RADIO
Chris Bell Brings Intriguing Potential, Hard to Start in Week 2
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Bell has quickly emerged as a starting option for the team after recovering from his ACL tear, which he suffered last December while at Louisville. Bell operated as the team's third receiver and caught one of his two targets for 25 yards in the team's Week 1 loss to the Raiders. He played 52% of the team's offensive snaps, well behind Malik Washington and Caleb Douglas but well ahead of fourth receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. He has intriguing long-term potential this season since he's quickly risen to such a big role, but he's only the No. 79 WR in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings, so he shouldn't be in starting lineups just yet. He's a solid bench stash for deep leagues, but still needs to show more before you can count on him regularly.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Erick All Jr. Not a Featured Piece in Crowded Bengals Passing Game
A fourth-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Cincinnati Bengals tight end Erick All Jr. flashed some upside as a rookie before missing the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL. All Jr. is back healthy for the start of the 2026 season. However, the 26-year-old was not involved in the Cincinnati passing game in Week 1, going without a target or a reception in the Bengals' 33-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. All Jr. was one of four tight ends used by the Bengals, and it was veteran tight end Mike Gesicki who dominated the receiving work with five catches for 78 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. While All Jr. could eventually work his way into more opportunities, it will likely be difficult for him to establish a fantasy-relevant role barring multiple injuries in the Cincinnati tight end room.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Emanuel Wilson Buried on Seahawks Running Back Depth Chart
Seattle Seahawks running back Emanuel Wilson played a minimal role in his team's Week 1 win over the New England Patriots, recording two carries for three yards. With Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (knee) on Injured Reserve at the start of the year, Wilson appeared to have a chance to carve out a role in the Seattle backfield. However, it was George Holani who played the complementary role to rookie Seahawks back Jadarian Price in Week 1. Wilson played just three snaps on offense against New England and appears to be buried on the depth chart in the RB3 role. An injury to either Price or Holani could potentially change the outlook for Wilson in the short term. Still, Charbonnet has reportedly been making progress and could return shortly after he is first eligible in Week 5. At this point, Wilson would likely need a change of scenery to get back on the radar of fantasy managers in redraft leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Washington Is a High-Risk Play in Starting Role
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington led the Dolphins in targets in Week 1, with eight passes coming his way from Malik Willis. Washington corralled three of those passes for 53 yards, while playing 55 of the team's 56 offensive plays (98%). The Dolphins are excited about rookies Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell, but Washington is still heavily involved as well. Miami's offense will likely be very run-heavy throughout the season, though, and even with plenty of time on the field, Washington could struggle to put up good numbers. He has flashed big-play potential in the past, but the offense caps his upside, especially in a tough matchup against the 49ers this week. He's RotoBaller's No. 62 WR for Week 2, making him only a desperation play this week. His workload makes him worth watching, but starting him in most formats is not a good option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Douglas Is a Deep-League Flex Option in Week 2
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas caught five of his seven targets in Week 1 to lead the team in catches and receiving yards. The rookie third-round pick from Texas Tech looked ready to be the team's go-to option in the passing game, and he makes a solid FLEX option in deep leagues in this week's matchup with the 49ers. He played 51 of Miami's 56 offensive snaps, a 91% share, after earning a starting job before the opener, and he will likely be heavily involved again in Week 2. He has a tough matchup against the 49ers' secondary, but his workload and upside make him one of the few Dolphins worth considering for fantasy this week. Douglas is the No. 43 WR this week in RotoBaller's rankings, making him a fringe starter in most leagues as he continues to establish himself as the team's top option in the passing game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyler Warren A Low-End TE1 For Week 2 at Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren could easily lead his team in targets in Week 2, were it an easier matchup. The Colts head on the road to face the Kansas City Chiefs, who just completely dominated the Denver Broncos in Week 1. KC was a tough defense for opposing tight ends to crack last season -- they allowed under 10.0 PPR fantasy points per game to the position, which ranks among the fewest in the NFL. Warren caught three of his five targets for just 13 receiving yards in Week 1, though he did score a touchdown. The purported rushing role for him that many touted as something that would add to his upside ahead of his rookie season never materialized. A team that has running back Jonathan Taylor in the backfield probably shouldn't be getting cute giving handoffs to a tight end, anyway. Warren still has top-12 upside at his position, but will need the passing offense to take a step up to pay off in starting lineups in Week 2. Still, he should see plenty of looks in the passing game.
