Which under-the-radar players might be able to give your fantasy team a lift? Which chalky players might not be as safe as they seem? Our featured analysts name some potential sleepers and underachievers along with start/sit advice for Week 2.
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Fantasy Football Week 2 Start/Sit Advice
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?
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET)
“Sam LaPorta had a solid showing in his NFL debut. For his encore performance in Week 2, he gets a Seattle defense that was the second-best matchup for opposing tight ends in 2022. Look for him to explode as he picks up the slack for suspended Jameson Williams.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)
“Sam LaPorta did everything he was supposed to do for his NFL debut in week 1. He caught all 5 of his targets in the win versus the Chiefs, but it goes way deeper than just that. LaPorta played a ton, playing 83% of his team’s total offensive snaps, with the next best of the Lions TEs being Brock Wright at 39%. Out of all of the Lions’ skill position players on offense, only Amon-Ra St. Brown played a higher percentage of snaps at 94%. LaPorta provides opportunity and upside this week against a Seahawks team that just got punched in the mouth against a Cooper Kupp-less LA Rams. If you are looking for help at tight end, as we all are, LaPorta could be your man.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Luke Musgrave (TE – GB)
“The TE position is in shambles across fantasy land, so let’s go get a useful body, shall we? Luke Musgrave is an elite athlete locked into a big role (75% of snaps, 3 catches for 50 yards on 4 targets). He also should have had 2 scores last week and gets a Falcons defense that allowed a 5-41-1 line to Hayden Hurst. If Christian Watson is out again, Musgrave could be even busier than he was in week one.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO)
“Rashid Shaheed is my favorite sleeper. He racked up 88 yards on five receptions (six targets) and a touchdown. He also had 17.8 yards a reception. The Saints love to use him deep, and with Derek Carr in town, I expect more of the same in Week 2 against the Panthers.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
Quentin Johnston (WR – LAC)
“Quentin Johnston is a sneaky under-the-radar start in Week 2. While everyone overacted to the news that Joshua Palmer would start the year as the No. 3 wide receiver in Los Angeles, the rookie had more targets (3-1) and a higher target per route run rate (18.8%-3.2%) than the veteran last week. Yes, Johnston only had 1.9 half-point PPR fantasy points in Week 1, but he outscored Palmer. Meanwhile, the Titans gave up over 60 receiving yards to Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed last week. Now is the time to buy low on Johnston. Consider him a high-upside flex option/WR3 in Week 2.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Joshua Kelley (RB – LAC)
“Joshua Kelley looked strong running behind a top-tier offensive line in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. He ran for 91 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown. The Chargers seem poised to run both backs this season in a change from the regular “air raid” system employed in the past. His value will vastly increase if Austin Ekeler is out or slowed by the ankle injury.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Robert Woods (WR – IND)
“Robert Woods isn’t a fun pick for fantasy football, but he has sleeper appeal in week two. Woods saw 10 targets in his Week 1 match-up and produced 57 yards. The Colts’ defense just got shared by the Jaguars outside receivers. If Woods can continue to see double-digit targets, he could be someone who can sneak into the top 36 receivers for week two. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Zack Moss (RB – IND)
“Zack Moss missed Week 1, but I’m guessing he’ll return after practicing on Wednesday. Deon Jackson averaged just 1.55 yards per touch in the opener, while rookie Evan Hull is out. 12+ touches are in play here.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
Rashee Rice (KC)
“Rashee Rice is my top sleeper start for week 2. Entering Week 1, we were unsure what the Kansas City Chiefs passing offense would look like. Skyy Moore continues to disappoint, Kadarius Toney had a horrible game, and Marquez Valdez-Scantling continues to be a deep threat only. Rice looked the part of a quality NFL receiver in his first game, seeing a target on 41.6% of his routes in Week 1, according to PFF. With the lack of a number one WR on the Chiefs, I am willing to take the shot on Rice continuing to grow his role and becoming the 2nd best-receiving option for Mahomes behind Kelce. In a matchup against the Jaguars that carries a 51-point over/under, there should be plenty of passing yards to go around, and I am willing to take the chance that Rice continues to be the best WR on the team after his Week 1 performance.”
– Dylan Licciardo (FF Gamers)
Kendrick Bourne (WR – NE)
“Kendrick Bourne is fresh off a Week 1 performance that saw him finish as wide receiver four on the week. Bourne saw 11 targets, which was good for 20% of the target share in Week 1, and the chemistry between Mac Jones and Kendrick Bourne looks good. Kendrick Bourne led all receivers in Week 1 in yards in the red zone and managed to punch his touchdown ticket while earning 40% of the target share in the red zone. Looking for Bourne to exceed projections and expectations as he sees a matchup in Week 2 against the Dolphins, who just allowed a ton of points in their Week 1 matchup against the Chargers in a revamped Bill O’Brien offensive scheme.”
