Week 2 was a rough week in fantasy football to say the least. It invalidated some of our big Week 1 takeaways and wrecked our teams with injuries in the process. Let’s see what we learned in order from the most to least important… at least until the next time they suit up.
CIN @ CLE
1. Glass half full: AJ Green got 13 targets. Glass half empty: He had three catches and didn’t look like Green of old. Maybe this is a conditioning issue after he missed camp? I’m not optimistic. Look for Tyler Boyd to become a bigger part of this pass offense and there could be a chance for Tee Higgins or Mike Thomas (or Auden Tate) to emerge eventually if Green goes down. Every time he’s on the turf, you won’t if he’s going to limp when he gets up.
2. The Browns offensive design came into full view against a weak Bengals defense. Both running backs were strong RB1 plays after being Flex level plays in Week 1. This is going to be a matchup-based projection every week, with Hunt being the better play in games the Browns are projected to lose and Chubb in games they are projected to win. Consider Chubb an RB1 this week and Hunt an RB2 vs. Washington.
3. Joe Mixon is being limited by the game scripts, and Giovani Bernard is getting on the field in some prime running back target situations. I believe in Joe Burrow to improve enough to help Mixon get more scoring opportunities and the Bengals coaches should be getting Mixon out there more in passing situations soon if they are rational.
4. The main risk with Joe Burrow this year is injury. He has a terrible defense that will give him favorable game scripts for volume, and he can add value as a runner. The offensive line is going to keep him from hitting his ceiling, but he is viable for fantasy going forward.
5. Odell Beckham should have had two scores, but he was held the second time he broke free. You can see that his target load will add more risk to starting him, but some of them will be high value off of play action. He’s a boom/bust WR2 and won’t get back to Eli Manning era scoring levels this year. Jarvis Landry is only PPR depth in this offense.
6. Austin Hooper is an ordinary receiving tight end and he just won’t get the opportunity in Cleveland to be fantasy relevant. He’s droppable if you didn’t do it already.
7. Baker Mayfield has some matchup value, but only against teams with poor defenses and high-scoring offenses, so maybe the Cowboys next week. He’s not worth carrying in 1QB leagues despite the resurgence in the highly structured Browns offense.
8. CJ Uzomah went down during what might have been his breakout game. Sigh. Drew Sample racked up catches in garbage time but looked like a blocking tight end in the passing game. Mo Alie-Cox, Dalton Schultz, and Jordan Akins are all much better pickups on the waiver wire.
BUF @ MIA
1. We’ll be sure to watch as Josh Allen faces the Rams - the toughest defense on the schedule so far this year - but for now it looks like he has climbed into the elite as a passer and fantasy quarterback. This means a marginal wide receiver like Cole Beasley could have value this year and we all let Stefon Diggs fall too far in drafts.
2. Mike Gesicki was back as a big part of the pass offense in a very good day for the passing game. He only got over 100 yards and a score in garbage time, but still had a strong day before that extra oomph was added. There might be ups and downs, but this kind of up makes him a solid TE1.
3. Preston Williams still doesn’t look ready to make a big impact, although he is drawing #1 corners at times. He’s not an obvious hold in short bench leagues, but try to keep him if you can as he is still getting his legs under him. We’ll all get a longer look at him against the Jaguars on Thursday.
4. Devante Parker played and emerged from the game with a score and without an aggravation of his hamstring injury! That’s a big win and he’s back to being a solid WR3/Flex as long as he has an uneventful week of practice.
5. Zack Moss and Devin Singletary still have something to offer in fantasy leagues and should be stashed on your bench for now even though their roles have been disappointing in the Allen-centric offense. Defenses are going to start showing lighter boxes to account for Allen’s progress and the pendulum will swing back eventually.
6. Ryan Fitzpatrick reversed his trend from Week 1 and actually gave the Dolphins a chance to win if Preston Williams hadn’t dropped a key fourth down pass that should have been a score. He has streamer value against the Jaguars this week and can fuel the values of his targets on a similar level to the second half of 2019.
