After an exciting Week 1 of the NFL season, it is now time to look towards Week 2. Now begins the process of setting the best lineup possible on a weekly basis. Each Thursday, we will have you covered as we go through options at both the quarterback and tight end positions. Let us dig into some Week 2 Quarterback Sleepers and Streamers along with some Week 2 Tight End Sleepers and Streamers.
Week 2 Quarterback Sleepers and Streamers
Quarterback Sleepers
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
It wasn’t unwarranted, but Matthew Stafford was not generating much optimism prior to the season. To make matters worse, Stafford is without Cooper Kupp to begin the season. So then why would he be one of the sleepers and streamers we are targeting?
All Stafford did to begin the season was go into Seattle and pull out a victory. The quarterback threw for 334 yards with Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell each picking up 119 yards. After battling injuries last season, Stafford looks to be fully healthy, and that clearly made a difference.
The fact that Stafford doesn’t run will depress his value, but he is a capable downfield passer. Los Angeles also was dedicated to the run game to begin the season, and that opened things up for the veteran. While San Francisco represents a step up defensively, Stafford should still turn in a solid game.
Pittsburgh’s offense was not up to the task of keeping up with the 49ers in Week 1, but the opportunity will be there for Stafford to air it out.
Mac Jones, New England Patriots
Mac Jones tried to lead New England back to victory in Week 1 as he showed the ability to move the ball through the air. While he needed 54 pass attempts to do it, Jones threw for 316 yards and three touchdown passes. The fact that it came after the Patriots were already trailing by 16 points truly does not matter from a fantasy perspective.
This week’s matchup against Miami lines up perfectly for Jones to have another strong performance. One of the most exciting, and offensive-filled, games from Week 1 involved the Dolphins. Even if New England does not intend for it to be a shootout this week, it could easily turn into one.
Quarterback Streamers
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Until Jordan Love becomes more widely rostered, get used to seeing him here. Not much was required from Love on Sunday as the Packers blew out the Chicago Bears while barely breaking a sweat. Not having Christian Watson didn’t seem to matter for Love as he completed 15 passes for 245 yards and three touchdowns.
While Love has real value on the ground, but that wasn’t even needed in Week 1 as he gained just 12 yards on three carries. It is that upside though that will keep Love on our radars. The passing production though will continue to elevate his status.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
If you find yourself in need of a quarterback, Derek Carr will continue to be a viable option. While there was nothing Carr did that truly stood out, the veteran quarterback had a solid debut performance for the Saints.
Carr threw for 305 yards and a touchdown against the Titans while taking full advantage of the weapons at his disposal. New Orleans has a healthy Michael Thomas, second-year standout Chris Olave, and speedy Rashid Shaheed and that should lead to some strong performances on a weekly basis. In time, Carr should be able to find the end zone more than once. In fact, that might come this week in what is a solid matchup against Carolina.
Week 2 Tight End Sleepers and Streamers
Tight End Sleepers
Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
The rookie had a solid debut in Week 1 after generating a fair amount of buzz over the summer. Sam LaPorta looked comfortable to begin his NFL career by catching all five of his targets for 39 yards. The chemistry was there with Jared Goff and that figures to grow and evolve throughout the season.
Detroit should have no issues moving the ball downfield against Seattle this week, and LaPorta figures to be a part of that.
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
Talk about being busy. We know that the Arizona offense is not exactly an explosive one, so it makes sense that Joshua Dobbs would rely so much on the safety valve that is Zach Ertz.
The good news is that we don’t have to worry about health with Ertz as he is past last year’s injury. He certainly was busy as Dobbs targeted him 10 times. In PPR leagues, there was real value, but we would like to see the veteran be more efficient. Ertz managed to catch six passes, but they went for just 21 yards. If you need help at the tight end position, with Ertz we can at least follow the targets.
Tight End Streamers
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
While DeVante Parker was out in Week 1, Hunter Henry was busy to begin the season. Seeing Henry as an intricate part of New England’s offense was certainly a good sign. The tight end was targeted six times, but the good news is that it was more than Mike Gesicki. That puts Henry at the top of New England’s tight end depth chart.
The Patriots will be forced to throw the ball downfield to keep up with Miami, and that will involve Henry. Last week, he got the all-important red zone target which Henry turned into a nine-yard touchdown reception. Overall, he caught five passes for 56 yards and Mac Jones figures to look his way again.
Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers
It is all about following the targets. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young looked for his tight end early and often in his NFL debut.
Hayden Hurst ultimately caught Young’s first career touchdown pass and then threw it into the stands. The ball was retrieved so no harm, no foul, but there was chemistry established between Young and Hurst. The tight end was targeted seven times, and he turned that into five receptions for 41 yards. Going forward, I would expect a similar role for Hurst.
Also check out our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End | Half-PPR by Position | Flex Rankings | Positional Ranks w/ K & DST | Dynasty | Superflex Dynasty