For a player to qualify for our fantasy football waiver wire article, he has to be available in more than 50% of Yahoo leagues. But for those of you in deep leagues, we’ll do our best to include some players who are rostered in fewer than 10% of Yahoo leagues and might be available in your leagues. We’ll also give a letter grade to the waiver wire crop each week. All right, friends. Let’s go shopping.
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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Advice: Week 2
Week 2 Waiver Grade: C+
(Rostership percentages are based on Yahoo leagues; Recommended FAAB bids are based on a $100 budget.)
Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings
Note: Players chosen based upon having early-week consensus roster percent below 50%.
RUNNING BACKS
Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson
Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE): 46% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, GB, @DET
- True Value: $7
- Desperate Need: $11
- Budget-Minded: $4
Analysis: It’s a true chicken-or-egg dilemma when discussing the Browns versus Bengals matchup. Are the Browns a functional offense? Or are the Bengals that bad on defense? While the answer probably lands somewhere in the middle, there is no denying Dylan Sampson‘s Week 1 involvement. He led the team with 12 rushing attempts for 29 yards and also caught eight passes for 64 yards. The concern is that this backfield is a firm committee, with Jerome Ford getting six carries and one reception in Week 1, and Raheim Sanders scoring a goal-line touchdown. Plus, Quinshon Judkins is set to join the team next week after finally coming to terms on his rookie contract. But Sampson’s passing-game prowess should help keep him afloat when the Browns take on the Ravens in Week 2. He’s worth targeting on waivers, but keep in mind that the Bengals may have made the Browns’ offense look better than it is.
Trey Benson (RB – ARI): 39% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CAR, @SF, SEA
- True Value: $5
- Desperate Need: $8
- Budget-Minded: $3
Analysis: Based on the box score, Trey Benson was the Cardinals’ most productive back in Week 1. With eight carries for 69 yards and one reception for six yards, Benson led the team in scrimmage yards against the Saints. The caveat was that his 52-yard run in the third quarter kept him from finishing with seven carries for 17 yards. James Conner is clearly Arizona’s lead back. He played 44 snaps on Sunday and had 12 carries for 39 yards. Conner also caught all four of his targets for five yards and a touchdown. Benson played 22 snaps in Week 1 and is the clear insurance policy for Conner. And Benson could be a deep Flex play as early as next week, when the Cardinals take on a Panthers team that allowed 200 rushing yards to the Jaguars in Week 1.
Miles Sanders (RB – DAL): 2% Rostered
- Next Opponents: vs. NYG, @CHI, GB
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: With Jaydon Blue a healthy scratch in Week 1, the Dallas backfield was dominated by Javonte Williams (47 snaps), with Miles Sanders (11 snaps) providing a change of pace. After breaking off an impressive 49-yard run, Sanders coughed up a critical fumble in the red zone. If it wasn’t for CeeDee Lamb eating buttered popcorn before the game and dropping multiple passes, this fumble would haunt Cowboys fans. So, why should you pick up Sanders? It appears he’s the clear backup, and Williams was not very impressive in Week 1, rushing 15 times for 54 yards, with his two touchdown runs supercharging his production. If anything happens to Williams or he continues to have disappointing efficiency, Sanders could easily step into fantasy Flex territory.
Kenneth Gainwell (RB – PIT): 1% Rostered
- Next Opponents: vs. SEA, @NE, MIN
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The most surprising shootout of Week 1 was the Steelers’ 34-32 win against the Jets. Aaron Rodgers passing for four touchdowns against Aaron Glenn’s defense couldn’t have been on many people’s bingo cards. And few people expected Kenneth Gainwell to lead the Pittsburgh backfield in snaps and out-touch rookie Kaleb Johnson 10-1. With a 37% share of the running back carries and the most receptions among Steelers backs in Week 1, signs point to Gainwell being a prominent weapon in this offense early on. Every season, fantasy managers need to be flexible with their player opinions and not overreact to a single week of results. This balancing act is never easy, but it seems safe to say that Pittsburgh is not ready to trust Johnson and will be using a Jaylen Warren–Kenneth Gainwell combo in the short term. Gainwell can jump into Flex territory in deeper leagues.
