As I write up the Week Two Waiver Wire, Week One of the NFL season had it's share of surprises that were both good and bad. Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor actually looked like an NFL starter, while others like Giants RB David Wilson might have fumbled and bumbled their way to not having much of a chance to start in Week Two.
But lets not mess around. You came here to see who can help your team going forward. Below are the guys I think can do just that. Keep in mind this list will be updated throughout the day Monday and on Tuesday morning if there are any Monday Night Football surprises.
QUARTERBACKs
Terrelle Pryor - Raiders (Yahoo Owned 11%) (ESPN Owned 8.2%)
Speaking of Pryor; So much for the Colts Defense looking like a top-notch sleeper this week. Could Pryor be the new Colin Kaepernick or Russell Wilson? While I wouldn't go that far, he got off to a good start after passing for 213 yards and a score. He also showed his legs after running for another 112 yards on the ground. Remember that the Colts weren't scaring anyone to begin with, but confidence will be key for Pryor's success. Time to finally take Pryor seriously in the Raiders' new offense.
Carson Palmer - Cardinals (Yahoo Owned 59%) (ESPN Owned 32.3%)
Palmer was never going to crack QB1 status due to age and that abysmal offensive line that, once again, showed it needs a few more parts to be cohesive. But what Palmer lacks, he gains in a pass-happy offense, a top-notch receiver in you-know-who and a lot of garbage time play this year. His 327 yards, two touchdowns and an interception Sunday was better than expecte.d If you don't own Palmer now, pick him up as your QB2 with the upside of a potential QB1 in the right matchups. He should still be on the waiver wire in a majority of leagues.
Geno Smith - Jets (Yahoo Owned 4%) (ESPN Owned 4.1%)
Considering he was going up against a much better secondary, Geno played surprisingly well. Keep in mind that the Jets don't exactly have the star power that other teams do in the receiving game, so his 256 passing yards and a TD was somewhat of a shock. He chipped in an interception, but his positives far outweighed the negatives. Like Pryor, Smith used his legs to chip in another 47 rushing yards. Smith won't be like this every week, but he's someone to keep tabs on going forward.
RUNNING BACKS
Knowshon Moreno - Broncos (Yahoo Owned 42%) (ESPN Owned 93.7%)
I'm a bit surprised Moreno is owned by such a high percentage in ESPN Leagues, but I am sure he is still on your waiver wire somewhere. Moreno got the start and had the backfield to himself for most of the first half against the Ravens, only to see Montee Ball in clock-killing mode in the second once the Broncos were up comfortable. As sad as it sounds, Moreno is really the only trustworthy running back between him, Ball and Ronnie Hillman. Moreno manages a meager 3.1 yards-per carry, but did catch 3 balls for 27 yards. Neither Ball or Hillman can be trusted for now, so expect Moreno to get the start again in Week 2. However, he is nothing more than a flex option.
Joique Bell - Lions (Yahoo Owned 31%) (ESPN Owned 69.7%)
After Reggie Bush suffered a dislocated left thumb against the Vikings, he casually yielded some touches to Bell. If there was any more reason to think Bell is the fantasy handcuff for Bush, his two-touchdown performance (along with 92 total yards) showed it. Bush has had a history of ailments in the past. So if you own him and have room, pick Bell up. Even when Mikel Leshoure is active, Bell will be the beneficiary of Bush's absence.
Le'Veon Bell - Steelers (Yahoo Owned 73%) (ESPN Owned 97.1%)
As expected, Isaac Redman looked like garbage against the Titans as he fumbled inside the 5-yard line and then again later, but managed to get it back. The Steelers plan on re-signing Johnathan Dwyer after backup LaRod Stephens-Howling tore his ACL, so the Steelers can't wait for Bell to come back soon enough. It's doubtful that he's on most waiver wires as a lot of owners picked him up right before the season. But if he's there, snag him.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Brian Hartline - Dolphins (Yahoo Owned 44%) (ESPN Owned 28.3%)
I wrote an article a few weeks ago saying Hartline was going to be the savior of the Dolphins offense. Looks like I'm right so far. With chemistry issues still a problem between Ryan Tannehill and Mike Wallace, not to mention Wallace being shadowed by Joe Haden all game, Hartline stepped up to the tune of nine receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Hartline has another strong matchup against at Indianapolis in Week Two, so he's as good a WR3 as any.
Jerome Simpson - Vikings (Yahoo Owned 2%) (ESPN Owned 1.5%)
Simpson was one of the bigger surprises of Week One as he led the Vikings in targets and receptions, catching seven passes for 140 yards. Keep in mind Simpson is an average talent playing with a below-average quarterback, so don't reach for Simpson if you don't have to. But for the time being, Cordarrelle Patterson (One Catch) will continue to sit on the sidelines.
Julien Edelman - Patriots (Yahoo Owned 19%) (ESPN Owned 7.5%)
Kenbrell Thompkins got a lot of hype going into Sunday's game against the Bills, but Tom Brady made sure old reliable was a big part of the passing game. While Thompkins caught a mere 4 of his 14 targets (WTF?!?), Edleman caught 7 of his 9 and turned them into 79 yards and two touchdowns. Edelman is one of the few assets Brady has left from past years, so I expect him to be in the game plan a lot more going forward. Edelman is a must-grab in all leagues.
