With a week of the NFL season in the books, there’s a small glimpse of how teams are going to operate this year. It helps make things easier for fantasy football managers, but tough decisions still need to be made on a weekly basis. Here are the players to pay attention to for Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 2.
Note: This article is for players who are considered flex options or for matchup-specific reasons. You won’t see guys like Saquon Barkley and Justin Jefferson on here because they should be starting every week.
Fantasy Football 2024: Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Week 2
Quarterbacks
Sit: Justin Fields
In the win over Atlanta, Justin Fields was nothing but a game manager. The Steelers coaching staff was very conservative with calling plays, and the offense rarely made its way into the redzone. Fields has rushing upside, but there’s just not enough for him as a passer throwing for less than 200 yards per game. Don’t let that upside fool you into starting him until he balls out for Pittsburgh.
Start: Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield has a newfound confidence in Tampa Bay, and it was on full display against the Commanders. He threw just six incompletions and posted four touchdown passes while showing his poise in the pocket. The Lions defense is going to be a tougher test for Mayfield and the Bucs, but he’s a player who is still worth starting in an offense that hit the ground running.
Sit: Joe Burrow
This one may rub some fantasy managers the wrong way, but Joe Burrow isn’t his usual self right now. Just 164 yards in the air against New England is unheard of for a player of his caliber, and a matchup with the Chiefs isn’t a good one to build confidence. Burrow owners would be better off waiting until next week to put their starting quarterback back in the lineup.
Running Backs:
Start: Zack Moss
The question about running back usage in Cincinnati has been answered with Zack Moss getting 75% of the carries against New England. He averaged just under five yards per carry in Week 1. The Chiefs defense kept Derrick Henry in check, but Moss is useful in the passing game and the running game. Moss is a strong RB2 candidate this week and expect him to pick up where he left off.
Start: Jordan Mason
As much as Christian McCaffrey says he wants to play, the odds of it happening are low. Jordan Mason stole the show on Monday Night Football as he ran through the Jets defense time and time again. Kyle Shanahan loves to run the ball, and he will do much of the same against Minnesota. Mason may not have the game of his life like he did against the Jets, but he’s still worth a start this week.
Start: Rhamondre Stevenson
Rhamondre Stevenson looked sharp in Week 1 against the Bengals where he showed his ability to be a workhorse. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry in the win and found the back of the endzone. Even though the Seahawks defense is strong against the run, the Patriots offense will rely on him to move the ball. That makes Stevenson a player to start in Week 2.
Wide Receivers:
Start: Ladd McConkey
Ladd McConkey taking over as the WR1 for the Chargers wasn’t going to take long, but it’s happening already. He caught more passes than anyone in the matchup with the Raiders last week, and he led Los Angeles with a 28% target share. The Chargers have an easy matchup this week against Carolina, and Herbert should be looking for McConkey in the middle of the field all day long.
Sit: Jayden Reed
Jayden Reed is slowly emerging as the top receiver in Green Bay, but he’s now going to see his numbers reduced significantly. Malik Willis is bad to say the least, and Reed’s numbers won’t be anything like they were in Week 1 until Jordan Love returns. It’s a harsh sit for Reed, but one that fantasy managers should understand given the quarterback situation for the Packers.
Sit: Jameson Williams
Jameson Williams had a big week on Sunday Night Football, but history has shown us he’s not the most consistent player. He would produce the occasional big game in 2023 followed by a few bad games. And let’s not forget that Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta still exist. Last week was a slow day for them, but it won’t stay like that every week. Expect that duo to take over the targets.
Read More: Week 2 Wide Receiver Rankings
Tight Ends:
Start: Colby Parkinson
Colby Parkinson was the third option in the Rams offense behind Cooper Kupp and Tyler Johnson. With Puka Nacua out for the next four weeks, Parkinson is a candidate to see some extra targets. He showed he’s a reliable option by catching 80% of his Week 1 targets. Anyone who needs a short-term solution at tight end due to injuries should look no further.
Sit: Evan Engram
Evan Engram was a disappointment against the Dolphins last week when he caught just one pass. Inconsistencies have plagued his game for much of his career, and it’s essentially a guessing game of when he will have a strong performance. The Browns kept Jake Ferguson in check in Week 1 with just three catches for 15 yards and should do the same to Engram.
Main Photo Courtesy of Kirby Lee – USA Today Sports
