Starts and Sits: Week 2
Week 2 is here, so we need to know who to start and who to sit. Our start/sit article is not going to discuss the obvious players who should always be played. We aim to help you with the players that you might be on the fence about heading into the weekend. Good luck this week and don’t overthink it.
Here are the Starts/ Sits for Week 2:
Quarterback
Starts
Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The offensive scheme in Minnesota is completely different than last year. It is focused more on the passing game and it should continue to improve the value of Cousins throughout the season. This week the Vikings face an Eagles defense that was exploited heavily throughout their last game by the Detroit Lions. Cousins and the Vikings should have no problem doing the same in week 2. Cousins is a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside if things turn into a shootout in Philly.
Carson Wentz, QB, Washington Commanders Vs. Detroit Lions
Wentz is back! At least from a fantasy perspective. Wentz looked great last week even though he had his usual interception. This week’s matchup against the Lions should prove to be just as good if not better than the Jaguars. Wentz has solid talent surrounding him and should once again be a serviceable streaming option in week 2. Wentz is a mid-tier QB2 with great upside.
Matthew Stafford, QB, LA Rams Vs.Atlanta Falcons
I expect Stafford to come out strong with a vengeance in week 2 after what was a very disappointing showing in week 1 against the Bills. I would not hesitate to throw him right back into my starting lineup this week against a subpar Atlanta defense. Stafford is a solid low-end QB1 in week 2.
Sits
Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints Vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Winston was a good starting option. Week 1, but that will not be the case in week 2 against a stout Buccaneers defense. The New Orleans Saints will also have a banged-up running back squad heading into a bad running back matchup which will also limit the ceiling of the Saints offensive unit. Winston is nothing more than a mid-tier QB2 with a low ceiling in week 2.
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears Vs. Green Bay Packers
Fields and the Bears were able to pull off a win in week 1, but I don’t see that happening against the Packers and a pissed-off Aaron Rodgers. The only good thing is that the weather should not be a major factor as it was for the Bears in week 1. Regardless the upside for the Bears is very limited this week against a solid Packers defense. Fields will have better days ahead but he is not worthy of a start this week. He is a low-end QB2 in week 2.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Atlanta FalconsVs. LA Rams
Mariota looked great last week against the Saints. His ability to run the ball adds immense value to his fantasy production. The issue is that I don’t believe he will be able to have the same kind of production this week against the Rams. The Rams are going to be looking for blood after last week’s loss and the Falcons aren’t good enough to stop them. Mariota is a risky low-end QB2.
Running Back
Starts
Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills Vs. Tennessee Titans
Singletary wasn’t great in week 1, but he is certainly the top back for the Bills. He will have the bulk of the carries and will be utilized in the passing game as well. It also doesn’t hurt that rookie running back, James Cook, fumbled last week and will almost certainly be in the dog house in week 2. Due to his usage and previous production, Singletary is a great option in week 2. He is a high-end flex with an upside against a weak Titans run defense.
James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars Vs. Indianapolis Colts
I think it is extremely impressive that Robinson was not only able to play in week 1 but also perform at such a high rate. The Jaguars will always be a committee of some sort but it should matter as both Robinson and Etienne should be major factors in the Jags offense. The Colts don’t scare me either as the Texans running backs were able to exploit them in week 1. That being said Robinson is a solid flex option with a safe floor and a great ceiling in week 2.
Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos Vs. Houston Texans
Just like Robinson, Gordon is in a committee in Denver. But it doesn’t really matter as both Williams and Gordon are very talented and have been used together well since last season. The matchup against the Texans is appealing for opposing running backs, Gordon should have no problem putting up a solid stat line. Gordon is a high-end flex option with an upside in week 2.
Sits
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys Vs. Cincinnati Bengals
I wasn’t very high on Zeke heading into the season, and my feelings became even more negative with Dak being ruled out due to injury. The Cowboys offense has so many things going against them in this week’s matchup against the Bengals. No Dak, an injured offensive line, and a tough matchup against a good Bengals defense. All of those combined and I want nothing to do with the Cowboys run game in week 2. Zeke is nothing more than a low-end RB2 with a very low ceiling and floor in week 2.
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets Vs. Cleveland Browns
The situation in New York is gross right now. Hall is the more talented running back but is in a full-on committee on a bad offense. Those two facts alone should make you hesitant to start him, and then you add in the fact that Joe Flacco is the starting quarterback. The Browns defense is also nothing to turn your nose up to, as they were looked at as a good defense heading into the season. I will be keeping Hall on the bench until we see him take over the backfield and have consistent production. He is a low-end flex with limited upside in week 2
Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans Vs. Denver Broncos
We all had such high hopes for Pierce coming into the season, and that looks like a significant mistake. The Texans backfield is certainly being led by Rex Burkhead, with Pierce mixed into it. Brighter days are ahead for Pierce, but they will not this week against the Broncos. Pierce is nothing more than a low-end flex in week 2.
