Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 2

The Rams, Packers and Falcons set the standard for surprising Week 1 fantasy football stars. But single-game performances are not always sustainable, and I have potential breakout fantasy players Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Love and Tyler Allgeier ranked near the start/sit benchmark for Week 2. Read on to see which players land where.

The positional rankings and projected fantasy point totals rely on half-PPR scoring. The listed start/sit calls assume a 12-team league with 2 running back, 3 wide receiver, 1 tight end, and 1 flex starting lineup spots. If your league is different, I recommend you start my higher ranked players over my lower ranked players.

You can find my weekly rankings and those of other FTN writers here.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 2

Quarterbacks

9. Justin Fields, CHI at TB

27.1-196-1.27-0.84 and 7.4-51-0.25 = 17.9 fantasy points

Justin Fields may not have inspired confidence in his franchise quarterback status in his Week 1 loss to the Packers. But he took 31.0% of the Bears’ rushing attempts, tied for fourth among quarterbacks for the week and in line with his 31.4% rate from 2022. Fields should excel in fantasy as long as he can keep his starting job.

10. Kirk Cousins, MIN at PHI

38.6-279-1.77-0.77 and 1.6-5-0.10 = 17.8

Kirk Cousins has averaged 1.2 more fantasy points per game at home than on the road in his Vikings career. Don’t expect another 344 yards and two touchdowns on a short week in Philadelphia, but Cousins keeps his QB1 status nonetheless.

11. Dak Prescott, DAL vs. NYJ

34.9-250-1.87-0.94 and 3.3-13-0.12 = 17.6

Dak Prescott increased his home field fantasy advantage to 3.3 points per game with a modest outing in a 40-0 Giants blowout in Week 1. That may not have been how one drew it up, but Prescott still seems likely to improve his productivity even against the Jets at home in Week 2. Start him, but mind the potential for frequent Tony Pollard touchdown thefts.

12. Anthony Richardson, IND at HST

31.3-209-1.16-0.85 and 6.5-34-0.41 = 17.2

Anthony Richardson took 38.5% of the Colts’ rushing attempts in Week 1, second among quarterbacks for the week and higher than any quarterback took in 2022. If he’s healthy enough to start, he should be in your fantasy lineups.

13. Matthew Stafford, LA vs. SF

36.0-273-1.58-0.83 and 1.4-3-0.11 = 16.5

I think that if Matthew Stafford had Cooper Kupp — or faced a different opponent than the 49ers — I would be ready to start him in Week 2. He averaged an incredible 8.8 yards per pass attempt with Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell at receiver on Sunday and suffered a 1.97 expected touchdown shortfall that was the second unluckiest at the position. Stafford was the No. 11 fantasy quarterback in a healthy 2021, and I could see a return to that standard this season.

14. Deshaun Watson, CLV at PIT

29.8-217-1.34-0.78 and 4.8-29-0.14 = 16.3

Deshaun Watson did not fuel the narrative of his bounceback fantasy season with a modest 154 passing yards and one passing touchdown in Week 1. But it was raining in Cleveland, and Watson ran for 45 yards and a touchdown. His 20.5% projected carry share is seventh highest among Week 2 starters and keeps him close to the QB1 standard despite the passing uncertainty.

15. Jordan Love, GB at ATL

31.4-239-1.48-0.66 and 3.3-14-0.12 = 16.3

Jordan Love demanded a high waiver priority with a three-touchdown Packers debut. And I am optimistic for his fantasy success with the help of a 15.5% projected carry share that is tied for 10th among Week 2 starters. But Love enjoyed his breakout against a Bears defense that ranked 31st in projected defensive DVOA. I would wait for an encore before I trusted him as a shallow-league QB1.

16. Geno Smith, SEA at DET

32.3-231-1.55-0.61 and 2.6-14-0.04 = 15.9

I don’t want to overreact to Geno Smith‘s meager 112 passing yards and one touchdown versus what many assumed to be a rebuilding Rams team. But he was a borderline QB1 candidate before the season with just one year of fantasy success to his credit. I would prefer to bench Smith in Week 2 and see if he bounces back.

