Everyone, we are so back.

Week 1 is in the books and now more work begins. Here is the theme for this waiver article: DO. NOT. PANIC.

Did we see injuries? Of course. Did some players get more usage than we were expecting? Absolutely. But let's not overreact just yet, because a one-week sample shouldn’t dictate our season.

Take a beat and look through your rosters to figure out who is a potential drop candidate — I am here to help you through the rest. 

Below, you’ll find the best waiver wire adds heading into Week 2 of the NFL season. And I added Dwain McFarland’s brand-new Utilization Score for all the players…because it’s awesome. Just for context, a 9.9 is essentially the best score you can get (we're on a scale from 0 to 10 here). And we have someone with a 9.9 this week!

INJURY ROUND-UP:

WAIVER WIRE ADDS FOR WEEK 2

At 7 p.m. ET Monday, this column was neatly wrapped with a little bow and ready to go. 

Then Christian McCaffrey was declared inactive. And Jordan Mason had a game. Ian Hartitz and Chris Allen called this a month ago, by the way:

I'm not 100% sure — and, really none of us are — how much longer McCaffrey might be out. But Jordan Mason may not be going away. He had a billion rushing yards by halftime and that was with a TD taken away thanks to a Deebo Samuel penalty. 

Remember Elijah Mitchell? Matt Breida? Jeff Wilson? The 49ers just crank these guys out, and Mason's success could mean a little more rest and recovery for McCaffrey, whose calf is going to be way more valuable to the 49ers in January than it is in September. 

Will the Jordan Mason Party continue for a week? Two? When McCaffrey returns, will Mason still be involved in the offense? Calm your mind, open up your pocketbooks, and hold them directly upside-down over your commissioner's outstretched hand. You want to break the bank for Jordan Mason (66% rostered in CBS; 37.5% in ESPN — so search for him first!) he'll be a fantasy asset all season. 

I originally wanted to start with Jordan Love and the QBs you can add, since one team in every league is going to have to replace him. If you aren’t that one team…meet me down below at Isaiah Likely!

Packers quarterback Jordan Love is expected to miss multiple weeks after suffering a sprained MCL during Friday night's game against the Eagles. It was brutal to see Love go down and now the team will have to navigate the next few weeks with Malik Willis or Sean Clifford (the two in-house options). The free-agent NFL quarterbacks (real-life free agents) who could be available include: Ryan Tannehill, Trevor Siemian, Kellen Mond, Nate Sudfeld, C.J. Beathard, and P.J. Walker. 

As for your fantasy options?

Week 2 Quarterback adds

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (35% rostered)

Let Baker Mayfield BAKE! In Week 1 Mayfield came up big against the Commanders — completing 24 passes for 289 yards and four (yes, you heard that right) touchdowns! 29.6 fantasy points will put you toward the top of every waiver wire article this week.

It looks like the Bucs are going to continue to be a solid fantasy football offense, it helps when you have Mike Evans and Chris Godwin on your side! Mayfield is a solid pickup if you got bit by the quarterback injury bug — the team doesn't have a daunting schedule upcoming, as they take on the Lions, Broncos, Eagles and Falcons in the next four contests.  

Sam Darnold, Vikings (10% rostered)

I know some of you still don't want to believe that Sam Darnold can be a solid option in fantasy football, and that's okay — instead, consider believing in head coach Kevin O'Connell. Just last season Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall combined to average 16.2 fantasy points per game from Week 9 to 18 last season — a testament to just how good O'Connell is.

In Week 1, Darnold completed 13 of 14 passes for 151 yards, one touchdown, and 14.62 fantasy points. Now, they have a gauntlet to get through over the next six weeks — they face the 49ers, Texans, Packers, Jets, Lions and Rams during that stretch. Wide receiver Jordan Addison might not be at 100%, but Darnold still has superstar Justin Jefferson. It was a nice welcome party, but the going is about to get a whole lot tougher. Still, Darnold is a good QB2 option.

Be Careful…

Derek Carr, Saints (10% rostered)

Yes, Derek Carr went off in Week 1! He passed for three touchdowns, locked down 21.3 fantasy points, and the Saints scored on their first nine possessions. BUT IT WAS AGAINST THE PANTHERS. 

Listen, I love watching a Rashid Shaheed touchdown as much as Cooterdoodle does, but I have to point out that the Saints play on the road against Dallas in Week 2, so if you're looking for a streamable quarterback — you may want to look somewhere else. 

In 2023 the Cowboys averaged 29.9 points per game and gave up just 18.5 per game (fifth in league) on defense. Carr is definitely a solid stash, but be cautious playing him next week. Look to start him against the Eagles and the Falcons after Week 2.   

Waiver Wire Darling of the Week … Isaiah Likely, TE, Ravens (28% rostered; 9.9 Utilization Score)

What the HECK is going on? Why did I pay up for Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews if they were going to do nothing! Why isn't any tight end scoring?! 

This was probably your internal (or external) monologue during Week 1, and it is totally fair and valid. Only one tight end had more than 60 receiving yards (Isaiah Likely) AND IT WAS THE ONE ON A LOT OF BENCHES.  

Via CBS:

*sigh* 

Let's talk about Isaiah Likely.

Yeah, we all saw this coming for waiver wire articles. Mark Andrews managers woke up sweaty and screaming from nightmares featuring Isaiah Likely all Thursday night. Likely finished with nine receptions, 111 yards, one touchdown and 26.10 fantasy points — Andrews finished with two receptions for 14 yards.

It was not the night we expected, but Andrews managers should not panic (too much). This is an incredible breakdown about why, but essentially the Chiefs made sure to take Andrews out of the game plan. I also want to point out that Andrews was in a car accident and missed a little over two weeks of practice. But, nonetheless, Likely should not be on waivers. 

