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Caleb Williams Braces for Blitz-Heavy Defense
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams faces a stiff test this Sunday as his team squares off against the visiting Minnesota Vikings. By all accounts, Williams and the Bears' offense showed out in a big way last weekend when they routed the Panthers 59-37 on the road. For one game, at least, the 24-year-old took a huge step forward in accuracy (72.4%) and looked largely in control of Chicago's attack. He'll have his work cut out for him in Week 2 against a Brian Flores defense bound to blitz ceaselessly. Still, with his arsenal of skill players healthy, Williams will be well-equipped to handle one of the league's more imposing defensive units. The USC product is RotoBaller's QB3 ahead of the divisional matchup.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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Drake Maye Faces Another Tough Opponent in Week 2
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye could continue to deal with adversity during Sunday's Week 2 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maye struggled in the season opener last week, tallying one touchdown and three interceptions while looking rattled by the Seahawks' aggressive pressure on defense. The former No. 3 pick still has the top-five upside we saw from him last season, but he needs to prove himself capable of performing against high-caliber defenses. He didn't have much of an answer for the Seahawks last week, and he could continue to struggle against a Steelers defense led by star pass-rusher T.J. Watt. Because of Maye's track record from 2025, fantasy managers might have trouble benching him entirely in Week 2. However, at the very least, he's dropping to the low-end QB1 range for the time being. He ranks as the QB13 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Mike Evans Has WR1 Potential In Week 2
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans had six receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown on seven targets in his debut with his new team in Week 1. The chemistry that Evans shared with Brock Purdy was immediately evident. On the 49ers' first drive alone, Purdy threw to Evans for three third-down conversions, and the veteran finished the game tied with Deebo Samuel Sr. for the team lead in receptions and targets. Already at the top of the 49ers' depth chart, Evans could see a few more targets with George Kittle (Achilles) still working back to full strength and De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) out following his Week 1 non-contact ankle injury. This week, the 49ers are favored by almost two touchdowns against the Dolphins, which should mean less reliance on the passing game. Even if the potential blowout does take shape, Evans' likely involvement makes him a borderline WR1/2 and a must-start in Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Odell Beckham Jr.'s Comeback Story Not Resulting in Fantasy Production
New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. made plenty of headlines throughout the preseason. After spending a year out of the league, Beckham returned to where it all started and overcame the odds to win a roster spot with the Giants. However, once the regular season came around, most of the hype fizzled away. Beckham played just 16% of the snaps in Week 1, and he didn't fetch a single target. He is buried in the No. 4 spot on the depth chart behind Malik Nabers, Malachi Fields, and Darnell Mooney, making it tough for him to carve out any sort of fantasy relevance as long as his teammates are healthy. Beckham's return to the Giants is a feel-good story, but it doesn't seem like it will translate to any fantasy value.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black Now A Risky Flex In Week 2
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (groin) made a good first impression in his NFL debut last week. Black handled 14 carries for 65 yards and caught one pass for five receiving yards in the 49ers' Week 1 win over the Rams. San Francisco was in the driver's seat for much of the game, affording them the luxury of rotating Black into the backfield regularly in an effort to keep Christian McCaffrey fresh. Black was added to the injury report on Thursday due to groin tightness and is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dolphins. With the 49ers heavily favored, Black started the week as a flex candidate in an expected blowout, but his updated status makes him a risky start. If Black is restricted, then fellow backup Jordan James might spell McCaffrey, with wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. potentially seeing some backfield work as well.
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Source: San Francisco 49ers
Mason Taylor's Role Not Translating to Fantasy Value
New York Jets tight end Mason Taylor earned the start in Week 1 and played 66% of the offensive snaps, but he turned in a very lackluster performance from a fantasy football perspective. He caught just two of his three targets for minus-two yards, which indicates that he spent most of the game blocking or serving as a security blanket near the line of scrimmage. Indeed, he had a miserable average depth of target of 0.3 yards in the season opener. All the while, rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq caught three passes for 21 yards and had a rushing touchdown, despite playing less than half of the offensive snaps. All signs point to Sadiq easing his way into the starting tight end role within the next few weeks, which will drop Taylor further down the depth chart. The 22-year-old can be avoided in fantasy football as long as Sadiq is healthy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Noah Fant Could Have Deep-League Appeal
New Orleans Saints tight end Noah Fant recorded four receptions on eight targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Week 1's loss to the Detroit Lions. Fant was on the field for 41% of the Saints' offensive snaps, but showed good chemistry with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, reeling in an eight-yard touchdown grab at the end of overtime to give New Orleans a chance to win the game. Shough connected with Fant and fellow tight end Juwan Johnson for a combined 87 yards and two touchdowns on 15 targets. If Shough continues to target his tight ends at a high rate, Fant could develop some standalone appeal in deeper leagues. With his limited snap share, there are still some concerns, but Fant is worth keeping an eye on or stashing for the time being.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Christian McCaffrey In Line For RB1 Performance In Favorable Matchup