17. Kenny Pickett, PIT vs. CLV

36.8-235-1.51-0.88 and 2.7-12-0.16 = 15.8

Kenny Pickett and his Steelers looked terrible against the 49ers in Week 1. But San Francisco ranked fifth in projected defensive DVOA. And Pickett led quarterbacks with 11 red zone pass attempts and netted just one passing touchdown. Leave him on your shallow benches, especially with Diontae Johnson poised to miss a few weeks with a hamstring injury. But I wouldn’t outright drop Pickett in medium and deeper formats. I still expect a Year 2 breakout.

18. Russell Wilson, DEN vs. WAS

32.0-234-1.44-0.64 and 2.8-13-0.08 = 15.7

19. Jared Goff, DET vs. SEA

34.5-252-1.52-0.48 and 1.2-2-0.02 = 15.6

20. Derek Carr, NO at CAR

35.4-261-1.52-0.92 and 1.8-6-0.04 = 15.5

21. Mac Jones, NE vs. MIA

33.9-248-1.54-0.85 and 2.4-7-0.05 = 15.3

22. Daniel Jones, NYG at ARZ

31.2-205-1.00-0.59 and 5.8-28-0.20 = 15.0

Running Backs

18. Jamaal Williams, NO at CAR

15.6-61-0.62 and 1.9-1.5-10-0.04 = 11.8

19. James Cook, BUF vs. LV

12.9-61-0.30 and 4.0-2.8-19-0.09 = 11.7

20. Alexander Mattison, MIN at PHI

14.0-54-0.50 and 2.9-2.3-15-0.10 = 11.7

21. Raheem Mostert, MIA at NE

13.3-62-0.35 and 2.8-2.1-14-0.08 = 11.3

22. Dameon Pierce, HST vs. IND

14.1-59-0.37 and 2.8-2.1-13-0.06 = 10.8

23. Javonte Williams, DEN vs. WAS

11.8-51-0.33 and 3.8-2.9-17-0.09 = 10.8

24. David Montgomery, DET vs. SEA

14.3-56-0.40 and 2.0-1.6-13-0.05 = 10.4

25. D’Andre Swift, PHI vs. MIN

10.6-51-0.36 and 2.9-2.1-16-0.09 = 10.4

D’Andre Swift could hardly have underwhelmed any more with a 29% Week 1 snap share versus 62% for Eagles incumbent Kenneth Gainwell. But Gainwell injured his ribs Sunday afternoon and looks likely to sit out Week 2. I’m hardly confident, but at least Swift played over Rashaad Penny last weekend. And Swift lapped Penny with a 15.3% versus a 5.3% target share the last three seasons. Swift’s high ceiling balances a low floor.

26. Isiah Pacheco, KC at JAX

10.5-49-0.33 and 2.6-2.1-16-0.05 = 9.9

Isiah Pacheco found himself in a three-back time share in Week 1, which is one more back than at least I expected. But while the second-year starter saw a narrow 8-6 carry advantage over Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Pacheco played 48% of snaps and saw four targets. Those were the fourth highest and highest of his career.

27. Dalvin Cook, NYJ at DAL

11.3-49-0.36 and 2.4-1.8-13-0.06 = 9.6

Breece Hall outproduced him with an incredible 127 yards on 10 carries, but Dalvin Cook nearly doubled Hall up with a 50% versus a 32% snap share. Cook could see that advantage continue for several weeks as Hall finds his legs after a 2022 ACL injury and remains a fantasy starter even with Zach Wilson under center.

28. Jahmyr Gibbs, DET vs. SEA

7.6-35-0.22 and 3.6-2.9-24-0.10 = 9.3

Jahmyr Gibbs played a modest 27% of snaps in the Thursday opener. That rate would likely sabotage his flex value, but I can’t imagine it will continue. Gibbs broke a tackle on five of his seven carries. He may yield the bulk of the Lions’ red zone carries to the bigger David Montgomery, but Gibbs can support flex value with high target shares and explosive touch rates.

