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Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 2

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Jayden Daniels, J.K. Dobbins and Isaiah Likely made quick work of countless preseason projections in Week 1. But their ascensions require corresponding falls from fantasy starter status, and my weekly start and sit column can help you with those decisions with its leaning on my comprehensive weekly fantasy projections. Read on to see what it has for Week 2.

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 backs, 3 wide receivers, 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

4. Dak Prescott, DAL vs. NO: 36.1-263-2.05-0.72 and 2.4-11-0.09 = 18.9
5. Anthony Richardson, IND at GB: 30.1-228-1.23-0.81 and 5.6-40-0.40 = 18.9
6. Patrick Mahomes, KC vs. CIN: 36.9-274-1.73-0.78 and 3.4-18-0.10 = 18.7
7. Kyler Murray, ARZ vs. LA: 35.2-226-1.37-0.63 and 4.9-34-0.25 = 18.1

8. Joe Burrow, CIN at KC

37.3-267-1.72-0.67 and 2.7-9-0.16 = 18.1

The Bengals’ loss to a seemingly rebuilding Patriots team eroded a lot of public confidence in the team. But the Patriots had the third-highest projected defensive DVOA. Even if Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had all been healthy and practiced, they might well have underperformed their typically high standards in Week 1. Bet on a Burrow bounce back in a potential shootout in Kansas City this week.

9. Jayden Daniels, WAS vs. NYG

30.8-218-1.02-0.71 and 7.4-41-0.41 = 17.9

With 16 rushing attempts for 88 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1, Daniels would have been the No. 5 fantasy running back, slotting just between J.K. Dobbins and Rhamondre Stevenson. Also, Daniels threw a few passes.

10. C.J. Stroud, HST vs. CHI

34.9-278-1.57-0.59 and 2.1-8-0.13 = 17.7

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 19: Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) prepares to call for the snap of the ball in the first quarter during the preseason NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans on August 19, 2023 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire)
HOUSTON, TX – AUGUST 19: Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) prepares to call for the snap of the ball in the first quarter during the preseason NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and Houston Texans on August 19, 2023 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire)

Stroud’s slip to 10th in my quarterback rankings says less about him and more about Anthony Richardson’s and Jayden Daniels’ ridiculous rushing volume. You can be as confident in Stroud as any pocket passer for fantasy.

11. Trevor Lawrence, JAX vs. CLV

36.1-256-1.55-0.79 and 3.2-16-0.18 = 17.5

Lawrence did not see my expected positive touchdown regression Sunday. But the former No. 1 pick saw unsustainably low volume with just 21 pass attempts. And Travis Etienne’s red zone fumble was as much an expected touchdown loss for Lawrence as it was for himself. I would start Lawrence again in Week 2. The Browns matchup isn’t quite as scary in Jacksonville a week after the Cowboys dropped 33 on them in Cleveland.

12. Justin Fields, PIT at DEN

29.2-203-1.23-0.70 and 8.2-43-0.27 = 17.5

Fields had 14 rushing attempts in Week 1. He hit that total just five times in 38 starts with the Bears. Fields may pass extra conservatively with a standout Steelers defense on his sideline. But his move to Pittsburgh has not robbed him of his fantasy superpower.

13. Brock Purdy, SF at MIN

29.1-252-1.57-0.58 and 2.9-12-0.12 = 17.1

Purdy paced his position with a 9.68 expected touchdown surplus in 2023. And in Week 1, he demonstrated how that surplus could regress even with all the talent still around him. Purdy orchestrated scoring drives on 8 of the 49ers’ 9 possessions. But Deebo Samuel and Jordan Mason capped two with touchdown carries from inside the 5-yard line. And Jake Moody kicked six field goals. Purdy will have better touchdown luck in future weeks. Just maybe not his 2023 touchdown luck.

