Joshua Kelley headlines Week 2 fantasy waiver wires

Heading into the Week 1 matchup with the Bengals, rookie running back Joshua Kelley was listed as the Chargers’ third-string running back behind Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson.

After his 60-yard, one-touchdown performance on Sunday afternoon, however, he’ll be one of the most-sought after waiver wire pickups in all of fantasy football, especially after Jackson went down with a quad injury early in the second half.

Per CBS Sports’ Chris Towers, Kelley should be the second running back prioritized on waivers, with the Rams’ Malcolm Brown getting the nod as the top target.

“Who will be the No. 2 RB for the Chargers?” was one of those questions we were hoping to get an answer to early in the season, and I may have received an emphatic answer Sunday,” said Towers. “Justin Jackson got the first two carries after Austin Ekeler opened the game, but it was Joshua Kelley almost exclusively after that.”

Going into next week’s matchup with the Chiefs, regardless if Jackson is healthy again, Kelley has earned the right to more of a role in this offense. While Ekeler led the team in rushing with 84 yards on 19 carries, Kelley averaged a team-best five yards per carry on 12 totes. His biggest play, aside from the lone touchdown, was a 26-yard scamper to help the Bolts get into Bengals territory, but Badgley missed the 50-yard field goal three plays later.

Even though he didn’t see a single target in the passing game, Kelley’s best trait may come in the form of goal line carries, especially knowing how much Lynn values guys who can grind out the tough yards near the end zone.

We all knew going into the season that all three running backs would see playing time every week, but after just one game, we already have a much-clearer picture into the Chargers’ backfield going forward.