What You Need to Know from Week 2

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Buffalo at Miami

• James Cook might be in a breakout season. He got a goal to go carry again and converted. He also scored from distance and in the passing game.
• Josh Allen's stat line suffered because this game was over at halftime. Don't worry about him.
• Khalil Shakir should be trusted as a WR3/Flex. Even in a low pass volume game, Allen looked to him enough to justify a spot in PPR lineups.
• Dalton Kincaid was overdrafted. Allen targeted him early and an unlikely knee to the helmet slowed his momentum, but he's only a boom/bust low TE1.
• Keon Coleman was an afterthought. The game script hurt everyone in the Bills offense, but this low of a floor makes him droppable in redraft for a hot waiver name.
• Tua Tagovailoa is out indefinitely with a concussion. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are only WR3/Flex options while Skylar Thompson starts, which could be a while. If Thompson is bad, they could look elsewhere, but brace for the worst if you have Hill and Waddle. Thompson is a pickup in 2QB/Superflex leagues because of Mike McDaniel and the quality of the Dolphins' targets.
• De'Von Achane was used like an old-school workhorse. The Tagovailoa injury might not affect his value as much, but McDaniel could wear him out with overuse at this rate.
• Jeff Wilson Jr. left with an injury. Jaylen Wright wasn't that exciting on limited touches, and McDaniel would rather overuse Achane than give Wright touches in garbage time. Wright is a bench hold because he's one injury away from starting, but he might be a bust as a starter.
• Jonnu Smith's snap share was still under 50%, but the quarterbacks looked for him when he was out there. The Seahawks just gave up a big game to Hunter Henry, so Smith is worth a pickup and spot start this week.

San Francisco at Minnesota

• Deebo Samuel was great as a receiver in this one but came out of it with a calf injury that will sideline him for multiple weeks. Fifth-round pick Jacob Cowing is a pickup in deep leagues with Ricky Pearsall still on injured reserve, but Pearsall is worth a pickup if you have an injured reserve spot open. 
• Brandon Aiyuk has started slow but should be up to speed just as the 49ers need him the most in a good matchup against the Rams this week. He's going to bounce back in a big way.
• George Kittle left briefly to get an IV, but otherwise was terrific and should be a top 3 tight end while Samuel is out (and maybe even after he's back).
• Jordan Mason is for real and has RB1 value. He's probably worth more than what he's fetching in trades. 
• Sam Darnold was very good again and has matchup QB1 value. Kevin O'Connell is a good match for him. Darnold is worth carrying as a backup in 1QB leagues.
• Aaron Jones fumbled at the goal line, or he would have had a big week. Ty Chandler ran well and should be rostered even in short bench leagues.
• Justin Jefferson had a 97 yard score but left with a quad injury. All signs point to him playing in Week 3, but check practice reports.
• Jalen Nailor scored again and looked like the fastest player on the field. His window might be closing for now with Jordan Addison set to return, but there's dynasty value there.

Seattle at New England

• Geno Smith had a great day as offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb showed he'll go very pass-heavy when the run isn't working. Smith is worth carrying as a backup in 1QB leagues.
• Zach Charbonnet got all of the running back touches with Ken Walker III out. He wasn't effective as a runner and the line did him no favors. He still scored and was very involved as a receiver. Consider him a low RB1 against Miami.
• Jaxon Smith-Njigba had a breakout game. His demonstrated upside makes it hard to bench him as a WR3/Flex until he has two duds in a row.
• DK Metcalf feasted on a busted coverage and pass-heavy approach. You probably won't bench him again this year if you thought Christian Gonzalez might Metcalf him down after he blanketed Ja'Marr Chase in Week 1.
• Jacoby Brissett did what Bo Nix couldn't in Week 1 and attacked the only soft spot in the Seattle pass coverage - the middle of the field. Hunter Henry had a big spike week, and Jonnu Smith is in play as a streamer this week. Henry is a boom/bust TE1 against the Jets this week and shouldn't be on the waiver wire. 
• You're going to have to wait longer for Drake Maye in superflex leagues, but don't drop him.
• Rhamondre Stevenson is a weekly low RB1 on a surprisingly competitive Patriots team. 
• Antonio Gibson still has some juice and the Patriots are prone to overuse Stevenson. Gibson should be rostered in most, if not all leagues.
• Ja'Lynn Polk scored his first NFL touchdown and is probably the only Patriots wide receiver worth rostering in redraft leagues, and only in deep leagues.

NY Giants at Washington

• Daniel Jones is off of the ropes and has some value in 2QB/Superflex leagues, although Drew Lock should still be on the waiver wire watch list in that format.
• Jones is good enough to feed Malik Nabers, who would be drafted a round or more higher if we picked teams this week.
• Devin Singletary ran well and showed Week 1's dud was more about game script than him. He's an RB2/Flex against Cleveland and appears to be a good value at ADP.
• Wan'Dale Robinson scored, but his target share came crashing back to earth against a defense that allowed Jones the time to pass downfield. He's only a deep PPR league depth hold after a promising Week 1.
• Jayden Daniels looks good even though Kliff Kingsbury won't let him pass downfield and his fantasy line wasn't exciting. The injury risk is never far from our minds, but you should feel good if he's your QB1. Just make sure you have a backup you won't hate starting if Daniels goes down.
• Brian Robinson Jr. is a badass and worth starting as an RB2/Flex. If this offense improves, he could be one of the biggest values at running back, even with Austin Ekeler looking good and getting 30-40% of snaps. 
• Terry McLaurin caught six balls at least, but he's not going to go off until this offense improves. He's a “hope he goes off on your bench” this week against Cincinnati.
• Zach Ertz has something left and is worth a roster spot/spot start at Cincinnati if you're desperate at tight end.

LA Chargers at Carolina

• Justin Herbert got a little banged up but made some plays before the game got out of hand. He's only a low-ceiling Superflex/QB2, but it will be interesting to see what he can do if the Chargers play from more than a score behind. That probably won't happen against the Steelers this week.
• J.K. Dobbins showed Week 1 wasn't a fluke. He is going to keep splitting the work with Gus Edwards and might not get goal-line carries, but he should be in lineups as an upside flex/matchup RB2. The Steelers matchup this week is tough.
• Quentin Johnston had a potential breakout game when he roasted Jaycee Horn, a good cornerback, on a vertical route. He should be added in most leagues, but is only a bench stash.
• Joshua Palmer, like Herbert, could make some noise in a pass-heavy game script - if it ever comes - but he's not an essential hold in redraft leagues with Johnston emerging.
• Ladd McConkey was quiet and limited by the game script and Johnston's outburst. He's only a matchup WR3/Flex but shouldn't be dropped.
• Bryce Young was the worst quarterback on the field in Week 2 and got benched. Don't drop Diontae Johnson yet and consider picking up Adam Thielen in deep PPR leagues after Thielen's frustration might have been instrumental in Young's benching.
• Chuba Hubbard was the only bright spot on offense and could be worth rostering again with Dalton at quarterback. Jonathan Brooks is a more compelling injured reserve stash if Dalton remains the quarterback through most/all of the season.

New Orleans at Dallas

• The Saints just might have the best offense in the league. Derek Carr is a fantasy QB1 until further notice. We haven't seen his best because both games were over at halftime.
• Alvin Kamara is a perfect fit for Klint Kubiak's offense and would be a second-round pick if drafts were held today.
• Rashid Shaheed had another easy long score and is an every-week WR2 until further notice.
• Chris Olave had a great catch just short of the goal line. He's a priority buy low.
• Dak Prescott didn't do much for fantasy despite a pass-heavy game script. He needs someone other than CeeDee Lamb to threaten defenses.
• Lamb broke free from two tackles at the sideline and took a short pass to the house or he would have had a quiet day. The Saints pass defense is good and they will be focused on DeVonta Smith in Week 3.
• Jalen Tolbert led the team in targets and catches and is worth a waiver pickup. He'll get a chance to emerge as that second target with Brandin Cooks only making a small impact in the passing game so far.
• Luke Schoonmaker caught six passes, but Jake Ferguson will be back this week. Schoonmaker isn't worth a redraft spot. Make sure Ferguson wasn't dropped in your league; he has a high rest-of-season ceiling.

