👉 TAP TO SAVE 50% WITH CODE SPRING
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
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

Week 2 Rankings Analysis: Nick Mariano vs. Industry Consensus

Week 1 was quite a doozy, wasn't it? Well, sort of. My condolences go out to Keenan Allen and his owners. Be smart, be savvy, attack desperate owners and do not drop a stud who underperformed in Week 1. We are gathered here today to take a look at my rankings for Week 2 and look at how they stack up against the Expert Consensus, commenting on any standouts or points of contention.

Last week went pretty darn well if I do say so myself, so let's just get down to business (to defeat the Huns).

Editor's Note: Be sure to check out FantasyAces DFS contests for Week 2. New users that sign up on Fantasy Aces and make a $20 deposit will receive RotoBaller's full season NFL Premium Pass for free (including Premium DFS), normally a $59.99 value. Expert DFS research, sample lineups, matchup ratings and lots more!

Editor's Note: The FFPC Baby Gorilla Tournament is now open, featuring a $100,000 grand prize and a $675,450 total prize pool! This 12-team, Tight End Premium contest uses a 20-round draft format, with the overall winners determined by total points scored during Weeks 15–17. Get $25 to use toward your first entry by signing up through our link. Grab your team now! Sign Up Now!

 

Week 2 Quarterbacks - Rankings Analysis

The quarterback situation is pretty chalky at the top, especially with Eli Manning opening at home against a horrible Saints defense that is down its top corner now. What we need is to show more love for Joe Flacco, who should be ranked a low-end QB1 instead of a mid-range QB2. He gets to hit the road to take on a Cleveland defense that just made Carson Wentz look like a stud muffin.

While you may believe that Wentz is deservedly a stud, the point remains that Cleveland's D is a real letdown and their playing at home isn't going to make them any better. Baltimore still can't run the ball, and Flacco should get a chance to diddy-bop with Mike Wallace, Steve Smith, Kamar Aiken and Justin Forsett catching balls left and right.

For what it's worth, Trevor Siemian actually makes a healthy QB2 against a horribly disparaged Indianapolis defense that you, me and some folks from the local pub could potentially complete a few passes against.

 

Week 2 Running Backs - Rankings Analysis

Everyone is really hyped about David Johnson, and that's cool, I respect it. But he's not the #1 RB this week. Tampa Bay's defense was good against the run last season, and it only improved as a unit heading into 2016.

Yes, they just lost edge rusher Jacquies Smith, but they're still very stout. Johnson is extremely talented, but the Bucs even have an amazing outside linebacker named Lavonte David who is damn good in coverage against those flat routes. No one is benching Johnson and I'd never call for it, but #1 he is not.

Consensus standard rankings have Ryan Mathews at #15 and Rashad Jennings at #18. Way too low. I have Mathews at #9 and Jennings at #11. Mathews gets to feast on a porous Chicago defense that is still trying to establish an identity, while Jennings will be involved in the aforementioned Giants home matchup against the Saints. It won't be all Eli.

The Todd Gurley blowback from a disappointing Week 1 is all too real, and yet this home matchup against Seattle's stifling defense shouldn't even have him in the RB1 conversation. Not with the nice mid-range RB matchups that I just mentioned.

 

Week 2 Wide Receivers - Rankings Analysis

The first standout here is I have Jordy Nelson as a top-8 WR against a consensus ranking of #12. Not huge, but that's fairly notable so high up in the rankings. The Packers will take on the Vikings in a gritty divisional matchup, and while Minnesota's defense scored two TDs last week, they're still exploitable and will likely be without top DB Xavier Rhodes again. Fire up your Jordy's.

I'm pretty much swapping him with Amari Cooper, who projects to work primarily against a great corner in Atlanta's Desmond Trufant. Yes, Tampa Bay threw for four TDs against Atlanta in Week 1, but Trufant has a great track record and Mike Evans' TD came when they moved him into the slot on the left side -- away from Trufant. It's not life-altering stuff here, but it's enough for me to bump Coop down a tick.

Yet another ripple effect of New Orleans' terrible defense is Sterling Shepard getting a +6 bump from me. He's already caught his first TD, and it's clear that he has a role in this offense. Why not Sterling? Victor Cruz also gets a +7 bump. Do not underestimate the horror when the Saints go marching in.

