Fantasy Football: Week 2 start/sit

Week 1 was a high-scoring affair with nine of the 16 NFL games hitting the over. If you are a Fantasy Football player who owned DeVante Adams, Josh Jacobs, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, or Calvin Ridley, then you were probably happy by the end of the week, albeit Fantasy Football is one of the most cruel and unusual games in the world. Nevertheless, we love to play it, so let’s dive into some more players to start and players you may want to avoid at every position.

QB start

Mitchell Trubisky (CHI) vs. NYG

I feel gross advocating for Trubisky at times (I know, mean), but his fantasy upside is evident against a New York Giants’ team on a short week at home. Trubisky played terribly for the first 75 percent of the Week 1 game against Detroit, but was able to lead the Bears to victory and score 24 fantasy points in the process. He has a high floor due to his athletic ability, and the Giants strength is their ability to shut down the opposing teams rushing attack. I expect Mitch to throw the football 40+ times against a secondary that is still trying to find itself. I wouldn’t be shocked if Darnell Mooney, rookie fifth-round wide receiver, is used on some deep shots; he played on 32 percent of Week 1 snaps and he’s a burner. I also expect wide receiver Anthony Miller to be used on horizontal crosses against man coverage in the slot. It doesn’t feel great, but Trubisky can be started in super-flex leagues if you’re in a bind.

QB sit

Carson Wentz (PHI) vs. LAR

The Philadelphia Eagles offense has been decimated by injuries, specifically the offensive line, and now they have the pleasure of facing Aaron Donald. I can’t say I’m thrilled with the prospects of Wentz going up against yet another top pass rush; it didn’t work out well last week in Washington. Right tackle Lane Johnson and running back Miles Sanders should be back in this game, which helps, but this offensive line is in shambles. If you could avoid Wentz in one quarterback leagues, I would try.

RB Start

Zach Moss (BUF) @ MIA

Zach Moss of the Buffalo Bills found the end zone in Week 1, which was great, but he still left a lot on the field and some fantasy managers may be hesitant to start him this week. They shouldn’t be. Miami gave up three goal line rushing touchdowns to the New England Patriots, and the Bills have been using Moss in this role, as well as in the passing game; he received four targets in a blowout win against the Jets. I feel more confident in starting Moss than I do his contemporary Devin Singletary, so fire Moss up as a solid RB2 this week.

RB sit

Melvin Gordon (DEN) @ PIT

Yes Phillip Lindsey is injured for the Denver Broncos, and yes Pittsburgh is on a short week, but it’s the Steelers and they just held Saquon Barkley to 6 yards rushing on 15 rushing attempts. Over the last 17 games, Pittsburgh only allowed 5 rushing touchdowns. It may be hard for 12 team leagues to stray away from Gordon, but adjust your expectations and maybe go for more boom players in the other spots on your roster, if you’re forced to start Gordon.

WR start

Diontae Johnson (PIT) vs. DEN

Johnson didn’t catch any of the three Big Ben Roethlisberger touchdowns on Monday, but he received 10 targets and finished the game with 6 catches for 57 yards. The Broncos have been incredibly beat up early in the season and they just placed their best cornerback, A.J. Bouye, on the short-term I.R. He struggled early in this game with a punt return muff, but he showed resilience and bounced back well.

WR sit

Marvin Jones (DET) @ GB

Even with an injured Golladay, Jones may struggle. Jones has struggled to do anything against Kevin King, Jaire Alexander, and the Packers secondary with only 3 catches for 25 yards in his last two games against the Packers. The Lions passing attack also struggled against Chicago in Week 1 with no Golladay who is still questionable for the Sunday affair. If you could start a Parris Campbell or John Brown over Jones - do it.

TE sit

Logan Thomas (WAS) @ ARI

The Washington Football Team leads the NFC East, but Dwayne Haskins did not look great in his 2020 debut. He frequently missed open receivers and seemed flustered at times, but once he started relying on Logan Thomas, he started to play a bit better. Thomas, a former college quarterback, converted to tight end and looks to be the real deal in Washington’s current situation. He received 8 targets, second to only Dallas Goedert among tight ends in Week 1, and he also received 3 red zone targets. His workload may increase even more if Cardinals’ CB Patrick Peterson shadows Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin, so I like Thomas this week in Arizona.

TE sit

Mike Gesicki (MIA) vs. BUF

Dating back to last year the Bills’ defense has been stout at shutting down opposing tight ends, and I expect that to continue. The game is looking to be fantasy gross with a dismal 41 over/under. If you start Gesicki, you’re hoping that he falls into the end zone. I think there are other tight ends (Chris Herndon, Logan Thomas, T.J. Hockinson) that can be found in free agency. I wouldn’t drop Gesicki, just do not start him this week.

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