Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
We are ready for the first scramble to the fantasy football waiver wire this week. It is important not to overreact to Week 1 performances, as some of the players featured this week will have to prove they can generate consistent output for fantasy purposes. Plus, many of the guys you drafted might bounce back after quiet season openers.
If your league uses a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB), then resist the temptation to overspend during the first waiver run. The running back pool is thin and does not contain any immediate starters. There are some inviting pickups at wide receiver and tight end, The plan, however, should be to add possible quality contributors to the roster, while realizing there are no must-start pickups just yet.
Analysis leans to PPR formats and players are listed in order of preferred pickup priority at their respective positions. We will return on Friday with Week 2 lineup tips and an expanded fantasy look at the Seahawks' running back situation.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Running Backs
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns: The rookie caught all eight of his targets in the season opener vs. Cincinnati. Sampson should continue to be involved in the Browns offense until Quinshon Judkins is ready to debut. He can complement Judkins as a pass-catcher when both are in the mix. Sampson should get some flex consideration for now. Add him for sure if you need some promising RB depth.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals: If Benson is available in your league, he is a good add as a fantasy RB4 with some upside. He ripped off a 52-yard run at New Orleans in Week 1, and it is possible he could carve out a more frequent role on offense this season. If Benson is needed to start at any point, he will be an instant fantasy football starter. Pick up Benson for the potential if you have a roster spot to do so.
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers: The former Eagle led all Steelers RBs in snaps in the opening win over the Jets, with 54 percent of the reps. He totaled only 22 scrimmage yards, but did total 10 touches. Take a cheaper flier on Gainwell to see if the field time leads to increased production any time soon.
Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs: The veteran RB had seven touches in NFL Week 1, and it is apparent that he has retained the No. 2 RB job in Kansas City. If you roster Isiah Pacheco and Hunt is a free agent, add him as a fantasy football insurance RB.
DJ Giddens: This rookie carried 12 times for 41 yards in Indianapolis' Week 1 win. It is apparent that Giddens is the top fantasy insurance pickup for those who roster Jonathan Taylor. The Colts have been searching for a solid No. 2 RB for a while, and now Giddens looks like the solid option to fill that role.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Wide Receivers
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers: After catching two TD passes and finishing with five catches for 79 yards on seven targets, Johnston is going to be one of the top pickups for Week 2. He clearly complements Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen as a downfield target and TD option. Johnston is a worthy streamer with some promise for weekly upside.
Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs are dealing with some key personnel absences at WR. Brown stepped forward with a very busy outing in NFL Week 1. His 16 targets led all NFL WRs in Week 1. Brown finished with 10 receptions for 99 yards and must be added to see if he continues to see receptions in bulk in the shorter term.
Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns: Many fantasy players will prioritize Johnston based on Week 1, but Tillman might be the best add of the week at WR in terms of being able to prove his season-opening performance was no fluke. Tillman caught five of eight targets for 52 yards and a TD in Week 1, and as long as Joe Flacco starts at QB for the Browns, the Cleveland WR will be one of his favored playmakers. Tillman flashed some potential last year and now may build on it this season.
Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots: After a good preseason, Boutte kept the momentum going in the first week of the regular season, catching six of eight targets for 103 yards against Las Vegas. Boutte is developing a good on-field rapport with Drake Maye and made an early bid to settle in as one of his top pass-catchers.
Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans: Although Higgins and the Houston offense were mostly quiet in NFL Week 1, Higgins is still a worthy pickup heading into Week 2. The Houston passing game might rebound against Tampa Bay. Higgins is a big rookie target who can certainly be more productive going forward.
Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans: The Tennessee offense was stifled in NFL Week 1, but Ayomanor showed he ia already positioned to be the team's new No. 2 WR. The rookie was targeted seven times in the opener after he earned the starting role in the preseason. As Cam Ward improves, Ayomanor may see his fantasy appeal rise.
Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers: The Pittsburgh offense looked more potent than expected against the Jets. Austin caught four passes for 70 yards and a TD. For now, consider Austin when the matchup is right, yet he may eventually show more regular upside if the Steelers offense continues to flourish.
Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins: He is an inviting stash if you have the roster room. At some point, if Miami does make a roster or depth chart move that opens up more playing time for Washington, he could become a hot fantasy add. Pick him up now and get ahead of the pack when he possibly becomes a prime waiver wire target.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Tight Ends
Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns: As you can see, we are featuring many Browns players this week, as some of their most notable performers went undrafted. Fannin was targeted nine times in his pro debut and caught seven passes for 63 yards. He will be the most coveted fantasy add at the thinnest position in the game. If Cleveland continues to pass often he could emerge as a regular fantasy starting option.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints: In past seasons, Johnson was a frequent TD threat at times. In the first game of 2025 for the Saints, he operated as a much busier pass-catcher, finishing with eight receptions for 76 yards on 11 targets. Pick up Johnson to see if this newer role as a consistent target will stick.
