Rhamondre Stevenson Only an Option in Deeper Leagues as Role Shrinks
Rhamondre Stevenson is merely a volume-based FLEX play in deeper fantasy leagues ahead of Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. Stevenson handled just seven carries and three targets in Week 1, producing just 27 scrimmage yards. He is expected to have a decreased role this week as the Patriots continue to incorporate Tre'Veyon Henderson more. Stevenson's fantasy value is slightly boosted, however, by a matchup against the Dolphins, who were arguably the NFL's worst team in Week 1. Miami allowed 112 rushing yards (3.7 YPC) to running backs last weekend, as well as a pair of rushing touchdowns to Daniel Jones. Stevenson isn't going to see a whole lot of volume, but he could get some extra yardage if Miami's defense continues to get dismantled.
Source: RotoBaller
New England Patriots running back Source: RotoBaller
Chad Ryland a Viable Starting Option in Week 2
Chad Ryland put together a solid performance in Week 1 after scoring a total of eight points while going 2-for-3 in field goals. He knocked through a 42 and 50-yard field goal, but had a 46-yarder blocked in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals' offense should be able to move the ball down the field again in Week 2 as they take on the Carolina Panthers, who just gave up 26 points to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. This puts Ryland into the K1 category again, especially after registering a K10 finish in that first outing.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals kicker Source: RotoBaller
Wil Lutz A Risky Fantasy Start Against Colts
Wil Lutz was perfect in Week 1, converting all four of his attempts (two field goals, two extra points) in a 20-12 win over the Tennessee Titans. Despite the clean performance, Denver's offensive struggles capped his fantasy output, as he finished just 17th among kickers for the week. Lutz now faces the Indianapolis Colts in a matchup that could be low scoring after both teams' defensive units impressed in their openers. While Lutz entered the year ranked as a top-five option on some fantasy platforms, his Week 2 outlook carries more volatility. He should be viewed as a high-risk, high-reward streamer rather than a locked-in starter.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Denver Broncos kicker Source: Pro Football Reference
Darnell Mooney Practices in Full, Will Make Season Debut on Sunday
Darnell Mooney (shoulder) was a full participant in practice on Friday after being limited earlier in the week, and heads into Sunday night's matchup with the Vikings without an injury designation. The 27-year-old should slide back into his role as No. 2 receiver behind Drake London (shoulder), who also practiced fully on Friday. Mooney owned a solid 21.3 percent target share last season with the same receiving corps, although much of that was with Kirk Cousins under center. In the two games he played with Michael Penix Jr. at the helm, Mooney's target share dropped to 17.7 percent. Going up against a tough run defense, the Falcons may prefer to attack Minnesota through the air, but with plenty of receiving options at their disposal and Mooney potentially getting eased back into action, the sixth-year pro should be viewed as a high-end WR4/Flex play in Week 2 with some slight upside in PPR formats.
Source: ESPN
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Source: ESPN
Trey McBride Ready for Another Big Week vs. Panthers
Trey McBride needs no introduction at this point. Last season, he was the second-most targeted tight end and saw the eighth most overall. In Week 1, he received another nine targets and caught six of them for 61 yards. The only area he's lacked in thus far in his career is finding the end zone. For fantasy purposes, that hasn't hindered his production, especially in PPR formats. According to RotoBaller's matchup ratings, McBride has the second-best rating against the Carolina Panthers among all tight ends. The only one above him would be Brock Bowers if he ends up playing. It should go without saying that McBride should be in all lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals tight end Source: RotoBaller
Evan Engram's Usage Too Concerning to Trust Against Colts
Evan Engram (calf) is expected to suit up for Week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts after leaving the opener with a calf contusion. Engram's usage before the injury was concerning, as he played just 44% of the snaps overall and was on the field for only 56% of Denver's passing plays. Adam Trautman, the more experienced blocker, was featured more heavily in Sean Payton's game plan. The much-hyped "Joker role" for Engram in Payton's offense appears overstated based on Week 1 usage. While the Colts were vulnerable to tight ends in 2024, allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to the position, Engram's limited playing time keeps him off the fantasy radar for now.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Denver Broncos tight end Source: Pro Football Reference
Drake Maye Has Big Upside Against Struggling Defense
Drake Maye has top-12 fantasy upside heading into Sunday's Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Maye was solid with 287 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the season opener last week, but he has the potential to take a bigger leap this weekend given the Dolphins' struggling defense. Miami was decimated by Daniel Jones last weekend, as the Indianapolis Colts quarterback finished with 272 passing yards, 26 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. Even if Maye doesn't quite match Jones' stat line, there's still a strong chance he finishes as a QB1 this Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Source: RotoBaller
Dolphins Haven't Received Calls for Tyreek Hill
Tyreek Hill and have shown no interest in moving their star playmaker. Hill is coming off a down 2024 season, posting his lowest per-game receiving numbers since his rookie year. Trade speculation intensified after Hill pulled himself from the Dolphins' Week 18 game last season, declaring, "I'm out!" Miami's Week 1 loss to the Colts only fueled rumors, but for now, a trade remains unlikely given Hill's contract and the team's stance. If the Dolphins continue to struggle, a deadline move could resurface as a topic of discussion, although the financial hurdles are significant. In fantasy, Hill profiles as a low-end WR2, while Jaylen Waddle's fantasy stock will continue to drop as long as Hill remains in Miami.
Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Miami Dolphins have not received any trade inquiries for wide receiver Source: Adam Schefter - ESPN
Quinshon Judkins Expected to Play Against Ravens
Quinshon Judkins is expected to make his debut in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. Judkins missed all of training camp due to off-field issues and a contract holdout before finally signing his rookie deal just before Week 1. He also met with the NFL this week regarding a potential suspension, but no discipline has been announced. With limited practice time and no preseason action, Judkins is likely to see a scaled-back role in his debut. Brown beat writers are anticipating around 10-12 rush attempts in Week 2. Facing a Baltimore defense that ranked among the league's best against the run in 2024, both Judkins and Dylan Sampson are tough to trust in fantasy lineups this week. It may be best to take a wait-and-see approach.
Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Cleveland Browns rookie running back Source: Jeremy Fowler - ESPN
Sean Payton Wants to Get Two Backs Involved
J.K. Dobbins and rookie R.J. Harvey were involved in the Week 1 win over Tennessee, though Dobbins clearly led the way. Dobbins handled 16 carries for 63 yards while playing 53% of the snaps, compared to Harvey's 6 carries for 70 yards, which included a 50-yard burst in the fourth quarter, on just 29% of snaps. The usage indicates a strong lean toward Dobbins, who profiles as a mid-range RB3 in Week 2 against the Colts. Harvey remains more of a developmental stash than a fantasy starter.
Source: Zac Stevens - DNVR
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton stressed his comfort with using a two-back system, telling reporters Friday, "I think the moral of the story always is that I've had a lot of experience feeding two (backs)." Both Source: Zac Stevens - DNVR
Zay Jones Remains Unstartable in Week 2
Zay Jones didn't play much of a part in the passing game during the Week 1 win over the New Orleans Saints. The 30-year-old caught his only target for four yards despite playing 47% of the snaps. When it comes to pecking order in the passing game, Jones was tied for sixth. Backup tight end Elijah Higgins and James Conner both saw more targets. So, even though their headed for a favorable matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, Jones can either remain on the waiver wire in average-sized leagues, or just be left on the bench.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Titans D/ST Face Tough Matchup Against Rams
Matthew Stafford has thrown just one interception over his last 10 games, limiting turnover opportunities. On top of that, Tennessee struggled against the run in Week 1 and will be without 2024 second-round pick T'Vondre Sweat, leaving them vulnerable to the Rams' ground game. Despite the promising Week 1 showing, the Titans' D/ST is best left on the bench or the waiver wire this week.
Source: Pro Football Reference
The Tennessee Titans' defense turned in a strong fantasy performance in Week 1, forcing four turnovers against the Denver Broncos while allowing 20 points to finish as the 10th-ranked D/ST. However, their Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams is far less favorable. Source: Pro Football Reference
Joey Slye On The Fantasy Radar in Week 2
Joey Slye delivered a huge performance in Week 1, drilling all four of his field goal attempts in a 20-12 loss to the Denver Broncos. The seventh-year veteran, now on his sixth NFL team, accounted for every point the Titans scored. Slye finished with the second-most fantasy points among kickers in the opening week, despite the tough matchup against Denver's defense. In Week 2, the Titans host the Los Angeles Rams, who just allowed Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn to hit three field goals and finish as a top-five kicker in Week 1. While Slye wasn't on the fantasy radar entering the season, he's emerging as a viable streaming option you can trust this week.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tennessee Titans kicker Source: Pro Football Reference
Michael Wilson Off of the Fantasy Radar in Week 2
Michael Wilson received the third most targets on the team in Week 1 but could only manage to turn that into one reception for five yards. The third-year wideout will remain behind Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. in the pecking order and may even fall behind some of the running backs in any given game. Despite the Carolina Panthers' defense not looking too great in Week 1, Wilson doesn't seem to be much of a fantasy option until he can prove to be a more reliable pass-catcher. In most leagues, Wilson isn't on the radar for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Source: RotoBaller
Marvin Harrison Jr. Holds High-Level WR2 Value in Week 2
Marvin Harrison Jr. delivered a WR10 finish in half-PPR leagues against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Many expect the second-year wideout to break out after he failed to reach some lofty expectations in his rookie season. While Trey McBride still commands more targets, Harrison wasn't too far behind. The Carolina Panthers don't present much of a threat defensively in Week 2, so there should be room in the passing game for Harrison to replicate what he did in their last game. While the game script will likely lean towards the ground game since the Panthers gave up 200 yards to the Jacksonville Jaguars, fantasy managers can look to Harrison as a WR2.
Source: RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Source: RotoBaller