After a wild opening week that featured some expected big performances (Josh Allen, Jonathan Taylor, Cooper Kupp, Travis Kelce), surprising disappointments (Aaron Rodgers, Alvin Kamara, CeeDee Lamb, Kyle Pitts), and crushing injuries (Dak Prescott, Elijah Mitchell, Chris Godwin), it's time to reset. That means not overreacting or chasing last week's stats and not giving up on players who had rough starts to 2022. We're here to help your Week 2 fantasy start 'em, sit 'em decisions with lineup advice for season-long leagues and DFS contests.
Heading into Week 2, there are plenty of key injuries to monitor starting with RB JK Dobbins and TE George Kittle, both of whom were inactive last week. In addition to Prescott, Mitchell, and Godwin, who will be out, several more key players, including Tee Higgins, Najee Harris, and Keenan Allen, figure to be "questionable," at best. The status of all could have big effects on roster decisions, so watch those injury reports.
Navigating through the deep pool of starting options, here are our must-starts and start 'em sit 'em recommendations for Week 2. If you have a specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller's industry-leading "Who To Start?" tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
MORE: Click here to become a RotoBaller VIP subscriber and receive exclusive access to their premium lineup tools, DFS cheat sheets, and Team Sync platform! Use discount code SPORTING.
WEEK 2 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. TEN)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at KC)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. LV)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. MIA)
- Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. HOU)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (at DAL)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. MIN)
Stronger starts
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (at PHI). Cousins is locked in with Justin Jefferson in the new explosive offense, and the Eagles couldn't stop the Lions much in a shootout.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (vs. ATL). Stafford and the downfield passing game gets on track against a team with a limited pass rush and only one daunting cornerback.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (vs. GB). Rodgers does "own" them, and he won't have a second straight clunker given his team is already in desperation mode. He'll find someone to trust in the receiving corps.
Trey Lance, 49ers (vs. SEA). The Seahawks' defense overachieved against the Broncos and are in for a major emotional letdown and breakdown as the Niners find their footing with big numbers at home.
Carson Wentz, Commanders (at DET). Wentz can keep taking advantage of a favorable early schedule in what could wind up being another high-scoring, back-and-forth affair between two bad defenses.
Justin Fields, Bears (at GB). Fields looked good against a tough 49ers defense and should feel confident running and passing vs. his team's archrivals.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Derek Carr, Raiders (at ARI, $7,000). Carr struggled with a new-look, potentially dominant Chargers defense on the road, but he gets to pick apart a mess of a Cardinals defense at home. He has top-six QB1 potential, and all of his key receivers also are worthy daily targets.
DraftKings tournament pick
Baker Mayfield, Panthers (at NYG, $5,300). Mayfeld also steps into a favorable spot on the road and should carry over some of his strong second-half vibes from Week 1. He can easily get to 3X or 4X return on investment with the help of his weapons.
Streamer Special
Jared Goff, Lions (vs. WAS). Goff threw for 215 yards, two TDs and an INT against the Eagles to disappoint a little last week, as Detroit ran and scored on the ground more than expected in comeback mode. The yards should shoot up a bit with a strong chance for another multiple-TD game.
WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (at NO). Brady has failed to solve the Saints in four regular-season meetings since being a Buc, so don't be surprised if Tampa Bay stays in a run-heavy, grind-it-out mode to remain in line with Todd Bowles' mentality and make sure the reality result is a victory.
Jameis Winston, Saints (vs. TB). Bowles' suddenly non-blitzing defense will be a problem in what figures to be a limited-scoring game for both sides.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (at BAL). The Ravens gave up yardage to Joe Flacco from massive volume, but thanks to a solid pass rush and secondary, New York managed just three points before a late garbage-time TD. Tua will have similar issues.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. IND). Lawrence will cool down against an active pass-rushing defense with an ace slot corner in Kenny Moore.
Marcus Mariota, Falcons (at LAR). Mariota ran his way to a solid day against the Saints, but don't go chasing his low ceiling.
