Fantasy Football Week 2 Lineup Advice

Week one saw ADF select a high number of top producing talent that surely would’ve propelled your fantasy team to victory. With the week two slate in front us, our goal again is to help you find the best pieces to assemble that winning formula to remain undefeated early this season. Follow us and we’ll get you win number two, let’s get to it….

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Start - Quarterback:

Philip Rivers (LAC)

As previous years have shown, the Chargers continue to start extremely slow out of the gates allowing teams to take advantage forcing Rivers and company to climb back. Last week was no different as the Kansas City Chiefs exploded early taking advantage of mistakes and poor defense. With that said, Philip Rivers is the ultimate professional using everything in his tool-kit which equated to a healthy 34.13 fantasy points against the aforementioned Chiefs. This week the Chargers will travel to Western New York to take on a Bills team still licking their wounds from last week’s disaster. After week one the Bills gave up the 5^th highest amount of points to opposing quarterbacks and we believe Rivers should have another supreme day. Start Rivers and watch the points roll in. 

Matthew Stafford (DET)

Some may scoff at the notion to start Matthew Stafford after his complete abomination against the New York Jets on Monday Night Football, but we have all the confidence that getting embarrassed isn’t something that will resonate well with Stafford. It was clear to us that he was not fully prepared for what the Jets had in store leaving his 8.13 fantasy points ready to throw in the garbage can. Going up against the 49ers in week two could be exactly what the Lions and Stafford need to get back on track. While San Fran is building and looking to be moving in the right direction, that defense has many holes that left them giving up the 10^th most points to Kirk Cousins in week one. It’s not out of the question to see this game turn into something of a shootout between Stafford and Garoppolo, in fact we are banking on that result. This start does possess some risk but we have trust that Matthew will play much better.

Cam Newton (CAR)

Cam Newton and the Panthers found their way to victory in week one versus the Dallas Cowboys and all that was required was a rushing touchdown from the physical freakish talent. Cam underwhelmed with the amount of passing yards he produced and could’ve made his afternoon look much more pleasant had he reached the endzone at least one time. Having a divisional matchup against the Atlanta Falcons who haven’t played since the opening Thursday Night contest against the Eagles, one would question why we at ADF believe Newton will have a top notch performance. Simply looking at the Falcons injury report and witnessing their two best players (Keanu Neal & Deion Jones) stuck in the medical room; Cam should be able to exploit these losses with great success. Whenever these teams meet it seems to turn into a great contest and Cam should produce.      

Alex Smith (WAS)

We’ve admitted before and shall once again, we have never been great supporters of Alex Smith but we are forced to take notice to his abilities. Moving to a new club and still producing at high levels is a clear indication of a player that truly understands the game. Moving to the Redskins we definitely had our reservations of how things would transpire, but if week one is any sort of hint, Smith should have a very solid 2018 campaign. The thing about Smith that we’ve come to realize is that he requires the assistance of a productive running game to create the play action pass finding those mismatches down the field. His aptitude to not force throws and take what opposing defenses will give him has led to the many check downs for chunk yardage. Nearly hitting 20 fantasy points in week one and going up against the Colts who surrender the 14^th most to fantasy quarterbacks, we definitely recommend Alex Smith as a must start. 

  

Play with Confidence:

Kirk Cousins (MIN)

Drew Brees (NO)

Jared Goff (LAR)

Deshaun Watson (HOU)

Case Keenum (DEN)

Potential Big Day:

Tyrod Taylor (CLE)

Eli Manning (NYG)

Jimmy Garoppolo (SF)

Ryan Tannehill (MIA)

Start - Wide Receiver:

Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)

Back in the offseason we released our player spotlight article preaching great support for Emmanuel Sanders and the potential improved outlook now that Case Keenum was behind center. While we aren’t great Keenum backers, there was little question the talent Sanders possesses he would be put that on display with a quarterback that could just get him the ball. Week one proved what Emmanuel would get back to this season if the opportunity would present itself. If the Broncos run game continues to generate good yardage leaving play action a viable option, Sanders will always exploit that mismatch. Still having Thomas flank the other side of the field leaves lesser cover corners to matchup to Sanders side, nothing but good news. Emmanuel put up a whopping 26 fantasy points last week and enters a juicy contest against division foe in the Oakland Raiders. We could see numbers very comparable in week two, get your popcorn ready.      