Running Back Stash Candidates
After dealing with a recent hamstring injury, Kyle Monangai was able to make his NFL debut against the Vikings on Monday. The rookie from Rutgers played nine snaps and didn’t get any carries, but he had an 11-yard catch on his only target. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has repeatedly said how much he trusts Monangai, and it’s possible his role increases as the season goes on.
The Dolphins forgot to show up against the Colts in Week 1. Either Miami happened to have its worst game of the season in Week 1, or the Dolphins are on the fast track to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Although I lean toward the latter, Ollie Gordon is the clear No. 2 back behind De’Von Achane and will be utilized between the tackles in positive game scripts. A Week 2 matchup against a Patriots team that held the Raiders to 2.3 yards per carry on Sunday is a tough ask for Gordon. However, let’s give this Dolphins team a mulligan and see if they can turn it around in Week 2.
The Chiefs are staring down an 0-2 start, as they face the Super Bowl champion Eagles in Week 2. We saw Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt both have five carries and two receptions in Week 1. If this continues as something close to a 50-50 split, Kareem Hunt could have weekly fantasy value.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Written by Derek Brown
Marquise Brown (WR – KC): 25% Rostered
- Next Opponents: PHI, @NYG, BAL
- True Value: $9
- Desperate Need: $15
- Budget-Minded: $6
Analysis: With Rashee Rice suspended for the first six games of the season and Xavier Worthy sidelined with a shoulder injury, Marquise Brown looks to be Kansas City’s high-volume receiving option until either Rice or Worthy returns. A long reception versus blown coverage saved Brown’s final stat line in Week 1, getting him to 99 yards, with 2.25 yards per route run, per Fantasy Points Data. The more important figures for Brown’s short-term outlook are his 41% target share and 40% first-read share against the Chargers. Obviously, he won’t continue to see that type of insane usage, as Travis Kelce has to be more involved for this offense to function. But Brown should be competing with Kelce for the team lead in targets until Rice or Worthy return. Brown’s upcoming matchups are tough, but if he’s going to see anywhere close to this amount of volume weekly, he should be able to outkick the bad matchups as a weekly Flex option.
Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC): 8% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @LV, DEN, @NYG
- True Value: $8
- Desperate Need: $12
- Budget-Minded: $5
Analysis: It’s time to give Quentin Johnston his flowers and put some respect on his name. He started off the 2025 season with a bang as an integral part of the Bolts’ passing attack. Johnston had a 20.6% target share, 2.19 yards per route run and a 24% first-read share, finishing with 79 receiving yards and two touchdowns (two end-zone targets) against the Chiefs, per Fantasy Points Data. With an 87.8% route per dropback rate in Week 1, Johnston doesn’t have any concerns at the moment about losing time to Tre’ Harris or KeAndre Lambert-Smith. In two of his next three games (Raiders, Giants), Johnston has matchups that could easily put him in the Flex conversation for fantasy lineups.
Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE): 28% rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, GB, @DET
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Cedric Tillman started the season with a solid game, although his final numbers were inflated by a ton of team passing attempts (much like his stat lines from 2024). While Tillman did tie for the team lead in targets and finished with 52 receiving yards and a score, he only managed a 17.7% target share and 1.13 yards per route run. If Cleveland continues to run this many plays and be this pass-happy, Tillman can sustain his value as a weekly Flex option, but I worry that it could come crashing down. If you have room on your bench and have needs at receiver, Tillman is worth a pickup. But he’s not a priority add this week, and you shouldn’t overspend for his services.
Adam Thielen (WR – MIN): 28% Rostered
- Next Opponents: ATL, CIN, @PIT
- True Value: $3
- Desperate Need: $5
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Adam Thielen should spend the first few weeks of the season battling T.J. Hockenson for the second spot in the Vikings’ target pecking order in Minnesota until Jordan Addison returns from suspension. Thielen was technically held without a catch on only one target Monday night vs. the Bears, but he caught a two-point conversion. The veteran receiver proved last year that he still has something left in the tank. In the nine games in which he played at least 58% of the snaps, Thielen drew a 19.7% target share while averaging 63.9 receiving yards per game. He averaged 2.08 yards per route run with a 25.8% first-read share and 0.094 first downs per route run. Down the stretch (Weeks 12-18), when Panthers quarterback Bryce Young was revitalized, Thielen was the WR21 in fantasy points per game. Thielen isn’t dust. Not even close. Last year, among 112 qualifying receivers, he ranked 26th in separation, per Fantasy Points Data. Thielen has solid matchups in two of the next three weeks and could easily be in play for a Flex spot in your lineups.
Calvin Austin III (WR – PIT): 2% Rostered
- Next Opponents: SEA, @NE, MIN
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Calvin Austin stepped up for Pittsburgh as the team’s clear No. 2 WR, as Roman Wilson was an afterthought. Austin ran a route on 96.9% of dropbacks while playing 80% of the snaps. He commanded a 20% target share, finishing with 70 receiving yards and a score. The Steelers played in an unexpected shootout in Week 1 with the Jets. The next three weeks could be lower-scoring affairs against talented secondaries that could give Aaron Rodgers fits. Austin is worth picking up in deeper leagues where you have receiver needs.
Kayshon Boutte (WR – NE): 1% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, PIT, CAR
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Kayshon Boutte was a surprise New England standout in Week 1, tying Hunter Henry for the team lead in targets (eight) while finishing with 103 receiving yards. He played 81.6% of the snaps while seeing a 17.7% target share and finishing with 2.34 yards per route run, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). Boutte isn’t going to be a high-profile waiver target, but he’s a viable Flex against Miami and Carolina in the upcoming weeks.
Romeo Doubs (WR – GB): 15% Rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, @CLE, @DAL
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: OK, here’s the good from Week 1 for Romeo Doubs: He led the Green Bay wide receivers in snaps (34) and receiving yards (68) in Week 1. But that’s where the good feelings end. Jayden Reed ran only 12 routes against the Lions and led the team with five targets. Doubs drew an 18.1% target share, but with the Packers throwing the ball only 22 times in their 27-13 win over the Lions, that doesn’t really carry anyone that far in fantasy. The fantasy-related problems with the Packers’ passing attack in Week 1 looked eerily similar to what we saw last year. Five Green Bay receivers ran at least 11 routes against Detroit, as the Packers continue to be hell-bent on using a receiver-by-committee approach. Not every week will look like Week 1 for the Packers, who weren’t forced to ramp up the passing rate, as they led comfortably all day. Doubs is worth a pickup, but he will only be Flex-worthy in a bye-week pinch or in games where Green Bay is trailing.
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG): 20% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @DAL, KC, LAC
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Wan’Dale Robinson posted a very Wan’Dale Robinson-like stat line in Week 1. He finished second on the team in targets (eight) behind only Malik Nabers. Robinson secured six of them for 55 receiving yards. He had a 21.6% target share while playing 76.4% of the snaps. Robinson is a pickup in PPR leagues only. We already know what this looks like, as we saw similar production from him in 2024. Robinson is a PPR cheat code who can give you double-digit points in any week, but he’s unlikely ever to post 100 receiving yards or score a touchdown. As long as you understand what you’re signing up for with Robinson and why, then take a cheap swing on him in PPR formats.
QUARTERBACKS
Written by Ellis Bryn Johnson
Daniel Jones (QB – IND): 5% Rostered
- Next Opponents: DEN, @TEN, @LAR
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: Daniel Jones became the first quarterback since 1991 to lead his team to points on every single drive over a full game. (That stat is courtesy of legendary RedZone host Scott Hanson.) We all knew the Dolphins were a questionable team, at best, heading into the season. What most didn’t envision was Danny Dimes posting a record-breaking performance against Miami and leading the Colts to their first Week 1 win in 11 years. They say lightning never strikes twice. If it does, Jones could become the latest quarterback to resurrect his career, joining Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold. Jones has a tough matchup this week against the Broncos. However, Cam Ward managed to keep his team competitive against Denver in Week 1 despite taking a few embarrassing sacks. We saw Jones record two goal-line scores in Week 1 and have a few throws worthy of his Dimes nickname. Jones is probably going to be a high-upside, low-floor play for fantasy, but if he can come through for the second straight week, you may find yourself with a weekly starter.
Geno Smith (QB – LV): 21% Rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @WSH, CHI
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Raiders’ offense came out flying in Week 1. Geno Smith‘s first three completions were gains of 23 yards to Brock Bowers, nine yards to Dont’e Thornton and a 26-yard touchdown to Tre Tucker. Although the scoring slowed down, the yardage was just getting started. Smith finished with 362 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception. The big yardage total was partly a result of the Patriots limiting the Raiders’ ground game to 2.3 yards per carry. That includes holding Ashton Jeanty to 38 yards on 19 carries. This week, the Raiders face a Chargers team that allowed the Chiefs to average 5.8 yards per attempt (YPA) in Week 1. Although YPA is not the most indicative statistic, the Raiders will likely have more success on the ground this week and will want to control possession against gunslinging quarterback Justin Herbert. As a result, Smith might not see the same yardage totals, but a steady ground game will help his efficiency. If Herbert continues his Billy the Kid impression, the Raiders may be forced to throw downfield to keep pace in a potential shootout.
Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR): 27% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @PHI, IND
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Rams attempted a quarterback sneak with Matthew Stafford from the goal line in Week 1. Let me rephrase that. The Rams elected to charge their 37-year-old quarterback, with a history of back and neck problems, into a brick wall of 300-pound men. What could go wrong? Thankfully, nothing went wrong, except that they failed to get into the end zone. This could be taken as a sign that Stafford is feeling 100%, but I think we’d all prefer that Sean McVay not test that theory again. It may be difficult to justify bidding for Stafford after a week in which the Rams only scored 14 points, but better days are ahead. The Texans have one of the better defenses in the league and put it on display against a powerful Rams team. This week, the Rams face the Titans, who are coming off a surprisingly close game against the Broncos. This Titans team had an impressive outing at Mile High in Week 1, but will likely have its hands full trying to guard both Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. With Stafford’s negligible rushing work, he is very dependent on touchdown production. With a pair of star receivers to target, Stafford is a safe bet for middling fantasy production.
Bryce Young (QB – CAR): 25% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @ARI, ATL, @NE
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Harvey Dent, reincarnated, might actually be Bryce Young. The iconic two-face villain from Batman is a perfect metaphor for Young. In Young’s two seasons and one game, we have seen one player who looks poised and controlled, and another who looks like a deer in headlights on Sundays. Unfortunately, we saw the latter in Week 1. In what was expected to be a high-scoring affair, the Panthers lost 26-10 to the Jaguars. Young’s fantasy day was saved by two plays. The first was a 22-yard rush in the second quarter. (He finished with 40 rushing yards.) The second was a garbage-time touchdown pass to Chuba Hubbard down 23-3 with under five minutes left to play. This week, Young faces a Cardinals team that nearly allowed Spencer Rattler to lead a game-tying drive in the final seconds. It seems to be a coin flip on which Young we will get. If we don’t get the 2024 end-of-season experience from Young in this matchup, the alarms will be ringing.
Quarterback Stash Candidates
The Giants’ offense was not functional in Week 1. As a result, head coach Brian Daboll failed to name the Week 2 starter in his postgame press conference. We knew it was a matter of time before we saw rookie Jaxson Dart take the field, but it may be sooner than anyone expected.
