The first installment of Sneaky Starts was quite a success if I say so myself. Six of the nine players I highlighted posted starter-worthy fantasy production. That included a top-three quarterback, a top-five wide receiver, and the highest-scoring fantasy defense of the week. All of them were way undervalued based on how many leagues fantasy managers started them in. Let’s hope for more of the same this week as I bring to you my Week 2 Sneaky Starts. Each of these players is currently started in less than 50 percent of Fantrax leagues. However, I believe all of them have a very good chance of posting starter-level production at their respective positions. That includes the top 12 quarterbacks, 24 running backs, 36 wide receivers, 12 tight ends, 12 kickers, and 12 defense/special teams units.
Week 2 Sneaky Starts
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current Start Percentage: 44 Percent (17th among Quarterbacks)
My Current Week 2 Rank: QB13
The only fault in listing Jayden Daniels as my quarterback sneaky start last week was that I had Baker Mayfield as my other quarterback to consider. And while Daniels finished the week as the overall QB3, Mayfield one-upped him by posting a QB2 finish. Mayfield will not repeat that level of production, but I do believe he can be a top-12 fantasy quarterback this week. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on the road to face the Detroit Lions in Week 2. Detroit remains a pass-funnel defense. In Week 1, Matthew Stafford dropped back to pass 51 times, compared to 23 designed runs. Stafford did not run the ball and only threw for one touchdown. Yet he finished the week as the QB12. I expect a very similar game plan and level of production out of Baker Mayfield this week.
Other Quarterbacks to Consider
- Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
- Current Start Percentage: 45 Percent (16th among quarterbacks)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: QB15
Running Backs
Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
Current Start Percentage: 36 Percent (35th among Running Backs)
My Current Week 2 Rank: RB29
This is the obvious answer given the question marks surrounding the status of Christian McCaffrey. Because of that, I am not actually picking Jordan Mason here. I just wanted to mention him because he is still available in way too many leagues. I will grant you permission to pull up the app and add him before you finish reading the rest of this article. Also, please note that if McCaffrey does miss this game, Jordan Mason will be a lot higher than RB29 once I update my Week 2 rankings.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
Current Start Percentage: 41 Percent (33rd among Running Backs)
My Current Week 2 Rank: RB30
For the record, this is not an easy experiment to take on when fantasy football managers are currently starting 31 different running backs in a minimum of 55 percent of leagues. Can you all please stop being so smart and savvy? (The Jordan Mason thing notwithstanding. Seriously, did you pick him up yet?)
I cannot pretend as though I would be super excited to start Ezekiel Elliott in fantasy football. He almost certainly has to score to hit value in a given week. But I suppose you can make that same argument about several other running backs in this general range. On the bright side, Elliott did find the end zone in what appeared to be a tough matchup in Cleveland last week. That touchdown elevated Elliott into the top 24 at the running back position. The veteran running back gets another tough test against a New Orleans defense that allowed just nine touchdowns to opposing backs last season. Only three NFL teams gave up fewer scores to enemy backs in 2023. But Dallas has a potent enough offense that it would not surprise me to see Elliott score in his homecoming.
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Current Start Percentage: 29 Percent (39th among Running Backs)
My Current Week 2 Rank: RB31
I would say that I am giving Chuba Hubbard one more chance in Week 2 after I listed him last week. But it feels like what happened last week was more of a referendum on Panthers quarterback Bryce Young than Hubbard himself. With Young looking overmatched, NFL defenses can dare the second-year quarterback to beat them. That means they can play the run and react to the pass. Hubbard may have to rely on his ability in the receiving game to post a double-digit fantasy score. The good news is that Hubbard faces the Los Angeles Chargers this week. Los Angeles allowed Alexander Mattison to record 43 yards and a touchdown in the passing game last week, so there is some precedent here.
Other Running Backs to Consider
- Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
- Current Start Percentage: 46 Percent (32nd among Running Backs)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: RB33
- Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers
- Current Start Percentage: 36 Percent (36th among Running Backs)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: RB35
Check out all of our Week 2 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Wide Receivers
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Current Start Percentage: 46 Percent (38th among Wide Receivers)
My Current Week 2 Rank: WR32
Courtland Sutton had an inefficient outing in Week 1. Such is life at times with a rookie quarterback. The good news is that Sutton was targeted 12 times by Bo Nix in Denver’s loss to Seattle. I am banking on that volume to keep Sutton in the WR3 conversation this week. The matchup is not ideal against the Pittsburgh Steelers. But Sutton has a physical advantage over both of Pittsburgh’s outside cornerbacks. He has six inches on 35 pounds over Donte Jackson, the man most likely to line up across from him. Denver was unwilling to throw the ball downfield last week. That has to change given the advantage Sutton has on the outside. Courtland Sutton carries some risk this week, but I think he can take advantage of his Week 2 matchup and make the most of his (presumably many) targets.
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
Current Start Percentage: 34 Percent (46th among Wide Receivers)
My Current Week 2 Rank: WR35
Fantasy managers continue to sleep on Brandin Cooks. The veteran receiver has scored a touchdown in nine of his last 12 regular season games. I thought that with the status of Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson in the air, people would show Cooks a little more love. But it has not played out that way quite yet. Cooks is at worst the third option in arguably the most pass-happy offense in the NFL. As defenses justifiably focus on CeeDee Lamb, Cooks continues to have success. We could easily see that scenario play out again in Week 2. If the New Orleans Saints shadow Lamb with Marshon Lattimore, Cooks will likely square off against Paulson Adebo. Adebo is a capable cover corner but has allowed 1.29 yards per route covered in his career. I think Cooks finds a way to post another productive outing in this matchup.
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams
Current Start Percentage: 19 Percent (61st among Wide Receivers)
My Current Week 2 Rank: WR38
If people are sleeping on Brandin Cooks, then they are flat-out comatose when it comes to Demarcus Robinson. The Los Angeles Rams have placed Puka Nacua on Injured Reserve, meaning last year’s rookie phenom is out a minimum of four weeks. And though Cooper Kupp is the most obvious beneficiary, Demarcus Robinson should see a bump in targets as well. It is not as if Robinson has not been productive when provided opportunities in Los Angeles. Last year, Robinson played 50 percent of snaps in six consecutive games late in the season. He averaged 57 receiving yards in those games and scored a total of four touchdowns. Robinson has earned the trust of both Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford. Facing a bad defense in a game with shootout appeal, I like Demarcus Robinson to exceed expectations in Week 2.
Other Wide Receivers to Consider
- Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers
- Current Start Percentage: 49 Percent (37th among Wide Receivers)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: WR40
- Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
- Current Start Percentage: 42 Percent (41nd among Wide Receivers
- My Current Week 2 Rank: WR41
- Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
- Current Start Percentage: 44 Percent (40th among Wide Receivers)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: WR42
Tight End
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Current Start Percentage: 25 Percent (18th among Tight Ends)
My Current Week 2 Rank: TE13
Hunter Henry was targeted three times on 24 pass attempts from Jacoby Brissett last week. The volume was lower than expected, and the result of some favorable game script, as the New England Patriots pulled off the upset in Cincinnati. I anticipate more pass attempts from Brissett and more targets for Henry in this week’s contest against the Seattle Seahawks. Of Brissett’s 24 passes last week, only four traveled more than 10 yards past the line of scrimmage. Brissett loves to feed his tight ends, and I believe Henry will be heavily involved on Sunday. Targets can be hard to come by for many low-end TE1 candidates, and I think Henry has just as good a chance as any to post a top-12 week.
Other Tight Ends to Consider
- Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Current Start Percentage: 40 Percent (15th among Tight Ends)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: TE14
Kicker
Matt Prater, Arizona Cardinals
Current Start Percentage: 10 Percent (23rd among Kickers)
My Current Week 2 Rank: K10
Matt Prater made both of his field goal attempts for Arizona last week. He has been successful on 84.5 percent of his attempts since joining the Cardinals in 2021. Arizona will face the Los Angeles Rams in what should be a high-scoring affair. I do not think you need to force the 40-year-old into your lineups if you have a steady option on your roster. However, if you are streaming or looking for a sneaky Week 2 start, Prater is a solid option.
Other Kicker to Consider
- Joshua Karty, Los Angeles Rams
- Current Start Percentage: 19 Percent (17th among Kickers)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: K12
Defense/Special Teams
Jacksonville Jaguars
Current Start Percentage: 19 Percent (21st among D/STs)
My Current Week 2 Rank: D/ST4
The Jacksonville Jaguars allowed over 300 passing yards last week. But I am giving them a pass because they faced the Miami Dolphins. This week they should have a much easier time against Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland Browns. Watson looks like a shell of his former self and appears to be dragging the offense down with him. Dallas sacked Watson six times and forced two interceptions last week. Jacksonville blitzed Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa 11 times in last week’s last-second loss. That strategy had mixed results but should be more successful this time around. Watson completed just two of 10 passes and threw one of his interceptions when blitzed in Week 1. I believe Jacksonville will cause enough pressure up front to force Watson into turning the ball over on Sunday.
Other Defense/Special Teams to Consider
- Indianapolis Colts
- Current Start Percentage: 33 Percent (14th among D/STs)
- My Current Week 2 Rank: D/ST5
Make sure to check out all of our Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!