Source: Tyler Warren
Source: Tyler Warren
Josh Downs A Deep-League Starting Option For Week 2 at Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs didn't do much in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens, catching just two of his four targets for 37 receiving yards and finishing with only 5.7 PPR fantasy points. It's not all doom and gloom, though. The Ravens totally dominated the Colts defense on the ground, and dominated time of possession. Additionally, Colts quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon late last offseason, and he's still working his way back to full health. Downs is typically a very efficient receiver on a yards per route basis, though he mostly plays in the slot, meaning he's off the field for 2WR sets while WRs Alec Pierce (heel) and Keenan Allen stay on the field, since they're better blockers. Downs is the third option in this passing offense, after Pierce and tight end Tyler Warren. He can be started in deep PPR leagues for his upside, though he may need some time to get going this season on a struggling offense. He's still a very good short-to-intermediate route runner with excellent change-of-direction ability.
Source: https://www.rotoballer.com/nfl/player/24145/Josh+Downs
Source: https://www.rotoballer.com/nfl/player/24145/Josh+Downs
Alec Pierce A Deep-League Start, Still Working Back From Injury
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (heel) recovered enough from an offseason surgery on his ankle to play in his team's Week 1 contest. He hauled in four of his six targets for 61 yards in that game, totaling 10.1 PPR fantasy points. He's reprising his role as one of the best deep threats in the NFL, as he's averaged over 20 yards per reception each season over the last two seasons. When healthy, he's the clear WR1 for his team, and he's likely to continue to improve as the season goes on. There was a lot of skepticism about his potential return to health this year, as he was held out of practice and visibly limping as recently as a few weeks before the season started. Week 2 presents a difficult matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs defense. Pierce seems to be doing well, though Colts quarterback Daniel Jones is also working back from an injury and will need to be on top of his game for Pierce to have a great day. The fifth-year wideout checks in as a risky WR3/flex in fantasy football for this contest.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Greg Dulcich Only Worth Playing in Extremely Deep Leagues
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich played the vast majority of snaps at the position in Week 1, logging 77% of snaps against the Raiders. He only had two targets from QB Malik Willis, though, catching both of those passes for 18 yards. His third-round rookie backup, Will Kacmarek, didn't haul in his only target, so even though Dulcich didn't put up great numbers, he appears to have a firm grasp on the starting job in Miami. However, the Dolphins' run-first offense isn't likely to create enough volume to make him a good fantasy option unless he gets into the end zone. He is only the No. 28 TE in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings, so even though he's starting for Miami, he probably should be left on the waiver wire in standard leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jonathan Taylor A Fantasy RB1 Even In Tough Week 2 Matchup
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is a must-start running back with RB1 overall potential in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs. "RB1 overall potential" is a bit of a formality in this case, as without pass-catching upside and against a defense that absolutely dominated in Week 1, it may be tough sledding for Taylor. However, he's one of the NFL's best running backs when healthy, and he scored 25.1 PPR fantasy points in Week 1 by rushing 19 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns and catching three of his four targets for 23 yards. He lost a fumble in that game, but the Colts won't stop giving him the ball because of it. The only thing he "lacks" from a fantasy perspective is elite receiving upside -- he doesn't get fed passes like RBs Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions do. And Taylor is a game script-sensitive player, as he tends to have his monster games in wins. Still, there isn't a world in which Taylor shouldn't be locked in to starting lineups as an RB in fantasy football for Week 2, and his upside is fantastic.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ka'imi Fairbairn Is a Fringe Starter in Week 2
Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn knocked through a 58-yard field goal in Week 1 and converted all four of his extra point attempts in his team's 36-31 loss to the Bills. He'll be at home at Reliant Stadium for a second straight week in Week 2 against the Bengals, who showed huge improvement on defense in Week 1 against the Bengals. The Texans' offense will be without star WR Nico Collins (hamstring), which lowers the team's overall scoring potential a bit. Even with a slightly lower ceiling, Fairbairn is still consistent enough to be a starter in most leagues, especially since he's kicking indoors. He checks in as RotoBaller's K No. 13 for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Flournoy A WR4 For Week 2 vs Commanders
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy received praise last season for a handful of breakout games he put on film. But he's potentially the fourth (or fifth) option in the passing game for a team that features WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, tight end Jake Ferguson, and running back Javonte Williams. Flournoy is an ancillary piece in this offense, and would need to join a different team to have more opportunities in the passing game if none of those other players got injured. Another option would be the Cowboys offense having a gargantuan day against the Washington Commanders, their opponent in Week 2. The problem with that is that their Week 1 performance suggests that NFL defenses may have adjusted to Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer's offensive schemes. The results of that wouldn't be pretty. Flournoy should continue to be stashed in dynasty fantasy football leagues, but in normal size redraft leagues, he's better off on waivers.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Javonte Williams An RB1 In Week 2 vs Commanders
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams was the only player that had a great day for fantasy football in Week 1 against the New York Giants. He rushed 12 times for 41 yards and a touchdown and caught all five of his targets for 31 yards and another score. The touchdowns saved his day from a fantasy perspective, but being a team's clear No. 1 goal line back with very little competition in the backfield tends to do that. He also has an excellent receiving role, and Dallas doesn't have a high-end pass-catching back to take that away from him. He figures to be plenty involved in the offense in Week 2, as Dallas is facing the Washington Commanders, who had a very porous defense last season. Williams scored double-digit PPR fantasy points in both games against them last season, and should see another heavy workload in a must-win home matchup with a bitter divisional rival. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer is in his second year as the leader of this team, and this game will go a long way in telling whether his offense has been "solved" by NFL defenses after just one season.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Texans D/ST Is a Top-10 Option in Potential Bounce-Back
The Houston Texans D/ST was expected to be one of the best options for fantasy football, but in Week 1, they had a very tough matchup against the Bills and Josh Allen. They allowed 36 points and only managed two sacks and no takeaways in a disappointing showing, but they'll be in a slightly better spot this week against the Bengals and Joe Burrow. Cincinnati scored 33 points in Week 1 against the Bucs with one interception and just one sack allowed. Houston's defense is still stacked with playmakers and brings an elite pass rush, so they are ranked as the No. 9 D/ST in RotoBaller's Week 2 rankings. Even in a less-than-ideal matchup, they are a top-10 option at home this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rashod Bateman Poised to Lead Receiving Corps in Week 2
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman is expected to be the Ravens' primary wide receiver during their home opener in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints. Bateman played 80% of Baltimore's offensive snaps in their 41-23 Week 1 win over the Indianapolis Colts and, most importantly, posted an 85% snap share before halftime when both Zay Flowers (hamstring) and Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) were still in the game. With Flowers doubtful for Sunday and Lane on IR, Bateman sits atop the wide receiver depth chart in Week 2. Even though he was only targeted once on his 26 total routes, which were the most run on the team, and failed to record a reception in Week 1, Bateman has the clearest path to fantasy relevance among all Ravens wide receivers against the Saints. Last week against the Detroit Lions, the Saints gave up over 30 fantasy points to the wide receiver position and 204 total passing yards, which demonstrates the Saints defense is exploitable through the air. The sixth-year receiver had a down year, as did much of the Ravens' offense, in 2025, but Bateman logged six WR2 performances or better in 2024, proving that he has the capacity to provide fantasy value. Nonetheless, Bateman is a fringe WR4/Flex option in Week 2 and is best suited for managers in deep leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
