The draft is the foundation to a good fantasy team, but a championship team is active on the waiver wire to capitalize on shifting opportunity shares and emerging talent. Each week, I’ll give you a breakdown of my favorite adds in fantasy football. The order I list the players doesn't matter as I believe the players you select off this list should be based off position of need and other team unique factors. Regardless, these are always hot players of the week worth boosting your team.
Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets
Breece Hall is still the back to own but Allen has made himself an interesting stash after an 18.60 point game in half ppr. Allen caught a receiving touchdown and a rushing touchdown which is a bit of a concern as the two scores bolstered his points total significantly. However, putting yourself in the good graces of a QB as petty as Aaron Rodgers is always good for a young rookie. Rodgers is notorious for being hesitant and distrusting of new players on his team so to have Allen deliver on two crucial game scores is impressive. The vast majority of NFL teams take a committee approach and though the Jets haven't since Breece took over the backfield from Michael Carter in 2022, it's still not a bad idea especially as a Breece owner to handcuff with Allen. Let's see if this is the start of an expanded role or an outlier game.
Rashid Shaheed, WR, New Orleans Saints
Shaheed narrowly missed last week's waiver wire adds. Honestly I thought his week one performance was an outlier but this week he went out and added more points to an already impressive two game total. Game 1 at Carolina was 16.80 points and against a tough Dallas defensive unit he went for 20.90 points. Shaheed looks to be the deep threat field stretcher and number two receiver for the Saints many thought he would be last year. Active on 68 and 66% of snaps over those two games Shaheed looks to be a valuable member of this offense. I left the Saints for dead like many this year but they have been playing great on both sides of the ball and with league wide injuries mounting, Shaheed is worth a look for WR help.
Luke Schoonmaker, TE, Dallas Cowboys
Schoonmaker filled in for the injured Jake Ferguson and put up a respectable 10.30 in half ppr. Not much to hate here when this year thus far even elite tight ends have disappointed. Even Mark Andrews only managed nine points this week and Kincaid put up seven while Laporta logged three. Engram is out for who knows how long and Freiermuth managed seven. The list of disappointing tight ends grows longer and Ferguson is without a timetable to return at the moment. Schoonmaker managed this score despite only playing 40% of snaps. This was also a game where his snaps went up 10% and the Cowboys were almost immediately trailing and unable to ever get truly going offensively. If Schoonmaker can manage this respectable points total in a barren position with a horrible game script and limited opportunity it will be interesting to see what happens when the Cowboys inevitably hit a brighter spot.
Carson Steele, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Steele now finds himself atop the Kansas City depth chart at RB. Pacheco is on IR for at least 6-8 weeks if not longer and the only other competitor for snaps at the position is an aging and ineffective Samaje Perine. Andy Reid said Steele will get first crack at the number one role and expects the young rookie to handle the increased burden on his shoulders. Clyde Edwards-Helaire will be on reserve until at least week 5, Keaontay Ingram and Emani Bailey are on the practice squad at the moment. Kareem Hunt has interest in visiting the team which is concerning for Steele but at the time waivers will clear at this moment it's Steele's backfield to show and prove himself.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
Henry was active on 83 and 84% of snaps for the Patriots. Week 1 against the Bengals he posted a modest 3.80 but week 2 he posted 19.90. The best part about his week 2 eruption was it was based off targets not touchdowns. Touchdowns are great for obvious reasons but it's good to see a heavy target share as a reliable receiver for Brissett. With a lack of weapons outside of Rhamondre Stevenson, it's looking like Henry can be a consistent contributor to a surprisingly serviceable New England offense.
Honorable mentions: Darnell Mooney, Cam Akers, Mike Gesicki
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