5 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Stashes to Add NOW Before Week 2 (Ep. 2205)
Lucas Wencl runs down five widely-available waiver wire stashes ahead of Week 2, focused on players who could see expanded roles due to injuries or offensive shifts: Antonio Williams, Mack Hollins, Demarcus Robinson, Demond Claiborne, and Terrance Ferguson. The overarching theme is stashing low-rostered players now for potential second-half breakouts before the wider fantasy community catches on.
This episode of the FantasyPros podcast is a rapid-fire waiver wire guide identifying five under-rostered players (all below 30% rostered) worth adding before Week 2. The host's central argument is that early-season opportunity created by injuries and shifting target trees can be spotted through efficiency and route-share data even when raw counting stats look unimpressive, and that patience with these stashes can pay off with league-winning production down the stretch.
The arguments
Antonio Williams profiled as an efficiency riser despite limited Week 1 snaps. The host notes Williams caught all four targets for 64 yards and a touchdown on just 11 routes, the fourth-fewest snaps among Commanders receivers, but was targeted on 36% of his routes (ninth-highest rate among receivers with 10+ routes in Week 1) and converted every catch into a first down. The argument leans on historical precedent of rookie receivers like Elijah Moore, Tank Dell, and Jaden Reed who broke out in the back half of their rookie seasons, framing Williams as a stash for a potential late-season role expansion rather than immediate production.
Mack Hollins gets a second look now that A.J. Brown is on IR. The host argues Hollins' 50 snaps led all Patriots receivers in Week 1 and he out-targeted Demario Douglas despite running fewer routes, then points to last season's Weeks 7-9 stretch where Hollins played 65% of snaps, earned a 19% target share, and posted four double-digit fantasy days — all while Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte were still on the roster and are now gone, removing target competition.
Demarcus Robinson becomes a real role player after Jauan Jennings' 10-week injury. With Robinson taking over as the 49ers' de facto WR3 behind Mike Evans and Deebo Samuel, the host highlights his 77% route share after Jennings left the Week 1 game and frames this as a two-part bet: immediate role security plus lottery-ticket upside if Evans or Samuel (both injury-prone) miss time, pointing to Robinson's own playoff performance last year and the 49ers' history of turning veteran receivers into weekly starters (Jennings, Kendrick Bourne).
DeMond Claiborne is the best bet in a suddenly thin Vikings backfield. With Jordan Mason out at least four games, the host lays out two paths to value: either Claiborne and DJ Dallas split touches behind a 15-18 carry Aaron Jones, or the Vikings lean harder on Jones (whom beat reporters have flagged as needing a touch cap around 150) and Claiborne cashes in as the passing-down complement once Mason returns. The host explicitly prefers Claiborne over Dallas given his 4.37 speed, blocking feel, and contact balance, and notes Aaron Jones' own injury history (missing five-plus games in two of the last three seasons) as an added path to opportunity.
Terrence Ferguson's second-half fade shouldn't erase a promising first half. The host argues against overreacting to a scoreless Week 1 that came after a grueling 16-hour international flight, citing Ferguson's 73% first-half route share (best among Rams tight ends) and the team's heavy 13-personnel usage (36% of snaps, second-highest in the league) as reasons his expanded route tree — including flex looks in 11 personnel — remains live. The host acknowledges the red flag of a 22% second-half route share but attributes it to the offense stalling overall, and leans on Ferguson's league-high average depth of target among tight ends with 25+ targets last season as the ceiling case worth chasing before he's unrosterable.
What it means for your roster
- Add Antonio Williams as a stash in dynasty/deeper redraft leagues, not for immediate Week 2 starts — treat him like a rookie who could pay off from Week 9 onward if his target rate holds.
- Grab Mack Hollins now while A.J. Brown is on IR; last year's 65% snap share stretch with even more crowded target competition on the roster suggests he could safely handle a WR2/3 role for the Patriots in the interim.
- Prioritize Demarcus Robinson in the majority of leagues, even at 7% rostered — he's both an immediate WR3 in a hot 49ers passing game and the direct injury-replacement handcuff for Mike Evans or Deebo Samuel.
- Claim DeMond Claiborne over DJ Dallas if you're stashing the Vikings backfield; he's the preferred bet whether Aaron Jones stays the bell-cow or gets managed down given his workload history.
- Hold, don't drop, Terrence Ferguson after a scoreless Week 1 — the first-half route-share and personnel usage data suggest the offseason breakout profile is still intact, and the host frames him as a buy-now-before-it's-obvious ceiling play at tight end.
“Rookies typically peak over the back half of the season and potentially bring you home fantasy football championships.” — Lucas Wencl
Players in this episode
↓ On IR with a high ankle sprain, opening up snaps and targets for Mack Hollins.
→ Beat reporters have noted Jones tends to hit a wall after 150 touches, and he's missed at least five games in two of the past three seasons, raising the chance of Claiborne getting more work.
↓ Mason landed on IR and will miss at least four games, opening up backfield touches behind Aaron Jones.
↓ Preseason breakout candidate will miss at least 10 weeks, opening up the WR3 role for Demarcus Robinson.
↑ Despite a scoreless Week 1, Ferguson had a 73% first-half route share and the Rams used heavy 13-personnel sets; his route tree is expected to expand with a high average depth of target, making him a stash for tight end-needy managers.
↑ Despite limited snaps and routes, Williams was targeted on 36% of his routes (9th highest rate in Week 1) and gained a first down on all four catches; he's a stash for a potential expanded role and late-season breakout.
↑ With Jordan Mason on IR for at least four games, Claiborne is viewed as the preferred backup behind Aaron Jones over DJ Dallas due to his speed and contact balance; could see expanded role if Aaron Jones' touches are managed or he gets hurt.
↑ With Deshaun Stribling out at least 10 weeks, Robinson steps in as the 49ers' WR3 and led the team with a 77% route share after Stribling left Week 1; could see even bigger role if Mike Evans or Deebo Samuel get hurt.
↑ With A.J. Brown on IR, Hollins played the most snaps of any Patriots WR in Week 1 and out-targeted Rhamondre... Romeo Dobbs despite running fewer routes; last season from Week 7 on he played 65% of snaps and had a 19% target share, suggesting he could be a legitimate role player again.