7. Jordan Howard has to be most worthless running back with a score in each of the first two games in fantasy football history. Myles Gaskin is the only rosterable player here, and only as emergency depth.
8. Isaiah Ford is a Matt Waldman favorite and he could be part of the answer to how the Dolphins replace covid opt outs Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns. He Remember his name if injuries strike this wide receiver group.
SF @ NYJ
1. Raheem Mostert made your day with a long touchdown run to open the game, but the Jets defense stonewalled him after that. Tevin Coleman was treated similarly before he got hurt, leaving Jerick McKinnon as the presumptive most valuable fantasy back, although Jeff Wilson get likely get more carries and goal line work against the Giants. McKinnon is exciting to have as he has regained form and hopefully will become a bigger part of the passing game.
2. Jordan Reed turned back the clock and didn’t look affected by his myriad of injuries in the past. The 49ers really featured him in the goal line passing game and he’ll be worth a plug in start against the Giants if George Kittle can’t go.
3. The Jets defense is putrid and you should break all ties in favor of players facing them, even running backs against their stout between the tackles run defense.
4. Nick Mullens is comfortable in this offense and the 49ers should be fine with him against the Giants this week, encouraging them to not rush Jimmy Garoppolo back. He favored Kendrick Bourne when he entered the game if you’re looking for a 49ers wide receiver in a pinch.
5. Pray for Sam Darnold and don’t start anyone in the offense until further notice, including Chris Herndon. The 49ers defense had an easy day, but lost Nick Bosa and Solomon Thomas for the year on a day that they already didn’t have Dee Ford. A strength has become a weakness.
DEN @ PIT
1. James Conner is the clear lead back in Pittsburgh and was treated as one. He wasn’t doing too much until his long run to clinch the game against a tired Broncos defense, but Benny Snell almost fumbled the Broncos into an upset win, so he’ll be out of the circle of trust for a while. It feels like a sell high moment with Conner still one of the most injury prone backs in the league.
2. Ben Roethlisberger is giving Diontae Johnson more targets than Juju Smith-Schuster. Smith-Schuster is still getting enough targets to be an everyweek upside WR2, but Johnson could have more value this year.
3. The Broncos inexplicably ignored Noah Fant for a half for the second straight week but he was still a fantasy TE1 in the one good half he had. He could end up being a top five tight end this year with Courtland Sutton’s season-ending knee injury narrowing the target tree.
4. Drew Lock went down, but the pass offense was still alive with Jeff Driskel against the vicious Steelers defense. He spread the ball around between Noah Fant (in the second half), Jerry Jeudy, and KJ Hamler after Courtland Sutton went down himself. Jeudy is the most likely recipient of the freed up targets, but monitor Hamler in deeper leagues. Driskel is competent and could be your best QB2 in 2QB/Superflex leagues if your QB2 pick was Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold.
5. Royce Freeman is just a backup and won’t threaten Melvin Gordon’s workload while Phillip Lindsay is out. Gordon ran hard and was reasonably productive against a Steelers defense that smothered Saquon Barkley.
6. The Steelers defense will force turnovers, hit the quarterback a lot, and leave the opponent in a pile of wreckage, but they will also give up numbers to the opposing passing game. We’ll see how that turns out against Houston’s porous offensive line this week.
7. Chase Claypool got away with a pushoff, but his speed on his long score was impressive nonetheless. He and/or James Washington would be excellent waiver wire adds if Smith-Schuster or Johnson miss time.
8. If Eric Ebron can’t post a fantasy relevant result against the Broncos, we can move on. He could have a two touchdown game at any time, but we’re not tying up a roster spot waiting for it only to have him do nothing the next week when we start him.
MIN @ IND
1. One week after Nyheim Hines was a main cog in the offense, he touched the ball once against the Vikings. He is going to be a very risky play when the Colts are projected to win, which is going to be the norm for a while with the Jets, Chicago, Cleveland, and Cincinnati up.
2. Mo Alie-Cox is going to be a handful for defense. He is very tough to bring down after the catch, huge, and has good hands (although an early red zone interception bounced off of his chest). He’s my top waiver pickup at tight end this week, although Dalton Schultz could have more opportunity when Jack Doyle returns to the lineup. Who knows when that will be and for how long, so don’t undersell Alie-Cox’s staying power.
