Christian Watson Ascending Into a Fantasy Superstar
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson had a relatively slow start to his career, but he has recently blossomed into the fantasy superstar that managers expected when he was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Watson finished the 2025 season on a strong note, and he picked up right where he left off with a dominant Week 1 performance that included six catches, 147 yards, and two touchdowns. Watson is a playmaker who has shown that he can get open downfield, and his strong rapport with Jordan Love allows him to catch passes in stride and make big plays. Matthew Golden is also taking on a larger role offensively, but that should have no impact on Watson's outlook. The 27-year-old is a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside this season. He could feast in a favorable Week 2 matchup against the New York Jets.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tetairoa McMillan Plays a Major Role on Offense
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan made a very positive impression as a rookie last year, and he continues to offer solid WR2 value in fantasy football leagues in 2026. McMillan opened the season with eight targets, five catches, and 75 yards in the Panthers' Week 1 contest against the Chicago Bears. He came on a little slow but finished incredibly strong, ranking second on the team in catches and yards behind Jalen Coker. He also played an impressive 82% snap share, which indicates that he should continue to occupy a major role going forward, presumably as Bryce Young's No. 1 receiver. The emergence of Coker could have a very slight impact on McMillan's stock, but we're still confident in him as fantasy WR2 with high volume and touchdown upside. He should benefit immensely from a Week 2 matchup against a suspect Atlanta Falcons team.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
George Kittle Rising to Top-Tier TE1 Range After Recovery
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (Achilles) was limited in Week 1 due to recovery from an Achilles injury, and while he remained limited in practice on Wednesday, we expect him to take on a substantially larger role going forward. As a result, he's back in the top-12 tight end range for fantasy purposes as long as he's healthy. Last year, Kittle ranked as the overall TE2 during his healthy stretch from Weeks 8-16. A healthy Kittle catching passes from Brock Purdy will fight to be the top-scoring fantasy tight end any given week, making him a must-start in all leagues. Managers who might feel spurned by his two-catch performance last week should feel some assurance knowing that he only played 45% of the offensive snaps. If he's healthy enough to play more than 75% of the snaps this week, he's a near-lock for top-12 production at the tight end position, especially after Purdy lost young target De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) to IR.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Garrett Wilson Eyeing Larger Target Share With Rookie WR Injured
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson has always had plenty of talent after the Jets took him 10th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft from Ohio State, but the problem is he has never worked with a good enough quarterback in the Big Apple to help him reach his true potential. Fantasy managers mostly overlooked the 26-year-old going into his fifth year in the league because he is working with veteran quarterback Geno Smith, who was disastrous in 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders. Wilson had a solid showing in the Week 1 season-opening win over the Tennessee Titans, catching six of his seven targets for 79 yards, although he did not find the end zone. He was already New York's unquestioned WR1, but the expected multi-week injury to rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. is going to open up even more targets for Wilson as the Jets head into their Week 2 matchup at home against the Green Bay Packers this Sunday. Wilson is not in a sexy situation with Gang Green, but he will have WR1 upside in fantasy with Cooper sidelined.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Chris Godwin Jr. is Proving to be Trustworthy
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin Jr. is coming off a decent performance during the season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals. Godwin hauled in all four of his targets for 40 yards during the Week 1 loss. The 30-year-old appears to be healthy again after two injury-riddled seasons in a row. He has built good chemistry with quarterback Baker Mayfield throughout the years together. The loss of Mike Evans this offseason should mean that Godwin takes on more responsibility on offense. Fantasy managers should be able to plug Godwin in as a WR3 most weeks.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Bucky Irving is Rising After Strong Opener
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving did a little bit of everything on the field during the season opener. Irving rushed the ball eight times for 45 yards and a touchdown. He also hauled in all seven of his targets for 48 yards and another score during the Week 1 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Irving was highly efficient on the ground with 5.6 yards per carry, while being a huge factor in the receiving game. The Bucs clearly trust Irving to make plays on the ground and through the air. The presence of Kenny Gainwell does not appear to be making an impact on the value of Irving. Fantasy managers should consider Irving a high-end RB2 for the upcoming matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Juwan Johnson is Absent on Wednesday
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (illness) did not participate during Wednesday's practice session, according to Jeff Nowak. Johnson is feeling under the weather, so he sat out of practice to begin the week. Fantasy managers should consider Johnson day-to-day with a good chance of suiting up for the Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The 30-year-old hauled in three of his seven targets for 54 yards and a touchdown during the Week 1 loss to the Detroit Lions. If healthy, Johnson is an interesting starting option for Week 2. Fantasy managers should check back on Thursday for another update on Johnson.
