Our fantasy football Week 2 picks covers sleepers, busts, start/sits, and more. This week, I talk about quarterbacks such as Josh Allen and Philip Rivers who are must starts, while players such as Deshaun Watson and Carson Wentz should raise some red flags with their matchups. I also break down running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends who you should consider starting and sitting in Week 2.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Picks: Start these Quarterbacks
Josh Allen and Philip Rivers have great matchups in Week 2 while Dak Prescott and Jimmy Garoppolo head that second tier of quarterbacks you should take a look at for your fantasy lineups.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (at Miami Dolphins)
Josh Allen tossed the rock 46 times for over 300 passing yards in Week 1…could this be a sign of things to come? I hope so! Let’s not forget that he rushed for almost 50 yards and a score as well. This week, he can thrive on a matchup with the Dolphins that allowed Cam Newton to rush for 75 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns in Week 1. The sky is the limit for Allen, who has pretty much dominated the FISH throughout his career thus far.
Philip Rivers, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Rivers threw for over 350 yards in Week 1, and I see much of the same this Sunday against a young Vikings secondary that got destroyed last week by Green Bay. TY Hilton and Parris Campbell should win their matchups, considering Minnesota gave up over 150 yards and 2 touchdowns to the Packers receivers last week.
Quarterback Sleepers in Week 2
- Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
- Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers (at New York Jets)
Fantasy Football Week 2 Busts: Quarterbacks
Heading into Week 2, you should consider sitting these quarterbacks as their matchups are less than ideal. Below, I explain why Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz, Daniel Jones, and Drew Lock are quarterbacks you likely want to stay away from.
Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
Watson was under pressure for most of the game last week, and it does not get any easier this Sunday against an excellent Ravens defense. Watson had his worst game last season against the Ravens, and now faces them again without DeAndre Hopkins…oh my!
Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
Until Carson Wentz can play behind a legit offensive line, chances are that you don’t want to start him in fantasy. Lane Jonson is expected back this week, but that still won’t be enough to stop Aaron Donald and crew.
Other quarterbacks who may bust in Week 2
- Daniel Jones, New York Giants (at Chicago Bears)
- Drew Lock, Denver Broncos (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
Fantasy Football Week 2 Picks: Start these Running Backs
Jonathan Taylor is picking up momentum while Benny Snell had a big game after filling in for the injured James Conner. Here’s why you should strongly consider starting both of these running backs in Week 2.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Marlon Mack is out for the season with an injury, so it’s next man up for the Colts. Taylor should become the lead back moving forward and is facing a favorable match-up against the Vikings. Taylor barely played in 50% of the snaps last Sunday, but that is about to change very soon.
Benny Snell, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Denver Broncos)
There is a possibility that James Conner may miss Week 2 with an ankle injury, but Steelers fans aren’t concerned because Snell is a solid “next man up.” Snell had an impressive training camp, and looked great in Week 1, rushing for over 100 yards on Monday night.
Running Back Sleepers in Week 2
- Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles Rams (at Philadelphia Eagles)
- Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Fantasy Football Week 2 Busts: Running Backs
Melvin Gordon and Frank Gore lead the list of running backs you should be wary of this weekend. Both have tough matchups, which I explain in more detail below.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos (at Pittsburgh Steelers)
The Steelers shut down one of the best running backs in the NFL in Week 1…chances are they do it again in Week 2 against Gordon. Even though Gordon is expected to get the bulk of the carries with Phillip Lindsay out, the matchup will be brutal considering the Steelers defense held Saquon Barkley to six rushing yards. Yes…you read that correctly!
Frank Gore, New York Jets (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
Le’Veon Bell has been placed on IR, therefore Gore steps into the starting role. But, this week will be a difficult matchup against the 49ers who are stingy not only allowing rushing yards but passing yards to backs as well. The Jets ran the fewest offensive plays than any team in Week 1, so there is the concern Gore will not have a lot of opportunities.
Wide Receivers to start in your Week 2 fantasy lineups
Allen Robinson and Parris Campbell are my top two wide receiver choices here, with Michael Gallup and Scotty Miller offering nice sleeper opportunities in Week 2.
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears (vs. New York Giants)
This is a great matchup for this disgruntled wide receiver who has an opportunity to state his case for a new contract against one of the worst secondaries in the NFL. Steelers wide receivers were able to put up 200 yards and 3 touchdowns on the Giants, and I believe Robinson will be a big part of the Bears game plan Sunday.
Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Campbell was targeted 9 times in Week 1 and looks like an instant connection with Philip Rivers. The Vikings DBs are young and developing. They allowed the Packers wide receiver group to have a field day on Sunday, and we should expect the same with the Colts. Campbell also has a favorable match up out of the slot.
Wide Receiver Sleepers in Week 2
- Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys (vs. Atlanta Falcons)
- Scotty Miller, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Sit Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team (at Arizona Cardinals) in Week 2
Last week in Week 1, McLaurin was shadowed by Darius Slay and only went 5 for 61 yards. This week doesn’t get much easier, and I’m anticipating an occasional matchup against Patrick Peterson. Rough two weeks! I’m still not sold on Dwayne Haskins and anticipate Haskins struggling to connect with McLaurin on Sunday.
Tight End Starters in Week 2
If you’re looking to stream a tight end or have any of these players on your roster, look at Logan Thomas and Jared Cook as two tight ends you should strongly consider starting in Week 2. Other options include Dallas Goedert and Ian Thomas.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team (at Arizona Cardinals)
Thomas was targeted eight times and found the end zone in Week 1. He was on the field more than 85% of the offensive possessions and has developed good chemistry with Dwayne Haskins. The matchup isn’t extremely favorable, but his expected volume is attractive.
Jared Cook, New Orleans Saints (at Las Vegas Raiders)
Saints wide receiver, Michael Thomas, is expected to be out for a few weeks with an ankle injury. Cook should see more volume, especially in the red zone because of Thomas’ injury. Cook was targeted 7 times for 80 yards last Sunday, and I see that target share increasing against a young and inexperienced Raiders defense.
Tight End Sleepers in Week 2
- Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. Los Angeles Rams)
- Ian Thomas, Carolina Panthers (at Tampa Bay Buccaneers)