Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF (vs Pittsburgh) - Garoppolo had a tough Week 1 against Tampa, but now we are seeing that result in a different light after the Bucs knocked Cam Newton around and contained Christian McCaffrey last week. The Steelers secondary is eminently beatable and prone to lapses. They’ve allowed two score games to Will Dissly and Phillip Dorsett already. We’ll see if the addition fo Minkah Fitzpatrick helps the Steelers defense or loss of Joe Staley hurts the 49ers, but there are a lot of worse choices than Garoppolo at quarterback this week.
Jameis Winston, TB (vs New York Giants) - Winston has been in a more safe pass offense this year, which could lower his ceiling even in good matchups like this week’s vs. the Giants, but the opponent’s pass defense has been cracked with ease, so Winston has a high floor. The Giants have given up two QB1 performances already this year to Dak Prescott and Josh Allen.
Mitchell Trubisky, CHI (at Washington) - Look at it as a reason to watch Monday Night Football. Trubisky has been a nightmare this year, but he gets to face a Washington pass defense that has wilted badly against Carson Wentz and Dak Prescott so far this year. Chicago’s offense should function better with Trey Burton getting close to full speed, and they really poured it on against inferior defenses last year.
Mason Rudolph, PIT (at San Francisco) - Rudolph doesn’t have a high ceiling, but he should be functional. His interception last week clanked off of Donte Moncrief’s hands, and he was able to finish two drives with scoring passes to Vance McDonald. The 49ers defense is underrated, but Rudolph is acceptable emergency QB1 or waiver QB2/Superflex going forward and could start with a splash since the Steelers offense will look different than what the 49ers have seen on tape.
Taysom Hill, NO (at Seattle) - It would take Hill getting the majority of snaps and lots of rushing opportunities to hit, but Sean Payton keeps hinting at Hill possibly starting, and even if Teddy Bridgewater starts, the offense will probably keep Seattle off balance more when Hill is out there. He has big play ability as a runner, the offense is comfortable with him at helm, and he could even add some value as a receiver when Bridgewater is in.
Running Back
Frank Gore, BUF (vs Cincinnati) - Devin Singletary hasn’t practiced through two sessions and the Bills would be smart to keep the rookie on the bench this week to avoid any re-injury that would sideline him for multiple weeks. Gore is serviceable and should lead the team in carries and get any goal line looks against a defense that let three running backs put up fantasy relevant numbers last week.
Peyton Barber, TB (vs New York Giants) - Barber is situated to benefit from a safe Bucs pass offense that will play off of a strong defense to win low scoring games. That means a lot of carries for Barber who is tough and disciplined as a runner. He could also get one or more goal line opportunities in this one.
Raheem Mostert, SF (vs Pittsburgh) - The Steelers defense has been stingy against the run, so Mostert may be the best 49ers running back play because of his ability to contribute as a receiver and the everpresent possibility of Matt Breida getting dinged during the game and creating more opportunity for Mostert. He was explosive on his touches last week and led the team in carries.
Tony Pollard, DAL (vs Miami) - Pollard should get the mop up when this game gets out of hand. Since it’s in Arlington and Minkah Fitzpatrick is gone, that could only take a half or less. One half of lead back work against the Miami could pay dividends if you are looking to the waiver wire for a running back option this week.
Darren Sproles, PHI (vs Detroit) - Sproles could be a sneaky PPR option considering the Eagles problems at wide receiver this week. He was already getting some touches in the backfield, but he could also make sense as a slot receiver or otherwise a more frequent target if the Lions key on Zach Ertz and have Darius Slay on Nelson Agholor. Detroit has also given up six receptions to a running back in each of the first two games, averaging over ten yards a reception and allowing one score.
Darwin Thompson, KC (vs Baltimore) - Thompson might only see a few touches, but he might also put his stamp on the Chiefs highly productive backfield and create a new picture of how the snaps will be divvied up. Damien Williams hasn’t practiced yet this week and LeSean McCoy is coming in with an ankle injury, so it’s not difficult to envision scenarios where Thompson ends up leading the backfield in touches this week.
Jordan Wilkins, IND (vs Atlanta) - If Marlon Mack can't go Sunday, Wilkins would lead the Colts in carries against a Falcons defense that the Vikings ran all over in Week 1. Wilkins was in top form last week with a long run that led to the game-winning score.
Wide Receiver
Demarcus Robinson, Mecole Hardman, WR, KC (vs Baltimore) - Hopefully it’s obvious that both of these guys need to be in your lineup after last week. Robinson’s 6-172-2 line was a week winner, and Hardman had a long score called back or he would have joined Robinson with two scores. Any time you can get a piece of Patrick Mahomes II in your lineup, you need to do it.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB (vs Denver) - Valdes-Scantling is still getting the downfield shots and only some good plays by the Vikings secondary kept him from having a bigger day. The Broncos are unlikely to put Chris Harris on Valdes-Scantling, so he’ll get a good matchup against a Denver defense that has had trouble putting pressure on the quarterback this year.
Marquise Goodwin, Deebo Samuel, SF (vs Pittsburgh) - The Steelers secondary is good for at least one or two lapses a game, so expect to see Goodwin or Samuel running free at least once on Sunday. Goodwin got in the scoring column early against the Bengals, and Samuel seems to be entrenched as basically a full-time player even with Dante Pettis getting healthier.
James Washington, PIT (at San Francisco) - Washington has been reunited with his college quarterback Mason Rudolph and Donte Moncrief is likely going to be riding the pine this week. Rookie Diontae Johnson could complicate this picture, but Washington and Rudolph made beautiful music on 50/50 balls in college and they should try at least one against the 49ers this week.
Devin Smith, Randall Cobb, DAL (vs Miami) - Smith is probably the Cowboys best deep threat, and he’ll get even more opportunity wtih Michael Gallup out this week against a defense that trust traded away one of their best players in coverage - a player that was often lined up in the slot, which is where Randall Cobb will be this week. Cobb has regained his form of old, which is usually the case early in the season before he ends up on the injury report. The only question here is whether these players can score before the game gets out of hand.
Phillip Dorsett, NE (vs New York Jets) - With Antonio Brown's release, Dorsett gets back on the field a lot more in an offense that will likely move the ball with ease against the Jets. He scored twice in Week 1 and is a threat to do it again now that Brown is out.
Tight End
Hayden Hurst, BAL (vs Kansas City) - It’s difficult to find 12 startable fantasy tight ends, so the sleepers this week are still waking up. Hurst has some downfield ability as a receiver and the Chiefs should be keyed on Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews in the passing game. Hurst scored last week and could have a few good matchups in single coverage in what should be a high-scoring game.
Trey Burton, CHI (at Washington) - Burton is getting healthier and should be a bigger part of the offense against a beleaguered Washington defense this week. Burton is a top red zone option for Mitchell Trubisky and Washington gave up a score to Jason Witten last week.
Gerald Everett, LAR (at Cleveland) - Everett will get a lot more chances this week while Tyler Higbee is nursing an internal injury. He is a natural receiving tight end and the Browns are down Christian Kirksey at inside linebacker this week, so Sean McVay might try to create mismatches with Everett
James O’Shaughnessy, JAX (vs Tennessee) **Thursday** - O’Shaughnessy has looked formidable on his targets, and Gardner Minshew will likely have to lean on him this week against a Titans pass rush that will force the ball out of his hands quickly.
Jason Witten, DAL (vs Miami) - Witten has already scored twice this year and Miami has given up over 200 yards and 16 receptions to opposing tight ends in two games.
