Fantasy Football Week 2: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em (PPR)
With week one in the rearview, I got you covered with all the Start 'Em and Sit 'Em insight you'll need for week two. I won't cover players like CeeDee Lamb, Breece Hall, or Travis Kelce, who are obvious starts. Instead, I'll cover players who could be under the radar and deserve a spot in your lineup or others who are best sitting on the bench this week.
Here's my start' em and sit 'em for week two.
Start 'Em In Week 2
Quarterbacks
Jayden Daniels, Giants at Commanders
Despite not finding much success through the air, Daniels managed to succeed on the ground by rushing for 88 yards and scoring two touchdowns. This performance resulted in him having the third-highest fantasy output for quarterbacks with 28 points. He's already close to becoming a must-start in fantasy football, and if he can improve as a passer, he'll become a lock to start every week.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers at Lions
Baker Mayfield went off in week one against Washington, passing for 289 yards and four touchdowns. This shouldn't be a surprise; he finished as a top-ten fantasy quarterback last season. The Lions have a better defense than the Commanders, but the last time we saw Baker Mayfield play against the Lions, he passed for 349 yards and two touchdowns.
Anthony Richardson, Colts at Packers
While Anthony Richardson has only played in three full games due to injuries, he's been a phenomenal fantasy quarterback when he's been on the field. He finished QB2, QB4, and QB4 in his three complete games, with 21.9 points, 29.6 points, and 27.1 in week one against the Houston Texans this season. He's a must-start for me in week two.
Running Backs
Josh Jacobs, Colts at Packers
With Jordan Love out for three to four weeks due to a sprained MCL and Malik Willis expected to start, the Packers will lean on the ground game. As a result, Josh Jacobs would be a strong choice for week two. It's worth noting that the Packers will be facing a Colts defense that allowed Joe Mixon to score 26 points, the second-highest for a running back in week one.
J.K. Dobbins, Chargers at Panthers
In week one, J.K. Dobbins had an impressive performance, rushing for 135 yards and scoring a touchdown on ten carries. Now, he has the opportunity to play against a Panthers defense that allowed Alvin Kamara to score 22 points, and they'll be without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
Wide Receivers
DJ Moore, Bears at Texans
DJ Moore may have only finished five receptions for 36 yards, but rookie Rome Odunze is day-to-day, and Keenan Allen is missing practice with a heel injury. Moore already showed the best rapport with Caleb Williams, and if Rome and Keenan are unable to play, Moore will have a chance to rack up points against a favorable Texans defense.
Greg Dortch, Rams at Cardinals
Only 1% of fantasy football owners have Greg Dortch on their roster, which benefited those who did. Dortch led the Cardinals in receptions and receiving yards, falling just one target short of Trey McBride. While rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. will likely become a focal point as the season progresses, Dortch has shown immediate rapport with Kyler Murray.
Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams finally had his breakout game, hauling in 131 yards and a touchdown, outperforming teammates Amon Ra St Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs. After two disappointing seasons, with an ACL tear cutting his rookie season short and missing six games in 2023 due to a gambling ban, he finally seems ready to live up to 12th overall selection expectations.
Tight Ends
Isaiah Likely, Ravens vs Raiders
Isaiah Likely was the highest-scoring tight end in week one and could continue to see similar production. Per PFF, he also lined up in the slot for 52% of his snaps and was Lamar's favorite target in week one, bringing in the most targets (12), catches (9), yards (111), and touchdowns (1) against the Chiefs.
Brock Bowers, Raiders at Ravens
If you knew me personally, you would've known I was the Brock Bowers hype train conductor. He's a mismatch nightmare, similarly to Travis Kelce, he's too big to be guarded by a corner and too fast for a linebacker. He also finished as TE3 in his first game with 11 points and was only one of three tight ends to lead his team in target shares. You won't see me remove him from my lineup all season.
Sit 'Em
Quarterbacks
Derek Carr, Saints at Cowboys
Derek Carr had an impressive performance in week one, finishing as one of the top six fantasy performers at quarterback with 21.30 points. However, it's important to note that Carr achieved this with just 23 pass attempts, throwing three touchdowns for only 200 yards. Now, he faces a tougher challenge against a Cowboys defense that ranked as one of the top pass defenses in the league last season.
Kirk Cousins, Falcons at Eagles
Kirk Cousins, Falcon's debut, wasn't as hoped. He struggled with inefficiency and mistakes that appeared out of sync, tossing two interceptions and mishandling a fumble. It's expected to have rust to shake off, but the challenge gets no easier headed to Philadelphia to face another formidable defense.
Running Backs
James Cook, Bills at Dolphins
With the amount of turnover in the wide receiver room, the Bills are going to be a team with a run-heavy approach. This is good for Cook, who gets touches and yards, but the touchdowns have been limited with the Bills. Josh Allen is the top rushing threat on the Bills, leading the team with fifteen touchdowns last season, and Cook only finished with two. While he's the clear lead back, he won't get touchdowns like other leading backs. He'll be consistent with around eleven points weekly, but his upside is limited from a touchdown perspective.
Javonte Williams, Broncos at Steelers
Javonte Williams only saw eight carries and two targets, trailing his teammate Jaleel McLaughlin, who had ten carries and five targets. With the Denver offense's obvious struggles and a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix facing a vaunted Steelers defense, his best role will be on the bench this week.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley, Jets at Titans
In their first game with the Titans, Ridley and Will Levis struggled to connect effectively against a strong Bears secondary. Now, they are facing a tough Jets defense that allowed the fewest passing yards last season. Until I see Levis and Ridley connecting on deep passes, I consider Ridley a player to keep on the bench.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos at Steelers
Similarly to Javonte Williams, I'm fading anyone in the Broncos offense until I see more production from rookie quarterback Bo Nix. It also doesn't help that they'll play one of the league's top defenses in the Steelers.
Tight Ends
Pat Friermuth, Steelers at Broncos
In a Steelers offense that is going to be run-heavy, you'll need chunk plays to make up for that, and Pat Friermuth isn't the player who will provide that. While he caught all four passes for 27 yards, he will be used as a run blocker, paving the way for Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, and Justin Fields.
Evan Engram, Browns at Jaguars
Evan Engram had a rough start to his year putting up a measly 1.50 points in week one. Now it gets even harder with Jacksonville welcoming in a Cleveland defense that allowed the fewest points to tight ends since 2023. It's a bold statement but this week is a week to sit Engram. He's become the fourth option in this offense behind Brian Thomas Jr, Gabe Davis, and Christian Kirk, which I don't see changing.
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