We heard a lot of chatter during the offseason about the Ravens utilizing more 12 personnel and they did just that. According to PFF, Likely and Andrews played 32 snaps out of 12 personnel together (the most snaps taken together in a game). 

He had a 69% route participation and a 30% target share on Thursday night. Dwain McFarland has Likely projected for 77 targets, 55 receptions, 637 yards and five touchdowns the rest of the way.

Demarcus Robinson, WR, Rams (6% rostered; 5.5 Utilization Score)

We never want injuries to happen, but unfortunately Sean McVay confirmed that Puka Nacua has a sprained PCL. He will miss a minimum of four games since he is being placed on IR. Demarcus Robinson is the "next man up" receiver. Yes, Cooper Kupp will snag some of the vacated targets, but we can all remember that Robinson made some fantasy managers dreams come true last year with a solid finish to the season (four touchdowns in a five-week stretch).

On Sunday, Robinson had four receptions and 42 yards. Tyler Johnson is another Rams receiver to have on your radar, but I prefer Robinson over him. 

Alec Pierce (2% rostered, 6.8 Utilization Score) / Adonai Mitchell (32% rostered; 3.5 Utilization Score), WRs, Colts 

I highlighted Adonai Mitchell last week on the waiver wire, but now it's time to introduce Alec Pierce. He had three receptions on three targets during Sunday's game, but damn did he make the most of it! He finished with 125 yards, one touchdown and 21.5 fantasy points.

To be fair, I still like highlighting Mitchell on the waiver wire, because he should have come down with two touchdowns on Sunday. Both of these receivers are good options on the waiver wire this week — Mitchell will probably be playing more in the slot, but both Mitchell and Pierce could make a difference until Josh Downs is back from his injury. 

Brandin Cooks, WR, Cowboys (33% rostered; 6.6 Utilization Score)

Tight end Jake Ferguson might be able to play in Week 2, which is great news considering this injury looked like a worst-case scenario. Ferguson was diagnosed with a bone bruise and a minor sprain of the medial collateral ligament (say that five times fast) in his left knee, but even if he plays in Week 2 the Cowboys will still probably be cautious. 

Enter: Brandin Cooks. 

He had four receptions for 40 yards and one touchdown on Sunday against the Browns — this offense is already thin at receiver, so if Ferguson isn't 100% they may look to involve Cooks more. Even if Ferguson plays, though, it is obvious that Cooks is a solid option on this offense, so don't feel like you need to wait to add him to your team.

Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers (21% rostered; 4.4 Utilization Score)

This could be a long-term play that works out for you in the end. Now I love Rachaad White, but in Week 1 Bucky Irving led the team with 62 rushing yards and also averaged 6.9 yards per carry compared to White's 2.1! 

Now here's the thing: we knew White was going to continue to be inefficient on the ground. But he still has that passing role (the reason a lot of us drafted him). White is still "the guy" in this backfield, but if Irving continues to make his presence known on the field then he could slowly chip his way into a bigger role as the season continues. There are better options if you need an immediate starter on your fantasy team, but if you have the space to stash Irving, then it could pay dividends in the coming weeks. 

Alexander Mattison, RB, Raiders (4% rostered; 7.4 Utilization Score)

Sunday was not a fun day for Zamir White managers, because Alexander Mattison had more usage and more fantasy points by the time the game was over. 

Let's get this out of the way: this is not an exciting waiver wire pickup, but Mattison is a cheaper option than other running backs listed in this article. He had five carries for 19 yards and four receptions for 43 yards and one touchdown. We knew in the preseason that White may not have a pass-catching role in this offense, but it's also clear the team doesn't really trust White on third downs or two-minute drill. 

Mattison is not a sexy waiver wire name (unless you're into presidential mash-up homonyms), but we just want to win our fantasy matchups, okay?

Jaleel McLaughlin, RB, Broncos (37% rostered; 5.3 Utilization Score)

Jaleel McLaughlin was highlighted last week as a running back that could have a bigger role on the horizon, even next to Javonte Williams. WELL, the Broncos looked absolutely horrific on Sunday — quarterback Bo Nix actually led the team in rushing yards, while the running backs were only able to muster 64 yards. 

McLaughlin out-touched Williams against the Seahawks and was the primary early-down back. If McLaughlin plays better down the stretch that we could actually see more of him, but you'll have to be patient, because the Broncos upcoming schedule is not a walk in the park. Do not freak out on Williams yet, either! It's only Week 1 and hopefully this offense can look better in the coming weeks.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jaguars (5% rostered; 3.6 Utilization Score)

Yes, you read that name right! We are talking about Tank Bigsby after Week 1 baby! On Sunday, Bigsby led the Jaguars in rushing yards — he ran for a career-high 73 yards on 12 attempts. Travis Etienne also ran the ball 12 times and came away with 44 yards and a touchdown.

Head coach Doug Perderson told us early in the offseason that the team "needed to get Bigsby more involved", I just don't think anyone believed him after the bad season we saw in 2023. Still, if Bigsby is going to be given the opportunity then we need to pay attention! Bigsby is probably a lot more available in leagues compared to Ray Davis or Bucky Irving, but Bigsby could find himself in a solid fantasy role if he progresses. He's a great pickup this week.   

Jalen McMillan, WR, Buccaneers (10% rostered; 4.7 Utilization Score)

Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan is a deep waiver wire target in Week 2, especially if you play in deeper leagues. Against the Commanders he had one reception for 32 yards and one touchdown. Of course, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are still on this team, so thinking he will jump ahead of either of those receivers would be crazy.

But with the easier schedule we talked about earlier for Baker Mayfield, I like the potential for more targets — especially if he's another weapon that Mayfield can rely on. 

Stay patient, keep stashing: