Week two was full of devastating injuries on both sides of the ball. This year, more than even, depth is going to be key. Let's look at some players that make for good waiver wire pickups to help bolster your IDP rosters.
After a crazy Week 1 of football, Week 2 was crazier. The number of significant injuries was astounding on both sides of the ball. Working the waiver wire is going to be crucial this year and managers should keep looking to add depth when possible or as much as their roster will allow. This article was written before the conclusion of the Monday night game so unfortunately, it doesn't include those players. Now it's time to dive into some potential week two waiver wire additions.
Disclaimer: All league sizes and formats are different. Meaning some of these players may or may not be available in your league. Each week I’ll be doing my best to cover a wide enough base of scenarios. If you ever have any league specific questions, I’m always willing to help and so is our fantastic team here at IDP Guys.
Linebacker
B.J. Goodson - LB - Cleveland Browns
Week 2 stat line: 7 tackles (6 solos), 1 QB hit, 1 pass defended
After playing 83% of the defensive snaps Week 1, Goodson went on to play all 92 defensive snaps in Week 2. He calls the plays on defense and has been productive IDP wise the first two weeks of the season. If Goodson is on your waiver wire he’s worth a pickup in leagues where you start 3-4 linebackers. Goodson is a solid start until Mack Wilson returns to action. Wilson has returned to practice this week so his progress is one to watch.
Josey Jewell - LB - Denver Broncons
Week 2 stat line: 4 tackles (3 solos)
After all the injuries the Bronco linebacker unit has endured, it's been Josey Jewell starting next to A.J. Johnson. Jewell played 98% of the snaps in Week 1 and 97% in Week 2. While he didn’t make much noise this past week, he has been seeing a big snap share which is a huge plus. Jewell and his healthy snap share make for a nice waiver wire addition - should he be available.
Joe Thomas - LB - Dallas Cowboys
Week 2 stat line: 12 tackles (6 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 QB hit
After Leighton Vander Esch exited week one with an unfortunate injury, it was Joe Thomas who filled his spot at linebacker. Thomas got the start in week two and played every defensive snap for the Cowboys. Thomas is coming off of a nice 12 tackle (six solos) performance and makes for a great waiver wire addition as he looks to have a starting spot locked down until LVE potentially returns.
Tyrel Dodson- LB - Buffalo Bills
Week 2 stat line: 8 tackles (6 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 2 passes defended
With both Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano out in week two, Tyrel Dodson and AJ Klein were called upon to pick up the slack. Dodson replaced Edmunds as the defensive play-caller and had a solid outing producing eight tackles (six solos). If Edmunds were to miss any more time, Dodson is a solid start as an LB3. If you have the room, Dodson is worth a grab off the waiver wire while we see how Edmunds and Milano recover from their injuries.
Kevin Pierre-Louis - LB - Washington
Week 2 stat line: 15 tackles (10 solos), 1 forced fumble
Even with Thomas Davis active this week, once again it was Jon Bostic and Kevin Pierre-Louis getting all the linebacker snaps for Washington. Pierre-Louis has drawn starts in both games to begin the year and has played hefty snaps shares playing 99% snaps week one and 97% in week two. Pierre-Louis’ 15 tackles (10 solos) led the team this past week and he is definitely worthy of pickup, especially in deeper leagues, should he be on your waiver wire.
Eric Wilson - LB - Minnesota
Week 2 stat line: 7 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
Anthony Barr suffered an unfortunate season-ending injury (torn pectoral) this past week. With Barr out, Wilson saw an uptick in usage as he played 92% of the snaps this week after only playing 56% in Week 1. Wilson should get the first shot at replacing Barr in Minnesota’s two linebacker sets next to Eric Kendricks. If he’s on your waiver wire and you have the room Wilson makes for a nice grab as we watch his role develop.
Kyzir White - LB - Los Angeles Chargers
Week 2 stat line: 9 tackles (5 solos), 1 QB hit
After Drue Tranquill went down last week it was Nick Vigil who replaced him and looked like the guy to grab. Fast forward to Week 2 and Kyzir White played every defensive snap - while Vigil didn’t see a single snap on defense. This is what the Chargers do with their linebacker usage, completely confuse us IDP managers. White had a nice Week 2 and is worth a pickup in deeper leagues, there’s no promise he will see a 100% snap share in Week 3, given the Chargers’ history of confusing linebacker usage.
Defensive Line/Edge
Kerry Hyder - DE - San Francisco 49ers
Week 2 stat line: 8 tackles (2 solos), 2 QB hits
Among the devastating injuries in Week 2 was Nick Bosa, who is done for the year with a torn ACL. Hyder is going to be one of the players tasked in replacing Bosa and has played well to begin the year when on the field. In Week 1, Hyder played 40% of the snaps and registered three solo tackles and one sack. This past week he compiled a respectable eight tackles (two solos) and two QB hits on 80% of the defensive snaps. Hyder is a fantastic waiver wire pickup for teams that either lost Bosa or just need help from their DL unit.
John Simon - DE - New England Patriots
Week 2 stat line: 8 tackles (5 solos)
In week two, Simon’s snap share went up to 89% after playing 68% in week one. Although he didn’t collect a sack, his eight tackles (five solos) did lead the team. While Simon isn’t the flashiest name, he is a solid producer with consistent playing time. Simon is worth a waiver wire pickup in leagues where you start 3-4 defensive lineman and is a solid depth piece going forward with all the injuries piling up.
Quinnen Williams - DE - New York Jets
Week 2 stat line: 7 tackles (4 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 QB hit, 1 forced fumble
Quinnen Williams didn’t live up to the hype as a rookie after being selected third overall in the 2019 draft. Williams was off to a slow start this year as well only producing three assists in week one. Week two was a different story. Williams put on a dominating performance (check stat line above) and was the best Jets player on either side of the ball on Sunday. If he’s available on your waiver wire, Williams is worth a grab in deeper leagues as the hope is he’s finally figured it out and realized his potential.
Rashan Gary - Edge - Green Bay Packers
Week 2 stat line: 4 tackles (2 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 QB hits
After struggling to make an impact as a rookie last year, Gary has looked like a different player to start the 2020 season. Gary had a fantastic training camp and has continued his strong play to begin the year. Gary is more of a dynasty/deep league pickup in leagues where he carries a DL or Edge designation. While his role has increased from last year - 32 snaps Week 1 and 33 Week 2, he still has the Smith brothers to contend with. Coming off a strong Week 2 performance, Gary is making it hard for the Packers to take him off the field going forward.
Jerry Tillery - DT - Los Angeles Chargers
Week 2 stat line: 1 solo tackle, 2 QB hits, 1 blocked extra point
Tillery is another player who had a disappointing rookie season after being selected in the first round in 2019. Tillery has looked like a much-improved player in year two and had a nice Week 1 - collecting two solos, one tackle for loss, one sack, and two QB hits on 41% snaps. This past week, while he didn’t start, he led the Chargers’ interior lineman in snaps playing 70%. In defensive tackle required leagues, Tillery is worth a waiver wire pickup with the hopes he continues his improved play.
Defensive Backs
Kenny Vaccaro - S - Tennessee Titans
Week 2 stat line: 11 tackles (10 solos), 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 2 passes defended
Kenny Vaccaro had a big week two performance as he tied for the team lead in total tackles with 11 and his 10 solos led the team. While Kevin Byard gets most of the attention, Vaccaro is having himself a nice start to the 2020 season. Vaccaro has played every snap for the Titans defense through two games and is a solid waiver wire add if you need safety help.
Jordan Whitehead - S - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 2 stat line: 5 tackles (4 solos), 1 tackle for loss, 1 interception, 1 pass defended
Whitehead played every defensive snap in week two and made a nice diving interception on an attempted screen pass. A safety that will come up in the box to mix it up, Whitehead offers a little bit of everything from the safety position. If Whitehead is available on your waiver wire he should be viewed in the DB 3/4 range.
Andrew Wingard - S - Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 2 stat line: 9 tackles (7 solos)
With the Jaguars placing starting free safety Jarrod Wilson on IR with a hamstring injury, they turned to Wingard as his replacement. Wingard played 100% of the defensive snaps week two and put up a very solid nine tackles (seven solos). Wingard makes for a nice waiver wire addition in deeper leagues as he looks to be starting while Wilson is out.
Andrew Sendejo - S - Cleveland Browns
Week 2 stat line: 10 tackles (7 solos)
Sendejo has played every defensive snap at free safety for the Browns through two games. He had a nice week two and his 10 tackles (seven solos) paced the team. Sendejo isn’t a big IDP asset by any means but makes for a depth add who could be used in a pinch in deeper leagues.
L'Jarius Sneed - CB - Kansas City Chiefs
Week 2 stat line: 6 tackles (5 solos), 1 interception, 1 pass defended
Sneed has been a pleasant surprise for the Chiefs to begin the year. The fourth-round rookie has been starting in place of the suspended Breshaud Breeland and has certainly made his presence felt collecting an interception in each of the first two games. Sneed makes for a good pickup in cornerback required leagues as the Chiefs offense generally forces teams to throw the ball to keep up. As long as he has the starting job, Sneed is a solid start in CB-required formats.
Conclusion
Week two was hard on many fantasy manager's rosters with the large number of injuries that occurred. Above I tried to cover some players who could potentially be available in the many different IDP formats that are out there. As I said earlier, adding depth this year is going to be more important than ever, and always remember to follow snaps.
**Be sure to check out Morgan McLane's offensive waiver wire article over a Dynasty Football Digest which you can view here.
