Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting in your fantasy football lineup this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 2. Here are our six fantasy football lineup landmines for Week 2.
Arguably, the most frustrating thing in fantasy football is seeing someone in your starting lineup struggle that week. Therefore, the logic behind this article is simple – identify fantasy football lineup landmines.
These are players you’re leaning towards starting in your fantasy football lineup this week but could end up being a landmine that blows up and destroys your starting lineup, potentially costing you your matchup.
Brace yourself and take cover. These six players could blow up in your face in Week 2. Here are our six fantasy football lineup landmines for Week 2.
Jackson was outstanding in Week 1, finishing as the QB5, scoring 25.1 fantasy points. The superstar had 122 rushing yards, accounting for 48.6% of his fantasy production. While he missed practice earlier this week with general soreness, Jackson is expected to play Sunday without limitation. However, fantasy players should temper their expectations. The veteran had 41 pass attempts last week, the fifth-most of his career and his highest total since the 2021 season. He won’t need to throw 41 passes for the Ravens to defeat the Raiders.
Baltimore rarely needs Jackson to throw 40 or more times a game because of their rushing attack and defense. They should have no trouble running the ball and shutting down Las Vegas’ offense this week. The Los Angeles Chargers averaged 6.5 yards per rushing attempt and held the Raiders to only five yards per play and 14 points in their Week 1 victory. Fantasy players should bet on Derrick Henry having a massive performance, with Jackson only throwing 20-25 attempts in the contest.
The Patriots pulled off the biggest upset in Week 1, defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 16-10. Stevenson played a significant role in the team’s win, totaling 25 rushing attempts for 120 yards and a touchdown, scoring 20.1 half-point PPR fantasy points. He also had three receptions on three targets, ranking third on the team in targets. The Week 1 game flow led to the star running back having a massive workload, touching the ball on 70.4% of New England’s successful offensive plays. Unfortunately, that likely won’t happen again in Week 2.
While the Seahawks won’t blow the Patriots out of the water, they are 3.5-point favorites despite playing an early kickoff on the road. More importantly, Seattle held the Denver Broncos backfield to only 64 rushing yards and 8.3 fantasy points on 26 touches in Week 1. Meanwhile, Stevenson averaged four yards after contact per rushing attempt in Week 1. By comparison, the Seahawks held the Broncos to only 1.72 yards after contact per rushing attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Sell high on Stevenson before Sunday’s matchup.
Fantasy players should be nervous about White. He was the RB19 in Week 1, scoring 13.6 half-point PPR fantasy points, thanks to his work in the passing game. The third-year player caught all six targets for 75 receiving yards against an awful Washington Commanders pass defense. Meanwhile, White struggled on the ground, totaling 15 rushing attempts for 31 yards. Furthermore, he averaged only 1.1 yards per rushing attempt without his longest run of the game (15 yards). By comparison, Bucky Irving had 62 rushing yards on nine attempts (6.9 YPC).
Unfortunately, White doesn’t have a cupcake matchup again in Week 2. The Lions held Kyren Williams to only 2.8 yards per rushing attempt and 12.9 fantasy points last week. Williams’ goal-line rushing score saved his fantasy performance, averaging only 0.34 fantasy points per touch outside of the touchdown. Furthermore, he had only three targets despite accounting for 92.7% of the backfield routes run (per Fantasy Points Data). Unless White has another 10.5 fantasy points in the passing game, he won’t finish the week as an RB2.
I have been one of the biggest Collins fans in the fantasy football community over the past few years. Yet, fantasy players should consider benching him in Week 2. The former Michigan star was the WR14 last week, scoring 14.7 half-point PPR fantasy points. However, he had an outstanding matchup against an Indianapolis Colts secondary that has had no answers for him since last season. Meanwhile, Stefon Diggs (six targets) and Tank Dell (seven) had a similar volume to Collins in the passing game (eight).
The star receiver will draw Jaylen Johnson in a primetime Week 2 matchup. Johnson is quietly one of the top pass defenders in the NFL, earning PFF’s second-best coverage grade in 2023 (90.4) among cornerbacks, allowing only half of the targets thrown his way to be completed. Similarly, he had a 92 PFF coverage grade, allowing only one reception for negative two yards last week while picking off Will Levis. Don’t be surprised if Collins has one of his quieter performances of the season Sunday night.
While the Saints got the 47-10 runaway victory in Week 1, fantasy players couldn’t be more unhappy with Olave’s performance. The former Ohio State star was the WR88 for the week, totaling 2.1 half-point PPR fantasy points. He had only two targets in the game, pulling in both for 11 yards on 52 snaps. However, the game was a 30-3 blowout by halftime. Olave ran only five routes in the second half of the game. Fantasy players should have high expectations for the star receiver this season, making him a buy-low candidate.
However, fantasy players should wait a week before exploring trade options for Olave. The former Ohio State star has an unfriendly matchup on Sunday against the Cowboys. Dallas held the Cleveland Browns wide receivers to nine receptions for 53 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 15.8 fantasy points last week. Furthermore, Amari Cooper had only 2.6 fantasy points on nine targets with a negative average separation score (per Fantasy Points Data). The Cowboys’ pass rush will put pressure on Derek Carr, further making Olave a risky start in Week 2.
Metcalf had a quiet Week 1 performance, finishing as the WR63, scoring 4.4 half-point PPR fantasy points. While the Seahawks dominated on the ground, the veteran had plenty of opportunities to put up fantasy points. He led the team in route run (24) while ranking second in air-yards share (32.3%) and first-read target share (22.2%) against the Denver Broncos (per Fantasy Points Data). However, Metcalf had only three receptions on four targets for 29 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he spent most of the game matched against Patrick Surtain II.
Fantasy players should expect things to turn around for the star receiver over the next few weeks. Metcalf faces the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, and New York Giants from Week 3 through Week 5. However, he has to face Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots on Sunday. The second-year cornerback only played four games as a rookie but looked like a star in the making. Last week, Ja’Marr Chase had only three receptions for 14 receiving yards when matched up against Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Geno Smith had no problem leaning on Tyler Lockett in Week 1, targeting the veteran on a third of his routes (per Fantasy Points Data). While brighter days are ahead for Metcalf, the veteran is a risky boom-or-bust WR3 against New England.
Mike Fanelli is a featured contributor for FantasyPros. He is also a featured contributor for BettingPros, RotoBaller, Pro Football Network, and the Faceoff Sports Network. Mike is also the former Editor in Chief and fantasy football expert for Prime Time Sports Talk. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_NFL2 and reach out anytime for fantasy football help.
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