Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds: Week 2

Fantasy Football is back. The thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, the bipolar and totally reliable Sleeper projections that have your team going from a 77% chance at victory to getting curb stomped in less than two hours. Tis the season. Embrace it. Love it. The Waiver Wire is where dreams start. Whether it's taking advantage of the opportunity presented by a frustrated league mate discarding a slow starter, or picking up that next undrafted free agent from the Solomon Islands that just touched a football yesterday you're sure is a league winner, the wire can be a huge part of strategy. In this series each week of this glorious season I will go over my hot adds of the week you should be submitting your claims for. I try to provide sound evidence for these players and occasionally even alert you to concerns about picking them up. In the end this is your team though and if it's between listening to me or your gut on a player always go with your gut. I suck at this and you should roll with your guys no matter what because that makes champions. Now, let's ride this pony.

Harold Fannin, TE, Cleveland Browns

  The superlatives of football are thrown around way too much in my opinion. Prolific, league winner, physical specimen, etc. are frequently used to the point of creating apathy at least in myself but prolific is a great way to describe the college production of Fannin. FBS single season TE record holder with 117 receptions for 1,555 receiving yards last year. National leader in both those categories. Bowling Green's first ever consensus All-American. Only two dropped balls on those targets. 873 YAC and 34 broken tackles leading the nation's collegiate tight ends. I could go on.

I think Fannin went undrafted in so many leagues because of the fact he was a Bowling Green alumni. He was unfairly discounted being at a smaller school and I also think a lot of people including myself I'll own my fumbles, thought this was a deep TE class. It may still be a decent TE class but Fannin has already made an impressive debut.

The Browns elevated their use of 12 personnel which last year was in the middle to back end of teams so the first thing I like for Fannin is how often he was on the field with Njoku and still producing. Fannin played 72% of snaps and was lined up all over the formation and especially as a receiver. He even took a carry for a three yard gain similar to his flexible use all over the field at Bowling Green. You want a guy like this playing a majority of snaps and lining up everywhere as a weapon because that creates opportunity share we want to translate to points hopefully. People are poo pooing the performance of Fannin saying that the Browns won't throw 40+ times a game which very well could be true but I offer you this, what if a team consistently projected to be behind and bottom of the barrel has to throw more to keep up? Is your mind blown? In either case, if you need a TE or especially in TE premium leagues pick up Fannin. Thankfully I picked him up in one of my dynasty leagues two weeks ago and he's been in my taxi ever since. Sadly, he might be getting activated with Bowers potentially injured.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

The fantasy football and NFL can put a lot of pressure on rookies and can be quick to cast aside those rookies after a short leash of development time. QJ might finally have a year three breakout maybe like Nico Collins. He was in for 82% of snaps and Herbert trusted him in clutch moments with two touchdowns that helped seal the game. The main criticism of QJ was that he was not clutch and had bricks for hands. This trust of the staff of the Chargers and Herbert in a massive first win of the season could bode well for QJ.

79 yards for 11.29 YPT and 15.8 YPC also shows to me at least that these 7 targets were intentional efforts to get QJ involved and not just flukes as a result of busted coverage for example. Keenan Allen was able to eat his fair share and I think this balanced play calling is what we see going forward from the Chargers this year. Once again, my opinion based off the stats and what I was watching. I think the Chargers played an always tough divisional rival like the Chiefs perfectly with this balanced play/run approach and if they want a deep playoff run and even Super Bowl appearance they are going to have to be surgical and precise with their aerial attack like they were especially when confronted with the potential for high scoring games this season against the Chief again, Broncos, Eagles, etc. where throwing the ball more might occur.

The final thing I think that helps QJ is that Herbert used 8 different pass catchers in his arsenal throughout the game and even spreading the ball around that much Quentin was still able to play that many snaps and get that many targets and translate that opportunity share we talk about into production. Let's hope this continues.

