Preemptive Strike: Week 2

Now that we have recovered from our fantasy football season opener, it is time to address our teams and see how we can improve them going forward. Hopefully, you were able to add some quality talent through the waiver wire but if not, I will have some options for you to add on this week's Preemptive Strike. Here are some players that you can add or stash depending on your roster size prior to Week 2's games so you can be ahead of your league mates and next week's waiver wire run.

Quarterbacks

Check to see if these quarterbacks are available to add first: Brock Purdy 70% Rostered, Jordan Love 60% Rostered, and Russell Wilson 51% Rostered.

Derek Carr, QB Saints 40% Rostered

With the weapons that Derek Carr has at his disposal, he should have another solid outing this week versus the Panthers. In Week 3 the Saints have a possible shootout coming with the Packers, who appear to be on the rise with Jordan Love at the helm of the offense. If you have an underperforming starter, you may want to consider adding Carr. Also, keep in mind that Alvin Kamara will be returning from suspension after Week 3 and that will only give Carr another phenomenal weapon to throw to. Carr should be rostered in 12-team leagues.

Mac Jones, QB Patriots 21% Rostered

Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien may have found the recipe to open up this offense. His playcalling led Mac Jones to one of the best games of his career in Week 1. In a possible encore performance this week on Sunday Night Football, he will probably need to dial in Jones to have another gunslinger game to keep up with the Dolphins. Now if Jones has another 300-plus yards and multiple touchdowns game on Sunday he will be a high waiver wire priority come next week. Beat your league mates to the punch and add him now in deeper 12-team leagues.

Baker Mayfield QB Buccaneers 14% Rostered

After being an afterthought in fantasy drafts, Baker Mayfield illustrated that he could still get it done in the right systems and with great weapons. Next week Mayfield faces the Eagles, who have been a little vulnerable through the air with the first two quarterbacks they have faced being able to throw for over 300 yards and have multiple touchdowns. Baker the touchdown maker should be added to two-quarter and super-flex leagues. 

Kyler Murray, QB Cardinals 25% Rostered

Kyler Murray is currently on the PUP list and is out for at least the first four games of the season. Pick him up now and stash him on your IR spot until he returns. 

Malik Willis or Will Levis, QB Titans 1% Rostered

I’m including Malik Willis and Will Levis on this list for two quarterbacks and super-flex leagues because Ryan Tannehill is already starting to look shaking and you could see the Titans making a switch at quarterback sooner rather than later to see what they have in the young quarterbacks.

Other quarterbacks to consider adding are Sam Howell 20% Rostered, Matthew Stafford 35% Rostered, and Bryce Young 15% Rostered.

Running Backs

Check to see if these running backs are available to add first: Gus Edwards 64% Rostered, Joshua Kelley 61% Rostered, Kyren Williams 55% Rostered, and Jerrick McKinnon 52% Rostered.

De’Von Achane, RB Dolphins 44% Rostered 

After being ruled out for the season opener, plenty of fantasy managers decided to drop De’Von Achane. If you are in a 10-team PPR league, snatch him up quickly. Achane has 4.3 speed and is a dynamo in the receiving game. Raheem Mostert has missed some practice time due to a knee injury, so if he happens to miss time you could have the top running back that’s in one of the best offensive teams already on your team before next week’s waiver rush.

Justice Hill, RB Ravens 43% Rostered

With the unfortunate news of J.K. Dobbins being out for the year. Gus Edwards and Justice Hill are in line for additional touches. Edwards will initially be the lead back but Hill will get his share of carries. Hill should be added in 12-team leagues in advance of this week’s game to see who will get more touches going forward.

Jaylen Warren, RB Steelers 41% Rostered

As what was speculated during training camp Jaylen Warren will be seeing a great amount of touches in the Steelers running game, especially on passing downs. Although the Steelers got wallopped by the 49ers, Warren and Najee Harris had just about the same amount of touches. If you have the space, Warren should be rostered in all 12-team PPR leagues.  

Tank Bigsby, RB Jaguars 40% Rostered

Travis Etienne is the big dog for the foreseeable future and will get the majority of touches out of the backfield. But in Tank Bigsby's debut, he was used in the Red Zone and did find the endzone for a touchdown. As the season progresses, Bigsby's role in the offense should continue to grow. Should Etienne go down with an injury Bigsby could be an RB2 for fantasy managers. Add him if you can in 12-team leagues.

Roschon Johnson, RB Bears 31% Rostered

Although Khalil Herbert had most of the touches in the first half, it was Rochon Johnson who played quite a bit in the second half of the contest. Johnson totaled 55 yards from scrimmage and had six receptions on seven targets. If the talented rookie continues to play like this his volume of touches will be on the rise. Add Johnson now while you still can.

Running Backs to add and stash in deeper league formats: Tyjae Spears 16% Rostered, Jeff Wilson Jr. 26% Rostered, Chubba Hubbard 17% Rostred, Kendre Miller 13% Rostered, Kareem Hunt 11% Rostered, Jerome Ford 9% Rostered, Sean Tucker 4% Rostered, Jaleel McLaughlin 1%, Keaton Mitchell 1% Rostered, and Tarik Cohen 0% Rostered.

Wide Receivers

Check to see if these wide receivers are available to add first: Jakobi Meyers 65% Rostered, Nico Collins 60% Rostered, and Treylon Burks 61% Rostered.