3. You have a strong RB1 if you drafted Jonathan Taylor. The Colts relied on him the way the Titans rely on Derrick Henry and he looked more than up to the task.
4. Parris Campbell went down with a knee injury that could be season-ending. TY Hilton dropped a long touchdown in his absence as the Colts wide receiver group couldn’t score big against a Vikings secondary that gave up four scores to Packers wide receivers.
5. Dalvin Cook is being bailed out by garbage time touchdowns, but we can’t count on that going forward. Hopefully they get him a lot more involved as a receiver this week against Tennessee but he remains a sell high.
6. Adam Thielen didn’t get the garbage time score this week and didn’t get much at all after the early going. He might not be able to shoulder this whole pass offense without help and is looking more like a WR3 than a WR1 for fantasy.
7. Kirk Cousins had his most miserable day as a professional, which makes Gardner Minshew’s performance against this Colts defense look even better. Cousins is only rosterable in 2QB/Superflex.
8. This game showed us the Colts plans for Philip Rivers when the game is in hand. Little risk in the passing game and low volume. He’s a matchup play at best.
JAX @ TEN
1. Jonnu Smith was the answer to who would benefit most in the passing game with AJ Brown out. The Titans went to him right away and he responded with a long catch and run and then a score, and added a score later.
2. DJ Chark looks great but isn’t getting the target volume to justify his draft cost… yet. With a well-functioning offense and quarterback at the top of his game, he should be a buy low in all formats.
3. James Robinson is also for real and he’ll be a high floor RB2 going forward. He was clearly the best waiver wire running back of Week 2 in hindsight.
4. Gardner Minshew is for real and he’s going to keep this offense viable against any opponent while injecting a high ceiling against middling defenses like Tennessee’s. He a strong matchup play and could level off as a QB1.
5. Ryan Tannehill is showing last year wasn’t a fluke. He is highly efficient and very much in tune with the playcalls and his teammates. He’s a QB1 for fantasy even though he wasn’t drafted as one this year.
6. Laviska Shenault is looking good on his running back carries and very imposing on his receptions. It isn’t translating to strong fantasy stat lines yet, but like Chark, you have to like his chances to hit as the season goes on with such excellent offensive surroundings.
7. Corey Davis didn’t come through with a big game with AJ Brown out but he did beat impressive rookie CJ Henderson on the score that made him a decent WR3/Flex play. He’ll be one again vs. the Vikings woeful defense this week.
8. Adam Humphries has been relevant in PPR leagues for two straight weeks and he is rosterable with Ryan Tannehill slinging it and the Titans defense not looking like a shutdown unit.
9. Keelan Cole is getting open in the short and intermediate zones and red zone. He has developed bye/injury/emergency value in PPR leagues.
ATL @ DAL
1. Julio Jones was a dud in a 40-39 game and he himself said his hamstring isn’t letting him run the way he is used to. Leave him in lineups, but if he doesn’t produce against the Bears, get worried. In the meantime, Calvin Ridley is your WR1 overall through two weeks by a large margin.
2. Dalton Schultz didn’t really stand out in any way on his targets, but it’s clear that a big opportunity will be there for him in this passing game. We weep for Blake Jarwin teams that might have had a big big year ahead of him. Schultz has a longer and better opportunity than Mo Alie-Cox, but I slightly prefer the big man on the waiver wire.
3. Dak Prescott defied playing with the #4 and #5 offensive tackles to put up the best fantasy quarterback game of the year to date. We’ll start him through hell and high water now.
4. Russell Gage is leveling off as WR3/Flex and he threw a perfect long touchdown pass to Julio Jones, who dropped it.
5. The Falcons frustrated us by pulling Todd Gurley in a goal to go series. With this defense not creating good game scripts for him, it’s hard to know if he’ll be more than a flex play or low ceiling RB2.
6. Don’t give up yet on Michael Gallup, who is being used more as a deep threat and not getting much volume. He’s too good to be held down in a pass offense that is this productive.
