Fantasy football rest of season rankings: Week 2

Assessing the fantasy football landscape as we approach Week 2 of the NFL season.

NOTE: These fantasy football rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation. The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

 

Quarterbacks
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Patrick Mahomes, KC 12
2 Kyler Murray, ARI 12 if he can stay healthy he could have a monster season
3 Josh Allen, BUF 7
4 Dak Prescott, DAL 7 showed no signs of his ankle injury; stood strong against a tough Bucs pass rush
5 Lamar Jackson, BAL 8
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 Russell Wilson, SEA 9 my concern with Wilson remains his week-to-week usage on a team that wants to run
7 Aaron Rodgers, GB 13 Green Bay has had some stinkers under the Rodgers/LaFleur pairing; I’m not concerned as of yet
8 Justin Herbert, LAC 7
9 Tom Brady, TB 9
10 Jalen Hurts, PHI 14 excellent start to the season for the dual-threat; was it legit growth or is ATL really bad?
11 Matthew Stafford, LAR 11
12 Ryan Tannehill, TEN 13 poor start, but let’s give it a few weeks as Jones gets more comfortable in the offense
13 Joe Burrow, CIN 10 Burrow’s quick recovery from a torn ACL is impressive
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
14 Kirk Cousins, MIN 7 49 pass attempts in a loss; how mad is Mike Zimmer right now?
15 Matt Ryan, ATL 6
16 Baker Mayfield, CLE 13 CLE scored four TDs in Wk 1, all rushing; if that evens out Mayfield could move up
17 Ben Roethlisberger, PIT 7
18 Derek Carr, LV 8 what if all those young WRs start playing well?
19 Trevor Lawrence, JAC 7
20 Justin Fields, CHI 10 “The most amazing TD run in NFL history.” — Bears fans on Twitter (probably)
21 Jameis Winston, TB 6 if it’s possible to have an unimpressive 5-TD game I think we just saw it
22 Tua Tagovailoa, MIA 14
23 Mac Jones, NE 14 Jones looked pretty steady against a quality defense
24 Daniel Jones, NYG 10
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
25 Carson Wentz, IND 14
26 Trey Lance, SF 6
27 Teddy Bridgewater, DEN 11
28 Jared Goff, DET 9 massive garbage time production vs SF; I’m not buying it
29 Zach Wilson, NYJ 6
30 Tyrod Taylor, HOU 10
31 Taylor Heinicke, WAS 9 steps into the starting role w/ Fitzpatrick out; might be worth watching
32 Sam Darnold, CAR 13
33 Jimmy Garoppolo, SF 6 in a game where SF scored 41 points, Jimmy G completed just 17 passes
34 Andy Dalton, CHI 10
35 Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS 9 placed on IR w/ a hip injury; likely to miss 6-8 weeks
36 Deshaun Watson, HOU 10 worth carrying in all leagues until the trade deadline passes
Running backs
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Christian McCaffrey, CAR 13 30 touches, 187 yards in Wk 1; Run CMC is back!
