Atlanta D/ST Should be Avoided in Road Matchup Against Vikings
Baker Mayfield to toss three touchdown passes but did not record an interception, nor did the defense force any fumbles. The Falcons take on the Vikings on Sunday night, who have J.J. McCarthy making just his second career start at quarterback, and who threw an interception in Week 1 while taking three sacks, but the Atlanta defense is not the Chicago defense. With Minnesota projected to score 24 points in this one as the favorites, there are many more favorable units to use in Week 2.
Source: ESPN
The Atlanta Falcons defense/special teams ranked in the bottom third in points allowed per game last season (24.9) and struggled to get after the quarterback, finishing with the second-fewest sacks in the NFL (31). Both issues were apparent in Week 1, as the Falcons yielded 23 points to the Buccaneers and sacked the opposing quarterback just once. The defense allowed Source: ESPN
Jordan Whittington Could Maintain Sizable Role in Week 2
Jordan Whittington could remain involved in the team's offensive attack this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. Whittington's involvement in the season opener last Sunday was a pleasant surprise as he played 50 percent of the snaps and was on the field more than teammate Tutu Atwell. Whittington rushed the ball once in last week's win but did not command a target. His snap share was also slightly elevated due to Puka Nacua missing a portion of the game for a concussion evaluation. While Whittington seems to have shown the coaching staff that he deserves to get on the field, he still doesn't have the production necessary to achieve fantasy relevance. He can be left on waivers in all redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Cam Little a Great Kicking Option Against Bengals
Cam Little has a chance for another good fantasy outing against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2. Little finished with 14 fantasy points against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, and this week has the potential to be another high-scoring game for the Jaguars. Whether that leads to field goal attempts is the question, but Little at least proved last week he is capable of high-scoring outings. That makes him a solid full-season kicker to have at the moment. Start Little with confidence in Week 2 in what should be a shootout.
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Quinshon Judkins Officially Activated to Browns 53-Man Roster
Quinshon Judkins, per a team announcement. Judkins is expected to make his NFL debut in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens after an offseason arrest kept him out of training camp and delayed his signing with the team. The 21-year-old is likely to split touches with fellow rookie back Dylan Sampson and veteran Jerome Ford early on. Judkins should not be started in fantasy this week, but he's definitely a player to stash for later on this season.
Source: Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns have officially activated rookie running back Source: Cleveland Browns
Kerby Joseph Pops Up on Lions Injury Report, Questionable to Play in Week 2
Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (knee) was a surprise addition to the team's injury report on Friday and is officially questionable to play in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears. Joseph dealt with a knee issue during training camp but was able to play in Week 1 against the Green Bay Packers and logged full practices on Wednesday and Thursday of this past week. The 24-year-old was a first-team All-Pro in 2024, recording a league-best nine interceptions. His absence would be a huge blow to the Lions' secondary and would make life significantly easier for quarterbackTyler Allgeier a Low-End Flex Against Tough Minnesota Run Defense
Tyler Allgeier earned double-digit touches in Week 1, although against a stout Tampa run defense, he was unable to convert them into much production, logging just 24 yards on 10 totes. The 25-year-old back was a non-factor in the passing game, not even drawing a single target compared to Bijan Robinson's seven targets. Allgeier tallied 10 or more carries just five times in 17 games last year, so this likely won't be a regular occurrence, however, the product out of BYU did have a solid game against Minnesota last year, which is who he'll face on Sunday night. The 5-foot-10 back ran nine times for 63 yards and a score in this matchup last year, so he's got a chance to produce again, but the Vikings allowed just 53 yards to running backs last week (QB Caleb Williams ran for 58) and allowed the second-fewest rush yards per game in '24, leaving Allgeier as nothing more than an RB4 or low-end Flex play in Week 2.
