Fantasy football free agent pickups: Shough, Black, Coker highlight top options for Week 2
Each Monday, earlier than the present NFL week ends, we are going to establish gamers worthy of your consideration accessible in at the least 50% of ESPN standard leagues. Things change shortly for participant valuation and roles every week within the NFL, and free company is a crucial method to purchase gamers. We are right here to assist!
Top pickup options at each place
Looking for the top advice at every talent place? Look no additional! Here are the gamers to focus on heading into Week 2
Tyler Shough, QB, Saints (rostered in 46.7% of leagues): Shough, ranked nineteenth amongst quarterbacks in roster share, began slowly versus the Detroit Lions, then ended up skewering them for 23.2 PPR factors. Yes, he had assistance from additional time and he did not face a robust secondary. Still, that is 410 passing yards and three touchdowns. Week 2 on the Baltimore Ravens ought to be more durable. Shough merely continued his wonderful play from late in his rookie season, when he was a borderline QB1 choice for fantasy throughout his 9 begins. He could be underrated even in commonplace 10-team codecs.
Kaelon Black, RB, 49ers (15.4%): Black, the third-round choose from Indiana, regarded glorious within the Week 1 rout of the Los Angeles Rams in Australia. Black turned 15 touches into 70 yards and eight.0 fantasy factors, whereas Christian McCaffrey scored 13.8 factors on his 15 touches. Perhaps the 49ers solely cut up the touches this manner as a result of distinctive circumstances, such because the lopsided rating and/or the lengthy journey. Perhaps Week 2 will see McCaffrey dominate the amount in opposition to the Miami Dolphins. Adding Black with the intention of anticipating related fantasy numbers in Week 2 is folly. However, including Black simply in case it occurs once more, or McCaffrey — with a monitor document of accidents — will get harm once more? That is smart.
Jalen Coker, WR, Panthers (50.7%): Coker is only a tad on the opposite aspect of fifty%, however he is price bending our guidelines just a bit bit. Coker, who completed final season sturdy and earned himself a three-year contract, was extra productive along with his 9 targets — catching eight passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns — than his universally rostered teammate Tetairoa McMillan, who caught simply 5 passes for 75 yards. This doesn’t imply Coker will clearly outscore McMillan in Week 2, or for the month of September or your complete season. But it positive doesn’t suggest he will not, both. Coker and buddies hit the street for Week 2 in Atlanta, the place he ought to be on the sphere (despite the fact that he was seen sporting a boot on Monday) and the Panthers ought to have the ability to throw the football.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Bengals (1.5%): The oft-overlooked Gesicki caught 78 yards price of passes, together with a 2-yard landing seize. No Bengal surpassed him in receptions, receiving yards or targets. Plus, he caught the workforce’s lone landing go. That shouldn’t proceed, clearly, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins wholesome. Still, Gesicki, 30, was a related fantasy choice as just lately as two seasons in the past, when he caught 65 passes. He could be related once more.
Other quarterbacks
Jordan Love, Packers (42.2%): Love most likely deserves a bit extra, um, love in fantasy leagues, however there’s additionally a purpose 19 different passers are extra widespread. Love fell in need of 3,400 passing yards in each of the previous two seasons and he’s barely an element within the working sport, with just one dashing landing over that span. Do not overrate his efficiency (387 passing yards) versus the Minnesota Vikings or assume the Packers persistently will throw extra with RB Josh Jacobs absent.
Malik Willis, Dolphins (21%): A dynamic runner, Willis scored greater than half his fantasy factors in Week 1 by way of his legs, with 39 dashing yards and a landing. Miami’s passing sport didn’t impress, but when Willis continues to run — and he ought to — a possible QB1 choice lurks.
Bryce Young, Panthers (11.1%): Young eclipsed 300 passing yards 3 times in his first 44 NFL begins, so the very fact he did so in Sunday’s loss to the lopsided Chicago Bears (all offense, no protection) is related however not essentially a harbinger for the next months. The Panthers face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2, which continues to be a constructive matchup for somebody who could be solely a short-term fill-in for fantasy managers.
Deep-league options/streamers
Carson Wentz, Vikings (0.1%): Starter Kyler Murray left his debut early resulting from a concussion, and we are able to assume he’ll miss at the least yet another week. Wentz performed competently within the comeback win over the Green Bay Packers, tossing three landing passes. The Bears await in Week 2. Don’t assume Wentz will direct the Vikings all season, however he’s a chief streamer in opposition to a Chicago workforce seemingly asking for weekly shootouts.
Drew Lock, Seahawks (0.1%): Starter Sam Darnold (glute) would possibly miss a number of weeks, and Lock, whereas missing the profession credentials of Wentz, additionally performed competently in reduction in an opening-week comeback win. Just as Wentz groups up with star WR Justin Jefferson, Lock performs with the fantastic WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, somebody who makes any QB look good. The Seahawks face the stunning Arizona Cardinals in Week 2.