Daniel Jones, Giants (vs. CAR). He had two scores and 25 yards rushing in Week 1, but he's not enough of a Saquon sideshow to trust.
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (at BUF). Tannehill also put up two scores opposite Daniel Jones, but now he gets a rough Bills' pass defense on the road.
WEEK 2 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/ST | Kicker
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start 'Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at HOU)
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (at PHI)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. CAR)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at DAL)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (at BUF)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (at KC)
- Nick Chubb, Browns (vs. NYJ)
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (at NYG)
- Antonio Gibson, Commanders (at DET)
- D'Andre Swift, Lions (vs. WAS)
- Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. HOU)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (vs. CHI)
- Najee Harris, Steelers (if he plays, vs. NE)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. TB)
- Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. HOU)
- James Conner, Cardinals (vs. LV)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (at NO)
- A.J. Dillon, Packers (vs. CHI)
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. NYJ)
Stronger starts
Miles Sanders, Eagles (vs. MIN). Sanders got back into the end zone and is looking like a strong lead in an explosive offense again.
Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at ARI). He's still their top back, and there should be some better scrimmage results against a weak overall Cardinals defense. He has a great chance at a short TD.
Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at PIT). They should rebound rushing and receiving together in Pittsburgh against a still weak run defense that also struggles in covering backs in the receiving game.
Devin Singletary, Bills (vs. TEN). The Titans typically contain the running game but had major lapses vs. Saquon Barkley last week. Singletary should be busy with good volume in the second half.
James Robinson and Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (vs. IND). It's easier to run on the Colts than pass, and the Jags will find a way to use backs more effectively playing off each other in power and open-field situations.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (vs. LAR). He keeps proving the doubters wrong with his clear lead role, and he's a volume-based play in a tough spot.
Melvin Gordon, Broncos (vs. HOU). Gordon is getting a good chunk of work early in the new offense and should find the end zone as Denver dominates with a big rushing effort to support Russell Wilson's big pass plays.
Chase Edmonds, Dolphins (at BAL). Edmonds won't see much running room, but Tagovailoa will be stuck checking down often vs. a daunting secondary.
Nyheim Hines, Colts (at JAX). Hines is needed in the short-to-intermediate passing game to complement Jonathan Taylor. He's a good PPR-leaning flex play.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Joe Mixon, Bengals (at DAL, $8,300). Mixon should be relied upon plenty in a positive game script to take pressure off Joe Burrow and pound away at a weak front against the run.
Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. HOU, $7,300). Williams' usage in relation to Melvin Gordon is a bit concerning, but he should be able to destroy Houston by maximizing his volume.
DraftKings tournament picks
Antonio Gibson, Commanders (at DET, $6,200). Gibson is eating up the touches for now without Brian Robinson and steps into another juicy matchup against a team that got ripped by all the Eagles.
Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers (vs. SEA, $5,100). Wilson isn't reliable in cash situations because of the fickle nature of this backfield, but he could easily bring back great ROI with just 90 total yards and a TD.
WEEK 2 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys (vs. CIN). The Bengals shut down the Steelers on the ground behind a weak line and will follow suit in Dallas. Tony Pollard has more appeal as a flex vs. Elliott as a RB2.
Rashaad Penny, Seahawks (at SF). His straight-ahead running style won't work well in a negative game script against a nasty defense.
David Montgomery, Bears (at GB). Monty looks like he's getting a raw deal in relation to emerging Khalil Herbert, making him hard to trust as a volume play.
Darrell Henderson Jr. and Cam Akers, Rams (vs. ATL). This running game isn't right, and it's the one thing the Falcons tend to stop defensively.
Michael Carter and Breece Hall, Jets (at CLE). The Browns did a number on CMC, and these parts of a limited whole aren't appealing on the road.
Rex Burkhead and Dameon Pierce, Texans (at DEN). Rex is wrecking big plans for Dameon Pierce, and this piecemeal situation will crash against the Broncos.