29. Breece Hall, NYJ at DAL

9.1-54-0.27 and 2.2-1.5-12-0.05 = 9.3

Breece Hall may not cross the century mark with many more 32% snap weeks. But the sophomore back should see that rate increase as he plays his way back from a torn ACL. And Hall demonstrated his breakaway skills with a 10.0% explosive run rate in 2022 that was the second best among backs with 75 or more carries. Start him and expect some semi-routine long touchdown runs.

30. AJ Dillon, GB at ATL

10.7-42-0.39 and 2.6-1.9-15-0.06 = 9.3

AJ Dillon would be an obvious fantasy starter if Aaron Jones missed time with his hamstring injury. But I rank Dillon as a flex starter in Week 2 even assuming Jones plays. Dillon’s seven rushing touchdowns were tied for 16th among running backs in 2022. And his three red zone carries and two carries inside the 5-yard line in Week 1 netted him a 1.13 expected touchdown shortfall that was second highest at his position.

31. Samaje Perine, DEN vs. WAS

7.8-34-0.20 and 3.7-2.9-22-0.12 = 8.9

A junior Dalvin Cook to Breece Hall, Samaje Perine matched his more talented teammate Javonte Williams with a 45% snap share in Week 1 as Williams works his way back from a major 2022 knee injury. Perine’s four Week 1 catches may owe a little to the Broncos’ lack of healthy wide receivers, a position that could improve if Jerry Jeudy plays in Week 2. But Perine saw 51 targets in his final Bengals season in 2022. His pass protection skills earn him plenty of opportunities to catch passes.

32. Khalil Herbert, CHI at TB

10.4-51-0.29 and 1.8-1.3-10-0.04 = 8.7

So much for Khalil Herbert‘s bell-cow preseason RB1 role. In Week 1, he mired in a three-back time share with a 37% snap share versus 39% for Roschon Johnson and 28% for D’Onta Foreman. I’m somewhat optimistic that Herbert will return to the top of that heap if the Bears can stay within a touchdown of the Bucs and spend less time in the obvious passing situations that Johnson seems to handle. But he is my last Week 2 flex starter, and his hold of that status is tenuous.

33. Brian Robinson, WAS at DEN

13.8-53-0.33 and 1.3-1.0-6-0.04 = 8.6

Brian Robinson set a career high with a 61% snap share in Week 1 and out-touched teammate Antonio Gibson 20-4. I was tempted to separate them in my projected carry and target shares. But then some astute Twitter followers pointed out that Gibson seemed benched because he lost a fumble. I might wait another week to confirm that Robinson is a clear lead back rather than start him in Denver this weekend.

34. Antonio Gibson, WAS at DEN

9.3-36-0.32 and 2.6-2.1-16-0.08 = 8.5

The distinction won’t matter if you are in my template league and bench Antonio Gibson. The second “sit” player is the same as the 22nd. But I think it’s important to note that Gibson overcame his fumble problems and declined from six fumbles in 2021 to just one in 2022. And if he reasserts his receiving back role in Week 2, then Gibson would likely match Robinson’s fantasy potential.

35. Cam Akers, LA vs. SF

12.4-44-0.40 and 1.6-1.2-9-0.04 = 8.5

Cam Akers played a surprising secondary Week 1 role with a 35% snap share versus 65% for Kyren Williams. The reverse could have buoyed both players in fantasy since Williams caught 77 passes his last two seasons at Notre Dame and had potential as at minimum a receiving back. But Akers has just 27 catches in 30 career NFL games. If the Week 1 split continues, the Akers is a bet on a touchdown, and one that I dislike after Williams outcarried him six to two in the red zone last Sunday.

