TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Five Boom or Bust Lineup Plays for Week 2

The Boom or Bust play is one of the most talked about aspects of fantasy football each week. Boom or Bust players can be used in the deep lineup leagues, when it appears you are a heavy underdog in your head-to-head matchup or even in Guaranteed Prize Pool Tournaments in DFS.

In this article, I will cover five of my favorite boom or bust plays for Week 2 of the fantasy football season.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through the playoffs. Premium DFS research, lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Quarterback

Jay Cutler, Bears QB vs PHI

Jay Cutler did not have a stellar start to the season in a Week 1 loss against the Houston Texans, finishing the week as the QB26 in standard scoring. However, Cutler has a much better matchup at home against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 2. The Eagles have one of the worst secondaries in the NFL and Cutler should be able to exploit that weakness with a healthy Alshon Jeffery matched up against rookie 7th round cornerback Jalen Mills.

So where is the bust potential? The bust potential is that Kevin White still hasn’t shown anything at the NFL level and the Bears lack a second receiving threat behind Alshon Jeffery, but I don’t project that to be a problem against the Eagles defense.

Verdict: Bust 

 

Running Back

Jonathan Stewart, Panthers RB vs SF

Jonathan Stewart averaged 4.3 yards per carry on 15 carries with zero receptions against the Denver Broncos Week 1. When a back isn’t heavily involved in the passing game, their production is heavily reliant on touchdowns, making them a boom or bust play.

In Week 2, Stewart and the Panthers are 14-point favorites, the biggest of the week, at home against the San Francisco 49ers. Stewart is one of the few backs left in today's NFL with little to no competition for carries on the running back depth chart. I expect the Panthers to get up early and Stewart will see 20 or more carries. With a projected team total of 31, it is likely that Stewart sees the end zone at least once.

Verdict: Boom

 

Wide Receiver

Dez Bryant, Cowboys WR vs WAS

What? A First Round Redraft pick on a Boom/Bust list in Week 2? And it is Dez Bryant? Last week against the Giants, Bryant showed that he will be more of a high volatility play than normal this season. The Cowboys will likely be one of the run heaviest teams in the NFL, particularly with Dak Prescott at quarterback.

In Prescott’s first career start, Bryant put up a disappointing one catch for eight receiving yards. However, Bryant was a foot short of adding a 30 yard touchdown to that stat line. If that happened, no one would really be panicking. In Week 1, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington showed that they won’t be using Josh Norman to shadow the opposing team's top wideout. I like Bryant a lot this week, and I think he will be the feature piece of the Cowboys offense this week - as he should be every week.

Verdict: Boom

 

Tight End

Gary Barnidge, Browns TE vs BAL

Gary Barnidge was one of the best waiver wire breakout players in 2015. After zero catches Week 1 against the Eagles, he is hitting some waiver wires again even though he can return the same value that he did in 2015. Barnidge showed the possibility of being a one-year wonder with his zero point performance, but I am not giving up on Barnidge just yet. He is my favorite boom/bust play at the tight end position Week 2.

With Robert Griffin III on IR, Barnidge will have Josh McCown at quarterback who was under center for his breakout season last year. With Josh Gordon still suspended, Barnidge has a good chance to lead the team in targets this week. If not, he will likely be second behind Corey Coleman. I think with McCown under center, he will lean towards the reliable Barnidge rather than the volatile Terrelle Pryor at wide receiver.

Verdict: Boom

 

Hail Mary of the Week

In the Hail Mary of the Week, I will choose a Boom/Bust candidate who is available on the waiver wire in most fantasy football leagues and could have a big week:

Breshad Perriman, Ravens WR at CLE

Breshad Perriman came into the NFL in 2015 as a boom/bust prospect with next level speed, and not-so-next level hands in college. His rookie season ended before it started due to injury, and his Week 1 debut occurred without much fanfare as he had a line of one catch for 35 receiving yards. The bust potential is obvious here, as there is no guarantee of target volume. But when looking for a hail-mary-type play, Perriman is the perfect example of a player who can pay off starting him with just one play. In addition, the Browns are likely the worst team in the NFL and Perriman’s skill set matches with quarterback Joe Flacco very well.

 




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Taylor Hendricks

Dealt to Memphis
Jaden Ivey

Traded to Chicago
Jock Landale

Moving From Memphis to Utah
Cam Smith

to See Time in Center Field This Spring
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Traded to Utah
Garrett Acton