Hollywood Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Back to Brazil, Marquise "Hollywood" Brown is another good pick up. Xavier Worthy ended up with an unfortunate and insane shoulder dislocation after colliding with Travis Kelce and is expected to miss time. Rashee Rice now has five games of suspension left to serve. This leaves the Chiefs with Juju Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton as their primary receivers along with Hollywood. I have had my shares of Hollywood in the past and he is a good veteran performer who's most frustrating flaw is his glass skin and paper bones. He CAN NOT stay healthy. However, when he IS healthy he is a solid WR2/3 for your team and he played 93% of snaps this Brazil game against the Chargers.

I don't expect that number to go down anytime soon. Best case scenario is they put Worthy in a sling of some sort and trot him back out ASAP but this is going to be terrible for a WR who needs shoulder mobility to extend and make catches plus secure said catches. Rice may or may not have a ramp up after suspension before going back to 100%. Once he realized the ball was actually coming his way Hollywood looked like a man with something to play for. He drew a whooping 16 targets catching 10 and turning that into 99 yards with a 6.19 YPT and a 9.9 YPC. Add in even just one touchdown and this is a monster day.

Brown is on a great offense, with a great staff and a great QB. The opportunity share is there and he's delivered once already. The biggest issue and most unpredictable one is if he can stay healthy.

Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns

Another Browns player, Sampson overshadowed Jerome Ford in a big way. I should have trusted my gut over "experts" and projections and started Sampson over Ford. Sampson was only in for 43% of snaps which is concerning but this is a game where I mentioned earlier the Browns and Flacco threw the ball over 40 times. Maybe the Browns get back to a more bruiser, run the ball down your throat mentality soon with Judkins coming back but either way to only play 43% of snaps and put up 13.30 in half ppr is a decent day to me.

The most encouraging thing was how often Sampson was used in the passing game. He caught 8 0f 8 targets for 64 yards at 8 YPC and 8 YPT. Lucky 8s baby. He found no room running however and had 12 attempts for only 29 yards at 2.42 YPC. So why am I okay with this? Judkins coming back puts him at RB1 I believe but his style is best suited for the punishing Chubb in his prime or Derrick Henry style of running back while Sampson can still carve out a pass catching and check down role with stand alone value. This is my theory, a world where Judkins and Sampson co exist while Ford is left holding the camera if you know what I mean?

Ford took a massive pay cut to stay on for a one year deal out of misguided loyalty. He's gone after this year unless something crazy happens. While he played 54% of snaps he was even worse. He put up 2 points in half ppr. He had 6 rushing attempts for 8 yards at a 1.33 YPC. His long target he caught for -3 yardage. Judkins coming back is only going to put the nail in his coffin not Sampson's. Also, Judkins and Henderson were both highly productive together coming out of college on the same team so I could see a world where Sampson fits the use of Henderson at Ohio and Judkins does what Judkins does and both Sampson and Judkins can pop off.

Honorable Mentions:

Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets

Yep, you watched that thriller of a game and realized he might finally be balling. Go ahead and pick him up, it's worth a shot. I was thrilled and on the edge of my seat that game. Who knew that would be so exciting?

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Same as Fields. Rodgers looked good. Hard for a guy with his miles and age but he put on a hell of a show and the IQ plus knowledge is the last things to go for a QB. They have a longer shelf life in football for a reason that's why it's not as concerning when the speed and athleticism start to go.

Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts

Vanilla Vick is back in a big way baby. Best offensive line of his career and best cast of offensive playmakers since he's been in the league. Don't expect the rushing TDs to continue with Jonathan Taylor there but I really like Jones as a QB 2 going forward in super flex. If you thought all he needed was a line and weapons which he never got in New York so far you're vindicated.

Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders,

If you played or paid attention to fantasy last year this is no surprise. Jayden Daniels gives Ertz a lot of red zone looks and he delivers. He's old but reliable thus far, nothing flashy but will get you points weekly.

Ray-Ray McCloud, WR, Atlanta Falcons

My least favorite pick so monitor the health of Mooney and London on practice reports. Ray-Ray could see increased opportunity on a high flying Falcons offense looking competent with Penix throwing. Who knows if this translates to points though.