Due to last-minute injury updates and other late player news, fantasy owners sometimes need to add a player right before the start of games on Sunday. Here are the most-added players by position in fantasy football leagues on the Saturday before Sunday's Week 2 games.
Add numbers used for this list are from all Yahoo! fantasy football leagues for Saturday, September 15.
Quarterback
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens - 3,096 adds
After an excellent Week 1 showing against the Cincinnati Bengals, Flacco is definitely a quarterback who could put up great fantasy numbers. Distributing the ball among running back Ray Rice, tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, and wide receivers Torrey Smith and Anquan Bolidn, he has plenty of weapons at his disposal. Facing a solid Philadelphia Eagles secondary in Week 2, Flacco will have a tough matchup that will help dictate where he belongs in the quarterback hierarchy.
Honorable mentions: San Francisco 49ers' Alex Smith (3,088 adds), New York Jets' Mark Sanchez (2,780 adds), Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck (1,523 adds)
Running back
Dexter McCluster, Kansas City Chiefs - 10,872 adds
After a standout performance in Week 1 as a receiver, McCluster looks to do the same versus a Buffalo Bills defense that was torched by the Jets last week. Potentially serving as the Chiefs' second-best receiving option, he could easily be a top target for Matt Cassel in the passing game. With boundless opportunities, McCluster could continue his great season with a solid showing against the Bills in Week 2.
Honorable mentions: Denver Broncos' Knowshon Moreno (7,092 adds), Pittsburgh Steelers' Jonathan Dwyer (6,223 adds), Washington Redskins' Alfred Morris (6,042 adds)
Wide receiver
Stephen Hill, New York Jets - 8,104 adds (selected in place of already listed WR/RB McCluster)
Surprising owners in Week 1 with 89 yards and two touchdowns, Hill will face a tougher matchup in Week 2 against the Steelers. With great size and speed, Hill's acclimation to the NFL game has been quick but unproven. Despite being listed as probable on the Jets' injury report, this should be no concerns for the rookie wideout aiming to put up another big game.
Honorable mentions: Carolina Panthers' Brandon LaFell (6,783 adds), Washington Redskins' Aldrick Robinson (5,827 adds), Dallas Cowboys' Kevin Ogletree (5,664 adds)
Tight end
Dennis Pitta, Baltimore Ravens - 10,048 adds
Targeted nine times by Flacco in Week 1, Pitta has the edge over other Raven tight ends. Considering how tight ends are incorporated into the Ravens offense, Pitta could be a solid option moving forward depending on how Flacco tries to divvy up his passes. Pitta is a solid TE2 this week against the Eagles.
Honorable mentions: Pittsburgh Steelers' Heath Miller (4,684 adds), Indianapolis Colts' Coby Fleener (3,769 adds), Jacksonville Jaguars' Marcedes Lewis (3,482 adds)
Kicker
Nate Kaeding, San Diego Chargers - 6,096 adds
Kaeding has been the most-popular kicker this week after being one of the leading fantasy scorers among kickers after Week 1. Fully healthy from his season-ending ACL injury from last year, he is a viable option against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2.
Honorable mentions: Washington Redskins' Billy Cundiff (4,982 adds), Atlanta Falcons' Matt Bryant (2,831 adds), Minnesota Vikings' Blair Walsh (1,740 adds)
Team defense
Cincinnati Bengals team defense - 11,130 adds
As with many teams defense that are added and dropped depending on the matchup, the Bengals team defense is certainly not being added after their poor Week 1 showing against the Ravens. Facing the Cleveland Browns in Week 2, the Bengals should have their fair share of sacks and interceptions against rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden.
Honorable mentions: Oakland Raiders team defense (6,046 adds), Dallas Cowboys team defense (5,191 adds), New England Patriots team defense (3,628 adds)
Sources:
September 15 Transaction Trends All Positions Adds, Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football
Stephen Hill Profile, Yahoo! Sports
Dennis Pitta News & Notes, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
2012 Fantasy Football Week 2 IDP Waiver Wire Pickups: Fan's Take
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Unfavorable Matchups for Star Players: Fan's Take
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Favorable Matchups for Free Agents: Fan's Take
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Over/Under Predictions: Fan's Take
Fantasy Football 2012 Week 2 Waiver Wire Most-Dropped Players: Fan's Review
Austin Chang is a lifelong football fan, San Francisco 49ers supporter, and fantasy football player since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @_austinchang.
