Welcome to the Week 2 waiver wire watch!
The 2025 NFL season is finally underway and so too are the fantasy football campaigns for managers across all kinds of different formats. Whether you won your first matchup of the year or stumbled out of the gate, you’re probably looking for ways to fortify your rosters ahead of next week. Well, we got you.
We’ll go over some Week 1 performers that you should consider scooping off the waiver wire ahead of Week 2. We’ll classify a waiver add as someone who is rostered in 60% of leagues at maximum.
Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts (7.7%)
The most shocking Week 1 performance came in Indianapolis, when Jones and the Colts lit up the Miami Dolphins in a 33-8 rout. Fresh off beating out Anthony Richardson for the starting job in training camp, “Danny Dimes” lit up the Miami Dolphins by going 22-29 for 276 passing yards and one touchdown through the air, adding 26 yards and an additional two touchdowns on the ground.
When healthy, Jones has shown that he can be a sneaky serviceable fantasy add because of his running ability and that was certainly the case on Sunday. By the time the late afternoon window closed, he stood tied with Justin Fields for the top fantasy performer of the week with 29.5 points. It’s unlikely that he will go off like this every week, but the veteran at least proved that he can still be a worthwhile add to someone’s roster.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m. ET.
Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons (29%)
The Falcons Falcon’d hard in their 23-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Younghoe Koo missed a last-second field goal that would’ve sent the game into overtime. The silver lining for Atlanta is that Penix looks the part of a franchise quarterback as he went 27-42 for 298 yards and a touchdown through the air, also adding a score on the ground.
That rushing TD was arguably the highlight of the game as he extended out on fourth down to give the Falcons the lead with two minutes left in the fourth. His performance was good enough enough for 24.0 fantasy points and anyone who is iffy on their QB situation coming out of Week 1 should definitely give him a look.
Week 2 matchup: @ Minnesota Vikings, 8:20 p.m. ET
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (13.3%)
Rodgers did his best to beat the “washed” allegations in Week 1 as he downed his former team in the New York Jets with a 34-32 victory. The 41-year-old QB looked like he jumped into a time machine back to his prime Green Bay days, earning 25.7 fantasy points by going 22-30 for 244 yards and four touchdowns.
It was one of the best performances we’ve seen from a Steelers QB in quite some time and that could spell positive things for the AFC North franchise moving forward. That could also mean him reclaiming his mantle as one of the more reliable fantasy QB’s in the entire league.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Seattle Seahawks, 1 p.m. ET
Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns (43.4%)
As expected, the Browns’ offense was a mess in a 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. But one of the more notable things was the usage of Sampson in his NFL debut. The rookie out of Tennessee was fed the ball a lot in Week 1, registering 12 carries for 27 rushing yards with an additional eight receptions for 64 receiving yards. Those numbers netted fantasy managers 17.3 points in PPR leagues and his immediate rapport with Joe Flacco should be something to note.
Week 2 matchup: @ Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals (48.7%)
Benson was identified as one of the top handcuff options heading into the season and he exceeded expectations in the team’s 20-13 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The second-year back actually out-rushed starter James Conner in the opener and showed off his explosiveness, taking eight carries for 68 yards on the ground. The preseason hype appears to be real and he should continue to get plenty of work as the season rolls on.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Carolina Panthers, 4:05 p.m. ET
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets (56.7%)
Allen didn’t quite challenge starter Breece Hall for carries like many (*cough* myself) thought he would in the Jets’ opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he was able to punch in a touchdown in the 34-32 loss. Six carries for nine yards is by no means ideal, but a red zone touchdown shows that he can provide value to the offense in scoring situations. If you want to scoop him up off the waiver wire, this week will probably be your bet chance to do so.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m. ET
Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (8.7%)
Johnston has officially arrived…at least for one week. The third-year wideout started the season off with a bang in Brazil on Friday night, catching five passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s 27-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. He consistently made big plays with an average of 15.8 yards per reception and was still the top fantasy receiver with 24.9 points in PPR leagues by the time Sunday’s late afternoon window ended.
After two disappointing seasons, Johnston could be on the cusp of a breakthrough season. He’s ripe for the taking off the waiver wire with him being available in nearly every league.
Week 2 matchup: @ Las Vegas Raiders, 10 p.m. ET (Monday night)
Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (62.3%)
Johnston didn’t hog all of the spotlight in Brazil as Allen had a nice performance in his first game back with the Chargers. The veteran hauled in seven of his targets for 68 yards and a touchdown in the opener, once again proving himself as Mr. Reliable for the Bolts. This is probably the last week some of you can find Allen on the waiver wire and I suggest putting in a bid before it’s too late.
Week 2 matchup: @ Las Vegas Raiders, 10 p.m. ET (Monday night)
Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers (17.9%)
Green Bay made a statement with a 27-13 trashing of the Detroit Lions and it was a game defined by the defense dominating throughout the afternoon. Offensively, they didn’t get a breakout day from any one of their skill position players, but Doubs did show off his explosiveness with two receptions for 68 yards. He has boom-or-bust potential within the Packers offense and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for a manager to stash him on the bench until the right matchup comes along.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots (48.2%)
New England aired it out all afternoon it its 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday and Henry made positive contributions in the losing effort. His four receptions for 66 yards earned fantasy managers 10.6 points, not bad for a big tight end option who is still available in roughly half of leagues across the board. The chemistry between him and Drake Maye is bound to get stronger as the season goes on, so make a note of that.
Week 2 matchup: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 10 p.m. ET (Monday night)
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders (46.9%)
So far, so good for the Commanders as they knocked off the New Giants 21-7 in their Week 1 NFC East showdown. The veteran Ertz didn’t post monster numbers in his debut with the team, but he made the most of his looks with three receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown. He could emerge as a go-to red zone option for Jaylen Daniels, so keep that in mind if you need some TE help.
Week 2 matchup: @ Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m. ET (Thursday night)