Allen Robinson (CHI)

ADF was very shy to endorse Allen Robinson in year one of playing with Mitchell Trubisky and the Chicago Bears. We felt it would be appropriate to wait a season feeling the chemistry would eventually find gold under Matt Nagy in year two or three. However, witnessing Allen play week one against the Packers gave us enough to at least defend the notion that matchup play is something we can’t ignore. As Chicago let the opening contest slip through their fingers, we fully believe Nagy will correct his own inefficiencies and find ways to get Robinson more involved. Putting up a mere 8.07 fantasy points last week, we fully expect that number to rise. The most enticing aspect for Robinson’s outlook this week is that he’ll face a Seahawk squad that is on the down trend ready to burst at the seams. Allen should provide a very nice finish on Monday Night Football.   

Keenan Allen (LAC)

There’s no need to over sell the talents of Keenan Allen to anyone that watches the sport of football. Keenan is one of the elite wide receivers in the game even though he won’t show great levels of flash like his counterparts in say Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Coming off a great week one performance that saw Philip Rivers throwing for majority of the second half definitely inflated these totals, but the potential to exceed these statistics against the Buffalo Bills (who gave up the 10^th most to wide receivers in week one) does exist. Allen went over the 20 point mark against the Chiefs and should be able to carve out a decent amount of work against Tre White on Sunday. Both teams will want redemption for how they started the season but the Chargers will be on a mission to put Buffalo away early seeing Keenan the biggest benefactor.      

Jarvis Landry (CLE) (PPR)

The Cleveland Browns displayed they have indeed improved their roster overall with a good showing in week one against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While we expected a little more from Tyrod Taylor believing offensive coordinator Todd Haley would open up the playbook unloading deep shots to Josh Gordon, Jarvis Landry didn’t disappoint. Continuing to prove he is one of the best slot receivers in the league, Taylor looked to Landry often helping Jarvis carve out 15.07 fantasy points in week one. Going up against the Saints this week, we should see Landry once again be featured to see at least seven to ten targets leaving great potential to pad the stats. The Saints also gave up the most points to receivers in week one, but we’ll pump the breaks believing that was an anomaly not the standard. Landry will still provide owners with what they need this week.   

Play with Confidence:

Brandin Cooks (LAR)

Sterling Shepard (NYG)

Golden Tate (DET)

Michael Thomas (NO)

Antonio Brown (PIT)

DeAndre Hopkins (HOU)

Tyreek Hill (KC)

Odell Beckham Jr (NYG)

Nelson Agholor (PHI) (PPR)

Potential Big Day:

Danny Amendola (MIA)

Juju Smith-Schuster (PIT)

Pierre Garcon (SF)

Ryan Grant (IND)

Start - Running Back:

Tevin Coleman (ATL)

With recent news that Devonta Freeman will be sidelined with an injury, Tevin Coleman will get the chance to showcase his abilities against a very stout Carolina Panthers run defense. Coleman came in relief last week when Freeman was unable to return to action, to which he generated a decent 10.63 fantasy points for the week. His yards per carry definitely left something to be desired, and facing the Panthers who kept Zeke Elliott at bay wouldn’t normally suggest a must start. Our infatuation with the untapped potential Coleman carries should come to light given the opportunity to start and lead the pack. Essentially in a contract season and primed to hit the open market next offseason, Tevin has a fantastic chance to prove his net worth. We feel that with more touches given, Coleman will generate very solid numbers. Simply based on volume Tevin is an attractive play.   

Adrian Peterson (WAS)

Old man Peterson is back as he proved his doubters wrong with a stupendous performance week one against his former team the Cardinals. While we have our doubts still, it’s difficult to not endorse Adrian against a Colts team that will struggle to stop any player of value this season. Reviewing last week’s contest, it appears the combination of Adrian Peterson and Alex Smith could turn out to be something very special as the short pass and play action installations will keep defenses guessing leaving them rather valuable in the process. AP found his way to garner 20.27 fantasy points and should exploit the Colts who gave up the 12^th most rushing yards in week one. Given Peterson’s age and mileage on his tires, getting the most out of him early might be the way to go.    

