Week Two is here and we got a great game this Thursday with the Giants and Washington. Now for Sunday! I won’t put the obvious studs in here such as Christian McCaffrey or Dalvin Cook. The big question marks are coming with some waiver wire gems if they should be started, and the big question is coming to be is starting your studs a great idea? I say yes to that no matter what, but in situations like Saquon Barkley, it was worth a sit (As I did). Let’s get to it!
Running Backs
Start em
James White/Damien Harris, New England Patriots
The Jets got torched by Christian McCaffrey last Sunday. I would expect James White to play a nice PPR role in this game. The Jets defense was ranked in the middle against the run, but with a rookie quarterback in Mac Jones, expect them to try and establish the run early and often.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Revenge game! I expect the Packers to dominate this game, but with D’Andre Swift continuing to battle a groin injury, Williams could shine again. Last week Green Bay gave up 177 rushing yards, and they could turn to Williams often, especially if they’re losing quickly.
Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Chase Edmonds went over 100 total yards last week and gets a great matchup this week. The Vikings were crushed by the Bengals in the running game, surrendering 149 yards. Expect Edmonds to get going early and put up respectable numbers against the Vikings.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Expect another good game for Melvin Gordan. The Jaguars gave up 160 yards and two touchdowns to a really bad Houston Texan team. Yes, Javonte Williams is lurking, but Melvin is in line for a nice stat line in this game.
Sit em
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Alright, Elijah Mitchell is the week one prize on the waivers. Raheem Mostert is hurt, and Trey Sermon was inactive. Mitchell was active due to his prowess on special teams and was forced into a large role on the fly and did well. That does not mean Kyle Shanahan will definitely gameplan Mitchell to a lead-back role.
With JaMycal Hasty on the roster and Sermon being announced as active Sunday, it would not surprise me if we see a total split of the backfield. It doesn’t help to play the Eagles who shut down Atlanta’s running game a week prior.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
This is a tough sit, but Urban Meyer will do what he can to get Carlos Hyde involved. The Denver Broncos shut down Saquon Barkley. The Giants only had 33 rushing yards last week, and that doesn’t sound good for the Jaguars. Expect another disappointing stat line.
Mark Ingram, Houston Texans
Mark Ingram dominated the backfield last week. I would not expect an encore, however. The Texans led the entire game and controlled the ball. They are expected to be down against the Browns, and Ingram is not a third-down or a pass-catching back. This is an easy fade.
Kenyon Drake, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Jacobs has been ruled out. Peyton Barber is lurking to take touches away from Kenyan Drake, and going to Pittsburgh does not help either. The Steelers shut down the Bills in week one, and Drake is going to go up against a good Steelers' defense.
Mike Davis, Atlanta Falcons
Mike Davis was bottled up last week and lost touches to Cordarrelle Patterson. Playing a Tampa Bay defense that is tough against the run, Davis could struggle. If they fall behind quickly, we could see Patterson handling third-down duties. Tampa Bay shut down Ezekiel Elliot and is eyeing Mike Davis next.
Wide Receivers
Start em
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Brandin Cooks is the definition of consistency (when healthy of course). He produces no matter who the quarterback is, and last week was a prime example. Playing the Browns Sunday, he has a chance to go over 100 yards again against a defense that surrendered 197 to Tyreek Hill.
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bears are a middle-of-the-road defense in regards to passing defense, but Ja’Marr Chase is on a mission this season. He went over 100 yards and led the Bengals in targets. He’s the player to start in Cincinnati, and he is a solid WR2/Flex play.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams is my start of the week. He saw 12 targets last week and goes against a Dallas Cowboys defense that just got shredded against Tom Brady. I expect this to be a higher-scoring game, and Williams is going to put up some good numbers.
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles looked great last week against the Atlanta Falcons, and this week is no different for them against the San Francisco 49ers who just lost their top cornerback in Jason Verrett. Expect DeVonta to have another decent game, as the 49ers gave up three touchdowns a week before the Detroit Lions.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
No Odell Beckham again means Jarvis Landry is the WR1 for Cleveland. The Texans give up a lot of touchdowns to wide receivers and were ranked one of the worst in 2020. Expect Landry to have a respectable, but not crazy stat line. He is a good flex play this week.
