RADIO
Brian Thomas Jr. Looking to Overcome Week 1 Shoulder Injury
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (shoulder) was limited at practice all week but has no injury status heading into a Week 2 matchup with the Denver Broncos. The third-year pro will be looking to get more involved in the passing attack after just three catches for 40 yards in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. That production all came early in the game before his shoulder injury where he looked good to start the game. He was able to return late in the first half, but was vastly overshadowed by Parker Washington for most of the game. The Jaguars' passing attack was great against the Broncos last season in a 34-20 win, but BTJ was also overshadowed by Washington in that game, in which he had just two catches for 18 yards. Many fantasy managers are hoping he can return to his rookie-season form, but the more time that passes, the less likely it seems that will happen. For now, BTJ should be viewed as a risky flex option against the Broncos.
Source: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
Source: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
Return of Alvin Kamara Hurts Kendre Miller's Value in Week 2
New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller could be flex worthy in deep leagues in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens coming off a game in Week 1 when he scored a touchdown against the Detroit Lions. Miller is the backup running back to Travis Etienne Jr. but is now also behind Alvin Kamara, who is set to return in Week 2. Miller rushed nine times for 30 yards and a score in Week 1. While Miller is a very reliable real-life backup running back, his fantasy value is not off the charts and he makes for a bit of a risky play against a good Baltimore Ravens defense, especially with the return of Kamara. But in deep leagues, it might be worth taking a chance on more involvement for Miller in the rushing attack and banking on the touchdown upside of the big back. At 6-foot-0 and 220 pounds, Miller has the size necessary to vulture a touchdown away from Etienne, and now Kamara.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Parker Washington Approaching WR1 Status in Week 2
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington has been on the rise ever since the back half of last season and should continue his rise in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defense has a reputation as one of the best in the NFL, but the Kansas City Chiefs put up 31 points on them just last week. The Jaguars offense also put up 34 points against them last season in Denver. In that game, Washington was incredible, finishing with six catches for 145 yards and a touchdown on 10 targets. The young receiver is also coming off a great Week 1 performance against the Cleveland Browns, in which he put up five catches, 83 yards, and a touchdown. Washington is clearly a star in the making, so it will be fun to watch what he does in Week 2 in what could be another busy outing. Fantasy managers should be ecstatic to have Washington in their Week 2 fantasy lineup, despite what could be viewed as a tough matchup.
Source: Parker Washington RotoBaller
Source: Parker Washington RotoBaller
Drake London Shaping Up as WR3 With Veteran QB Starting Again
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London was limited to just two catches on five targets for 29 yards in Week 1's loss to the Steelers, adding one rush for six yards. It was a disappointing performance but not all that surprising with Cooper Rush under center for Atlanta. Unfortunately, that will be the case again in Week 2, with Michael Penix Jr. (knee) and Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) not expected to play and Rush being named the starter for this week's matchup with Carolina. The 32-year-old QB may look for the short check-down passes again as running back Bijan Robinson led the team in targets last week with 10. The matchup is good for London, as the Panthers yielded 269 yards through the air last week and two scores, but his quarterback limits his upside. The 6-foot-4 wideout drops from the ranks of WR1 status, shaping up as more of a high-end WR3 this week as he sits at WR No. 25 in RotoBaller's rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chris Rodriguez Jr. Looking to Get More Involved in Week 2
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. should be viewed as a bench stash heading into Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. The 26-year-old back only had six touches in a blowout victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 1, and was less efficient on the ground than both Bhayshul Tuten and Ameer Abdullah. He could be relied on a bit more in a much tougher game, but it is hard to trust him in fantasy lineups. He is still listed as a co-starter with Tuten on the depth chart, but the allocated touches in Week 1 didn't line up with that sentiment (16 touches to six). However, the snap share was more even, with Tuten playing 28 snaps and Rodriguez Jr. playing 23. Despite decent playing time, only desperate fantasy managers should consider starting Rodriguez Jr. against the Broncos.
Source: Chris Rodriguez Jr. RotoBaller
Source: Chris Rodriguez Jr. RotoBaller
Bhayshul Tuten Looking to Build on Busy Week 1 Against Broncos
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten will face what was previously considered a tough Broncos defense, until the Kansas City Chiefs offense absolutely dominated them in Week 1. The rushing attack was the main reason for their success, so maybe the Jaguars will try to follow the same blueprint. However, Tuten is talented, but not on the same level as Kenneth Walker, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. still has a role in the offense. The second-year back didn't play in last year's matchup between these two teams, but the passing attack was the main reason for the Jaguars winning 34-20. Tuten only had one reception last week against the Browns, but it's hard to put too much stock in that given that quarterback Trevor Lawrence only had 23 passing attempts. If Tuten can be involved in both the rushing and passing attack in Week 2, he should produce a solid RB2 fantasy performance.
Source: Bhayshul Tuten RotoBaller
Source: Bhayshul Tuten RotoBaller
Trevor Lawrence Faces True First Test in Week 2
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence should be viewed as a low-end QB1 heading into Denver to take on a tough Broncos defense. The former top pick is coming off an incredibly efficient performance, producing four touchdowns on just 18 completions. The Chiefs did make the Broncos defense look vulnerable in a 31-10 Week 1 victory, but that was more on the back of a great rushing attack than a great passing attack. Lawrence is playing the best ball of his career, dating back to last year, so despite a tough matchup, he should be viewed as startable. Lawrence even played against this same Denver team last season, leading the Jaguars to a 34-20 win. In that game, he finished with four total touchdowns and just under 300 total yards. While he should be slightly downgraded, fantasy managers should trust Lawrence's talent and start him in Week 2.