TIGHT ENDS
Written by Derek Brown
Juwan Johnson (TE – NO): 1% Rostered
- Next Opponents: SF, @SEA, @BUF
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Juwan Johnson had one helluva Week 1. He had a 23.9% target share, finishing second on the team in targets behind only Chris Olave. Johnson was an every-down player who also surprised with 1.61 yards per route run. Spencer Rattler and the Saints were trailing all day, which ramped up the passing volume, as New Orleans only handed it off to their running backs 18 times. This could be a familiar weekly scenario for this team, so the target volume could be here to stay. If you’re looking for a cheap option to replace an injured tight end, Johnson could be your guy this week.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – CE): 2% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @BAL, GB, @DET
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: It looks like Harold Fannin Jr. will be an integral part of the Cleveland passing attack this year. He surpassed any expectations that I had for him in Week 1, playing 72.3% of the snaps with a 71% route per dropback rate and a 20% target share, per PFF. He led the team in targets and finished with seven grabs and 63 receiving yards. David Njoku had a quieter day in Week 1, so we also have to factor that in. In most weeks, Fannin will be fighting for the third spot in the target pecking order for this team, so keep your expectations in check. This was a nice start to his career, though. Fannin is a nice depth pickup and could assume an even larger workload later this season if the Browns decide to entertain any ideas of trading away Njoku, who becomes an unrestricted free agent after this season.
Michael Mayer (TE – LV): 0% Rostered
- Next Opponents: LAC, @WSH, CHI
- True Value: $4
- Desperate Need: $6
- Budget-Minded: $2
Analysis: Michael Mayer could be the Raiders’ starting tight end for the short term, as Brock Bowers was knocked out of Week 1 with a knee injury that isn’t believed to be major. Mayer’s 63% snap share and 50% route per dropback rate in Week 1 will both go up while Bowers is out. Mayer should be an every-down tight end for Las Vegas until Bowers is healed up and could be the No. 2 option in the passing attack behind only Jakobi Meyers during this stretch. Expect his 11.7% target share to rise in the next week or two.
Brenton Strange (TE – JAX): 22% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, HOU, @SF
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Brenton Strange had a solid but not flashy performance in Week 1. He led the team with 59 receiving yards but only had a 12.9% target share. His 2.45 yards per route run were also nice to open the season. Strange looks like he’s fighting with Dyami Brown for the third spot in the target pecking order behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. Strange is only a matchup-based streaming option at this point, but he’s worth a pickup if you have needs at tight end after the multiple injuries at the position in Week 1.
Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ): 11% Rostered
- Next Opponents: BUF, @TB, @MIA
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Better days are ahead for Mason Taylor. While he had only one target in Week 1, Taylor was a full-time player (87.5% snap rate). Jeremy Ruckert might have out-targeted Mason (two), but he ran only seven routes, per PFF. Jets quarterback Justin Fields looked quite comfortable in Week 1 against the Steelers, who have one of the league’s best defenses. Taylor’s role in this offense will only grow, so scoop him up for cheap this week and stash him on the bench. He will have streamer-worthy moments and could grow into a top-15 option at the position if Fields continues to spread his wings in this offense.
DEFENSES
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Seattle Seahawks: 22% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @PIT, NO, @ARI
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: It’s a toss-up as to which is the best streaming defense to add this week — Seattle or San Francisco. We give a slight nod to the Seahawks since we believe they have a better defense than the 49ers — even though Seattle just lost to San Francisco. The Seahawks intercepted Brock Purdy twice and sacked him once in a 17-13 home loss to the 49ers on Sunday. Seattle visits Pittsburgh this week for a date with Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. Rodgers threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns against the Jets on Sunday, but he was also sacked four times and looked completely immobile in the pocket. The Pittsburgh running game recorded 20 carries for 53 yards versus the Jets. In Week 3, the Seahawks get the dream matchup: A home date with the Saints. New Orleans committed zero turnovers in Week 1 but generated only 13 points in a home loss to the Cardinals. And speaking of Arizona, you might be tempted to hold onto the Seattle defense for a Week 4 matchup in Arizona.
San Francisco 49ers: 34% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NO, ARI, JAX
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $4
- Budget-Minded: $1
Analysis: We’re going to be targeting the Saints with streaming defenses all season, which is why San Francisco’s defense is an attractive waiver target this week. Not only is their Week 2 matchup juicy, but the 49ers’ defense was extremely sharp against the Seahawks in Week 1. San Francisco held Seattle to 14 points, 230 yards of offense and 4.6 yards per play. The 49ers also forced a pair of turnovers and sacked Sam Darnold once. San Francisco might not be just a one-week play, either. You can probably hold onto the Niners for home games against the Cardinals and Jaguars in Weeks 3-4, which makes the San Francisco defense worth an extra dollar in FAAB.
