It's already Week 2! One thing I want to focus on this year is basking in the moment. There are only 17 games in the season. Win or lose, before you know it we’ll be missing football again. Don’t panic if Week 1 was rough; it was a low scoring Week 1 across the board. Take a deep breath and buckle down for what’s gonna be another fun and historic football season. Let's dive into the starts and sits for your lineup this week.
Starts
QB - Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers (@ATL)
I had a feeling Jordan Love would make the start list at some point this season, but not Week 2. He deserves it after looking like a poised QB against the Bears throwing for three touchdowns in Week 1. Now he’s on his way to Atlanta to play a bottom-10 passing defense in 2022. Look for Love to build off Week 1. If you need a QB, start the new face of the Packers without thinking about it too much.
RB - David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (vs SEA)
Speaking of guys I didn’t think would be on the start list. Enter the former Chicago Bear, Montgomery, who tallied 21 carries for 74 yards and a TD Week 1. The Lions coaching staff pointed out that they would work rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs slowly into the offense. The rookie looks to be a great change of pace back but it also looks like they trust the veteran as of now. So play him while you can. He’s a must start due to the volume, even more so in a match up against the Seahawks who allowed over 2,500 yards rushing and 21 TDs on the ground last season.
WR - DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans (vs LAC)
Coming into the year most people viewed DeAndre Hopkins as a WR3. He is getting older and doesn’t have the best QB throwing the ball. Well, he didn’t show any signs of slowing down Week 1 with an eye popping 13 targets. He finished the day with a solid 7 catches for 65 yards. Those numbers don’t scream "must start" but the target share sure does. Ryan Tannehill didn’t look good but 38 percent of his passes went in the direction of the veteran receiver. Hopkins is a must play at home against the Chargers in Week 2.
TE - Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers (vs NO)
If you take a roll down memory lane, you will remember how bad the TE position was last year. Now this year, injuries are already adding up with the big name guys. So if you’re looking for a reliable TE, Hurst is a great option. With 7 targets and a TD week one, rookie QB Bryce Young might already have his favorite target. With how the TE position goes you have to chase those targets. Hurst should be in lineups Monday night if you are short at TE.
Defense - Cleveland Browns (@Pit)
The Browns made a huge statement Week 1 and came out swinging against The Bengals. They held Joe Burrow to 82 yards passing. That’s beyond remarkable seeing as Burrow threw for an average of 280 a game in 2022. Allowing just three points against a bitter rival, the Browns defense is riding high early. Now with another divisional matchup Week 2, look for the them to dominate Kenny Pickett and the Steelers. They are a must start.
Sits
QB - Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (@DET)
The Seahawks had a rough going offensively Week 1. Geno totaled just 112 yards. He didn’t make any mistakes but the team as a whole just didn’t look good in the passing game. Now they travel to the massive hype train known as the Detroit Lions. The Lions are coming off of a huge upset against the Chiefs. After playing good defense against the best QB in the league, Geno Smith might be in for a long day on Sunday. Keep him on the bench until the offense shows improvement. Which it will.
RB - Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs CLE)
It was a tough Week 1 for everyone on the Steelers, as they got blown out by the 49ers. Harris had just 6 carries for 31 yards. That doesn’t worry me as much how much Jaylen Warren was used in the passing game. The backup RB had 6 targets out of the backfield compared for Harris having just two. The matchup doesn't bode well for him either. The Browns are in town after smacking the Bengals and holding Joe Mixon to just 56 yards rushing. Harris is too risky to play at the moment.
WR - Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (@DEN)
After seeing the Commanders offense Week 1, I think it’s best to wait to play any WRs in Washington. Terry McLaurin hauled in 2 of 4 targets for 31 yards against a weak Cardinals secondary. He is now matched up against arguably the best secondary in the league. Patrick Surtain will most likely shadow McLaurin and that means he should be on your bench. Wait till him and Sam Howell develops some chemistry before putting him back in your lineup.
TE - Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (vs MIN)
Goedert was a top-10 TE in fantasy last year and with him being on one of the best offenses in the league, he rightly has some hype behind him. It didn’t look good Week 1 though as he was only targeted once and that ball fell incomplete. With the TE position I always say chase the targets. Can’t play someone not involved in a stacked offense with a lot of mouths to feed. Keep him on the bench.
Defense - Miami Dolphins (vs NE)
Miami was a solid defense last year and has quite a few big name guys. With already being owned in 80% of leagues, people might think of playing them this week. I would pump the breaks on that. Not only did they give up over 30 points last week against the Chargers, but they had 0 takeaways along with allowing 3 TDs on the ground. They now go to New England who looked more than solid against a great Eagles team. Keep them on the bench for the road game this week