– Derek Dennington (The Good Old Boys Fantasy Football Podcast)
Justice Hill (RB – BAL)
“The unfortunate news of J.K. Dobbins suffering a torn Achilles opened the door for more opportunities for Justice Hill and Gud Edwards. Hill stepped up with two touchdowns. Hill was projected to be the primary back In passing situations coming into the season, and now we will get to see Hill in a more prominent role in the Ravens offense. The Ravens’ offense struggled overall in Week 1, and it faces the Bengals-this week. Look for the Ravens to open up the offense against the Bengals, who look to bounce back from a poor performance and will also open their offense and what should be a great game. This type of game should allow Hill to shine and will be a must-start this week. ”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
Allen Robinson II (WR – PIT)
“Allen Robinson II, in Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns, has a good opportunity to outperform his current ECR. The veteran already looked comfortable last week in an uncomfortable situation (namely, the 49ers just trouncing the Steelers from the start), and with Diontae Johnson out for at least a couple of weeks, Robinson will be called upon (along with Freiermuth) to act as a safety blanket for the struggling offense. ”
– David Biggs (Drink Five)
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Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
Alexander Mattison (RB – MIN)
“Alexander Mattison’s Week 1 was saved by a touchdown after he averaged an inefficient 3.09 yards per carry against the Buccaneers. In Week 2, he faces an Eagles defense that held Rhamondre Stevenson to 2.08 yards per carry and was the second-worst matchup for opposing running backs in 2022. Mattison will have a tough time voluming his way to relevance in Week 2.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)
“It would have been a truly ugly day for Alexander Mattison in Week 1 had he not registered a touchdown catch against the Bucs. Now, Mattison gets a Thursday night date with the Philadelphia Eagles. I have been one of Mattison’s biggest fans over the course of the offseason, so it hurts me to say this, but this week feels like a no-go. Mattison was brutal on the ground against a good Bucs defensive front, averaging a measly 3.1 yards per carry on 11 carries. Now he is going up against arguably the most stout defensive front in the NFL Thursday night, no thank you. Try and get off of Mattison for this week, but better days are coming for him.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“Alexander Mattison was the RB18 in Week 1, scoring 11.9 half-point PPR fantasy points. However, his fantasy performance was saved by a short-yardage receiving touchdown. Without the touchdown, the former Boise State running back would have scored only 4.5 fantasy points after averaging only 3.1 yards per rushing attempt and 0.57 fantasy points per touch (outside of the touchdown). This week, he faces a Philadelphia defense that held Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott to only 2.8 yards per rushing attempt. Mattison is a risky flex option, at best, this week.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Alexander Mattison is the player that I believe will disappoint fantasy managers this week. Mattison struggled in his first game as the lead back for the Minnesota Vikings, averaging just 3.1 yards per carry, saving his fantasy day with a touchdown catch. However, he now faces an incredibly tough matchup against the Philidelphia Eagles. The Eagles’ defensive line is dominant, and the Vikings are already dealing with injuries along the offensive line. Mattison could be in store for another inefficient day and may not bail out fantasy managers with another touchdown and could be one of the biggest disappointments of week 2.”
– Dylan Licciardo (FF Gamers)
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC)
“I’m not sure what to make of this KC backfield, as CEH technically got the start last week, while Pacheco logged just 48% of the snaps. He is usually not a big player in the passing game; it’s tough to trust him going into a potential shootout with the Jaguars. To their credit, the Jaguars was the #2 defense against the run in Week 1.”
– Kevin Roberts (Breaking Football)
Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)
“Garrett Wilson is someone who gives me concern. Without Aaron Rodgers, we have returned back to the Zach Wilson era. That’s something that scares me for future fantasy success. Especially when Wilson has to go face the Dallas Cowboys defense that just put up one of the best performances in recent history.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
Rachaad White (RB -TB)
“Rachaad White was a pre-season favorite of many fantasy managers after being handed the RB1 in Tampa. In Week 1, he was given most of the carries but was extremely inefficient, rushing 17 times for 39 yards (2.29 ypc). That will need to improve for him to be a valuable start for most teams. He is currently an RB2 in more leagues at ECR RB #20 (.5 PPR). Baker Mayfield showed signs of life, which could lead to more passing, and with that terrible inefficiency could open the door for rookie Sean Tucker to get some carries.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Joe Mixon (RB – CIN)
“Joe Mixon is my top 40 player who will likely disappoint fantasy managers in week two. For one, the Bengals offense looks like a mess right now, and the offensive line did not help the cause. Mixon has a tough matchup against the Ravens, who held their week one opponent under 50 rushing yards. Mixon’s career average against the Ravens has been about 55 yards, and he only scored four rushing touchdowns in 11 outings against them. Joe Mixon could have a bad day if the Bengals can’t pick themselves up in week two. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Raheem Mostert (RB – MIA)
“Raheem Mostert delivered 13 PPR points for fantasy managers in the opener. Solid, sure. But the matchup stiffens this week against a talented Patriots front seven. We’ll also see if Miami activates rookie speedster Devon Achane.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
Tony Pollard (RB – DAL)
“Tony Pollard coming off an impressive performance, finishing running back five on the week, finding the endzone twice against the Giants. As great as Pollard’s performance was in Week 1, it was outshined by the Dallas defensive unit that dismantled the Giants at every opportunity. Dallas hosts another New York team, with the Jets coming to the Big D, whose defense was spectacular, managing to defeat the Bills and forcing four Josh Allen turnovers. Pollard will get opportunities in this matchup, but look for him to underperform his RB6 rank coming into the week and miss his 15 pts projected in 0.5 ppr.”
– Derek Dennington (The Good Old Boys Fantasy Football Podcast)
Jamaal Williams (RB – NO)
” Jamaal Williams handled all but one of the Saints RB touches in Week 1 but failed to help fantasy managers with a poor Week 1 fantasy line with 45 rushing yards on 18 rushes. His poor success rate notwithstanding, it is a safe bet that he will have a ton of volume this week against the Panthers, whom he faced last season in Week 16 and posted only 11 yards on seven carries. Unless he falls into the endzone, Williams will not be an RB you want to start this week. ”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
“Jamaal Williams is a terrific teammate and – as he showed last season – is not too bad at getting the football across the goal line, either! But when tasked as the primary rusher last week, his performance was mostly uninspired, and this impending matchup against the Panthers may see the regular season debut of rookie Kendre Miller as well. Even if Williams is once again utilized as the main force on the ground for the Saints, his performance will end up being touchdown-dependent at best.”
– David Biggs (Drink Five)
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