RADIO
Aaron Jones Sr. Profiles as a Top-24 Running Back in Week 2
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. entered 2026 as part of a split backfield with fellow veteran Jordan Mason (thumb). However, Mason was placed on Injured Reserve following Minnesota's Week 1 win over the Green Bay Packers with a thumb fracture. After recording 12 carries for 40 yards and a touchdown against Green Bay, Jones Sr. now looks to be in a position to play a much larger role in the Vikings offense. In Week 2, Jones Sr. and the Vikings will travel to Chicago to take on the Bears. Chicago's run defense struggled in Week 1, allowing 5.7 yards per carry and two touchdowns to the Carolina Panthers. Minnesota will also be starting backup quarterback Carson Wentz, so the Vikings could look to control the game by keeping the ball on the ground. Given the likely increase in workload, Jones Sr. profiles as a top-24 fantasy running back in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaylen Waddle Outside of Must-Start Territory in Week 2?
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle had a disastrous game in his team's season-opening loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, recording just one catch for two yards on three targets. The 27-year-old's usage in his first game with the Broncos was less than ideal, as he finished fifth on his team in targets. In Week 2, Waddle and the Broncos offense will look to bounce back against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars defense dominated the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, allowing just 205 passing yards and recording five sacks. On paper, the Broncos have a much more potent passing attack than the Browns and should provide Waddle with opportunities to put up fantasy points. Still, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations for Waddle until he establishes a higher-usage role in the Denver offense. All in all, Waddle profiles as a WR3/flex option rather than a must-start wide receiver in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Luther Burden III a High-End WR2 Option in Week 2
Given that his team won the game 59-37, Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden III's stat line in his team's Week 1 victory over the Carolina Panthers was a bit underwhelming for fantasy managers. The 22-year-old finished the game with five catches for 63 yards on five targets. Still, the explosive nature of the Bears offense in Week 1 is a positive sign for Burden III's season-long outlook. In Week 2, Chicago will take on a more difficult matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings recorded four sacks and an interception in Week 1, but they also allowed 387 passing yards and seven receptions of 20 or more yards to the Green Bay Packers. If the Bears can give quarterback Caleb Williams enough time, Burden III could be well-positioned to make some huge plays over the top of the Minnesota defense. All in all, Burden III profiles as a high-end WR2 option in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Harrison Mevis Still Worth Streaming in High-Powered Offense
Los Angeles Rams kicker Harrison Mevis has struggled to carve out consistent fantasy value, but he continues to possess enormous upside given his role alongside one of the best offenses in football. Mevis didn't attempt a field goal until his third game with the team last season, largely because the Rams found themselves in the end zone so often. However, once the dam broke, the floodgates opened and Mevis became a top fantasy kicker for the back half of the 2025 season. He ran back into some adversity during last week's season opener, converting his lone extra point attempt while never being asked to try a field goal. The Rams' quiet game on offense may have been a product of the team's unique travel logistics in Australia, so there's optimism that they'll get back on track now that they've returned stateside. Mevis will kick against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, and he can still unlock his top-12 upside if the Rams' offense looks potent this week. There are some questions about whether Puka Nacua (hip) will play, but either way, Mevis can be a solid fantasy streamer. He's the overall K10 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rams Defense Down Their Best Player Against Surging Giants Offense
The Los Angeles Rams entered this season as one of the top D/ST options in fantasy football, but they have quickly fallen out of must-start territory. Between an ugly Week 1 showing against the 49ers and superstar Myles Garrett (knee) landing on injured reserve, the Rams' defense is no longer a lethal force heading into Week 2 against the New York Giants. The unit remains a fringe top-10 option for Week 2, so they're probably still worth starting since it doesn't make sense to drop them, nor does it make sense to add a different D/ST for just one game. With that said, managers will need to temper expectations as this Garrett-less offense goes up against Jaxson Dart and the Giants. The good news for Los Angeles is that Aaron Donald will be active for his first game since coming out of retirement in August.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Caleb Douglas Offers Deep League Flex Appeal
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas was solid during his NFL debut last weekend. The rookie wideout hauled in five of his seven targets for 94 yards in the loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. The Dolphins expect big things from Douglas after they selected him in the third-round this year. He'll draw a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers defense in Week 2. The Dolphins don't have many established receiving options, so Douglas should continue to see plenty of usage despite being a rookie. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should feel comfortable plugging in Douglas as a flex play for Week 2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Terrance Ferguson Not Yet on the Weekly Fantasy Radar
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson is pushing for a bigger role on offense, and in addition to being a must-roster player in all dynasty leagues, he's also an appealing stash in deeper redraft formats. With that being said, he's not yet a viable streamer for Week 2 against the New York Giants. Ferguson had a quiet performance in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers in Australia, finishing with a 52% snap share, one target, and zero catches. He was out-snapped by Colby Parkinson and out-produced by Tyler Higbee in the loss. This crowded depth chart is the exact reason why Ferguson has yet to consistently produce in redraft leagues. He represents the future of the tight end position in Los Angeles, but as long as Parkinson and Higbee are healthy, he'll have trouble getting onto the weekly fantasy radar.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kaelon Black is a Shaky Flex Play
