Fantasy Football 2018: Players to target off the waiver wire

Week 1 in the books. There are a lot of players who outperformed expectations and are worth adding to your fantasy football team in Week 2 and beyond.

The first week of the fantasy football season is over. While it’s just the first week, it won’t hurt to make a couple of changes to your team. Maybe one of those late-draft flyers didn’t even see a snap or you’re already dealing with a few injuries. Regardless of the reason, there are plenty of players available that are worth rostering.

These players listed will be available in less than 30 percent of ESPN fantasy football leagues. Anything more than that doesn’t change make it worth it. It’s about finding the diamonds in the rough, not an afterthought.

Here are the 10 players you should target off the waiver wire for Week 2.

Brandon Marshall, WR, SEA

Many thought Marshall wouldn’t even make the team, let alone have the game he did in Week 1. He caught three passes for 46 yards and a touchdown.

With Doug Baldwin dealing with a sprained MCL, Marshall could see more targets in Week 2. He’s owned in just 5.9 percent of ESPN leagues.

Ted Ginn Jr., WR, NO

Despite Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara combining for 27 receptions, Ginn was still effective in the Week 1 shootout. He caught five passes for 68 yards and a score. The 12-year veteran can still outrun defenders, too.

While his range of outcomes may not be consistent, he is still the team’s No. 2 wide receiver. Cameron Meredith was inactive and Tre’Quan Smith was invisible in Week 1. Ginn should have another good game against the Cleveland Browns in Week 2. He’s owned in 17.7 percent of leagues.

Phillip Lindsay, RB, DEN

While everyone was targeting Royce Freeman, Lindsay fell by the wayside. The undrafted rookie had 15 carries for 71 yards and another two receptions for 31 yards and a touchdown.

The Broncos, like many other teams, will roll out a two-man punch at running back, with Freeman being the power back and Lindsay as the speed. He will be a valuable fantasy football piece in the new Broncos offense going forward. At 2.4 percent, Lindsay is widely available.

T.J. Yeldon, RB, JAX

Leonard Fournette is dealing with a minor hamstring injury and is listed day-to-day. With his status for Week 2 up in the air, Yeldon becomes an immediate must-own. If Fournette can’t play, Yeldon will get the majority of carries.

Yeldon had 14 carries for 51 yards and three catches for 18 yards and a score. He proved that he can handle the workload if Fournette is out. He’s only owned in 8.3 percent of leagues. The Jaguars will post their first injury report on Wednesday, so we should get a better feel for his status by then.

Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC

The Los Angeles Chargers No. 2 running back was an active part of the offense in Week 1. He had five rushing attempts for 39 yards and five receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown.

With Melvin Gordon dominating the game, 166 yards on 24 touches, Ekeler will be the change-of-pace running back. He may mot score 22 PPR points in every game but he will see some action each week. He’s available in 88 percent of leagues.

Eric Ebron, TE, IND

The tight end position is very week this season. Outside of the top two or three names, it’s a roll of the dice. Travis Kelce was missing, the Titans lost Delanie Walker for the season and Greg Olson is dealing with a foot injury.

Ebron split time with Jack Doyle in the Colts offense but both proved to be effective. Ebron caught four passes for 51 yards and a touchdown. With little pass-catching options outside of TY Hilton, Ebron will be involved in the passing game. He’s owned in 16.8 percent of leagues.

Will Dissly, TE, SEA

Who? Exactly. We are digging deep to find any value at the position. Dissly caught three passes for a whopping 105 yards and a touchdown.

Dissly and the Seahawks travel to Chicago for Week 2. Like I said with Marshall, Baldwin being out frees up a lot of targets. Dissly should benefit from that. He’s owned in just 0.3 percent of leagues.

Jared Cook, TE, OAK

Cook was the No. 1 target to Derek Carr in Week 1. He caught nine passes for 180 yards. Wide receivers Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson were near-invisible in this game. They combined for four receptions and 32 yards.

The Oakland Raiders face the Broncos in Week 2, the team that allowed Dissly to gain 105 yards. Carr trusts Cook and there’s something in the oven between these two. He’s the highest-owned player on the list at 28.4 percent.

Jets D/ST

Did anyone expect this? The New York Jets defense suffocated Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions offense. They allowed 11 points while causing five interceptions and two special team scores.

Stafford threw the ball a lot but they could not score. The Jets face division rival Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Ryan Tannehill did not look good in Week 1, so I like the Jets to stifle another offense. They are available in 99 percent of leagues.

Redskins D/ST

Another surprising offense, the Washington Redskins kept Sam Bradford and the Arizona Cardinals in check. They gave up just six points with an interception, a fumble recovery and two sacks.

The Redskins face the Colts in Week 2. I think they’ll be able to pressure Andrew Luck throughout the game. The Colts don’t have much of a run game, so expect a lot of double coverages. They are available in 90 percent of ESPN leagues.

Next. Make sure James Conner is owned. dark

Depending on your league, these players may be owned but not likely. They offer high ceilings but their floor is low as well. While it is just one week, I think these players showed that they belong to be owned in more leagues.

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Fantasy Football 2018: 10 Players to target off the waiver wire

By Bill Pivetz | Sep 11, 2018