Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season is in the books, and we finally have some new data to challenge (or solidify) our preconceived notions about player value. Some of the players we considered to be sure-fire starters now look like either borderline starters or bench guys. Some of the players we considered depth pieces now look as if they might be able to provide immediate lineup help.

With Week 2 on our doorstep, our featured analysts identify some potential sleepers and underachievers.

If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, be sure to check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup, based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant – which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team, and by how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.

Q. Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?

Kyle Phillips (WR – TEN)
“Kyle Philips led the Tennessee Titans last week in targets with nine and was 2/2 on contested catches. Philips was aligned in the slot on 68% of his routes in Week 1 and caught three first-down passes. The Titans go on the road to Buffalo this week, so the game plan for the Titans may go out the window early in the contest, forcing Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill to push the ball down the field through the air.”
– Mason Riney (IDP Army)

Josh Palmer (WR – LAC)
“Josh Palmer gets a major opportunity this week with Keenan Allen sidelined by a hamstring injury. Allen was injured early in the Chargers’ season opener, and Palmer wound up playing 75% of the Chargers’ offensive snaps. His three catches netted only 5 yards, and he also had a 4-yard run for a first down. The talented second-year receiver from the University of Tennessee figures to have an even more robust snap share against the Chiefs on Thursday night. That game has an over/under of 54.5 — the highest total on the board this week — so fireworks are expected, and Palmer could be a big part of the show.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Zay Jones (WR – JAC)
“I like Zay Jones this week as a WR3/Flex option. He had six receptions for 65 receiving yards in his first game catching passes from Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence dropped back 42 times in a six-point loss against the Washington Commanders. Jones saw the second most targets on the Jaguars while also tying Christian Kirk for the most routes run on the team. The Jaguars are slightly larger underdogs this week in a game with a higher total, even having a higher implied team total this week. I think Jones has WR2 upside in Week 2. ”
– Jon Jeune (Fantasy Football Diagnostics)

Khalil Herbert (RB – CHI)
“Khalil Herbert has a great opportunity. I might be a week early here, but Herbert looked good in his limited opportunity against San Francisco while Montgomery… not so much. It was a rough game all around, but based on Herbert’s brief stint as the starter last season, it’s going to be hard to keep him off the field much longer. Plus, Green Bay could be without Quay Walker and Krys Barnes at linebacker.”
– Tyler Moore (King Fantasy Sports)

Donovan Peoples-Jones (WR – CLE)
“I’m loving Donovan Peoples-Jones in Week 2 vs. the Jets. Rookie CB Sauce Gardner performed well in his first outing, allowing just a single catch for eight yards in coverage, and now will probably spend plenty of time around veteran wideout Amari Cooper. DPJ was one of just eight WRs in Week 1 to see 10+ targets and led the team in routes run. Opportunity should be plentiful once again as the Browns look to establish stability in the passing game for Jacoby Brissett.”
– Kate Magdziuk (BallBlast)

Gerald Everett (TE – LAC)
“There is no better option for fantasy managers who love to stream tight ends weekly than the Los Angeles Chargers’ Gerald Everett. Everett signed with the Chargers this past offseason and delivered in Week 1 with three catches for 54 yards and a touchdown. Everett finished as the Week 1 TE4 and will be counted on this week to produce in the matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs Thursday Night. Additionally, the Chargers will be without tight end Donald Parham and wide receiver Keenan Allen. As a result, plenty of vacant targets will be available, with the Chargers needing to match the Chiefs’ firepower in what should be a high-scoring matchup.”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)

Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?

Rashaad Penny (RB – SEA)
“Rashaad Penny and the Seattle Seahawks are facing a stout front seven in San Francisco in week 2. Penny averaged 5 yards a carry on 12 rushing attempts and caught 2 of 3 targets through the air for 7 yards in week 1. The 49ers, after one week of NFL play, find themselves in the middle of the NFL in opponent rushing yards allowed (99yards) on 37 attempts, making them tied for the third most in the NFL. ”
– Mason Riney (IDP Army)

Mike Evans (WR – TB)
“Mike Evans. He’s up against ace CB Marshon Lattimore in New Orleans, and this has been a tough matchup for Evans. These are Evans’ stat lines in his last seven games against the Saints, including playoff games: 0-0-0, 4-69-0, 1-2-1, 4-64-0, 1-3-1, 2-48-1 and 1-14-0. That averages out to 1.9 catches, 28.6 yards and 0.4 touchdowns. Evans is good enough to overcome a tough matchup, and of course you’re going to start him, but you probably shouldn’t expect a smash game.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Najee Harris (RB – PIT)
“I could see fantasy managers being disappointed with the performance of Najee Harris this week. Not only is a dealing with an injury and could be limited as a result, but he’s also facing Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots coming off a loss, and it’s safe to say Harris will be the focal point of the Patriots’ defensive game plan. His game also has one of the lowest totals on the week and has one of the lowest implied team totals. Just a lot of cons for Harris this week that make me think he will be a disappointing start if he even suits up. ”
– Jon Jeune (Fantasy Football Diagnostics)

“The concern for Steelers RB Najee Harris in Week 2 is real! Not only does he have to work behind the atrocious offensive line they’ve put in place, but he also has to do it at less than 100%. He was forced from Week 1 early with an ankle injury, but not before posting a god-awful 26 scrimmage yards on 12 touches. The only thing to save his day for fantasy managers was a receiving touchdown on the goal line – otherwise, we would have been toast! Harris himself said he should be good to go this week, but plan to sprinkle your lineup with some high-upside flex options to offset what is likely to be a disappointing week.”
– Kate Magdziuk (BallBlast)

Clyde Edwards-Helaire
“Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He was buoyed by two receiving touchdowns last week, but the volume still isn’t quite there. The passing game usage is encouraging though, and most likely he was game scripted out and replaced by backups once the game was in hand in the KC-ARI blowout. Still, LAC is a good defense and I don’t think CEH will have a very successful day this week.”
– Tyler Moore (King Fantasy Sports)

Josh Jacobs (RB – LV)
“I believe Josh Jacobs will continue to disappoint fantasy managers after a Week 1 that saw Jacobs produce 57 rushing yards while seeing just one target. The Raiders went with a pass-heavy game plan in their Week 1 loss to the Chargers. With an implied 51.5 total points scored suggested by Vegas oddsmakers, there seems to be reasoning that their matchup against the Arizona Cardinals will involve more of the explosive Raiders’ passing game. Unfortunately, Jacobs played just 58.9% of the Week 1 snaps with only 22 percent running plays. His lack of involvement in the passing game with Brandon Bolden taking over the backfield pass-catching duties limits his ceiling and the ability to provide value as a Week 2 option for fantasy managers. ”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)

Thanks to the experts for sharing their advice! For more of their insight, be sure to follow each pundit on Twitter (click their names above) and visit their respective sites.

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If you want to dive deeper into fantasy football, check out our award-winning slate of Fantasy Football Tools as you navigate your season. From our Start/Sit Assistant – which provides your optimal lineup based on accurate consensus projections – to our Waiver Wire Assistant, which allows you to quickly see which available players will improve your team and how much – we’ve got you covered this fantasy football season.