WRs & TEs You MUST START In Week 2! (Fantasy Football Start/Sit)

AJ Brown's absence has directly impacted the New England passing game, leading to increased route participation and target opportunities for Demario Douglas.

Bijan Robinson recorded the highest target share of any running back in Fantasy Points data history during Week 1, highlighting the team's reliance on him in the passing game.

Brian Thomas Jr. is a sit candidate for Week 2 due to a difficult matchup against Patrick Surtain II, who is expected to shadow him, and the fact that he is currently dealing with an injury.

Caleb Williams is projected for a high-upside game against the Vikings because their defensive scheme leaves the middle of the field open, and he possesses significant rushing upside.

CeeDee Lamb is currently ranked as the WR4 in the team's fantasy projections.

Chris Godwin is a potential drop candidate if he fails to improve in Week 2. Analysts describe him as looking 'washed' and failing to show progress from his injury-hampered 2023 season, while noting he has lost target share to Emeka Egbuka on motion plays.

Christian Watson is a recommended start and a fringe WR1 for Week 2. He recorded a career-high 29% target share and an 87% route share in his last outing. Historically, he averages 16.9 fantasy points per game when seeing at least a 75% route share. He is currently projected for 13.5 fantasy points against the New York Jets.

Deebo Samuel is used as a ranking benchmark, with Mike Evans noting that Malik Nabers was initially ranked behind him.

Demario Douglas is a recommended start for Week 2, projected as a top-36 wide receiver. He excels against cover three, which the Steelers play frequently, and he led the team in second-half route participation after AJ Brown's injury. Sources indicate he has become the primary target in the offense, and he is expected to face Jalen Ramsey, who is described as 'completely cooked' in coverage.

Dontayvion Wicks is no longer part of a five-way wide receiver rotation in Green Bay, as the team has consolidated its target distribution.

Mike Evans expresses skepticism regarding Drake London as a start for Week 2, citing the non-viable performance of the Falcons' offense in Week 1. While London benefits from a 60% yards per route run boost against cover three defenses—which the Panthers run at a top-three rate—his usage is concerning; he was isolated on the outside rather than in the slot, recording only 10 total slot snaps. Analysts suggest his current top-20 projection is too high, and some would prefer Emeka Egbuka over him rest-of-season.

Emeka Egbuka is a high-upside start and a strong value target. Analysts are bullish on his role, noting that his usage in pre-snap motion—similar to Drake London's role under the same offensive coordinator—acts as a 'cheat code' for efficiency. Despite a quiet Week 1, Egbuka commanded six targets compared to Chris Godwin's one, and he out-targeted Godwin 6-to-1 specifically on plays with pre-snap motion.

Garrett Wilson is a recommended start (WR22 projection) against Green Bay. He posted a 38% first-read target share in week one and is a top-three wide receiver in targets per route run against cover four defenses since 2024, a scheme the Packers' defensive coordinator favors.

George Pickens is a top start against Washington, projected as WR16 but viewed as a potential WR1. He is a 'cover three killer' and holds a significant physical advantage over Washington's smaller cornerbacks, Mike Sainristil and Amik Robertson. His Week 1 performance was a fluke outlier; he led all wide receivers with 51 air yards lost due to drops, resulting in a -5.1 fantasy points over expectation.

Jaylen Coker is gaining industry momentum as the team's true WR1, outperforming Ted McMillan in efficiency by averaging 64 yards per game over their last six games together despite equal target volume. Coker is projected for 11.8 fantasy points this week and remains a strong start due to a high-upside matchup against the Falcons, who play single-high coverage at the second-highest rate in the league; Coker receives a 69% yards per route run boost and 47% target per route run boost against this coverage.

Jaylen Waddle is projected as WR15 with 13.3 fantasy points against Jacksonville. Despite a quiet Week 1 due to being bracketed by Steve Spagnuolo, he maintained a 79% route participation and faces a favorable matchup against a Jaguars defense that was a top-seven unit for wide receivers. Jordan Lewis is expected to defend him, but lacks the play style to contend with Waddle in man or match coverage.

Khalif Raymond's high Week 1 usage is considered an anomaly caused by Luther Burden's injury-related missed practice time; his production is not expected to continue.

Kenneth Walker is used as a statistical benchmark to highlight the decline in screen pass usage for Rashee Rice, noting that Rice had fewer screens in Week 1 than Walker.

Luther Burden is a recommended start against the Vikings; he plays the primary slot role and will serve as the 'hot' read against Minnesota's double-mug A-gap scheme, creating run-after-catch opportunities. He posted a career-high 68% route share and 2.42 yards per route run in Week 1.

Malik Nabers is a sit candidate for the week. Mike Evans suggests that his projection of 9.8 fantasy points is likely generous, given the poor performance of his quarterback, Cam Ward.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is being used in a 'sacrificial X' role that functions as a decoy to pull coverage, resulting in a poor 7.4% first-read target share in Week 1. He should be ranked behind Michael Wilson.

Michael Wilson is a superior fantasy option to Marvin Harrison Jr., recording a 26% first-read target share in Week 1. The Cardinals' passing offense outlook is bullish, and Wilson should be ranked higher.

Mike Evans is an easy WR1 for Week 2 against a Miami defense described as incompetent. Evans remains elite, ranking top-three in average separation score, consistent with his 2023-2025 performance levels. The matchup is favorable because Miami plays base coverage at a high rate (66%) and generates pressure at a league-low 6.5% rate despite a high blitz frequency.

Parker Washington is a high-upside start for Week 2, potentially performing as a high-end WR2. He is a 'demon after the catch' and excels against man-heavy defenses, averaging nearly three yards per route run. With Patrick Surtain II shadowing Brian Thomas Jr., Washington is expected to face favorable coverage against Riley Moss or in the slot. He demonstrated elite usage in Week 1, boasting a 40% route target rate and a 33% target share in the first half.

Rashee Rice is a major bust candidate; ranked WR40 by the host versus an industry WR9 projection. Evidence includes career lows in targets per route run and yards per route run in Week 1, plus the belief that the Chiefs' efficient run game makes Rice's 'manufactured' screen role unnecessary.

Romeo Doubs is considered a start and is ranked as the WR35 by the model. The Packers have also moved away from their previous five-way wide receiver rotation, which improves the outlook for the receiving corps.

Stefon Diggs looked incredible in week one, ranking in the top three in average separation score and maintaining high yards per route run, contradicting concerns that he looked washed.

Terry McLaurin is a recommended start against Dallas, a secondary the team plans to target all year. While McLaurin looked 'washed' in week one and showed poor practice habits, this is a 'get right' spot; the Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy points per game to outside wide receivers since the start of last season.

Treylon Burks is a sit for Week 2 due to a brutal matchup, incompetent quarterback play, and an incompetent play caller, though there remains some optimism for his second-half upside.

The injury to Tua Tagovailoa blindsided the team, forcing them to start Cooper Rush unexpectedly and disrupting the offensive game plan.