The Sporting News fantasy team is back with our fantasy football sleepers for Week 2. Last week we gave you names like Jayden Daniels, Jerome Ford, and Chris Godwin, all of whom went on strong weeks in fantasy.
Week 2 presents a new set of circumstances and matchups, so it's time to go back to the drawing board to find a group of fringe starters who you should consider getting into your lineup. Successfully identifying strong matchups and making lineup decisions based on these findings can be the difference between winning and losing your matchup in any given week.
If you don't have time to dive into the outlook for each game, don't worry, we've got you covered. We've taken a deep dive into each matchup of the Week 2 slate to identify matchups and players to target in fantasy football. Three of our fantasy analysts have identified a player at each position who is in a position to thrive this week.
WEEK 2 FANTASY RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 2
Michael O'Hara: Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams - The mind meld between Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp is officially back. The two were back in vintage form last Sunday, and Kupp had arguably his best game since his historic 2021 campaign. The Rams now have the opportunity to pick apart a truly horrific Arizona defense. With multiple injuries across the offensive line, Sean McVay will likely rely on Stafford's arm to lead the Rams. The Cardinals' offense also looked fairly strong in Week 1, meaning this could be a back-and-forth offensive battle. This is all setting up for Stafford to finish within the top 12 QBs.
Ed Williams: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Yes, Tampa did get a plum draw in Week 1, facing off against Washington's poor pass defense. But Mayfield delivered in a major way going 24-for-30 fr 289 yards and four touchdowns. Mike Evans contributed two of those touchdowns, and Chris Godwinn caught all 8 of his targets for 83 yards and a score of his own. The Lions have a good pass rush anchored by Aiden Hutchinson, but Detroit just gave up 317 passing yards to the Rams, including 14 catches for 110 yards. This bodes well for the Mayfield and the Bucs' offense staying hot.
Vinnie Iyer: Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers - He somehow finished QB19 last week without rushing for at least 60 yards or passing for at least 160 yards. His team also failed to score a TD. Should he need to start again in Denver, Fields can run and pass himself into a top-12 finish against a much weaker defense on the road than last week.
WEEK 2 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Trade Recommendations | Start 'Em, Sit 'Em | Usage Report
Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 2
O'Hara: Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos - It didn't look pretty in the box score, but Jaleel McLaughlin got the usage that we were hoping for, and then some. He was in a near 50-50 split with Javonte Williams, saw one more carry than Williams, and earned a whopping six targets. He was somehow only able to turn these targets into one receiving yard. Expect better days ahead for McLaughlin in this role where he is a high-volume pass catcher.
Williams: Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders - It's probably unanimous that the Panthers looked like the worst team in the NFL in Week 1, but the Giants might unanimously be viewed as the second worst right now, especially after the Patriots upset the Bengals. We figured the Giants' offense would continue to struggle with Daniel Jones back under center, but the defense also made Sam Darnold look far more competent than he is in quite some time, perhaps ever. Ekeler only received two carries against the Bucs, and while we don't expect him to deeply eat into Brian Robinson's carries, they should be in a game script that could open that up a bit. Regardless, with so few weapons in the passing game, Ekeler was tied for the team lead in targets with four, hauling in each target for 52 yards. Look for him to give the Giants fits this week.
Iyer: Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers - Look for the Gus Bus and the Dobbins Express to run all over the Panthers with high volume and explosive efficiency with that front further weakened with no Derrick Brown. Justin Herbert will have fun just handing off and watching both backs scoring at least once. The Chargers ran for 176 yards on the Raiders, and the Panthers gave up 180 to the Saints in Week 1.
WEEK 1 DFS LINEUP STRATEGY
Sleepers & Values | FNF DFS Advice | Main Slate DFS Advice
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 2
O'Hara: Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants - We took advantage of a matchup against the Commanders last week, why not do it again in Week 2? It became quite clear that Washington's secondary did not make many improvements this offseason. Specifically pertaining to Robinson, he proved to be a PPR machine after seeing 12 targets in Week 1. Robinson isn't exactly a priority start, but he can get the nod at the flex in deep PPR leagues thanks to this matchup.
Williams: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers - The Chargers didn't exactly look like an offensive juggernaut in Week 1, but now they draw the Carolina Panthers who just made the Saints look like world beaters, which they are not. While Justin Herbert only threw for 144 yards, he enjoyed some of the best pass protection of his career. He also won't have to deal with Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins this week. That will give him more time to see the field and find his favorite Week 1 target in the rookie, McConkey. He led the team in targets with 7 and converted those into 5 catches and a touchdown. Look for the rookie's stock to keep rising.
Iyer: Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions - The breakout big-play threat will keep sizzling at home facing a weak Buccaneers secondary as Jared Goff will stay aggressive taking shots to him downfield playing off the run. Williams finally looks fully healthy and ready to be a regular part of the offense playing off Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta.
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 2
O'Hara: Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams - Parkinson was my sleeper TE last week, and we're going right back to him in Week 2. He had a respectable outing in Week 1, finishing with four receptions for 48 yards. Parkinson now stands to benefit from the absence of Puka Nacua and should see an increased role, which elevates his floor. Parkinson is a strong TE streamer until Nacua returns to the lineup.
Williams: Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles - Editor's Note: Following the news that A.J. Brown has been ruled out for Monday night, Goedert becomes even more of a sleeper for this week. The following was the original write-up.
It was already tough enough to carve out consistent production in the same receiving corps as A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, but now with the addition of Saquon Barkley who is both a running and receiving threat, it's even murkier. While Goedert only managed 31 yards in Week 1 against the Packers, he was third in targets with five. He's still clearly one of Jalen Hurts' favorite security blankets when he's under pressure, and he had a good game against the Falcons last September, hauling in four catches for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Iyer: Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans - He had only 3 catches for 16 yards on 3 targets last week as his usage will remain fickle in relation to the loaded wide receiver corps for C.J. Stroud. But the Bears did let Chigoziem Okonkwo score last week, and Schultz can be an inside funnel to him and whoever's working the slot more between Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell given how good their young outside corners are.
Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 2
O'Hara: Los Angeles Chargers - It's just too easy to take advantage of Bryce Young and the Panthers' offense. Until they show some sort of level of competency, they should be targeted in fantasy. The Chargers have multiple strong pass rushers who should wreak havoc on Young this week.
Williams: Jacksonville Jaguars - The Jaguars' defense put up a solid performance against the high-octane Dolphins in a brutal Week 1 loss. As Travis Etienne was about to score a game-sealing touchdown, he fumbled, allowing the Dolphins to recover and hit what turned out to be the game-winning field goal. But now the Jags draw the Cleveland Browns. While the Browns' defense can cause plenty of havoc with Myles Garrett and company, their offense is another story. Deshaun Watson is back in the news for all the wrong reasons, and he looked lost at times against the Cowboys in Week 1. If Jacksonville was able to contain the Dolphins, they should be able to thrive against the Cleveland offense.
Iyer: Washington Commanders — They were terrible against the pass last week, but they now get a shaky QB in Daniel Jones at home against whom they can get some sacks and turnovers. Their offense should hum more with Jayden Daniels out of the gate, allowing some tee-off chances with a lead in the second half.
