FFT Express - EARLY Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets! Brown, Johnston, Sampson, Tillman, & More! (09/08 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today Express – Early Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets (September 9, 2025)

Episode Overview

This express episode zeros in on early waiver wire recommendations for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL Fantasy Football season. Host Adam Aizer and lead analyst Jamey Eisenberg rapidly break down the priority pickups and offer key insights into who to target and what roles they might hold, including coverage across all positions (WR, RB, QB, TE). If you’re looking for actionable advice in under 15 minutes to stay ahead on waivers, this episode distills everything you need.

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Key Discussion Points

Top Waiver Wire Priority: Wide Receivers

• Marquise Brown (Chiefs) is the clear top add, with major opportunity due to teammate injuries and suspensions.
  • Jamey Eisenberg: “Marquise Brown could be headed for a big role for maybe the next five games, depending on how long Worthy is going to be gone.” (02:20)
  • 16 targets, 10 catches, 99 yards in Week 1.
• Quentin Johnston & Keenan Allen (Chargers) are strong contenders as well.
  • “I will take [Marquise] Brown first…Keenan Allen second, and Quentin Johnston third. …All three guys are viable. They’re the three first wide receivers I have to be picked up for this week.” – Jamey (02:52)

Breaking QB News & Streaming Options

• Russell Wilson named Giants starter for Week 2 — Cowboys D/ST a streaming target. (03:34)
• Top QBs to Pick Up: Aaron Rodgers, Michael Penix, Daniel Jones, Geno Smith.
  • Jamey prefers Rodgers and Penix for long-term stash, not streaming: “If you’re looking for quarterbacks moving forward, again, this is more backups to stash…Rogers, Michael Penix, Daniel Jones, then the fourth guy would be Geno Smith.” (04:26)

Running Backs to Target

• Dylan Sampson (Browns): “Closest thing to a priority add…8 catches for 64 yards on 8 targets.” (05:18)
  • Seen as a potential constant in the Cleveland passing game, especially with Joe Flacco at QB.
• Trey Benson: “If he’s going to continue to get more work…maybe he’s a flex option. And we know James Conner, 30 years old, injury history, he’s a lottery ticket waiting to happen.” (05:53)
• Other RBs Mentioned: Kenneth Gainwell (Steelers), DJ Giddens (handcuff to Jonathan Taylor), Kendre Miller (Saints)

Additional Wide Receiver Picks

• Priority list after Brown, Allen, Johnston:
  • Cedric Tillman, Rashid Shaheed, Keishawn Booty, Calvin Austin, Ray-Ray McCloud, Jaden Higgins, Wan’Dale Robinson, Troy Franklin, Elic Ayomanor
• Tillman and Shaheed flagged as 12-team league relevant. – Jamey: “The two Chargers, Marquise Brown, Tillman is, Rashid Shaheed is. And then it gets to, I think, a point where it depends on what you look like for your roster.” (08:38)