7. Hayden Hurst didn’t face Jamal Adams this week and got a long score for his troubles. With pass heavy game scripts likely, he’s a TE1 going forward.
8. Matt Ryan is playing well but it’s his poor defense that will fuel him back to QB1 heights. He is one of many right answers at quarterback entering Week 3.
LAR @ PHI
1. Miles Sanders is going to be the RB1 you drafted him to be. Carson Wentz had a sneak right after he was stopped at the one or it would have been a big game for Sanders in a big loss, which is the mark of a true stud in fantasy football.
2. The Rams running back situation is getting more, not less complicated. Darrell Henderson’s college burst was back and he is the healthiest back on the roster, so he’s the one you want to roster right now, but the Rams appear to be committed to a three-headed backfield when everyone is healthy. With all three backs already banged up, all should be rostered considering the potential for one or more to be missing time going forward. Remember the name Xavier Jones if the injuries pile up.
3. Carson Wentz is having trouble getting into the zone. The offensive line got Lane Johnson back but these first two matchups have been rough for a depleted group. If he doesn’t get it going against the Bengals this week, he’s droppable.
4. If you were wondering why you drafted Tyler Higbee as your TE1, he and Sean McVay reminded you with his three score game. The low points are worth riding out with these peaks.
5. Dallas Goedert came back to earth this week, but Zach Ertz didn’t exactly launch into space either. I’m still valuing Goedert more than Ertz heading into Week 3.
6. If you like Jalen Reagor and Desean Jackson keep the faith. This week against the Bengals should give both the opening to be a what the heck flex and deserve a roster spot going forward. JJ Arcega-Whiteside isn’t going to be a thing despite a camp that sounded like a redemption after a terrible rookie year.
7. Sean McVay’s calls and the offense's execution made everything look easy for Jared Goff. This performance could have been more about how easy the Eagles defense is to beat than Goff regaining 2018 form. A tougher matchup is up this week against Bills.
8. Unless the Rams fall behind big in a game and have to pass a lot (which is looking less likely because of this very good defense), Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods are going to be low ceiling WR3/Flex plays.
NYG @ CHI
1. David Montgomery looked faster and quicker than last year, scoring on a zig-zag catch and run and coming back from a neck injury to help clinch the game. He’s looking like a value pick after a camp groin injury deflated his stock.
2. Let’s all weep for Saquon Barkley. Don’t chase any of his potential replacements. The target tree gets narrower with him and Sterling Shepard out, boosting the value of Evan Engram, Golden Tate, and Darius Slayton. Don’t forget Kaden Smith, who should get on the field more and still possesses Evan Engram injury upside.
3. Allen Robinson is just a WR3/Flex right now. If the numbers don’t come against the Falcons corners this week, get worried.
4. Bless Daniel Jones heart, who will hang in there under fire. That should help the value of Slayton in particular when they face easier defenses. Are the 49ers one without Nick Bosa? We’ll see this week.
5. Anthony Miller just isn’t going to play a big role in this pass offense. Rookie Darnell Mooney is the #2 receiver and the only Bears receiver other than Allen Robinson who could be fantasy relevant this year.
6. If the newly extended Tarik Cohen and Jimmy Graham can’t put up numbers against the Giants offense, we can move on from them in fantasy leagues.
7. Evan Engram did enough to get a start for us against the 49ers, but Will Fuller reminded us that players who get injured a lot tend to get injured a lot.
DET @ GB
1. Davante Adams hamstring injury (which sounds minor but he plays on Sunday night so monitor it) allowed Aaron Jones to get more work in the receiving game and he was outstanding. He also broke off a 75-yard run for a score. He would be a first rounder if we drafted today, congrats if you got him.
2. The Lions backfield is going to be a terrible three-way committee in an underachieving offense. The best hope is the inevitable Kerryon Johnson injury (after he did look good on the opening drive when he scored) to turn it into a two-way backfield but that’s not exciting either.