Indianapolis at Green Bay

• Anthony Richardson had a learning experience against a good defense on the road, but his receivers did him no favors. He's still worth a start against a tough Bears defense in Week 3, but don't be surprised if it's another dud.
• Alec Pierce scored again and is developing chemistry with Richardson. He's a what-the-heck flex against Chicago.
• Michael Pittman Jr. isn't clicking with Richardson and is a “hope he goes off on the bench” in Week 3. 
• Josh Downs should be rostered if bench sizes allow. He wasn't active in Week 2, but should be back in Week 3 and was Richardson's favorite target last year and in camp.
• Jonathan Taylor looked good despite a terrible game script. He's a buy low as this offense should improve as Richardson improves.
• Matt LaFleur made a terrific game plan for Malik Willis that didn't expose his flaws to the defense. Willis has minimal fantasy value, and the Packers will be run-heavy until Jordan Love returns (don't drop your Packers pass catchers but don't start them until Love is back), but LaFleur is a value add to this whole offense.
• Josh Jacobs had a career-high workload as the Colts have now had two running backs go for 30 or more carries in two games. DeForest Buckner is likely out for the Colts in Week 3. Expect D'Andre Swift and maybe Khalil Herbert to get a chance to get on track this week.

Cleveland at Jacksonville

• Deshaun Watson is still uninspiring as a quarterback when it comes to creating value in this offense. The benching danger has subsided with the win, but it's not completely gone. Watson is not worth a roster spot in 1QB leagues.
• The Browns turned to D'Onta Foreman over Jerome Ford, but Ford outplayed Foreman, and Foreman fumbled at the goal line. Pierre Strong Jr was being used on passing downs, but he left with a hamstring injury. Don't drop Ford. He's a what-the-heck flex in Week 3 against the Giants.
• Amari Cooper shouldn't be in lineups until he and Watson get something going. He had a bad drop in this one.
• Jerry Jeudy is a what the heck flex and is set up the best for value in the Watson pass offense.
• Trevor Lawrence and this pass offense look disjointed. He shouldn't be in lineups until they get this figured out.
• Getting this figured out probably involves more Brian Thomas Jr., who had another huge play that was close to being a touchdown. He should be in lineups as a WR3/Flex going forward.
• Christian Kirk didn't do much, but almost scored and drew a pass interference so he shouldn't be dropped, but he's on benches after coming up small in the box score despite the absence of Evan Engram.
• Engram hurt his hamstring in warmups and will likely be out for Week 3. 2023 second-rounder Brenton Strange showed a downfield dimension and should be on waiver wire watch lists.
• Tank Bigsby was curiously not involved despite a strong Week 1 and then hurt his shoulder. He should be ok, but Travis Etienne Jr's value is up nonetheless even though he had few impact plays.

NY Jets at Tennessee

• Aaron Rodgers is in the game manager portion of his career. He's not an essential hold in 1QB and is only a low-ceiling QB2/Superflex.
• Braelon Allen is the real deal. He scored twice and can have what-the-heck flex value even with Breece Hall still playing like Breece Hall. He shouldn't be on the waiver wire in any league.
• Hall will see his opportunity reduced, but it could help him stay healthy. The glass half full take here is that the backfield still accounted for three scores. You're happy if you took Hall in the first round.
• Garrett Wilson wasn't a dud, but the ceiling games aren't going to come until someone else emerges. Maybe that can be Mike Williams, whose snap count went up significantly.
• Allen Lazard was in on more than 80% of snaps, but he didn't do anything. He can be dropped after a big Week 1.
• Will Levis was mostly good, but when he was bad, he was very bad. He's not worth carrying in 1QB leagues and has a low ceiling as a superflex/QB2.
• Calvin Ridley did the most he could with limited opportunity. He's the only pass-catcher worth rostering in this offense and can be played as a boom/bust WR3/Flex.
• Tyjae Spears left with an ankle injury but has a chance to play in Week 3. Tony Pollard will be the lead back in any event and should be in lineups as an RB2/Flex. Spears isn't an essential hold in redraft.

