Fantasy Football: Start ’em, Sit ’em Week 2

Start ‘Em

Dak Prescott

Just like I was big on Russell Wilson last week against the Falcons, I’m paying the big bucks for Prescott in DFS formats against Atlanta. The Falcons secondary looked lost last Sunday, and this should be a high-scoring affair.

Ryan Tannehill

If you drafted a quarterback late and are already dissatisfied — or perhaps you have a mediocre QB with a difficult matchup — Tannehill is a high-quality pickup this week against a miserable Jacksonville defense. I also love him as a low-cost option in DFS formats.

Matt Ryan

Even in a loss, Matt Ryan threw for 450 yards and two scores against the Seahawks. And this week, he faces a vulnerable Cowboys defense that is missing several key contributors. Like Prescott, if the Falcons can protect Ryan, he will have a field day against Dallas’ secondary.

Aaron Rodgers

I loved Aaron Rodgers as a value pick coming into this season, and he showed why last Sunday. Now, he faces a Lions team that just made Mitch Trubisky look like an MVP candidate. Rodgers should be starting in every league, and he’s worth the price tag in DFS formats.

Alvin Kamara

Kamara is starting in every league, no matter what. However, I’m pulling out the checkbook for him in DFS formats this week. We saw McCaffery perform splendidly last week against the Raiders, and the Saints use Kamara the same way. Add in the fact that New Orleans will be without Michael Thomas, increasing Kamara’s usage rate, and you have a recipe for the top performer of the week.

Jonathan Taylor

If you haven’t already bought it, it’s time to buy all the Jonathan Taylor stock you can. This guy will be a workhorse for the Colts this season as a runner and a receiver. The Vikings defense looked terrible last week against Green Bay and is missing some critical pieces. I’m buying Taylor having a huge performance on Sunday, especially with Marlon Mack out for the season.

Benny Snell

I am on the Benny Snell hype training… not just while James Conner is injured, but for good. This is the best running back on the Steelers roster, and he ran like that in Week 1 against the Giants, racking up 113 yards on just 19 carries. Denver surrendered nearly 120 yards on the ground against Derrick Henry last week, and while Snell is no Henry, he should produce another fruitful performance for his owners.

A.J. Brown

After breaking out as a rookie, A.J. Brown was rightfully a high draft pick in fantasy drafts this year. He had a brutal performance against Denver in Week 1, but he gets a buttery matchup against the Jags this Sunday, who surrendered 357 yards through the air in a win over the Colts last week. Expect a monster bounce-back game from Brown.

Cowboys wide receivers

The Dallas offense, which was supposed to be a top-ten unit in the league, got off on the wrong foot against the Rams last Sunday night. The good news for them is a juicy matchup with the Falcons is up next. As long as the Cowboys offensive line can give Dak Prescott enough time to throw, their trio of receivers should have a fantastic day.

Tre’Quan Smith 

With Michael Thomas out, somebody has to step up. I expect Emmanuel Sanders to have a nice day, but Smith is a sleeper that should be started in most leagues against a vulnerable Raiders secondary. I also love Smith in DFS formats.

Sit ‘Em

Patrick Mahomes

You’re obviously starting Mahomes if you own him, but he should not be paid for in DFS formats. The Chargers defense is legit. I can’t see Mahomes throwing for more than two touchdowns.

Derek Carr

Carr had a nice Week 1, but he’s literally Las Vegas’ version of Kirk Cousins. There’s no reason he should be starting in any leagues against a talented New Orleans’ defense.

Leonard Fournette

I warned fantasy owners last week about starting Fournette in his first week with the Bucs. He also had a tough matchup against the Saints. This week, his matchup is much more favorable. The Panthers are very soft against the run, but I’m still not buying Fournette’s fantasy stock yet. Keep him rostered; he will eventually become a valuable commodity, just not for a few more weeks.

Malcolm Brown

After a marvelous Week 1, I’m not buying the Malcolm Brown hype yet. Against an Eagles team that is stingy versus the run and coming off an embarrassing loss, I don’t like this matchup at all.

Any Dolphins running back

The Bills defensive line is ferocious, and who knows what is going on in the Dolphins backfield. These guys shouldn’t be starting in any format this week.

Sammy Watkins

As far as fantasy football goes, I’ve never been much of a Sammy Watkins fan. He had a fantastic Week 1 performance against the Texans, but that will not continue this weekend against the Chargers, who has one of the best defenses in the NFL.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

I have Smith-Schuster on several teams, and I’m starting him, but I would definitely stay away from him in DFS formats. Denver’s secondary is as good as anyone’s, just ask A.J. Brown. I was much more impressed with the Steelers defense and their ability to run the ball than their passing game against the Giants.