RADIO
RotoBaller staff's fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and start 'em sit 'em picks for Week 2 of 2025. Expert lineup advice from Adam Koffler, Scott Engel, Rob Lorge.
As always, the opening week of the fantasy football season brought plenty of surprise boom and bust performances. Several big-name receivers were silenced in the opening week of the NFL season, while players like Quentin Johnston and Daniel Jones delivered big-time performances. It's important not to overreact to Week 1, but we can take those performances into account as we set our Week 2 lineups.
It's time for the next edition of our RotoBaller staff start-or-sit calls. Three of the industry's best analysts are here to break down 18 potential sleepers and busts ahead of the full slate of Week 2 NFL action.
These fantasy football sleepers, avoids, and busts are from top RotoBaller contributors Adam Koffler, Scott Engel, and Rob Lorge. Good luck in Week 2!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) rankings
- Quarterback (QB) rankings
- Tight end (TE) rankings
- Defense (D/ST) rankings
- Kicker (K) rankings
- FLEX rankings
- Dynasty rankings
Week 2 Fantasy Football Sleepers - Start 'Em Picks
DeVonta Smith, Eagles at Chiefs (Adam Koffler)
DeVonta Smith didn’t do a whole lot in Week 1. He caught all three of his targets for a grand total of just 16 yards. But the Eagles only threw the ball 23 times in that game, which featured an hour-long weather delay.
In Week 2, they’ll face a Chiefs team that allowed a league-high 41.5 fantasy points to the wide receiver position last week. Additionally, the Eagles are likely to be without starting tight end Dallas Goedert. In 10 games without Goedert over the last two seasons, Smith has averaged 5.9 catches for 76.5 yards and 0.8 touchdowns on 7.3 targets per game. Smitty is a must-start in all formats.
Dylan Sampson, Browns at Ravens (Rob Lorge)
Quinshon Judkins' signing will likely make fantasy managers reluctant to start Sampson, but I think he’s a great sleeper pick who could finish as a strong RB2 this week, even though he often finds himself ranked as a backend RB3. Judkins didn’t practice on Wednesday, but he is expected to practice later this week. However, his time away from the team will likely keep him in a very limited role in his first game back.
The Browns play the Ravens in a game that will feature plenty of scoring (largely on Baltimore’s side), but that’ll force Cleveland to abandon the run. In Week 1, Sampson had eight targets for eight receptions and 64 yards. That was despite Jerome Ford playing more snaps and running more routes than him. I don’t expect that to stick this week. Sampson has earned more opportunities, and fantasy managers should expect Sampson to be busy again through the air.
Dylan Sampson ranked 9th in expected fantasy points per game (EP/G) in Week 1. That's mainly because of his elite receiving EP/G, ranking third behind Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs per @RotoViz. pic.twitter.com/arFl6Mcun4
— Corbin (@corbin_young21) September 12, 2025
Update - Judkins is slated to make his NFL debut this weekend. However, Sampson should remain the primary pass-catching back and should still be given ample workload on the ground in this contest, as Judkins could be eased into action.
Nick Chubb, Texans vs. Buccaneers (Scott Engel)
Look for the Houston offense to regain respectability against Tampa Bay. Chubb averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the season opener, and he should post a quality stat line this week. Expect a TD run from the new Houston RB, as he continues to prove to be an acceptable replacement for Joe Mixon as a lead runner.
I’m buying what the Browns are selling here. I’m also buying into Harold Fannin Jr. being legit. In Week 1, the Browns ranked second in neutral pass rate (65%) and fifth in plays (71). Fannin, despite a 65% route rate, led the Browns in targets in his first career NFL game.
He bested fellow tight end David Njoku in first-read target share, 24% to 8%. The Browns lined him up everywhere, suggesting they have a robust, immediate plan for their newest offensive weapon. The Browns’ Week 2 opponent, the Ravens, allowed the third-most receiving yards to the tight end position last week, and the 10th-most targets to tight ends last season. Ride the Fannin wave.