36. Tyler Allgeier, ATL vs. GB

10.2-49-0.29 and 1.4-1.1-8-0.03 = 8.1

Tyler Allgeier teased a rare potential second running back RB2 possibility with 18 touches and two touchdowns behind No. 8 draft pick Bijan Robinson Sunday. But before you lock him into your Week 2 lineups, consider that success came against a Panthers opponent that ranked 28th in preseason DVOA. Arthur Smith may want to run 26 times per game. But he’ll need consistent multi-touchdown leads to make that happen. I could absolutely see that in Week 2 even after the Packers’ dismantling of the Bears last weekend. But I’m not ready to bet on it with Allgeier as a flex starter.

37. Deon Jackson, IND at HST

8.3-27-0.22 and 3.6-2.9-19-0.08 = 7.9

It won’t matter if he continues to play 71% of snaps and see 18 touches per game. But Deon Jackson played a dreadful opener with 1.1 yards per attempt, two fumbles, and a -66 DYAR that is the second worst in the history of that metric dating back to 1981. If Zack Moss returns from his broken arm in Week 2, then he will likely play a healthy snap share.

38. Ezekiel Elliott, NE vs. MIA

8.1-31-0.32 and 2.8-2.0-12-0.07 = 7.6

Ezekiel Elliott will find himself in flex territory if he continues his Week 1 workload of seven carries and seven targets per game. But assumed starter Rhamondre Stevenson fell ill last Friday and seemed less than 100% Sunday afternoon. I’m open to a possible committee. But for now, I expect Stevenson to play a clear lead back role.

39. Zack Moss, IND at HST

9.0-40-0.27 and 1.9-1.5-10-0.04 = 7.6

You might be tempted to start Zack Moss in his return from a broken arm as a reaction to Deon Jackson‘s historically inefficient debut. But Moss averaged fewer than 20 catches in three mostly healthy Bills seasons. He would likely need to score to find flex value even as the Colts’ RB1. And he may struggle to find the end zone with a 6-foot-4, 232-pound quarterback with 4.43 speed.

40. Jaylen Warren, PIT vs. CLV

7.1-31-0.19 and 3.2-2.6-17-0.07 = 7.6

The Steelers found themselves in a quick multi-touchdown hole against the 49ers on Sunday. That’s a situation that should skew playing time to third-down back, and yet Jaylen Warren played just 40% of snaps versus 52% for Najee Harris. Don’t believe the preseason narrative. Harris is the RB1 in Pittsburgh. Leave Warren on your fantasy benches.

41. Kyren Williams, LA vs. SF

8.4-33-0.26 and 2.8-2.0-13-0.06 = 7.5

As mentioned, Kyren Williams outsnapped Cam Akers 65% to 35% and outcarried him 6-2 in the red zone in Week 1. I’m absolutely fine if you want to start him in Week 2. He lands at 41st in my running back rankings because my weekly projections regress playing time for players with little or no experience with their projected carry and target shares. He’ll shoot up if he continues his Week 1 role for the next couple of weeks.

42. Justice Hill, BLT at CIN

9.5-39-0.31 and 1.6-1.3-8-0.03 = 7.4

Watch the news on this one. I’m currently projecting Justice Hill for a modest 37.5% carry share versus a 24.5% share for Gus Edwards and a 7.0% share for Melvin Gordon in Week 2. But it’s very possible that Hill asserts the workhorse role he teased after J.K. Dobbins went down Sunday.