Romeo Doubs, WR Packers 47% Rostered

If Romeo Doubs is for some odd reason still in your waiver wire, please stop what you are doing and pick him up now. With his hamstring issues behind him and being Jordan Love’s WR1 for the moment, Doubs was able to bring in four of his five targets for only 26 yards but two touchdowns. The Packers had a huge lead and then started running the ball so it was not necessary for them to pass more. Even when Christian Watson returns Doubs will still be one of Love’s main targets and should rostered in 12-team leagues.

Kendrick Bourne, WR Patriots 39% Rostered

Are we ready for the next installment of the Bourne Identity Series? Well, the Patriots are surely hoping so. With the wide receivers corps that is currently on the roster, Kendrick Bourne took a huge step forward to make his claim that he is the WR1 for the Patriots. Bourne was targeted a whopping 11 times by Mac Jones in Week 1. He had six receptions for 64 yards and two touchdowns. If Bourne got through waivers this week and is still there pounce on that add button because he should have another possible big game this week with the Dolphins coming to town. 

Zay Jones, WR Jaguars 46% Rostered 

Even with Calvin Ridley making a splashy debut with Jacksonville, Zay Jones was still targeted seven times. Jones was very productive with those targets as he turned them into five receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. Jones is an option to add in deeper 12-team PPR leagues.

Kadarius Toney, WR Chiefs 47% Rostered

Oh boy, should I go down this road again? F&% it, why not? I know first-hand that having Kadarius Toney on your roster is frustrating as shit, but he should be at least 50% rostered. Let’s be positive and say Toney was just a little rusty since he missed most of training camp with a knee injury and had a bad case of the dropsies. Now that he has a game under his belt and Travis Kelce is trending to start this week, Toney should have better days ahead. Patrick Mahomes has already come out and said that he trusts Toney and that he will still try to get him the ball. So if you have an extra space in your 12-team roster scoop him and get ready to pray that he can stay healthy.

Michael Gallup, WR Cowboys 24% Rostered

Just wanted to mention to try adding Michael Gallop with Brandin Cooks dealing with a knee injury and has not been able to practice all week. Gallop should get an uptick in targets this week.

Allen Robinson II, WR Steelers 11% Rostered

Does Allen Robinson II have anything left to offer fantasy managers? Only time will tell but at least he showed some life after his Week 1 performance out of the slot. Robinson was targeted eight times and converted that into five receptions for 64 yards. With Diontae Johnson listed as doubtful this week, Robinson will have opportunities to get more targets until Johnson returns from his hamstring injury. If you need a PPR option in deeper 12-team PPR leagues Robinson is an excellent option.

Wide Receivers to add and stash in deeper league formats: Darnell Mooney 42% Rostered, Rashee Rice 37% Rostered, Marvin Mim Jr. 24% Rostered, Tutu Atwell 21% Rostered, Jonathan Mingo 13% Rostered, Jayden Reed 10%, Curtis Samuel 10% Rostered, Josh Reynolds 9% Rostered, and Robert Woods 8% Rostered.

Tight Ends

Check to see if these running backs are available to add first: Sam LaPorta 71% Rostered, Cole Kmet 68% Rostered, Dalton Schultz 53% Rostered, and Hunter Henry 52% Rostered.

Jake Ferguson, TE Cowboys 37% Rostered

The Cowboys’ tight end did not produce much offense in Week 1 but neither did the Cowboys passing game. What makes Jake Ferguson a worthwhile add is the eight targets he received from Dak Prescott. This illustrates that even though offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is no longer in Dallas, the offense will still be targeting the tight end position. Add Ferguson before he has a breakout game in deeper 12-team leagues. 

Juwan Johnson, TE Saints 40% Rostered

Juwan Johnson was only targeted five times in Week 1 but had a 75 percent snap share and 81 percent route share. With Chris Olave and Michael Thomas garnering most of the opposing defense's attention, it should free up plenty of opportunities for Johnson going forward. Johnson is another option to consider in deeper PPR leagues.

Hayden Hurst, TE Panthers 35% Rostered

Hayden Hurst is worth adding now before this week’s game since he appears to be Bryce Young’s security blanket. This move is more of looking ahead to Week 3 when the Panthers face the Seahawks. Hurst was targeted seven times and produced five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Keep in mind that he does have a tough match-up with the Saints this week. Hurst is worth an add in 12-team leagues.

Luke Musgrave, TE Packers  23% Rostered

If you are in a bind at tight end and need one for this week, I would add Luke Musgrave first from this list since he has a juicy match-up versus the Falcons in Week 2. It also appears that Christian Watson might be out again. But if you are thinking ahead to Week 3, keep in mind that Musgrave will be facing the top defending team versus tight ends the Saints, so he might not be very productive next week.

Tight Ends to add and stash in deeper league formats: Zach Ertz 9% Rostered, Mike Gesicki 5% Rostered, Logan Thomas 3% Rostered, and Adam Trautman 4% Rostered.

Defense/Special Defense

New England Patriots Defense gets to face the Aaron Rodger-less Jets in Week 3.

Seattle Seahawks Defense has rookie Bryce Young and the Panthers coming to town next week.

Jacksonville Jaguars Defense may have an opportunity to cause some turnovers next week against the Houston Texans.

Cleveland Browns Defense plays against the Tennessee Titans who have looked shaky at offense so far.

What players are you looking to add prior to this week's game? If you would like to discuss this further or have any fantasy football questions you may reach me on X @smooth1074.