RADIO
Danny Boily looks at fantasy football landmines, busts, and avoids for Week 2 of 2025. Given these Week 2 fantasy situations, consider benching these players.
Week 1 is complete, and for some of you, it was a week of joy, while for others, it was a frustrating reminder of how quickly the game can humble you. Regardless of where you stand, the time for celebration or self-pity is over.
The temptation is real: to overvalue a player who had an outlier performance in Week 1, or to double down on a player who underperformed in the hope of a quick rebound. But the most successful fantasy managers understand that a single data point is just that—one data point. The smart play is to look beyond the box score and analyze the matchups, personnel changes, and historical trends that will shape a player's performance in the coming week.
This article is your guide to avoiding the pitfalls of Week 2. I've identified five players who are likely to fall short of their typical fantasy expectations due to brutal matchups, unsustainable usage, or a combination of both. A few of these players may be ones you would trust, but this week, they are best left on your bench if you have a viable alternative. Let's delve into the data and identify the fantasy landmines to avoid.
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Jaylen Warren, RB, vs. Seattle Seahawks
Jaylen Warren finished Week 1 as the RB20, but his 13.9 fantasy points were almost entirely salvaged by a single receiving touchdown. A closer look reveals a concerning lack of production on the ground, as he managed only 37 rushing yards on 11 carries (3.4 YPC) for just 59 total yards from scrimmage. His 46.3% snap percentage further highlights his role as a committee back, a situation that caps his ceiling and makes him incredibly touchdown-dependent.
Warren's Week 2 matchup is arguably the worst for any running back. The Seattle Seahawks' defense demonstrated its run-stopping dominance in Week 1, holding one of the league's top running backs, Christian McCaffrey, to just 69 rushing yards on 22 carries (3.1 YPC). The Seahawks' defense allowed only one rushing touchdown and a total of 17 points to a potent 49ers offense.
Betting on a receiving touchdown to save Warren's week is a precarious fantasy strategy, especially against a defense that consistently shuts down elite running backs. His low usage and brutal matchup make him a prime candidate for a disappointing performance.
Former East High RB Jaylen Warren scores his first TD of the season! #LocalsInTheNFL #Steelers @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 7, 2025
George Pickens, WR, vs. New York Giants
George Pickens' debut with the Dallas Cowboys was a major letdown for fantasy managers who drafted him as a potential WR3. He finished Week 1 with a disappointing 30 receiving yards on only three receptions and four targets. His 11.8% target share is a significant red flag, suggesting he was not a primary part of the game plan. In an offense with CeeDee Lamb commanding targets, Pickens' volume is far from guaranteed.
Pickens' road to redemption in Week 2 is a difficult one. He faces a New York Giants' defense that boasts an elite defensive line and an opportunistic secondary. The Giants generated three sacks in their season opener, with Brian Burns recording two by himself. The defensive line, which also features All-Pro Dexter Lawrence II and a top rookie pass rusher in Abdul Carter, will put constant pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott, which could disrupt the Cowboys' passing game and limit downfield opportunities for Pickens.
Given Pickens’ low target share and the Giants' formidable pass rush, he is a high-risk play.
Juwan Johnson, TE, vs. San Francisco 49ers
Juwan Johnson was a Week 1 hero for fantasy managers who started him, finishing as the TE4 with 11.6 fantasy points on 8 receptions for 76 yards. He was highly involved in the Saints' offense, commanding a 23.4% target share with 11 targets. However, Johnson is not a player who has consistently produced at this level, as evidenced by his TE18 finish in 2024.
His Week 2 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers is a complete downgrade. The 49ers' defense has a well-earned reputation for shutting down opposing tight ends. In Week 1, they held the Seahawks' tight ends to a combined total of only seven receiving yards.
This is a unit that allowed tight ends to average a mere 10.14 fantasy points per game in 2024. Relying on Johnson’s Week 1 target volume to carry over to this matchup is a critical error in judgment.
I think this was more of an impressive PBU by the Arizona defense than an egregious drop by Johnson
Juwan had the ball, cardinals DB just made a helluva play at the perfect time
pic.twitter.com/4a3ULCJKhC— Trizzy Trace (@tracegirouard48) September 8, 2025
DeVonta Smith, FLEX, vs. Kansas City Chiefs
DeVonta Smith's Week 1 was a colossal disappointment, with only 16 receiving yards on three receptions. His 12.5% target share was not only low but concerning, given his role in the Eagles' offense. While some will argue it can't get any worse, a Week 2 matchup at Arrowhead Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs provides a legitimate risk of a similar outcome.
The Chiefs' defense, despite an uncharacteristic performance in Week 1 against the Chargers, is not to be underestimated, especially at home. They have won 12 consecutive home games and will be highly motivated to avenge their Super Bowl loss to the Eagles. In 2024, the Chiefs ranked 12th against fantasy wide receivers, and their defensive philosophy is designed to prevent big plays and force opponents into long, methodical drives.
The Eagles' offense is designed to win with a dominant running game, which was evidenced by the low target volume for both Smith and A.J. Brown in Week 1. This run-first approach, combined with a difficult road matchup, limits Smith’s upside and makes him a precarious flex option even though Dallas Goedert has been ruled out for Week 2 with an injury.
Baker Mayfield, QB, vs. Houston Texans
Baker Mayfield's Week 1 fantasy output (QB11, 24.25 points) was a masterpiece of statistical deception. While the final score was impressive, his underlying metrics were anemic. He passed for a meager 167 yards and completed just 53.1% of his passes, a far cry from the efficiency that led him to a career-best 2024 season.
His three passing touchdowns on such limited production were an extreme outlier; relying on that kind of red zone efficiency is a recipe for disaster. The 39 rushing yards were a nice bonus, but his career rushing average of 22.2 yards per game suggests it's not a reliable part of his weekly floor. His fantasy value was inflated by rookie sensation Emeka Egbuka’s two touchdowns, which is an unsustainable rate of production for any rookie.
This week, Mayfield faces a completely different caliber of defense. The Houston Texans' defense, led by a fearsome pass rush and a lockdown secondary, held the Los Angeles Rams to just 14 points and a single passing touchdown in their Week 1 matchup. Last year, the Texans' defense was a top-tier unit against fantasy quarterbacks, allowing a mere 15.52 fantasy points per game to the position. Their defensive line generated three sacks against the Rams, a troubling sign for a Buccaneers' offensive line that struggled in Week 1. The biggest problem for Mayfield is the emergence of cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. as one of the best in the NFL. Stingley's ability to take away a team's top wide receiver will likely limit Mayfield’s downfield opportunities. Given the statistical regression due to Mayfield and the elite nature of the Texans' defense, he is a risky start.
Final Thoughts
We have examined five players who are poised to disappoint in Week 2 based on a combination of poor Week 1 metrics, difficult matchups, and troubling usage. Each of these players carries a higher-than-usual risk of a low-scoring performance.
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