CFB Waiver Wire: Players to Pick Up Week 2

Welcome back to the college football waiver wire watch. Throughout the college football season, I'll pick two guys from every conference who either caught my eye in the previous week or who have an upcoming favorable matchup. As always, I'll answer any questions or comments in the comments section below.

70+ Club in Upcoming Slate: Here are the college games that have opened up with an Over/Under closest to the 70-point mark, which potentially means a plethora of fantasy points. Enjoy these barn burners and roster some players in these games if you can.

65.5 points - Baylor at SMU
65.5 points - Texas State at UTSA
64.5 points - Arkansas State at Arkansas
64.0 points - Georgia Southern at USC
61.5 points - Western Kentucky at Toledo
60.5 points - Kent State at Texas Tech
60.5 points - North Texas at Western Michigan

*Fantasy Points referenced are in DraftKings format.
**To qualify for recommendations, players must be rostered in fewer than 50 percent of Fantrax Leagues

AAC Waiver Wire Pickups

Jevon Jackson, RB, UAB (19 Percent Rostered)

Jackson was elite in Week 1 with 31.6 fantasy points against Alabama State on Thursday Night. He averaged 9.8 yards per carry and recorded two touchdowns. The experienced back has shown this type of play before, as he racked up seven 100-yard rushing performances and 11 total touchdowns during his breakout season at Austin Peay in 2023 at the FCS level. He'll definitely have the opportunity to play at that level with UAB, and the Blazers will need all the offensive power they can get, as their defense is not great. Add Jackson to your lineup, as I have a good feeling he'll not qualify for this list later in the year.

Anthony Smith, WR, East Carolina (28 Percent Rostered)

Smith could be the best receiver in the American Athletic Conference, and yet he's rostered in well under 50 percent of leagues. Not only is he the top returning receiver on his team, the two wideouts behind him from a year ago (Chase Sowell and Winston Wright Jr.) are no longer in the picture. In Week 1, Smith had 12.6 fantasy points with six catches for 66 yards. His nine targets were in excess of the 6.5 targets he averaged during the 2024 season. There's still hope for a huge year here, and this is the best time to go get him off the waiver wire.

ACC Waiver Wire Pickups

Romello Brinson, WR, SMU (1 Percent Rostered)

Brinson was the Mustangs' top receiver in Week 1 after Jordan Hudson (12 percent rostered) left the contest with a shoulder injury. Brinson matched a career-high with eight targets, which he converted to seven catches for 121 yards and a touchdown. If Hudson is forced to miss anytime, it could be a huge opportunity for Brinson to start a breakout year. SMU has the most electric matchup on the board in Week 2 with Baylor at home.

Eli Holstein, QB, Pittsburgh (41 Percent Rostered)

Holstein opened the season with something he's never done in his short career with the Panthers. He tossed a career-high four touchdown passes on his way to 27.7 fantasy points. His fantasy score was boosted by seven carries for 41 yards on the ground. The sophomore was sneaky good on the ground last year with 81 carries for 328 yards and three touchdowns. If he continues on that trend, he's definitely a starter-worthy quarterback for fantasy purposes. Pittsburgh has excellent matchups against Central Michigan and West Virginia the next two weeks.

BIG 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Michael Trigg, TE, Baylor (24 Percent Rostered)

Trigg is my top recommendation at tight end this week, as he led the nation at the position in Week 1 with 16 targets. On a career-high 16 targets, he caught seven balls for 99 yards and a touchdown. The Bears were fighting from behind against Auburn and Trigg was the primary target for QB Sawyer Robertson (88 percent rostered). That volume should continue with an anticipated shootout with SMU up next. Trigg averaged 4.6 targets per game in 11 games at Baylor last year, so this could be the sign of a large uptick in production. 

Jayce Brown, WR, Kansas State (46 Percent Rostered)

Through the first two games of the season, Brown is averaging 26.3 fantasy points per game. He's been QB Avery Johnson's (98 percent rostered) favorite target at a 33.3 percent target share. With a lot of opportunity (12 targets per game) there's been matching production at 16 catches for 187 yards and two touchdowns. The team's defense has struggled early on, so there's a case for Brown to be targeted early and often, especially when the team get's matched up with other potent Big 12 offenses. 

Big Ten Waiver Wire Pickups

Ryan Browne, QB, Purdue (3 Percent Rostered)

Here's a spot-start recommendation for this week as Browne was dealing in Week 1 with 29.9 fantasy points against Ball State. He completed nearly 70 percent of his passes for 311 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score too. Despite it being a blowout against Ball State, Browne played the majority of the game. If he does that again against Southern Illinois, he's worth a consideration if you need another starter this week. Purdue will struggle in the Big Ten this season, so it will be tough to rely on Browne over the long term.

