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: New Novig users get a $25 purchase match (50% discount up to $25) on your first Novig deposit, and a 3 free months of RotoBaller's "Big-4" Premium Pass (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) which includes exclusive tools for Betting, Props, DFS and more! CLAIM IT 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

Chris Boucher

Active Thursday vs. Kings
Jalen Duren

Won't Return Thursday After Ankle Injury
Ryan Kalkbrenner

Ruled Out Again Friday
Josh Hart

Sidelined for Fourth Straight Game
Kyshawn George

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Friday
Joel Embiid

Cleared to Play Thursday vs. Mavericks
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ruled Out for At Least Four Weeks
Bo Bichette

Yankees Showing Interest in Bo Bichette
D'Angelo Russell

Ruled Out Thursday With Illness
George Kittle

Listed as Questionable for Week 18
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Active Versus Nets
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Trending Towards Playing
Clint Capela

Steven Adams and Clint Capela Sidelined Thursday
Miles Wood

Blue Jackets Place Miles Wood on Injured Reserve
Dak Prescott

May Not Play Full Game in Week 18
Conor Garland

to Miss One Week
Egor Demin

Won't Suit Up Against Houston
Marco Rossi

to Miss at Least One Week
Ace Bailey

Still Out on Thursday Night
Tari Eason

Active on Thursday
Yegor Chinakhov

Set for Penguins Debut Thursday
Lauri Markkanen

Ruled Out on Thursday
Tanner McKee

Will Start for Eagles in Week 18
Shayne Gostisbehere

Misses Third Consecutive Game Thursday
Keyonte George

Unavailable on Thursday
Michael Porter Jr.

Out on Thursday
Auston Matthews

Returns From One-Game Absence
Josh Allen

Trending Towards Resting in Week 18
William Nylander

Remains Out Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Will Officially Return in Week 18
Tobias Harris

Won't Suit Up Against Miami
Lauri Markkanen

on the Injury Report for Thursday Night
Keyonte George

Battling an Illness, Might Miss Thursday's Game
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Won't Play on Thursday Evening
Houston Astros

Astros Sign Tatsuya Imai to Three-Year Deal
Jordan Love

Clears Concussion Protocol, Won't Start in Week 18
George Kittle

"Absolutely" Expects to Play in Week 18
Clayton Tune

to Start for Packers in Week 18
Chris Olave

Ruled Out for Week 18
Tom Wilson

Wraps Up 2025 With Gordie Howe Hat Trick
Valeri Nichushkin

Nets Second Career Hat Trick
Frank Vatrano

to Miss Six Weeks With Shoulder Injury
Conor Sheary

Noah Laba Exit With Injuries Wednesday
Brayden McNabb

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Wednesday
Miles Wood

Exits Early Wednesday
Gavin Brindley

Sustains Upper-Body Injury
Michael Porter Jr.

Battling Illness, Questionable Thursday
Davante Adams

Not Expected to Play in Week 18
Geno Smith

Won't Play in Week 18
Aaron Rodgers

Considering Playing Beyond 2025?
Sean Monahan

Sits Out Wednesday's Game
Zach Werenski

Misses Fourth Straight Game Wednesday
Dougie Hamilton

Questionable Wednesday
Radko Gudas

Expected to Remain Out Wednesday
Stefon Diggs

Expected to Play in Week 18
Ilya Lyubushkin

Back From One-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Lyon

to Miss "Bit of Time"
Erik Cernak

Rejoins Lightning Lineup Wednesday
Christian McCaffrey

Trending to Play in Week 18
Jalen Hurts

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Most Starters in Week 18
George Kittle

49ers Will be "Very Surprised" if George Kittle Doesn't Play on Saturday
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Ruled Out for Regular-Season Finale
CFB

Lane Kiffin Interested in Sam Leavitt, Brendan Sorsby at LSU
CFB

Deuce Knight Officially Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Kewan Lacy Expected to Be Full-Go Against Georgia
Stefon Diggs

Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges
CFB

Chip Kelly Named Northwestern Offensive Coordinator
Riley Leonard

Will Start Against the Texans
Bijan Robinson

Explodes for 229 Total Yards, Two Touchdowns on Monday Night
CFB

Penn State Working to Hire D'Anton Lynn as Next Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Omar Cooper Expected to be Full-Go for Rose Bowl
CFB

Marcus Freeman Staying with Notre Dame for 2026 Season
CFB

Star Wideout Cam Coleman Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

Jay Hill Expected to be Next Michigan Defensive Coordinator

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP