Dylan Sampson Looking to Build on Impressive Pro Debut
Dylan Sampson will head on the road to take on the Baltimore Ravens in Week 2. Sampson turned in an excellent pro debut in a one-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1, catching all eight of his targets for 64 yards. He also dominated the backfield work, earning 12 carries to starter Jerome Ford's six in the contest. Sampson appears to be locked into the pass-catching role in the Cleveland offense, a spot that should be productive against a Ravens defense that allowed James Cook to catch all five of his targets for 58 yards in Week 1. Sampson sets up as a high-end RB3/flex option with upside heading into fantasy contests in Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Cleveland Browns running back Source: NFL.com
LeQuint Allen Jr. Listed As Team's RB3 in Updated Depth Chart
LeQuint Allen Jr. enters Week 2 as the team's RB3 on the updated depth chart. In the season-opening win over the Carolina Panthers, Allen logged one carry for seven yards and added one reception for four yards, while Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby dominated the backfield with 83% of the snaps and 21 of the team's 25 rushing attempts. With Bigsby now traded to Philadelphia, the door is open for Allen and fellow rookie Bhayshul Tuten to carve out roles behind Etienne. While Tuten came in with more hype as a prospect, Allen's receiving skills could earn him passing-down work. He'll draw a favorable matchup in Week 2 against the Bengals, who just allowed Browns running back Dylan Sampson to lead his team in receptions. Allen remains unstartable in fantasy for now, but his skill set makes him a name worth monitoring as the Jaguars' backfield evolves.
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Ollie Gordon II Remains a Deep Sleeper
Ollie Gordon II apparently hit the snooze button in Week 1, since the sleeper dozed right through his NFL debut. Gordon is RotoBaller's RB54 for the Dolphins' Week 2 matchup against the Patriots after he only managed four yards on two carries and one catch for negative one yard in Week 1. He played 15 snaps (25%) and could work his way into a larger role as the season progresses. At this point, though, he's a hold for his long-term upside, not for the production he is expected to bring this week. He doesn't belong on waiver wires, but he also doesn't belong in your starting lineup ultin he has a clear path to playing time. Jaylen Wright (leg) could crowd Gordon's playing time even more when he returns, although coach Mike McDaniel said that is unlikely to be this week, and the running back is doubtful on the injury report.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins running back Source: NFL.com
Joe Flacco a QB3 in Week 2 Vs. Ravens
Joe Flacco will head on the road to take on his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, in Week 2. Flacco, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Ravens, was busy in a Week 1 loss as he dropped back to pass 45 times in a one-point loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. While he only threw one touchdown last week, the Browns' pass-heavy approach to begin the season could lead to fantasy production for the veteran quarterback. Stopping opposing passing attacks has been a defensive liability for the Ravens over the past few years, giving Flacco a good shot at posting a productive game. That being said, he still settles in as a mid-range QB3 in fantasy with no teams on bye in Week 2.
Source: NFL.com
Cleveland Browns quarterback Source: NFL.com
Bhayshul Tuten Listed As RB2 in Team's Updated Depth Chart
Bhayshul Tuten has climbed into the RB2 role on the team's updated depth chart. In Week 1, Tuten logged three carries for 11 yards during the win over Carolina, while Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby combined to play 83% of the snaps, with Etienne dominating the touches. Following the game, Jacksonville traded Bigsby to the Eagles, opening the door for Tuten, along with seventh-round rookie LeQuint Allen Jr., to compete for the backup job. The Jaguars face the Bengals in Week 2, a defense that struggled in 2024. While Tuten is not yet a fantasy starter, his path to meaningful touches has become much clearer with Bigsby's departure, making him a bench stash with upside in all formats.
Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back Source: Jacksonville Jaguars
Tua Tagovailoa Is a Shaky QB2 Against the Patriots
Tua Tagovailoa will be looking to bounce back after a brutal Week 1 when the Dolphins host the Patriots in Week 2. Coach Mike McDaniel and General Manager Chris Grier have come under fire after the team's brutal 33-8 loss in Indianapolis during Week 1, and change could be on the horizon if Tagovailoa can't turn things around. He only completed 14 of 23 pass attempts for 114 yards and a late touchdown. He threw a pair of bad interceptions and was sacked three times, also losing a fumble. The entire offense seemed completely out of sorts, with timing that was off and shaky pass protection. He was one of the lowest-scoring fantasy quarterbacks in Week 1, and even in a favorable matchup against the Patriots, he's only the No. 26 QB in the RotoBaller rankings for Week 2. Even in two-quarterback leagues, there are probably stronger options available.
Source: NFL.com
Miami Dolphins quarterback Source: NFL.com
Tre Tucker Could be in Line for More Targets Against Chargers
Tre Tucker got his 2025 season started on the right foot with new quarterback Geno Smith running the offense in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, and scored his first touchdown of the year. Tucker caught only two of three targets, but he averaged a robust 27 yards per reception to finish with 54 yards in the contest. The 24-year-old played 57 of a possible 63 offensive snaps as the clear WR2 behind Jakobi Meyers. Most weeks, Tucker will be a hard sell as a boom/bust flex play in fantasy, but he could have more sleeper appeal in Week 2 on Monday night against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers if target-hog tight end Brock Bowers (knee) cannot play -- Bowers has missed two practices already this week. In two games against L.A. last year, Tucker had five catches for 46 scoreless yards.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Source: Pro Football Reference
Aaron Rodgers Set for Encore After Four-Touchdown Week 1?
Aaron Rodgers' biggest supporters may have been surprised that he turned back the clock to throw four touchdowns in a 34-32 Week 1 win over his former team, the New York Jets, last Sunday. Rodgers did it on 22-for-30 passing while throwing for 244 yards. Only one time last year did Rodgers throw for four TDs with the Jets, and it came in the Week 18 regular-season finale. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer's back was tight and limited his mobility against the Jets, but he was not on Pittsburgh's injury report this week and is cleared for a Week 2 meeting with the Seattle Seahawks in his Steel City debut. Seattle allowed Brock Purdy to throw for 277 yards and two TDs against them in Week 1, but they also picked him off twice. Rodgers proved he still has a little magic in him, but the ceiling and floor remain low for fantasy purposes, and the bottom line is that most weeks, the Steelers are hoping he won't have to wear a cape.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Even Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
Jordan Watkins Could Have Decent Role in Debut in Week 2
Jordan Watkins (ankle) has been removed from the injury report and will make his NFL debut in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints this Sunday. Watkins, a fourth-rounder in April, was held out of the Week 1 win over the Seattle Seahawks after suffering a high-ankle sprain all the way back on Aug. 9, but not only will he be active this weekend, but he could be thrown into the fire right away. Tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is on Injured Reserve, while receiver Jauan Jennings (shoulder) is questionable for Sunday. Backup quarterback Mac Jones is starting in place of the injured Brock Purdy (toe), but if Jennings is out, Watkins will be battling with Kendrick Bourne, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Skyy Moore for WR2 duties. Watkins will be too dicey to start in fantasy, but he's certainly one to watch in deeper leagues now that he's past his ankle injury.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
San Francisco 49ers rookie wide receiver Source: San Francisco Chronicle - Noah Furtado
Tyler Badie to Have More of a Role in Passing Game in Week 2?
Tyler Badie could have an elevated role in the passing attack out of the backfield in a Week 2 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts because of Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's tendency to bring a lot of "pressure looks." Although Badie didn't have a carry in the Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans, he was targeted six times through the air and caught two of them for 16 yards. The 25-year-old is not a realistic starting option in Week 2 fantasy lineups, even in PPR leagues, but his presence on the field is bad news for fantasy managers expecting rookie RJ Harvey to see a bigger share of the backfield work in Week 2. Badie's six targets ranked third on the team last weekend in Denver.
Source: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel
Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post writes that Denver Broncos running back Source: The Denver Post - Parker Gabriel
Brenton Strange on the TE1/2 Borderline Against Bengals
Brenton Strange has a real opportunity to break out in 2025 in his third year in the league under new head coach Liam Coen, even though his Week 1 production wasn't eye-opening. Strange caught all four passes thrown his way for 59 total yards in a game in which the Jags offense took their foot off the gas pedal after halftime and a lengthy weather delay. The 24-year-old led the team in yardage in the season opener and finished second in receptions, behind only rookie first-round receiver Travis Hunter. Against a Cincinnati Bengals defense in Week 2 that was very friendly to opposing offenses a year ago, Strange could have a bigger day this Sunday. In the one-point win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, the Bengals' defense allowed 10 catches and 100 yards combined to rookie TE Harold Fannin Jr. and David Njoku.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Source: Pro Football Reference
Jaydon Blue to be Active in Week 2?
Jaydon Blue would be active in Week 2 this Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants, he did say that Blue is "going to make a difference when it's all said and done." Blue really impressed the coaching staff in training camp this summer, but an ankle injury caused him to miss time late in camp and resulted in the 21-year-old being a healthy inactive in last Thursday's season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The expectation is that Blue will be a healthy scratch again this weekend against the Giants, but he could contribute sooner than later, especially if Miles Sanders looks bad again, like he did in Week 1. For now, expect Javonte Williams and Sanders to handle backfield duties in Dallas for another week. Fantasy managers must remain patient with Blue.
Source: SB Nation - RJ Ochoa
While Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones didn't exactly say that rookie running back Source: SB Nation - RJ Ochoa
Justin Fields Definitely in the QB1 Picture Against Bills
Justin Fields for two-time MVP Lamar Jackson, the former first-rounder does have a similar dual-threat skill set at the position and could give the Buffalo Bills defense more issues after they couldn't stop Jackson and the Ravens offense at all in Week 1. Fields and the Jets offense looked much better in their loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, with Fields accounting for three touchdowns (one passing, two rushing). The 26-year-old went 16-for-22 passing for 218 yards while rushing 12 times for 48 yards. Buffalo's defense also gave up three total touchdowns to Jackson while allowing 40 total points, so on that logic alone, Fields and the Jets offense could keep it going in Week 2 at home. Field's rushing upside alone should give him a high floor with QB1 potential every week in fantasy.
Source: Pro Football Reference
While nobody is mistaking New York Jets quarterback Source: Pro Football Reference
Brandon Aubrey a Must-Start Kicker
Brandon Aubrey rewarded fantasy managers in Week 1 with an 11-point performance against the Eagles, highlighted by a smooth 50-yard field goal. He's been automatic at home throughout his career, converting 100% of his field-goal attempts in Dallas -- a streak that speaks for itself. The Cowboys clearly trust him in any situation, and fantasy managers can share that confidence. Aubrey combines long-range leg strength with steady accuracy, making him as reliable as it gets at the kicker position. With Dallas' offense capable of moving the ball and stalling just enough for plenty of field-goal tries, he's set up for another strong outing. Start Aubrey with full confidence as a top-tier kicker. He offers one of the safest floors and plenty of upside every time he takes the field in AT&T Stadium.
Source: nfl
Dallas Cowboys kicker Source: nfl
Juwan Johnson in Play as Tight End Streamer in Week 2
Juwan Johnson likely was off the fantasy radar in most leagues to begin the year, but he's become a popular waiver-wire target heading into Week 2 after his eight-catch, 76-yard performance (on 11 targets) in the Week 1 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Johnson surprisingly led the Saints in catches and yards on the day in the debut of head coach Kellen Moore, with second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler under center. The Saints aren't suddenly an offense to watch, but it was notable that Rattler dropped back to pass 46 times -- New Orleans will probably be playing from behind a lot in 2025. Johnson has never gone over 548 receiving yards in five NFL seasons, but he did score seven times in 2022 and could be a trusted weapon for Rattler all year long. He'll face a tougher Niners defense this week, but if you lost George Kittle (hamstring) or Dallas Goedert (knee) already, Johnson could be a serviceable short-term solution.
Source: Pro Football Reference
New Orleans Saints tight end
Source: Pro Football Reference