Source: Jeff Nowak
Source: Jeff Nowak
Tory Horton is a Full Participant During Wednesday's Practice
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (hamstring) was a full participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to Brady Henderson of ESPN. Horton appears on track to play in Week 2 after missing the season opener due to a hamstring injury. Horton has been battling this issue during training camp, but he finally appears to be getting healthy again. Barring any setbacks, Horton should be active for the Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Fellow wideout Cooper Kupp (back) was limited during Wednesday's practice session. Horton might be asked to take on a larger role if Kupp is downgraded during the week. Fantasy managers should check back for an update on both players later in the week.
Source: Brady Henderson
Source: Brady Henderson
Kyle Williams Likely to See More Playing Time
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams is expected to see an expanded role in the offense, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN. Williams didn't see a target during the Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He only played 11 offensive snaps, but the 23-year-old is expected to see more of the field now. The Patriots placed superstar wideout A.J. Brown (ankle) on the Injured Reserve this week. Brown is set to miss at least the next four games due to a high-ankle sprain. The second-year wideout should have a path to more targets with Brown sidelined. He showed flashes during his rookie season and has the speed to be a legit threat on the field. Fantasy managers should expect more balls to be thrown his way during the Week 2 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Raheim Sanders to Take on Bigger Role
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders will have the opportunity to see an expanded role in the offense, according to Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. Sanders will move up the depth chart to the No. 2 role with Dylan Sampson (knee) going down in the season opener. The Browns placed Sampson on the Injured Reserve, so he'll be forced to miss at least the next four games. Sanders rushed the ball once and hauled in three receptions for 25 yards during the season opener. He could emerge as an interesting handcuff for fantasy managers going forward. He could offer some value in Week 2 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that allowed over 100 rushing yards last week.
Source: Scott Petrak
Source: Scott Petrak
Cooper Kupp is Limited with Back Issue
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (back) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to Bob Condotta. It appears the veteran wideout tweaked his back during last Wednesday's win over the New England Patriots. He finished the game with two receptions on three targets with 35 receiving yards. Barring any setbacks, Kupp should be ready to go for the Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Fantasy managers should check back later in the week, but it sounds like Kupp should be fine moving forward. He'll be on the flex radar for this upcoming divisional matchup.
Source: Bob Condotta
Source: Bob Condotta
Omar Cooper Jr. Doesn't Practice on Wednesday
New York Jets wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (ankle) did not suit up for Wednesday's practice session. As expected, Cooper didn't practice to begin the week after sustaining an ankle sprain during Sunday's season opener. The Jets expected Cooper to miss several weeks while he recovers from his sprained ankle. The absence of Cooper could mean that Adonai Mitchell and tight end Kenyon Sadiq see larger roles in the passing game during the Week 2 matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Fantasy managers should place Cooper on their IR and hope that he returns relatively soon.
Source: New York Jets
Source: New York Jets
Jeremiyah Love Not Included on Injury Report
Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love (ankle) was not included on Wednesday's injury report, according to Tyler Drake. This is noteworthy given Love missed time during training camp due to a high-ankle sprain. The rookie back made his NFL debut against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. He rushed the ball 11 times for 41 yards and a touchdown during the victory. Love also added two receptions on four targets for nine yards through the air on Sunday. Love only saw 43 percent of the offensive snaps, but his role is expected to grow as the season goes on. Fantasy managers should expect Love to be a full-go for the upcoming matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Source: Tyler Drake
Source: Tyler Drake
Jake Bates a Risky Start for Fantasy Managers in Week 2
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates was perfect in his team's Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints, converting his lone field goal attempt and all four extra-point tries. The Lions put up 31 points against the Saints, and Detroit could be in need of another high-scoring effort when it faces the high-powered Buffalo Bills in Week 2 on Thursday Night Football. However, the weather forecast in Buffalo on Thursday calls for the potential of some rain and wind, which could make kicking difficult. Lions head coach Dan Campbell also has a tendency to chase touchdowns rather than settling for field goals, which could only be amplified if Detroit gets behind early against the Bills. All in all, Bates projects to finish outside the top-12 kickers for fantasy managers in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Trey McBride Listed as DNP for Rest, Back Injury
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (back, rest) was absent from Wednesday's practice session, according to Tyler Drake. Fantasy managers don't need to panic after McBride was seen working off to the side on Wednesday. It sounds like the Cardinals are just being cautious with their superstar tight end to begin the week. The fact that he was given a rest tag should mean that McBride isn't dealing with anything significant. Fantasy managers should check back after Thursday's practice just to be safe. Barring any setbacks, McBride should be ready to go for a tough divisional matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2.
Source: Tyler Drake
Source: Tyler Drake
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