Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 2
Week 1 had its share of unpredictable performances. Both good and bad. Now that we have a week’s worth of action to go by, here are the top Fantasy Football Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 2 players to target and fade in the second week of the 2024 NFL season.
Additionally, FullTime Fantasy has some of the top tools of the trade and accurate rankings.
Quarterbacks
Start ‘Em
Brock Purdy (San Francisco 49ers) at Minnesota
Purdy’s fantasy performance in Week 1 was less than stellar, but there’s no need to panic. He faced a tough New York Jets defense, completing 19 of 29 passes for 231 yards and no touchdowns, resulting in 10.3 fantasy points. However, he earned the second-highest quarterback grade of the week and led the 49ers to victory.
His outlook improves in Week 2, as he transitions from facing one of the best defenses in the Jets to the more manageable Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings impressed last week, but this matchup will present a new challenge for their defense. Purdy has historically thrived against zone defenses, earning an 85.7 grade versus zone compared to 68.5 against man coverage. Under Brian Flores, Minnesota has tended to lean heavily on zone coverage. You can confidently start Purdy Week 2
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) at Detroit
Mayfield’s transformation since his Week 6 debacle against Detroit last year has been remarkable. In Week 1, he exploded for 37.7 fantasy points against Washington, continuing a streak where he’s posted at least 20.3 points in seven of his last eight games, including playoff action.
The Lions limited Matthew Stafford to 16.7 fantasy points last week, but Mayfield has momentum as he enters Week 2. The game’s expected total is 51.5 points, the highest of the week, making it likely that Mayfield will contribute to a high-scoring affair.
Sit ‘Em
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) at Houston
Williams’s NFL debut was rough, completing less than half his passes for 93 yards and adding only 15 rushing yards, totaling just seven fantasy points. While Anthony Richardson had a strong fantasy day against Houston, it’s important to remember that the Texans generated pressure at a high rate. This makes it hard to trust Williams, especially with injuries to key receivers.
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) at Kansas City
Burrow’s 8.1 fantasy points in Week 1 ranked 29th among quarterbacks, with no touchdowns and only 5.7 yards per attempt. He faces a tough matchup against Kansas City’s defense, which ranks as the sixth hardest for quarterbacks according to PFF. Burrow’s dealing with a wrist injury, and Tee Higgins’s status remains uncertain, making it difficult to rely on Burrow in Week 2.
Running Backs
Start ‘Em
J.K. Dobbins (Los Angeles Chargers) at Carolina
I was drafting a ton of Dobbins during the pre-season and I am so happy it paid off. Dobbins played on 59% of the snaps, turning 10 carries into 135 yards and a touchdown. His explosive runs, while chased down, are even more impressive given that this was his first game back since tearing his Achilles. Dobbins led Chargers’ backs in routes run and targets, showing his versatility. With a favorable matchup against the Panthers, who gave up 180 rushing yards last week, Dobbins is a must-start in all formats.
Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns) at Jacksonville
Ford played a career-high 57 snaps in Week 1, accounting for 75% of the Browns’ offensive plays. Heading into Week 2, he faces a Jacksonville defense that surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs in Week 1 and was one of the 12 worst teams in points allowed to the position last season. Ford’s usage and favorable matchup make him a strong fantasy option this week.
Sit ‘Em
D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears) at Houston
Swift’s Week 1 was a disaster, managing just 30 yards on 10 carries, with half of those attempts going for minimal gains. His lack of involvement in the passing game is concerning, and a matchup against the Texans, who just held Jonathan Taylor in check, doesn’t inspire confidence. Swift is a low-end flex option at best.
Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos) vs. Pittsburgh
Williams was on the field for 52% of the snaps in Week 1. But he only saw eight carries and two targets. Meanwhile, Jaleel McLaughlin had more opportunities. With the Broncos’ offense struggling under rookie QB Bo Nix, it’s hard to trust Williams, especially against a tough Pittsburgh defense.
Wide Receivers
Start ‘Em
Jameson Williams (Detroit Lions) vs. Tampa Bay
Williams exceeded expectations in Week 1, hauling in five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. His offseason improvements have paid off, and he looks poised for a breakout in his third year. With Tampa Bay’s secondary banged up, Williams should stay hot and is a solid WR2 in fantasy this week.
Terry McLaurin (Washington Commanders) vs. New York Giants
McLaurin has been reliable against the Giants, scoring at least 13.0 PPR points in eight of his last nine meetings against Big Blue. While he had a quiet Week 1, recording just two catches for 17 yards in Jayden Daniels‘s debut, Week 2 should see better chemistry between the two. The Giants allowed big performances from Justin Jefferson and others last week. This bodes well for McLaurin to bounce back.
Sit ‘Em
George Pickens (Pittsburgh Steelers) at Denver
Pickens delivered with six catches for 85 yards last week. But he faces a tough test against Denver and star cornerback Pat Surtain II in Week 2. Surtain shadowed DK Metcalf last week, holding him to just 29 yards. With Pittsburgh likely shifting focus to the run, Pickens is best left on the bench this week.
Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans) vs. New York Jets
Ridley had a mediocre Week 1, managing just three catches for 50 yards on seven targets. The matchup against the Jets and their elite corner Sauce Gardner doesn’t bode well for Ridley’s fantasy prospects in Week 2. He’s a risky WR3 option in deeper leagues.
Tight Ends
Start ‘Em
Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders) at Baltimore
Bowers showed up big against the Chargers in his debut. He led the team with eight targets, catching six for 58 yards, resulting in 11.8 fantasy points and a TE3 finish. While Week 2 presents a tough matchup, Bowers’ potential and the general state of the tight end position make him worth a start in most leagues.
Colby Parkinson (Los Angeles Rams) at Arizona
If you missed out on Isaiah Likely, Parkinson is a viable streaming option. He ran the most routes on his team last week, and with Puka Nacua sidelined, there’s extra target share available. Parkinson offers a solid floor as maybe the 2nd best receiving option, making him a decent option in a thin tight end landscape.
Sit ‘Em
Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers) at Denver
Freiermuth’s limited usage in Week 1, playing just six of 18 snaps in 12 personnel, is concerning. With Pittsburgh likely to lean on the run against a weak Denver defense, Freiermuth’s role in the passing game could be minimal again this week.