Marlon Brown - Ravens (Yahoo Owned 4%) (ESPN Owned 1.6%)
Brown didn't get much attention before the start of the season, but he is someone I am eying now that Jacoby Jones is out for the next 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL. Against the Broncos Thursday night, Brown caught four passes for 65 yards and a touchdown. The team was desperately looking for a No. 2 to upgrade over Jones in the offseason. They may have found him. Brown obviously isn't someone who stands out. If he was, he would have had a better training camp and preseason. But as the No. 2 receiver across from Torrey Smith, he's definitely worth a look.
Andre Roberts - Cardinals (Yahoo Owned 20%) (ESPN Owned 29.5%)
Like T.Y. Hilton in 2012, Bruce Arians is going to use Roberts a lot in three-receiver sets. It showed Sunday as Roberts caught eight passes for 97 yards. Plus he saw nine targets compared to Michael Floyd's six. No. 3 receivers in offenses like this have shown fantasy value in the past, so Roberts is picking up. Just don't overvalue him as anything more than a low-end WR3.
Doug Baldwin - Seahawks (Yahoo Owned 2%) (ESPN Owned 1.4%)
Russell Wilson leaned heavily on Baldwin against the Panthers, which wound up giving Baldwin seven catches for 91 yards. Don't get excited. While Baldwin has shown flashes of talent in the past, he has also shown inconsistencies. Tread lightly.
Rueben Randle - Giants (Yahoo Owned 48%) (ESPN Owned 79.8%)
Another receiver who got a lot of hype in the preseason, Randle didn't disappoint after catching five passes for 101 yards against the Cowboys. In three-receiver sets, Randle was outside opposite Hakeem Nicks, with Victor Cruz in the slot. The Giants said they were going to feature Randle a lot this year and it showed. He's worth picking up. But like Roberts, counting on No. 3 receivers on a weekly basis is iffy.
Rod Streater - Raiders (Yahoo Owned 7%) (ESPN Owned 1.9%)
I took a chance on Streater in my FSWA league. While I didn't start him, I can see he is going to be one of the more reliable targets for Pryor. Against the Colts, Streater racked up five catches for 70 yards. Pryor doesn't have a strong arm, so he'll need to rely more on Streater for those short-to-intermediate throws. I'd view Streater as a better option in PPR leagues.
Leonard Hankerson - Redskins (Yahoo Owned 3%) (ESPN Owned .7%)
Hankerson was targeted seven times on the night, catching five passes for 80 yards and a touchdown. Hankerson always had talent, but he is one of those inconsistent players who couldn't be a fantasy option on a weekly basis. Pick him up if you are that desperate, but keep in mind he is still behind Josh Morgan at the "Z" position in the offense.
DeAndre Hopkins - Texans (Yahoo Owned 49%) (ESPN Owned 59.9%)
Hopkins was supposed to be eased into the offense for Week One due to his previous concussions. Five catch and 66 catches later? I think he is good to go. With most defensive attention going toward Andre Johnson on a weekly basis, Hopkins will have good games. Pick him up as a WR3.
TIGHT ENDS
Julius Thomas - Broncos (Yahoo Owned 54%) (ESPN Owned 56.9%)
The first waiver-wire player of Week One, Thomas showed a lot of athleticism that reminded many of a young Antonio Gates. A former basketball player himself, Thomas racked up five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns. On the surface, they look like great numbers, but keep in mind the Ravens took Thomas out for most of the second half. Which bodes the question on if Thomas is worth anything more than a TE2. The Broncos have more mouths to feed in their passing game than any other offense in the league. So while Thomas is promising, he's nothing more than a TE2 or a player you can plug into your flex. For an even more in-depth analysis on whether Thomas is the real deal, click here.
Kellen Winslow - Jets (Yahoo Owned 2%) (ESPN Owned 1.7%)
A healthy Winslow was always a dominant force at the tight end position. But playing on 80-year-old-man knees, you have to wonder how long he'll last this season. Sunday, he looked like the Winslow of old after racking up seven receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. No one else on the offense screams talent like Winslow does, so he makes for an intriguing pickup as the Jets head into Week Two against the Patriots.
I don't really go too deep into waiver wires since most players who had decent games Sunday likely won't be heard from again. But if you know of a player who you think deserves the chance to be in this list, comment below. Keep in mind this list is for standard twelve-team leagues, not fourteen, sixteen or higher.
Brent Celek - Eagles (Yahoo Owned 20%) (ESPN Owned 10.8%)
With the Eagles lacking in play-making wide receivers past DeSean Jackson, expect them to use a lot more tight end plays this year. Celek started off on a high note against the Redskins, catching two passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. Andy Reid had always tried to get Celek involved more in his passing game, but failed before getting canned. With Chip Kelly at the helm, it looks like Celek could be a nice TE2 and flex option going forward. The Eagles are going to run a lot of plays this year.