RADIO
Offenses continued to find their footing in Week 2. Just five teams found a way to score 26 or more points. From a fantasy perspective, Week 2 was marginally better than Week 1.
We did get four 300-yard passers, but only one quarterback had more than two passing touchdowns (Kyler Murray). Things will certainly improve, but it has been a rough start for many fantasy managers.
In this article, I will focus on players under 65% rostered in fantasy leagues while adding a few deep sleepers for two-quarterback leagues (less than 25% rostered).
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Single-QB Waiver Wire Pickups and Streamers
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks
Yahoo: 34% rostered
Geno Smith hasn’t hit the same level of fantasy production he had in 2022, but he has posted two strong weeks in Seattle’s new offense. Smith has scored at least 17.0 fantasy points in his first two games.
DK Metcalf WIDE OPEN for a 56-yard TD!
📺: #SEAvsNE on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/nLjzMeiUub— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024
Smith did enough to lead the Seahawks to victory in Week 2 against a stout Patriots defense. He completed 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards and a touchdown with zero interceptions. The veteran quarterback is also consistently rushing the ball, totaling nine carries for 38 yards and a touchdown in two games.
Seattle has exploitable matchups over the next three weeks with games against the Dolphins, Lions, and Giants on deck. All three of these defenses can be beaten in the air, giving Smith streaming appeal if you’re looking for a spark at quarterback.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Yahoo: 19% rostered
Many expected the Saints to be terrible. However, the team has now moved to a 2-0 record after a decisive road win against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 2.
Carr was once again efficient in the Saint’s passing attack, completing 11 of 16 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also added a one-yard quarterback sneak touchdown. He has consecutive weeks with at least 23.0 fantasy points.
Rashid Shaheed so far:
4 touches
103 total yards
1 TDProblem.pic.twitter.com/Q1dzpHRvBt
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 15, 2024
At some point, the Saints will find themselves against a team that can attack their defense, but to start the year Carr has been getting it done with big plays down the field on limited pass attempts.
The Saints have plenty of exploitable matchups over the next four weeks, with games against Philadelphia, Atlanta, Kansas City, and Tampa Bay on the horizon. Each of those matchups can turn into a shoot-out, which would lead to more passing volume for Carr. If that happens (and he can maintain his efficiency), then he could be a big source of fantasy scoring.
Two-QB Waiver Wire Pickups and Stashes
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
Yahoo: 6% rostered
It would have been fair to assume that Sam Darnold’s Week 1 fantasy production (14.6 points with 208 passing yards and two touchdowns with an interception) was a fluke since it came against the Giants. After Week 2, it might be time to pay attention to the veteran quarterback as a viable fantasy option.
Rashid Shaheed so far:
4 touches
103 total yards
1 TDProblem.pic.twitter.com/Q1dzpHRvBt
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 15, 2024
Darnold followed up a steady game against the Giants with a strong performance against a much better 49ers defense. He completed 17 of 26 passes for 268 yards and two touchdowns and an interception. He also added five carries for 32 yards.
It took him just two games with the Vikings to surpass 22.0 fantasy points in a game. Darnold will have two matchups in the coming weeks to produce with games against Houston and Green Bay on the horizon.
There is some risk to adding Darnold given the injuries to his pass catchers, especially after Justin Jefferson left Week 2’s game early with a quad contusion. But Darnold is playing well and is one of the most QB-friendly offenses in the league, so he’s a worthy speculative add regardless.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns
Yahoo: 25% rostered
Deshaun Watson was brutal in Week 1. But he did play better football in Week 2 against the Jaguars, which puts him on the fantasy radar as a QB2 or bench stash quarterback.
Watson completed 64% of his passes for 186 yards in Week 2 against Jacksonville. He was able to salvage his fantasy day with five carries for 20 yards and a touchdown. That makes two straight weeks with at least five rushes for Watson.
The veteran quarterback hasn’t shown much fantasy upside this season but has three solid matchups (the Giants in Week 3, Commanders in Week 5, and Eagles in Week 6) on the horizon for fantasy. Watson may have streaming appeal on the horizon. If he’s on your waiver wire, consider adding him and hoping he can exploit some poor secondaries in the coming weeks.
Malik Willis, Green Bay Packers
Yahoo: 2% rostered
The Packers were able to take an early lead against the Colts, which allowed them to continue to lean on their rushing attack without Jordan Love. Willis did just enough to make sure that he gets another start in Week 3.
The veteran quarterback completed 12 of 14 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown. He also added six carries for 41 yards.
Malik Willis throws his first NFL TD pass!#INDvsGB pic.twitter.com/c2ALcrhUN6
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) September 15, 2024
From a fantasy standpoint, Willis didn’t move the needle much (12.9 fantasy points), but as long as he’s a starter he will have interesting appeal due to his rushing upside. The Packers have tough defensive matchups against the Titans and Vikings in the next two weeks (we can’t assume Willis starts beyond that), but he does have interesting upside due to his rushing ability.
Willis won’t be a forever option with Jordan Love set to return later in the season, but he does have interesting upside while starting due to Green Bay’s ability to give him plenty of options to throw to in the passing attack.
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