Tips to move the fantasy football scales

By Roland Hacker

Week one in the NFL confirmed some ideas experts had, flipped others and brought some new ideas out of nowhere. Based on the results of week one, here are some waiver wire pickup ideas going into week two.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB):

Ole Fitzy dropped four touchdowns on the Saints and is currently the number one scoring fantasy player in the league. He’s 4 percent owned in Yahoo fantasy leagues. Don’t expect Fitzpatrick to stay hot, but he could make a great pick up to stream against bad defense or replace a quarterback with in the event of an injury.

Chicago (D/ST):

No one was sure how good the Bears’ defense would be this season. After one week, they look like the real deal. They totaled four sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and touchdown to far exceed what their week one projection. Go grab them before their ownership rises from 50 percent to the 90s.

James Conner (RB):

This is a long shot, but if Conner is on the waiver wire, get him immediately. Currently sitting at 86 percent ownership in Yahoo fantasy leagues, Conner is the number four highest-scoring player in fantasy through one week. There’s no telling when Le’Veon Bell’s contract holdout will end, but even when it does, Conner should be relevant for another week or two as Bell gets up to speed, especially after his strong showing in week one.

Phillip Lindsay (RB):

Lindsay might have been one of the most overlooked running backs going into week one. He’s number 41 in fantasy scoring and only 7 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. In format dominated by running backs, players could struggle to find any midseason. Lindsay is the type of pickup that can change fortunes. Drop Devontae Booker and pick up Lindsay.

Jesse James (TE):

James posted 60 yards while backing up the injured Vance McDonald. He might have had an even bigger day if it weren’t for a miserable outing from his quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger. James is only 4 percent owned in Yahoo leagues. Anyone looking to replace Delanie Walker or Greg Olsen should go scoop him up.

DeSean Jackson (WR):

Somehow Jackson has only 26 percent ownership in Yahoo. He is eighth in fantasy scoring but received a concussion in week one and has a tough week two matchup. Pick him up and stick him on the bench for a week; it will pay dividends in the long run.