2 Alvin Kamara, NO 6
3 Dalvin Cook, MIN 7 we’ll see how Cook responds to a rough opener (3.1 YPC, lost fumble)
4 Jonathan Taylor, IND 14
5 Ezekiel Elliott, DAL 7 let’s assume his Wk 1 usage was a byproduct of facing last year’s No. 1 run D
6 Derrick Henry, TEN 13 TEN’s o-line blocked so poorly their LT apologized on social media’
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
7 Nick Chubb, CLE 13
8 Joe Mixon, CIN 10 Mixon ran for 127 yds Sunday; last year he ran for 164 yds combined in Sept.
9 Aaron Jones, GB 13 a terrible day for GB’s offense extended to Jones; expect them to right the ship in Wk 2
10 David Montgomery, CHI 10 posted 117 total yds & a TD in Wk 1; he’s someone whose value could go up whenever Fields takes over
11 Antonio Gibson, WAS 9
12 Austin Ekeler, LAC 7 dealing w/ a hamstring injury; carried 15 times in Wk 1 but nothing as a receiver
13 Saquon Barkley, NYG 10 looked rusty in his return from a torn ACL last Sept.; it’ll likely take time to get back up to speed
14 Najee Harris, PIT 7
15 Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC 12
16 Chris Carson, SEA 9
17 James Robinson, JAC 7 had fewer touches than Carlos Hyde; for now let’s assume that was due to a big early deficit
18 Josh Jacobs, LV 8 only 34 yards but scored twice; already bothered by a turf toe
19 Chase Edmonds, ARI 12
20 D’Andre Swift, DET 9
21 Miles Sanders, PHI 14 a reminder that Sanders has a career YPC of 4.9; all about staying healthy
22 Mike Davis, ATL 6
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
23 Kareem Hunt, CLE 13
24 Darrell Henderson, LAR 11 operated as LA’s clear RB1 on SNF; the key for Henderson is staying healthy
25 Damien Harris, NE 14 had 23 of NE’s 30 rushing attempts but his day ended w/ a killer fumble
26 Myles Gaskin, MIA 14
27 Nyheim Hines, IND 14
28 Javonte Williams, DEN 11 Williams had 14 carries to Gordon’s 11 in Wk 1
29 Melvin Gordon III, DEN 11 Gordon hit on a late 70-yard TD run but was basically 1b to Williams’ 1a vs NYG
30 Jamaal Williams, DET 9 played well in his DET debut but so much damage was done when SF had built a huge lead
31 James Conner, ARI 12
32 Leonard Fournette, TB 9
33 Ty’Son Williams, BAL 8 turned his 12 touches into 94 yds and a TD; if he’s available go get him
34 Devin Singletary, BUF 7
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
35 AJ Dillon, GB 13 arguably GB’s most effective player in a utterly disastrous opener
36 Ronald Jones, TB 9 Arians’ willingness to ice out Jones when mistakes are made is concerning
37 Michael Carter, NYJ 6
38 Mark Ingram, HOU 10 served as HOU’s bell cow in Wk 1 w/ 26 of the team’s 41 rush attempts
39 Tony Pollard, DAL 7
40 Kenyan Drake, LV 8
41 Elijah Mitchell, SF 6 topped 100 yds in his NFL debut; w/ Mostert out he should get first crack at being RB1 in SF
42 Zack Moss, BUF 7 Moss was a healthy inactive vs PIT; this is a storyline to watch in Wk 2
43 Sony Michel, LAR 11
44 Latavius Murray, BAL 8 got 10 carries on MNF & scored a TD; still a physical runner
45 James White, NE 14
46 J.D. McKissic, WAS 9
47 Carlos Hyde, JAC 7
48 Phillip Lindsay, HOU 10
49 Malcolm Brown, MIA 14
50 Kenneth Gainwell, PHI 14 saw a respectable amount of work against ATL; keep an eye on him
51 Larry Rountree, LAC 7 worked as RB2 in Wk1
52 Tevin Coleman, NYJ 6
53 Trey Sermon, SF 6 inactive Sunday; it appears he’s third on the depth chart for now
54 David Johnson, HOU 10 worked behind Ingram & Lindsay in the opener
55 Devonta Freeman, BAL 8
56 Darrynton Evans, TEN 13
57 Justin Jackson, LAC 7 just two touches in Wk 1
58 Damien Williams, CHI 10
59 Chuba Hubbard, CAR 13
