Waiver Wire Watch: Week 2

Sep 09, 2013

Editor’s Note: We’re happy to announce the arrival of 4for4 Contributor Pat Fitzmaurice (formerly of Pro Football Weekly), who will work in conjunction with Senior Editor John Paulsen to compile this list of the top waiver wire pickups each week.

Below is a snapshot of the most appealing waiver wire pickups for Week 2. To be eligible for discussion, the player must be owned in 50% or fewer ESPN leagues, though we'll stretch the rules a bit for the RB position, which is usually very thin. We'll also include suggested bid prices (with a $100 budget) for those leagues that use Free Agent Acquisition Budgets. Of course, player value depends on league characteristics and team needs.

Raiders QB Terrelle Pryor ($9)
Pryor completed 19 of 29 passes for just 217 yards with a TD and two interceptions, yet he was a good fantasy start on Sunday due to his game-high 112 rushing yards (on 13 carries). Pryor loves to run and it will not be this easy every week, but fantasy owners who are thin at QB should try to roster this guy.

Next up: Jaguars, Broncos, Redskins

Cardinals QB Carson Palmer ($7)
The veteran quarterback’s first start for the Cardinals was a statistical success, with 26 completions on 40 attempts for 327 yards and two TDs. Palmer managed to feed star WR Larry Fitzgerald (8-80-2 on 14 targets) while also keeping WRs Michael Floyd and Andre Roberts busy. A favorable stretch of schedule now awaits, making Palmer a solid fantasy play over the next 3-4 weeks. Just realize that sacks and interceptions come with the territory. (Palmer was owned in only 32.3% of ESPN leagues as of Week 1.)

Next up: Lions, Saints, Buccaneers