Sit em
Robby Anderson, Carolina Panthers
What worries me is Robby Anderson was targeted three times last week in a revenge game against the New York Jets. With DJ Moore and the emergence of Terrace Marshall, I would fade Robby Anderson here against the Saints.
Corey Davis, New York Jets
It pains me to put Corey Davis in here, but the Patriots are good against the pass. With no Stephon Gilmore to shadow him, it would seem as if he has a chance to produce. I expect the Patriots to provide pressure to rookie Zach Wilson, and I think Elijah Moore is the one to lead the charge in the receiving game this Sunday.
Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
Julio Jones had a terrible week one for the Titans. He is looking to bounce back against the Seattle Seahawks. I just don’t see it yet. The Seahawk's passing defense improved overtime last season, and I think they’ll find a way to shut down Julio.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel took the WR1 job and ran last week with Brandon Aiyuk non-existent. The big question is, can he do it again? The Philadelphia Eagles defense held Atlanta receivers last week in check, and with Aiyuk hoping to produce, it seems like a tough play for Deebo to repeat his week one performance.
Tight Ends
Start em
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Tyler Higbee is on the rise as he played every snap last week for the Rams. Next up is a Colts team that surrendered a touchdown and 57 yards against Seattle's tight ends. Higbee is a nice play and should finish as a top ten tight end.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert has Zach Ertz to worry about, but he scored last week and looks to improve his stock as he plays the 49ers who allowed TJ Hockenson to have eight receptions for 97 yards with a touchdown. He should make for a top ten tight end this week.
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
Noah Fant should see an uptick in targets with Jerry Jeudy injured. Next up is a Jacksonville Jaguar defense that gave up 67 yards to Pharaoh Brown. Fant now elevates to most likely the second target in Denver, and with Teddy Bridgewater playing great ball, he’s a nice start this week.
Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers
Jared Cook is one of my favorites plays this week. Playing the Dallas Cowboys who just got torched by Gronk is an absolute dream matchup. Cook had eight targets last week, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him reach the red zone in this matchup.
Sit em
Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns
Austin Hooper isn’t a great play this week, as the Texans are in the middle of the pack in defending tight ends. Also have to factor in if the Browns go up against big that they will throw less. Hooper is mostly a flier tight end, but I would fade this week.
Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Ebron is a season-long fade at this point. He had one catch last week and is expected to lose targets to rookie Pat Freiermuth.
Mike Gesicki, Miami Dolphins
Mike Gesicki was a massive bust last week. No catches last week, but he does play a Bills defense that gives up a lot of catches to tight ends, although Gesicki is more of a slot receiver than a tight end. Still, I would not trust him after putting up a nothing burger against New England. I would sit him and see if he can pick up steam and not risk another bad week.
Quarterbacks
Start em
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Teddy Bridgewater is off to a great start in Denver. His only problem is he lost Jerry Jeudy for several weeks. I wouldn’t fade him, instead, he’s playing a Jacksonville Jaguar team that just got beat badly by Tyrod Taylor. I like Teddy this week to keep up the hot streak.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Big Ben is a plus start this week. He plays the Las Vegas Raiders who give up one of the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Ben and all of his WRs should be solid plays this week.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Once again, Jalen Hurts makes this list. He is set to play the San Francisco 49ers who just gave up a ton of yards to Jared Goff. If Goff can get to that defense, so can Jalen Hurts. He’s a solid start this week.
Sit em
Jared Goff
Jared Goff looked good this week, but in a Monday night football matchup against a Green Bay team, in Green Bay, just screams recipe for disaster. I would leave Goff on the waivers this week.
Tyrod Taylor
Tyrod Taylor benefitted last week playing a terrible Jacksonville team. This week he gets Cleveland who held Patrick Mahomes in check for a little bit last week. Expect the Browns to win big here. Taylor is going to have to rely on his run game and Brandin Cooks in this one.
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay comes into town, and Matt Ryan couldn’t have had a worse start to the season last week against the Eagles. Don’t expect him to bounce back against a strong Tampa Bay defense.
Derek Carr, Las Vegas Raiders
After an incredible win last Monday night, Derek Carr finds himself playing a Pittsburgh Steeler team that figured out Josh Allen. I wouldn’t expect big numbers on anyone from the Raiders, except maybe Darren Waller.