14. Tua Tagovailoa, MIA vs. BUF

33.1-270-1.72-0.73 and 1.8-6-0.05 = 17.0

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 14: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks down field to throw the football during a preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins on August 14, 2021 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 14: Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) looks down field to throw the football during a preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Miami Dolphins on August 14, 2021 at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire)

Tagovailoa illustrated his fantasy predicament perfectly in Week 1. He led all quarterbacks with 338 passing yards. But he barely cracked the top 10 at the position in fantasy. Without the rushing volume his contemporaries Anthony Richardson, Kyler Murray, Jayden Daniels and Justin Fields provide, Tagovailoa has to throw multiple touchdowns to hit in a fantasy week. He’s a better DFS than traditional fantasy option.

15. Jared Goff, DET vs. TB

34.6-260-1.83-0.62 and 1.6-2-0.06 = 17.0

Goff has averaged 5.8 more fantasy points per game at home than on the road in his Lions tenure, the most extreme split at his position. The influx of running quarterbacks have pushed below the QB1 benchmark. But you shouldn’t panic if you need to start Goff home versus the Bucs this weekend.

16. Justin Herbert, LAC at CAR: 35.2-238-1.65-0.56 and 2.9-11-0.13 = 16.9
17. Matthew Stafford, LA at ARZ: 36.4-269-1.73-0.76 and 1.0-3-0.03 = 16.6
18. Aaron Rodgers, NYJ at TEN: 34.2-240-1.71-0.65 and 1.2-3-0.07 = 15.9
19. Geno Smith, SEA at NE: 33.9-245-1.46-0.71 and 2.2-11-0.06 = 15.7
20. Derek Carr, NO at DAL: 34.5-247-1.66-0.62 and 1.3-3-0.02 = 15.7
21. Kirk Cousins, ATL at PHI: 35.2-251-1.55-0.85 and 1.2-3-0.07 = 15.2
22. Baker Mayfield, TB at DET: 32.8-228-1.41-0.62 and 2.6-9-0.08 = 14.9
23. Daniel Jones, NYG at WAS: 32.3-195-1.13-0.87 and 5.2-25-0.17 = 14.1

Running Backs

15. Tony Pollard, TEN vs. NYJ: 15.9-69-0.53 and 3.6-2.8-18-0.09 = 13.8
16. Aaron Jones, MIN vs. SF: 14.3-72-0.44 and 3.5-2.6-19-0.11 = 13.7
17. Jerome Ford, CLV at JAX: 16.9-66-0.44 and 4.1-3.1-20-0.11 = 13.5
18. Jordan Mason, SF at MIN: 17.8-87-0.53 and 1.4-1.1-7-0.03 = 13.3
19. Travis Etienne, JAX vs. CLV: 13.8-57-0.47 and 4.2-3.3-26-0.09 = 13.3
20. Josh Jacobs, GB vs. IND: 16.0-69-0.48 and 3.0-2.2-17-0.06 = 13.0
21. Kenneth Walker, SEA at NE: 15.8-69-0.54 and 2.4-1.9-14-0.05 = 12.7
22. Brian Robinson, WAS vs. NYG: 13.6-59-0.42 and 2.8-2.2-21-0.09 = 12.2
23. D’Andre Swift, CHI at HST: 13.8-62-0.39 and 3.5-2.7-18-0.09 = 12.1
24. Rachaad White, TB at DET: 14.1-52-0.34 and 3.6-3.1-26-0.11 = 12.0
25. Devin Singletary, NYG at WAS: 13.1-56-0.35 and 3.7-2.9-19-0.08 = 11.5
26. Zack Moss, CIN at KC: 12.6-56-0.40 and 3.4-2.5-17-0.08 = 11.4

27. J.K. Dobbins, LAC at CAR

10.4-64-0.30 and 2.8-2.2-13-0.06 = 11.0

Dobbins and his old-new teammate Gus Edwards could see their workloads ebb and flow with the proverbial hot hand. But the former laps the field of regular running backs with a 9.4% explosive run rate (15-plus yards) since he entered the league in 2020 — Nick Chubb is in second place at 7.6%. In short, Dobbins might stay hot all season. Get him in your lineups.