Wide Receiver
Starts
Allen Robinson, WR, LA Rams Vs. Atlanta Falcons
After last week, I wouldn’t blame you for not wanting to start Robinson. But I am willing to write it off as a learning lesson for the coaching staff and the team and move forward in week 2. I expect the Rams to come out strong and for Robinson to be utilized heavily this week. Kupp is still the number one target for the team but Robinson should be number two in what should be a better matchup for the Rams. Robinson still has what it takes to succeed and should be in your lineups in week 2. Robinson is a high-end flex with an upside this week.
Julio Jones, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs. New Orleans Saints
Jones is one of my favorite flex options heading into week 2 because his ceiling is massive. The Bucs will be without Godwin this week, so Jones should slot in as the WR2 for the team. Mike Evans should be covered by the Saints CB1, which leaves less competition for targets for Julio as well. Julio is a high-end flex with a safe floor and a great ceiling in week 2.
Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Dallas Cowboys
This start heavily depends on if Tee Higgins plays in week 2. If he doesn’t, Boyd is a great starting option. Being the second option for Joe Burrow has shown how valuable it has been in the past. It should be no different for Boyd in week 2. Boyd is a high-end flex if Higgins doesn’t play and low-end flex with upside if he does.
Sits
D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers Vs. New York Giants
Moore has been known as a boom/ bust option in the past mainly due to never having a consistent and competent quarterback. Baker Mayfield is the best QB that he has had lately but it isn’t enough to save Moore’s fantasy production in week 2. Moore’s floor is low and his ceiling is capped due to the fact that you can’t rely upon Baker to target his best wide receiver. Moore is a low-end WR2 with a capped ceiling in week 2.
Ceedee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys Vs. Cincinnati Bengals
As I said above for Zeke, the Cowboys offense as a whole is a mess. Without Dak, I truly don’t believe Lamb will have consistent enough production to warrant being a WR1. The matchup against the Bengals is also not sublime, so finding another option with a higher ceiling isn’t a bad idea. Lamb is a risky mid-tier WR2 with boom/ bust potential in week 2.
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks Vs. San Francisco 49ers
Metcalf had plenty of targets in week 2, but that really didn’t amount to much production. I fear the same result will happen this week against a better defense. Metcalf is fine in full PPR leagues but if you had him in .5 or standard, I wouldn’t blame you for starting an option with a higher ceiling. Metcalf is a low-end WR2 in week 2 with a capped ceiling.
Tight Ends
Starts
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams Vs. Atlanta Falcons
Higbee might not receive the target share that he had last week but he is still a serviceable option due to his target share on an elite Rams offense. If you were disappointed by your lackluster tight-end production last week, Higbee was a great addition off the waivers this week. He is a high-end TE2.
Robert Tonyan, TE, Green Bay Packers Vs. Chicago Bears
Tonyan is in a great position to succeed for the Packers. He already has a connection with Rodgers and should be able to be his top red zone target going forward. I always want my tight end to be on a good offense with the ability to get a solid target share. That is exactly the kind of upside that Tonyan can deliver, especially in a good matchup against the Bears. Tonyan is a high-end TE2 with an upside in week 2.
Logan Thomas TE, Washington Commanders Vs. Detroit Lions
If you followed Wentz throughout his career, you should know that he loves his Tight End. This is great news for Logan Thomas because that is exactly what he is. Wentz likes to spread the ball around but he always relies on the tight end position. Thomas might not be the top-tier option that he has been in the past but he is certainly able to be a solid streaming option, especially in good matchups. Thomas is a TE2 with an upside in week 2.
Sits
Dawson Knox, TE, Buffalo Bills Vs. Tennessee Titans
I Knoxed but nobody answered in week 1. Outside of my bad pun, Knox doesn’t look to have the same utilization as he did early last year. Gabriel Davis usage has increased immensely and it is easy to see that he is the number 2 passing option for the Bills this season. Knox is therefore a TD or bust type of tight end, which means I will most likely not be playing him unless the matchup is amazing. Knox is a low-end TE1 but he could leave you sorely disappointed if doesn’t get one of the early touchdowns against the Titans this week.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Henry is always one of my favorite late-round guys due to his usual usage in the red zone. But it just doesn’t seem like the same offense in New England and I don’t know if Henry will be used in the same manner as he was last year. That being said, the matchup against the Steelers isn’t all that great and limits the upside of all of the Patriots pass catchers. Henry is nothing more than a low-end TE2 in week 2.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns Vs. New York Jets
I was excited for Njoku coming into the season, but that was all squashed after his week 1 production. It just doesn’t seem like he will be a consistent option, and that’s a problem when you need your tight end to at least to be looked at in the red zone. This week’s matchup is very likely to be a low-scoring affair, which leaves me not wanting to start any of the Browns pass catchers. Njoku belongs on your bench/ waiver of ire until we see some sort of consistent production. He is a low-end TE2 this week.