After just one week of football, it's safe to say that the fantasy football landscape has dramatically shifted. Some players have significantly exceeded expectations, while others failed miserably. When we say "failed miserably" this is directed at just about every wide receiver and tight end that you could have drafted in the first four rounds.
Thankfully, it's a new week, and there is an opportunity for players to bounce back. Amon-Ra St. Brown isn't going to score just 4.3 PPR points every week. But there are still players who will disappoint fantasy managers every week. Hopefully you'll be aware of potential busts and can avoid these landmines in your lineup.
We'll be using a roundtable style article for our Week 2 fantasy football busts. Three of our fantasy football analysts will be taking a look at the slate for Week 2 and covering one player who they will be shying away from at each position. Keep these players out of your lineup this week or you could be in line for a very disappointing Sunday.
WEEK 2 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Busts Week 2
Michael O'Hara: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears - The expectation for many NFL fans was that Caleb Williams would come out of the gates hot thanks to the plentiful weapons in Chicago. This expectation led to him being drafted as a starter in many fantasy leagues. It's safe to say that Williams is no exception to the rule of rookie quarterbacks struggling in their first few starts. Williams is merely a bench asset until he shows improvements as a passer. Some may be inclined to hope for a bounce-back week, but it's best to just wait and see with Williams.
Ed Williams: Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons - After Cousins looked like an absolute statue against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1, we need to see him at least somewhat resemble the player we saw before he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last season. There was so much excitement surrounding the Falcons with the departure of Arthur Smith, public enemy No. 1 in the fantasy community. But while the usage for guys like Drake London, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson was worlds better than when Smith was calling the plays, Cousins' play put a real damper on things. They'll face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Monday night. The Eagles' defense gave up a lot of yards but buckled down in the red zone. They also didn't get home for many sacks, but they were in Jordan Love's face much of the game. But the Eagles are typically another animal when they're home at The Linc, particularly on defense, and that should play out again with Cousins' lack of mobility right now.
Vinnie Iyer: C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans - The Bears’ pass defense is tough so expect them to lean well on a revved up running game and his volume might be limited with Williams and the opposing offends sputtering.
WEEK 2 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Trade Recommendations | Start 'Em, Sit 'Em | Usage Report | Sleepers
Fantasy RB Busts Week 2
O'Hara: David Montgomery, Detroit Lions - The Lions have the pleasure of taking on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 2. The Buccaneers' defense features one of the best run-stuffers in the NFL in Vita Vea. Only seven running backs rushed for 60-plus yards against the Buccaneers last year, and three of the seven required at least 20 carries. Expect this to be a pass-heavy gameplan that attacks Tampa Bay's banged up secondary. Montgomery could return value if he finds the end zone, but this is a tough matchup for a running back who isn't much of a pass catcher.
Williams: Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens - Justice Hill was pretty far off the radar for fantasy in Week 1 other than being a backup option for Derrick Henry managers. But then he hauled in six catches for 52 yards, which are the type of numbers that typically translate to standalone value. Not so fast. This was a game where the Ravens were trailing much of the game, and Derrick Henry never got much going, rushing for just 46 yards on 13 carries. Hill was getting so much run because of game script. Facing the Raiders this week, I expect more of a bell cow game from Henry. Hill's only hope is if things turn into a blowout, and the Ravens decide to rest King Henry.
Iyer: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers - Justin Fields runs for his own check downs and Najee Harris can destroy a wilting Broncos run defense that didn’t slow the Seahawks last week.
Fantasy WR Busts Week 2
O'Hara: Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers - Yes, it's tempting to get Reed into your lineup after the explosion he had in Week 1. Unfortunately, his outlook for the next 3-4 games is drastically different with what will likely be Malik Willis under center. No mater which way you look at it - completion percentage, EPA per play, QBR, or whatever QB statistic you want to look at, Willis is one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL. It's honestly a shock that he's in line to be an NFL starter. All Packers pass catchers are effectively off limits until Love returns.
Williams: DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans - For a while we weren't even sure Nuk would suit up for Week 1 after suffering a knee injury in the preseason. But he was out on the field...for just 17 snaps. It's unlikely Hopkins will be back at full speed for another couple weeks at least. On top of that, Will Levis struggled against the Bears who do thrive in outside the numbers coverage. Next up is the Jets, and although the 49ers' put up 32 on them, look for the D to rebound and limit the receiving in this one. Be careful not to make a decision based on name value alone.
Iyer: Nico Collins, Houston Texans - Collins will be outside while Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell toggle in the slot, which is bad news vs either Jaylen Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, the best young corner duo in the NFL.
Fantasy TE Busts Week 1
O'Hara: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars - The Browns' defense has rightfully earned a reputation as the "tight end erasers". Cleveland allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last year and held up this reputation in Week 1. Cowboys' tight end Jake Ferguson was effectively removed from the offense and scored just 4.5 PPR points before leaving the game with a knee injury. Don't be surprised if Engram faces a similar fate, outside of the injury of course.
Williams: Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers - Musgrave was a popular tight end sleeper heading into the season as it was assumed he'd be the primary option at tight end, with Tucker Kraft being more of the secondary option. That was not what we saw at all on Friday night in Brazil against the Eagles as Kraft outsnapped Musgrave a whopping 64-17. To make matters worse, Jordan Love went down with a knee inury in the closing seconds of the game, and now Malik Willis will be under center. Be very careful starting any Packers pass catchers, but Musgrave could end up being both a short-term and long-term bust.
Iyer: Hunter Henry, New England Patriots - He is getting the key snaps but not viable targets so avoid until maybe Drake Maye starts as uses him often as a rookie security blanket a la Mac Jones.
Fantasy Defense Busts Week 1
O'Hara: Chigago Bears - Chicago's Week 1 game against the Titans made it look like the Monsters of the Midway had returned nearly 40 years into the future. The two scores from the defensive and special teams units were quite impressive, but don't expect them to have this level of success against C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans.
Williams: New England Patriots - While the Bengals weren't at full strength in Week 1, it was still a big surprise to see the Pats come out with a win. The lack of weapons on offense made it feel like the Pats would just be outgunned every week, fall behind, and eventually give up a bunch of points. But rookie head coach Jerod Mayo had his team ready to play against Cincy. It was a great Week 1 story, but I don't expect to see a repeat performance. Seattle has enough firepower to jump out to an early lead, and if that happens, things could get away from New England in a hurry.
Iyer: Minnesota Vikings - They crushed last week with Brian Flores’ new toys and they be playable most weeks but fade them vs 49ers despite them addling Brock Purdy last season.