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had 68 rushing yards on 10 carries and converted eight targets into five catches for 20 receiving yards in last week's win over the Rams. His modest output in that game resulted from the 49ers' overall dominance and the effectiveness of backup Kaelon Black (groin), who had 14 carries of his own. With San Francisco heavily favored against the Dolphins in Week 2, there will be less of a need for McCaffrey to produce. However, Black was nursing groin tightness in practices this week and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Restrictions on Black may increase McCaffrey's workload, or open the door for backup Jordan James to get involved. Regardless, McCaffrey's status in San Francisco's offense and his effectiveness when on the field keep him in contention for a top-five finish. As in any week when McCaffrey is healthy, he is a must-start.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Juwan Johnson Could Have Path to TE1 Status Against Ravens
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson had a relatively quiet game in Week 1 against the Lions, but finished strong with three receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown. His late score came with 1:07 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24 and send it to overtime. Despite a slow start, Johnson out-snapped fellow tight end Noah Fant 76-37, fortifying his role as the TE1 in a pass-heavy offense. Johnson did pop up on the injury report this week and sat out practice Wednesday due to an illness, but recorded a limited session Thursday and a full practice Friday, shedding the injury tag entirely ahead of Sunday. With star receiver Chris Olave's status up in the air for Week 2's clash against the Ravens due to a hamstring injury, Johnson could see an increased target share if Olave is unable to play. Johnson ranks as a clear TE1 if Olave sits and a high-end TE2 if he plays.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Devaughn Vele Could See Bigger Role in Week 2
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele stepped up as the WR2 behind Chris Olave in Week 1's battle against the Detroit Lions, recording seven receptions on nine targets for 69 yards and a touchdown in the overtime loss. Surprisingly, Vele led the Saints' receiver room in snap percentage at 91%, playing five more snaps than Olave and 20 more than rookie receiver Bryce Lance. With Olave officially questionable with a hamstring injury, Vele would step in as the team's WR1 against a tough Ravens defense that allowed just 166 passing yards in Week 1 against Daniel Jones and the Indianapolis Colts. If Olave does suit up, Vele should still have some appeal in deeper leagues, coming in at WR43 in Nick Mariano's Week 2 rankings. If Olave is ruled out, Vele becomes a viable WR3 with additional upside.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Brock Purdy Set To Continue Early Success Against Dolphins
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is projected for a top-12 finish in Week 2. Purdy will be facing the Miami Dolphins, who allowed Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins a crisp 21-for-30 day and three touchdowns in Week 1. Purdy himself was the overall QB10 in fantasy football last week, after catching an intimidating Rams defense flat-footed in Melbourne. The so-called Mr. Irrelevant completed 73.5% of his passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns in his season opener. Purdy showed immediate chemistry with free agent acquisition Mike Evans, who tied Deebo Samuel Sr. with six catches and seven targets. Rookie De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) is out with an ankle injury, and tight end George Kittle (Achilles) will likely still be on a pitch count, but Purdy still has a solid supporting cast in Evans, Samuel, Demarcus Robinson, and Christian McCaffrey. In a favorable home matchup, Purdy should fulfill low-end QB1 expectations and can be started with confidence.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
No Clear Role for Ashton Dulin on Offense
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle) continues to occupy a depth role on offense, and he remains off the fantasy football radar for the time being. There had been some buzz that Dulin might have some low-end fantasy relevance as the Colts' de facto No. 3 receiver in Week 1 with Alec Pierce (heel) less than 100 percent, but he didn't live up to that hype. Instead, he had one target and zero catches on a 19% snap share. Now that Pierce is healthy, Dulin will fall to No. 4 (or lower) on the depth chart, and to make matters worse, he has been ruled out for Week 2 against the Chiefs due to his ankle injury. If Dulin returns to action in Week 3, he'll be an afterthought on offense while handling kick returns on special teams. He belongs on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Zavion Thomas' Preseason Hype is Fizzling Out
Chicago Bears wide receiver Zavion Thomas drew plenty of hype heading into the 2026 season, but he has quickly found himself trending back downward. The rookie demonstrated speed and versatility in college, and he caught five passes for 140 yards and one touchdown in the NFL preseason. However, Week 1 came around and he didn't play a single offensive snap. Despite his impressive summer, Thomas is clearly buried on the depth chart behind Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, and Jahdae Walker. He's still worth stashing in dynasty fantasy football, especially because his rookie status makes him eligible for the taxi squad in most leagues. However, he can be avoided entirely in redraft leagues, because he's a long way from earning any sort of meaningful playing time or volume.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Isaiah Davis Already Droppable in Most Fantasy Leagues?