San Francisco 49ers running back Kaelon Black (groin) is considered questionable ahead of the Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Black was impressive during his NFL debut when he rushed for 65 yards on 14 attempts in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. It was surprising to see the rookie back see that many carries in the backfield, which led him to be a popular waiver wire pickup. Now, Black is uncertain to play on Sunday due to groin tightness. Even if he does play, Black will be a risky starting option given the fact that he probably won't be 100 percent healthy heading into this game. The 49ers might lean on Jordan James or wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. to relieve Christian McCaffrey in the backfield. Fantasy managers should consider Black a low-end flex option for this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Colby Parkinson an Unappealing Fantasy Option for Week 2
Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson remains an unappealing fantasy football option for Week 2 against the New York Giants. Parkinson led the tight end room with a 77% snap share back in Week 1, but it resulted in just one catch for six yards. Despite the heavy involvement, Parkinson finds himself on unstable ground atop the depth chart. Tyler Higbee remains an ever-present veteran option at tight end, but more importantly, Terrance Ferguson will likely push for the starting job at some point this season. Ferguson didn't have a catch in Week 1, but he's a former second-round pick who had five catches and two touchdowns over his final two games last season. Because Parkinson's role is unstable at best, he can be avoided in most fantasy football leagues this week. Heading into a clash with the Giants, he ranks as RotoBaller's TE30 in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Deebo Samuel Sr. Carries WR3 Value into Week 2
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. was a significant part of the offense during the season opener. Samuel hauled in six of his seven targets for 48 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Los Angeles Rams. The 30-year-old could be asked to play a larger role in the passing attack now with De'Zhaun Stribling (ankle) landing on the Injured Reserve. Samuel will have less competition for targets as he heads into a favorable matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. Running back Kaelon Black (groin) is questionable to play on Sunday, which could mean that Samuel could get some carries as well. Fantasy managers should feel safe plugging in Samuel as a WR3 for Week 2.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Blake Corum Gets a Tougher Matchup Amid Volume Increase
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum continues to see a steady increase in volume, but his Week 2 matchup against the New York Giants isn't very attractive for fantasy football purposes. Corum had 54 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, making the most of his opportunities while handling a modest 23% snap share. He doesn't have any sort of role in the receiving game, but he's seeing nearly as much work as Kyren Williams in terms of rushing attempts. We should expect to see a similar split going forward. Unfortunately, that doesn't make Corum a lock for RB3/flex value in Week 2. Having high volume in a good offense is certainly ideal, but the Giants have a solid run defense that could make it difficult for Corum to match his efficiency totals from the season opener. After all, New York held Javonte Williams to just 3.4 yards per carry. As a result, Corum's fantasy value is probably dependent on whether he can score a touchdown, which is a riskier bet to make given Kyren Williams' nose for the end zone. There's certainly mid-range RB3/flex upside here, but managers can should probably look to start a different, higher-ceiling back with more receiving usage this week. He ranks as the RB35 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Paker Washington is Becoming a Fringe WR1
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington has been getting hyped up ever since the beginning of training camp. Last week, Washington proved that the hype is real when he hauled in five of his six targets for 83 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Cleveland Browns. The 24-year-old posted a breakout campaign last season and appears ready to top those numbers in 2026. He'll head into a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos defense in Week 2. Washington has the upside of a WR1, but given his tough matchup, fantasy managers should treat him as a WR2 for this weekend.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Kyren Williams a Touchdown Dependent RB2 for Week 2 Against Giants
Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams had a relatively underwhelming performance last week in terms of both efficiency and volume. He'll look to bounce back against the New York Giants in Week 2, but he's not guaranteed to finish as a top-24 fantasy option this week. In last week's season opener, Williams had 11 carries, 41 rushing yards, three catches, 24 receiving yards, and a touchdown. The trip to the end zone salvaged his fantasy performance, as he would have otherwise finished with single-digit points, even in full-PPR leagues. This week, the Rams won't have any nuisance travel logistics to deal with like they did against the 49ers in Australia. Williams could still have some efficiency problems on the ground, but he'll likely have a bigger impact as a receiver while continuing to offer touchdown upside. Last week, the Giants' defense allowed Javonte Williams to tally 41 rushing yards, 31 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. Williams is a mid-to-low RB2, with some potential variance on either side of that projection to account for touchdowns and volume.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Devaughn Vele has Intriguing Upside for Week 2
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele could step into a bigger role in the offense during the Week 2 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Vele was impressive in the season opener when he hauled in seven of his nine targets for 69 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Detroit Lions. The 28-year-old could be asked to step into a larger role this weekend with top wideout Chris Olave (hamstring) questionable for Sunday. If Olave is out, Vele would step into the WR1 role against this tough Ravens defense. Vele is mainly a deep league option, but he could be a passable WR3 if Olave is unable to play.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Davante Adams Has WR1 Potential if Teammate Can't Play
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams is coming off a very disappointing Week 1 performance in Australia. For now, we're willing to chalk up Adams' dud game to the Rams' weird travel logistics for the international contest. Now that the Rams are returning stateside to play the New York Giants in Week 2, there's no excuse for the Rams' offense not to produce. Adams had just three catches for 26 yards in that game, so he'll look to get back on track that allowed a modest 21.1 combined PPR points to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens last week. There's another factor to consider here, as Puka Nacua (hip) is questionable to play on Monday night. It seems like there's a very real chance that Nacua is inactive after missing two consecutive practices, but since managers won't know for sure until Monday night, they're left in a tough spot when making lineup decisions. Adams is a low-end WR2 if Nacua plays, but he would become a fringe top-12 fantasy receiver if he steps into the primary receiver role.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