Aidan Laughery, RB, Illinois (12 Percent Rostered)

Laughery dominated against Western Illinois in Week 1 with nine carries for 101 yards and two touchdowns. That's 11.2 yards per carry which was bolstered by 25-and-57-yard touchdown runs. Teammate Kaden Feagin (27 percent rostered) received 13 carries, but it was Laughery who was more impressive with the ball in his hand. I'll ride the hot hand and go with Laughery for a fantasy recommendation when the team plays at Duke this week. The team then has an excellent matchup against Western Michigan in Week 3.

C-USA Waiver Wire Pickups

Ethan Vasko, QB, Liberty (17 Percent Rostered)

Vasko made his debut with the Flames with 32.2 fantasy points in a 28-7 win over Maine. His dual-threat ability was on full display as he had three passing touchdowns and a rushing score. He's already familiar with what HC Jamey Chadwell wants to do because they were together at Coastal Carolina. Vasko had seven rushing scores at Coastal Carolina in 20 games with the Chanticleers. With Liberty being the favorites in the conference and with a relatively easy schedule, Vasko should be rostered in far more than 17 percent of leagues.

K.D. Hutchinson, WR, Western Kentucky (14 Percent Rostered)

Hutchinson has been money to start the year with a combined nine catches (on 10 targets) for 147 yards and three touchdowns in his first two games. He's the number one wideout for an exciting offense with a talented QB in Maverick McIvor (54 percent rostered). With that context, Hutchinson is underrated, and he is available in far too many leagues. With upcoming games against Toledo and Nevada, he should continue to stack up those statistics, and he will undoubtedly by fantasy relevant.

MAC Waiver Wire Pickups

Jacquon Gibson, WR, UMass (1 Percent Rostered)

Gibson led the nation in Week 1 with an astonishing 20 targets and 51.3 percent of his team's target share. His 12 catches for 132 yards against Temple netted 28.2 fantasy points. Whether he can sustain this many opportunities on a weekly basis will be interesting to see, as he saw just 44 targets in 12 games with the Minutemen in 2024. Regardless, that many targets cannot be ignored and he should be picked up in most leagues just in case he becomes a focal point for the team. 

Dequan Finn, QB, Miami of Ohio (26 Percent Rostered)

Finn was stymied by Wisconsin in the opener with just 2.6 fantasy points. While he struggled to move the ball versus the Badgers, he did record double-digit carries and showed some speed on the field. He should have a lot more success in future weeks and he'll definitely be a force to be reckoned with when they get to the conference portion of their schedule. It's possible he's still available in a lot of leagues over the next few weeks, so just keep an eye on this guy.

Mountain West Waiver Wire Pickups

Dorian Thomas, TE, New Mexico (1 Percent Rostered)

Thomas' 13 targets against Michigan only trailed the aforementioned Michael Trigg of Baylor (16) at the position in Week 1. Against a tough Wolverine defense, Thomas was the Lobos' best playmaker with 10 grabs for 71 yards and two touchdowns. If he can do that against premier Big Ten competition, just imagine what he could do against the Mountain West slate when New Mexico gets to that part of the schedule. Moreover, he's available in nearly all leagues, so go out and get some help at a position that is tough to find consistent production at.

Scottre Humphrey, RB, New Mexico (43 Percent Rostered)

Sorry for going with double Lobos here, but I couldn't resist recommending Humphrey, who will be an absolute beast in the Mountain West this season. He's a transfer from Montana State where he rushed for 1,386 yards and 16 touchdowns during the 2024 season. Against Michigan's defensive front, who is one of the best in the nation, he had just 33 yards on 10 carries for an underwhelming 5.1 fantasy points. I'm not worried about that at all, though, and other fantasy players may cut him loose. If they do, pick this guy up as fast as possible, as he's going to have a huge year in the desert. 

SEC Waiver Wire Pickups

Beau Pribula, QB, Missouri (20 Percent Rostered)

Pribula's roster percentage is lower as he was expected to split the quarterback reps with teammate Sam Horn. Horn hurt his ankle on his first snap of the game against Central Arkansas and is expected to miss a significant amount of time. That sets up Pribula for a prominent fantasy role as a dual-threat quarterback. He was awesome against Central Arkansas with 37.8 fantasy points including two rushing scores. The Tigers should be in a competitive match-up with Kansas this week which sets up well for fantasy rosters.

Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss (36 Percent Rostered)

Lacy had been running reps with the starters during the spring game and in scrimmages prior to their Week 1 contest against Georgia State. That ended up coming to fruition in the opener as he racked up 31.8 fantasy points on 16 carries for 108 yards and three touchdowns. If he keeps the starting job over Logan Diggs (13 percent rostered) and Damien Taylor (65 percent rostered), this would be a good time to grab him off the waiver wire. They have Kentucky next week and then games against Arkansas and Tulane which are likely to be shootouts.

Sun Belt Waiver Wire Pickups

Beau Sparks, WR, Texas State (6 Percent Rostered)

It doesn't get much better than what Sparks did in Week 1, as he posted 39.2 fantasy points in a 52-27 win over Eastern Michigan. While he had just eight targets, four of those opportunities went for touchdowns. That rate of efficiency is surely not going to continue, but there is a good chance Sparks has a breakout season in the Sun Belt in 2025. When he played at Utah Tech in 2023, he had 74 catches for 723 yards and seven touchdowns, so it's not too crazy to think he can be productive at this level. Moreover, he's available nearly everywhere as he was drafted in just a few leagues this year. Freshman QB Brad Jackson (20 percent rostered) and senior RB Lincoln Pare (34 percent rostered) are also worth a look.

Braylon Braxton, QB, Southern Miss (26 Percent Rostered)

Braxton came to Southern Miss with HC Charles Huff, and they brought that courageous culture from Marshall. In a gutsy performance against Mississippi State, Braxton had 20.8 fantasy points with 39 passing attempts and 12 rushes. That's a ton of volume for a starting quarterback, and that was against an SEC opponent. I'm anticipating a breakout performance against Jackson State in Week 2 as the competition level will be significantly different.

INDEPENDENTS & PAC-12 Waiver Wire Pickups

Skyler Bell, WR, Connecticut (16 Percent Rostered)

Bell briefly entered the portal before deciding to return for his senior season at UConn. The Huskies are glad he had a change of heart as he was dominant in their opener with 32.5 fantasy points. He turned 4-of-5 targets into 135 yards and two touchdowns. He's likely going to push double-digit targets when they play at Syracuse in Week 2 and they have excellent matchups for the majority of the year with an independent schedule.

DEFENSE & KICKER RECOMMENDATIONS

Defense

Colorado (vs. Delaware) - The Buffaloes held their own against a good Georgia Tech offense in Week 1. They'll have much more success against Delaware, and the Buffs are available in 99 percent of leagues.

BYU (vs. Stanford) - Available in 92 percent of leagues after scoring 23 fantasy points in Week 1. Stanford is far from a scary opponent, and it should struggle on the offensive end.

Texas Tech (vs. Kent State) - The Red Raiders aren't typically known for their defense, but this year's roster is different. Their defensive front should dominate against Kent State. Rostered in just 17 percent of leagues.

Kicker

Drew Stevens, Iowa - This upcoming week is the Cy-Hawk game with Iowa State and there's always potential for field goals in that game. Stevens had a pair in the game last season. Rostered in just nine percent of leagues.

Kyle Konrardy, Iowa State - On the other side of the Cy-Hawk game is Konrardy who is fresh off setting the school record with a 63-yard field goal in Week 1. That type of leg could be needed against a tough Iowa defense and he's available in 96 percent of leagues.

Will Ferrin, BYU - Ferrin lived on this waiver wire list last year and I'm not sure why he's still being underrated for fantasy purposes, rostered in 32 percent of leagues. He opened the season with 15 fantasy points and has an excellent match-up with Stanford this upcoming week.

SUMMARY & TOP RECOMMENDATIONS

Utilizing the two players for each conference above, here are my top recommendations for the week by position:

QB: PITT Eli Holstein, SMISS Braylon Braxton, MIZZOU Beau Pribula

RB: NM Scottre Humphrey, OLE MISS Kewan Lacy, UAB Jevon Jackson

WR: UCONN Skyler Bell, WKU K.D. Hutchinson, TXST Beau Sparks

TE: BAYLOR Michael Trigg, UNM Dorian Thomas

D/ST: Texas Tech (vs. Kent State), Colorado (vs. Delaware), BYU (vs. Stanford)

K: BYU Will Ferrin, IOWA Drew Stevens, ISU Kyle Konrardy

Be sure to check out our college football custom rankings and our player rankings cheat sheet for up-to-date season-long rankings, as well as our college football weekly rankings to help guide your lineup decisions. During the season, our college football DFS optimizer and value report are powerful tools to help build DFS lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.