Jordan Howard (CHI)

Head Coach Matt Nagy eluded to a greater workload for his premier running back this season, to which he didn’t disappoint in the first week. Howard was able to generate nearly 15 fantasy points that could’ve been heavily inflated had Nagy stuck with the run while holding the lead but choosing to pass limited the overall outcome of Jordan’s day. Once again playing in primetime, this time on Monday Night Football, Howard and the Bears have a glorious matchup against the Seahawks who gave up the 10^th most to running backs and will be without K.J Wright for this contest. Young teams on the rise have to learn how to win in this league and the Bears are definitely on the up and up. Coach Nagy is a very intelligent play caller and will iron out the inefficiencies this week leaning on Howard in the process.

Melvin Gordon (LAC)

It seems like a common theme to start the top players on the Chargers going up against the Buffalo Bills in week two, but how can we possibly turn our head away from such a great matchup. Some will suggest that not every player will be able to explode and produce, but the way the Bills offense preformed in week one and throwing rookie Josh Allen into the fire in week two, Buffalo’s defense should once again be gassed by the end of the second quarter. Melvin Gordon was one of our top choices this offseason to production career high numbers and he’s off to a terrific start. Posting a career best week one stat-line, Gordon found his way to over 25 fantasy points to the joy of his owners. Buffalo couldn’t stop a cold against the Ravens, and with a group having more motivation in the Chargers, get ready for fireworks from Melvin. 

Play with Confidence:

Alvin Kamara (NO)

Todd Gurley (LAR)

Lamar Miller (HOU)

Isaiah Crowell (NYJ)

Christian McCaffrey (CAR) (PPR)

Saquon Barkley (NYG)

James Conner (PIT)

Potential Big Day:

Chris Thompson (WAS) (PPR)

Austin Ekeler (LAC) (PPR)

Carlos Hyde (CLE)

Tarik Cohen (CHI)

James White (NE) (PPR)

Start – Tight End:

Jordan Reed (WAS)

When healthy there is no denying the talent and ability of the Redskins Jordan Reed. The way he’s able to control the middle of the field taking on line backers and safeties with ease is nothing short of impressive. The new tandem is forming in Washington as Alex Smith is the master of the check-down finding open targets with ease. Reed is the most favorable option in this pass game and should once again find room on a Colts squad that will be holding on for dear life. Andrew Luck could make this contest very interesting leaving the opportunity for the Skins to keep passing and Reed collecting points. This is a no brainier start this week.  

Zach Ertz (PHI)

The Super Bowl Champion Eagles struggled to find their stride in week one but showed resolve taking down the Falcons. Clearly seeing an issue for supportive pieces in the pass game, the Eagles went shopping trying to sign as many receivers as they could to help supplant the loss of Alshon Jeffery. Playing the Bucs in week two and starting virtually the same cast at wide receiver, we would be supremely shocked if Coach Pederson doesn’t institute more plays to his star tight-end to relieve the pressure. We should see Nelson Agholor have another giant role this week, but Ertz could eat into that quite a bit. Ertz should find the endzone this week.    

Ian Thomas (CAR)

Anyone looking to take large gamble at the tight-end position based on potential? Our biggest risk-reward play of the week goes to the Panthers backup (now starter) Ian Thomas. The Coaching staff has had nothing but great reviews for the skill he possesses and should have a clear role as he gets more comfortable with Cam Newton. The key with suggesting players such as Thomas is that no team has a book on what he can do, and we could invasion three to four direct plays to the young tight-end. With redzone appeal great for Ian in this one, and if he turns plays into production, get ready for Greg Olsen to be replaced. Again this is a high-risk, high-reward play and the expectations should be tempered.    

Play with Confidence:

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (JAX)

Kyle Rudolph (MIN)

Antionio Gates (LAC)

Potential Big Day:

Ben Watson (NO)

Trey Burton (CHI)

Mike Gesicki (MIA)