A lot happened last week in the NFL. Jalen Ramsey is looking to get traded, Big Ben goes down with a season-ending injury, Drew Brees hurt his hand, and the Saints are looking to change the rules again. Obviously, those have significant fantasy implications: Michael Thomas may no longer be a WR1; the same with Juju Smith-Schuster, and who knows what to expect from James Conner. If you drafted those guys, you don’t have much of a choice but to start them, but it would be wise to begin stacking up on backup options that could be used as substitutes in particular matchups.
Start’em
 David Montgomery
The first week of the season wasn’t kind to the Bears and therefore wasn’t kind to David Montgomery. The rookie was hyped-up coming out of a very successful offseason where coaches were raving about his ability. That didn’t show on the stat sheet in Week 1 as he was out-touched by former gamecock Mike Davis. Last Sunday; however, we saw a glimpse of what the rookie could do as a lead back. The Iowa State product had 18 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown, which is not eye-popping, but considering the Denver defense hit him behind the line of scrimmage almost every time, it was an impressive outing that should solidify his role moving forward. His ability to break tackles and find something out of nothing makes him a must-start this week against the Redskins.
Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp exploded last week for five receptions and 120 yards on nine targets. A year after a torn ACL and Cooper seems to be fitting in right where he left off in Sean McVay’s explosive offense. Jared Goff has plenty of options to look at but has loved slinging the ball to the former Eastern Washington standout, and there is no reason that relationship should cool off. The Browns defense is going to have their hands full this week with Todd Gurley, Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks all looking to touch the ball. Cooper Kupp should have plenty of opportunities against a defense that won’t be able to cover everyone. (For those raving about the Browns after they beat the Jets, settle down.)
Hollywood Brown
It’s time to start taking Hollywood Brown, Lamar Jackson, and the Baltimore Ravens offense seriously. Brown was targeted 13 times in Week 2 against the Cardinals, catching eight balls for 86 yards. The opponents Baltimore has had to play in the first two weeks have been piss poor, but they are going to have to score against the Chiefs if they want to have any chance to win. Brown has become a must-start in most matchups, and I love him this week.
Mark Andrews
Andrews has caught for over 100 yards and a touchdown in both games this year. He’s a no-doubt top-ten fantasy option at tight end, and as I mentioned above, the Ravens are going to have to score a lot of points to win. The Chiefs were one of the worst teams in the league against tight ends a year ago. I’m expecting Andrews to have a monster game.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense
The Dolphins have given up 59 and 43 points in there first two games. Need I say more? A backup like Tony Pollard might even be worth a look, especially as a sleeper in a DFS league.
Terry McLaurin
After two weeks, there is no one on the Redskins roster that Case Keenum likes throwing to more than Terry McLaurin. He’s receiving plenty of looks and has scored in both weeks thus far. I expect McLaurin to continue to hit his stride even though they are playing a prolific Bears defense. This pick is more about telling you to keep starting him in a tough matchup, and if you weren’t already, start doing it. McLaurin remains a reliable flex option this week and should only improve over the year as he becomes more familiar with this Redskins offense.
Sit’em
Michael Thomas
 Drew Brees is out. Teddy Bridgewater is in. As much as I like Teddy Bridgewater, this does nothing but hurt Michael Thomas’ fantasy value. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the playbook changed to favor Alvin Kamara and the run game for the next few weeks. In a standard fantasy league, you most likely don’t have a choice but to start him, but I’m sitting him in all DFS leagues until further notice.
Giants Wide Receivers
Don’t get cute with Daniel Jones starting against the Bucs and think the Giants will be able to turn things around offensively. Tampa Bay has actually been excellent both weeks defensively, and now they have a rookie quarterback coming into their building making his first start. If you have Saquon Barkley, you’re starting him. The same could be said for Evan Ingram, although, I wouldn’t feel confident about it. Everybody else on the Giants is a sit.
ANYONE ON THE DOLPHINS
The Dolphins are bad. Actually, I take that back; the Miami Dolphins are unbelievably, fantastically, and implausibly bad. If you even have a Dolphins player on your roster, you should reevaluate your whole team. Brian Flores’ squad might have trouble beating Clemson at this point. If there is still a small thought in your head telling you to start someone from this team, you need help.
Jarvis Landry
I love Jarvis Landry. I think he is a fantastic talent and an above-average wide receiver at this point in his career. However, he has proven to be a dismal fantasy option thus far. With so many weapons (Odell Beckham, Nick Chubb, David Njoku), the looks aren’t there from Baker Mayfield like some might have expected. Maybe this game turns into a shootout, and Landry can find himself in the middle of it, but I wouldn’t be starting him in any of my leagues unless they are very deep.