Scott Engel is in his 11th season 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 10-time nominee, including being a finalist for the 2020 FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year Award, which he won previously. Scott was the No. 1 most accurate fantasy football draft ranker at tight end and No. 6 at running back on fantasypros.com in 2021. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day this season.
The Seahawks' 2022 season began with an inspiring and memorable victory over the Denver Broncos. Yet there is much more to be done and accomplished, beginning with a road date at San Francisco in Week 2. The Seahawks and their fans are deservedly feeling good heading into the second game of the year, but there is a very quick turnaround to preparation for the next game.
Week 1 is also over in fantasy football, and we have already started to look ahead to Week 2. Fantasy football players are natural forward thinkers, and whether you won or lost in the first week, the focus turns to the next matchup as soon as the end of the Sunday slate of NFL games. For those who won in Week 1, sustaining positive momentum is the goal. If you lost, a short memory is required, and the outlook can shift instantly with a bounce-back performance in the second week.
We cover all the key points every week in the Seahawks.com Fantasy Insider column, telling you who to prioritize on the waiver wire and consider starting when the tough lineup calls need to be made.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
Players listed in preferred order of free agent adds.
Running Backs
-James Robinson made an encouraging return to action after returning from his 2021 Achilles injury. He had two TDs from scrimmage with 69 yards. He will remain an important part of the Jacksonville offense and a likely primary TD threat in situations near the goal line.
-Darrell Henderson played a large offensive role for the Rams in their season opener with 18 total touches. He should continue to at least work in a time share and will be worthy of flex consideration.
-Jeff Wilson Jr. projects to be the lead running back for the 49ers while Elijah Mitchell (knee) is out. Rookie Tyrion Davis-Price also may now get a chance to see some action. Jordan Mason, another first-year player, will also vie for carries, and either he or Price can emerge as another RB to watch in a potential time share situation.
-Najee Harris (foot) may be able to play in Week 2, but it's always good to roster the next RB on the depth chart behind your top starters. Rookie Jaylen Warren had a strong preseason and is penciled in as the top reserve behind Harris in Pittsburgh.
-Rex Burkhead led the Houston running backs in touches (19) and scrimmage yards (70) in the season opener vs. Indianapolis. He can be a useful RB depth option for bye weeks and potential injury situations in the weeks ahead.
Wide Receivers
-Washington rookie Jahan Dotson caught two TD passes in his NFL debut. He will be a significant part of the Commanders' passing game going forward. Dotson should see his reception totals increase as the season progresses and he has the promise to be a quality fantasy WR3 in his first pro campaign.
-Giants veteran Sterling Shepard also raised expectations with a "feel-good" return to action after recovering from an Achilles injury. He caught a 65-yard TD pass in the season opener, and he can return to form as New York's No. 1 WR after making a big splash in Week 1. Shepard is back on the fantasy radar as a potential WR3 starter.
-Carolina WR Robbie Anderson caught a 75-yard TD pass in Week 1, and he finished with 102 yards on five receptions. We may see more quality production and occasionally explosive outings from Anderson this season. Baker Mayfield was able to take advantage of Anderson's big-play abilities and their initial on-field rapport appeared to be promising.
-Jarvis Landry was very busy in his Saints debut, catching seven passes for 114 yards. He will be a satisfactory source of fantasy PPR returns as a frequent and highly proven target for Jameis Winston.
-D.J. Chark scored on a 22-yard TD reception in his first game with the Lions. He totaled 13 TD receptions in 2019 and 2020. Chark finished with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards in '19 and can re-emerge as a viable fantasy option with Detroit.
-Curtis Samuel is another Washington WR to consider. He had eight receptions on 11 targets in Week 1 and added 17 rushing yards. Samuel has some upside as an exciting playmaker and should be added as a fantasy WR4.
-Zay Jones had six receptions for 66 yards in his first game with the Jaguars. There is an opportunity for him to emerge as the No. 2 WR in the Jacksonville offense as Trevor Lawrence progressively improves in his second year.
-Baltimore's Devin Duvernay had two TD receptions in the season opener against the Jets. Duvernay should be added with an eye on eventually considering him for fantasy starting lineups if he continues to come through with impressive performances.
Quarterbacks
Many fantasy players are looking to replace Dak Prescott (thumb), and there are a few options to explore. Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins are two top trade targets to pursue if possible.
Jameis Winston is a prime waiver target, as he has a deep receiving crew. Marcus Mariota rushed for 72 yards in the season opener, and a good running QB can offer some statistical promise. Carson Wentz passed for 313 yards and four TDs in his Washington debut.
If you need QB help, the Seahawks' Geno Smith now deserves consideration. He also may be available in superflex leagues (where a QB is started at an additional flex position) and he can be an immediate No. 2 starter in those situations. Smith tossed two TD passes in the Monday night win over Denver. He looked poised and made crisp decisions while delivering accurate throws. Smith exhibited strong command of the Seahawks' offense and he has a potent supporting cast of playmakers. His impressive outing against the Broncos put Smith on the fantasy map as a potential streamer in one-QB leagues going forward.
Tight Ends
-Former Seahawks TE Gerald Everett caught an 18-yard TD pass to celebrate his first outing in a Chargers uniform. Everett could operate as a high-end fantasy TE2 this season while working with Justin Herbert.
-O.J. Howard found the end zone twice in his first game with the Texans. He may become a more frequent target for Davis Mills, so add him and see if Howard can build on the Week 1 performance.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Starts: Recommended For Your Lineups
After totaling 130 yards from scrimmage in Week 1, Antonio Gibson is a very good Week 2 running back play vs. Detroit. … AJ Dillon should notch at least one TD run vs. Chicago. … Kareem Hunt scored twice in the season opener and will be a major TD threat again vs. the Jets. … Darrell Henderson should be started right away in a matchup vs. Atlanta if you add him. … Nyheim Hines had six receptions in Week 1 and will be worthy of flex usage against Jacksonville in Week 2.
Tyler Lockett deserves flex consideration for Week 2. He should be a consistent target for Smith in his quest to move the sticks regularly, and Lockett can get open often against the San Francisco secondary. … Look for Terry McLaurin to produce well vs. Detroit. … Tyler Boyd can be started this week if he is needed to play a larger role in the Bengals' offense. … Allen Robinson will produce well in a good matchup with Atlanta. … Expect satisfactory statistical returns from Darnell Mooney in Week 2 vs. Green Bay. … DeVonta Smith will be involved early and possibly often for the Eagles against the Vikings. … If some of your better projected WRs were statistically quiet in Week 1, their QBs may try to work them back into the mix this week. Maintain confidence in your WRs that were drafted as top three options at the position.
Derek Carr will flourish in a matchup vs. the Cardinals. … Matthew Stafford will bounce back in a big way vs. Atlanta. … Carson Wentz can keep the early-season good times rolling vs. Detroit. … Jared Goff will be a useful superflex option vs. Washington. … Cole Kmet should produce at least adequate fantasy totals vs. Green Bay. … Albert Okwuegbunam can deliver quality production vs. Houston. … Some good defensive streaming options include Cincinnati (vs. Dallas), Pittsburgh (vs. New England), Green Bay (vs. Chicago, for sacks and turnovers) and Carolina (vs. New York Giants).
For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Dayfor his weekly sleepers and more waiver recommendations.
The Seahawks host the Broncos for Monday Night Football at Lumen Field on September 12, 2022. Game action photos are presented by Washington's Lottery.