43. Chuba Hubbard, CAR vs. NO

8.4-37-0.22 and 2.2-1.7-13-0.05 = 7.4

44. Jerick McKinnon, KC at JAX

2.7-11-0.08 and 4.3-3.3-28-0.22 = 7.4

45. Joshua Kelley, LAC at TEN

8.7-38-0.28 and 1.6-1.1-7-0.03 = 6.9

46. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC at JAX

6.3-27-0.18 and 1.6-1.2-9-0.06 = 5.7

47. Devin Singletary, HST vs. IND

6.7-30-0.19 and 1.2-0.9-6-0.03 = 5.4

48. Gus Edwards, BLT at CIN

7.7-34-0.22 and 0.6-0.4-3-0.01 = 5.3

49. Roschon Johnson, CHI at TB

4.2-18-0.15 and 1.8-1.4-10-0.05 = 4.7

50. Elijah Mitchell, SF at LA

6.5-28-0.19 and 0.7-0.5-4-0.02 = 4.7

51. Rashaad Penny, PHI vs. MIN

5.5-30-0.15 and 0.5-0.4-2-0.01 = 4.4

52. Boston Scott, PHI vs. MIN

5.5-23-0.20 and 0.6-0.5-3-0.01 = 4.2

Wide Receivers

19. Chris Godwin, TB vs. CHI

7.3-5.3-56-0.34 = 10.5

20. Mike Williams, LAC at TEN

6.8-4.5-61-0.35 = 10.4

21. Drake London, ATL vs. GB

7.9-4.9-59-0.34 = 10.4

22. Jerry Jeudy, DEN vs. WAS

6.8-4.5-62-0.31 = 10.3

23. Mike Evans, TB vs. CHI

7.0-4.3-59-0.37 = 10.2

24. Garrett Wilson, NYJ at DAL

7.6-4.6-57-0.34 = 10.2

25. Brandon Aiyuk, SF at LA

6.0-4.2-58-0.35 = 10.1

26. Amari Cooper, CLV at PIT

7.0-4.2-57-0.38 = 10.1

27. Jakobi Meyers, LV at BUF

6.6-4.7-53-0.35 = 9.9

Jakobi Meyers shot up my wide receiver rankings after an 80% snap share, 10 targets and three red zone targets in Week 1. Clearly, the Raiders see him as more than a slot-only player like he was with the Patriots. And I think Meyers can pull that off. He’s bigger than you likely imagine at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds. Of course, Meyers also suffered a likely concussion Sunday and is a major question mark for Week 2. Start him if he’s healthy, but keep an eye on his injury reports. 

28. DJ Moore, CHI at TB

7.7-4.4-58-0.30 = 9.9

DJ Moore fell dramatically short of the debut Bears fans imagined after he lit up the preseason. The former Panthers receiver saw just two targets and contributed just 25 yards in a blowout Packers loss last weekend. Justin Fields will likely continue to limit his No. 1 receiver’s fantasy potential — even if he improves as a passer, Fields simply throws fewer passes than his contemporaries. That said, I’m not ready to bench Moore in fantasy. Even my more pessimistic 30.0% Week 2 target share is tied for sixth highest at his position.

29. Christian Watson, GB at ATL

6.5-4.0-53-0.34 = 9.8

New Packers quarterback Jordan Love didn’t even need his normal No. 1 receiver to light up the division rival Bears for four touchdowns. But I only see that as good news for Christian Watson. If he returns to the field from his hamstring injury, then throw Watson in your fantasy lineups.

30. Zay Flowers, BLT at CIN

6.3-4.5-51-0.30 = 9.5

I think I may have to retire my “Zay Flowers is the best wide receiver in Ravens history” bit, because I’m starting to believe it. Flowers lived up to his pre-draft hype with 5.7 average yards after the catch in Week 1. That was fifth highest among all wide receivers with five or more catches, not just among rookies.

31. Tyler Lockett, SEA at DET

6.2-4.3-53-0.32 = 9.4

I don’t want to draw too many fixed conclusions from the Seahawks’ Week 1 letdown versus the Rams. But Lockett has played the bulk of his career snaps from the slot, and presumed rookie slot receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba bested Lockett 5 targets to 4 Sunday despite a lower snap share and even after he missed the last few weeks of the preseason with a fractured wrist. You can start Lockett at flex for now, but keep an eye on that receiver room. Geno Smith may not support three fantasy-relevant receivers.

32. Terry McLaurin, WAS at DEN

6.3-3.9-57-0.26 = 9.3

Terry McLaurin did not inspire confidence for his turf toe injury with a modest two catches and 31 yards Sunday. But the veteran did play a full 89% snap share. I don’t feel amazing about it, but I would continue to roll with McLaurin as a low-end flex.