Source: Trevor Lawrence RotoBaller
Source: Trevor Lawrence RotoBaller
Eli Raridon Not Ready To Be Counted On in Week 2
New England Patriots backup tight end Eli Raridon caught his only target for two receiving yards in Week 1's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The rookie out of Notre Dame is behind Hunter Henry on the depth chart but is on the field in two tight end sets. Nonetheless, it is hard to count upon Raridon at a loaded tight end position league-wide until he proves himself more. Henry eats up most of the tight end targets for the Patriots so Raridon will need to show more involvement in the passing game before he can be relied upon. The Patriots play the Steelers in Week 2 who have a good defense and limited Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts to no catches in Week 1's win. This is not a good matchup for Raridon and it is really not wise to start him until he is coming off a big game.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Ben Sinnott A Deep Sleeper in Week 2 at Dallas
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott is expected to see a larger role in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys with Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) ruled out. Sinnott played only 26.9% of the snaps and didn't see a target on 10 routes in Week 1's loss to the Eagles. Sinnott still played behind blocking tight end John Bates, but Sinnott profiles better to take on Okonkwo's receiving role. The 2024 second-round pick hasn't had much opportunity to produce in games so far, with only two career games above a 60% snap rate and 16 career receptions. Sinnott projects as a dart throw in a projected high-scoring Week 2 matchup against the Cowboys, ranking as RotoBaller's TE37 in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Antonio Williams An Intriguing Upside Play in Week 2 at Dallas
Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams had an outstanding NFL debut, catching all four of his targets for 64 yards and a touchdown. The rookie third-rounder looked great despite seeing limited action and was among the top waiver adds this week. Williams ran only 11 routes in Week 1, but posted an absurd 5.82 yards per route run, which ranked only behind Zay Flowers (minimum 10 routes). Williams has almost certainly earned himself an expanded role in Washington's offense, especially with tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) ruled out for Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. Williams is ranked as RotoBaller's WR65 in PPR leagues for Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Stefon Diggs A Strong Option Against Cowboys in Week 2
Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs had a solid team debut in Week 1 against the Eagles, catching four of nine targets for 55 yards and a touchdown. Diggs' dynamic separation ability was on display in this game, and while his connection with Jayden Daniels is still a work in progress, it's clear that Diggs will be a major piece of the passing attack. The 4x Pro Bowler did have two drops and other mistakes, but the profile looks appealing for fantasy. Now Diggs draws an enticing matchup in Week 2 against a Dallas Cowboys defense that got shredded by the Giants in Week 1. In addition, with tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) out, Diggs could draw even more targets underneath. Diggs projects as a solid WR2 in PPR leagues for Week 2 and ranks as RotoBaller's WR29.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Terry McLaurin Ready to Bounce Back in Week 2 at Dallas
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was a non-factor in Week 1's loss to the Eagles, catching two of four targets for 14 yards. In a new offense and a tough matchup, a slow start could have been expected. Additionally, McLaurin has been quiet in the season opener in each of the last two seasons, posting two catches on four targets in both games. The addition of Stefon Diggs certainly seems to have taken some volume from McLaurin, but better days are ahead for the 31-year-old wideout, potentially as soon as Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. The Dallas defense couldn't stop the Giants offense in Week 1, allowing 23 completions on 29 pass attempts and three touchdowns through the air. Also, with tight end Chig Okonkwo (hamstring) out, McLaurin could be relied upon more. In a matchup with one of the highest totals of the week, McLaurin projects as an upside WR2 for Week 2, ranking as RotoBaller's WR19 in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rachaad White Profiles as RB3 Option in Week 2 at Cowboys
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White was quiet in the Week 1 loss to the Eagles, handling seven carries for 22 yards and adding two receptions (two targets) for five yards. White wasn't able to create much with his opportunities against a tough defense and was firmly behind second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the team's primary runner. The former Buccaneer played 40.3% of the offense's snaps compared to 49.3% for Croskey-Merritt, and it's worth noting that Croskey-Merritt didn't return after his fumble on Washington's final drive. Washington will likely continue to operate with a split backfield in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, who got lit up by the Giants in their season opener. Dallas allowed 4.5 yards per carry and four catches to running backs, potentially setting White up for a productive day. White projects as a low-end flex for Week 2, ranking as RotoBaller's RB42 in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt Projects Favorably Against Cowboys
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was productive as the team's lead back in the season opener against the Eagles, rushing for 63 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. The second-year back handled 16 of 27 carries by Washington running backs and notably didn't see the field again after fumbling on the team's final drive. Rookie Kaytron Allen replaced Croskey-Merritt on the final drive, and after fumbling four times as a rookie, he could start to cede work to the rookie if it continues. However, Croskey-Merritt is still the team's most dynamic and explosive rusher and could be primed for a good day on the ground in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas just allowed Cam Skattebo and the Giants to run for 165 yards on 4.5 yards per carry in Week 1, making Croskey-Merritt a solid flex option in Week 2.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Raheim Sanders A Risky Play in Week 2
Cleveland Browns running back Raheim Sanders will serve as the backup to Quinshon Judkins in Week 2 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but should not enter the discussion for fantasy lineups yet. The Browns have a tough matchup with the Bucs and Judkins is the only running back worth a starting look for fantasy purposes. Sanders has entered the conversation with the injury to Dylan Sampson but has not yet shown enough to be relied upon. He had one carry for one yard in Week 1's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Sanders is in his second year after playing in college at South Carolina. He's a big back at 6-foot-0 and 230 pounds so look for him as a bit of a change of pace from Judkins. However he still has a lot of work to do to establish himself as a valuable backup running back for the Browns and someone who can be counted on for fantasy teams.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