Tampa Bay at Detroit

• Chris Godwin is going to go off in the Cooper Kupp role. He is a borderline WR1 and one of the biggest values at wide receiver.
• Baker Mayfield added value with his legs, and it looks like he has arrived as a low QB1. He might allow you to trade the quarterback you took ahead of him.
• Rachaad White left briefly with a groin injury and caught one pass. Bucky Irving wasn't particularly impressive. This could be an RBBC that gives us no reliable weekly play if Irving doesn't break out.
• Jared Goff moved the ball, but he couldn't finish drives and was very disappointing for fantasy despite throwing 55 times. He's still worth a streamer look at Arizona, but this offense needs to improve for him to be trusted in fantasy.
• Jameson Williams is for real and should be in lineups every week as a WR3/Flex.
• The team didn't call Sam LaPorta's number often, but that could change as an adjustment after early season struggles. He was also hurt in the preseason. Consider him a buy low.
• Jahmyr Gibbs didn't score, but he looks explosive and should have a ceiling game soon as long as he keeps getting 15-20 touches a game. His perceived value might be lower than his real value.

Las Vegas at Baltimore

• Gardner Minshew came on in the fourth quarter for a big road win. He has some value in 2QB/Superflex leagues and can support the value of two pass catchers in this offense.
• Davante Adams was huge in the fourth quarter, and Minshew appears to be good for his value.
• Brock Bowers might be TE1 this year. He is being used creatively, and Minshew is leaning on him.
• Don't drop Zamir White, who should get a chance to get going if the Raiders stay this competitive even though Alexander Mattison got the touchdown again this week. The snap count swung back in White's favor this week.
• This offense is still a work in progress. Lamar Jackson has better days to come once the line and playbook get straightened out.
• Derrick Henry had a favorable game script this week and delivered a solid RB2 game. Like Jackson, his value has room to grow.
• Zay Flowers got the ball by design like a #1 receiver. He's going to return the value you invested in him in your draft, maybe more.
• Isaiah Likely's role shrunk in Week 2. He's not a must-start, but Lamar Jackson when throwing to him, and we know his ceiling is high. Don't overreact to the quiet game; he almost had a big play on the one target he didn't convert to a catch.
• Mark Andrews' role didn't grow that much from Week 1 when he was the focus of the defense. He's still worth starting and at least has been less disappointing than his ADP peers, except for Trey McBride.

LA Rams at Arizona

• Cooper Kupp is going to be out for a while. Jordan Whittington was his replacement, and he's worth a pickup in deep leagues. Whittington should be rostered over Tyler Johnson, who will share Puka Nacua's role with Tutu Atwell.
• Matthew Stafford will be missing his top two targets for the foreseeable future and his offensive line is crumbling. He's only desperation depth in 2QB/Superflex.
• Kyren Williams scratched out a score, but his efficiency is going to tank. Hope that he doesn't go down because of overuse in a futile offense, but keep playing him as an RB2.
• Blake Corum was only in during garbage time. He can be dropped in redraft leagues while this offense is a MASH unit.
• Kyler Murray was a maestro and could be headed for new heights in Drew Petzing's offense. He's a buy high heading into a matchup with the Lions.
• James Conner is going to be helped by the rising tide of this offense. He would have an even bigger day if he didn't fumble into the end zone.
• Trey McBride recovered Conner's fumble for a score but was having a good day before that anyway. He looks like the one hit of the top five tight end tier.
• Marvin Harrison Jr. had the best wide receiver game of Week 2 in one quarter. He's going to be fine.
• Greg Dortch wasn't targeted much and his snap count plummeted in a game that was over at halftime. He's not an essential hold, but still has potential value in a rising tide offense, so don't drop him in deep PPR leagues.

