Tyler Shough was a winner among last week’s sleepers, while Khalil Shakir produced a modest outing that probably won’t move the needle in most fantasy formats. Most other recommendations missed their marks — that’s part of the swing of this column. Here are under-the-radar players owned in fewer than half of Yahoo leagues to consider for Week 2.
Quarterback
– Carson Wentz at Chicago (4% rostered): Wentz came off the bench in Week 1 to ignite a comeback, finishing with three touchdowns, 7.0 yards per attempt and a 123.5 passer rating. He has weapons in Minnesota, including Justin Jefferson and an aggressive play-caller in Kevin O’Connell, and Chicago’s secondary looks exploitable. If Kyler Murray (concussion) is forced to sit, Wentz could be a useful option in DFS and Superflex formats.
Running Back
– Tyler Allgeier vs. Seahawks (51% rostered): Allgeier just barely exceeds the article’s roster threshold, but his Week 1 workload merits attention — he logged 19 touches during the win over the Chargers and looks headed for a near 50-50 split with rookie Jeremiyah Love. Seattle’s run defense is tough, so big rushing totals aren’t guaranteed, but that volume makes Allgeier a proactive start in many formats.
– Chris Brooks at Jets (4% rostered): While Green Bay’s ground game struggled in Minnesota, Brooks outsnapped MarShawn Lloyd 38–30 and is trusted in pass protection, which could sustain his role. The Jets were vulnerable against the run last year, and although the Packers’ run blocking is shaky, Brooks might carve out a couple of impactful plays useful in deeper leagues.
Wide Receiver
– Devaughn Vele at Ravens (45% rostered): Vele may not stay under the radar for long after a 7-69-1 debut on nine targets — he emerged as New Orleans’ second receiving option in a passing attack led by Tyler Shough and coordinator Kellen Moore. With the Ravens expected to score, the Saints will likely push the pace and Vele should continue to receive a healthy target share.
– Caleb Douglas at 49ers (36% rostered): The rookie flashed a leading role in Miami’s receiver group with a 5-94 outing on seven targets, showcasing the speed that made him a mid-round draft pick. Miami used him both inside and out in Week 1; if the team finds itself trailing, Douglas could pick up additional garbage-time production.
– Demarcus Robinson vs. Dolphins (3% rostered): Robinson produced a sneaky 2-50-1 performance and should see an expanded role now that De’Zhaun Stribling is on injured reserve. He’s recently been productive and has shown chemistry with Brock Purdy, which could translate to more opportunities.
Tight End
– Pat Freiermuth at Patriots (11% rostered): The Steelers’ tight end snaps were essentially split between Freiermuth and Darnell Washington in Week 1, with Freiermuth coming out on top (5-46-1) and running 31 routes to Washington’s 16. Freiermuth was the preferred target on obvious passing downs, while Washington handled more blocking work — making Freiermuth the more reliable fantasy option in passing situations.
Fan Take: These under-rostered players matter because they can swing weekly matchups and highlight emerging roles before ownership catches up, giving savvy managers an edge. For NFL fans, tracking these shifts shows how quickly depth charts and game plans evolve, which can influence team strategies and player valuations across the league.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
