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Fantasy Mad Libs: Starts and Sits for Week 2

Week 1 is officially in the books, and I don't know if I feel good. My picks were largely decent, and the games were very close. But much like the cast from the Tony Award-winning musical "Hamilton," I can never be truly satisfied. David Johnson looked great even in a losing effort, but I have to wonder if it'll continue against the impressive front-sevens of the NFC West. I have C.J. Anderson in a few leagues, but will it continue? Week 1 is the cruel mistress that tells you, "you did the right thing," despite you wondering if Demaryius Thomas is injured or just having a bad week. So I spent my weekend, half-enjoying my victories (you'll see why below) and half-wondering if it was all just fleeting.

Also, as I wrote this week's column, I was repeatedly interrupted with RotoBaller members asking for fantasy advice. Gosh, that was fun. Feel free to tweet me or chat me with your questions, but I'll always be around to let you know that I think your team is trash good. Now, on to this week's fill-ins!

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through the playoffs. Premium DFS research, lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Running Back

Melvin Gordon will either be on my bench or will ruin my week.

The significantly smarter-than-me Nathan Jahnke noted on Twitter this Sunday that despite a big Melvin Gordon fantasy day, he was out-snapped more than 2-to-1 by Danny Woodhead. If you're excited about Melvin Gordon finally coming around, good for you; you're a San Diego Chargers fans who is living in an endless amount of denial. The Jacksonville Jaguars held T.J. Yeldon in check, so even if you believe Gordon ends up fine, this may not be the week to test your theory.

Dear C.J. Anderson, do you like like me? I like like you this week. 

C.J. Anderson was other-wordly against the Carolina Panthers to open the season, and it's not likely he can keep up the pace. Except for the fact that the Broncos are facing off against the Colts. The Indianapolis Colts. The Indianapolis "Oh My God We Couldn't Stop The Lions" Colts. The "We Couldn't Stop Ameer Abdullah OR Theo Riddick" Colts. CJ Anderson is as close as you can come to a lock at running back in Week 2, and additionally an RB1 as long as he keeps getting the line work from the Denver Broncos and the easy matchups.

Am I going to really start Darren Sproles in Week 2? (less than 60% ownership in ESPN leagues)

I love those questions that make you feel like a fantasy player who cannot believe the decision they are about to make. Really? Darren Sproles? The 33-year-old RB is owned in 55% of ESPN leagues, yet just about every single Sproles owner is going "Am I going to really do this?" I can't recommend Sproles every single week, but he's a decent FLEX play vs the Chicago Bears, and whats more, could be a very fun play in a PPR league. No, I don't have Sproles ranked very high (just speculating, barely a top-30 RB?) but in a league where you need a low risk solution with scoring potential, go Sproles.

Hold your nose, here comes Toby Gerhart (less than 1% ownership in ESPN leagues)

Yes, in 2016, I'm recommending at least considering Toby Gerhart. I don't think he will be a useful starting commodity, but the more I hear about how Chris Ivory is suffering from a mysterious injury, the more I worry about what Jacksonville will do if T.J. Yeldon has any issues. This is only for deeper leagues where you can afford to fill a bench spot with the most lotto ticket of all lotto tickets, but that's what the Jacksonville back-up game is at this point.

 

Wide Receiver

Don't hand me my money back, I'm going double-or-nothing on A.J. Green

Twelve targets against Darrelle Revis, in New York. I mentioned to a few people I thought A.J. Green was a safe option this year, but I think he'll be very fun in a game where the Bengals are still pissed at the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals are on the road again, but the 28-year-old Green isn't facing a cornerback as talented as Revis in Pittsburgh. Green had 12 targets in 2016, and should only see more work from Andy Dalton, making Green the "Oh yeah, I forgot how good he is" player of the first half of 2016. Don't be afraid to start him while simultaneously taunting everyone who doesn't own him.

I will be discarding my DeSean Jackson and replacing him with two cards from the deck 

This may be the last week you have to get rid of DeSean Jackson for some amount of profit, or at least bench him in favor of another WR who may find more consistent success. I was nervous about Jackson heading into the game with the Steelers, and admittedly he had his moments. He was targeted a fine amount, but the Redskins box score shows how many other talented wide receivers will happily snap up the opportunity if Jackson is even decently covered (and the Steelers, PFF's #21 secondary, fit that description.) In a grudge match vs a better Cowboys defense in Week 2, Jackson may end up just becoming a casualty in the turf war. Jackson is a talented WR with a storied history, but he may not finish the season as the best wide receiver on his team. Trade him for profit if at all possible, and consider your long term strategy if he is your WR2 going forward before your season is in the rear view mirror.

I take thee, Quincy Enunwa, as my WR3, to have and to hold (less than 1%)

If you drafted Eric Decker or Brandon Marshall, I feel bad for you son, but I've got 99 problems and a Quincy ain't one.

Ok, look, sorry, I had to. Unless the Bengals suddenly have two of the best corners in the game, there's no reason Enunwa should have gotten seven targets in this game. If someone in your league is trying to "sell high" here, take heart in knowing they may not know what they really have in Enunwa. His targets outnumbered Decker and Marshall... combined. It almost seems cruel that, after both players begged for Ryan Fitzpatrick back, he seems to have found a new love in the third year wide receiver. I'm not saying doing anything crazy here, but the targets don't lie; Enunwa should at least find a spot on your bench and is a good replacement for injured WRs like Keenan Allen.

