We’re back at it for Week 2, fantasy enthusiasts. Week 1 was kind of a weird one, yeah? We saw studs be not-so-studly, we saw a few backups flourish, a few rookies in their first game action (with mixed results), and some kickers went absolutely bonkers. So basically, your standard fantasy week! One thing to keep in mind, and NFL Network’s Kyle Brandt gave us a great reminder of this Sunday – this is just one week, and some of these performances aren’t for real. So don’t get too excited or too impatient. Also, and this is important, the NFL preseason is different. The 1’s don’t get the reps they used to, and these guys are shaking off rust and gelling with teammates (sometimes new teammates), and it may take a week or two to get flowing. Pat Mahomes will be Pat Mahomes, Davante Adams is going to get fed, and Chris Olave may just be who we think he is. Anyway, on to my guys for Week 2.
But first…
Last Week: 15-5 (.750)
– QB: 9-1 (90%)
– RB: 6-4 (60%)
2024 NFL Season: 15-5 (.750)
– QB: 9-1 (90%)
– RB: 6-4 (60%)
A quick note: Start your studs. Don’t Get cute. These horses are starts every week, and I’ll update this list each week as necessary:
– Josh Allen
– Patrick Mahomes
– Lamar Jackson
– Jalen Hurts
– Patrick Mahomes
I’ll also generally avoid obvious starts—players you drafted and expect to start every week, such as C.J. Stroud, Joe Burrow, Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy, etc. I will recommend them as a “sit” when appropriate, but we’re not going to overthink these guys, either.
Yep. One week. That’s all it took. I’m in. The passing game is a mess, but Daniels took care of the football and mannnnnnnnn, those legs. His value is in the running game, and it looked like they game-planned for designed runs all day. I’m all in until shown otherwise. Don’t look now, but this guy is the stuff that league winners are made of. Also… the Giants defense made Darnold look startable. Top 5 week on deck for Daniels.
Tua put up some pretty fabulous numbers in Week 1 (QB9), and he has the weapons to do it on a consistent basis. This week, he draws the Bills defense, who I’m actually pretty high on this season, and who just did a really good job holding Kyler Murray in check. But this game is in Miami, and I expect a shootout (and so does Vegas – O/U sitting around 50 at the moment). The Dolphins are always a threat to drop a 50-burger (right, Broncos fans?), and while I don’t expect that this week, Tua is going to cook.
Honorable mention: Anthony Richardson, Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield
In with the Daniels, out with the Williams! (bummer, Bears fans, he’s not our savior just yet). Williams will be fine overall, but he has some work to do, and my money says it won’t start this week against the Texans. While Houston did give up a ton of points to Anthony Richardson, Williams doesn’t have the legs. Odunze is a bit banged up (and most likely out), Keenan Allen looked brutal, and this offense looks lost at the moment. As a matter of fact, Williams is going to be a sit for me until he earns his way out, matchup or otherwise.
Folks. The Michael Penix Jr. calls are already starting because Kirkers isn’t Kirkers’ing. He looked as immobile as me back there, and this offense was F-L-A-T on Sunday. Granted, the Steelers defense is pretty good, but still. I don’t hate the matchup with the Eagles, but Cousins isn’t quite ready for primetime. A few more games like this, and the Falcons will look like April geniuses for the 1.8.
Honorable mention: Justin Herbert, Deshaun Watson, Joe Burrow
Same thing here – Start your studs. You didn’t draft them to overthink it each week:
– Christian McCaffery
– Bijan Robinson
– Breece Hall
– Jonathon Taylor
– Jahmyr Gibbs
Pacheco dominated the touches against Baltimore last Thursday, and I expect more of the same against what looks to be a soft Bengals run defense (Rhamondre feasted). Pacheco doesn’t have much competition for touches (please call up Emani), so I’m rolling this week as well. Bengals fans should agree with me on this one – check last year’s game tape (130 rushing, 35 receiving, and a tuddy).
I missed on Conner last week (RB9) and I won’t make that mistake again. The Rams gave up 33 points to the Detroit backfield on Sunday night, and while it isn’t apples to apples, there’s an opportunity here. An adorable clip from Aaron Donald’s wife reminds us he’s retired, and that matters. 20 touches, 80 yards, and a touchdown sound just fine to me.
Honorable mention: Joe Mixon, Rhamondre Stevenson, Ken Walker III
Aaron Jones (RB7) was really good last week against a really bad defense (NYG). This week, he is home for a tilt with the 49ers. Breece Hall didn’t return a horrible stat line for us against San Francisco (RB16), but if you watched the game (also known as the Jordan Mason showcase), you realize much of the stat accumulation was in the first quarter. The 49ers shut him down after that, though some of that was game script. Two things – Aaron Jones isn’t Breece Hall, and I expect an even more unfavorable script for this one. I hate recommending you sit a pass-catching back, but here we are.
The Broncos running game was atrocious in Week 1, and that’s putting it lightly. None of the backs did well (though Jaleel McLaughlin did snag five passes – for one yard), and they just looked bad at running the football. The Steelers are fresh off limiting the Falcons RBs to just 18 points, and 15 of that belonged to Bijan. I don’t expect any of the Denver runners – especially Williams – to do much this weekend. Plant his behind on your bench, and hopefully, you have better options.
Honorable mention: Rachaad White, Gus Edwards, D’Andre Swift