60 Raheem Mostert, SF 6 placed on IR w/ a knee injury; he’s expected to miss roughly half of the season
61 Samaje Perine, CIN 10
62 Giovani Bernard, TB 9
63 Alexander Mattison, MIN 7 purely a handcuff for Dalvin Cook
64 Darrel Williams, KC 12
65 Tarik Cohen, CHI 10 will miss at least the first 6 games on the PUP list
66 Rashaad Penny, SEA 9 suffered a calf strain in Wk 1; will miss at least one game
67 Wayne Gallman, ATL 6
68 Devontae Booker, NYG 10
69 Benny Snell Jr., PIT 7
70 Rhamondre Stevenson, NE 14
Wide receivers
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Davante Adams, GB 13
2 Stefon Diggs, BUF 7
3 Tyreek Hill, KC 12 accounted for more yds in Wk 1 than Adams & Diggs combined
4 DeAndre Hopkins, ARI 12
5 DK Metcalf, SEA 9
6 Calvin Ridley, ATL 6 there were some definite red flags for ATL’s offense on Sunday
7 Keenan Allen, LAC 7
8 Justin Jefferson, MIN 7
9 Terry McLaurin, WAS 9 quiet opener, catching all four of his targets
10 CeeDee Lamb, DAL 7 he’s still leaving plays on the field; the talent is there, though
11 A.J. Brown, TEN 13
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
12 Allen Robinson II, CHI 10 CHI’s QB situation makes me a little nervous for Robinson
13 Robert Woods, LAR 11
14 Amari Cooper, DAL 7 perhaps not as explosive as Lamb, but he’s the steadiest DAL WR
15 Chris Godwin, TB 9 out of all TB’s weapons I like Godwin to be the most reliable contributor
16 Adam Thielen, MIN 7
17 Cooper Kupp, LAR 11
18 Mike Evans, TB 9 his week-to-week value is gonna be more volatile than Godwin or Brown
19 Tyler Lockett, SEA 9
20 Tee Higgins, CIN 10
21 D.J. Moore, CAR 13
22 Diontae Johnson, PIT 7
23 Julio Jones, TEN 13
24 JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT 7
25 Deebo Samuel, SF 6 with Aiyuk in the doghouse, Samuel is THE guy outside in SF
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
26 Kenny Golladay, NYG 10
27 DeVonta Smith, PHI 14 led PHI in targets in a strong debut
28 Brandin Cooks, HOU 10
29 Ja’Marr Chase, CIN 10
30 Mike Williams, LAC 7 if Williams can stay healthy he has top-20 potential
31 Robby Anderson, CAR 13
32 Chase Claypool, PIT 7
33 Brandon Aiyuk, SF 6 he didn’t get a sniff in Wk 1; Shanahan is apparently sending a message…
34 Laviska Shenault Jr., JAC 7
35 Corey Davis, NYJ 6
36 Michael Thomas, NO 6 currently on the PUP w/ an ankle injury
37 Antonio Brown, TB 9 Brown could move closer to Tier 2 w/ another strong performance this weekend
38 Courtland Sutton, DEN 11
39 Curtis Samuel, WAS 9 Samuel is currently on IR w/ a groin injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk. 4
40 Odell Beckham Jr., CLE 13 DNP in Wk 1 as he works back from last year’s knee injury
41 Michael Pittman Jr., IND 14
42 DJ Chark Jr., JAC 7 targeted 12 times in Wk. 1 but caught just three balls
43 Jarvis Landry, CLE 13
44 Emmanuel Sanders, BUF 7
45 Jakobi Meyers, NE 14
46 Jerry Jeudy, DEN 11 expected to miss 4-6 weeks w/ a high-ankle sprain
47 Darnell Mooney, CHI 10
48 Marvin Jones, JAC 7
49 Jaylen Waddle, MIA 14 caught a TD pass in his NFL debut
50 Russell Gage Jr., ATL 6 had as many catches as I did in Wk 1
51 Tyler Boyd, CIN 10 it sure feels like Boyd is already WR3 in Burrow’s mind
52 Marquise Brown, BAL 8
53 Sammy Watkins, BAL 8
54 Rondale Moore, ARI 12
55 Marquez Callaway, NO 6
56 A.J. Green, ARI 12 finished behind Hopkins, Kirk & Moore in catches/yards in Wk. 1
57 Cole Beasley, BUF 7
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
58 Nelson Agholor, NE 14
59 T.Y. Hilton, IND 14 currently on IR w/ a neck injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk. 4