3. Kenny Golladay should be back this week. If Matthew Stafford isn’t a relevant fantasy quarterback with that addition, he can be dropped in typical leagues. The whole Lions team is running lukewarm and cold. Marvin Jones and TJ Hockenson aren’t going to come close to their ceilings if this keeps up. It’s tough to want to start any Lion right now.
4. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard didn’t get the scores to make them great plays this week but Aaron Rodgers and the offense are still humming and Adams is banged up, so don’t drop them this week heading into a matchup with the suddenly vulnerable looking Saints secondary.
CAR @ TB
1. Ronald Jones II' botched exchange was enough to get him basically benched for Leonard Fournette, who finished off the Panthers weak run defense with a couple of long runs. Fournette is the better back to have here, but he’ll only be startable in presumptive Bucs wins and he might be a sell high.
2. Mike Evans is going to be ok with Tom Brady, but the Bruce Arians offense just isn’t going to feature tight ends and no #2 receiver will be relevant unless it’s Chris Godwin after Scotty Miller dropped a touchdown early in the game.
3. Mike Davis reminded us that he is a very good pass catcher, but he is probably only a band aid for hurting fantasy lineups. Don’t spend a lot on him on the wire this week.
4. DJ Moore bounced back for a very good week, but he and Robby Anderson are going to be co #1s with high volume especially while Christian McCaffrey is out.
5. Tom Brady did have two touchdowns dropped this week adding to the fantasy excuse list, but at the end of the day, he hurt fantasy lineups whether it was his fault or not. If he doesn’t put up good numbers against Denver this week, he’s only going to be a matchup play going forward if he isn’t already.
6. Teddy Bridgewater is going to get a ton of volume but the touchdowns may not come without McCaffrey in the lineup, and McCaffrey was getting all of the scores while he was in.
7. Curtis Samuel has an outside chance to pick up some of the backfield work in place of McCaffrey, so keep him on waiver wire speed dial if he was dropped.
WAS @ ARI
1. Antonio Gibson led the backfield in touches and converted at the goal line. His value is trending up and he’s at least a flex play with a lot of room to grow. Peyton Barber is on the bench where he belongs.
2. Kenyan Drake got decisively more touches than Chase Edmonds, helping bolster his case for a start every week as a solid RB2, while Edmonds is slipping from what the heck flex range but retains a lot of Drake injury upside.
3. Kyler Murray is lethal as a runner and his ability to score on the ground is putting him in the elite QB1 tier heading into a matchup with a beleaguered Lions defense.
4. Logan Thomas production was modest and he might not be a better option going forward than waiver wire wonders Mo Alie-Cox, Dalton Schultz, and Jordan Akins
5. Terry McLaurin is still a stud and he reminded us that ceiling games are in play every week for him. He needs to be lineups until he puts up two duds in a row.
6. DeAndre Hopkins is going to remain the clear WR1 for the Cardinals, meaning we can’t really trust any other Cardinal receiver in our lineup, including Christian Kirk, who is going to split the deep targets with Andy Isabella.
7. Dwayne Haskins just isn’t good enough to support fantasy value in secondary options in this pass offense. Steven Sims Jr is still a dynasty stash, but that’s all he is right now.
BAL @ HOU
1. Will Fuller’s hamstring issue made him a zero and now we’ll be reluctant to start him in any given week. That doesn’t mean that he won’t still be contributing some weeks, so Brandin Cooks is tough to gauge even with Fuller’s injury opening the door.
2. David Johnson didn’t have a large role despite looking great in Week 1. The Texans need to get him involved as a receiver and runner, but until the coaches figure out this out, he’s a very risky RB2/Flex play against the Steelers.
3. The Texans don’t seem to have a game plan for Deshaun Watson and the offensive line is not giving him time to throw. He’s a boom/bust play against Pittsburgh this week.
4. The Ravens backfield is going to drive us nuts this year. JK Dobbins still looked like the best back, but he barely touched the ball. Gus Edwards got more of the closeout carries and showed that he can be more than relevant in fantasy leagues if he ever gets the chance. Mark Ingram bailed out fantasy teams with a long touchdown on a fourth down direct snap and he also got an unsuccessful goal line carry. He and Dobbins remain what the heck flexes while Edwards is rosterable in deeper leagues.