Lots of targets up for grabs in Cleveland, and Cedric Tillman/Jerry Jeudy/David Njoku aren’t exactly the scariest competition
Anyone that doesn’t have Bowers, McBride, LaPorta, or Tyler Warren should make it a priority to add Harold Fannin
(And YES, over Juwan Johnson, stop it) https://t.co/XaoUx8gimP
— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) September 9, 2025
Khalil Shakir, Bills at Jets (Rob Lorge)
Everyone will be focused on Keon Coleman after his Week 1 performance, but Shakir had a good game, too. He just didn’t find the end zone. He had eight targets, six catches, and 64 yards. He was second only to Coleman in catches and yards. In Week 2, the Bills will face off against the New York Jets.
Don’t be surprised if, after his Week 1 game, Sauce Gardner shadows Coleman on the outside. D.J. Reed, the Jets’ No. 2 cornerback from 2024, is now in Detroit. Shakir will have a positive matchup in the slot against Michael Carter II, and if the Jets defense is focused on stopping the run and Coleman’s downfield plays, Shakir could have a nice game.
The Jets having a capable offense doesn’t hurt either. The better the Jets can play on offense, the more Josh Allen and the Bills’ offense have to stay in attack mode. Shakir will be ranked as a WR4, but I think he has WR2 upside in this matchup.
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Patriots (Scott Engel)
The troubled Miami standout is not a true sleeper in the authentic sense of the word, as everyone knows who he is. But to many fantasy players, it seems like Hill has been sleeping over the past year-plus. He’ll wake up as the Dolphins do too, after a terribly embarrassing opening loss. The key to Miami playing competitively is to get the ball to their best player, possibly before he is shipped out of South Florida.
It’s all about volume at the running back position. That’s exactly what Javonte Williams has right now. In Week 1, he had a 78% RB opportunity share. Miles Sanders spelled him occasionally, but had a costly fumble that could minimize the work he gets in Week 2.
With rookie Jaydon Blue likely to be inactive for a second straight game, it feels like it’ll be the Javonte show again this week. He gets a very friendly matchup at home vs. a Giants team that gave up 220 yards on the ground in Week 1. The Cowboys are 5.5-point favorites and have an implied team total of 25 points, so in theory, Williams should be busy and have ample scoring opportunities.
Hunter Henry, Patriots at Dolphins (Rob Lorge)
Henry played over 90% of the team’s snaps, had a 75% route share, and finished with a 17.5% target share. Last year, as a rookie, Drake Maye targeted his tight ends on 32% of his throws. Henry finished Week 1, tied for first on the team with eight targets. He caught four of them for 66 yards, which was the second-highest on the team.
I love his matchup in Week 2 against the Dolphins, who showed very few signs of life in Week 1. Last year, Miami allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends, and their defense looked far worse in Week 1. Fire up Henry as a strong TE2 with upside.
AJ Barner, Seahawks at Steelers (Scott Engel)
Sam Darnold needs to get the ball to someone other than Jaxon Smith-Njigba on key passing downs. Enter Barner, who is ahead of the more recognized Elijah Arroyo on the Seattle depth chart. He is an internal favorite who could get more into the offensive flow this week and catch a TD pass. Consider Barner if you are desperate to start a TE in place of an injured regular option.
Week 2 Fantasy Football Avoids - Sit 'Em Picks
Keon Coleman, Bills at Jets (Adam Koffler)
The Bills want to run the ball and control the clock. That typically leads to boom or bust performances for the wide receivers. In Week 1, Keon Coleman had just one catch for 17 yards on three targets in the first three quarters vs. the Ravens. Then, in the fourth, with the Bills down two scores, Coleman racked up seven catches for 95 yards and a score on eight targets.
Buffalo now heads to MetLife Stadium to take on the Jets in Week 2, where they’re a 6.5-point road favorite. A positive (or even neutral) game script is bearish for Coleman’s fantasy value. In two wins vs. the Jets last season, he averaged just three catches for 26.5 yards. Not only that, but he’ll likely be shadowed by Sauce Gardner, who led all corners with a 90.3 PFF grade in Week 1.
D'Andre Swift, Bears at Lions (Rob Lorge)
Swift had one of the best roles of any running back in Week 1. His snap, route, and touch share in the Chicago backfield were elite. From a utilization standpoint, you couldn’t ask for anything else. Despite this, he still only managed to muster 8.0 half-PPR points. He rushed for 53 yards on 17 carries, resulting in a 3.1 yards per carry average.
He dominated the backfield with Roschon Johnson out of the lineup. His pending return could mean slightly less work for Swift. While fantasy managers should still expect him to be the bellcow, Johnson’s return could result in slightly less work. Detroit is coming off a tough loss, and they’ll be ready to get into the win column.
The Detroit defense contained Josh Jacobs to just 66 yards on 19 carries in Week 1. The Lions brought in DJ Reader this offseason, who is one of the better run-defenders in the NFL. Don’t be surprised if Swift has another down game despite ample opportunities.
Quentin Johnston, Chargers at Raiders (Scott Engel)
He was the hottest waiver wire add of the week, and some more good games are ahead. But I question if Johnston will be consistent and is more of a downfield threat with boom-or-bust tendencies for fantasy purposes. Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen may be more reliable targets for Justin Herbert on a regular basis.
After being blanketed by Pat Surtain in Week 1, Ridley finds himself with another tough matchup in Week 2. The Rams don’t have a similar lockdown corner, but they do have an elite front seven that will pressure the quarterback. Last week, the Rams were one of just three teams to rank in the top-10 in both pressure and sack rate. Subsequently, they held Nico Collins to just three catches for 25 yards.
Historically, Collins, much like Ridley, wins downfield. If the pressure is on Cam Ward, like it was on C.J. Stroud last week, the rookie quarterback might not have enough time to let Ridley’s routes develop, which could limit the receiver’s production. Steer clear of Ridley for one more week.
Calvin Ridley on Sunday’s miscues pic.twitter.com/aPNr1QYoFg
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) September 10, 2025
DK Metcalf, Steelers vs. Seahawks (Rob Lorge)
It’s a revenge game narrative for Metcalf, but I’ve never bought too much into that. If anything, Seattle’s defense is going to make darn sure that the only true pass-catcher the Steelers have doesn’t beat them. New head coach Mike MacDonald had a great game plan last weekend to slow down Brock Purdy and the 49ers’ offense, and I expect him to do the same against the Steelers.
Metcalf could be shadowed by Riq Woolen, who is 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds and can match up with Metcalf’s physicality. I expect Seattle to have a lot of bracket coverage on Metcalf to keep Metcalf in front of them. I’m still not sold on Rodgers despite the quality showing in Week 1. It might be tough to bench Metcalf, but I’m definitely lowering my expectations.
Juwan Johnson, Saints vs. 49ers (Scott Engel)
He certainly exceeded expectations in the season opener, but you cannot trust Johnson to continue to pile up higher volume numbers. Throughout his career, the Saints TE has been an inconsistent and mediocre fantasy producer who will catch the occasional TD pass. After watching the film of Johnson from last week, Robert Saleh’s defense will look to limit him more.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs vs. Eagles (Adam Koffler)
Pacheco looked fully healthy in Week 1. He even had some nice runs and finished the game averaging five yards per carry. The problem, however, is that this appears to be a committee backfield. Brashard Smith and Kareem Hunt both got snaps on the first drive of the game, and it was Hunt who got four of six snaps inside the 10-yard line.
Things won’t get easier in Week 2 for Pacheco against a formidable Philadelphia run defense with Jalen Carter back. For just the third time in Patrick Mahomes’ career, the Chiefs will be a home underdog. A neutral or negative game script could lead to additional snaps and opportunities for Hunt and Smith, making Pacheco a fade this week.
Travis Kelce, Chiefs vs. Eagles (Rob Lorge)
Patrick Mahomes threw the ball 39 times. Xavier Worthy played three snaps. Rashee Rice didn’t play at all. Kelce was still out-targeted by JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton, two receivers the New England Patriots didn’t even want last year. Think about that. Bad games happen, and maybe that’s all Week 1 was. However, Kelce clearly started slowing down last year. It was clear he had lost a step. Week 1 did nothing to dispel that.
If anything, we’re left wondering if he’s lost 2-3 more. The Chiefs play the Eagles in Week 2, who might have the best linebackers in all of football with Zack Baun and rookie Jihaad Campbell. If you have Kelce, you have to start him, as you’re unlikely to have a better option, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Kelce is nothing more than a touchdown-dependent tight end this year. He scored last week. Will he this week?
Michael Pittman Jr., Colts vs. Broncos (Scott Engel)
He looked better than we thought he might in the season opener, but now Pittman faces the Denver secondary. Daniel Jones might run for more yards than he throws. Okay, that’s an extreme joke, but I will fade the Indianapolis pass-catchers other than Tyler Warren this week.