28. David Montgomery, DET vs. TB

13.5-62-0.54 and 1.2-0.9-7-0.02 = 10.7

Some running backs make a major jump in Year 2. But at just 199 pounds, Jahmyr Gibbs may be too small to make a Christian McCaffrey-like ascension. In Week 1, Gibbs and Montgomery saw their typical 51% versus 49% snap share split. And Montgomery ran in another touchdown. Continue to flex him.

29. Najee Harris, PIT at DEN

14.2-56-0.41 and 2.0-1.5-10-0.05 = 10.1

Jaylen Warren seemed primed to assert a larger role in 2024 after he led regular running backs with both a 30.9% avoided tackle rate and 3.3 yards after contact per attempt in 2023. But Warren was either Arthur Smithed in Week 1, or he wasn’t over his preseason hamstring injury. Harris lapped with him a 56% versus a 31% snap share and is the Steelers back to start in fantasy, at least for now.

30. Javonte Williams, DEN vs. PIT

11.3-47-0.29 and 3.6-2.8-16-0.09 = 10.0

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 03: Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) gets dragged down by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during a NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos on October 3, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. (Photo by Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 03: Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams (33) gets dragged down by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey (44) during a NFL game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Denver Broncos on October 3, 2021 at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, CO. (Photo by Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire)

Jaleel McLaughlin was the surprise Broncos leader with 15 versus 9 touches in Week 1. But Williams comfortably outsnapped his sophomore teammate with a 52% versus a 35% snap share. I’m decently confident Williams will remain the team’s top option. And while that isn’t an exciting prospect against the Steelers in Week 2, it pulls him above the flex start benchmark.

31. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL vs. NO

11.8-47-0.35 and 3.0-2.4-15-0.07 = 9.9

Many reporters were bullish on Rico Dowdle this season. But in Week 1, the veteran Elliott edged him with a 51% versus a 44% snap share, 12 versus 9 touches, and with 1 versus 0 carries inside the 5-yard line. Unless those splits change, Elliott is the better fantasy choice.

32. Chuba Hubbard, CAR vs. LAC

12.0-47-0.31 and 2.0-1.7-11-0.04 = 8.8

Hubbard enjoyed a similar 54% versus 37% snap share advantage over his teammate Miles Sanders in Week 1 as he did in 2023. But the Panthers managed just 16 called run plays in their 47-10 Saints rout. Maybe they will bounce back at home in Week 2. But I am projecting the team for a bottom 10 total of 26.3 run plays and would sit Hubbard in fantasy because of it.

33. Zamir White, LV at BLT

12.7-53-0.31 and 1.6-1.2-8-0.03 = 8.7

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 27: Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton (57) try to bring down Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) during an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks on November 27, 2022 at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire)
SEATTLE, WA – NOVEMBER 27: Seattle Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53) and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Cody Barton (57) try to bring down Las Vegas Raiders running back Zamir White (35) during an NFL game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the Seattle Seahawks on November 27, 2022 at Lumen Field in Seattle, WA. (Photo by Jeff Halstead/Icon Sportswire)

White may have looked like a workhorse back with a 13 versus 5 carry advantage over his new teammate Alexander Mattison in Week 1. But Mattison lapped the third-year pro with a 60% versus a 38% snap share and with 27 versus 9 routes. With so few receiving opportunities, White will likely need to score to spur his fantasy success. And in even half-PPR formats, I would leave him on your fantasy benches.