Source: ESPN
Atlanta Falcons running back Source: ESPN
Blake Corum Set to Take Back Seat Again in Week 2
Blake Corum should remain an afterthought in the team's offensive attack against the Tennessee Titans in Week 2. While Corum is a solid handcuff, he lacks fantasy appeal as long as Kyren Williams. Just last week, he played only 17 percent of the offensive snaps, finishing with one rushing attempt and one reception. While it's encouraging that he was the only Rams running back not named Williams to register a snap, his incredibly low usage indicates that he's not a priority option in this offense. Even in a favorable matchup against the Tennessee Titans this week, Corum has a very low floor and can be left on the bench or the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Source: RotoBaller
Jaguars D/ST Not Worth Starting in Week 2
Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers, but this week's matchup with Joe Burrow and the Bengals should be much more difficult on paper. The Bengals do tend to struggle early in the season for whatever reason, but that isn't a risk worth taking, especially after Ja'Marr Chase had a surprisingly quiet Week 1. Drop or leave the Jaguars D/ST on waivers if streaming a defense in Week 2.
The Jacksonville Jaguars take on the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, which is bad news for both defenses. The Jaguars D/ST had a good Week 1, finishing with 11 fantasy points against Kyren Williams Gets Favorable Game Script for Week 2
Kyren Williams remains a strong fantasy option for Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. Williams' nose for the end zone was on display once again last week as he scored a touchdown against the Houston Texans, and he has a strong chance to score this Sunday in a very favorable matchup against the Titans. Just last week, we saw this Tennessee defense surrender 151 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown to a Broncos team that admitted it didn't even run the ball as much as it should have. If Denver could have pushed closer to 200 yards on the ground, then there's a very real chance that someone like Williams can go for 100 yards and a touchdown, especially with game script and time of possession favoring the Rams. Williams is a high-end RB2 with mid-range RB1 upside.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams running back Source: RotoBaller
Chargers D/ST Remains Strong but Faces High-Volume Offense
Geno Smith, who threw for over 300 yards last week. Although Smith is less mobile than Patrick Mahomes, the Raiders' offense remains strong. The Chargers' defense is steady, but with no turnovers and only one sack in Week 1, they might not offer the explosive upside fantasy managers look for in a D/ST. There could be better streaming options available this week as RotoBaller lists them as the D/ST16.
Source: RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers D/ST played well last week, beating last year's Super Bowl runner-up, the Kansas City Chiefs. They held their divisional rivals to just 21 points and limited their running backs to only 41 yards. This week, they face the Las Vegas Raiders and quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Worthy Officially Ruled Out for Week 2
Xavier Worthy (collarbone) from doubtful to out for Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Eagles, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It's not surprising that Worthy will not be able to play in Week 2, considering he suffered a dislocated shoulder in Week 1. Without Worthy on the field, Kansas City will rely more heavily on wide receivers Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Tyquan Thornton. Brown profiles as a solid fantasy WR3/flex option on Sunday against Philadelphia.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
The Kansas City Chiefs have officially downgraded wide receiver Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Chase Brown, Bengals Offense Ready to Get it Together in Week 2
Chase Brown had only 43 yards off 21 carries in the Week 1 win over Cleveland. His 2.0 yards per carry was a tough pill to swallow for fantasy managers. Still, he at least found the end zone, so the afternoon wasn't a total flop. The same can't be said for the rest of the Bengals offense, with Joe Burrow throwing for 113 yards and one touchdown. To make matters worse, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for five receptions. Despite the subpar offensive showing, Cincinnati managed to pull off a narrow one-point victory. With a win in the books, Brown and company will host the Jaguars in Week 2. Without question, the Bengals have struggled to begin the season in the last few years. However, Brown and company have a great chance of turning things around. Although he sometimes struggles picking up yards on the ground, his versatility as a pass-catching back makes a difference. Sunday's game is expected to be one of the highest-scoring contests on the schedule, so both offenses may be clicking on all cylinders. All things considered, Brown should be more productive in Week 2, especially if Burrow can get the offense into the Red Zone more than he did against Cleveland. Keep Brown rolling in all fantasy lineups.