New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis has tumbled down the depth chart. In addition to being the clear No. 3 back last week against the Tennessee Titans, he was factored out of the offense altogether with an astounding 0% snap share. Davis wasn't a huge part of the offense last year, but he still managed to log at least a 12% snap share in every game he played. It looks like it'll be a different story for him this year, as he is essentially a non-factor behind Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. Previously a hot commodity as a handcuff in dynasty leagues, the 24-year-old can now be dropped to waivers in most dynasty and all redraft formats. As long as Hall and Allen are healthy, there seems to be no path to meaningful playing time for Davis, who is under contract through 2027.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Olave Remains a Must-Start If Active Against Ravens
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) went off against the Lions in Week 1, recording 10 receptions for 182 yards on 13 targets in the overtime loss. It was an encouraging sign for fantasy managers who drafted him in the early rounds, as Olave and quarterback Tyler Shough have continued to build on the strong chemistry they showed throughout the 2025 season. Those same managers will need to monitor his status for Week 2's clash against the Ravens closely, as Olave popped up on the injury report Thursday for "precautionary reasons" with a hamstring injury. The questionable tag has followed him to the Saints' final injury report, and his status will be worth watching ahead of Sunday. If he is unable to suit up, receivers Devaughn Vele, Barion Brown and Bryce Lance would be next up. If active, Olave is a must-start WR1 this week.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Ryan Fitzgerald on the Streaming Radar Vs. The Falcons
Carolina Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald racked up seven points in last Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears. He made four of his five PATs and converted his only field-goal attempt (44 yards) in Sunday's 59-37 loss. The 26-year-old will look to build on his solid rookie campaign, in which he converted 24 of 29 field-goal attempts and 27 of 30 extra-point tries over 17 regular-season games. He also made two field goals from 55-plus last season and even connected on a 61-yarder during the preseason. The Panthers offense is coming in red-hot against the Falcons after scoring 37 points against the Bears. In his last two outings against the Falcons, Fitzgerald racked up 22 points total in both weeks. Fitzgerald is on the streaming radar for Week 2 and is currently ranked 20th among all kickers in the latest RotoBaller Week 2 rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Travis Etienne Jr. Remains in the RB2 Conversation Against Ravens
New Orleans Saints running back Travis Etienne Jr. carried the ball nine times for 46 yards and added a career-high seven receptions for 32 yards in Week 1's overtime loss to the Lions. Without Alvin Kamara in the lineup, Etienne Jr. was on the field for 59% of the snaps but split the carries evenly with Kendre Miller, with nine each. With Kamara ready to make his season debut against Baltimore, Etienne Jr. will likely continue to split snaps in the backfield, but his presence in the passing game should keep his fantasy value elevated. He goes up against a Ravens defense that just allowed Jonathan Taylor to go off for 121 total yards and two touchdowns. Etienne Jr. sits in the RB2 range and will look to find his first trip to the endzone this week.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Steelers D/ST Worth Starting Against New England
The Pittsburgh Steelers defense looked great in its season-opening victory over the Atlanta Falcons and will look to carry that momentum into a Week 2 road matchup with the New England Patriots. While the Patriots' offense was dangerous in 2025, New England started this season on a sour note, scoring just 10 points as quarterback Drake Maye threw three interceptions. With wide receiver A.J. Brown (ankle) on Injured Reserve, Maye and the Patriots could continue to struggle offensively, even at home in Foxborough on Sunday. This contest is projected to be a relatively low-scoring affair, making the Pittsburgh DST a safe option with plenty of upside for fantasy purposes.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Shough Faces Tough Week 2 Matchup Against Ravens
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough struggled in the first half of Week 1 against the Lions, completing just 10 of 22 passes for 85 yards and an interception. He found his groove in the second half and overtime, completing 25 of 34 passes for 326 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Shough said afterward that he was "trying to be too perfect" early on against Detroit. He'll now face a tough Ravens defense in Week 2 after they allowed just 166 passing yards and one passing touchdown to Daniel Jones and the Colts in Week 1. Shough will need to do a better job limiting turnovers, and getting off to a better start will be important against Baltimore. His ability to push the ball downfield gives him strong upside, but the tough matchup does add some risk. If he can avoid the early mistakes, Shough is a high-upside QB2 this week.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Carolina Panthers D/ST a Solid Streaming Option Vs. The Falcons
The Carolina Panthers D/ST was lit up by the Chicago Bears last Sunday, allowing a whopping 59 points. The Panthers defense will look to rebound and face a Falcons offense led by third-string quarterback Cooper Rush. Against the Steelers in the regular-season opener, the Falcons offense threw two interceptions (including a pick-six), fumbled twice, and allowed four sacks. The Panthers will be without defensive end Bobby Brown (back), who was ruled out in Week 2, while linebacker Patrick Jones is questionable with a back injury. With the Falcons forced to start Rush again in Week 2, the Panthers D/ST becomes an intriguing streamer and is ranked 16th by RotoBaller among fantasy defenses for Week 2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Boswell a Risky Fantasy Option in Week 2
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell remains one of the most consistent players at his position in the NFL, but he could disappoint for fantasy purposes in a difficult matchup against the New England Patriots this week. New England surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers last season, and this contest is projected to be a low-scoring affair featuring two strong defenses. If Pittsburgh's offense begins to click under new head coach Mike McCarthy, Boswell could become a matchup-proof starter at some point in 2026. For now, however, fantasy managers can likely find a better alternative in a more favorable matchup this weekend.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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