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Michael Florio's fantasy football sneaky starts, pivot plays, and post-waiver waiver pickups for Week 2 of 2024. Start 'em as under-the-radar fantasy sleepers.
And just like that, we are back! Welcome to my fantasy football sneaky starts and waiver wire pivot plays for Week 2 of the 2024 NFL season.
We spend all summer going over fantasy football rosters, usage, and projections, and by Week 2 you are here, clicking on an article with sneaky starts and pivot options. All the planning in the world can go out the window with an injury or two, but that does not mean you just throw in the towel.
For those who are not familiar, every week I will provide these deeper options that you can plug into your lineup to replace an injured or struggling player in your lineup. Good luck in Week 2 RotoBallers!
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Fantasy Football Sneaky Starts and Pivot Options
If you need a QB…
Justin Fields can run and that is enough to make him an every-week streaming option. He did not put up a ton of fantasy points in Week 1 -- but he did outscore a bunch of big names. He is in line to start once again this week in a better matchup against the Broncos.
Fields, who was the QB5 in 2022 and QB5 from Week 4 onward last season in PPG, could show off his wheels even more this week. He is very much in play as a streamer.
Justin Fields scored 11.9 fantasy points. He still outscored every QB I said I’d play him over!
- Joe Burrow ✅
- Dak Prescott ✅
- Trevor Lawrence ✅
- Caleb Williams ✅
- Brock Purdy ✅
- Justin Herbert ✅
- Aaron Rodgers ✅
- Kirk Cousins ✅ https://t.co/tVGPRnlSFf— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 10, 2024
Baker Mayfield picked up where he left off last season. Baker threw for 289 yards and four touchdowns while running for 21 yards, finishing with just under 30 fantasy points. Now, he faces the Lions, who he went for 349 yards and three scores against in the playoffs last year. Mayfield is a great option in what could be a high-scoring, indoor game.
Geno Smith broke Adrian Peterson’s record for the oldest player to run for a 30-plus-yard TD in this millennium. I would not bank on that weekly, but there is an upside for Geno in this new offensive system. The Patriots are not my favorite matchup, but when looking for options on the waiver wire, beggars can’t be choosers. He has a better matchup than other streaming options.
If you need an RB…
Alexander Mattison is like the butler from "Mr. Deeds" this week. He is very, very sneaky. Mattison played 59 percent of the snaps in Week 1, with more routes (22 to nine) and targets (six to two) than Zamir White.
When the Raiders are trailing, I think we will see a lot of Mattison since he is the passing-down back. And they play the Ravens in Week 2, so expect them to be trailing.
#Raiders HC Antonio Pierce on Alexander Mattison:
“I thought he did a heck of a job. Every time he went in there, made plays. Really good job, also, in pass protection for us.”
on whether he’ll will ride the hot hand:
“We’ve got to” pic.twitter.com/EtAKNP7piX
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) September 9, 2024
Tank Bigsby had the same number of carries in Week 1 as Travis Eteinne Jr. And he was more productive! Both had 12 carries, but Bigsby turned his into 73 yards, good for +19 yards over expectation. Etienne ran for 44 yards, -8 over expectation. Etienne is never going to go away, but if Bigsby continues to run well, he could carve out standalone value. The volume has him in play as a streamer.
Bucky Irving looked good running nine times for 62 yards in Week 1. Do not expect him to get much pass-game usage since Rachaad White thrives there. But White has been one of the more inefficient runners in the NFL over the last two seasons. Irving has the opportunity to carve out a larger role. He doesn’t have a great matchup against the Lions in Week 2, but when diving deep, volume is what you’re after.
Emanuel Wilson ran well in Brazil. He only had four carries, but he turned those into 46 yards. He also ran 10 routes, seeing three targets. But his Week 1 production is not why he is a streamer. The Packers are set to be without Jordan Love, which likely means they are going to try to run the ball as much as possible. I would expect an uptick in volume for the explosive Wilson this week, as long as MarShawn Lloyd does not suit up.
If you need a WR…
Tyler Johnson and Demarcus Robinson will both be needed to replace Puka Nacua. Both are in play as streamers for those diving a little deeper. Robinson is the name you know and he brings a safer floor. But his role largely did not change after Nacua missed time. Instead, it was Johnson who received the bump in playing time and was running the Puka routes. He also projects to be a better YAC option.
I like to swing for the fences, so I will take the shot on Johnson. But expect both to see the field a bunch and earn more volume with Nacua sidelined. That is enough to have both in play as pivot options.
I think Tyler Johnson is a very sneak add if Puka Nacua misses time
- Puka Nacua 1st Half: 4% left wide, 29% left slot, 25% right tight, 8% right slot, 33% right wide
- Tyler Johnson 2nd Half: 16% left wide, 8% left slot, 19% right tight, 19% right slot, 22% right wide— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 9, 2024
Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce are another set of teammates who are both in play, largely because their QB has a Megaman-style cannon for an arm. While Pierce got the production, Mitchell saw more targets and had created plenty of separation downfield three different times.
It was not meant to be in his NFL debut, but if he keeps getting open downfield, good things will happen. Pierce brings a similar upside. Both are low-floor, but very high-ceiling options.
Just watched all of Adonai Mitchell's Week 1 targets and well ... he is someone you want in fantasy
- Richardson missed him for a pretty wide open 29-yard TD
- ARich misfired on a would-be 70-yard TD (penalty nullified)
- Had another target where he created sep downfield— Michael F. Florio (@MichaelFFlorio) September 10, 2024
Jalen McMillan should not be overlooked. He played in three wide receiver sets, which was pretty much how the Bucs offense operated all game long. He ran 26 routes, one more than Mike Evans. While he only had one catch, it was a 32-yard touchdown and he had a second one slip through his fingers. In what could be a shootout, McMillan brings a sneaky upside.
McMillan drops a sure-thing TD for the Buccs and the Commanders get out of jail.
Sainristil got absolutely lost in coverage.
Phew#HTTC pic.twitter.com/0MlF60KyS8
— Chad Ryan (@ChadwikoTWW) September 8, 2024
Greg Dortch was the Cardinals' leading receiver. Now, I think that was more matchup-based than anything, but still. A team-high eight targets, six catches, and 47 yards should not be ignored. Dortch is a reliable target for Kyler Murray and that could translate to fantasy points once again this week in what could be a high-scoring divisional affair.
If you need a TE…
Colby Parkinson is in play because no one man is going to replace Puka Nacua. Parkinson ran 41 routes in Week 1 with five targets, catching four for 47 yards. That made him the TE7 in PPR leagues. Volume alone gives him a safe enough floor to stream while Nacua is sidelined. We have yet to see if that volume can translate into a high ceiling. But the floor is what we care about when streaming tight ends.
I do not want to trust any Packers pass-catcher until Jordan Love returns, but if you are desperate, you could turn to Tucker Kraft. He ran 28 routes in Week 1, compared to Luke Musgrave’s eight. He turned three targets into 37 yards and 5.7 fantasy points. The floor is low, but if you’re desperate in deep leagues, at least he is seeing playing time.
Mike Gesicki nearly caught a touchdown. That is all I can say about the Bengals offense from Week 1. But, the Bengals are thin at receiver and will be playing against the Chiefs. They will have to put up points, and if they are in catchup mode, that means more passing. This is a deep upside shot.
Make sure to follow Michael on X, @MichaelFFlorio.
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