New England Patriots: 14% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @MIA, PIT, CAR
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $2
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Patriots’ defense has an appealing set of matchups ahead, with the Dolphins on the road, followed by the Steelers and Panthers at home. The Dolphins’ offense was a train wreck in Week 1, with Tua Tagovailoa throwing two interceptions and taking three sacks in a 33-8 loss to the Colts. The Patriots gave up 362 passing yards to Raiders quarterback Geno Smith on Sunday, but they sacked Smith four times, intercepted him once and held Ashton Jeanty to 38 yards on 19 carries. The Patriots played their opener without star cornerback Christian Gonzalez, who’s been dealing with a hamstring injury but could be back this week.
Los Angeles Rams: 27% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @TEN, @PHI, IND
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: After an excellent Week 1 showing in which they held the Texans to nine points, forced two turnovers and notched three sacks, the Rams now face rookie signal-caller Cam Ward and the Titans, who generated a meager 133 yards of offense in their 20-12 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. Ward absorbed six sacks in that game. The Rams are just a one-week play, however, as you won’t want to play them in a Week 3 road game against the Eagles.
Dallas Cowboys: 7% Rostered
- Next Opponents: NYG, @CHI, GB
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Cowboys’ defense held up surprisingly well in a road opener against the mighty Eagles, holding Philly to 302 total yards and 4.9 yards per play in a 24-20 loss. The Cowboys get a softer matchup this week, playing host to a Giants offense that sputtered in Sunday’s 21-6 loss to the Commanders. The Giants produced 231 yards and averaged only 3.7 yards per play.
KICKERS
Written by Pat Fitzmaurice
Tyler Loop (K – BAL): 38% Rostered
- Next Opponents: CLE, DET, @KC
- True Value: $2
- Desperate Need: $3
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: The Ravens’ offense is a machine, and Tyler Loop has been good so far. After a strong preseason, Loop made field goals of 52 and 49 yards in Week 1, although a missed extra point proved costly in a 41-40 loss to the Ravens. Loop should have plenty of kicking opportunities this week in a home matchup against the Browns. This is an opportunity to get a kicker you can feel good about until the Ravens hit their bye in Week 7. Spend the extra buck.
Matt Prater (K – BUF): 1% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @NYJ, MIA, NO
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: With Tyler Bass on injured reserve (IR) due to a hip/groin injury, the Bills have turned to 41-year-old Matt Prater to handle their kicking chores early in the season. A steady veteran, Prater made all three of his field-goal attempts for the Bills in their opener, including a 32-yard game-winner at the final gun. The Bills’ Charmin-soft schedule over the next three weeks should present Prater with abundant scoring chances.
Brandon McManus (K – GB): 6% Rostered
- Next Opponents: WSH, @CLE, @DAL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: With the Micah Parsons trade putting fresh wind in their sails, the Packers opened with a convincing 27-13 win over the Lions. After converting 20-of-21 field goals and 30-of-30 extra points in 11 games with Green Bay last season, Brandon McManus kicked a pair of short field goals and converted 3-of-3 extra-point attempts against Detroit in Week 1. The Packers should keep McManus awash in scoring opportunities this season, and his upcoming schedule looks manageable.
Matt Gay (K – WSH): 31% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @GB, LV, @ATL
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Washington should have a high-scoring offense this year with young quarterback Jayden Daniels at the controls, which should make Matt Gay a solid kicking option throughout the season. He booted 31 field goals for Washington last season and averaged 8.7 fantasy points per game.
Cam Little (K – JAX): 37% Rostered
- Next Opponents: @CIN, HOU, @SF
- True Value: $1
- Desperate Need: $1
- Budget-Minded: $0
Analysis: Cam Little was rock-solid for the Jaguars in his 2024 rookie season, converting 27-of-29 field goals and 29-of-30 extra-point attempts. He picked up where he left off, drilling 4-of-4 field goals and 2-of-2 extra-point attempts in Jacksonville’s 26-10 Week 1 victory over Carolina. The Jaguars should be able to put up points this week against the Bengals and their less-than-irtight defense.
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