Tight End Waiver Wire Recommendations

• Harold Fannin Jr. (Browns) and Juwan Johnson (Saints)
  • Jamey notes high usage and opportunity: “I go back and forth between Harold Fannin Jr. and Juwan Johnson…Fannin as, at best, the third option in the passing game.” (09:27)
  • “From a floor standpoint, Juwan Johnson’s probably a little bit safer. …After that, there’s a lot of guys that sort of fall into this category.”
• Additional names: Jonnu Smith (Jets), Hunter Henry (Patriots), Brenton Strange (Jags), Isaiah Likely (Ravens, injury stash), Michael Mayer (Raiders).
• Kyle Pitts: If available due to injuries to Falcons WRs, he’s the “number one guy without question.” (11:09)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Marquise Brown’s urgency:
  “I think just looking at the way the injuries are unfolding for this week, specifically in Kansas City…he could be headed for a big role for maybe the next five games.” — Jamey Eisenberg (02:20)
• On the ‘lottery ticket’ value of Trey Benson:
  “…James Conner, 30 years old, injury history, he’s a lottery ticket waiting to happen.” — Jamey Eisenberg (05:53)
• On the real value of fringe WRs:
  “For the most part, though, I don’t think anybody’s starting these guys in week two, except for maybe Marquise Brown or the Chargers guys.” — Jamey Eisenberg (09:01)
• On Kyle Pitts as a waiver wire priority:
  “Number one guy without question [if Falcons WRs remain out].” — Jamey Eisenberg (11:09) “I wish he played the way he played against Tampa Bay every week because…the last three games…he looks like a different player.” — Jamey Eisenberg (11:25)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:42 – Episode begins, introduction and premise
• 02:02 – Top WR to add (Marquise Brown, Chiefs)
• 02:49 – WR priority discussion: Brown, Johnston, Allen
• 03:34 – Breaking news: Russell Wilson to start for Giants/Cowboys DST
• 03:48 – QB streamers and stashes: Rodgers, Penix, D. Jones, Geno Smith
• 05:18 – Running backs to target: Sampson, Benson, others
• 06:44 – Detailed RB analysis, handcuffs
• 07:39 – Recap and introduction of tier-two WRs
• 08:11 – Wide receiver names for deeper leagues
• 09:11 – Tight end discussion (Fannin Jr., Johnson, Smith, Henry)
• 11:09 – Kyle Pitts segment, importance if Falcons WRs are out

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Takeaways

• Marquise Brown is the clear WR waiver pickup, followed closely by two Chargers, especially for short and possibly medium-to-long term value.
• Running back market is thin, but Sampson and Benson both offer flex appeal and lottery-ticket upside.
• Quarterback market favors proactive backups/stashes over one-week streamers, with Rodgers and Penix leading the way.
• Value at tight end is more nuanced; Fannin Jr. and Juwan Johnson headline the list, but Kyle Pitts is top-tier if injuries persist in Atlanta.
• Beyond top picks, deep league managers should consider a handful of WRs and TE injury stash candidates.

For a more in-depth dive and any late-breaking changes, check out Jamey’s full waiver wire column at CBSSports.com.

Transcript

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[B]

Welcome everybody to Fantasy Football Today Express. Let's take a look at the waiver wire. All right, Adam Azer and Jamie Eisenberg of course. On Tuesday we're going to have an hour long show talking about these players, talking about who to drop as well. But for now, Jamie, give me the one guy that we need to go out and get on waivers.

[D]

I think it's Marquis Brown. You know, just looking at the situation with the Chiefs and Xavier Worthy, we don't have a timetable yet on how long he'll miss, but it's probably going to be multiple weeks. And then you have Rashi Rice out for at least five more games because of the suspension. So knowing what he did in the first game against the Chargers when Worthy got injured in Brazil, 16 targets, 10 catches, 99 yards. There's going to be a lot of volume. Hopefully a little bit better, a little more downfield passes. He's depp the one long, long reception. But I think just looking at the way the injuries are unfolding for this week, specifically in Kansas City and what this offense could look like, Marquis Brown could be headed for a big role for maybe the next five games, depending on how long Worthy is going to be gone.

[B]

How would you compare him though with Quentin Johnston and KEENAN Allen? Johnson's 36 rostered, Allen's 60 rostered.

[D]

I would expect that there's going to be more targets for Marquis Brown. And so based on that and his role in his offense, I will take him first. But I will take a look at Keenan Allen second and Quentin Johnston third. And that might be a mistake knowing that Johnson has such big playability and it's coming off a strong end to the 2024 campaign, which we probably overlooked a little bit based on the Trey Harris and Lambert Smith additions in the NFL draft. But they still, they still love him and he looked great in week one. And Keenan Allen's going to have a big role as well with those, a big history there, a long history there with Justin Herbert. So I think all three guys are viable. They're the three first wide receivers I have to be picked up for this week. I just prefer Marquis Brown in the short term, which may end up being a long term situation depending on how long this were the injuries.

[B]

All right, breaking news, by the way. The Giants are going to start Russell Wilson in week two. So Cowboys dst, they're available. Okay, so how about let's go to quarterbacks here and quarterbacks to stream for week two.

