After a wild Week 1 of the NFL season, Week 2 gets going on Thursday night and has 16 games scheduled. Some players have already suffered injuries making the waiver wire adds important for many fantasy teams. The players on the list had unexpected Week 1 performances and should be big adds coming into Week 2. Here is the top player at each position to add for Week 2 of the NFL season.
Top Quarterback
Alex Smith – Kansas City Chiefs
What a performance by Alex Smith last week. After spending the offseason dealing with reports of losing his job to rookie quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Smith silenced his critics in Week 1. Smith threw for 368 yards, the third highest total of his career and his highest total in a win. Smith willingness to throw the deep ball makes him a much more attractive option in fantasy. Although Smith may not be able to top his Week 1 numbers, he does provide value in the running game and rarely turns the ball over.
Top Running Back
Tarik Cohen – Chicago Bears
Owned in around 1% of leagues, Tarik Cohen will be a hot commodity entering Week 2 of the NFL season. The rookie back showed an excellent mixture of speed and power in Week 1, combining for 113 and scoring his first career touchdown. It will be difficult to judge the workload for Cohen this season properly, because Jordan Howard is still in the picture. Remember, Howard was a breakout player last year and is a quality runner himself. But when you look at the productivity, Howard had 52 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown and caught three passes for 14 yards. As for Cohen, he had five carries for 66 yards and eight catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
The Bears lack explosive playmakers but Cohen is that. He’s electric every time he touches the ball. That means the Bears will be trying to get him the football early and often.
Top Wide Receiver
Kenny Golladay – Detroit Lions
As the only player, prior to the Monday night games, to catch two touchdowns in Week 1, rookie Kenny Golladay is likely to be gobbled up quickly in most fantasy leagues. Golladay should be the top red zone target for Matt Stafford for the season and could go for double-digit touchdowns as a rookie. Although the Lions and Golladay have a tough game next week against the Giants, getting him early and stashing him for later is a smart fantasy move.
Top Tight End
Austin Hooper – Atlanta Falcons
It may have taken the Atlanta Falcons a few quarters to get their offense moving, but once they did, Austin Hooper became a name on every fantasy player’s radar. Although he only had two receptions, he finished Week 1 with 128 receiving yards and a score. Both of his catches basically came on busted coverage. Matt Ryan will find a way to work Hooper into the offense at a more consistent rate, which should turn him into a valuable fantasy tight end. Hooper could have another great game next week versus Green Bay. In his last three starts versus the Packers, Matt Ryan has averaged 351.7 yards passing and thrown 11 touchdowns to one interception.
Top Defense
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins offense struggled throughout most of Week 1, but their defense kept the game close going into the fourth quarter. The Redskins will have an easier offense to contain next week when playing the Los Angeles Rams. Considering what is available in terms of defenses entering Week 2, the Redskins are a smart team to add with reasonable upside and a low floor. Last time the Redskins played the Rams, Washington gave up just 217 yards and ten points.
Top Kicker
Giorgio Tavecchio
Replacing a legend can be difficult, but Giorgio Tavecchio was up to the challenge in Week 1, finishing as the top kicker in many fantasy leagues this weekend. Kicking four field goals, including two over 50 yards, the former unknown should be a popular add going into Week 2. Oakland’s offense should be one of the best in the NFL this season, giving Tavecchio plenty of opportunities to put points on the board.
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