Others: I’d go together with Lock over Falcons fill-in Cooper Rush despite the fact that Atlanta boasts a stable residence matchup with the Carolina Panthers, who simply surrendered 59 factors to the Bears. We would possibly discover out later within the week that Rush is not beginning, if lefties Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. heal from their accidents. In truth, now could be a smart time so as to add Penix. … New York Jets starter Geno Smith and Cardinals starter Jacoby Brissett are every accessible in 95% of leagues. Week 2 appears a bit early to depend on them, earlier than the bye weeks, however they’re competent.
FAB ideas: Presuming a $100 seasonlong finances for your league for waiver wire acquisition, spending huge on a quarterback, with a lot positional depth, is just not logical. Things are completely different in multi-QB/superflex codecs, however even these coping with the Darnold and Murray accidents ought to attempt to be affected person. Shough and Love are price one thing ($10-15?) when you’re notably determined, however I’d nonetheless goal flex options first and attempt to fill in problematic QB conditions with available and cheaper options corresponding to Smith and Brissett.
Other working backs
Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (41.8%): Hotshot rookie Jeremiyah Love scored 13 fantasy factors in his debut, as a dashing landing overcame tepid quantity. This was anticipated, as Love was on the mend from a sprained ankle. The dependable veteran Allgeier earned 17 dashing makes an attempt, however which may not proceed for lengthy, particularly for those that imagine the Cardinals will path extra in future video games. Be cautious right here. Allgeier is confirmed, however he is not assured a lot.
Kendre Miller, Saints (0.9%): Starter Travis Etienne Jr., among the many workforce’s most notable free agent acquisitions final offseason, scored 14.8 factors, with greater than half coming courtesy of his receiving work (7 catches, 32 yards). Otherwise, Etienne and Miller cut up 18 dashing makes an attempt, with Miller scoring on a brief landing run. We can not assume this cut up continues for Week 2 or past — and let’s keep in mind that Alvin Kamara (knee) would possibly play this month, too.
Deep-league options/streamers
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars (30.8%): Rodriguez scored solely 2.3 factors in his workforce debut, as Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence tossed 4 landing passes within the simple win over the hapless Cleveland Browns. Bhayshul Tuten rushed 15 occasions. We nonetheless suppose Rodriguez will matter this season, however as typical, there is not lots so as to add this week at working again.
Devin Singletary, Giants (0.3%): Starter Cam Skattebo starred however Singletary almost matched him for fantasy factors because of 4 receptions, certainly one of them for a landing. Skattebo caught nary a go, and plenty of query his sturdiness (and decision-making). Singletary is not a flex choice but, however which may change.
FAB ideas: Black averaged 4.6 yards per his 14 rushes, exhibiting elite explosiveness, and one would possibly envision the San Francisco 49ers taking a big lead in opposition to the Miami Dolphins, thus being additional cautious with McCaffrey. Black could be price 15-20% of a fantasy finances this week, particularly to McCaffrey traders. Black is the No. 2 free agent choice this week. Spending a greenback or two on Allgeier, Miller or Rodriguez is cheap, however spending aggressively so quickly on every other working again appears untimely.
Other large receivers
Devaughn Vele, Saints (12.9%): Vele, a well-liked sleeper for Week 1, loved the second-best fantasy effort of his younger profession, catching seven passes for 69 yards and a landing. Unlike what occurred with the Panthers, right here, Vele’s extra widespread teammate Chris Olave (28.2 fantasy factors) produced huge numbers, too. If one believes in Shough and this New Orleans offense, maybe Vele is an occasional flex choice. The expertise are there. The Saints journey to Baltimore this week, however after that it’s the Las Vegas Raiders and Falcons.
Caleb Douglas, Dolphins (15.6%): Douglas, the seventy fifth choose within the 2026 draft, began in his debut and caught 94 yards price of Willis passes, simply main the workforce. If we presume the Dolphins will path lots this season, we’d see Douglas pile on the receiving yards.
Mack Hollins, Patriots (0.4%): Someone should catch Drake Maye‘s passes with A.J. Brown (ankle) sidelined for at the least six weeks. Hollins will compete with Romeo Doubs (61.2%) and DeMario Douglas (1.1%) for correct consideration. Hollins has caught passes from myriad passers over a nine-year profession for seven franchises, and he ranked third amongst Patriots in each targets and receptions final season.
Deep-league options/streamers
Dontayvion Wicks, Eagles (10.1%): The newcomer Wicks, previously a Packer, caught solely two passes — however one was a 64-yarder and the opposite was a 9-yard landing. The Eagles have a lot to enhance of their new offense, however with veteran DeVonta Smith seeing additional defensive consideration and rookie Makai Lemon wanting fairly overwhelmed, Wicks ought to see his goal complete rise.
