Top 5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Quarterback (Week 2)

We will have you covered throughout the fantasy football season with our bevy of tools, including our Waiver Wire Assistant. Find the top available players and get detailed analysis on how potential fantasy football waiver wire adds will impact your team. Of course, our team of analysts will also have written advice each week. Check out some of our top Quarterback fantasy football waiver wire targets for the week below. And check out all of this week’s fantasy football waiver wire advice.

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Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Targets: Quarterback

QUARTERBACKS

Written by Bo McBrayer

Baker Mayfield (TB): 34% rostered

• Next Opponents: @DET, DEN, PHI
• True value: $5
• Desperate Need: $8
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: Baker Mayfield was a highly successful DFS target in Week 1, turning a primo matchup with the horrendous Commanders secondary into four touchdown passes and nearly 30 fantasy points. Mayfield also scrambled for 21 yards on three attempts — a wrinkle we haven’t seen from him in a long time. The Bucs don’t have an imposing schedule in terms of pass defenses, so Mayfield is a priority add in leagues where I am streaming QBs based on matchups.

Justin Fields (PIT): 14% rostered

• Next Opponents: @DEN, LAC, @IND
• True value: $4
• Desperate Need: $7
• Budget-minded: $2

Analysis: It’s only FAAB, right? We don’t know if Russell Wilson will be good to go in Week 2 with his calf injury. If he is and you’re holding Fields … well, Fields still isn’t a bad stash in deeper leagues. Wilson has been a shell of his former self in recent years, while Fields can pay off in fantasy through his rushing ability alone. Fields did not commit any turnovers in the 18-10 win over Atlanta, though the Steelers didn’t score any touchdowns. I personally think Fields should be the starter, but we’ll have to see what Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith will do with the hand they’ve been dealt.

Derek Carr (NO): 10% rostered

• Next Opponents: @DAL, PHI, @ATL
• True value: $3
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: The first touchdown of the 2024 NFL season was a teardrop into the bucket from Derek Carr to Rashid Shaheed on a post route from the slot. Shaheed came in motion, and the free safety failed to rotate over and protect Carolina from the deep shot. From there, it was utter destruction in a 47-10 rout. Carr cashed in with three touchdowns on the day and was very efficient, completing 19-of-23 passes for 200 yards. I’m not sure I love the idea of streaming him against Dallas this week, but Philly and Atlanta can be exploited in Weeks 3-4.

Geno Smith (SEA): 32% rostered

• Next Opponents: @NE, MIA, @DET
• True value: $3
• Desperate Need: $6
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Seattle got off to a terrible offensive start in Week 1. The Seahawks’ first two plays resulted in a sack and an interception. Both saw Geno Smith under immediate duress. Smith and the Seahawks’ offense settled in from there in a 26-20 win over Denver. Smith also broke off a career-high 34-yard touchdown run, juking out the pursuit and lunging across the goal line in a spectacle of athleticism not seen since his West Virginia days. He also found Zach Charbonnet on a go ball behind the defense for a 30-yard score. Geno is one of my favorite streaming QB options this early season. He still hasn’t gotten on the same page with his trio of excellent receivers, but it will happen.

Sam Darnold (MIN): 10% rostered

• Next Opponents: SF, HOU, @GB
• True value: $2
• Desperate Need: $5
• Budget-minded: $1

Analysis: Color the world shocked. Sam Darnold had a really decent day for the Vikings on Sunday. He started 10-for-10 and found Justin Jefferson for a touchdown on 4th-and-goal. His touchdown pass to Jalen Nailor was a beauty. This still only resulted in 14 fantasy points against the putrid New York Giants, thanks to a pedestrian 208 yards and one late interception that reminded us it was still Darnold and not an impostor. The next two weeks are brutal on paper, so maybe a halfhearted desperation bid is in order.