The fantasy regular season has started and unfortunately, so have the injuries. While we certainly don’t like injuries, it’s the nature of the game and for fantasy owners, that means it’s time to profit off the waiver wire. Last season, teams were able to find some season-long staples off the wire (e.g. Odell Beckham Jr., Jordan Matthews, Justin Forsett…). 2015 should shape up to be much of the same.
With tough decisions facing you on who to use your waiver claims on, we’ve asked the featured experts to rank the top waiver wire players that are readily available. The players have been ranked accordingly (rest of season value) below and considering the breakout performances from Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor, we’ve asked the pundits their thoughts on those two as well.
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Featured Pros
Justin Boone (theScore)
Matthew Hill (Fantasy Team Advice)
Nathan Miller (Revelation Sports)
Adrian Periera (eDraft)
Waiver Wire Rankings (Standard Scoring)
| Player | Position | Team | Consensus Rank | Best Rank | Worst Rank |
| David Johnson | RB | ARI | 1.5 | 1 | 2 |
| Duke Johnson | RB | CLE | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| James Jones | WR | GB | 4.3 | 1 | 9 |
| Donte Moncrief | WR | IND | 5.3 | 3 | 7 |
| Chris Johnson | RB | ARI | 6.5 | 3 | 10 |
| Jordan Reed | TE | WAS | 7.5 | 4 | 13 |
| Stevie Johnson | WR | SD | 8.5 | 5 | 11 |
| Dion Lewis | RB | NE | 8.8 | 5 | 19 |
| Rueben Randle | WR | NYG | 9 | 7 | 11 |
| Tyler Lockett | WR | SEA | 9.5 | 7 | 12 |
| Ronnie Hillman | RB | DEN | 11.8 | 6 | 17 |
| Cole Beasley | WR | DAL | 11.8 | 10 | 13 |
| Ladarius Green | TE | SD | 12.3 | 6 | 21 |
| Brandon Coleman | WR | NO | 13.3 | 10 | 15 |
| Karlos Williams | RB | BUF | 14.8 | 13 | 18 |
| Austin Seferian-Jenkins | TE | TB | 15.5 | 14 | 18 |
| Phillip Dorsett | WR | IND | 16 | 11 | 19 |
| Percy Harvin | WR | BUF | 16.3 | 14 | 18 |
| Eric Ebron | TE | DET | 18.3 | 12 | 23 |
| Tavon Austin | WR | STL | 20.3 | 17 | 24 |
| Nate Washington | WR | HOU | 21.3 | 20 | 22 |
| Jerricho Cotchery | WR | CAR | 21.5 | 17 | 25 |
| Ted Ginn Jr. | WR | CAR | 22.5 | 21 | 24 |
| Jermaine Kearse | WR | SEA | 23 | 22 | 24 |
| Darren Fells | TE | ARI | 24 | 21 | 25 |
Week 2 Waiver Wire Advice
Each expert was asked to share advice about a D/ST rental for Week 2 as well as their thoughts on Tyrod Taylor and Marcus Mariota. Here’s what the experts had to say.
Q1: Give us your thoughts on a D/ST rental you like for owners in Week 2.
Justin Boone – theScore
The Broncos are slightly under the 50 percent ownership rate and are an appealing option, but let’s dig a little deeper. The Colts had a tough opening game in Buffalo, but they’ll regroup at home this week. Over the next four games, they’ll face the Jets, Titans, Jaguars and Texans. Not exactly the top offenses in the NFL, though the Titans matchup might be a little more challenging than we would have thought before the season.
Nathan Miller – Revelation Sports
While the Indianapolis Colts underwhelmed this Sunday, I don’t expect that trend to continue. They’re a top streaming option for me for the foreseeable future. At home against the Jets in week two, Luck and company will try to get back on track and force the Jets offense into a corner. After week two the Colts will face Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Houston. For the price, the match-ups are very intriguing.
Adrian Periera – eDraft
The Kansas City Chiefs were all over Houston yesterday and I think you’ll see something similar when they face Denver in Week 2. Peyton Manning’s arm strength is definitely an issue right now and I think you’re going to see Denver’s woes continue. Also, if Thomas’ hand is an issue, that will mean less options for the aging QB.
Matthew Hill – Fantasy Team Advice
While no one will confuse this Steelers defense with the great units of the past, fantasy owners will be able to start them with confidence in week two. A talent-deficient 49ers team will be making the cross country trip from San Francisco to play a team that will have had 10 days to rest and game plan for their matchup. San Francisco should struggle to put points on the board and I expect Pittsburgh to apply heavy pressure in the second half of a likely blowout, leading to multiple sacks and potential turnovers.
Q2: Marcus Mariota and Tyrod Taylor will be popular adds this week. Which QB would you rather own for the rest of the season?
Justin Boone – theScore
Mariota can thank the generosity of the Buccaneers’ defense for his massive fantasy debut, but the rookie is definitely further along in his development than we may have realized. While the Bills’ willingness to lean on Taylor’s rushing ability will give him more week-to-week consistency, Mariota has shown he can capitalize on good matchups. Both players are worth owning in deeper leagues, but Mariota will be the much more valuable fantasy player this year.
Matthew Hill – Fantasy Team Advice
Owners are justifiably intrigued by Tyron Taylor’s ability to run the football. Rushing yards were able to make even Tim Tebow fantasy relevant at one time. However, the Bills elite defense and strong rushing game will severely limit Taylor’s volume, making him more of a bye-week option in the deepest of leagues. Marcus Mariota, on the other hand, is supported by what is expected to be an average defense and sub-par rushing game. Owners should not view Mariota as an every-week starter, but with several potential shootouts on the schedule, including matchups against the Colts, Falcons, and Saints, Mariota could very well end up being a strong, stream-worthy QB2, over the course of the season.
Nathan Miller – Revelation Sports
Marcus Mariota has the pedigree and system to find success. I’ve got more concerns about where Tyrod Taylor ends up most weeks than Mariota. While I don’t expect Mariota to deliver every week like he did on Sunday against the Bucs, he’s the quarterback I’m buying going forward.
Adrian Periera – eDraft
I’d definitely go with Mariota. As everyone saw, he had an amazing debut throwing for 4 TDs. It will be difficult for him to match his completion ratio, but he’ll improve his rushing numbers. As an added bonus, he’s got a nice matchup in Week 2 vs Cleveland.
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Thank you to the experts for providing the waiver wire rankings heading into Week 2.