34. Gus Edwards, LAC at CAR: 11.6-47-0.43 and 1.2-0.9-7-0.02 = 8.6
35. Alexander Mattison, LV at BLT: 9.3-37-0.24 and 3.0-2.2-16-0.10 = 8.4
36. Austin Ekeler, WAS vs. NYG: 5.7-26-0.18 and 4.0-3.1-24-0.11 = 8.2
37. Jaleel McLaughlin, DEN vs. PIT: 7.7-34-0.18 and 3.6-3.0-16-0.09 = 8.1
38. Tyjae Spears, TEN vs. NYJ: 6.6-29-0.17 and 3.8-3.0-20-0.09 = 8.0
39. Rico Dowdle, DAL vs. NO: 9.4-38-0.25 and 2.1-1.6-11-0.05 = 7.5
40. Ty Chandler, MIN vs. SF: 8.7-36-0.23 and 2.2-1.8-12-0.05 = 7.3
41. Zach Charbonnet, SEA at NE: 7.0-28-0.20 and 2.8-2.2-16-0.08 = 7.2
42. Miles Sanders, CAR vs. LAC: 9.6-39-0.25 and 1.7-1.2-7-0.03 = 6.9
43. Jaylen Warren, PIT at DEN: 4.7-23-0.12 and 3.4-2.8-18-0.06 = 6.7
44. Antonio Gibson, NE vs. SEA: 6.7-26-0.17 and 2.2-1.8-14-0.06 = 6.2
45. Bucky Irving, TB at DET: 6.5-31-0.16 and 1.8-1.4-11-0.05 = 6.1
46. Chase Brown, CIN at KC: 5.1-21-0.13 and 2.5-2.1-16-0.06 = 5.9
47. Jeff Wilson, MIA vs. BUF: 7.8-36-0.22 and 0.8-0.6-4-0.02 = 5.7
48. Jamaal Williams, NO at DAL: 7.2-26-0.25 and 1.2-1.0-6-0.02 = 5.3
49. Tank Bigsby, JAX vs. CLV: 6.7-28-0.19 and 0.7-0.5-4-0.02 = 4.7
50. Justice Hill, BLT vs. LV: 2.7-12-0.08 and 2.7-2.0-15-0.06 = 4.6
51. Samaje Perine, KC vs. CIN: 1.4-6-0.04 and 2.4-2.0-16-0.06 = 3.8
52. Jaylen Wright, MIA vs. BUF: 3.8-17-0.11 and 1.1-0.8-7-0.03 = 3.7

Wide Receivers

18. George Pickens, PIT at DEN: 7.2-4.5-70-0.33 = 11.3
19. Chris Olave, NO at DAL: 8.1-5.1-66-0.33 = 11.1
20. Brandon Aiyuk, SF at MIN: 6.6-4.3-67-0.35 = 11.0
21. Chris Godwin, TB at DET: 7.8-5.4-62-0.33 = 10.9
22. Michael Pittman, IND at GB: 8.6-5.8-61-0.30 = 10.8
23. Drake London, ATL at PHI: 7.9-5.0-63-0.34 = 10.8
24. Courtland Sutton, DEN vs. PIT: 8.1-4.7-60-0.39 = 10.7
25. DK Metcalf, SEA at NE: 7.0-4.2-60-0.39 = 10.4
26. Christian Kirk, JAX vs. CLV: 7.3-4.6-61-0.30 = 10.2
27. Calvin Ridley, TEN vs. NYJ: 7.8-4.4-58-0.34 = 10.1
28. Stefon Diggs, HST vs. CHI: 7.0-4.8-53-0.37 = 10.1
29. Amari Cooper, CLV at JAX: 7.2-4.0-61-0.31 = 9.9
30. Tank Dell, HST vs. CHI: 6.7-4.0-56-0.33 = 9.9
31. Zay Flowers, BLT vs. LV: 7.0-4.8-54-0.32 = 9.9
32. Marvin Harrison Jr., ARZ vs. LA: 7.4-4.5-55-0.35 = 9.8
33. Josh Palmer, LAC at CAR: 7.0-4.4-57-0.30 = 9.7
34. Ladd McConkey, LAC at CAR: 7.1-4.6-53-0.35 = 9.7
35. Terry McLaurin, WAS vs. NYG: 7.2-4.4-57-0.28 = 9.6

36. Brandin Cooks, DAL vs. NO

6.5-4.2-50-0.35 = 9.4

Cooks has learned more heavily on his nine touchdowns since the start of 2023 than any other flex receiver. That makes me nervous. But with tight end Jake Ferguson likely to miss this week with a knee injury, I am projecting Cooks for an inflated 18.5% target share that is tied for 47th among wide receivers. If you weren’t already, you can start Cooks with confidence this week.

