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Rotter's Top 10 waiver claims: Week 2

by Roger Rotter

Roger is a senior editor for the FOXSports.com fantasy group. Read his blog for more analysis. Have a question or comment? Send them!

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Updated: September 22, 2008, 6:27 PM EDT
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Fantasy's consensus No. 1 draft pick LaDainian Tomlinson was hindered by an injury in Week 2, but his backup Darren Sproles became Sunday's top fantasy running back in his place.

Long-time veteran wide receivers Isaac Bruce and Amani Toomer recorded solid fantasy games while backups like Arizona's Tim Hightower, the Giants' Ahmad Bradshaw and New Orleans' Pierre Thomas scored in Week 2.

In Monday's game, Philadelphia rookie DeSean Jackson recorded his second straight game of at least 100 receiving yards.

Review my Top 10 waiver claims after Week 2's developments.

Monday's addendum: DeSean Jackson WR, Philadelphia (Available 37.7 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Already one of last week's biggest climbers on the waiver wire, Jackson is primed for a 1,000-yard season if he can stay healthy. He's recorded two straight 100-yard receiving days by totaling 12 receptions for 216 yards in his first two contests. He caught an impressive six receptions for 110 yards against Dallas on Monday night and nearly added a touchdown to his credit but celebrated too early. When Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown return, Jackson can still be productive as the third wideout.

10. Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans (Available 86.2 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Deuce McAllister played for the first time this season, but he had just two carries for 10 yards. In addition, Thomas scored the goal-line touchdown, not McAllister. Thomas also caught two passes for 29 yards while McAllister had zero receptions. Thomas has the talent and skills to be the complementary running back to Reggie Bush. McAllister needs to prove he can still be productive after his knee surgeries.

9. Tim Hightower, RB, Arizona (Available 94.5 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

The rookie has scored in two straight games as Arizona's goal-line back. Though he's averaging just 2.1 yards per carry, his chances for scores makes him a possibility to start as a No. 3 fantasy back. In addition, Edgerrin James is averaging only 3.5 yards per carry, so Hightower's role could be expanded with some more carries as an everydown back. That would help his average and production by adding to his short-yardage duties.

8. Justin Gage, WR, Tennessee (Available 92.8 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

He's emerged as the Titans' top wide receiver, totaling seven catches for 84 yards and a score in the first two games. With the more experienced Kerry Collins starting at quarterback in place of an injured Vince Young, Gage's chances for solid fantasy days improve. Despite the swirling winds in Cincinnati, Gage caught five passes for 59 yards and a score in Week 2.

7. Bryant Johnson, WR, San Francisco (Available 83.2 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

San Francisco's passing offense showed signs of life in Week 2. As one of the primary receivers, he caught six passes for 78 yards and one touchdown. The 49ers meet hapless Detroit next, which allowed Aaron Rodgers to throw for 328 yards and three scores in Week 2.

6. J.T. O'Sullivan, QB, San Francisco (Available 91 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Owners desperate for a quarterback can look at O'Sullivan. He threw for a career-high 321 yards and one score and added 32 rushing yards in just his second career start. He has a strong chance to post another 300-yard game against Detroit in Week 3, an inferior defense to Seattle's.

5. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants (Available 82.4 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Offering more explosiveness and big-play ability than Derrick Ward, Bradshaw scored twice in Week 2 on an 18-yard reception and 31-yard run. Listed second on the depth chart, Ward has been the backup to Brandon Jacobs in the first two games. Ward received his touches in the second and third quarters (running for 58 yards on eight carries and catching one pass for eight yards) before Bradshaw ran for 58 yards and caught his 18-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.

It remains to be seen if Bradshaw will replace Ward as the first backup behind Jacobs, but he's worth a fantasy roster spot in case he receives more playing time and is promoted from third-string. Cincinnati's shaky defense is next on the schedule for Week 3. Bradshaw could be productive again playing in blowout duty.

Derrick Ward, RB, New York Giants (Available 53.8 percent of FOX Sports leagues): He's currently the backup to Jacobs and is a weekly candidate to contribute as a No. 3 fantasy back in that role.

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4. Amani Toomer, WR, New York Giants (Available 78 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

He caught six passes for 67 yards and a score against St. Louis. Those stats are reasonable for Toomer to consistently achieve, especially when defenses focus on stopping Plaxico Burress.

Boding well for Toomer's receiving numbers, Eli Manning produced the stats of a fantasy starter after he passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. Manning had just five passing games with multiple scores and only one in the final nine regular-season contests last season. The Giants face winless Cincinnati next, which has struggled in the first two games.

3. Isaac Bruce, WR, San Francisco (Available 51.5 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

Doubts about Bruce being a fantasy starter surfaced again this season as he previously posted a 100-yard receiving day in Week 2 last year. But the 15-year veteran dispelled some of those concerns when he caught four passes for 153 yards against Seattle's strong defense. He faces Detroit's shaky secondary next.

2. Sammy Morris, RB, New England (Available 48.9 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

When healthy, Morris has been the more proficient scorer than Laurence Maroney in the past two seasons. Morris scored in each of the first two games while Maroney has yet to score this season. Last season, Morris scored in Weeks 2, 3 and 4 and reached 100 rushing yards in Weeks 4 and 5 as well. On the other hand, Maroney didn't score a touchdown until Week 11 and missed Weeks 4, 5 and 6 with injuries in 2007. Maroney also left this past Sunday early with a shoulder injury and didn't return until late in the contest.

LaMont Jordan, RB, New England (Available 94.5 percent of FOX Sports leagues): Jordan led New England with 11 carries for 62 yards in Week 2, averaging 5.6 yards. At his peak, Jordan ran for 1,025 yards and nine scores and caught 70 passes for 563 yards and two touchdowns in 2004 as Oakland's featured back. Though he's battled injuries and poor play, Jordan is aiming to rebound with New England. He could fulfill Corey Dillon's role from 2004-'06 as New England's physical back in a committee.

1. Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego (Available 92.7 percent of FOX Sports leagues)

A toe injury limited Tomlinson in Week 2, but his backup Sproles replaced him effectively. Sproles displayed big-play ability when he caught a screen pass and turned it into a 66-yard touchdown for his second score of the day. He also returned a kickoff for a 103-yard touchdown in the second quarter for his first score. Sproles finished with 125 total yards and two touchdowns. If Tomlinson misses more time with his injury, expect Sproles to be productive in his place and a legitimate fantasy starter.

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