Football is officially back, and that means the intricacies of fantasy football are back as well. Week 1 in the NFL is often too early of a judgment call when it comes to adding and dropping players on your team, with the exception of injuries. But, if your team did particularly bad in Week 1 and you are willing to change some things up, here are hot waiver wire pickups for Week 2.
Quarterbacks
Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
Mariota had a fantastic NFL debut against Tampa Bay, completing 13 of 16 pass attempts for 209 yards to go along with four touchdowns, all of which were thrown in the first half in a blowout victory. The former Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick in this past year’s draft did not turn the ball over in the victory. He also figures to pick up more rushing yards moving forward. Mariota and the Titans play the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, in which he should put up some good numbers considering Ryan Fitzpatrick did this week against the Browns.
Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills
Taylor helped the Bills pull of a nice upset in Week 1, as the Bills defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 27-14, in Rex Ryan’s Bills coaching debut. Taylor, a former 6th round pick of the Ravens in 2011, never started a game until this past week, and he certainly did not disappoint. After beating out both E.J. Manuel and Matt Cassel for the starting quarterback job this preseason, Taylor came out in Week 1 and completed 14 of 19 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 41 yards on 9 carries. Taylor’s Bills play the Patriots in Week 2, in what should be a great showdown between the two teams.
Nick Foles, St. Louis Rams
Foles led the Rams in a gutsy effort against the Seattle Seahawks, throwing for 297 yards on 18/27 passing and a touchdown. Even without Kam Chancellor, the Seahawks are still one of the best defenses in the NFL, and Foles proved that he should be an upgrade at quarterback for the Rams. The Rams play at Washington next week, which could be a coming out party for Foles against a poor Redskins’ defense.
Running Backs
Dion Lewis, New England Patriots
Lewis, a career journeyman running back, got the start in the NFL season opener this past Thursday night against the Steelers, and put together a great game. Starting for the suspended LaGarrette Blount, Lewis rushed for 69 yards on 15 carries and caught four passes for 51 yards. Blount figures to start at running back in Week 2 once he returns from his suspension, but Lewis figures to be his primary backup over Brandon Bolden and third down back over James White. Lewis may not rush for many yards, but he is an intriguing candidate in PPR leagues, as he has the potential to catch many passes out of the backfield, similar to the role Shane Vereen played on the Patriots over the past several years before signing with the New York Giants this past offseason.
Ronnie Hillman, Denver Broncos
After releasing Montee Ball late in the preseason, the Broncos decided to go with Hillman as the primary backup to C.J. Anderson, who burst on the scene a season ago. Hillman is not a flashy back, but he has the ability to break for long runs and make an impact on the passing game, as well. Anderson actually injured his toe in Week 1, and with the Broncos playing this coming Thursday night against the Kansas City Chiefs, there is no guarantee that he will play, yet alone be close to 100% healthy. I expect Hillman to get a bulk of the carries if Anderson is not anywhere close to 100%.
DeAngelo Williams, Pittsburgh Steelers
The longtime Carolina Panthers running back made himself relevant again this past Thursday night after getting the start in place of the suspended Le’Veon Bell. The 32-year old ran for 127 yards on 21 carries, but did not find the end zone. Nonetheless, he broke away for some big runs against a fairly talented Patriots defense in Week 1 and figures to get 20 carries again this coming week against the San Francisco 49ers, with Bell serving the final game of his two game suspension.
Wide Receivers
Percy Harvin, Buffalo Bills
Harvin is back to focusing on football and is relatively healthy. He appears to be a top target of Tyrod Taylor, who did not once complete a pass to top receiver Sammy Watkins. Taylor completed three passes to LeSean McCoy and four to tight end Charles Clay. Harvin was a significant part of the Bills upset against the Colts in Week 1, catching five passes for 79 yards and a touchdown, while also picking up one carry for nine yards. I fully expect Harvin to be a useful weapon in the Bills offense for the weeks to come, especially in Week 2 against a Patriots defense that struggled in Week 1 against the Steelers. Harvin will accumulate rushing points in addition to receiving points.
Rashad Greene, Jacksonville Jaguars
The numbers may not look pretty for Greene, the former Florida State receiver, but a few things here stand out. Greene would be a great addition on a PPR league as Blake Bortles attempted 40 passes in Week 1, and Greene was targeted in 13 of them. He figures to continue getting some looks from Bortles, and the Jaguars look like a pass heavy team this season, with a lot of inexperience at the running back position. In Week 1 against the Panthers, Greene caught seven passes for 28 yards and a touchdown. The Jaguars play the Dolphins in Week 2.
Ted Ginn Jr., Carolina Panthers
The Panthers lack seasoned wide receivers this season, but Ginn is one name that many have heard plenty about over the past several seasons, particularly as a kick returner. In 2015, I expect Ginn to be a boom or bust player, but one I’d take a gamble on. He has the potential to be a deep threat for Cam Newton, as he could occasionally put up those 70-yard touchdown catches. If your team accumulates points from kick returns, he’d provide great value there, as well. Ginn was targeted seven times in Week 1, and I expect him to get plenty of looks from Cam Newton moving forward.
Nate Washington, Houston Texans
While the Texans were playing catch-up for most of their Week 1 game against the Chiefs, Washington, the former Titans receiver, was one bright spot. The Texans threw the ball 47 times today; top receiver DeAndre Hopkins was targeted for 13 of those passes, and Washington was right behind him with 11 targets. On the day, he caught six passes for 105 yards. The Texans face a major decision at quarterback moving forward, but Washington should be a big part of the offense moving forward, regardless of who is throwing him the ball.
Tight Ends
Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers
With Antonio Gates suspended the first four weeks, the Chargers are counting on the promising Green to step up during the first month of the season. He definitely delivered Week 1, as he caught five passes for 74 yards and a touchdown for the Chargers. San Diego will play in Cincinnati next week, but Green should continue to be a top target for Philip Rivers, who threw for over 400 yards against a tough Lions defense.
Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions
Ebron, who was drafted early in the first round last year by the Lions, led Detroit’s receivers this week with four receptions for 53 yards and a touchdown. With the decline of Brandon Pettigrew, Ebron should continue to be Matthew Stafford’s main tight end target. I expect Ebron to have a much better sophomore campaign, and he may be worth a pickup if he is still available in your league.
Photo: Donn Jones, Associated Press.