37. Tyler Lockett, SEA at NE

6.6-4.5-53-0.30 = 9.3

In a way, the 31-year-old Lockett confirmed a common preseason fear with a 54% versus a 79% snap share split with his sophomore teammate Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Week 1. But as he’s done for the better part of a decade, Lockett led his more physically talented Seahawks teammates with six catches and 77 yards. I would keep starting him until he showed definitive proof that those days are behind him.

38. Malik Nabers, NYG at WAS

6.5-4.2-54-0.29 = 9.2

Nabers had a modest professional debut with five catches and 66 yards Sunday and will likely need better than Daniel Jones and the current Giants offensive line to reach his potential. But the No. 6 draft pick played 100% of snaps in Week 1. And with that volume, there’s little doubt he’s a fantasy starter.

39. Jameson Williams, DET vs. TB

6.3-3.7-52-0.27 = 9.0

DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 14: Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) gestures to fans as he is introduced before the start of an NFL NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions on January 14, 2024 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire)
DETROIT, MI – JANUARY 14: Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) gestures to fans as he is introduced before the start of an NFL NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions on January 14, 2024 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire)

Williams’ nine-target, 121-yard, one-touchdown breakout may have seemed a long-time coming. But at just 23-and-a-half years old, the third-year Lions receiver is younger than Round 1 rookies Ricky Pearsall and Xavier Legette. If he’s healthy, you can trust Williams in your fantasy lineups. But keep an eye on the ankle injury that had him sitting out of Wednesday’s practice.

40. Brian Thomas Jr., JAX vs. CLV

5.8-3.9-49-0.32 = 8.9

Thomas’s predecessor Calvin Ridley led receivers with 24 end zone targets in 2023 but scored just eight touchdowns after missing a handful to feet on the out-of-bounds chalk. Thomas may be a rookie, but he already showed better footwork in Week 1. And he could easily be the best rookie receiver in fantasy this season.

41. Jayden Reed, GB vs. IND

5.1-3.4-48-0.25 = 8.8

With explosive touchdowns from 33 and 70 yards in Week 1, Reed racked up a 1.90 expected touchdown surplus that was the biggest among skill players. He will likely see his career-to-date touchdown rate fall over the course of his sophomore season. Meanwhile, I am projecting quarterback Malik Willis for a bottom four total of 30.0 pass attempts in Week 2, 4.5 fewer than I projected his Packers predecessor Jordan Love in Week 1. Reed’s flex starter status may be more tenuous than you realize.

42. Diontae Johnson, CAR vs. LAC

6.8-3.9-49-0.32 = 8.7

The Panthers’ lack of 2023 passing success made Johnson a natural choice to be their new No. 1 projected receiver. But in Week 1, Johnson saw a modest 66% snap share and fell in the same 56-69% cluster as his teammates Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, and Jonathan Mingo. Maybe Johnson will assert a more primary role if his team stays within 37 points of their future opponents. But for now, you should probably sit every Panthers player in fantasy.

43. Jakobi Meyers, LV at BLT

5.8-4.0-49-0.30 = 8.7

Meyers played a similar 87% snap share in Week 1 as he did in 2023 when he produced a WR3 fantasy season. But he only saw three targets, and I don’t believe that was a coincidence. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers played a healthy 68% of snaps and paced the Raiders with eight targets. And his 6-foot-3 and 243-pound frame and receiver skill set makes him more of a matchup problem that the undersized Meyers.

