Should I Pickup Demarcus Robinson or Tyler Johnson? Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

Los Angeles Rams wide receivers Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson are primed for larger roles in the offense after the injury to fellow receiver Puka Nacua. With Nacua's absence, a significant target vacuum opens up.

Quarterback Matthew Stafford is still playing at a high level, and typically attempts enough passes per game to support at least two fantasy relevant receivers in PPR.

Should you pick up Robinson or Johnson? Which one is more likely to be fantasy relevant for your team? Let's dive in.

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Demarcus Robinson Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook

Through the last few weeks of 2023 and training camp, Robinson is the receiver that clearly established himself as the WR3 of the team. He was 3rd on the team in targets through the last five weeks, and he built up chemistry with Stafford. Robinson was a unheralded fantasy relevant player through this stretch, scoring double digit PPR fantasy points every week through Weeks 13-16.

You probably want the WR3 on the Rams

From Week 13 - Week 17 last season:

Targets:
Cooper Kupp - 42
Puka Nacua - 43
Demarcus Robinson - 34
Other - 6

Yards:
Cooper Kupp - 344
Puka Nacua - 521
Demarcus Robinson - 329
Other - 21

Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington, or Tutu Atwell? pic.twitter.com/m3KuI1bl66

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 12, 2024

Robinson also gained nearly as many yards as Kupp. Though the Rams drafted Jordan Whittington and acquired Johnson in the offseason, Robinson is still the established WR3. He will be on the field much more than Johnson and Whittington, at least initially, so he's likely to be fantasy relevant as long as the Rams offense holds up in general.

Tyler Johnson Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Outlook

Johnson had a nice catch and run in the Rams' Week 1 game against the Detroit Lions, so this should give him more opportunities to shine. He's not been used much throughout his career, and this could be due to him needing to develop. At the very least, it's hard to deny his talent given some of the plays he's made, even if they're few and far between.

Minnesota legend Tyler Johnson goes 63 yards for a NFL career-high long reception.

4 catches for 66 yards tonight for the Rams. Minneapolis’ finest.

pic.twitter.com/2GN7lJkQdG

— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) September 9, 2024

His potential to break off big plays like this makes him an intriguing option. That being said, we saw Whittington do the same in the preseason. The WR room is a bit crowded behind Kupp, and it might be that the guys behind Robinson are used rotationally.

The Rams mostly ran three WR sets though (highest rate in the league so far in 2023) so Johnson could see the field often. Whittington could eat into his playing time though.

Minnesota legend Tyler Johnson goes 63 yards for a NFL career-high long reception.

4 catches for 66 yards tonight for the Rams. Minneapolis’ finest.

pic.twitter.com/2GN7lJkQdG

— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) September 9, 2024

Should I Pickup Demarcus Robinson or Tyler Johnson For Fantasy Football?

Robinson is the clear pick. In situations where you have to decide between two players while another is out with injury for a short period of time - and Nacua is expected to be out no more than five weeks - you're much better off going with the established player. Johnson will likely need to rely on big plays if he wants to outproduce Robinson.

Demarcus Robinson has scored a touchdown in each of the last 3 games.

It’s great to see his involvement and chemistry with Stafford grow. With Atwell returning and the Tight Ends contributin, the Rams may be at their most lethal this Thursday pic.twitter.com/dT9VHaUiki

— RAMS ON FILM (@RamsOnFilm) December 19, 2023

Pick up DRob!

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