Quarterback
Brock Purdy, San Francisco (at LA Rams)
Purdy's high floor profile might be attractive in Week 2, with so many landmines coming from quarterbacks we drafted to start in Week 1. He has one of the best sets of weapons in the league at his disposal, his line didn't suffer any key injuries in Week 1, and the Rams defense he's facing might have been let off of the hook by injuries to both Seattle tackles last week. The 49ers won both matchups with the Rams comfortably last year, with Jimmy Garoppolo passing for over 230 yards and at least one score each time.
Daniel Jones, NY Giants (at Arizona)
Jones and the Giants offense was an absolute disaster in Week 1, but we can't say how much of that was the Cowboys' relentless pass rush. The Cardinals pass rush was no slouch in Week 1, notching six sacks vs. Washington, but they aren't Dallas, and Jones is a more experienced quarterback than Sam Howell. The Giants should have a better game plan this week, and Jones should do at least as well as Howell's low QB1 numbers against Arizona, which included a rushing score.
Derek Carr, New Orleans (at Carolina)
Carr's trio of wide receivers looks very good right now, especially with the running game stuck in neutral while Alvin Kamara is suspended. The Panthers pass defense didn't get tested very much against the Falcons, but they did give up 15 completions on 18 attempts, and they also lost their #1 corner, Jaycee Horn, to a hamstring injury. The Saints could be forced to lean on the passing game more if rookie Kendre Miller isn't ready to go, which probably won't be a problem if Carr plays the way he did last week.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay (vs Chicago)
Mayfield is more of a QB2/Superflex sleeper than a quarterback to consider in 1QB leagues, but he might end up being viable in both formats. The Bears pass defense made Jordan Love look good without #1 deep threat Christian Watson last week, and Chicago lost one of their best corners, Kyler Gordon, to a hand injury that landed him on injured reserve. Mayfield's chemistry with Mike Evans was good, and the Bucs running game probably won't be much better against a Bears defense that is better against the run than they are against the pass.
Running Back
Raheem Mostert, Miami (at New England)
Mostert made it through Week 1 healthy and should lead the Miami backfield again vs. the Patriots. Bill Belichick loves to take away what the opposing offense does best, so expect the Patriots to show a lot of light personnel packages to induce the Dolphins to run and take away the downfield passing game. Expect a more balanced Miami offense this week that will give Mostert a chance to get in a groove and break a long run or two, in addition to having scoring opportunities playing in a top half of the NFL offense.
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee (vs LA Chargers)
Spears actually got more snaps than Derrick Henry last week, averaged nine yards a carry on his three totes, and got free for a long pass that Ryan Tannehill missed, or we would be talking about him as a top waiver add this week. The Titans need to get the ball in his hands more often, and they could also be without DeAndre Hopkins, which should give them an even better excuse to call Spears' number when they aren't force-feeding the ball to Derrick Henry.
Continue reading this content with a PRO subscription.
"Footballguys is the best premium
fantasy football
only site on the planet."
Matthew Berry, NBC Sports EDGE