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars: Strange caught all four of his targets for 59 yards in NFL Week 1. He is now the No. 1 TE for Jacksonville after showing some glimpses of potentially respectable output last season.
Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers: Smith was a viable fantasy starter for the Dolphins last season, and might soon emerge as a good target for Aaron Rodgers on key passing downs.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts: In his first game with the Colts, Jones instantly surprised with 272 passing yards, one TD and two rushing scores. The former Giants QB has always been a running threat, but after he completed 22 of 39 attempts for 272 yards, Jones must be added and monitored to see if he can build on the impressive debut for Indianapolis.
Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers: The first game with the Steelers conjured up visions of classic Rodgers, as he passed for four TDs in a win over the Jets. Don't start him in fantasy football yet but do add Rodgers in case he resurfaces as a regular fantasy option with the Steelers.
Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders: The former Seahawk passed for 362 yards in his first game as a Raider. Smith went undrafted in many leagues and should at least be added as a backup for now. He is capable of spike statistical weeks.
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants: After he looked poised and confident in the preseason, Dart may get a chance to start for the Giants in the near future. Pick him up and stash him if another possible option at QB is needed.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons are expected to be a heavier running team this season. But Penix looked like he was worthy of fantasy football consideration in the opener. He passed for 298 yards on 42 attempts, which was a surprising total. Penix passed for a TD and ran for a score. He does carry some streaming promise.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Defenses To Stream
Los Angeles Rams (vs. Ten), Baltimore (vs. Cleveland), Arizona (vs. Carolina), Seahawks (vs. Pittsburgh), New England (vs. Miami), Dallas (vs. New York Giants).
The Seahawks defense allowed just 17 points in the season opener and registered two interceptions. We might see more sacks from the unit this week, as the Steelers allowed four in Week 1. Seatttle's defense looks like it's going to be one of the better units in the NFL this season. This could be a productive week for the defensive line, led by Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II, that could translate into solid fantasy football totals.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Week 1 divisional matchup vs. the San Francisco 49ers at Lumen Field.
It's gameday and Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold runs onto the turf at Lumen Field for the regular season opener.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White pauses for the camera on the field hours before kickoff.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold huddles the receivers and tight ends after their early warmups.
These young 12s were dressed for game day.
Current Seahawks cornerback Shaquill Griffin poses with his brother and Seahawks Legend Shaquem Griffin on the sidelines before the game.
Seahawks receiver Cody White plays catch with fans as he heads to the locker room during pregame.
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi stretches in the locker room before the game.
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV talks his teammates in the locker room before they take the field.
Seahawks players led by Jarran Reed make their way from the locker room to the field for pregame warmups.
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson pauses for a selfie photo with a fan after seeing her sign near the locker room.
Seahwaks Legends pose for a photo while on the field being honored during Legend's Weekend. Included are Steven Terrell, Jon Ryan, Garry Gilliam, Ben Obomanu, Thomas Rawls and Roy Lewis.
Seahawks defensive lineman Leonard Williams is pumped as he makes his way from the locker room to the field for pregame introductions.
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell leads the team onto the field during pregame ceremonies.
Seattle's Derick Hall leaps as he is introduced during pregame.
Seahawks safety Julian Love makes his way to the field amid smoke and fog during pregame introductions on the day Seattle kicked off its 50th season.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba gains yards after the catch on Seattle's opening drive.
Seahawks Devon Witherspoon and Leonard Williams fire up the crowd during the first quarter.
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori tackles 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey as Seattle's Leonard Williams closes in.
Seattle's Jarran Reed flattens 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy during the first half.
12s implore the fans for more noise.
Seahawks safety Julian Love flies in to sack 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba finds running room after the catch.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold looks for running room behind tackle Abraham Lucas.
Seattle's Ernest Jones IV looks for running room as teammate Coby Bryant looks to make a block after Jones intercepted a pass in the second quarter.
12s wave their green poms in the stands.
Seattle's defense including Coby Bryant, Jarran Reed and Julian Love stop 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
Seahawks safety Julian Love races into to block a field goal before halftime.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold calls signals before the snap.
Seattle's Leonard Williams grabs 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
Seahawks kick returner Cody White flies through the air on a return.
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe intercepts a pass in the fourth quarter, thwarting a 49ers drive.
Seahawks Brady Russell, Josh Jobe and Derick Hall celebrate Jobe's interception.
The Seahawks offensive line readies for a series in the fourth quarter. From left are Abraham Lucas, Anthony Bradford, Jalen Sundell, Grey Zabel and Charles Cross.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers watches his field goal split the uprights in the fourth quarter. At left is holder Michael Dickson.
Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba catches a perfectly thrown pass from quarterback Sam Darnold late in the game.
At the podium during his postgame press conference, Ernest Jones IV answers questions while wearing a shirt honoring his late father, who passed earlier this year.
