10 Best Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Adds Heading Into NFL Week 2

Best Waiver Wire Adds at a Glance

• Kaelon Black, RB, San Francisco 49ers
• Devaughn Vele, WR, New Orleans Saints
• Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

The first week of the 2026 NFL season gave fantasy football managers plenty to think about.

Some players emerged as legitimate weekly options, while others saw their roles change in ways that could make them valuable waiver-wire additions. Early in the season, identifying these opportunities can be especially important, since a player who breaks out in September can remain useful for the rest of the fantasy season.

With that in mind, here are some of the best additions you can make to your squads this week.

All NFL projections via our numbers at FanDuel Research. NFL odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook and may change after this article is published.

Top Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups

Kaelon Black, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Kaelon Black is worth adding based on both his talent and his opportunity with the San Francisco 49ers. The rookie running back received 14 carries in the 49ers' season opener and turned them into 65 rushing yards, while also catching his lone target for five yards.

That 15-touch workload is enough to put Black on the fantasy radar immediately. Christian McCaffrey remains the centerpiece of the backfield, but Black's usage makes him one of the more important running back handcuffs to roster. He might even have some standalone appeal during bye weeks if his workload remains at 10 to 15 touches per game.

Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints

Juwan Johnson entered the season with a compelling profile after finishing 2025 as the TE11 in fantasy points per game. He also ranked 13th among tight ends in target share, seventh in receiving yards per game and 15th in yards per route run last season.

That gives Johnson a much stronger underlying case than many waiver-wire tight ends. With the position notoriously thin, a player capable of earning consistent targets deserves consideration. Johnson got seven targets in Week 1 and could see another pass-heavy game script at the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2.

Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears

Kyle Monangai is another running back who deserves a roster spot in deeper leagues. He emerged as a meaningful part of the Chicago Bears‘ backfield late last season, averaging 12.2 touches and 55.8 total yards per game from Weeks 10-18.

His role is still secondary to D'Andre Swift, who just had a monster Week 1, so managers shouldn't expect too much if Swift stays healthy. Still, Monangai has shown that he can be productive when given opportunities, including a 10-carry, 100-yard day in the opener, making him a worthwhile bench stash.

Devaughn Vele, WR, New Orleans Saints

Devaughn Vele's Week 1 usage makes him an intriguing waiver-wire target heading into Week 2.

With rookie Jordyn Tyson on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, Vele operated as the Saints' No. 2 wide receiver behind Chris Olave. He made the most of that opportunity against the Detroit Lions, catching 7 of 9 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown. Vele also flashed some big-play ability with a 31-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

The nine targets are particularly encouraging. Vele had already started developing a connection with Tyler Shough late last season, and he now has a clear path to consistent playing time while Tyson is sidelined.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, Houston Texans

Kayshon Boutte‘s Week 1 numbers weren't particularly impressive, but I'm still interested in rostering him. He played 46% of the Houston Texans‘ offensive snaps and finished with one catch for 21 yards, while another reception was wiped out by a penalty.

The Texans acquired Boutte because they needed help at receiver following injuries, including Jayden Higgins' season-ending ACL injury and Tank Dell's placement on injured reserve.

The immediate production wasn't there in the opening week, but there’s a chance Boutte’s role grows.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

Rashod Bateman is worth a waiver-wire add because the Baltimore Ravens could suddenly be short on healthy wide receivers. Zay Flowers suffered a hamstring injury after catching five passes for 150 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, while rookie Ja'Kobi Lane also left with a wrist injury. Devontez Walker and Elijah Sarratt were inactive, leaving Bateman, Chris Moore and LaJohntay Wester as the Ravens' active healthy wideouts.

Bateman didn't produce in the opener, but he has been productive in the past, catching 45 passes for 756 yards and nine touchdowns in 2024. He might be the Ravens’ top healthy WR in Week 2.

Mack Hollins, WR, New England Patriots

Mack Hollins is a strong waiver-wire target after A.J. Brown was placed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. Brown will miss at least the next four games — maybe more — and the Patriots are expected to turn to Hollins and Kyle Williams for larger roles in his absence.

Hollins already saw meaningful involvement before Brown's injury, catching 4 of 5 targets for 51 yards in New England's Week 1 loss to Seattle. After Brown left the game, Hollins stepped into Brown's role at the X receiver spot, and quarterback Drake Maye went to him for a key fourth-down conversion late in the game.

Hollins is coming off a 2025 season in which he caught 46 passes for 550 yards and two touchdowns, and he'll now have a clearer path to snaps and targets with Brown sidelined.

Demarcus Robinson, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Demarcus Robinson is worth adding in deeper leagues after scoring a touchdown in San Francisco's Week 1 win over the Rams. Robinson caught 2 of 3 targets for 50 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown from Brock Purdy.

The bigger reason to add Robinson is the 49ers' situation at wide receiver. Ricky Pearsall is already out for the season, and rookie first-round pick De'Zhaun Stribling suffered an ankle injury in Week 1 that could keep him sidelined for at least a month. That leaves Robinson with a potential path to significantly more playing time alongside Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

C.J. Stroud stands out as a great streaming play in Week 2. The Texans host the Cincinnati Bengals in a game that could turn into a shootout. The Bengals are supposed to be improved on D this season, but Cincy just gave up 27 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Stroud threw for 272 yards and two tuddies against a solid Buffalo Bills defense in Week 1. He can have a big day in Week 2 versus Cincinnati.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ D/ST checks some boxes as a streaming play in Week 2.

The Bucs are at home versus the Cleveland Browns, so they’ve got an excellent matchup. Cleveland struggled mightily on offense at the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 while the Tampa defense didn’t do that badly at Cincy despite giving up 33 points (the Bucs’ offense put Tampa’s D in some bad spots).

Fantasy Football Waivers FAQ

What is the waiver wire in fantasy football?

The waiver wire is where fantasy managers can add players who are not currently on a roster in their league. It is one of the best ways to improve your team during the season, especially when injuries, role changes, and breakout performances create new opportunities.

When should I make waiver wire claims?

Most leagues process waivers once or twice per week, so it is important to check your league's settings. Tuesday night and Wednesday morning are common waiver periods, but managers should also monitor news throughout the week for late-breaking opportunities.

Which positions should I prioritize on the waiver wire?

Running backs and wide receivers with expanding roles are usually the most valuable waiver targets. Quarterbacks — especially in two-QB formats — tight ends, and defenses can also be strong additions when they have favorable upcoming matchups.

How much FAAB should I spend on a waiver wire player?

FAAB spending should depend on a player's projected role, upside, your FAAB budget and how badly your roster needs help. It is usually worth being more aggressive for a player who could become a weekly starter than for a short-term streaming option.

Take advantage of Bet Protect+. Stay covered all game, all September with FREE Bet Protect+ on eligible NFL bets, including live bets. Click here to check out the full details.

Which NFL bets stand out to you this week? Check out FanDuel Sportsbook's latest NFL odds to see the full menu of options.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.