Week 2 Start/Sit
Running Backs
Start✅
Ronald Jones v Carolina Jones received the bulk of the backfield work in week 1 and Carolina is a fantastic matchup. RJ is actually pushing borderline RB1 status this week for me. I think Fournette will get increasingly involved but doubt it'll be an issue this early.
Latavius Murray @ Las Vegas With MT probably out or at minimum limited. I believe the saints will lean on the running game. Saints are also 5.5 point favorites and positive game script will lead to more rushes for La-la-Latavius.. Not only that but Murray has that ever so popular revenge narrative in this matchup. Fire him up on Monday night as your RB2/Flex.
Nyheim Hines & Jonathan Taylor v Minnesota I didn't think I'd have to say "Start Jonathan Taylor" but I've seen casual managers with him on their bench. He's a no brainier top 10 option for me almost every week now that Mack is out. Hines is a bit of a different story. Him playing the "Ekeler role" in that offense gives him RB2/Flex value moving forward. Both should get targets from Rivers in the redzone as well.
Raheem Mostert @ NY Jets Niners are heavy favorites on the road, Kittle is out and the Jets front 7 is a bit banged up. All this signals the RBs for San Francisco to be used heavily in the running and passing game. Mostert has RB1 upside here.
Malcolm Brown @ Philadelphia Brown being the Goalline back for this offense is a big deal. He won't score 2TDs every week but if it continues to be utalized this way, he's a solid bet for 1. He's an RB2/Flex in this game.
Sit❌
Melvin Gordon @ Pittsburgh Gordon was on my sit list last week and it appeared to be the right call then Lindsay went down and he stepped into a full time role. Nothing against Gordon as a player he looked great in action Monday night. I just want no part of RBs against this Steelers Defense that limited Saquan to 🐕💩on the ground.
James Conner & Benny Snell v Denver This is one of many examples of why I don't handcuff RBs early in the year. Conner was "Injured" in the game against the Giants Monday night but he's since practicing in full so probably more of a benching situation. With the uncertainty surrounding who will get the bulk of the carries you can't trust either one. If we do miraculously get word who the starter and bellcow is I'd fire that back up as an RB1 in this matchup but rolling the dice could get you a 0.
***Not a full sit but temper expectations***
Miles Sanders v LA Rams Last week the Eagles were a bit coy with his injury status. Now he's apparently practicing on full and ready to go but I have a suspicion he might be limited in his first game back. Don't be surprised if you see more Boston Scott than you'd care to on Sunday.
Wide Receivers
Start✅
Parris Campbell v Minnesota The slot WR in Philip Rivers' offense is a weekly start for me. I'm confident firing him up as a WR2 in plus matchups.
Dionte Johnson v Denver There were a few hiccups for Dionte on Monday night with drops but Ben went right back to him again and again for 10 targets. Ben's trust will grow and Dionte will be a weekly WR2/3. This isn't a particularly good matchup on paper but Denver is down a few CBs. That's where you can attack them.
Darius Slayton @ Chicago This isn't the best matchup either but Slayton's talent can't be ignored. In a worse matchup last week Slayton had a big game. Daniel Jones and him have some great chemistry and I think he continues his solidification as the #1 WR for the Giants and a must start in fantasy.
CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, and Amari Cooper v Atlanta Start all your Cowboys in this one. Dak should flirt with overall QB1 numbers this week. Atlanta can't stop anyone and they surely can't even hope to contain this offense.
Marvin Jones Jr @ Green Bay Golladay is out so it's next man up in Detroit once again. Jones is the safest bet out of the pass catchers to benefit from Kenny's absence. He's a solid WR3 with upside.
Anthony Miller v NY Giants Besides Bradbury the Giants CBs are horrible. Bradbury plays primarily outside and might shadow Allen Robinson. This should leave Miller to have a DAY against this defense. I'm excited to plug Miller in my WR3 spot this week.
Scotty Miller v Carolina Godwin is likely out and Brady def has his err type... Scooter should be peppered with targets all day in this matchup. I especially love his floor in full PPR.
Sit❌
Will Fuller V v Baltimore This is largely matchup based. His target share last week was crazy but with Cooks healthier it shouldn't be AS crazy. Nevertheless these CBs are not something I'd want to start guys against.