WEEK 2 DFS: Best values | Best stacks
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. PHI)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. ARI)
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (vs. ATL)
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at DAL)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. TEN)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (vs. SEA)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (at JAX)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. MIN)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at BAL)
- Mike Williams, Chargers (at KC)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. HOU)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at NO)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (if he plays, at DAL)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at DET)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. WAS)
- D.J. Moore, Panthers (at NYG)
- Gabriel Davis, Bills (vs. TEN)
- Allen Robinson, Rams (vs. ATL)
- Darnell Mooney, Bears (at GB)
- Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. LV)
- Michael Thomas, Saints (vs. TB)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Diontae Johnson, Steelers (vs. NE)
- Brandin Cooks, Texans (at DEN)
- Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (vs. HOU)
Stronger starts
CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. CIN). Lamb is their only real wideout option for Cooper Rush, and he was very productive with volume in Rush's lone 2021 start. Expect him to rebound from being lost in Week 1.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (vs. LAC). Smith-Schuster is the busiest wideout target in the committee for Patrick Mahomes, and his size will be a factor against the Chargers' secondary.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (vs. PHI). The Eagles' secondary can give up action away from Darius Slay, and Thielen should score playing off JJ on Monday night.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (vs. SEA). Aiyuk will convert a long pass from Trey Lance into a touchdown and also stay busy to eat up a zone defense.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (at ARI). The Cardinals' secondary won't stop Davante Adams, and Renfrow also will benefit from his coverage attention.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at DAL). He's a finer play should Tee Higgins (concussion) miss the game, as the Cowboys will have more trouble with the slot.
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks (vs. SF). The 49ers gave up a long slot shot to the Bears, and he will be Geno Smith's best wideout shot this week.
Jarvis Landry, Saints (vs. TB). Landry is getting the key targets from Jameis Winston and should rack up catches working underneath the Buccaneers' secondary.
Julio Jones, Buccaneers (at NO). Jones will be needed more behind Mike Evans with Chris Godwin (hamstring) on the shelf.
Josh Palmer, Chargers (at KC). With Keenan Allen hamstrung, Palmer can live up to preseason promise for Justin Herbert.
Jahan Dotson, Commanders (at DET). The Lions' secondary is bad enough to think the rookie can have another nice game downfield for Carson Wentz.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. WAS, $6,900). The Commanders are awful in the slot, and he'll keep on rolling with Jared Goff. You can also explore DJ Chark for tournaments.
D.J. Moore, Panthers (at NYG, $6,200). Last week was a Robbie Anderson game. This week will be a Moore game.
DraftKings tournament picks
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. HOU, $6,100). Sutton can have a monster day as Denver overcorrects with Russell Wilson's top target.
Allen Robinson, Rams (vs. ATL). A-Rob also gets a course correction from Matthew Stafford while A.J. Terrell tries his best to effectively shadow Cooper Kupp.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, Browns (vs. NYJ, $4,400). He seems to have a nice big-play connection with Jacoby Brissett, making him a sweet dice roll at home against a Jets team that got roasted deep by the Ravens.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
DK Metcalf, Seahawks (at SF). Metcalf and Geno Smith confirmed their bad fit together in Week 1, and this isn't the matchup outside with which to get well.
Rashod Bateman, Ravens (vs. MIA). He saved his day with a late big-play TD vs. the Jets, but against Xavien Howard, this seems like a Mark Andrews-heavy game.
Elijah Moore, Jets (at CLE). It's concerning that Joe Flacco is looking more to Corey Davis, rookie Garrett Wilson, the backs, and tight ends, so it might take a Zach Wilson (knee) return to jumpstart him.
Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. IND). Kirk has a sneaky tough spot against Kenny Moore's coverage, so this feels like more of a game for Zay Jones and the tight ends.
Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. NYJ). Cooper and Jacoby Brissett don't seem to be on the same page yet, so take a wait-and-see approach.
Sterling Shepard, Giants (vs. CAR). He's the only viable option from this passing game at the moment, but this matchup isn't great.
Robbie Anderson, Panthers (at NYG). He's big-play dependent from Baker Mayfield, and that big play won't happen this week.