Cincinnati at Kansas City

• Joe Burrow had some success targeting tight ends and made the most out of a day that saw Ja'Marr Chase look ordinary again. Burrow should be in lineups in Week 3 against a Washington defense that let Daniel Jones get on track in Week 2.
• Jermaine Burton caught a deep ball and is starting to create speculative redraft value. Keep him on your waiver wire watch list, especially with Tee Higgins not 100% yet.
• Mike Gesicki led the team in catches and yards by a large margin. He's worth a pickup and possibly a start against Washington.
• It will be time to get worried about Chase if he doesn't go off against the Commanders.
• Isiah Pacheco went down with a broken fibula and will be out at least 6-8 weeks. Carson Steele and Samaje Perine will split the work with Kareem Hunt signed to the practice squad and possibly complicating matters further. It's possible none of these backs are consistent for fantasy so don't overspend on the waiver wire.
• Rashee Rice had a long touchdown, but otherwise the pass offense was neutered by the Bengals. Rice and Xavier Worthy should stay in lineups against Atlanta, but Patrick Mahomes is set up for another disappointing season.
• Travis Kelce almost scored and had a long play called back, but he just doesn't seem to be a big part of the offense. That could change with Pacheco's injury, so Kelce is still worth a Week 3 start, but if it's another dud, it's time to find someone else to start until (if) he gets going.

Pittsburgh at Denver

• Justin Fields will remain the starter which means there's no reliable fantasy play in this offense right now. The Steelers will be hyper-conservative in the passing game and employ an RBBC.
• George Pickens is playing well despite a quiet stat line. His biggest play was wiped out by a penalty, and he drew a big penalty. Buy low and be patient.
• Bo Nix looks overwhelmed. There's no one worth playing and arguably no one worth rostering right now, although the team did face two very good defenses. Tampa is up in Week 3 and the schedule is not kind after that.

Chicago at Houston

• Caleb Williams isn't playing well, but the offense is also futile right now, so it's hard to know how much of that is on him. DJ Moore is frustrated and should stay in as an upside WR3/Flex play, but it's not looking good for this pass offense.
• D'Andre Swift is worth a what the heck flex with the soft Colts run defense up, but this line isn't really giving him a chance to get going. Khalil Herbert got the goal-line touchdown and might be worth a pickup in deep leagues to see if he can light the fuse against the Colts.
• Rome Odunze isn't an essential hold in short bench leagues with this pass offense struggling.
• The Bears defense is good, so not much was there beyond emerging #1 receiver Nico Collins, who might be a first-round pick if we were drafting today. 
• Joe Mixon suffered an ankle injury, but the running game was held in check before that. Cam Akers was the backup, but he wasn't that effective and fumbled at the goal line. Akers is still worth a deep league pickup if Mixon misses time and Dameon Pierce remains sidelined with his hamstring injury.
• Don't bail on Tank Dell but know that he's at best a boom/bust WR3/Flex for now. The explosive plays will come.

Atlanta at Philadelphia

• Kirk Cousins looked better as the game went on and has some value in superflex leagues as the Michael Penix Jr. watch is on hold for now. 
• Drake London and Darnell Mooney only came on late. But London did enough to merit a WR3/Flex start against the Chiefs, and Mooney is worth a pickup outside of short bench leagues as the downfield target in this offense.
• Kyle Pitts was an afterthought. He's not droppable, but may not be startable if he doesn't do anything against a Chiefs defense that has been shredded by tight ends so far this year.
• Tyler Allgeier got more work and looked good. He's still not as big a threat to Bijan Robinson's value as feared, but he's worth carrying across leagues as a high-injury-upside backup.
• Jalen Hurts was much more dangerous as a runner and scored a tush push touchdown when Saquon Barkley was down at the half-yard line. Things are looking up for his fantasy value.
• A.J. Brown is out for multiple weeks with a hamstring injury. DeVonta Smith will be the #1 receiver and will be a top 10 play for as long as Brown is out.
• Dallas Goedert was disappointing with Brown out and isn't a must-start against the Saints.