Marlins Claim Garrett Acton Off Waivers From Rockies
St. Louis Cardinals

Jurrangelo Cijntje's Switch-Pitching Future Up in the Air
Thomas Saggese

Could be in the Mix for Outfield Work
Nolan Gorman

Should Have "Plenty of Opportunity" in 2026
Kyle McCann

Rockies Sign Kyle McCann to Minor-League Deal
Isaac Paredes

Astros, Isaac Paredes Avoid Arbitration
Aaron Nesmith

Ruled Out for Tuesday's Game Against the Jazz
Oakland Athletics

Jamie Arnold Adds Cutter, Kick Changeup
Andrew Nembhard

Will Not Play Tuesday Against Utah
Pascal Siakam

Will Rest on Tuesday
Bennedict Mathurin

Listed as Out on Tuesday
Noah Clowney

Ready to Return
Norman Powell

Downgraded to Doubtful for Tuesday
Eduardo Salazar

Signs Minor-League Deal With Twins
James Harden

Trade Coming Soon?
Daniel Robert

Re-Signs With Phillies
Joey Cantillo

to Compete for Rotation Job This Spring
Scottie Scheffler

Is it Scottie Scheffler or The Field at WM Phoenix Open?
New York Yankees

Yankees Searching for Another Right-Handed Bat
Maverick McNealy

Riding Solid Finish to TPC Scottsdale
Brooks Koepka

Returns to Site of First Career Victory
Marcell Ozuna

Rays Among the Teams Interested in Marcell Ozuna
NASCAR

Billy Horschel Unlikely to Right the Ship in Phoenix
J.J. Wetherholt

JJ Wetherholt Could Play Second Base in St. Louis
Harry Hall

Looks to Continue Strong Season-Opening Form in Phoenix
Adbert Alzolay

Expected to be Full-Go at Spring Training
Troy Melton

to Compete for Rotation Spot in 2026
Reese Olson

Expected to be Ready for Spring Training
PGA

Chris Gotterup Hoping to Turn The Tides of Phoenix Open History
Tony Finau

Is Tony Finau Ready to Ride Momentum into TPC Scottsdale?
Sam Burns

Looks to Get Back to Usual Putting Form in Phoenix
Domantas Sabonis

Raptors Continue to Discuss Trade for Domantas Sabonis
Manny Machado

Remains a Consistent Force at the Hot Corner
Cal Raleigh

Can Cal Raleigh Duplicate his Monster Season?
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Looks to Bounce Back after Tough Finish
Ken Waldichuk

Designated for Assignment Again
Nick Schmaltz

Leads Mammoth to Victory Monday
Roman Josi

Has Four Assists in Huge Comeback Win
Quinn Hughes

Records Hat Trick of Assists
Filip Chytil

Misses Third Period Monday
Daemon Hunt

Injured In Monday's Win
Zach Benson

Suffers Upper-Body Injury Monday
Sam Bennett

Exits Early Monday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Uncertain for Tuesday
Chet Holmgren

Questionable With Back Issue Tuesday
Norman Powell

in Danger of Missing Third Consecutive Game
Tyler Herro

Misses 11th Straight Game
Michael Porter Jr.

Available Against Lakers
Jalen Green

Iffy for Tuesday Night
Devin Booker

Won't Play Tuesday
Deni Avdija

Doubtful Tuesday
Joel Embiid

Officially Active on Monday
Brad Marchand

Anton Lundell Remain Out Monday
Morgan Rielly

Out Through Olympic Break
Jonathan Drouin

Available Against Capitals
Logan Thompson

Expected to Return Thursday
Matthew Stafford

Doesn't Need Offseason Back Surgery
Matt Roy

Rejoins Capitals Lineup Monday
Devon Toews

Back for Avalanche Monday
Martin Necas

Remains Out Monday
Jake Neighbours

Available Monday
CFB

Joey Aguilar Files New Lawsuit Against NCAA Seeking Sixth Year of Eligibility
Davante Adams

Expected to Return to Rams in 2026
Los Angeles Rams

Rams Sign Sean McVay, Les Snead to Contract Extensions
Diego Lopes

Outclassed At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Dominates Diego Lopes
Dan Hooker

Stopped In The Second Round
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Extends His Win Streak
Rafael Fiziev

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
MMA

Maurício Ruffy Gets Back In The Win Column
Morgan Geekie

Extends Point Streak to Seven Games With Big Performance
Nikita Kucherov

Tallies Four Points in Stadium Series Win
Chris Kreider

Pots Two Goals in Sunday's Win
Brandon Bussi

Makes History With Another Win
Shayne Gostisbehere

Sets Up Two Goals Sunday
Mikey Anderson

Hurt Versus Hurricanes
San Francisco 49ers

49ers Set to Name Raheem Morris Their Defensive Coordinator
Las Vegas Raiders

Raiders Close to Naming Klint Kubiak the Next Head Coach
Arizona Cardinals

Cardinals Finalizing Deal to Make Mike LaFleur the Next Head Coach
CFB

Gus Malzahn Retiring from Coaching
Breece Hall

Jets Want to Re-Sign Breece Hall, Could Use Franchise Tag
Diego Lopes

An Underdog At UFC 325
Alexander Volkanovski

Set For UFC 325 Main Event
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Dan Hooker

Set For UFC 325 Co-Main Event
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Rafael Fiziev

Returns At UFC 325
CFB

Texas Lands Wake Forest Transfer Sterling Berkhalter
Kirk Cousins

Falcons Expected to Release Kirk Cousins
Chase Brown

Working on Extension With Bengals
Michael Penix Jr.

Hopes to be Ready for Week 1
Dalton Kincaid

Doesn't Need Offseason Surgery
Josh Allen

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Josh Allen

on Crutches, Wearing Walking Boot
CFB

Michigan RB Bryson Kuzdzal Withdrawing from Transfer Portal
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF