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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

Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
Alexandre Sarr

Uncertain for Wednesday's Game in Minnesota
Ausar Thompson

Returning Versus Atlanta
Cade Cunningham

Active on Tuesday Night
Jabari Smith Jr.

Questionable with Knee Issue Ahead of Meeting Versus Cleveland
Domantas Sabonis

to Miss Wednesday's Game
Paul George

Won't Play Wednesday Night
Onyeka Okongwu

Available on Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Listed as Doubtful for Wednesday
Jalen Suggs

Available Tuesday
Zaccharie Risacher

Ruled Out With Hip Contusion vs. Pistons
Odell Beckham Jr.

Officially Reinstated by NFL Commissioner
Kristaps Porzingis

Ruled Out on Tuesday Night
Buddy Hield

Available for Tuesday's Matchup With Orlando
Matt Murray

to Miss Six Weeks With Lower-Body Injury
Ilya Lyubushkin

Out on Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Out 1-2 Weeks With Groin Strain
Jamie Benn

Makes Season Debut Tuesday
Stephon Castle

Sidelined 1-2 Weeks
Evgenii Dadonov

on Track to Return Tuesday
Dougie Hamilton

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Anthony Cirelli

Expected to Return Against Devils
Victor Hedman

Questionable for Tuesday
LeBron James

Aims to Make Season Debut Tuesday
Auston Matthews

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Grayson Allen

Sidelined on Tuesday
Gabe Vincent

Set to Suit Up Tuesday
C.J. Stroud

Expected to Return in Week 13 Against Colts
C.J. Stroud

to Miss Another Game
Jonathan Kuminga

Remains Out Tuesday
Keegan Murray

Could Make his Season Debut This Week
Caris LeVert

Liston as Out on Tuesday
Tobias Harris

Could Return Thursday
Joe Mixon

Uncertainty Remains Around Joe Mixon's Return Timeline
Jaylen Warren

Mike Tomlin Optimistic About Jaylen Warren's Availability for Week 12
C.J. Stroud

Not Expected to Play on Thursday Night
Aaron Rodgers

Won't Need Surgery on Fractured Wrist, Could Play in Week 12?
Davis Mills

Prepping for Third Straight Start in Week 12?
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Mason Rudolph

Could Make His First Start of 2025 in Week 12
Brock Wright

Sets Career-High in Targets; Lined Up for More Work?
Kimani Vidal

Struggles Again and Faces Role Uncertainty After Bye
Dak Prescott

in Full Command Monday Night With Four Touchdown Passes
Quentin Johnston

Posts Zero Catches During Offensive Collapse
George Pickens

Erupts for 144 Yards, Touchdown in Monday Night Win
CeeDee Lamb

George Pickens Benched for First Drive
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Singleton

Broncos Optimistic Patrick Surtain, Alex Singleton Will Return After the Bye
Trey Hendrickson

Doubtful Again in Week 12
Shedeur Sanders

Expected to Make First Career Start in Week 12
Josh Jacobs

Dealing With Knee Contusion
Mikael Granlund

Unavailable Monday
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
Conor Garland

Misses Monday's Game
Eetu Luostarinen

Out on Monday
Drake London

Considered "Week-to-Week"
Drew Doughty

Listed as Week-to-Week
Ja'Marr Chase

Being Suspended for One Game for Unsportsmanlike Conduct
John Carlson

a Game-Time Call Monday
Viktor Arvidsson

Out Week-to-Week
Charlie McAvoy

Out Against Hurricanes
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Mitchell Marner

Establishes Vegas Record Sunday
Mats Zuccarello

Logs Two Assists in Overtime Victory
Lucas Raymond

Leads Red Wings to Victory at MSG
Quinn Hughes

Delivers Four Assists in Sunday's Win
Conor Garland

Limited to Handful of Minutes Sunday
Ryan Hartman

Suffers Lower-Body Injury
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Blue Jays Interested in Signing Edwin Diaz?
Jacob deGrom

Named AL Comeback Player of the Year
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Wins NL Comeback Player of the Year Award
Aroldis Chapman

Named AL Reliever of the Year
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Named NL Reliever of the Year
Justin Thomas

Will Miss Start Of 2026 After Undergoing Back Surgery
Islam Makhachev

Set For UFC 322 Main Event
Jack Della Maddalena

Set For His First Title Defense
Zhang Weili

Can Become The New Women's Flyweight Champion
Valentina Shevchenko

Set For UFC 322 Co-Main Event
Michael Morales

Looks To Remain Undefeated
CFB

Mario Craver a Game-Time Decision for Week 12
Sean Brady

Set For Title Eliminator Bout
Carlos Prates

A Favorite At UFC 322
Leon Edwards

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set To Open Up UFC 322 Main Card
Beneil Dariush

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
CFB

Virginia's Chandler Morris Trending Toward Facing Duke on Saturday
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Says There's a "50-50" Chance he Returns to Mets
Shohei Ohtani

Wins his Fourth MVP Award
Aaron Judge

Wins AL MVP Award Again
Raisel Iglesias

Dodgers Interested in Signing Raisel Iglesias
Pete Alonso

Orioles Could be in the Mix to Sign Pete Alonso
Félix Bautista

Felix Bautista Could Return in Second Half in 2026
Kodai Senga

Attracting Trade Interest, Will the Mets Move him?
Yordan Alvarez

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
Byron Buxton

Could Waive his No-Trade Clause
Paul Skenes

the Unanimous NL Cy Young Winner
Tarik Skubal

Wins AL Cy Young for Second Straight Year

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