👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

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?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

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.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Luther Burden III

Bears Want to Continue to Get the Ball to Luther Burden III
Jesús Luzardo

Jesus Luzardo Dominates Rockies on Saturday
Byron Buxton

Back in Sunday's Lineup
Mookie Betts

Heading to the Injured List With Oblique Strain
A.J. Brown

to be Traded to Patriots on June 2?
Cade Horton

Cubs Place Cade Horton on 15-Day Injured List With Forearm Strain
Isaiah Collier

Out Again Sunday
Immanuel Quickley

Still Sidelined Sunday
Nicolas Claxton

Won't Play Sunday
Evan Mobley

Sidelined Sunday
Jarrett Allen

Won't Play Against Indiana
Pascal Siakam

Ruled Out Sunday
Clayton Keller

Collects Four Points Against Canucks
Andrew Nembhard

Ruled Out Vs. Cleveland
Jack Eichel

Records Three Assists in Saturday's Win
Gabe Perreault

Nets First Career Hat Trick
Nicolas Hague

Exits Early Against Sharks
MacKenzie Weegar

Listed as Day-to-Day
Jack McBain

Considered Week-to-Week
Justin Faulk

Questionable Sunday
MarShawn Lloyd

a Dynasty Trade Target with Long-Term Upside?
Emanuel Wilson

a Low-Risk Trade Target in Dynasty Leagues?
Jalen Nailor

Seems Likely to Face Competition
Adrian Kempe

Delivers a Four-Point Performance
Dylan Sampson

a Candidate for Standalone Value in 2026?
Jaylin Noel

Still the Texans' WR4 for 2026?
Evgeni Malkin

Collects Four Points on Saturday
Keenan Allen

Remains a Free Agent in Early April
Mookie Betts

Considered Day-to-Day, Heading for an MRI on Saturday
Juan Soto

Day-to-Day With Minor Groin Strain, No Decision on IL Yet
Anthony Edwards

Questionable for Sunday
Andre Drummond

Kelly Oubre Jr., Andre Drummond Join Starting Lineup Saturday
Marcus Sasser

Upgraded to Available
Atlanta Falcons

Mike Washington Jr. Visits With Falcons
Tobias Harris

Cleared to Play Saturday
Jalen Duren

Available Saturday
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals "Pushing Hard" for Jeremiyah Love
Paul George

Ready to Rock Saturday
Bruce Brown

Suffers Leg Injury Saturday
Shedeur Sanders

the Favorite to Win Browns QB Job?
Kirk Cousins

Could Make Starts for Raiders in 2026
Austin Reaves

Out for Remainder of Regular Season
Travon Walker

Jaguars Sign Travon Walker to Four-Year Extension
Nick Lardis

Available Against Kraken
Oliver Ekman-Larsson

Won't Play Saturday
MLB

Cubs-Guardians Game Postponed on Saturday
Mookie Betts

Leaves Early With Back Injury
Tyler Kleven

Out Week-to-Week
Mason Marchment

Expected to Return Saturday
Aliaksei Protas

Returns on Saturday
Zach Hyman

Could Miss Two Weeks
Damon Severson

Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery
Jalen Duren

Added to Injury Report Saturday
Paul George

Probable Saturday
Tyler Herro

a Late Scratch Saturday, Simone Fontecchio Starts
Joel Embiid

Will Sit Out Saturday's Game
George Holani

Time as Seahawks RB1 Looks to Be Short-Lived
Justin Champagnie

Active Saturday
Bilal Coulibaly

Tre Johnson Available Against Heat
Harold Fannin Jr.

Is Harold Fannin Jr. a Top-Five Dynasty Tight End?
Brenton Strange

Easily Overlooked Among Jacksonville Pass Catchers
Kendre Miller

a Dynasty Cut Candidate
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Can Marvin Harrison Jr. Deliver on Pre-Draft Hype in Year 3?
Marquise Brown

Outlook Dependent on Teammate's Trade Rumors
Darnell Mooney

Looking for a Fresh Start in New York?
Alejandro Kirk

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Thumb Fracture
Kansas City Chiefs

Makai Lemon Meets with Chiefs on Top-30 Visit
Juan Soto

Mets Concerned About Juan Soto's Calf Injury
Juan Soto

Removed with Calf Tightness
PHI

Daniel Vladar Defeats the Islanders
Matvei Michkov

Has Three-Point Game on Friday
Byron Buxton

is Day-to-Day with Forearm Contusion
Byron Buxton

Leaves on Friday After Being Hit by a Pitch
Cade Horton

Headed for Injured List Stint
Isaac Paredes

Placed on Bereavement List
Jordan Lawlar

Suffers Fractured Wrist, Set to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Alejandro Kirk

Having X-Rays on his Thumb
Cade Horton

Exits Friday's Start with Forearm Tightness
Chase DeLauter

Returns to Lineup on Friday After Injury Scare
Chris Duncan

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Main Event
Renato Moicano

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 115
Tabatha Ricci

Set For UFC Vegas 115 Co-Main Event
Virna Jandiroba

Looks To Bounce Back
Brendson Ribeiro

In Desperate Need Of Win
Abdul-Rakhman Yakhyaev

Looks To Remain Unbeaten
Ethyn Ewing

Set For His Second UFC Bout
Rafael Estevam

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Patrick Kane

Becomes NHL's Highest-Scoring American
Elias Salomonsson

Lands in Concussion Protocol
Nick Lardis

Injures Left Hand Thursday
Konnor Griffin

Secures $140M Deal; Pittsburgh Building Around Young Star
Konnor Griffin

Being Promoted to MLB Roster Ahead of Friday's Contest
CFB

Gunner Stockton Looking "Great" After Offseason Injury
CFB

Sam Leavitt Showing "Encouraging Signs" at LSU Practice
J.J. Spaun

Needs the Putter to Cooperate in San Antonio
Thorbjorn Olesen

Trending Up in San Antonio
Denny McCarthy

Carrying Momentum into San Antonio
Chris Kirk

Has Course History on His Side in San Antonio
Billy Horschel

a Volatile Option at the Valero Texas Open
Joe Highsmith

Still Searching for Form in San Antonio
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Looks to Find Form at the Valero Texas Open
Jordan Spieth

a Horse for Course History at TPC San Antonio
Robert MacIntyre

Has One Flaw to Overcome at Valero Texas Open to be a Must-Play
Maverick McNealy

In Exceptional Form This Season
Michael Thorbjornsen

Playing Well But Still Searching For A Win
Hideki Matsuyama

Playing Well Heading to the Valero Texas Open
Si Woo Kim

Heads to Valero Texas Open For Final Tune-Up Before Masters
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Valero Texas Open
PGA

Stephan Jaegar Still Looking For Consistency at Valero Texas Open
Nicolai Hojgaard

is Red-Hot Coming to TPC San Antonio
Tony Finau

a Risky Proposition at Valero Texas Open
Ludvig Aberg

Looks to Shake Off Collapse at Valero Texas Open
Patrick Rodgers

Needs to Make More Birdies in San Antonio
Sepp Straka

Seeks Opportunity in San Antonio This Weekend
Nick Taylor

Could Again Struggle at the Valero Texas Open
Chase Elliott

Takes Advantage of Pit Strategies for Second Career Martinsville Win
Denny Hamlin

Dominates but Finishes Second at Martinsville
Joey Logano

Bounces Back with Third-Place Finish at Martinsville
Ty Gibbs

Gains his Fourth Top-Five Finish of the Season at Martinsville
William Byron

Scores Another Top-Five Finish at Martinsville
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF