Here’s an early look at the fantasy players you’ll be targeting off the waiver wire this week. None of these players are rostered in more than 50% of ESPN.com leagues. The actual ESPN.com ownership percentage is listed in parentheses. Be sure to check out Jen Piacenti’s expanded list of waiver-wire players every Tuesday!
Jordan Love, QB, Packers (39.6%)
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Love produced his second straight strong stat line, throwing for three touchdowns and scoring more than 20 fantasy points in a loss to the Falcons. He now has six scoring strikes on the young season, and he’s done it without his No. 1 wide receiver in Christian Watson. Love has more than exceeded expectations after the first two weeks and needs to be owned across the board heading into Week 3.
Gus Edwards, RB, Ravens (31.9%)
The Ravens lost J.K. Dobbins for the season with a torn Achilles in Week 1, which left fantasy managers to choose between Edwards and Justice Hill off the wire. That kept both players widely available, but it was Edwards who made a bigger impact in Week 2. The “Bus” saw 10 carries compared to Hill’s 11, but he rushed for 62 yards and scored on a goal-line rush. He looks like the Ravens back to own.
Tutu Atwell, WR, Rams (30%)
Lost in all the hoopla of his teammate, Puka Nacua, Atwell has put up some pretty darn good numbers himself. He produced six catches for 119 yards in the opener, and followed that up with seven catches and 77 yards against a tough Niners defense. While Nacua has been the prize waiver add, Atwell deserves his kudos as well. He should be rostered until Cooper Kupp (hamstring) returns to the field.
Zack Moss, RB, Colts (29.5%)
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Moss returned from an injured arm and immediately took over the lead role in the Colts backfield. In fact, he was the only running back to play an offensive snap or see a touch! In all Moss saw 22 touches, rushed 18 times for 88 yards and scored a touchdown. This did come against the awful Texans run defense, but volume is king and Moss appears to have that for at least a few more weeks.
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers (13.4%)
Reed made like Romeo Doubs in Week 1, scoring two touchdowns of his own in a loss to the Falcons. The rookie also led all Packers receivers with eight targets, so he has the trust of Love in a young, up-and-coming offense. Whether he’ll continue to see a high target rate once Watson returns remains to be seen, but for now Reed is worth a look off the wire for a Week 3 matchup vs. New Orleans.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Cowboys (12.2%)
Ferguson might not become a weekly fantasy starter, but he’s certainly on the radar as a No. 2 option who can start when the matchup is favorable. He received seven targets the first week of the season, and scored his first touchdown of 2023 against the Jets. The Cowboys have always liked to incorporate the tight end in their pass attack, and Ferguson looks like the next man up for coach Mike McCarthy.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans (7.5%)
Stroud is coming off a huge stat line, throwing for 384 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Indianapolis. In all, he finished with an impressive 21.5 fantasy points. This won’t be the norm, but the Texans playing from behind and having to throw the ball is certainly more than likely. That could make Stroud a decent sleeper in games where the Texans are big underdogs. They’ll face the Jaguars next.
Ty Chandler, RB, Vikings (4.6%)
This is a speculative add for fantasy fans in deeper leagues, as Chandler could be in line for more touches in the Vikings backfield. Starter Alexander Mattison has done next to nothing in the stat sheets, and he’s already turned the ball over once and was lucky not to have a second (negated due to a penalty). If Mattison doesn’t start to produce, head coach Kevin O’Connell could give Chandler more touches.
Josh Reynolds, WR, Lions (4.4%)
Reynolds produced a strong stat line in what was a shootout at Ford Field, posting five catches for 66 yards with two touchdowns in a loss to Seattle. He has now put up at least four catches in each of his first two games, making him a prime add off the waiver wire. Detroit’s pass attack should remain productive, giving Reynolds a chance to retain value until Jameson Williams returns to the field.
Tank Dell, WR, Texans (3.8%)
Dell made his presence known against the Colts, catching seven passes for 72 yards with one touchdown. The rookie also led all Houston receivers with a total of 10 targets. While this could be the best fantasy game he’ll have this season, we’re seeing Texans wideouts produce good totals as the team finds itself in negative game scripts. Robert Woods (6.2%) is also worth a look this week.