33. Jahan Dotson, WAS at DEN

6.7-4.1-50-0.31 = 9.1

Truthfully, I feel better about Jahan Dotson than the normal No. 1 Commanders receiver Terry McLaurin while the latter play plays through a turf toe injury. But Dotson missed time in his rookie season and has just 13 games to his professional credit. I am projecting Dotson for a higher 23.5% versus a 21.5% target share for McLaurin. But my projections regress target shares for less experienced players and put the duo side-by-side in my Week 2 wide receiver rankings.

34. Michael Thomas, NO at CAR

6.8-4.3-49-0.31 = 8.9

Michael Thomas saw eight targets in Week 1. Maybe he’s back? 

35. Puka Nacua, LA vs. SF

6.5-4.2-52-0.26 = 8.8

All three of Puka Nacua, Tutu Atwell and Van Jefferson played at least three quarters of the Rams’ Week 1 snaps. I think you can make a case for any of them, Jefferson included. But I project Nacua for the highest Week 2 target share of 20.5% and consider him the safest start. His 35% air yards share was the highest among rookies last weekend.

36. Zay Jones, JAX vs. KC

6.4-4.3-47-0.32 = 8.8

I wondered this preseason if Zay Jones might play ahead of Christian Kirk in two-receiver sets in the red zone because of his three-inch height advantage. But in Week 1, Jones played ahead of Kirk in general with an 89% versus a 60% snap share. Start Jones at flex with confidence.

37. George Pickens, PIT vs. CLV

6.2-3.9-51-0.26 = 8.8

George Pickens didn’t move the needle of my projected 2023 breakout forward with just 36 yards on seven targets in Week 1 and nary an explosive play. But seven targets were still tied for third most in a game in his 18-game career. And it’s difficult to imagine that number will fall much with Diontae Johnson out several weeks with a hamstring injury.

38. Marquise Brown, ARZ vs. NYG

6.8-4.3-47-0.26 = 8.7

If the Cardinals passing offense stalls at its meager Week 1 rate of 4.4 yards per attempt, then none of the team’s receivers will clear the fantasy starter threshold. But I’m not ready to assume that after one inefficient week, and Marquise Brown looked the part of a No. 1 receiver with an 84% snap share and with five targets to lead the Cardinals’ wide receivers, even if that translated into just 28 yards.

39. Courtland Sutton, DEN vs. WAS

6.4-3.9-49-0.29 = 8.7

Courtland Sutton salvaged his day as the temporary No. 1 Broncos receiver with a touchdown, and I expect more scores this season after his 4.19 expected touchdown shortfall in 2022 that was second highest among wide receivers. But Sutton saw a modest 15.6% Week 1 target share that was outside the top 50 at the position as Russell Wilson spread the ball around. And with Jerry Jeudy optimistic to play in Week 2, I dropped Sutton to a 21.0% projected target share and a 39th ranking at his position. You can start him at flex, but you might also have better options.

40. Tutu Atwell, LA vs. SF

6.3-3.8-52-0.23 = 8.7

Tutu Atwell gained 55% of his 119 Week 1 yards on explosive catches of 20-plus yards. That makes sense for a small player with sub-4.4 speed. But it also strikes me as less sustainable than Puka Nacua‘s receiving contributions. Atwell is my final flex start, but he is a modest Week 2 away from a return to fantasy benches.

41. Nico Collins, HST vs. IND

6.9-4.0-51-0.24 = 8.5

Nico Collins failed to make the sophomore leap that many fantasy players look for in a wide receiver. But maybe he can this season? Collins contributed 17% of his entire 2022 yardage total with 80 yards in Week 1. And he saw a 25.6% target share that ranked 21st among wide receivers. You may should wait for a repeat performance before you start him. But pick Collins up for your benches if he’s on any of your waiver wires.

