We finally have regular-season data, but one game is not enough to treat fantasy points allowed as a stable measure of defensive quality. A defense can land near the top or bottom of the positional rankings because of one explosive play, an unusual game script, or the quality of its first opponent. Keep this in mind when we talk about Week 2 Wide Receiver and Tight End starts and sits.
That means the Week 2 Reedy Score lens starts with opportunity: target share, routes, role stability, and the quality of the passing environment. Fantasy points against can swing a close decision, but it shouldn’t override a weak role. This distinction matters immediately with Chicago. Minnesota allowed 16 receptions, 272 yards, and two touchdowns to Green Bay wide receivers, but that does not automatically make every Bears receiver a start.
More Fantasy Football Fun!: | Sneaky Starts | Fantasy Football Waiver Wire | Weekly Sleepers & Streamers | Starts & Sits | Skrip’s Week Winners | Players You Can Drop | NFL DFS | NFL Player Props | IDP Analysis | Bold Predictions | Re-Draft Trade Targets | Survivor Picks | NFL Injury Report | Dynasty Trade Targets | Dynasty Risers and Fallers | Weekly Rankings | Game Previews
Week 2 Starts and Sits
Wide Receiver Starts
DJ Moore, Buffalo Bills
Moore’s Week 1 usage supports another strong performance. He commanded eight targets, a 28% target share, and turned that into five receptions, 100 yards, and a touchdown. Detroit allowed the second-most fantasy points to wide receivers in Week 1, including 20 receptions and 293 receiving yards. Moore combines dependable volume with one of the week’s most favorable matchups, making him the strongest receiver start in this group. Moore, Moore, Moore, how do you like it? How do you like it?
Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Egbuka led Tampa Bay in receiving yards and finished second on the team in targets in Week 1. More importantly, his playing time indicates that he already has a stable role in the offense. Cleveland allowed three different Jacksonville receivers to score in Week 1, creating another favorable opportunity for Tampa Bay’s passing game. Egbuka carries enough volume and scoring upside coming into Week 2.
Kalif Raymond, Chicago Bears
Raymond earned nine of Chicago’s 29 pass attempts in Week 1, giving him a massive 31% target share. He caught eight passes for 84 yards and now faces a Minnesota defense that allowed 16 receptions, 272 yards, and two touchdowns to Green Bay’s wide receivers. Raymond doesn’t need another 30% share to return value, but his involvement makes him the safest Bears receiver to start this week. I know this feels dirty, but it seems to happen every season: someone comes out of the woodwork and produces.
Other WR starts: Justin Jefferson and Malik Nabers remain automatic starts regardless of matchup; this week both have what appears to be great matchups. Jameson Williams is a strong rebound candidate after drawing nine Week 1 targets, while Luther Burden offers upside in the same favorable Minnesota matchup. Chris Godwin remains a viable PPR Flex, and Rome Odunze is a matchup-driven option whose Week 1 target share makes him less secure than Raymond or Burden. I am very interested to see just how this Bears receiver shapes up throughout the season.
Week 2 Wide Receiver Sits
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
Jeudy caught only two of four targets for 26 yards in Week 1 and was not targeted after halftime. That is more concerning than the final stat line because it points to an unstable role within an ineffective passing offense. Tampa Bay allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in Week 1. Jeudy lacks both the demonstrated volume and offensive environment needed to overcome the matchup. I literally threw up in my mouth just thinking about playing him.
Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins
Washington received eight targets in Week 1 but converted them into only three receptions for 53 yards. The volume is worth monitoring, but Miami now faces a San Francisco defense that allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to opposing receivers. Until Washington converts his opportunities more consistently, he belongs on fantasy benches outside of deeper leagues. Look, we know who Washington is; for fantasy purposes, he is icky.
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
Harrison drew only three targets in Week 1 and caught one pass for 33 yards. Meanwhile, Michael Wilson received seven targets, Kendrick Bourne received eight, and Trey McBride commanded 12. Harrison remains exceptionally talented, but fantasy managers cannot ignore that distribution heading into a matchup with a Seattle defense that allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to receivers. Fourth option on the Cardinals’ passing attack is not what you envisioned, is it?
Other WR sits: Caleb Douglas produced 94 yards in Week 1, but the matchup with San Francisco lowers his immediate ceiling. Alec Pierce could reproduce his four-catch, 61-yard performance, though Kansas City makes a breakout unlikely. Brian Thomas Jr. receives a ceiling downgrade against Denver, but his talent keeps him out of the strongest-sit category. Michael Wilson and Kendrick Bourne are deep-league options rather than complete fades.
Check out all of our Week 2 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings | MOP Rankings
Week 2 Tight End Starts
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Kincaid caught five of six targets for 130 yards in Week 1 and now faces a Detroit defense that allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. His combination of route involvement, receiving efficiency, quarterback quality, and matchup gives him the highest provisional Reedy Score among this week’s tight-end candidates. Treat Kincaid as a high-end TE1. Dalton could very well be the second option in the pass game for the Bills in Week 2.
NOTE: I know, I know I didn’t include the score here. I will start in Week 4 when we have more data. Patience, my pet, patience.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Likely delivered one of Week 1’s strongest tight-end performances, catching all eight of his targets for 78 yards and two touchdowns. The touchdowns will fluctuate, but eight targets and perfect reception efficiency demonstrate that his production was supported by opportunity. Isaiah is likely a strong Week 2 start even if the scoring regresses.
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
Gesicki caught five passes for 78 yards and a touchdown while commanding approximately 20% of Cincinnati’s targets. His limited snaps and route totals add some risk, but his involvement when on the field was hard to overlook. Houston allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to tight ends in Week 1, making Gesicki an upside-oriented start for managers streaming the position. He shocked us in Week 1, let him shock us again in Week 2.
Other TE starts: Juwan Johnson remains a low-end TE1 after drawing seven targets and finding the end zone. Jake Ferguson has a favorable matchup with Washington, but his two Week 1 targets make him more of a streamer than a confident start. Harold Fannin Jr. also has a rebound opportunity, although Cleveland’s passing offense limits his floor.
Week 2 Tight End Sits
Greg Dulcich, Miami Dolphins
Dulcich caught both of his Week 1 targets but produced only 18 yards. San Francisco allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends, and Dulcich does not have enough demonstrated volume to justify challenging that matchup. He is a clear sit in standard-sized leagues. This is as yucky as the humidity in Florida feels when you get out of the car and your shirt sticks to your back. You know what I mean.
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Henry finished Week 1 with three receptions for 26 yards on three targets. Pittsburgh did not allow a tight end to score a fantasy point in its opener, although that result came against an Atlanta offense that barely involved the position. The defensive number should be treated cautiously, but Henry’s limited volume still leaves him dependent on a touchdown. It’s just not good at all for Henry this week.
Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
Engram caught four of five targets for 43 yards and a touchdown in Week 1, but Denver produced only 131 passing yards. The touchdown rescued an otherwise modest performance, and Jacksonville shut down Harold Fannin Jr. in its opener. Engram is a touchdown-dependent play in Week 2.
Other TE notes: Ferguson and Fannin remain on the start/sit borderline: their matchups are more favorable than their Week 1 usage suggests. Neither should rank ahead of Kincaid, Likely, or Gesicki. The principle is simple: Week 1 fantasy points allowed indicate matchup quality, but target share determines whether a player can capitalize.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
Reedy Rule for Week 2
Follow the opportunity, but do not overreact to the outcome.
One game can reveal a player’s role, but it cannot establish a trend. Prioritize target share, routes, and playing time from Week 1. Use fantasy points allowed as a tiebreaker, not as the primary reason to start or sit someone.
That is why Kalif Raymond’s nine targets matter more than a favorable matchup alone, while Evan Engram’s touchdown does not erase the concerns created by limited passing volume.
Volume identifies the opportunity. The matchup determines whether to attack it.
Fantrax is one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites in the fantasy sports industry, and we’re not stopping anytime soon. We are the most customizable, easy-to-use, and feature-rich platform in the industry, offering the greatest fantasy experience for your dynasty, keeper, redraft, and best ball leagues. Fantasy sports doesn’t sleep, and neither does Fantrax, with seasons running 365 days a year. Take your fantasy leagues to the next level now at Fantrax.com!