As a note, this also applies to Jeremy Kerley, who saw eleven targets in his Monday night game against the Los Angeles Rams, but will be playing in a less consistent offense each week. While Enunwa could spot start for you, Kerley is purely a stash-and-see.

 

Tight End

Parachute? I don't need no parachute, I have Julius Thomas

"Yeah, I did pretty well in Week 1, and it may have been due to Julius," I said to a friend in our weekly football phone call this week. Thomas caught all 5 targets that came his way, and in an offense that highlights the passing effort, Formerly-Orange Julius could have decent TE1 value the rest of the way. I wouldn't trade for Julius, but if he's on your waiver wire or is some player's second TE, he could be valuable going forward. At the very least, the San Diego Chargers won't know how to handle him.

Don't cry kids! We will bury Antonio Gates in the yard 

I get it, not a great week for the San Diego Chargers, but it won't get easier at home (possibly the worst home field advantage in the NFL.) Gates was targeted only twice vs Kansas City, and won't get a much better break vs Jacksonville. If you drafted Gates early, maybe give Eric Ebron a chance? Or drink all of the scotch in your house and let it ride on Jack Doyle.

 




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Devaughn Vele

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Issued Three-Game Suspension
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Felix Bautista has Surgery on Torn Rotator Cuff
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Stays Hot Ahead of Tour Championship
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a Strong Value Play at East Lake
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to Join Pirates on Friday
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Chasing Another Win at East Lake
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Finishes Tied for 30th at BMW Championship
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Finishes Tied For Seventh at BMW Championship
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Finishes Tied for 33rd at BMW Championship
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Finishes Tied for 17th at BMW Championship
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Finishes Second at BMW Championship
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Finishes Tied for 23rd at BMW Championship
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Wins BMW Championship
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Not Expected to Play for Commanders This Year
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Considered Day-to-Day With a "Physical" Injury
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Hot at the Right Time for Tour Championship
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has One Weakness Heading to Atlanta
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Out With Side Soreness on Tuesday
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on Track to Play in Week 1
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Being Skipped in Rotation Due to Shoulder Fatigue
Adley Rutschman

Scratched on Tuesday With Abdominal Discomfort
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Brendan Smith Joins Blue Jackets on Tryout Deal
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Milan Lucic Joins Blues for Tryout
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Red Wings Pick Up Travis Hamonic
Austin Riley

Doesn't Appear Ready to Return Any Time Soon
Aaron Judge

Unikely to Throw Normally Again This Year
Jalen McMillan

Could be Out Through Week 9 Bye
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Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Agrees to a Multiyear Contract Extension on Tuesday
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John Wall Retires After 11 NBA Seasons
Daniel Jones

Named as Colts Starting Quarterback
Jalen McMillan

Will Not Be Ready for Season Opener
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Likely to Start Season Without Contract Extension
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Hopes to Bounce Back in 2025-26
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Ready to Go for New Season
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Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Cleared to Play on Tuesday Night
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Pulled With Hamstring Tightness
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Game 2 of Brewers-Cubs on Monday Postponed
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to be Activated on Tuesday
Kyle Tucker

to Get Multiple Days Off
Shane Bieber

to Make Season Debut on Friday
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Could Start Season on NFI List
Zack Wheeler

has Surgery to Remove Blood Clot
De'Von Achane

Unlikely to Practice This Week
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Browns Name Joe Flacco as Their Week 1 Starter
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Scores an Upset Victory at Richmond
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Clinches the Regular Season Championship Title at Richmond
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Rallies to A Top-10 Finish at Richmond
Malik Nabers

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Dricus Du Plessis

Gets Dominated At UFC 319
Aaron Pico

Suffers Knockout Loss In His UFC Debut
Lerone Murphy

Scores Stunning First-Round Knockout
Leodalis De Vries

Earns Promotion to Double-A
Nathaniel Lowe

Finalizing Deal with Boston
Geoff Neal

Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Ketel Marte

Arizona Could Trade Ketel Marte in the Offseason
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Gets Back In The Win Column
Michael Page

Dominates At UFC 319
Jared Cannonier

Gets Outclassed
Tim Elliott

Gets Submission Win
Kai Asakura

Still Winless In The UFC
Austin Cindric

has Arguably his Best Run of the Season at Richmond
Ryan Blaney

Contends for First Richmond Win but Comes Up Short
Alex Bowman

Finishes Second but Loses Ground in Playoffs
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Sets Personal Laps-Led Record at Richmond
Chris Buescher

Falls Out of Playoffs After Miserable Richmond Run
Coby White

Bulls Not Interested in Trading Coby White
Dereck Lively II

Expected to be Ready for Camp
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John Metchie III

Texans Trade John Metchie III to Eagles
Victor Scott II

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
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Marcelo Mayer

to Have Season-Ending Wrist Surgery
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Called Up From Triple-A Norfolk
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Likely Avoids Serious Injury
Denny Hamlin

the Heavy Favorite to Win at Richmond
Christopher Bell

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No Longer Using a Scooter, Crutches
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Can Ryan Blaney Finally Break Through at Richmond?
Joey Logano

Will Start Last at Richmond After Practice Trouble
Chase Elliott

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Kyle Larson

Recent String of Crashes Make Him a Big Risk at Richmond
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Probably Slightly Too Inconsistent at Richmond to Start for DFS
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Mikael Pyyhtia Re-Signs With Blue Jackets for One Year
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Caleb Desnoyers Expected to Miss 12 Weeks After Wrist Procedure
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Olivier Rodrigue Signs KHL Deal
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