Drake London, Falcons (vs. LAR). Jalen Ramsey is struggling more than a bit in coverage, but he can school a rookie in a limited passing game.
Chase Claypool, Steelers (vs. NE). Claypool is getting more work than expected, but it's tough to trust anything extended with Mitchell Trubisky.
All Titans (at BUF). When Kyle Philips looks like the best option vs. the Bills, avoid this situation.
All non-Allen Lazard Packers (vs. CHI). It's just not happening much with anyone for Aaron Rodgers, and it's hard to know who might come through for him.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start 'Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. MIA)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. ARI)
- George Kittle, 49ers (if he returns, vs. SEA)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at LAR)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. MIN)
- Dalton Schultz, Cowboys (vs. CIN)
- T.J. Hockenson, Lions (vs. PHI)
Stronger starts
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. NE). Mitchell Trubisky is stuck throwing to him most, so take advantage before Kenny Pickett gets in there and opens things up for the wide receivers.
Zach Ertz, Cardinals (at LV). He's locked into a key receiving role with no DeAndre Hopkins, and there's a good chance he finds the end zone again.
Hunter Henry, Patriots (at PIT). They need to use him more ahead of Jonnu Smith to help settle Mac Jones, and the matchup is good enough to take a deep-league TD shot.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (at KC). He is a key part of the offense now and will get more run with Keean Allen (hamstring) hurting, just like Josh Palmer.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (vs. CHI). Look for Aaron Rodgers to fire up one of his trusted targets more, and there's a good chance Tonyan scores.
David Njoku, Browns (vs. NYJ). He was very disappointing with Jacoby Brissett last week, but there will be a little correction to get him more involved in a solid spot.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Darren Waller, Raiders (vs. ARI, $6,800 on FD, $5,600 on DK). The Cardinals got ripped inside and outside by Travis Kelce and the Chiefs, and Waller is a brutal matchup for them playing off Davante Adams. Lock into him and pay up for a reliable big game.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Dawson Knox, Bills (vs. TEN). He's stepping into a tough spot, and it's hard to trust him to stand out in a receiving crowd.
Albert Okwuegbunam, Broncos (vs. HOU). Denver's TE situation is getting too committee-like, and there's too much running back and wideout domination in the Broncos' offense.
Taysom Hill, Saints (vs. TB). He got on the board with a huge run and short score on the Falcons. It won't happen for a second straight week.
Cole Kmet, Bears (at GB). So much for the hype. You need to see him catch a ball in 2022 before you can start him.
Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. ATL). It will be a wide receiver game to burn the Falcons.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (at DAL). They won't need much from him to beat the Cowboys.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start 'Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Browns (vs. NYJ)
- 49ers (vs. SEA)
- Rams (vs. ATL)
- Bills (vs. TEN)
- Broncos (vs. HOU)
- Ravens (vs. MIA)
- Buccaneers (at NO)
- Colts (at JAX)
Stronger starts
Packers (vs. CHI). They get the emotional home prime-time bump as they rebound from the Vikings' disaster.
Saints (vs. TB). They can make enough plays to frustrate Tom Brady a few times.
Patriots (at PIT). They get to attack an anemic offense.
Steelers (vs. NE). They get to attack an anemic offense.
Panthers (at NYG). They should come up with key plays vs. Daniel Jones to beat the Giants.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Bengals (at DAL, $3,900 on FD, $2,220 on DK). They were priced low ahead of the Dak Prescott injury news, so you need to jump on the incredible value and load up your lineups elsewhere.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Eagles (vs. MIN). The Vikings are just too darn explosive now to think about deploying the Eagles vs. Kirk Cousins, even in prime time.
Dolphins (at BAL). They thwarted Lamar Jackson last season and are coming off a Patriots domination, but avoid them on the road.
Cowboys (vs. CIN). Not against the Bengals' prolific offense because Joe Burrow won't repeat the Steelers game.
Chargers (at KC). Not against Patrick Mahomes.
Commanders (at DET). It's a trap.
Giants (vs. CAR). It's also a trap.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 2 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
