Fantasy Football Week 2: Start’em / Sit’em
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
WR
Keenan Allen SEA (71%, 11) – It’s kind of tempting to bench Allen this week right? Allen is a little banged up (ribs), is coming off a disappointing week 1 performance (5-37), and is playing the Seahawks and their Legion of Boom secondary in week 2. Don’t do it. Allen got 9 targets last week, so he is still Rivers #1 WR option. He was also blanketed by Patrick Peterson all game. Seattle keeps their corners on the same side every play, so the Chargers can move Allen around to avoid Richard Sherman and I think they will do whatever they can to get Allen involved in offense. Both Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb were able to have decent fantasy games vs Seattle last week and I think Allen will do the same. I spent too much money on Allen to leave him on the bench due to a tough match-up and I’m confident he will crack the 10 point barrier.
Reggie Wayne PHI (47%, 12) – I was concerned about Wayne’s ability to bounce back from a serious leg injury at 35 years old, but he looked spry in week 1 (9-98) and led the Colts in targets with 13. I have a hunch this will be a high scoring match-up and think Wayne will have a similar line as he did in week 1 plus a TD.
Kendall Wright DAL (43%, 11) – He is already halfway to his 2013 TD total (2) and I think Wright will find the end zone again this week against a porous Cowboys secondary. Feel confident starting Wright as your flex or even WR2 this week. Dallas doesn’t have anybody quick enough to stay with him and Wright could have a breakout game this week.
Kelvin Benjamin DET (36%, 10) – Has already established himself as the best WR on the Panthers (not a huge feat, but still impressive for a rook) and the Panthers may need to throw more than usual to keep up with the Lions high-octane offense. Benjamin had twice as many targets as any other WR on the team and the Panthers passing offense is basically Benjamin and Greg Olsen. If they have to throw, which I think they will, Benjamin should have no problem cracking double-digit fantasy points. I’m starting him as my flex in a couple of leagues this week.
Steve Smith Sr PIT (19%, 8) – I’m going to keep rolling with Smith until I see a reason not to. He looked quicker than he has in years during the preseason and his 15 targets last week is a huge number. Even with the targets cut in half, Smith should be able to reach double-digits against a defense that gave up just under 400 yards (389) to Cleveland in week 1.
Super Sleeper (<10%)
Andrew Hawkins NO (6%, 10) – Emerged as Hoyer’s go-to WR guy in week 1 with 10 targets. Baby Hawk is lightning quick and can do some damage with the ball in his hands. The Browns will have to throw to keep up with the Saints and Hawkins should be the primary target again.
John Brown @NYG (2%, 6) – Was on the field for just under 60% of the offensive snaps in week 1 and got 5 targets (2 in the red zone). Brown is a speedster and HC Bruce Arians seems determined to prove Brown was a good pick in the 3rd round and sadly phasing Larry Fitz out of the offense.
TE
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Zach Ertz @IND (59%, 8) – Lived up to the preseason hype in week 1 with 3 catches for 77 yards and a TD. I think week 2’s match-up with Indy is going to be a shoot out and Ertz will end up with double-digit fantasy points again.
Dennis Pitta PT (58%, 8) – He’s always been a Flacco favorite when healthy and had 15 targets last week! That is a ridiculous number for a tight end and I’m going to keep starting him till that target number cuts in half.
Super Sleeper (<10%)
Travis Kelce @DEN (9%, 7) – Only had 5 targets last week, but was clearly the most explosive receiving weapon in KC’s limited arsenal. I think Kelce’s targets will increase as the season goes on and he will have a decent day as the Chiefs try to keep pace with the Broncos.
Larry Donnell ARI (6%, 7) – Eli Manning has always been a TE-friendly QB and it looks like Donnell is the Giants new TE. He was considered more of a blocker than a receiver coming into the year (per FO), but had 5 catches for 55 yards and a TD on a team-leading 8 targets in week 1. If you drafted Jordan Reed at TE in a deep league, then you could do a lot worse than rolling the dice with Donnell.