[D]

So it's not necessarily streaming for week two. I think at this point you're looking for maybe the rest of season. And so the top two guys for me right now are Aaron Rodgers and Michael Penix. Daniel Jones is third mostly because of his opponent for week three. Week two, excuse me, with, with the Denver Broncos. But looking at it in the long term, in the short term, Rogers, we'll see how he picks up off of the week one game against the jets where he threw for 244 yards and a touch and four touchdowns. I like his situation going into week two a little bit better against Seattle than I do for Penix based on his matchup against the Bears, excuse me, against the Vikings when he may not have Drake London, which we don't know how long he's going to be out and we don't know if Darnold Mooney will be back. I think in the season long situation, I would prefer Michael Penix just for the potential of what he could become. I like the fact that he used his legs a little bit, had the rushing touchdown, 21 rushing yards. So those are the top two quarterbacks. Daniel Jones right there with him. I just don't want to put too much stock into it because I think Miami's defense could be absolutely horrible. So if you're looking for quarterbacks moving forward, again, this is more backups to Stash to see if you're going to, you know, use them. I wouldn't start any of them if you don't have to in week two. But it would be Rogers, Michael Penix, Daniel Jones. Then the fourth guy would be Geno Smith.

[B]

You know, we used to talk about west coast teams playing one o' clock games on the East Coast. That's what the Seahawks will be doing next week at Pittsburgh against Aaron Rodgers. But I'm just looking at what they did last year when they went to the East Coast. I don't know what time these games were that they did totally fine. So I don't know if this is really a thing anymore, but it used to be a big thing. All right, so running backs to pick up?

[D]

Yeah, unfortunately there's no like real standout option. Dylan Sampson's the closest one and we know Quinchon Johnson. Judkins is coming back for week number two. To what capacity? We'll find out. But I think based on his role in the passing game with eight catches for 64 yards on eight targets, it's hard to overlook that. That can still be hard to overlook that and that could still be a constant for him in this Browns offense. Knowing that Joe Flacco is going to be the quarterback. So I think Samson is the one. You go for first. Trey Benson would be the one. I look for second because we heard all off season 1A, 1B in terms of the, you know, 1 and 1A, whatever. James Connor and Benson. And look, part of his 8 for 69 included a 52 yard run. I believe it was against the Saints. But I think you look at two things. One, if he's going to continue to get more work when there's favorable matchups, maybe he's a flex option. And we know James Connor, 30 years old, injury history, he's a lottery ticket waiting to happen. So those would be the first two guys and there's a big drop off in terms of looking at what's next. I have Kenneth Gainwell. Third, just because it appears for the short term he's going to be at least the second running back of usage for the Steelers and can maybe help you in a flex spot in ppr. Did have three catches from Aaron Rodgers. DJ Giddens looks like the definite handcuff at this point for Jonathan Taylor had 12 carries. I was surprised he didn't have any targets. Good to see Taylor involved in the passing game. But obviously if something happens to Taylor then Gins will be the guy and then Kendra Miller will be the next guy just because again Alvin Camara, 30 years old, missed three games last year with the groin injury. Miller looks like he's going to be the second guy there in the Saints offense.

[B]

Just a guess on DJ Giddens why he didn't have targets is he got most of his work in the fourth quarter. Yeah, well, so I don't I think.

[D]

Daniel but I was, I was surprised early in the game that they didn't try to do something there.

[B]

Yeah, Kenneth Gainwell did actually out snap Jalen Warren and he was their third down back. So we're going to get some wide receivers to pick up other than the three that we talked about when we come back after this quick break on Fantasy Football Today Express.

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[B]

All right, welcome back. So we talked about Marquis Brown and Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen being the top three with Marquis Brown being number one for Jamie right now. I'm looking forward to having a nice to kind of talking that out on the longer show tomorrow. But who's who else we pick up a wide receiver.

[D]

So after Brown, Allen and Johnston, I have it as Cedric Tillman, Rashid Shahid, Keishan Booty, Calvin Austin, Ray Ray McLeod, Jaden Higgins, Wanda Robinson, Troy Franklin and.

