Panic. That's been a prevailing theme after Week 2 of the NFL season for many fantasy football owners.
But should it be? How disconcerting is it that C.J. Anderson -- a consensus first-round pick this year -- has five (5!) fantasy points through two weeks? Or that Marshawn Lynch, another early first-round pick, has yet to find the end zone and is averaging less than 3.5 yards per carry (down 1.2 from last season)?
It's a fine line owners walk when assessing how to manage their lineups early in the fantasy season; how long is long enough to determine whether to bench your studs? The answer is: more than two weeks. At this point last season, Eddie Lacy had given you nine points, and Tom Brady was averaging fewer than 200 passing yards per game and had just two touchdown throws. The NFL season is a marathon. Be patient.
But, oh, by the way, also play the waiver wire. Below is our weekly look at players owned in less than 50 percent of leagues that merit consideration for your roster. The end of your bench is fluid in many cases, so consider moving on from someone that hasn't yet played for you (not one of your studs) to add these guys below. Remember, the players in each section are listed in the order I would prioritize them in making waiver claims or in using your free-agent acquisition budget (FAAB).
Top pickups
Note: italicized names were mentioned as waiver adds in previous editions of Free Agent Finds, but still fit the low-ownership criteria.
Matt Jones, RB, Washington (15.8 percent): Before the season, most believed Jones -- a third-round draft pick out of Florida -- would carve out a role as a handcuff to Alfred Morris. Nope. With talent too tall to ignore, Jones is already at 25 carries for 151 yards on the season, including a 19-rush, 123-yard, two-touchdown effort Sunday. He should be owned in all leagues.
Dion Lewis, RB, New England Patriots (40.4 percent): This is likely Lewis' last week on this list for two reasons: one, we advocated for him last week (mentioning him again emphasizes how good an addition he is), and two, he surpassed 100 total yards and found the end zone ... again. He out-snapped LeGarrette Blount 70 to 7 in Week 2 and is an especially good value in points per reception leagues.
Michael Crabtree, WR, Oakland Raiders (31.6 percent): Crabtree had a terrific camp with the Raiders and played a big part in the team's victory against the Ravens (nine catches, 111 yards, one touchdown). He should be added in all leagues. The Raiders' offense was pitiful in Week 1 but made major strides in Week 2. The next two weeks will help us size up Crabtree's true value. For now, he's a worthwhile addition.
David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals (46.1 percent): The addition of Johnson has a bit of a short-term ceiling on it, as Chris Johnson will likely remain the starter for as long as Andre Ellington is out. This is a talent-based addition, as David Johnson already has three touchdowns in just two pro games. It wouldn't surprise me to see him earn starting reps later in the season. Head coach Bruce Arians has already indicated that the rookie Johnson's role will increase going forward, as he had just five carries in Week 2.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, Buffalo Bills (17.8 percent): Taylor had four total touchdowns in a Week 2 defeat against the Patriots, and he has quickly crept into borderline QB1 territory in deeper leagues (14 to 16 teams). He's rushed for more than 40 yards in each of the first two weeks and has a host of young pass catchers to dish the ball to. His stock should only rise.
Lorenzo Taliaferro, RB, Baltimore Ravens (23.4 percent): Justin Forsett is off to a slow start, which is precisely what those who wondered if his 2014 was a one-hit wonder season were wary of. It's early, and I'm not suggesting that Forsett is a bust, but the hammerhead Taliaferro is worth adding. He found the end zone in Week 2.
Jordan Reed, TE, Washington (44.8 percent): In two games, he has 13 catches and 20 fantasy points. With no DeSean Jackson right now, the Washington passing game has featured Reed prominently. That's likely to stay the case for the tight end with receiver-like athleticism.
Travis Benjamin, WR, Cleveland Browns (6.2 percent): At the risk of sounding like I'm undercutting his terrific start to the season, I think there's a bit of fool's gold in Benjamin's value right now. He has four scores this season, all of 50 yards or longer. That's incredibly hard to duplicate, but he's shown enough speed to use a bench spot on in 12-team leagues or larger.
Eric Ebron, TE, Detroit Lions (20.0 percent): We saw a flurry of tight end touchdowns in Week 1, and Ebron returned to the end zone in Week 2. He's an athletic freak for the tight end position and a usable piece week to week.
Two-QB league adds
Johnny Manziel, Browns (4.5 percent): He needed only 15 throws to rack up a serviceable 14-point effort on Sunday. And that was with just one rushing yard.
Derek Carr, Raiders (10.5 percent): He had a monster Week 2 that reminded us why so many NFL folks are optimistic about his future.
RB handcuff section
Karlos Williams, Bills (22.1 percent): Two weeks, two touchdowns for the fifth-round rookie.
James Starks, Green Bay Packers (8.3 percent): Eddie Lacy was banged up in Week 2. Even if he returns in Week 3 (which is likely, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter), Starks is still a talented backup.
Damien Williams, Miami Dolphins (2.0 percent): Lamar Miller has been slow out of the gate and tweaked an ankle in Week 2. Meanwhile, Williams found the end zone.
Charles Sims, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (41.8 percent): He carried the ball eight times against the Saints, and Doug Martin is off to a modest start in 2015.
Jeremy Langford, Chicago Bears (3.1 percent): He made good on a goal-line carry in Week 2 and is the top reserve for Matt Forte.
Chris Polk, Houston Texans (1.9 percent): Arian Foster could soon return, but Polk led all Texans backs with 14 carries in Week 2.
Deeper-league adds
Names only here, but these players are certainly worth a look in leagues of at least 12 teams, especially depending on roster makeup and scoring system.
Crockett Gillmore, TE, Baltimore Ravens (1.5 percent); Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks (35.7 percent); Leonard Hankerson, WR, Atlanta Falcons (3.8 percent); Rishard Matthews, WR, Miami Dolphins (0.7 percent); Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans (19.4 percent); Brandon Coleman, WR, New Orleans Saints (37.5 percent); Eddie Royal, WR, Chicago Bears (47.7 percent).