44. Rashid Shaheed, NO at DAL

5.3-3.4-52-0.25 = 8.6

PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 13: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (89) looks on during the national football league game between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 13, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 13: New Orleans Saints wide receiver Rashid Shaheed (89) looks on during the national football league game between the New Orleans Saints and the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 13, 2022 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire)

Shaheed cemented his Scott Fish Bowl legend status with 166 all-purpose yards split among receiving, kick returns and punt returns in Week 1. But for traditional fantasy, the former undrafted receiver earned 12.4 of his 14.8 fantasy points on one 59-yard touchdown catch. Shaheed is extremely fast and will score several more explosive touchdowns this season. But he will also likely be one of the most boom/bust receivers in fantasy. He’s a better DFS than traditional fantasy choice.

45. Josh Reynolds, DEN vs. PIT: 5.9-3.7-49-0.26 = 8.3
46. Wan’Dale Robinson, NYG at WAS: 6.6-4.5-44-0.23 = 8.3
47. Gabe Davis, JAX vs. CLV: 5.4-3.2-50-0.29 = 8.3
48. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, SEA at NE: 6.2-4.2-46-0.28 = 8.3
49. Demarcus Robinson, LA at ARZ: 5.9-3.7-46-0.29 = 8.2
50. Jerry Jeudy, CLV at JAX: 5.9-3.6-48-0.27 = 8.1
51. Xavier Worthy, KC vs. CIN: 4.3-2.7-37-0.23 = 7.6
52. Khalil Shakir, BUF at MIA: 4.3-3.3-45-0.22 = 7.5
53. Greg Dortch, ARZ vs. LA: 5.6-3.7-41-0.22 = 7.4
54. Quentin Johnston, LAC at CAR: 5.8-3.4-41-0.25 = 7.4
55. Adam Thielen, CAR vs. LAC: 5.3-3.8-41-0.22 = 7.3
56. Keon Coleman, BUF at MIA: 5.1-3.3-41-0.24 = 7.2
57. Andrei Iosivas, CIN at KC: 6.1-3.6-37-0.26 = 7.0
58. Christian Watson, GB vs. IND: 4.8-2.8-36-0.30 = 7.0
59. Romeo Doubs, GB vs. IND: 4.9-3.1-39-0.25 = 6.9

Tight Ends

6. Kyle Pitts, ATL at PHI: 6.8-4.3-49-0.31 = 8.9
7. Dalton Kincaid, BUF at MIA: 6.3-4.8-47-0.29 = 8.9
8. Mark Andrews, BLT vs. LV: 5.9-4.2-47-0.34 = 8.8

9. Isaiah Likely, BLT vs. LV

5.4-3.9-46-0.33 = 8.5

Likely’s nine catches, 111 yards and touchdown in Week 1 were likely all you needed to see to put him in your fantasy lineups. But if you needed a bit more, note that Likely and Mark Andrews played 39 snaps together. That is more than double their high total of 16 snaps in a game together in 2023.

10. Taysom Hill, NO at DAL

2.6-2.0-18-0.13 = 8.1

Alvin Kamara outcarried Hill 3 to 0 inside the 5-yard line in Week 1. But Hill’s rushing workloads ebbed and flowed with game plans in 2023. And Hill continued to expand his receiving repertoire in Week 1. He didn’t convert it, but Hill saw a 22-air-yard target in the back corner of the end zone. He never saw that with Sean Payton as a play-caller.

11. Dallas Goedert, PHI vs. ATL

5.6-4.1-42-0.24 = 7.6

Goedert faces little competition from the other Eagles tight ends. And at least in Week 1, he faced little competition for third receiver status. Goedert lapped his new teammate Jahan Dotson with an 82% versus a 42% snap share. He had a modest fantasy day, but continue to start Goedert with confidence.

12. Brock Bowers, LV at BLT

5.0-3.5-38-0.26 = 7.1

Bowers has room to grow from his 68% Week 1 snap share. But his 78% route participation rate was already standout for a fantasy tight end. That bested Mark Andrews (76%), Pat Freiermuth (76%) and Isaiah Likely (71%), among many others.

