Footballguys Fantasy Football Show: Week 2 Waiver Wire Pickups (Fantasy Football 2025)

Hosts: Alfredo Brown & Dave Kluge
Date: September 8, 2025
Episode Theme: Reviewing Week 1 and making actionable waiver wire recommendations for Week 2 with deep, nuanced discussion of player performances, usage, and fantasy football strategy.

Quick Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the fallout from a “meh” Week 1 of the NFL season and pinpoints the best (and most realistic) waiver wire pickups for Week 2 of fantasy football. Alfredo and Dave approach waivers with a candid, often humorous tone, questioning overreactions, emphasizing patience, and analyzing which performances could translate into sustainable fantasy production. They also touch on FAAB strategy, drops, and positional priorities, all with their signature blend of analysis and banter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Week 1: Real or Mirage?

• Cautious Optimism About Breakouts:

  • Both hosts note that Week 1 is notorious for luring fantasy players into “believing lies,” and advise listeners to balance skepticism with opportunism.
  • Quote: “I hate trying to react to it because like 1 out of the 10 things will be real and then if you just, you know, stick your nose up at all of them and act like it’s all fake, it just doesn’t help you or anyone.” – Alfredo (00:35)

• RB Disappointments & Seattle Analysis:

  • Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet struggled—hosts attribute this to stacked boxes and an unimaginative running attack.
  • “Charbonnet got the touchdown and that kind of blinds people... but it was otherwise a pretty inefficient, not great showing.” – Dave (02:02)

Waiver Wire Process & Philosophy

• This Week’s Waivers: Slim Pickings
  • The week lacked explosive injury-news or waiver darlings (“no big blowup games”), making it an especially thin wire.
  • Advice: Always “churn the bottom of your bench,” especially in deep leagues, to scrape out small advantages (06:47).

Top Waiver Adds & Player Analysis

WRs

1. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown (KC WR)

• Short-term fill-in: With Rashi Rice injured and questions around Xavier Worthy, Brown saw massive usage (15 targets).
• Skepticism: The workload feels unsustainable and the Chiefs' offense looks unappealing sans true playmakers.
  • “You’re not even talking store brand here...This is your Goodwill version of Rashi Rice and Xavier Worthy, I think...it’s not good, and it’s disrespectful.” – Dave (10:32)
• FAAB Recommendation: Hosts aren't eager to spend more than 5-10%; see him as a “desperate PPR flex only” and fine to let someone else pay up.
  • “There’s one guy that I think is more than a rental, and we’ll talk about him. And it’s probably not who people think, but Hollywood Brown...my confidence level’s not very high.” – Alfredo (08:25)

2. Kayshon Boutte (NE WR)

• Emerging as a Legit Threat: Back-to-back strong performances, led the team in targets/snaps, and seems to be Drake Maye’s trusted receiver.
  • “He’s not just doing it in any one singular way. He’s beating man. He’s finding soft spots in zone. And...Drake Maye is out here looking for Kayshon Boutte even when he’s covered.” – Alfredo (17:14)
• FAAB Value: Can be had for under 5%, makes him the favorite add for both hosts (“go get that Boutte” joke ensues).
• Sustainability: Should be added in all formats—potential WR1 for New England.
  • “From what we saw in week one, what we saw at the trail end of last season, Boutte might actually be that guy and is worth a pickup even in your shallow leagues.” – Dave (19:38)

3. Cedric Tillman (CLE WR)

• Cautiously Approached: Volume is there (9.5 targets/game last 5 starts) but production and Browns offense are underwhelming.
  • “I don't know that I want to go out spend a lot of money on Cedric Tillman even though it seems like it might be good.” – Alfredo (20:32)
• Notable drop, inefficient usage, best for deeper leagues only.

4. Quentin Johnston (LAC WR)

• Upside Flex: Two quirky TDs in Week 1; benefited from heavy pass script, but the offense’s pecking order is still forming.
  • “Of all the guys we're talking about today...Quentin Johnston is the one that could have the most production at the end of this year.” – Dave (29:02)
• Stash in all formats, start in deeper leagues with multiple flexes.
• Caveats: Low targets/route, so manage expectations for weekly stability.

5. Calvin Austin (PIT WR)

• Emerging as WR2: Usage and versatility both strong, offense looks fun with Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
  • “Calvin Austin is probably going to be that guy a lot of times and seeing it on film, he's the guy that ended up having to be the zone beater...as Rodgers is rolling out.” – Alfredo (34:46)
• Potential for upside as long as offense remains productive—good stash or deep-league start.

TE Streamers & Upside Plays

1. Harold Fannin (CLE TE)

• Role: Massive usage in Week 1 (9 targets on 32 routes); immediate plug-and-play top-10 upside at a shallow position.
• Caution: Concern about weekly consistency and offense’s volatility.
  • “I think Harold Fannin is the one that kind of excites me...he is already close to a full time player getting a lot of slot snaps as well.” – Dave (20:58)

2. Juwan Johnson (NO TE)

• Chemistry with Spencer Rattler: Over 9 targets/game in last three games with new QB.
  • “Juwan Johnson...led all skill players in snaps, routes run, and then he was second on the team in targets.” – Alfredo (40:47)
• The default #2 option in Saints’ offense—good streamer with touchdown upside.

3. Brenton Strange (JAX TE)

• Early Involvement: Four early targets, strong in-line/blocking work; offense may not support more than a low-end streaming role.
  • “If he didn’t have that Strange touchdown, people would be panicking about Brian Thomas Jr. right now.” – Dave (42:23)

RB Waiver & Handcuff Insights

• Mostly handcuffs recommended given thin pickings:
  • Kendre Miller (NO), Blake Corum (LAR), Kenneth Gainwell (PIT), DJ Giddens (IND): Pickup if you have space—clear handcuffs to lead backs, no stand-alone value.

Players to Cut/Drop

RBs

• Jerome Ford: “Just be done.” No value, may be usurped soon (51:53).
• Caleb Johnson: Hold in deep leagues; shallow formats you can move on for higher upside (52:37).

WRs

• Xavier Legette, Trey Harris, Marvin Mims, Xavier Hutchinson, Andre Yosivas: Disappointing roles or buried on depth charts. Trim the fat.
  • “Trey Harris was a guy that, like, I love the prospect coming in, but paying attention to the Chargers training camp reports, like, it was very obvious that he was going to be the fourth or fifth option.” – Dave (55:23)

TE

• Cade Otton (TB): With other tight ends emerging, he’s expendable.

FAAB/Spend Notes

• Be Conservative: Not a week to break the bank.
  • Hollywood Brown: only if desperate; <10% FAAB.
  • Kayshon Boutte: great low-cost pickup.
  • Keep most bids in single digits unless league/bench context justifies aggression.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Dave, on Chiefs’ WRs:
  “We're not even talking store brand here...This is your Goodwill version of Rashi Rice and Xavier Worthy, I think. I mean, it's just. It's not good and it's disrespectful.” (10:32)

• Alfredo, smashing the Boutte pun:
  “Go get that booty, guys. Sorry I had to do it.” (19:38)

• Alfredo, on Week 1 hype:
  “We know week one’s always a liar, man.” (Implied throughout)

• Dave, on Daniel Jones:
  “I just Saw two quarterbacks that looked awful last week and...I might advocate to go look at Daniel Jones or Aaron Rodgers and put him in your lineup over them.” (50:40)

• Daniel Jones vs. Jalen Hurts banter:
  “In no breath can you compare Daniel Jones to Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts.” – Alfredo (49:12)
  “I just did.” – Dave (49:18)

Important Timestamps

| Segment / Topic | Timestamp | |----------------------------------------|------------| | Opening + Seattle RBs/WRs | 00:35–02:21| | Chiefs WR room (Brown/Worthy/Rice) | 07:51–14:41| | Kayshon Boutte (Pats’ WR) | 14:41–19:38| | Cedric Tillman (Browns) & TEs | 19:38–23:38| | Quentin Johnston & Chargers WRs | 24:23–31:06| | Calvin Austin & Steelers Offense | 31:06–36:29| | Tight End Streamers (Fannin/Johnson) | 38:06–41:41| | Brenton Strange and Jags weapons | 41:41–45:25| | QBs: Daniel Jones, Waiver QBs | 45:41–51:12| | RB Handcuffs + Drop Candidates | 51:12–57:24| | Droppable WRs and late-round fliers | 55:23–58:02|

Overall Tone & Takeaways

• Measured, Pragmatic Advice: This isn’t the week for overreacting or overspending. Most pickups are “rentals,” and there’s limited league-winning upside on the wire.
• Emphasis on Flexibility: Focus on strategic bench churn, plugging in short-term options, and moving on from low-ceiling dead weight.
• Humor & Chemistry: Frequent self-deprecating jokes and playful banter make for an engaging listen even as the actionable advice is sprinkled in with entertainment.

Final Summary

If you’re chasing upside in a lackluster Week 2 waiver cycle, Kayshon Boutte is the clear “sneaky” add, while Quentin Johnston and Calvin Austin offer intrigue in deeper leagues. Don’t overextend for stopgaps like Hollywood Brown unless your team is desperate—and be quick to jettison roster clogs with limited paths to relevance. Save your big FAAB bullets for true breakouts, but stay active at the margins. And as always: keep perspective, don’t get seduced by every Week 1 mirage, and enjoy the grind.

For more, tune in Wednesdays for the “Flex Show” and Thursdays for Start/Sit breakdowns. Adios!