Dynasty Waiver Wire: Week 2

Welcome to National Overreaction Week brought to you by Week 1 of the NFL. This week is full of people looking at the teams and drafts with disgust. As owners, we often forget the lessons of years past and completely start trying to make moves at the detriment of our teams. After Week 1 of the NFL, there are moves for us to make, but I would urge everyone to focus on rotating out the back end of the roster players for priority free agents from the waiver wire.

Gardner Minshew

After paying Nick Foles over $50 million in guaranteed money, the Jaguars signal-caller was injured in the first game of the season. Now with Foles likely out at least eight weeks, rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew steps in. The sixth-round pick out of Mike Leach lead Washington State should only be considered in Superflex formats and only used as a starter in desperate situations.

Gus Edwards

Looking for the next man up should always be a goal when scouring the waiver wire for priority additions to our roster. Edwards easily fits the bill as the Ravens move forward without electric rookie runner Justice Hill. Diving deeper, Edwards is a reliable option for the Ravens behind starter Mark Ingram after having double-digit touches in eight games for the Ravens in 2018.

D’Ernest Johnson

While Dontrell Hilliard received the first rushing touchdown of the season for the Browns he is now is in the concussion protocol and Johnson is moving up the depth chart in Cleveland. Along with being the running back two for the Browns, Johnson also moves up to number one return man for the Browns going into Week 2 against the Jets in primetime. 

Rex Burkhead

Always buy the cheapest Patriots running back because their value will always surprise you. In Week 1, Burkhead made his presence known for 13 total touches (eight carries and five receptions on eight targets) and 85 total yards. This won’t win anyone weeks, but Burkhead has the ability to step in for James White as a pass catcher and Michel between the tackles.  Taking this a step further, Burkhead can be obtained relatively cheap after he was likely dropped when owners viewed him as being crowded out of the backfield.

Jeff Wilson/ Raheem Mostert

Give me any and all of the San Francisco backfield because I don’t think any of them can stay healthy and they all are lotto tickets ready to win you weeks. Obviously, for the time being while Tevin Coleman is on the shelf, we expect Matt Breida to step into the starting running back chair. Breida is no sure bet for us either. In Week 1 Matt Breida left the game due to hydration issues and was not a model of health in 2018. The best part about this bet is you can miss on one and still get value from the other at some point in the season.

Danny Amendola

Will Matthew Stafford throw the ball 45 times every week? No. Will the Lions face one of the most depleted secondaries in football every week? Again, no. Can we expect Danny Amendola to repeat his Week 1 performance? Possibly. As reported by Yahoo’s Terez Paylor, “the Lions see Danny Amendola as a candidate to replace Golden Tate as a safety blanket for Matthew Stafford.” Looking back over the past five years, since Golden Tate was signed by the Lions, Tate averaged 5.6 receptions per game and over eight targets per game. If Amendola is really the new Golden Tate in Detroit, we should expect around five to eight targets per week for Amendola.

John Ross

The bust watch has been on for John Ross since he was drafted and unfortunately, up until this point, Ross has been a bust. Not able to stay healthy, questions about his conditioning, and not seeing steady opportunities week to week. Something I will always preach is “betting on pedigree pays off.” Think of the surprise wide receiver hits of the week, John Ross and Sammy Watkins. Both were highly drafted wide receivers with solid athletic profiles. While both have plenty of reasons for owners to shy away from them, but there are reasons these players keep getting opportunities to produce. 

Keesean Johnson

Opportunity is king and Johnson finished his first NFL game playing 68 of 89 (76%) of Arizona’s snaps. Johnson is a volatile addition to any roster since he was fourth in snap share and the Cardinals’ second-round pick, Andy Isabella, didn’t see much time in this game.

Gunner Olszewski

This is pickup is purely speculative and is only meant for the deepest of leagues. Olszewsky is a speedy slot wide receiver for the Patriots who is making his way as a return man to start his career. Sound familiar? Obviously, there are a lot of players for Olszewski to pass in order to be relevant, but in deeper leagues that also reward special teams plays, Olszewski is worth a speculative add.

Tyler Higbee

This is exciting for me. I have been a Tyler Higbee fan since he was drafted by the Rams and coming off of a contract extension, Higbee had one of his best games as a pro. No matter my level of excitement you shouldn’t be too aggressive with your bids. Higbee only played on 52% of the Rams’ offensive snaps and is surrounded by other talented pass catchers to contend with.