It’s week three of exemption wire discussions, and we’ve seen some rookie running backs making their mark in week two. It’s a promising sign for their development. Additionally, several players who had a solid performance in week one have followed it up with another strong outing, which is definitely encouraging for their future prospects.
Now, let’s take a look at the fantasy football standout performers from Week 2. This is essentially our preview of players to consider for your waiver wire ahead of the third week. We consider exemptions to be those players on rosters in about 60% or fewer Yahoo leagues.
Troy Franklin, WR, Broncos (3%)
Upcoming matchups – @lac, cin, @phi
In their first half against the Colts, the Broncos, led by Bo Nix, successfully found the end zone three times. However, the offensive momentum dipped in the second half. Still, Troy Franklin and his teammates had already made a significant impact in fantasy. Last season, Franklin had an exciting rookie potential but didn’t see much playing time or targets. This time, though, his 60% snap count coupled with a 6-for-6 on targets for 44 yards shows improvement.
In week two, he had a breakout game, catching 9 of 8 targets for 89 yards, scoring a touchdown, and adding a rushing attempt that brought his total to 100 yards. This performance came from an impressive 83% of the snaps. The distribution amongst receivers can vary; for instance, Courtland Sutton, typically the WR1, only managed one catch for six yards on four targets. Sutton has potential for more opportunities ahead, but Franklin’s capability is evident, and it seems he deserves as many touches as possible.
Cam Skattebo, RB, Giants (59%)
Upcoming matchups – KC, LAC, @NO
Skattebo made notable progress this week, taking his total snaps from eight in week one to 35 in week two, leading the Giants’ running backs with a 51% snap rate. He carried the ball 11 times for 45 yards and found the end zone, while also catching all three of his targets for an additional 14 yards.
I should mention, Tyrone Tracy had five carries for 15 yards and caught five passes for 36 yards while on passing downs. While Skattebo appears to be a better fit for standard and half PPR leagues, if he can continue to outpace Tracy, his fantasy relevance will certainly grow.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jaguars (55%)
Upcoming matchups – hou, @sf, kc
With Tank Bigsby traded to the Eagles, rookie Bhayshul Tuten’s supporters hoped for an uptick in his workload. Although Travis Etienne remains the lead back, Tuten saw an increase in snaps. Even though he only played 18 snaps, he made the most of them with 10 touches, resulting in a productive fantasy day. He rushed for 42 yards on eight attempts and caught two targets for 32 yards, including a steady touchdown.
While Etienne played well enough to limit Tuten’s opportunities, it’s clear Tuten is showing great promise early in his career. If he keeps it up, he could emerge as a more significant fantasy contributor as the season progresses. He’s definitely worth keeping on your bench, and who knows, he might soon become a starter in fantasy lineups.
Juwan Johnson, TE, Saints (44%)
Upcoming matchups – @SEA, @Buf, NYG
Johnson is thriving in Kellen Moore’s fast-paced offensive scheme, racking up a maximum of 20 targets this season. This past week against the 49ers, he caught five of his nine targets for 49 yards and a touchdown. His snap rate was notably high, sitting at 95%, making him a reliable option, especially in PPR formats.
Daniel Jones, QB, Colts (17%)
Upcoming matchups – @ten, @lar, lv
So far, Daniel Jones has showcased his skills as a starter for the Colts, winning both games. In terms of fantasy, he had a solid day, completing 23 of 35 passes for 316 yards and a touchdown, along with another rushing touchdown. Notably, this performance came against what many consider the league’s top defense in the Broncos. While it may be a stretch to label him a top-tier fantasy quarterback, he’s playing well enough with solid receiver options to maintain a decent fantasy floor.
Wan’dale Robinson, WR, New York Giants (22%)
Upcoming matchups – KC, LAC, @NO
So, is Wan’dale a PPR thief now? Historically, he may have been viewed that way, but this week offered something different. He benefitted from a weak Cowboys pass defense while Russell Wilson threw for 450 yards. Even though Robinson may not have had a blowout game, he has a reliable floor in PPR leagues, making him valuable. Perhaps Wilson and Darts can elevate his game this year.
Zach Ertz, TE, Commander (57%)
Upcoming matchups – lv, @atl, @lac
Ertz had a strong performance, catching six of six targets for 64 yards and a touchdown against a tough Green Bay defense on Thursday night. We shouldn’t necessarily expect a slew of touchdowns, but it’s clear Jaden Daniels favors him in the red zone. Given the favorable upcoming schedule, he should remain a strong option going forward.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Packers (1%)
Upcoming matchups – @cle, @dal, bye
The Packers have started the season strong, but losing Jaden Reed, their most productive receiver, leaves a gap. Wicks is likely to step in as the slot receiver. His snap count remains uncertain, but he did well with a 6-for-6 target performance after Reed’s injury. It’s hard to predict how involved he’ll be, but there’s potential here to capitalize on easy catches in a promising situation.
Finally, there are players listed on rosters over 60% who still have some value in smaller leagues.
Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots (67%)
Upcoming matchups – Pitt, Carr, @buf
Coach Josh McDaniels mentioned wanting to run the ball more, but didn’t seem to lean towards Trevion Henderson. Instead, he significantly included Rhamondre Stevenson against a weak Dolphins defense. While Stevenson didn’t find the end zone, he managed 142 yards on 16 touches, including a 55-yard reception. He may not be a must-start every week, but he’s proving to be reliable.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Browns (62%)
Upcoming matchups – GB, @det, min
The rookie running back had a strong debut, leading the Browns in rushing attempts and yards in his first career game. His time on the field was limited, but when he played, he made solid contributions. In a game where the Browns were trailing, Jerome Ford saw more opportunities, but in closer contests, Judkins holds the potential to be a valuable fantasy asset.