42. Gabe Davis, BUF vs. LV

5.6-3.1-50-0.31 = 8.4

Gabe Davis entered the year with my highest yards and touchdowns per catch projections, and I’m used to his feast-or-famine fantasy contributions. But Davis’ modest two-catch, 32-yard 2023 debut may mean more than a typical poor performance. The Bills looked different in Week 1. They played their two tight ends Dawson Knox 84% and rookie Dalton Kincaid 80% of snaps. And new slot receiver Deonte Harty mirrored Davis’ four targets with a just 22% snap share. I am concerned enough to drop Davis to a 16.0% projected target share in Week 2. I would bench him this week in typical fantasy formats — although continue to throw him in your Bills DFS stacks.

43. Brandin Cooks, DAL vs. NYJ

6.3-3.9-48-0.25 = 8.4

Brandin Cooks may owe his quiet Cowboys debut of two catches and 22 yards to a 40-0 dismantling of his new rival Giants. But the well-traveled veteran receiver also injured his knee and has missed multiple practices this week. I would bench him until he demonstrates his full health.

44. Christian Kirk, JAX vs. KC

6.0-3.8-47-0.28 = 8.4

Christian Kirk‘s 60% Week 1 snap share was 15% less than his lowest snap share game in 2022. Trevor Lawrence may have the talent to support three wide receivers and a tight end in fantasy. But I’d prefer to see that happen for a few weeks before I started Kirk in shallow formats.

45. Rashid Shaheed, NO at CAR

4.9-3.5-49-0.23 = 8.3

With 89 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, Rashid Shaheed paced the Saints receivers in fantasy scoring. But the undrafted sophomore trailed Chris Olave and Michael Thomas with a 54% versus 79% and 80% snap shares. Snag Shaheed off of any fantasy waiver wires, and continue to stack him in DFS where his explosiveness in an asset in GPP fields. But I think he falls a bit short of the traditional season-long start standard for Week 2.

46. Van Jefferson, LA vs. SF

6.0-3.6-47-0.26 = 8.1

47. Allen Lazard, NYJ at DAL

5.4-3.3-44-0.28 = 7.9

48. Curtis Samuel, WAS at DEN

5.0-3.5-39-0.21 = 7.8

49. Rondale Moore, ARZ vs. NYG

5.4-4.0-42-0.21 = 7.7

50. Robert Woods, HST vs. IND

6.4-3.9-43-0.23 = 7.6

Tight Ends

8. Hayden Hurst, CAR vs. NO

5.7-4.3-39-0.29 = 7.8

No. 1 Panthers quarterback pick Bryce Young teased some growing pains with a pair of Week 1 interceptions. But trailing offenses spur some extra pass attempts, and Hayden Hurst saw seven of those in Week 1, the most on the team. I’ve bumped Hurst to an 18.5% projected target share for Week 2, and that is tied for seventh highest at the position with Dallas Goedert.

9. Dalton Schultz, HST vs. IND

5.7-3.8-38-0.33 = 7.7

Dalton Schultz may not have matched his Dallas successor Jake Ferguson‘s position-leading five red zone targets in Week 1. But the veteran tight end held serve with an 81% snap share and saw one red zone target, even if he couldn’t convert. I expect Schultz and wideout Nico Collins to compete to be C.J. Stroud‘s No. 1 target and would start the former as a back-end TE1 this week.

10. Pat Freiermuth, PIT vs. CLV

5.8-3.8-40-0.31 = 7.7

Pat Freiermuth avoided an 0-for-3 debut with a fantasy-friendly 3-yard touchdown catch with the Steelers already down 20-0 at the end of the second quarter on Sunday. I explained my continued optimism for Kenny Picket, and Freiermuth sees his fantasy value buoyed because of it — especially after three Week 1 red zone targets. But the third-year tight end injured his chest on Sunday and started the week with limited practices. Freiermuth has top-five tight end upside with Diontae Johnson out with a hamstring injury. But I am projecting him for a modest 16.5% of his team’s targets until he demonstrates his full health.

11. Juwan Johnson, NO at CAR

5.3-3.5-40-0.29 = 7.4

Derek Carr‘s and Juwan Johnson‘s buddy cop movie started well enough with the latter’s 75% snap share and five targets. He’s a definite tier down from the top seven fantasy tight ends. But while less familiar a name, Johnson is in the back-end TE1 mix with veterans like Dalton Schultz, Tyler Higbee and Zach Ertz.

