Week 1 is basically a fever dream for fantasy managers. You spent months drafting the "perfect" roster only to see your first-round pick put up a dud while some random waiver wire rookie exploded for 20 points. Now, you’re staring at the Week 2 slate wondering if you should panic. Honestly, the biggest mistake you can make right now is overreacting to a single game’s box score.
Context matters more than the final point total. Did that wide receiver catch two touchdowns on only three targets? That’s a trap. Did your star running back struggle against a brick-wall defense but still play 85% of the snaps? That’s a buy-low opportunity. As we head into the second week of the 2025 season, the "start your studs" mantra is getting its first real test. Let's break down the players who deserve a spot in your lineup and the ones who might be better off on the pine.
NFL Start Sit Em Week 2: The Quarterback Conundrum
Most people are ready to bail on Dak Prescott after his Week 1 disappearing act against the Eagles. He finished as the QB29. That’s gross. But look at the situation: he was on the road against one of the best secondaries in the league and still didn't take a single sack. Now, he returns to Arlington for a divisional tilt against the New York Giants.
Historically, Dak owns the Giants. He averages 22 fantasy points per game against them and has historically shredded their defensive scheme. The Giants' pass rush was nonexistent in their opener, giving up massive yardage to the Cowboys' rival. If you've got Dak, you're starting him. Don't let a bad week in Philly scare you off a massive ceiling game at home.
On the flip side, I'm legitimately worried about Bo Nix heading into Indianapolis. I know, I know—the "dual-threat" appeal is there. But his 6.0 average depth of target in Week 1 was concerningly low. He looked like he was playing with a weighted vest on. Now he goes on the road to face a Colts defense that is significantly better than the Titans unit he just struggled against. Nix averaged seven fewer fantasy points on the road as a rookie. I'm sitting him until he shows he can push the ball downfield effectively.
Then there's the Drake Maye hype train. He threw the ball 46 times in his debut! That volume is insane. Even if it was a soggy, rain-soaked mess, the Patriots are clearly letting the kid cook. This week he gets a Miami Dolphins secondary that looked like Swiss cheese against Daniel Jones. If Maye can limit the turnovers, he's a top-tier streaming candidate for anyone who drafted a late-round QB or is dealing with a Jordan Love injury.
Backfield Battles and Volume Kings
If you have Tony Pollard, you’re probably feeling pretty good about the volume, even if the points weren't legendary. He played 89% of the snaps in Week 1. That is elite, bell-cow usage. With Tyjae Spears on IR, Pollard is the undisputed engine of the Titans' offense. This week, he faces a Rams defense that just got gashed for 114 yards on the ground. You don't bench a guy getting 20+ touches a game, especially when the matchup is this favorable.
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Speaking of the Rams, Kyren Williams is still that guy. Despite all the offseason talk about Blake Corum, Kyren played 81% of the snaps in the opener. He is one of the only true workhorses left in the league. Start him with total confidence against a Titans team that just let the Broncos' running backs look like All-Pros.
The Seattle Split
Is Kenneth Walker III in trouble? Zach Charbonnet out-snapped him 58% to 40% in Week 1. That is a massive red flag. It’s looking like a full-blown committee in Seattle. Both guys are talented, but if they’re splitting carries 50/50, their ceiling is capped. Pittsburgh’s defense is usually terrifying, but they actually gave up 182 rushing yards to the Jets in Week 1. I’d label both Seattle backs as risky FLEX plays. Don't expect RB1 production here until one of them separates from the pack.
The Rookie Breakout
Omarion Hampton is a name you need to keep in your lineup. He didn't have a huge box score against the Chiefs, but he played 81% of the snaps and handled 15 of 16 RB carries. That's first-round usage. The Raiders' defense is much more accommodating than the Chiefs', and the Chargers should be playing with a lead. This is the "get right" game for the rookie.
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Wide Receiver Matchups to Exploit
Let’s talk about Davante Adams. Everyone is worried about the Raiders' offense, but Davante is still winning his routes at an elite rate. He had some of the best separation scores in the league in Week 1. The big plays are coming. This week, he faces a Chargers secondary that allowed Drake Maye to look like a superstar. If Matthew Stafford can support Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, Gardner Minshew or Geno Smith can certainly get the ball to Davante.
Wide Receiver Starts
- Malik Nabers (NYG): He’s expected to play through a groin injury. The Cowboys' secondary is good, but Nabers is the only real weapon the Giants have. Target share is king.
- Terry McLaurin (WAS): Jayden Daniels loves him. McLaurin is a vertical threat in an offense that wants to play fast. The Packers' secondary is beatable.
- Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX): He looked like a veteran in his debut. The Bengals' secondary gave up a lot of production to the Browns' receivers last week.
Wide Receiver Sits
- Stefon Diggs (NE): He only played 41% of the snaps in Week 1. He’s still ramping up from that ACL tear. Until he’s a full-time player, he’s too risky for your starting lineup.
- Jameson Williams (DET): I love the talent, but the Bears' secondary is one of the best in the NFL. They limit big plays, which is Williams' bread and butter.
- Keon Coleman (BUF): Dealing with a wrist injury and facing a Jets secondary led by Sauce Gardner. That’s a "no thanks" from me.
The Tight End Injury Crisis
The tight end position is a complete mess right now. George Kittle is on IR. Brock Bowers is banged up but likely to play. Evan Engram and Dallas Goedert are both "volatile" at best. If you’re scrambling, look at Zach Ertz. I know, he’s old. But he’s currently the TE9 in PPR points over the last two seasons when healthy. Jayden Daniels used him as a safety valve in Week 1, and with so many injuries at the position, Ertz provides a safe floor.
Tucker Kraft is another sneaky play. He’s the clear TE1 for the Packers right now. With Jordan Love’s status in flux, the Packers might lean on short, high-percentage throws to the tight end. Kraft has the athletic profile to turn a five-yard dump-off into a twenty-yard gain.
Final Advice for Your Week 2 Lineup
Don't bench your early-round picks just because they had one bad game. Fantasy football is a marathon, not a sprint. The biggest traps in Week 2 are "chasing" last week's points from players who had unsustainable efficiency. Look for the guys with high snap counts and target shares who underperformed their expected fantasy points. Those are the players who will win you your matchup this weekend.
Double-check the inactive lists 90 minutes before kickoff. With guys like Brock Purdy and Drake London listed as questionable, you need a backup plan. If you're playing in a PPR league, volume always trumps talent. Give me the guy getting 8 targets over the "home run" threat getting 3 targets every single time.
Trust the process, look at the defensive matchups, and don't be afraid to bench a "name" player if the data tells you the situation is toxic. Good luck in Week 2.
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Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Snap Counts: Go back and look at the Week 1 snap percentages for your fringe starters. If they played less than 50% of the snaps, they belong on your bench.
- Monitor the Weather: High winds or heavy rain can drastically alter the ceiling for quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels or Drake Maye.
- Scour the Waiver Wire for TE Depth: With Kittle and Goedert out, players like Zach Ertz or Hunter Henry are must-adds if they are still available in your league.
- Verify the Injury Report: Make sure your "Questionable" starters are actually trending toward playing before the early window games begin on Sunday.