Denzel Boston, Browns (25.3%): Cleveland is just not a spot to search out fantasy worth as of late, however Boston hauled in a 46-yard landing late within the workforce’s blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Relying on rookies is inherently harmful. Next week it could be fellow rookie KC Concepcion (63.5%) scoring a TD. It could be neither of them.
Demarcus Robinson, 49ers (0.1%): This wily journeyman caught a TD go in Australia, certainly one of solely three targets he noticed. However, widespread rookie De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle) is out for at the least a month and veterans Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel Sr. are now not recognized for any sturdiness. Robinson ought to see extra targets quickly.
Adonai Mitchell, Jets (15.5%): Mitchell caught every of his three targets from Geno Smith and ended up with 60 receiving yards, which is notable. Mitchell will get downfield, and with Jets rookie Omar Cooper Jr. more likely to miss time resulting from a sprained ankle, extra targets could be pending.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens (8.8%): Bateman caught nary a go within the opener, however with Zay Flowers (hamstring) probably absent and rookie Ja’Kobi Lane (damaged wrist) clearly absent this week, there could be some worth there for Bateman and Chris Moore.
Antonio Williams, Commanders (1.9%): Williams, the 71st choose within the draft out of Clemson, outscored widespread teammates Terry McLaurin and Stefon Diggs. Perhaps it was a one-time factor, however it’s one thing to look at.
FAB ideas: Coker ought to be the preferred free agent addition this week, although I’d nonetheless be a bit cautious in spending upwards of half of your seasonlong finances on him. After all, the Panthers don’t play the Bears once more. I’d be extra more likely to save the cash — it is solely Week 2! — and spend within the $4-6 vary for Vele, Douglas and Wicks (in that order), and I’ll throw a buck on Boston, Hollins and Mitchell.
Other tight ends
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (14.6%): Freiermuth, like Gesicki, is not coming off his finest marketing campaign, however the Steeler was beneficial in 2021, 2022 and 2024. Many view the structurally imposing Darnell Washington as a legit menace to his targets, however that was not the case Sunday when Freiermuth caught all 5 of his targets, one for a 6-yard rating. Give Gesicki the nod due to his QB.
Kenyon Sadiq, Jets (34.9%): Sadiq, the first-round choose from Oregon, noticed solely three receiving targets within the opener, turning them into 21 yards, however many will discover the 3-yard dashing landing. The expert Sadiq is blessed with measurement and velocity, although it’s untimely to presume constant targets.
Deep-league options/streamers
Brenton Strange, Jaguars (22.7%): Strange performed higher than many understand final season, totaling 540 receiving yards and averaging 11.7 yards per catch. He scored a landing in Sunday’s win over the feeble Browns, however he caught solely two passes.
Michael Mayer, Raiders (29.9%): Few doubt the abilities or Mayer’s potential to matter statistically if starter Brock Bowers misses important time, however Bowers (knee) would possibly play in Week 2. Mayer caught six passes within the opener after being the most-added participant in ESPN fantasy for the week.
Terrance Ferguson, Rams (27.5%): If you appreciated Ferguson heading into the season — and so many people did — don’t abandon him simply because he did nothing in Week 1. The Rams performed one unhealthy sport. Los Angeles stays an elite offense, and Ferguson is teeming with upside.
FAB ideas: I not often spend huge on tight ends, particularly early within the season and if there’s positional depth, which it seems there’s. There does appear an intriguing pathway to Sadiq including worth although, particularly if the Jets stay competent. Perhaps throw a number of {dollars} his means when you’re searching for upside however see if dependable, underrated New Orleans Saints starter Juwan Johnson (51.7%) is there first.
Defense
49ers D/ST (7.3%): The 49ers traveled midway internationally to close down the vaunted Rams offense, scoring 9.0 fantasy factors. A wholesome Fred Warner at linebacker definitely made a distinction. The 49ers compelled just one turnover and didn’t document a sack, however these statistics ought to be simpler to achieve in Week 2 in opposition to the lowly Dolphins. The 49ers play their subsequent three video games at residence. This is a chief steaming alternative, and maybe traders will want to preserve this unit round all season.
Buccaneers D/ST (12.8%): Fantasy managers who stream defenses ought to all the time look for whichever workforce faces the horrible Browns. The Buccaneers scored 8.0 factors in Sunday’s loss to Cincinnati, however they need to rating extra this coming Sunday in opposition to the opposite Ohio workforce. (If you are wanting forward, the Panthers get the Browns in Week 3.) Also, good for the Bengals D/ST (2%) in selecting up 4 Buccaneers fumbles (and scoring a TD) to steer fantasy (coming into Monday) with 20.0 fantasy factors, however that is nonetheless the Bengals. Don’t add this unit in fantasy simply but. Go with Tampa Bay first.