NFL Week 2 is over (MNF pending) and quarterbacks not throwing for 300 yards in every game is driving newer football fans crazy. I know we want to rack up as many fantasy points as possible, but remember folks, you just need enough to win. Who had Malik Willis on their bingo cards this week to outscore Josh Allen, Justin Herbert, and Anthony Richardson in fantasy? Not me, and that’s the NFL, I love it. As always, things change from week to week and I’m here to capture that image for you.
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Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders
It’s fair to say that Bowers is already a true top five fantasy tight end. He followed up a performance in which he caught 6 of 8 targets for 58 yards with a 9-98-0 outing. What makes him the best tight end option in fantasy right now is that he’s doing so without having scored a touchdown, yet. In a comeback attempt, Gardner Minshew looked strictly at Bowers and Davante Adams and it worked as the Raiders surprised the Ravens. It’s been clear from the start that the Raiders used the 13th overall pick on Bowers for a reason. He went TE3 in Week 1 and did the same for Week 2 (MNF pending), if you waited for a tight end and rolled with Bowers you got a good one, as the price has definitely gone up.
Derek Carr, QB, Saints
I think it’s fair to say that not many people were going to start Carr in Week 1 (unless it was a Superflex competition) as he finished as QB2. Before he hit the road against the Cowboys, people probably thought the same thing and he finished as QB6 (MNF pending). With the Saints having scored 40+ points in each of their first two games, Carr certainly looks like a fantasy starter. With games against the Eagles, Falcons, and Chiefs coming up, Carr has a chance to establish himself as a top fantasy option at quarterback for the remainder of the season.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers
It was pretty scary for Warren after Week 1 when he was fourth on the team in carries. After 10 touches for 61 yards in Week 2, it’s clear he wasn’t fully fit in Week 1. Warren looked explosive on his runs and it seemed like it was only a matter of time before he broke one. I wasn’t excited to start him until the Steelers showed they had confidence in him again. Najee Harris will likely always lead the team in carries every game, but you can count on Warren to be the more efficient runner and get targets in the passing game.
Demarcus Robinson, WR, Rams
Robinson’s role (and likely a few others) in the Rams’ offense has seemingly expanded overnight. Who knows how good their offense can actually be without half of their offensive line and two of the NFL’s best receivers fully healthy, but Robinson should be first in line for targets in the meantime. With both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp now out, Tutu Atwell, Jordan Whittington and Tyler Johnson will likely see more snaps as well. Robinson led the Rams in receiving yards in Week 2 with 50.
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Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
The Chiefs are 2-0 and that’s great for them, but when you start the best quarterback in the world in fantasy, it’s not great. Mahomes finished as QB12 in Week 1, which is fine and all if you’re an average QB, and Mahomes is far from that. He’s fantasy QB14 in Week 2 with MNF football yet to be played and fantasy managers want answers. Here are two for you:
I would also say that the Chiefs have emphasized running the ball (this could change with Isiah Pacheco’s injury, but we’ll see). It would be tough to bench a player like Mahomes for a player like Baker Mayfield, and I wouldn’t do it, but I wouldn’t be mad considering the matchups.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Bears
The good news is that Swift is undeniably the Bears’ leading running back, as evidenced by the fact that he touched the ball 18 times in Week 2. The bad news is that the Bears’ offense is lacking steam right now. Swift has 28 touches (for a mere 72 yards) to Kahlil Hebert’s six touches so far this season. And here’s the kicker, Herbert stole the Bears’ only rushing touchdown this season! The offensive line is in dire straits right now and Caleb Williams has yet to find his groove, but we need more from a guy with Swift’s usage.
Tank Dell, WR, Texans
Dell is starting to look more and more like the Texans’ WR3, which isn’t bad, but those who drafted him were hoping for a 1A-1B-1C situation. The problem is, that’s too many “1’s”. In Week 2, the Texans made an attempt to also give him the ball in the run game and it was a good run, but it’s not enough, even if you’re drafting Dell as your third receiver in fantasy. He’s currently ranked WR65, while both Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins have both reached the end zone this season. Dell will undoubtedly have better games, but how consistent will he be?
Sam LaPorta, TE, Lions
Where’s LaPorta? Jared Goff attempted 55 passes in Week 2 against the Bucs, and LaPorta caught three of them. Through two games, he’s caught 6 of 8 targets for 58 yards, which is good for a 14th TE in fantasy. A big reason for the drop in production has been the emergence of Jameson Williams, who has caught 20 targets through his first two games. You’re still going to go with LaPorta, because the position has been way too inconsistent in fantasy, not too. It’s a poor start for last season’s best fantasy tight end, and better days are ahead, but you have to understand that Williams’ role has been solidified.