 

Week 2 Tight Ends - Rankings Analysis

Well, obviously one has to really stay on top of the Rob Gronkowski news. It not only affects him, but Martellus Bennett as well. New England has a solid matchup against Miami's subpar defense (despite their solid showing against Seattle), but health trumps opportunity of course.

Everyone is crazy down on Coby Fleener after he ghosted in Week 1's shootout against the Raiders, which is fair...but ill-advised against a Giants team that hasn't been able to cover a tight end since the Paleolithic Era. Jason Witten just caught nine balls for 66 yards against them. The thing is, the Giants are pretty good on the perimeter with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins. Dez Bryant stinking in Week 1 wasn't just because it was Dak Prescott under center. If the Saints are smart, they'll exploit the Giants over the middle against their questionable linebacking corps.

Clive Walford is buried at the tail-end of the TE2s until he proves me wrong. He was a non-factor in the cushiest matchup against New Orleans when Oakland put up nearly 40 points, so I'd rather shoot for upside with others first.

 

Week 2 Kickers - Rankings Analysis

It's a kicker. Just target points totals and you'll probably be fine. Yeah, I'm probably going to be snarky with the kicking section all season long. Why is Chandler Catanzaro #3? I have him at #12, Tampa's defense was covered a bit and Arizona (specifically Catanzaro) did not looked particularly sharp. Let Larry Fitzgerald kick and then we'll talk.

The Giants get kicker Josh Brown back, and he should be a lot higher than #12 considering he's good at kicking, is at home, and as we've drilled into you, faces the Saints. I also have Brandon McManus right above him at #6, since he gets to kick at home in that mile-high air against Indy's banged-up defense.

 

Week 2 Defenses - Rankings Analysis

I think the Broncos and the Cardinals are both a few slots too high. Denver still has to tangle with a Colts offense that can move the ball if given enough opportunities, even if it all comes in the second half, while Arizona goes against an emerging QB1 in Jameis Winston. It's not that they can't turn in good performances, but their likelihood of doing so isn't as high as most seem to be banking on.

The Eagles should also get a bump up, as they get to pick on a Bears offense that looked pretty disheveled for much of their Week 1 matchup against Houston. Admittedly that's a tough draw, but Philadelphia did just tally three sacks and generate two turnovers against a vulnerable Cleveland offense. They can make things happen. They also have one of the best return men in the game in Darren Sproles if your league counts that.

 


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Compare Any Players
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

CFB

Sam Leavitt Expected to Be Full-Go for Fall Camp
T.J. Hockenson

Can T.J. Hockenson Bounce Back with Improved Quarterback Play in Minnesota?
Jordan Love

Is Jordan Love's Dynasty Upside Fading Entering 2026?
Dalton Schultz

Facing Increased Playing Time Competition in Houston Entering 2026
Kimani Vidal

Dynasty Value in Question Due to Uncertain Playing Time Outlook
Juwan Johnson

Facing Reduced Role in New Orleans Following NFL Draft?
Chuba Hubbard

a Prime Bounce-Back Candidate Following Offseason Moves
Indianapolis Colts

Kenny Moore Granted his Release by Colts
Minnesota Vikings

Chad Alexander a Candidate for Vikings GM Job
Tarik Skubal

Could Return in 4-6 Weeks After Successful Elbow Surgery
Minnesota Vikings

Vikings Request to Interview RJ Gillen for GM Job
Drake Maye

Shoulder Doing "Great"
Gunnar Helm

a Clear Breakout Candidate Despite Crowded Offense?
Travis Hunter

Dynasty Managers Regret Drafting Travis Hunter?
Khalil Shakir

Offseason Addition a Threat to Khalil Shakir's Consistency?
Christian Watson

Can Christian Watson Overcome Injury History?
Pat Freiermuth

a Bounce-Back Candidate in New System
Tua Tagovailoa

Lacks Long-Term Appeal in Dynasty Leagues
Cole Ragans

Royals Hopeful That Cole Ragans Makes his Next Start
Jordan Mason

Still Holding Dynasty Value
Aaron Rodgers

Planning a Visit With Steelers
Dontayvion Wicks

What is Dontayvion Wicks' Dynasty Ceiling?
Ja'Tavion Sanders

a Sneaky Buy in Dynasty Leagues
Tank Dell

Steadily Regaining Dynasty Value
Paul George

Does a Little Bit of Everything in Game 2 Loss
Tyrese Maxey

Tallies Team-High 26 Points in Wednesday's Loss
Jalen Brunson

Leads Knicks With 26 Points Wednesday
Victor Wembanyama

Notches Another Double-Double
Stephon Castle

Scores Game-High 21 Points in Blowout Win
Ayo Dosunmu

Exits Game 2 With Heel Issue
OG Anunoby

Suffers Apparent Leg Injury Wednesday
Mark Stone

Nets Late Power-Play Goal in Losing Effort
Leo Carlsson

Pots Game-Winner Wednesday Night
Juraj Slafkovsky

Ends Point Drought in Game 1 Loss
Bowen Byram

Ties Franchise Record With Fourth Postseason Goal
Zach Benson

Posts Second Consecutive Multi-Point Game
Rasmus Dahlin

"Seems Fine" After Early Exit on Wednesday
Sam Merrill

Listed as Questionable for Thursday
Luke Kennard

Tagged as Questionable for Game 2 Against Thunder
Jarred Vanderbilt

Considered Doubtful for Thursday
Jalen Williams

Still Out Thursday
Carter Bryant

Available Wednesday Night
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Reveals Recovery Timeline
Anthony Edwards

Cleared for Game 2 Against Spurs
Mitchell Robinson

is Ruled Out for Game 2 on Wednesday
Kevin Huerter

is Doubtful for Game 2 on Thursday
Brandon Miller

has Successful Shoulder Surgery
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan has Grade 2 Hamstring Strain, Expected to Miss 4-8 Weeks
Ayo Dosunmu

