Week 2 of the 2019 NFL season was full of injuries to key players. If you had Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Damien Williams, James Conner, or Devin Singletary, you may need to check the waiver wire for a Plan B. Except in two-quarterback or superflex leagues, do not waste a roster spot on Teddy Bridgewater and Mason Rudolph yet. Below you will find players who are all owned in fewer than 50% of leagues that should be worth targeting.
Players are ranked by ownership percentages on Yahoo and all fantasy points are calculated in half PPR scoring.
Quarterbacks:
— Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (49% owned): Garoppolo bounced back in Week 2 and completed 17 passes on 25 attempts for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He has a good matchup next week against the Steelers, but keep in mind that the 49ers have an early Week 4 bye, so you will have to find a replacement the following week should you claim him.
— Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (40%): Allen completed 19 of 30 pass attempts for 253 yards and a touchdown and added 21 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Giants. He has improved significantly in the passing game since his rookie season and always poses a ground threat. His matchup against the Bengals this week, along with the bevy of injuries to quarterbacks, means he will be majority-owned by Wednesday.
— Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals (19%): Dalton had another productive outing during Sunday’s loss to the 49ers. He completed 26 of his 42 passes for 311 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. This was aided by a garbage-time 66-yard touchdown to John Ross on the final drive of the game. He lacks the upside of a Josh Allen, but his floor is decent and he is usable absent better roster options.
— Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts (12%): Brissett has been serviceable after stepping in following Andrew Luck’s retirement. He went 17-for-28 with 146 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on Sunday. He has some nice matchups ahead against the Falcons, Raiders and Chiefs before Indianapolis’ Week 6 bye. He could be a matchup-dependent streamer or fill-in for the Brees or Roethlisberger owners moving forward.
— Case Keenum, Washington Redskins (9%): After a 380-yard, three-touchdown performance in Week 1, Keenum came back down to earth in Sunday’s loss to the Cowboys. He completed 26 of 37 attempts for 221 yards and two touchdowns. Despite a difficult Week 3 matchup against the Bears on Monday, he may have to be an option for some injury-plagued teams.
Running backs:
— Jaylen Samuels, Pittsburgh Steelers (35% owned): After losing Roethlisberger in the first half of Sunday’s game, running back James Conner limped off the field with an apparent left knee injury during the fourth quarter and did not return. While ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday that Conner’s injury is “not serious,” owners should have a backup plan if he misses time. Samuels played 21 of 23 snaps once Conner exited the game, and would be an every-down back in his absence.
— Darwin Thompson, Kansas City Chiefs (18%): Thompson had a quiet game with only one carry against the Raiders, but with LeSean McCoy needing a MRI for an ankle injury and Damien Williams’ status uncertain, the 2019 sixth-round pick could see an uptick in work if both McCoy and Williams are out.
— Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers (16%): Raheem Mostert took 47% of the 49ers snaps in their win against the Bengals and had 13 carries, three receptions, 151 total yards and one touchdown. He split carries with Breida, who had 12 carries and one catch for 132 total yards. Tevin Coleman could return after their Week 4 bye, but with his marred injury history, Mostert should be a good add in any league.
— Frank Gore, Buffalo Bills (8%): After scoring his first NFL touchdown, Devin Singletary was helped off the field with a hamstring injury late in the fourth quarter. He rushed for 57 yards on six carries, while Gore had 19 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. It looks like the Bills will use Gore and his signature 3-yards-per-carry production in this offense regardless, but he should benefit significantly if Singletary misses time.
Wide receivers:
— Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs (40% owned): Hardman’s ownership percentage jumped from 15% to 40% week-over-week, and should continue to grow after catching four of six targets for 61 yards and a touchdown against the Raiders. He will continue to be targeted while Tyreek Hill recovers from sternoclavicular surgery.
— Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers (14%): Deebo Samuel looks to have leapfrogged Marquise Goodwin as Garoppolo’s favorite receiver target. He had five catches on seven targets and two rush attempts for 94 total yards and a touchdown and has flex upside.
— Demarcus Robinson, Kansas City Chiefs (7%): While Hardman drew a lot of attention this week, it was Demarcus Robinson who had the biggest fantasy day for the Chiefs receivers. He caught all six of his targets for 172 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson will be a popular waiver add this week.
— Devin Smith, Dallas Cowboys (< 1%): Ian Rapoport reported on Monday that Cowboys receiver Michael Gallup would undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair his meniscus and he would miss two-to-four weeks. Amari Cooper will remain Dak Prescott’s top option, but Smith should see more looks while Gallup is out. Smith caught three of three targets for 74 yards and a touchdown on Sunday and has a sweet matchup against the Dolphins next week. He is a good add in deeper leagues.
Tight ends:
— Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys (15% owned): With the tight end position looking pretty thin, Witten will be a popular add this week, especially with Gallup set to miss time. He had four catches on four targets for 25 yards and a touchdown. He lines up opposite a permeable Dolphins secondary this week and should have a good opportunity to score.
— Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks (3%): Dissly caught all five of five targets for 50 yards and two touchdowns last week after a disappointing outing in Week 1. As is the nature of the position, he could be a boom-or-bust option if you are lean at tight end.
Defenses:
— Green Bay Packers D/ST (17% owned): The Packers D/ST has allowed only 19 points this season and the unit has looked strong in two straight games. They are a good Week 3 option against the Broncos if you are streaming defenses.