13. Dalton Schultz, HST vs. CHI

5.0-3.4-36-0.27 = 6.9

Schultz’s three Week 1 targets were tied for his second fewest in 16 games with the Texans. And with Stefon Diggs, Nico Collins and Tank Dell in his receiver room, I don’t believe that was a coincidence.

14. Noah Fant, SEA at NE

4.4-3.2-34-0.18 = 6.1

With his former tight end teammates Colby Parkinson and Will Dissly on the two Los Angeles teams, Fant saw a 75% snap share in Week 1. He bested a 65% snap share just once in 2023. Don’t sweat the modest Week 1 production. Fant is a better fantasy choice now than he was last year, and he isn’t far from TE1 status.

15. Tyler Conklin, NYJ at TEN

4.6-3.2-32-0.21 = 6.0

Conklin saw modest production with one catch for 6 yards in Week 1. But he played 90% of snaps and ran 90% of his possible routes, the latter which was tied for fourth highest among tight ends. He continues to have an excellent breakout chance with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback.

16. Hunter Henry, NE vs. SEA

4.3-3.0-31-0.23 = 6.0

The Patriots have a new-look receiver room with K.J. Osborn, Tyquan Thornton and rookies Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. But that turnover did not affect the tight end Henry. The veteran played his typical 83% snap share in Week 1. He’ll have better days than his two-catch, 18-yard debut over the rest of the 2024 season.

17. Colby Parkinson, LA at ARZ

3.9-2.9-30-0.20 = 5.6

Parkinson was mired in a tight end rotation on his former Seahawks team. But with Tyler Higbee on the PUP list on his new Rams squad, Parkinson paced his position with 45 routes in Week 1 and ran a route on 88% of his team’s pass plays. That was George Kittle (89%), Evan Engram (89%) and Sam LaPorta (86%) territory in 2023 and puts Parkinson closer to the TE1 line than you may have realized.

18. Juwan Johnson, NO at DAL: 3.8-2.5-27-0.22 = 5.2
19. Pat Freiermuth, PIT at DEN: 3.9-2.7-28-0.16 = 5.1
20. Zach Ertz, WAS vs. NYG: 4.2-2.8-25-0.20 = 5.1
21. Jordan Akins, CLV at JAX: 3.7-2.6-27-0.16 = 4.9
22. Cade Otton, TB at DET: 3.6-2.5-25-0.18 = 4.8
23. Mike Gesicki, CIN at KC: 3.8-2.5-24-0.19 = 4.8
24. Johnny Mundt, MIN vs. SF: 3.4-2.5-24-0.15 = 4.6
25. Hayden Hurst, LAC at CAR: 3.4-2.3-23-0.16 = 4.4
26. Tucker Kraft, GB vs. IND: 3.0-2.2-23-0.15 = 4.3
27. Michael Mayer, LV at BLT: 3.0-2.1-21-0.16 = 4.1
28. Chigoziem Okonkwo, TEN vs. NYJ: 3.0-2.1-22-0.14 = 4.1
29. Luke Schoonmaker, DAL vs. NO: 3.0-2.0-20-0.16 = 4.0
30. Cole Kmet, CHI at HST: 2.6-2.0-20-0.15 = 3.9
31. Greg Dulcich, DEN vs. PIT: 2.9-2.0-20-0.12 = 3.7
32. Josh Oliver, MIN vs. SF: 2.2-1.6-17-0.12 = 3.2
33. Durham Smythe, MIA vs. BUF: 2.4-1.7-17-0.10 = 3.1
34. Austin Hooper, NE vs. SEA: 2.3-1.6-17-0.09 = 3.1
35. Gerald Everett, CHI at HST: 2.3-1.6-15-0.12 = 3.0
36. Jonnu Smith, MIA vs. BUF: 2.1-1.5-16-0.10 = 2.9
37. Luke Musgrave, GB vs. IND: 2.1-1.5-15-0.10 = 2.9
38. Dawson Knox, BUF at MIA: 2.1-1.4-14-0.12 = 2.9
39. Theo Johnson, NYG at WAS: 2.2-1.4-15-0.11 = 2.8

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