is Cleared to Play in Game 2
Joe Ryan

Listed as Scheduled Starter for Saturday Against Cleveland
Joel Embiid

is Downgraded to Out for Game 2
Tyler Glasnow

Not Expected to Land on the Injured List
Framber Valdez

Suspension Reduced to Five Games
Nils Hoglander

Will Miss World Championship Due to Injury
Christian Dvorak

Likely to Play in Game 3 Against Hurricanes
Owen Tippett

a Game-Time Decision Thursday
Noah Cates

to Miss Rest of Round 2
Arber Xhekaj

Rejoins Canadiens Lineup Wednesday
Brendan Gallagher

Scratched on Wednesday
Logan Stanley

Returns to Action Wednesday
Framber Valdez

Suspended Six Games
Tyler Glasnow

Exits Early on Wednesday With Back Pain
CFB

Brauntae Johnson the Next Star in Notre Dame's Secondary?
CFB

Ethan Barbour a Name to Know in Georgia's Tight End Room
CFB

Payton Pierce Next Up at Linebacker for Ohio State
CFB

Javin Gordon to Play Significant Role for Tennessee?
CFB

Tanook Hines Stepping into WR1 Role for USC
CFB

Rueben Owens II has "Star Potential" in Fourth Campaign
Brandon Woodruff

has Fluid Drained From his Right Shoulder
Brandon Woodruff

to Resume Throwing on Saturday, Return Imminent?
Carlos Correa

to Have Season-Ending Ankle Surgery
Jacob Misiorowski

Listed as Friday's Probable Starter
Logan Webb

Dealing With Knee Discomfort
Carlos Correa

Expected to Miss Significant Time With Ankle Injury
Collin Morikawa

Withdraws From Truist Championship
Xander Schauffele

Carries Elite Form Into Quail Hollow
Hideki Matsuyama

Looks to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick

Secures Third Win of 2026 Season
Patrick Cantlay

Continues Playing Well Heading to Truist Championship
Ludvig Aberg

Returns to Action For Truist Championship
Justin Thomas

Searching for Consistency at Quail Hollow
Jordan Spieth

Looks to Break Through at Quail Hollow
Adam Scott

Brings Strong Form to Quail Hollow
Robert MacIntyre

a Steady Option at Truist Championship
Jason Day

Looks to Overcome Approach Struggles at Quail Hollow
Akshay Bhatia

Looks for Complete Game at Truist Championship
Chet Holmgren

Leads Thunder to Victory in Game 1 Against Lakers
LeBron James

Scores Game-High 27 Points in Tuesday's Loss
Mats Zuccarello

Extends Point Streak to Five Games
Kirill Kaprizov

Nets Third Playoff Goal
Scott Wedgewood

Returns to Form in Game 2 Against Wild
Gabriel Landeskog

Picks Up Two Power-Play Points Tuesday
Martin Necas

Has Second Straight Multi-Point Outing
Nathan MacKinnon

Joins Exclusive List With Another Three-Point Performance
TOR

Maple Leafs Win Draft Lottery
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Headed for Injured List With Hamstring Injury
Emilio Pagán

Emilio Pagan Carted Off With Apparent Hamstring Injury on Tuesday
Justin Rose

to Continue Mid-Season Club Change at Truist Championship
Si Woo Kim

is Back to Peak Form Ahead of Truist Championship
Sam Burns

to Bounce Back at Truist Championship
Cameron Young

Looks to Carry Dominance to Quail Hollow
Rory McIlroy

Returns to Familiar Stomping Grounds This Week at Quail Hollow
Chris Gotterup

Looking to Bounce Back at Quail Hollow
MLB

Cardinals-Brewers Game Postponed on Tuesday
Roman Anthony

Day-to-Day With Wrist Sprain
Radko Gudas

to Remain Sidelined Wednesday
Jacob Misiorowski

"All Things Look Good" for Jacob Misiorowski to Start on Wednesday
Tommy Fleetwood

Looking For Better Iron Play at Quail Hollow
MLB

Rockies-Mets Game Postponed Due to Inclement Weather
CFB

Mario Craver Enters No. 1 Wide Receiver Role for Marcel Reed
Raisel Iglesias

Braves Officially Reinstate Raisel Iglesias From Injured List on Tuesday
CFB

LaNorris Sellers a Strong Rebound Candidate in 2026
CFB

Cam Coleman Poised for Monster Year at Texas?
CFB

Will Hammond Pushing to Be Ready for Week 1
Alex Fitzpatrick

Looking to Keep Up Ball-Striking Output at Quail Hollow
CFB

Notre Dame Leads College Football in Returning Snaps
CFB

Two Ole Miss Football Players Arrested, Charged with DUI
Ben Griffin

Looks Solid on the Surface Heading to Charlotte
Chase Elliott

Earns his Second Texas Motor Speedway Victory
Denny Hamlin

Misses Out on Winning at Texas
Alex Bowman

Finishes Third for the Second Week in a Row at Texas
Tyler Reddick

Earns Seventh Top-Five Finish of the Season at Texas
Chris Buescher

Scores his First Career Texas Finish in the Top Five
CFB

Bryce Underwood in Better Situation Entering Sophomore Season
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Emerging as Leader, Playmaker for UCLA
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated At UFC Perth
Carlos Prates

Shines At UFC Perth
Beneil Dariush

Suffers A First-Round TKO Loss
Quillan Salkilld

Remains Unbeaten In The UFC
Tim Elliott

Drops Decision At UFC Perth
Steve Erceg

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Ollie Schmid

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Marwan Rahiki

Remains Unbeaten
Christopher Bell

Is Christopher Bell Worth Rostering for Texas Lineups?
William Byron

Might have the Speed to Compete for the Win at Texas
Joey Logano

Provides Solid Upside for Texas DFS Lineups
Chase Briscoe

Could Chase Briscoe be A Sneaky Pick for Texas Lineups?
Ty Gibbs

Should DFS Managers Roster Ty Gibbs at Texas?
Daniel Suarez

Is Daniel Suarez Worth Rostering After Career-Best Starting Position at Texas?
Kyle Busch

Is a DFS Risk Starting in the Top 10 at Texas
Tyler Reddick

One of the Favorites to Win at Texas
Chase Elliott

Could Contend for Another Win at Texas
Carson Hocevar

on Pole at Texas
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wrecks in Practice at Texas
Chris Buescher

Looking to Continue Strong Run at Texas
Austin Dillon

Blows Engine in Practice at Texas
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF