Making shrewd Fantasy football waiver wire decisions early in the season is one of the most critical elements of season-long Fantasy success. If you drafted a running back in a committee and his workload didn't meet expectations or a wide receiver who you thought would break out that looked like an afterthought, you have to be able to adapt quickly. Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard has a well-established history with Aaron Rodgers, but he was largely an afterthought in 2024 Fantasy football drafts after a down year in 2023.
However, Lazard had six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in a season-opening loss to San Francisco and is likely to be a lifeline to anybody needing wide receiver help. So how much Fantasy football free agency budget should you be looking to spend on Lazard, and who are some of the other Week 2 waiver wire targets that you need to be aware of? Before making any Week 2 Fantasy football waiver wire claims, be sure to see what SportsLine Fantasy football analyst Scott Engel has to say.
An inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame, Engel has contributed to many outlets during his 25 years in the industry, including The Athletic, SiriusXM FantasySports Radio, ESPN.com, NFL.com, the Associated Press, Yahoo Sports, SI.com, the New York Post, USA Today, RotoBaller, and of course, CBSSports.com.
Now, he's revealed his top waiver wire pick from among the widely available Fantasy football free agents entering Week 2. You can see his top Fantasy NFL waiver wire picks and full analysis over at SportsLine.
Top Fantasy football waiver wire picks for Week 2
One player Engel is advising Fantasy players to target on the Week 2 waiver wire: Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. The third-year tight end was a Fantasy football headliner in the first game of Week 1, as he overshadowed longtime standout Mark Andrews in what appeared to be a breakout performance. He caught nine passes for 115 yards and a touchdown and led Baltimore with 12 targets while playing 66% of the offensive snaps.
"Andrews underwent ankle surgery last November, and the Ravens lack another reliable wide receiver to pair with Zay Flowers. Those factors could lead to Likely functioning as a regular playmaker for Baltimore in the weeks ahead," Engel said. "Even if Andrews can regain some better form, it is possible that the two TEs could work in a productive tandem much as New England's duos used to for a brief period in the early 2010s."
Engel is also strongly recommending 49ers running back Jordan Mason. The third-year back out of Georgia Tech might have known that he was getting the starting nod on Friday, but most Fantasy football managers didn't until lineups were announced on Monday. Those that reacted quickly to get Mason into their Fantasy football lineups were rewarded with 147 rushing yards and a touchdown. However, he's still available in a third of CBS Sports PPR leagues.
"Published reports have already indicated that "CMC" might not play in Week 2, and Mason will be a must-start whenever the consensus top-two Fantasy football draft pick this preseason is out," Engel said. "McCaffrey's top backup impressively banged and swerved his way to a big night against a Jets defense that is widely considered to be elite." See who else to target on the Fantasy football waiver wire at SportsLine.
How to set your Week 2 waiver wire claims
Engel is also all-in on a wide receiver who is likely to see his role increased. This player is widely available and could be a huge boost to your Fantasy football lineup. You can only see who it is at SportsLine.
So which players should you target on the Fantasy football waiver wire before Week 2, and which wide receiver is a must-add? Visit SportsLine now to see the best league-winning Fantasy football free agents entering Week 2, all from a Fantasy football hall-of-famer with 25 years of experience, and find out.