Source: ESPN
Cincinnati Bengals running back Source: ESPN
Cameron Dicker a Top Kicker This Week Against Las Vegas
Cameron Dicker had a perfect outing in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, scoring nine points with two field goals and three converted extra points. This week, the Chargers are projected to score around 25 points against the Las Vegas Raiders, setting Dicker up for another productive day. He is a reliable kicker on a high-scoring offense, which makes him a valuable asset in fantasy football. RotoBaller projects Dicker as K2 this week and should be started with confidence.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers kicker Source: RotoBaller
Will Dissly Not Projected for a High Volume Week 2
Will Dissly had only one target in Week 1, converting it into a single catch for 18 yards. He will look to rebound against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. Despite the Raiders' defense giving up 76 yards to the tight end position last week, Dissly might not see enough volume to be relevant in fantasy. Dissly's 54.1% route participation and his lack of involvement in the game script make him an unreliable fantasy option. RotoBaller projects him as TE38, and he should not be started in any fantasy leagues at this time.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers tight end Source: RotoBaller
Quentin Johnston Continues to be a Red-Zone Threat
Quentin Johnston silenced his critics in Week 1 with an impressive 5-79-2 stat line on just seven targets against a tough Kansas City Chiefs defense. Johnston's 97.3% route participation and 66.7% red-zone target rate show that he is a key part of this offense. The former first-round pick is expected to have a favorable matchup against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly, and his big frame could make him a go-to target in the red zone again this week. He has a high ceiling and a solid floor for this Week 2 divisional matchup. He is a strong flex option versus the Raiders, and RotoBaller projects him as WR45 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Younghoe Koo Not a Preferred Option at Kicker in Week 2
Younghoe Koo was 2-for-2 on extra points in Week 1 and 2-for-3 on field goals, but the one field goal he missed was a 44-yarder that could have tied the game and sent it to overtime. We'll see if that shakes his confidence after making just 73.5 percent of his field goals in 2024, and also after Head Coach Raheem Morris said that the Falcons will begin working out new kickers after the miss. He'll get pristine kicking conditions inside a dome (again) at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minnesota on Sunday night, but with other more consistent kicker options available, the 31-year-old kicker ranks outside of the top 12 options at the position this week.
Source: ESPN
Atlanta Falcons kicker Source: ESPN
Colts Place Jaylon Jones on Injured Reserve
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Jaylon Jones (hamstring) has been placed on Injured Reserve, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jones will not be eligible to return until Week 6 at the earliest. Indianapolis will be severely shorthanded in the secondary on Sunday against the Denver Broncos with both Jones and top corner Charvarius Ward (concussion) sidelined. Xavien Howard and Mekhi Blackmon appear poised to be the team's starting corners on the outside, but it could be a big day for quarterbackTravis Hunter a High-Upside Flex Option Against Bengals
Travis Hunter had a solid Week 1, and will look to expand on it in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. He finished his first NFL game against the Carolina Panthers with six catches on eight targets for 33 yards. It seems like head coach Liam Coen is interested in getting the ball in Hunter's hands as much as possible, a great sign for his future fantasy outlook. Against the Bengals, the game script should favor passing against a weaker pass defense, so that is good news for Hunter's upside. The only potential drawback for the rookie receiver is if he plays more on defense this week. Given Hunter's clear talent, fantasy managers should feel great starting their star rookie in the flex spot in Week 2.
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie sensation Tre' Harris Needs More Opportunities to Make a Fantasy Impact
Tre' Harris had a very quiet debut in Week 1, recording just one catch for 11 yards. The rookie barely saw the field, running only five routes and participating in just 13.5% of the offensive snaps. Harris will look to carve out a role against the Las Vegas Raiders. While it's common for rookies to be eased into their roles, Harris is clearly behind three more established wide receivers in Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and Keenan Allen. He will need to maximize his limited opportunities, which are not enough to make him fantasy-relevant at this point. He should stay on your bench until he shows a significant increase in usage, which is likely only if one of the starters gets injured. RotoBaller projects him as WR91, and he can be left on the bench versus Las Vegas.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Keenan Allen's Reliability Makes Him a Solid Start
Keenan Allen showed his excellent chemistry with quarterback Justin Herbert during the team's Week 1 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The veteran recorded seven catches for 68 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets, proving his reliability and ability to get open against any defense. This week, Allen faces a decent matchup against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Eric Stokes and is likely to remain a primary target for Herbert. While he may not have the explosive upside of some younger teammates, Allen's high floor and consistent volume make him a safe fantasy option. He is a solid WR3/4 and a reliable start against Las Vegas, especially in multi-flex leagues. RotoBaller projects him as the WR38 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey is Still a Top Option Entering Week 2
Ladd McConkey put up solid numbers in the team's Week 1 win against the Kansas City Chiefs, catching six passes on nine targets for 74 yards. Although he didn't score a touchdown, his high target volume and 100% route participation immediately established him as a top option in a pass-heavy offense. This week, he faces a favorable matchup against Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Darnay Holmes, which should further boost his outlook. However, it's worth noting that he had no red-zone targets last week, which could limit his scoring upside. Despite this, his consistent target share from Justin Herbert makes him a reliable option with a high ceiling in this matchup. He is a must-start and RotoBaller's WR9 for the week.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Brian Thomas Jr. a Bounce-Back Candidate Against Bengals
Brian Thomas Jr. managers hoping for a much better performance out of their top draft pick. Thomas Jr. had high expectations entering the season after elite stat lines down the stretch of last year, but he finished with just one catch for 11 yards against the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. He did salvage his week somewhat with a nine-yard rushing touchdown, but it was a disappointing fantasy performance nonetheless. The Jaguars relied mainly on the running game, but that could change in what should be a more favorable passing game script. Fire up Thomas Jr. as a clear WR1 in Week 2 in what could be a huge bounce-back outing.
The Jacksonville Jaguars face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, which has a chance to be a shootout. That's fantastic news for Najee Harris' Workload Remains Unknown for Week 2
Najee Harris saw limited action in Week 1, with just one carry and one catch, each for five yards. He was gradually brought back into the lineup after a limited offseason following a superficial eye injury in July. Harris has been practicing in full and is ready to take on a further workload against the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday night. Although the veteran's conditioning and readiness for the game may have improved, with Omarion Hampton clearly established as the lead back, Harris's workload should stay limited for another week. RotoBaller projects him as RB45, and fantasy managers should keep him on their bench in Week 2 against Las Vegas while monitoring his role in the Chargers backfield in the upcoming weeks.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Source: RotoBaller
Nick Folk a Back-End Week 2 Option
Nick Folk is one of the riskier options this week for his home matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The 40-year-old was a perfect 2-for-2 on field goal tries last weekend - including a 51-yarder - and knocked through both of his extra-point attempts - providing decent fantasy value in the loss. Folk has been deadly accurate across the past two campaigns. Over that stretch, he's a superb 50-of-52 on FGs, and 11-of-12 on ones from 50 or more yards out. While New York offered him plenty of opportunities for points in Week 1, it's unclear if the same will be true against Buffalo's defense. The University of Arizona product has a chance to be a modest producer in Week 2, but fantasy managers can likely find a better option than him. Folk is RotoBaller's K29 for his contest with the Bills.
Source: ESPN
New York Jets placekicker Source: ESPN
Austin Ekeler Suffers Torn Achilles
Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles during Thursday night's loss to the Green Bay Packers. Ekeler injured his ankle on the game's final drive while stepping back awkwardly. The lead back for Washington through the first two weeks, Ekeler totaled 14 carries for 43 yards and added five receptions for 38 yards. With 2024 starter Brian Robinson Jr. already traded, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt will now step into the starting role. Ekeler's contract expires after this season, making the injury an even bigger blow for the former star running back.
Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Washington Commanders running back Source: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
Kyle Pitts Sr. a Volatile Low-End TE1 in Week 2
Kyle Pitts Sr. had a nice start to the season in Week 1, drawing eight looks from quarterback Michael Penix Jr., which was second-most on the team, and he recorded seven catches for 59 yards. While it was encouraging to see the rapport with his young QB after drawing a total of 10 targets in three games with him under center in 2024, the fact that Darnell Mooney (shoulder) was not a participant in Week 1 almost certainly boosted Pitts' target share. Mooney is expected to return to the field for Sunday night's road matchup with the Vikings, which could send the 24-year-old tight end back to the No. 3 or No. 4 option in the passing attack behind Drake London (shoulder), Mooney, and perhaps even behind running back Bijan Robinson. Drawing the second-most red zone looks on the team in 2024 buoys his fantasy value somewhat, but the 6-foot-6 TE needs to produce on a regular basis before he's not categorized as a risky low-end TE1, which is what he will be this week.
Source: ESPN
Atlanta Falcons tight end Source: ESPN
Matt Vierling Begins Rehab Assignment
Matt Vierling (oblique) began a rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Toledo, per MLB.com. Vierling has been on the 10-day injured list since early August due to an oblique issue. The 28-year-old was a key piece for Detroit in 2024, but injuries have limited him to just 31 games so far in 2025. In that 100-plate appearance sample size, Vierling is slashing .239/.310/.307 with just one home run. Upon his return, Vierling could factor into the Tigers' outfield mix, but is more likely destined for a bench role and will not make a significant fantasy impact.
Source: MLB.com
Detroit Tigers outfielder Source: MLB.com
Omarion Hampton Remains a High Upside RB2
Omarion Hampton had a quiet game in the team's Week 1 win against a tough Kansas City Chiefs rush defense. The rookie finished with 48 yards on 15 carries (3.2 YPC) and added two catches for 13 yards. This week, he's facing the Las Vegas Raiders, who got out to an early lead and shut down the New England Patriots' run game in Week 1. Despite the tough matchup, the Chargers are still expected to rely on their young back early in the game. Fantasy managers should be aware that Najee Harris (eye) is one more week removed from the NFI list and should eat into Hampton's touches moving forward. RotoBaller projects Hampton as the RB17, and he should be started as a high-end RB2 this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers running back Source: RotoBaller
Travis Etienne Jr. an RB2 in Solid Week 2 Matchup
Travis Etienne Jr. and the team take on the Cincinnati Bengals, whose strength is offense and weakness is defense. That bodes well for the Jacksonville fantasy assets, especially with Etienne Jr.'s resurgent performance in Week 1 against the Panthers. The Panthers have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL going back to last season, but a 16 carry, 143 yard performance is still impressive. Add on the team trading away Tank Bigsby to the Jaguars, and the veteran back should get plenty of work once again. The game script should be less in favor of the running game this week, but that shouldn't stop Etienne Jr. from being a solid RB2 this week.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Matthew Stafford Could Underwhelm in Week 2
Matthew Stafford is not a top fantasy option for Week 2 against the Tennessee Titans. Instead, he ranks as a low-end QB2. First of all, the Titans' passing defense showed major strides in Week 1, intercepting Bo Nix twice. This was the lone bright spot for a Tennessee team that struggled essentially everywhere else. Additionally, the Rams are favored to win, so they could adopt a run-heavy approach that aims to drain the clock. If so, we'll see fewer attempts from Stafford through the air. With a respectable matchup and potentially positive game script, Stafford, who lacks rushing upside, drops to the fringe top-24 range.
Source: RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Source: RotoBaller