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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Fantasy Football Warning Signals for Week 2: Tom Brady, Najee Harris, Christian Kirk

Tom Brady - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, NFL Injury News

Fantasy football start/sit picks for players with warning signals going into Week 2 (2022). NFL players who have struggled recently and may be worth benching.

This is only the second week of fantasy football, but every lineup decision is important to your team’s success. You either want to change your fortunes from last week if you lost or keep the success train rolling if you won your first match-up

Roster moves are important even this early in the season. Monitoring the matchups to make sure there are no warning signals telling us about potential problems with key players in our lineup. We can’t ignore the warning signs of bad matchups and too many underperforming players each week will lead to more losses than wins in the long run.

Let’s look at some players you should think twice about putting in your lineup in Week Two.

Editor's Note: Steer clear of costly draft mistakes with RotoBaller’s expert Fantasy Football Bust analysis. We break down overvalued players, potential letdowns, and risky ADPs to avoid, so you can build a smarter, safer roster.

 

Quarterback Concerns - Sit ‘Em for Week 2?

Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This match-up will likely limit Brady’s ability to give us what we need in fantasy. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to New Orleans to play the Saints. The game has an over/under of 44 with the Buccaneers installed as a three-point road favorite.

Historically, the Saints have owned Brady. He has a passer rating of 71.5 and a 6-8 touchdown to interception ratio in regular-season games against the Saints. In fact, Brady has not won a regular season game (he did beat them in the playoffs) against the Saints since coming to Tampa. The last time they played, in December 2021, the Saints won 9-0. In that game, Brady was 26-of-48, 214 yards, with one interception, and four sacks. His total QBR was 18.5. It was the first time Brady was held scoreless since 2006.

Last week, the Buccaneers attempted 27 passes. That was the fourth-lowest number of attempts for the week. Brady completed 18 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Mike Evans was the most targeted receiver (7). Chris Godwin left the game at the end of the first half with a hamstring injury. His status for Week 2 is uncertain. The Evans versus Marcus Lattimore matchup has not been good for Evans and no big, bodied Rob Gronkowski this season leaves Brady with one less reliable target.

What To Do

You can stubbornly play Brady and hope that the outcome this time is different. Or you can pick up Matt Ryan off the waiver wire. This week Ryan and the Indianapolis Colts will play the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last week the Jaguars gave up 313 passing yards and four touchdowns to Carson Wentz.

 

Running Back Concerns - Sit ‘Em for Week 2?

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

Harris suffered a Lisfranc sprain during preseason. Harris was on the field for only 59% of the offensive snaps in Week 1. He aggravated the injury in the second half and it forced him to sit out the overtime period. For the game, he had 10 rushing attempts and averaged only 2.3 yards per carry. He was targeted only twice for two receptions, three receiving yards, and a touchdown. Quarterback Mitchell Trubisky had only 38 passing attempts even as the Steelers played a full extra period in OT.

This week the Steelers play the New England Patriots. In their loss to the Miami Dolphins last week, the Patriots held running backs Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert to a combined 17 rushing attempts, 41 rushing yards, and five receptions with 56 receiving yards.

What To Do

Harris is expected to play. The first thing to do is to stay informed about whether the Steelers will place Harris on a snap count. You can also go to the waiver wire and pick up Jeff Wilson Jr. of the San Francisco 49ers or Jamaal Williams of the Detroit Lions.

Last week Williams had four goal-line carries converting two into touchdowns. If you want a more ‘reliable’ option Jeff Wilson of the San Francisco 49ers is an option. Elijah Mitchell is out for approximately four weeks with a knee injury.

The 49ers are a run-first team. Last week they ran the ball the second most (55.22%) and tied for the third-most rushing attempts per game (37). If you can stomach Kyle Shanahan’s complete disrespect to your fantasy team, Wilson is the presumptive next man up in San Francisco. After Mitchell’s injury last week Wilson was on the field for a 76% snap rate.

 

Wide Receiver Concerns - Sit Em Week 2?

Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

Kirk was a monster last week. He was on the field for 91.42% of the offensive snaps. He tied for the team lead with nine targets and 42 routes ran (tied with Zay Jones) and he led the team with 117 receiving yards on six catches.

If you are in a PPR league sitting Kirk is next to impossible because of the potential volume play. But this week you should probably be cautious. Kirk ran most of his routes out of the slot. That means this week he will be matched up against slot cornerback Kenny Moore. PFF ranked Moore as the number one slot cornerback heading into the 2022 season. Last season Moore collected 102 total tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions, 13 passes defended, a sack, and a forced fumble.

Kirk is clearly going to be a major part of this passing game, but will also be identified by Indianapolis as one of the main offensive threats to neutralize as well. So just understand the risk involved here with a player who we only have a one-game sample of with their new team and a potentially much tougher match-up.

What To Do

Kenny Moore left last week’s game with a hip injury. Monitor his status he left practice early Wednesday. If Moore is unable to play, Kirk’s warning label is reduced to "proceed with caution". You can also consider picking up Zay Jones in deeper leagues. Jones was rostered in 1.1% of ESPN leagues. Last week he was on the field for 84.28% of the offensive snaps, while still running the same amount of routes and having the same amount of targets as Kirk.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
NBA

Dominick Barlow Inks Two-Way Deal with 76ers
NBA

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Christian Kirk

the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Jerome Ford

the Likely Starter for Cleveland to Begin 2025
Chig Okonkwo

"Poised" for Best Season of Career
Xavier Watts

Falcons High on Xavier Watts
Xavier Restrepo

Training With Star Wideouts
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Tristan Wirfs

Undergoes Knee Surgery, Likely to Miss Start of Season
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic to Delay Extension Talks Until 2026
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Laken Tomlinson

Confident in Texans Offensive Line
J.K. Dobbins

the Starter in Denver?
JT Woods

Seahawks Release JT Woods
Darren Waller

Trade to Miami Becomes Official
Asante Samuel Jr.

Dolphins Interested in Asante Samuel Jr.
Nyheim Hines

Seeking Return to NFL
Dak Prescott

Expects to be Full-Go for Training Camp
Ajay Mitchell

Posts 16 Points in Summer League Win on Monday
Milwaukee Bucks

Vasilije Micic Waived by Bucks
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Anthony Santander

Hoping to Hit Soon
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning in Short Order
Alex Bregman

Could Return Later This Week
Ketel Marte

Day-to-Day with Groin Tightness
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Hunter Greene

Suffers Setback on Monday
T.J. Watt

Pittsburgh Still Not Close on New Contract
Terry McLaurin

Still Not Pleased with Contract Situation
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Yu Darvish

to Make Season Debut on Monday
MLB

Nationals Fire Dave Martinez, Mike Rizzo
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
KaVontae Turpin

Arrested on Two Charges
Theo Johnson

Prioritizing his Health this Offseason
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
ARI

Christian Fischer Retires From NHL at 28
NHL

Spencer Martin Moves to Russia
WAS

Anthony Beauvillier Re-Signs With Capitals for Two Years
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF