Matt Prater Still Widely Available Entering Week 2
Matt Prater showed no ill effects from last season's meniscus injury in a 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Prater nailed all three of his field-goal attempts, including a 43-yarder at the end of the first half and a game-winning 32-yarder as time expired, and both extra points last Sunday. It was especially impressive considering Prater was out of the league just a few days before. With starter Tyler Bass (groin) on Injured Reserve, the Bills signed Prater, who will be their kicker for at least the next few weeks. The 41-year-old may not have age on his side, but he has been dependable throughout his career and should receive plenty of opportunities to rack up points with the Bills boasting one of the league's best offenses. Still available in 92% of Yahoo leagues, Prater looks like a worthwhile addition heading into a meeting with the New York Jets on Sunday.
Source: Yahoo! Sports
Buffalo Bills kicker Source: Yahoo! Sports
Sam Darnold Should Remain on Waivers in Week 2
Sam Darnold will look to bounce back in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his first start as a Seahawk. Darnold posted just 150 passing yards on 16 completions. 124 of those yards went to wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The Seahawks' offense lacks rhythm and cohesiveness, although that is to be expected with a new scheme and so many new pieces. Week 2 presents a new opportunity, but it may not bring fantasy fun. The Steelers' defense should improve upon its poor outing in Week 1 against the Jets. On the flip side, the Seahawks' offense can also go nowhere but up. Either way, Darnold should not be rostered right now. While he has a great chance to play well for Seattle this year, his 2024 fantasy breakout was fueled by his 35 touchdown passes. That seems like an unlikely feat for Darnold to achieve in this scheme. Unless the Seahawks' pass rate grows substantially, Darnold should not be on the fantasy radar.
Source: RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Khalil Shakir Struggled Against Week 2 Opponent in 2024
Khalil Shakir was effective in a Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Shakir ranked second among Bills receivers in snaps (60) and caught six of nine targets for 64 yards. He'll take on a familiar opponent this week in the division-rival New York Jets, who gave up the ninth-most fantasy points to receivers in a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. To their credit, the Jets stymied Shakir in two matchups a year ago, yielding a combined five catches on eight targets for 44 yards. Nevertheless, with Shakir having totaled between six and 12 targets in 14 straight games since last season, he should have opportunities to produce on Sunday. Thanks to his rapport with quarterback Josh Allen, he's RotoBaller's 40th-ranked WR for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
After sitting out most of the summer with a high-ankle sprain, Buffalo Bills slot receiver Source: RotoBaller
Harold Fannin Jr. an Ascending Week 2 Asset
Harold Fannin Jr. will get a chance to build on his rapport with quarterback Joe Flacco in Week 2 when his team squares off with the hosting Baltimore Ravens. Fannin Jr. was surprisingly involved in his NFL debut, leading all Cleveland pass-catchers with nine targets. While the Browns airing it out to such an extent every week seems unlikely, it's encouraging that the rookie was on the field a ton, recording 55 snaps (72%) -- only nine fewer than teammate David Njoku. There are quite a few mouths to feed in Cleveland, so Fannin Jr.'s floor could be volatile. That said, his Week 1 performance is impossible to ignore. He's RotoBaller's PPR TE20, and profiles as a TE2 with upside.
Source: ESPN
Cleveland Browns tight end Source: ESPN
Joshua Palmer's Target Share Worth Monitoring in Week 2
Joshua Palmer was one of Josh Allen's go-to options in a 41-40 season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday. Making his Bills debut, the former Los Angeles Charger totaled nine targets (second only to Keon Coleman) and caught five passes for 61 yards. He didn't get credit for it in the box score, but Palmer also drew a key 27-yard pass interference penalty. The 25-year-old will have a chance at another solid showing against the New York Jets on Sunday. Coleman should draw most of the attention from star cornerback Sauce Gardner, which could set Palmer up for success. It's also promising for Palmer that the Jets had trouble against the Pittsburgh Steelers' passing game in a Week 1 loss, allowing Aaron Rodgers to complete 73% of throws for 244 yards and four touchdowns. One of those TDs went to No. 2 receiver Calvin Ridley, who finished with four catches for 70 yards. Palmer could make that type of impact this week if Allen continues to look his way as often (or almost as much) as he did in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
James Cook Should See More Carries in Week 2
James Cook (hamstring) opened the season with a productive showing in a 41-40 win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1. Facing a defense that ranked first against the run last year, Cook only totaled 13 carries for 44 yards. However, he scored a rushing touchdown and chipped in five receptions for 58 yards. Cook figures to log more carries this week, largely because the Bills shouldn't spend the majority of the game trying to overcome a significant deficit. They were down multiple scores for most of the night against the Ravens, leading to a pass-happy approach that yielded an improbable comeback victory. While Cook did deal with a hamstring issue earlier this week, it shouldn't hamper his availability against the New York Jets on Sunday. The Jets stuffed the run in a Week 1 loss to Pittsburgh, allowing a meager 53 yards on 20 carries, but Cook is vastly superior to the Steelers' backs. He'll enter Week 2 as a solid RB2 option for fantasy managers.
Source: RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills running back Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Kincaid Not in TE1 Territory Yet
Dalton Kincaid took advantage of his opportunities in last week's season-opening win over the Baltimore Ravens. Kincaid hauled in all four of his targets for 48 yards and a touchdown - just the fifth score of the third-year man's career. In Week 2, he'll go up against a New York Jets defense that surrendered the league's fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends in a 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers last Sunday. That seems auspicious for Kincaid, though it's worth noting that he continues to lag behind Dawson Knox in usage among Bills tight ends. Knox isn't much of a pass-catching threat, but he garnered more snaps than Kincaid last year, and that remained the case on Sunday. It's also a bit of a concern that Kincaid only totaled four targets during a game in which the Bills, who staged a furious comeback, attempted 46 passes. So, while Kincaid did produce like a fantasy TE1 last week, it would be risky to count on that happening again this week if he doesn't start drawing more attention from quarterback Josh Allen.
Source: RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Source: RotoBaller
Keon Coleman Facing Stiff Test in Week 2
Keon Coleman was viewed as a breakout candidate entering the season, and he lived up to the billing in a Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens. Coleman led the Bills in catches (eight), targets (11), yards (112), and touchdowns (one) against a strong Ravens secondary. He'll face another major challenge this week with New York Jets shutdown cornerback Sauce Gardner on the opposing side. Gardner performed brilliantly in a Week 1 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving up just one catch for 11 yards to No. 1 receiver DK Metcalf. He lined up across from Metcalf on 30 of 34 passing plays, according to Next Gen Stats, and Coleman could be in for a similar fate this week. That's not to say Coleman won't produce - Metcalf still finished with four catches for 83 yards, as he didn't exclusively match up against Gardner - but there should be wariness going into Week 2 against an elite corner.
Source: Rich Cimini - ESPN
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Source: Rich Cimini - ESPN
Kenneth Gainwell Remains a Low-End Handcuff
Kenneth Gainwell will look to make more of an impact in Week 2 when his team takes on the Seattle Seahawks at home. With rookie rusher Kaleb Johnson toting the rock just once in his NFL debut last weekend, Gainwell operated as the team's clear-cut No. 2 backfield option. The former Philadelphia Eagle didn't turn his touches into much, but he saw just four fewer carries than teammate Jaylen Warren, and out-targeted him 4-2. Warren handily outgained him, though Gainwell should see decent volume on a team that has split backfield work over the past few campaigns. His standalone value is slightly diminished as of now, and stands to take a hit eventually when Johnson garners a larger workload. Still, he's ahead of him in the pecking order for the meantime. Gainwell is RotoBaller's PPR RB47 ahead of Week 2.
Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Source: ESPN
Josh Allen Poised for Strong Week 2 Showing
Josh Allen put on a show in a 41-40 win over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, earning AFC Player of the Week honors after going 33-for-46 for 394 yards and accounting for four touchdowns (two passing, two rushing). The reigning MVP is a plug-and-play option every time out, and this Sunday, he'll take on a New York Jets defense that had difficulty stopping the Pittsburgh Steelers' aerial attack in a 34-32 loss in Week 1. The Jets allowed Aaron Rodgers to complete 22-of-30 passes for 244 yards and four TDs. They didn't have to worry about the 41-year-old Rodgers hurting them with his legs, but that's not the case with a superb dual threat in Allen. Realistically, Allen will have a hard time approaching his video game-like production from last Sunday, but he looks primed for another strong outing in Week 2. Allen combined to go 35-for-52 for 397 yards, six TDs (four passing, two rushing), and no picks in two wins over the Jets last season.
Source: ESPN
Buffalo Bills quarterback Source: ESPN
Calvin Austin III to Operate as No. 2 Option Again
Calvin Austin III will line up against the visiting Seattle Seahawks this Sunday in Week 2. The University of Memphis product will look to build off of his opening weekend performance against a Seahawks defense that yielded the seventh-most passing yards in Week 1. Austin III is an elite deep threat, but has never gotten enough of a target share to make a consistent fantasy impact. That could be changing in 2025, though, as he was the only other Steelers wideout aside from DK Metcalf to record more than ten snaps (45) in their win over the Jets. There could still be some up-and-down weeks here when the team finally gets their ground game going, but the 26-year-old should see a steady stream of targets as long as he holds his current position and has a higher floor than in his previous seasons. Austin III is RotoBaller's PPR WR69 for his outing with Seattle.
Source: ESPN
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Source: ESPN
Cameron Ward Facing Second Consecutive Brutal Matchup in Week 2
Cameron Ward struggled in his first NFL game, completing 12 of 28 pass attempts for just 112 yards and zero touchdowns against the Denver Broncos. Ward will face another excellent pass defense in Week 2 in the Los Angeles Rams, who held the Houston Texans offense to nine points and Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud to 188 passing yards in Week 1. Ward, who was sacked six times in Week 1, may have a tough time avoiding negative plays once again in Week 2. The Rams have a dominant front four led by star edge rusher Jared Verse, and the Titans will be without starting right tackle JC Latham (hip) due to a hip injury. Ward has some long-term fantasy appeal, but he should not be started in Week 2, even in Superflex leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Elic Ayomanor In Line for WR2 Workload in Week 2?
Elic Ayomanor finished second on his team in targets (seven) in Tennessee's 20-12 Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos. Ayomanor only recorded two catches for 13 yards on those targets. Still, it's encouraging to see him draw so many looks from Titans rookie quarterback Cameron Ward in the pairings' first time sharing the field in a regular-season game. Ayomanor and the Titans' passing offense face another tough matchup against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2. The Rams held the Houston Texans to 188 receiving yards in Week 1 and should be able to put significant pressure on Ward, who was sacked six times in his Week 1 matchup against the Broncos. Ayomanor should not be started by fantasy managers in Week 2, but he's a name to monitor as a long-term play if he keeps earning a significant target share in Tennessee.
Source: RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Calvin Ridley Facing Another Tough Matchup in Week 2
Calvin Ridley underwhelmed in Week 1 against cornerback Patrick Surtain II and the Denver Broncos defense, recording just four catches for 27 yards. On a positive note, Ridley led the Titans in targets (eight) and looks like the clear number one option in the passing game for Tennessee rookie quarterback Cameron Ward. Still, it could be a struggle again for Ridley in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams' defense dominated the Houston Texans' passing game in Week 1, holding Houston to 188 yards passing and shutting down star Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (three catches for 25 yards). Ridley should still see a heavy volume of targets on Sunday, but efficiency and end zone opportunities may be hard to come by. He profiles as a low-end fantasy WR3 in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Tony Pollard Remains Likely to Dominate Backfield Touches in Tennessee
Tony Pollard did not have his most efficient game in Week 1 against the Denver Broncos, rushing for 60 yards on 18 carries and recording one catch for 29 yards. Still, Pollard received 90% of the running back carries for Tennessee in Week 1, a trend that figures to continue as long as Titans RB2 Tyjae Spears (ankle) remains on Injured Reserve due to a high ankle sprain. Pollard gets a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams, who allowed just nine points to the Houston Texans in Week 1. However, Houston gained 127 yards on the ground, and lead back Nick Chubb averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Expect Tennessee to lean on Pollard to ease the pressure on rookie quarterback Cameron Ward and slow down a formidable Rams' pass rush. Pollard is a volume-based low-end fantasy RB2 in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back
Source: RotoBaller