[B]

Elick Elick A Manor IO Manor Tillman is really interesting. I mean he was so good last year when he was healthy when Jameis Winston took over and he's 31 rostered and Stefan Diggs didn't play much, played less than half the snap. So Keisha Booty had a big game.

[D]

But how many has actually been good going back to last year?

[B]

How many of these guys are 12 team league players?

[D]

The the two Chargers, Marquis Brown Tillman is, Rashid Shahid is. And then it gets to, I think, a point where it depends on what you look like for your roster. So the Drake London manager, the Christian Kirk manager, the Darnell Mooney manager, you know, these guys that are searching for wide receiver help, potentially the Juwan Jennings manager, you know, you might be making some moves at the end of your bench, you know, to, you know, shuffle out a second quarterback and maybe get some wide receiver depth. For the most part, though, I don't think anybody's starting these guys in Week two, except for maybe Marquis Brown or the Chargers guys.

[B]

All right, let's go over to tight end. It was a pretty good week for tight ends that you might want to pick up off the waiver wire. I just mentioned this on beyond the Box Score, but Juwan Johnson for the Colts, for the Saints, played 99 of the snaps and was one of the top performers. Who do you like to pick up at this position?

[D]

Yeah, I go back and forth between Harold Fannin Jr. And Joanne Johnson because, you know, you're looking at Fannin as, at best, I would say, the third option in the passing game. You know, he was operating basically as their third receiver. I think Jerry Duty will get more targets than him moving forward. I think at some point David Joko will get more targets than him moving forward, and we'll see what's after Tillman. So there's a lot of mouths to feed in this Cleveland offense with the Saints. Obviously Chris Olavi and Rashid Shahid are there, but I think we're going to see Spencer Rattler lean on Joanne Johnson. Not to this extent, but he's going to have a role. So I'll, I'll take the upside of fan and more at or at this point, more so than I would Joanne Johnson. But I think from a floor standpoint, Juwan Johnson's probably a little bit safer. But after that, there's a lot of guys that sort of fall into this category. Just didn't do as well as. As Juwan Johnson did. I think it's, it's. It's worth taking a look. I know he like 15 yards receiving, but John who Smith, based on how Aaron Rodgers played, he had five catches, got the little pop pass for the touchdown. So that's something I think to keep an eye on there for Danu Hunter, Henry Brenton, Strange. Not huge games, but good involvement and, you know, looking at their quarterback situations again. I still like Drake May despite the down game in week one. Same thing with Trevor Lawrence. It's definitely worth your Interest to pick up Isaiah likely right now. You know, to see what happens with him when he comes back. Coming off the foot injury and it didn't play week one but could return soon and then just a couple injury replacements, deeper leagues just in case if Brock Bowers knee injury is a problem. Michael Mayer and the situation with George Kittle. I think Jake Tongas is the guy to look at. He scored the touchdown late in the game against Seattle.

[B]

Kyle Pitts 69 roster. I know he doesn't quite meet the criteria. You're looking at 65 or lower. But Pitts is maybe. Maybe it's just about Darnell Mooney being out. But also Drake London could be out. So this big opportunity.

[D]

Number one guy without question.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah.

[D]

I mean those guys are hurt. Without. Without a doubt.

[B]

I would say the number one guy at any position possibly. If you're looking for. If Drake London's out two weeks. I know it's only two weeks, but maybe Kyle Pitts can help you win a couple of weeks or something like that. I don't want to make I wish.

[D]

He played the way he played against Tampa Bay every week because the last three games, two games last year, this game like he looks like a different player. I don't know what it is. Maybe the proximity to Gainesville. Who knows?

[B]

One of the things is the adot he in terms of his career with four or more targets. Any game with four or more targets. He had a third lowest a dot of his career. I talked about it on express so I won't repeat myself on beyond the box score. Pardon me. I won't repeat myself, but that's. That's a good sign for Kyle Pitts.

[D]

All right.

[B]

We'll be right. No, we won't. We'll be back tomorrow with another edition of fantasy football. Today. Thanks to Jamie for his early waiver wire. Make sure you check out his waiver wire column because if there are some names that we don't get to on the show, they're included in the content column. Check it out. CBSSports.com fantasy football see you later, everybody.

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