Fantasy Football Week 2: Rankings, Projections and Waiver-Wire Tips

For the first time in 2022, some fantasy football managers may be hoping for a Monday night miracle. Most of the Week 1 action is complete, as all that's remaining is a season-opening matchup between the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks.

Some fantasy managers will be locked into that game, hoping a player or two can have a big performance (or not) to ensure they can secure a Week 1 victory. But that isn't the case for everybody. Other fantasy matchups have already been decided coming out of Sunday's slate of games.

Those managers may already be looking ahead to Week 2. But before those games arrive, this will be an important week for waivers, as managers will be targeting players who may have performed better than expected to start the season.

Here are some early positional rankings for Week 2, along with several waiver-wire targets to consider.

1. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen (vs. TEN)

2. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert (at KC)

3. Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (vs. LAC)

4. Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (vs. MIA)

5. Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (vs. MIN)

6. Arizona Cardinals QB Kyler Murray (at LV)

7. Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson (vs. HOU)

8. Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (vs. ATL)

9. Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr (vs. ARI)

10. Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins (at PHI)

Waiver-Wire Target: Washington Commanders QB Carson Wentz (at DET)

If you're in need of a high-upside second quarterback for your fantasy roster (or somebody to fill in when your QB1 has a challenging matchup), Wentz appears to fit the bill. There were highs and lows during his Washington debut on Sunday, but he proved that he has fantasy relevance in 2022.

Wentz passed for 313 yards and four touchdowns while leading the Commanders to a 28-22 victory over the Jaguars. He also threw two interceptions, so he'll need to try to limit those moving forward to increase his fantasy value.

Washington seems like it's going to air the ball out a bit more than it has in recent years, thanks to Wentz's strong arm and leadership ability. And considering he has a host of talented playmakers around him, he could put up more big numbers throughout the year, including in a favorable Week 2 matchup in Detroit.

1. Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (at JAX)

2. Carolina Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey (at NYG)

3. New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley (vs. CAR)

4. Minnesota Vikings RB Dalvin Cook (at PHI)

5. Detroit Lions RB D'Andre Swift (vs. WAS)

6. Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry (at BUF)

7. Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler (at KC)

8. Cincinnati Bengals RB Joe Mixon (at DAL)

9. Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb (vs. NYJ)

10. New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (vs. TB)

Waiver-Wire Target: San Francisco 49ers RB Jeff Wilson Jr. (vs. SEA)

Several notable running backs suffered injuries on Sunday, and that includes Elijah Mitchell. The 49ers' starting RB exited his team's loss to the Chicago Bears in the second quarter with a knee injury, and it isn't yet clear how much time he could miss (if any).

If Mitchell is out for Week 2 (or longer), San Francisco should turn to Wilson to handle the biggest workload out of the backfield. Wilson had only nine carries for 22 yards on Sunday, but the rainy conditions in Chicago made it difficult for either team to get much offense going.

Wilson has had some big showings when called upon over his four-year career with the 49ers. Should he start in Week 2 in a strong matchup against the Seahawks, he could end up with a big fantasy scoring output.

1. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson (at PHI)

2. Los Angeles Rams WR Cooper Kupp (vs. ATL)

3. Las Vegas Raiders WR Davante Adams (vs. ARI)

4. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (at DAL)

5. Buffalo Bills WR Stefon Diggs (vs. TEN)

6. Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown (vs. MIN)

7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (at NO)

8. Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (at BAL)

9. San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel (vs. SEA)

10. Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin (at DET)

Waiver-Wire Target: Baltimore Ravens WR Devin Duvernay (vs. MIA)

Heading into the regular season, it wasn't clear who the Ravens' No. 2 wide receiver would be behind Rashod Bateman. After Baltimore's win over the Jets on Sunday, it's now clear that it's going to be Duvernay.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson targeted Duvernay four times, and the 25-year-old receiver hauled in each of those passes. He finished with four catches for 54 yards and two touchdowns in an impressive start to his third NFL season.

Duvernay seems like a safe fantasy option now, considering Baltimore's offense is poised for success this season. The unit should have another solid showing against Miami at home, and expect Duvernay to again be plenty involved.

1. Kansas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce (vs. LAC)

2. Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews (vs. MIA)

3. Las Vegas Raiders TE Darren Waller (vs. ARI)

4. San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (vs. SEA)

5. Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (vs. MIN)

6. Atlanta Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (at LAR)

7. Dallas Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz (vs. CIN)

8. Arizona Cardinals TE Zach Ertz (at LV)

9. Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth (vs. NE)

10. Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee (vs. ATL)

Waiver-Wire Target: Houston Texans TE O.J. Howard (at DEN)

Howard wasted no time making himself feel at home in Houston. During the Texans' tie with the Colts on Sunday, the 27-year-old tight end had two catches for 38 yards and two touchdowns. He may have only been targeted twice, but he made the most of both opportunities.

Although it isn't a sure thing Howard will continue to be a factor in Houston's offense, it's worth taking a chance on him, considering how difficult it can be to find high-upside fantasy tight ends. Plus, Howard flashed his potential early during his five-year tenure with the Buccaneers, before their receiving mix got much more crowded.

So consider adding Howard to your fantasy roster, especially if you have a tight end who was a Week 1 bust. Howard may develop into the type of player who can keep you from having to stream the position all season.