5. This one was just too easy for Lamar Jackson. He’ll get us some 40+ point performances to make up for this one, don’t worry. Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews will also have big days to balance out the walk in the park stat lines like they got this week.
6. Jordan Akins got a lot more targets this week after making the most of his Week 1 opportunity. With the potential injury issues in the wide receiver group and Watson needing short-intermediate range targets, Akins value continues to rise.
KC-LAC
1. Justin Herbert looks like he is going to be a very good NFL quarterback, albeit with only one start under his belt. He upped the value of Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler, but hurt the value of Mike Williams. It sounds like the Chargers will go back to Tyrod Taylor but that won’t last long if it indeed goes that way. Value Chargers as if Herbert will be starting soon and for the remainder of the year.
2. Joshua Kelley is going to get a ton of volume when the Chargers are leading and they won’t give Ekeler much more than 20 touches no matter the game script. Ekeler is the more valuable fantasy back, but Kelley should get goal line work and he’s closing the gap.
3. Sammy Watkins wasn’t doing much before his concussion, so whatever trust we had coming out of Week 1 has evaporated.
4. Darrel Williams got banged up, so Darwin Thompson is next in line if Clyde Edwards-Helaire goes down. Thompson also converted a key fourth down and he should be on your fantasy radar.
5. The Chargers still have Patrick Mahomes II number, but he found a way to win and post a good fantasy game in the overtime win anyway. That’s why we took him so early in drafts.
NE @ SEA
1. Cam Newton is still a great pocket passer and that will max out Julian Edelman’s value along with making N’keal Harry and maybe Damiere Byrd relevant. Newton is back to being an elite fantasy option and he might break the rushing touchdown record if he stays healthy.
2. Chris Carson reminded us that he is still the lead back, and he is a much better passcatcher than he was given credit for in fantasy circles. With Wilson cooking, he’s a solid fantasy RB1.
3. Russell Wilson is cooking and he made the Patriots vaunted secondary look powerless to slow him down. He’s very close to the Mahomes/Jackson tier in value if he isn’t already there.
4. DK Metcalf roasted Stephon Gilmore on a beautiful disguised corner route for a long score. He is matchup proof now.
5. You can drop all Patriots backs except James White, who we send condolences to after he lost his father in a car accident.
6. Greg Olsen dropped a ball that turned into a pick six to open the game. Don’t forget about Will Dissly who could become relevant with Wilson cooking. Don’t forget David Moore either after he revived his circus catch abilities from his rookie year. If a top two Seahawks receiver goes down he’s next in line while we wait to hear if the league reinstates Josh Gordon.
NO @ LV
1. Darren Waller was unstoppable, which should encourage the Raiders to keep him central in the game plan. Only Kelce and Kittle are clearly more valuable at tight end right now.
2. Drew Brees just can’t push the ball to the sidelines or down the field any more. Michael Thomas being out wasn’t the problem. He’s not a QB1 for fantasy and defenses are going to find it easier to defend the Saints this year.
3. Derek Carr had a ton of time to throw after early pressure and Jon Gruden called a great game for him. This could be a function of the Saints defense being vulnerable, which makes Tom Brady’s Week 1 game more suspect. Carr was solid without a full speed Henry Ruggs, which is even more impressive.
4. Henry Ruggs isn’t 100% and didn’t do much for fantasy, but he still drew a key long pass interference penalty and the strength of this offense means there’s no way you should drop him. He’s a buy low.
5. Alvin Kamara is over his 2019 injuries and Brees noodle arm could make him even more prominently, so he might be the one player in this offense to not get hurt by Brees decline.
6. Emmanuel Sanders was a non-factor with Michael Thomas on the sidelines and it was Tre’Quan Smith doing his Thomas impression. Smith’s value window will close when Thomas returns, although if the Saints are smart they’ll keep Smith involved even after Thomas is back.
7. Jared Cook scored but he was a disappointment with Thomas out. His opportunities might be meager when Thomas is back and he’s not a solid TE1.