12. Evan Engram, JAX vs. KC

5.3-3.9-40-0.23 = 7.3

Evan Engram‘s five-catch, 49-yard 2023 debut did nothing to damage my opinion of his skills as a player. But similar to if to a lesser extent than with Christian Kirk, Engram seems likely to suffer in fantasy from Calvin Ridley‘s assertion of the No. 1 Jaguars receiver role. I would start Engram in Week 2, but his TE1 status is in jeopardy.

13. Tyler Higbee, LA vs. SF

5.6-3.9-38-0.27 = 7.3

Tyler Higbee seemed poised for an increased Week 1 target share with Cooper Kupp on injured reserve. But the veteran tight end contributed his typical — at least with Matthew Stafford at quarterback — three catches and 49 yards, and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell became the surprise stars. For now, I would assume Higbee is back in his traditional TE1/TE2 limbo. Start him if you need to, but you may have better options.

14. Sam LaPorta, DET vs. SEA

4.6-3.3-35-0.27 = 6.8

I tend to be pessimistic for rookie tight ends and inexperienced players in general. But Sam LaPorta saw an un-rookie-like 83% snap share in Week 1. That is TE1 playing time, and I ranked LaPorta close to that standard at 14th at the position in Week 2.

15. Zach Ertz, ARZ vs. NYG

5.4-3.6-32-0.29 = 6.7

One might have assumed Zach Ertz would start slow in 2023 after he tore his ACL last November. But instead, the 32-year-old led the position with 10 targets in Week 1 and — just as important to me — out-snapped his sophomore competition Trey McBride 77% to 37%. Ertz is an encore performance away from a return to his traditional top 10 status. But I would still probably bench him in Week 2 given the Cardinals’ uninspiring Week 1 passing performance.

16. Hunter Henry, NE vs. MIA

4.3-3.0-35-0.25 = 6.5

Hunter Henry averaged 14.6 red zone targets in his first five healthy seasons but fell to just seven such targets in 2022. Well, he looked like his previous self with a red zone target and a touchdown in Week 1, and he out-snapped his new tight end teammate Mike Gesicki 79% to 41%. He’s not quite a Week 2 starter for me, but he’s close. It’s amazing what a real offensive coordinator can do for a player.

17. David Njoku, CLV at PIT

4.3-3.0-34-0.24 = 6.3

I don’t want to overreact to a meager Week 1 Browns passing performance undoubtedly inhibited by rain. But David Njoku has never caught more than four touchdowns in a season. And he split the team’s two tight end red zone targets with and yielded a touchdown to Harrison Bryant. To return to his former TE1 status, Njoku needs either an uptick in red zone targets and an uptick in passing volume from Deshaun Watson. And I’m not sure the latter will happen based on the Browns’ traditional commitment to running the ball.

18. Cole Kmet, CHI at TB

4.5-3.2-33-0.24 = 6.3

19. Jake Ferguson, DAL vs. NYJ

5.1-3.2-31-0.25 = 6.3

20. Gerald Everett, LAC at TEN

4.5-3.1-32-0.24 = 6.2

21. Dalton Kincaid, BUF vs. LV

4.1-2.9-30-0.23 = 5.8

22. Luke Musgrave, GB at ATL

4.0-2.8-31-0.22 = 5.8

23. Dawson Knox, BUF vs. LV

3.8-2.7-29-0.25 = 5.8

24. Adam Trautman, DEN vs. WAS

4.0-3.0-31-0.20 = 5.8

25. Logan Thomas, WAS at DEN

4.6-2.9-28-0.19 = 5.4

26. Cade Otton, TB vs. CHI

4.2-2.8-28-0.19 = 5.3

27. Durham Smythe, MIA at NE

3.9-2.6-28-0.18 = 5.2

28. Taysom Hill, NO at CAR

1.2-0.8-7-0.06 = 4.9