60 DeVante Parker, MIA 14
61 Henry Ruggs III, LV 8
62 Michael Gallup, DAL 7 injured his calf in Wk. 1; is expected to be out 3-5 weeks
63 Elijah Moore, NYJ 6
64 Darius Slayton, NYG 10
65 Mecole Hardman, KC 12
66 Bryan Edwards, LV 8
67 Gabriel Davis, BUF 7
68 Jalen Reagor, PHI 14 tied for team lead in catches and scored a TD
69 Parris Campbell, IND 14
70 Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB 13
71 Sterling Shepard, NYG 10
72 Hunter Renfrow, LV 8
73 Will Fuller, MIA 14 was suspended for Wk. 1; joins a WR group with Jaylen Waddle & DeVante Parker
74 Van Jefferson, LAR 11
75 KJ Hamler, DEN 11 he could have a bigger role w/ Jeudy out until at least October
76 Christian Kirk, ARI 12 posted a 5-70-2 line in Wk. 1, but Kirk has teased fantasy owners before
77 Nico Collins, HOU 10
78 Tyrell Williams, DET 9
79 Byron Pringle, KC 12
80 Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET 9
Tight ends
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Travis Kelce, KC 12
2 Darren Waller, LV 8 Waller was targeted 19 times in Wk 1; he’s clearly well ahead of Kittle at this point
3 George Kittle, SF 6
4 T.J. Hockenson, DET 9 he’s easily DET’s best receiving target right now, which should mean lots of looks from Goff
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
5 Mark Andrews, BAL 8
6 Kyle Pitts, ATL 6 did little w/ his eight targets, but that matched Ridley for most on the team
7 Dallas Goedert, PHI 14
8 Noah Fant, DEN 11
9 Logan Thomas, WAS 9 scored WAS’ only TD on Sunday
10 Robert Tonyan, GB 13 one of several Packers that didn’t show up in Wk 1
11 Tyler Higbee, LAR 11
12 Rob Gronkowski, TB 9 that looked like old-school Gronk on TNF
13 Hunter Henry, NE 14
14 Jonnu Smith, NE 14 I worry that Smith/Henry will cannibalize each other’s value
15 Mike Gesicki, MIA 14
16 Cole Kmet, CHI 10 Kmet has clearly passed Jimmy Graham in Chicago
17 Jared Cook, LAC 7 trailed only Allen & Williams in Wk 1 targets for LA
Rk Fringe plays/roster depth Bye Up/Down Notes
18 Eric Ebron, PIT 7
19 Evan Engram, NYG 10 DNP in Wk 1 w/ a calf injury & looks likely to miss Wk 2
20 Gerald Everett, SEA 9
21 Austin Hooper, CLE 13
22 Tyler Kroft, NYJ 6
23 Anthony Firkser, TEN 13
24 Chris Herndon, MIN 7 MIN’s passing game revolves around its wideouts
25 Zach Ertz, PHI 14
26 Juwan Johnson, NO 6 the converted WR had a very interesting debut; he might be worth rolling the dice on
27 Adam Trautman, NO 6
28 David Njoku, CLE 13
29 Blake Jarwin, DAL 7 saw four targets to Dalton Schultz’s six in Wk 1
30 O.J. Howard, TB 9 all Gronk, all the time in the opener
Defensive teams
Rk Never leaves lineup Bye Up/Down Notes
1 Steelers, PIT 7
2 Rams, LAR 11 LA bent at times against the Bears but rarely broke
3 Buccaneers, TB 9 not many teams out there will be able to match DAL’s game plan
4 Washington, WAS 9
5 Ravens, BAL 8
Rk Lineup regulars Bye Up/Down Notes
6 49ers, SF 6 I’m going to assume they just completely checked out mentally after going up 28
7 Patriots, NE 14 only allowed 259 yards in Wk 1; if the offense can put pressure on teams the big plays could follow
8 Dolphins, MIA 14
9 Bills, BUF 7
10 Colts, IND 14
11 Cardinals, ARI 12 Chandler Jones could not be blocked
12 Broncos, DEN 11
Rk Weekly matchup plays Bye Up/Down Notes
13 Chiefs, KC 12
14 Browns, CLE 13
15 Chargers, LAC 7
16 Saints, NO 6 tremendous Wk 1 showing, holding last year’s No. 1 offense to 3 points w/ 3 takeaways
17 Bears, CHI 10
18 Seahawks, SEA 9
19 Cowboys, DAL 7 forced four turnovers in the opener but color me skeptical
20 Packers, GB 13 terrible effort vs NO, but there’s interesting talent there