he is Danny Dimes, if you need quarterback help, you can make a case for Jones. First, Jones has never been on a team with an offensive line and skill position core that ranked above the bottom third of the league. Second, he has rushing upside that can make a big difference from a fantasy perspective. Third, if Blake Bortles can be a top-ten fantasy quarterback in back-to-back years, there is no reason Danny Dimes can’t do the same. Having said that, he plays Denver in week two, so I might wait before pulling the trigger unless I am really desperate.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers (14% rostered)
Aaron Rodgers immunized the Jets defense with 244 passing yards and four touchdowns in week one. Aaron Rodgers has an NFL pedigree that makes him a very tempting waiver wire acquisition. The problem is that I don’t trust Arthur Smith to run an NFL offense that isn’t anything but frustrating. If you need a quarterback, Rodgers is a viable option. Just understand that it is going to be a bumpy season if you ride with Rodgers.
Week Two Waiver Wire Running Backs
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Brows (43% rostered)
If you need a running back, and if you are playing fantasy football, then you absolutely need one more running back; you need to target Dylan Sampson. In week two, Sampson finished as the RB16 on the back of 93 all-purpose yards. While the return of Judkins is worrisome, Sampson looked electric against the Bengals.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (49% rostered)
One of the biggest concerns about Trey Benson entering this season was the usage of James Conner last year. If week one is any indication, Trey Benson could be the best value at running back that you can find. I was very vocally a Trey Benson guy in the offseason, and his week one performance makes me want to stash him on my bench if he is available. In week one, Benson had 75 all-purpose yards, including an electric 53-yard run. The most interesting stat to me was his 33% snap share. Trey Benson is an electric player and has the potential to be a league winner. If you need immediate help at running back, Sampson is probably the safer bet. If you are playing the long game, give me Trey Benson.
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (2% rostered)
Who knew that when the Steelers released their depth chart and had Kenneth Gainwell as their RB1, that they were serious? Kenneth Gainwell did exactly what everyone but Arthur Smith expected in week one, with 23 all-purpose yards, on a 54% snap share. If you believe in volume at running back more than production, Kenneth Gainwell is your guy. I will be fading him for the same reason I faded Kaleb Johnson in drafts – Arthur Smith is a fantasy football terrorist, and I don’t want to deal with the headache.
Week Two Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs (36% rostered)
Friday Night, Marquise Brown proved himself to be the WR1 in Kansas City… for now. Brown had 10 catches for 99 yards. More importantly, he led the team in snap share and routes run. With Xavier Worthy hurt and Rashee Rice suspended, Brown has an opportunity to carve out a role that could be very juicy for fantasy football. Brown is my number one waiver wire target for the week.
Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots (2% rostered)
When I started looking at Kayshon Boutte, I was convinced that he was a trap. Sure, Boutte has six catches for 108 yards, but the man was on nobody’s radar. Then I saw he led the Patriots in route share, yards per route run, and snap percentage. Boutte ran the most routes, was on the field more than any other receiver, and was the most successful receiver on the Patriots in week one. The fact is that Boutte was one of the main focal points of the Patriots’ passing attack in week one, and the room is crowded enough that nobody knew for sure who the main guy was going to be. Betting on Boutte might be a trap, but it could also be a nice long-term investment.
Quentin Johnson/Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers (9/62% rostered)
Both Quentin Johnson and Keenan Allen had top ten fantasy weeks to open the season. The question becomes, which receiver do you want to target? Quentin Johnson is an athletic specimen who has consistency issues, but is entering year three. Keenan Allen is the crafty veteran who runs routes with tactical precision. The real concern is that only one of them is likely to be fantasy-relevant. Keenan Allen is the safer play, but Quentin Johnson has the opportunity to be a league winner if he hits. And we aren’t playing for 4th place.
Week Two Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Juwan Jennings, New Orleans Saints (4% rostered)
Sure, Juwan Jennings had eight catches for 76 yards and one touchdown in week one. Sure, Jennings finished as the TE4. The question you really have to ask yourself is, do you think investing in the New Orleans Saints offense is a good idea? Don’t waste waiver priority on tight ends, especially when they are mid.
Harold Fannin Jr, Cleveland Browns (3% rostered)
Harold Fannin Jr’s performance in week one has me ready to sell all my David Njoku shares. Fannin had seven catches for 63 yards in week one, making him the TE10 on the week. While I won’t burn my waiver priority on him, I have no problems targeting him as a bench stash if I have the space.