Keenan Allen & Mike Williams v Kansas City Tyrod looked terrible against the Bengals. I can't imagine he'd look better against the Chiefs. Lots of negative game script could mean more volume for them but that's not something I want to count on with him being so inefficient. There should also be a massive overcorrection with Ekeler only getting 1 target. I expect that to go up and the WR targets to go down.
Sammy Watkins @ LA Chargers Don't be the manager that chases his points from week 1. We've seen this movie before and it ends with single digits in your lineup week 2.
Davante Parker & Preston Williams @ Buffalo Especially Davante Parker if he plays he might be limited. If you're desperate you can throw Preston Williams out there for the volume alone but Buffalo is about a tough a matchup as they come.
Tight End
Start✅
Jonnu Smith v Jacksonville Tennessee ran a much faster paced offense Monday night than last year. They also manufactured some touches for Jonnu around the line of scrimmage and with AJ Brown out they will probably get him involved early and often. I'm expecting a big game from Jonnu this week. Don't hesitate to start him.
Dallas Goedert v LA Rams What the Eagles lack in WRs they make up for in TEs. Goedert is an every week starter until they have a legit #1 WR. Ertz and Goedert should roll in this one. There's also a rumour that Ramsey might shadow Ertz. If that happens Goedert has overall TE1 upside this week.
Hayden Hurst @ Dallas Don't let Week 1 make you fade Hurst. Dallas dosen't have a Jamal Adams on their roster and Vander Each isn't even there now. This game should be an offensive explosion. Get as many pieces as you can.
TJ Hockenson @ Green Bay I'm a believer in TJ's talent and with Golladay missing his second game the targets should be there with predictions of negative game script.
Logan Thomas @ Arizona In this week's edition of: Which TE is playing against Arizona and how can I get him in my lineups? I present you, Logan Thomas. A guy on a team needy for playmakers that got 8 targets and scored a TD in a much tougher matchup last week. I think the entire fantasy community is going to know his name by the end of the day Sunday.
Sit❌
Noah Fant @ Pittsburgh If you've noticed a trend in this article you have a keen eye. I'm fading all the Broncos against this Defense. This is also a testament to how I feel about the DJ to Slayton connection and how they overcame it. Back to this segment now. Sit Fant. The end.
Mike Gesecki v Buffalo Another fade based on matchup. The bills are tough and will limit scoring opportunities. If I could start punters, Miami's would be my overall #1 this week.
Chris Herndon v San Francisco This Jets offense is horrible. Without Crowder I doubt they move the ball into SF territory more than a couple times. People might argue garbage time volume due to game script and lack of pass catchers with Crowder out. Volume is king but efficiency matters. San Francisco's run offense should limit the garbage time volume for the Jets anyway.
Quarterback
Start✅
Philip Rivers v Minnesota It's probably not going to look pretty but Rivers carries value in plus matchups. This surrounding cast especially the explosiveness of Jonathan Taylor will lead to Rivers getting a plethora of redzone opportunity. Not to mention JT can rack up yards in the screen game and Rivers loves to target his backs on the passing game.
Tom Brady v Carolina This goes against my overall thinking on Tom but I know one thing. It's when you start to doubt him he comes out hungry. Nothing is more dangerous than Brady after a loss and Carolina is a beatable matchup.
Aaron Rodgers v Detroit I didn't think I'd have to list Rodgers this week after what he did week 1 but he gets another favorable matchup and should smash in this spot. No brainier start.
Ryan Tannehill v Jacksonville The increased volume on offense was a pleasant surprise. Henry should get his but Tannehill is a decent bet for low end QB1 numbers. He's always a threat to vulture a TD from Henry as well.
Sit❌
Drew Brees @ Las Vegas The loss of MT should have the Saints lean on the run all game. Brees can still be effective but at his age he offers little upside without his guy Mike Thomas.
Gardner Minshew @ Tennessee I loved getting Minshew as my QB in drafts late but I'm fading him this week. I think Derrick Henry will take this game over as he has vs the Jags latley. I'm not scared of the matchup I'm just afraid he's not efficient enough without the volume to get him to QB1 status this week.
Deshaun Watson v Baltimore His rushing ability gives him a stable floor but I prefer other QBs this week. I'll probably get a ton of crap for this if he kills the Ravens but I just don't see it happening.
Hope you enjoyed this 2nd start/sit and the sort of freestyle approach rather than hard lines at ECR. Follow me on Twitter @Chris_Cianci
Thanks for reading and enjoy your weekend!!
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