Well, you survived. The most stressful week of fantasy before the playoffs is officially in the rearview. And if you’re like me, you are already dealing with injuries.
Remember, though, Week 1 means nothing, fantasy record-wise, NFL record-wise, and player production-wise. My rule of thumb? Continue going with the established players until they prove you otherwise. I will still start Kirk Cousins despite his 9.7 standard fantasy points in a clunker against the Steelers. Now, if he has another bad game, we can revisit this conversation.
You’re still starting all your big-name guys and not super worried about matchups.
Back by popular demand this season: the top five sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re new to the NFL or on a new team? Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball more often than not last season.
Let’s be honest, do you really need to be told to start Jalen Hurts, CeeDee Lamb, or Breece Hall?
But you may need that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with. You also may have taken a gamble in the draft and feel depleted at a position and are looking to slyly slide someone in this week. And let’s be honest, this happens most weeks.
Last week, we saw Seahawks’ QB Geno Smith, Vikings’ RB Aaron Jones, Broncos’ RB Javonte Williams, Bills’ WR Khalil Shakir, and Commanders’ TE Zach Ertz make the list.
Smith, Jones, and Shakir hit double digits, while the others did not muster much. However, I’ll take three out of five, won’t you?
To help you out, I’ll give you my top five fantasy football Week 2 Sleepers and Streamers, and why.
Editor’s Note: These selections rank lower than a Tier 4 on our Fantasy Football Week 2 Rankings.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sleepers and Streamers
Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
At Carolina Panthers
The storylines around the Chargers from Week 1 was John Harbaugh’s return to the NFL and J.K. Dobbins rushing for more than 150 yards following two season-ending injuries. While Los Angeles did a disservice to Justin Herbert by taking away his top three weapons in the offseason, this week’s matchup provides high upside.
The Chargers are on the road in Carolina for a west-to-east coast 1 p.m. game—that I notoriously avoid—but the Panthers’ beating in Week 1 makes me not care.
While most Week 1 games were close, Carolina allowed 47 points and 379 total yards to division-rival New Orleans. It also allowed Saints’ quarterback Derek Carr to reach the 200-yard mark on under 20 passes, going 19-for-23.
Carr didn’t have a great game from his pass catchers either, who have a mediocre line of Rashid Shaheed and Cedrick Wilson Jr. behind Chris Olave. Shaheed had a long touchdown, catching three balls (five targets) for 73 yards, while Olave had just 11 on two catches and Wilson Jr. lost a fumble and had zero catches in his team debut.
Herbert’s supporting cast isn’t much better.
Listed first on the depth chart, Josh Palmer hasn’t practiced all week with a knee injury. Rookie Ladd McConkey could easily draw the No. 1 role in his second game, followed by Quentin Johnston and a hodge-podge of names I’ve never heard of. However, I think Herbert can get to that 200-yard mark with two touchdowns. That gives him about 25 points – sign me up.
Editor’s Note: Herbert ranks below Tier 4 in Wolf’s QB Rankings (QB18)
Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington Commanders
vs New York Giants
I kinda did Justin dirty by listing his boy Austin Ekeler after him, but sometimes we gotta do it.
Jayden Daniels ran more than I appreciated for the sake of Washington’s rushers – especially snagging two ground scores from them. But, like Carolina, the Giants are also horrible. Aaron Jones and Ty Chandler combined for 111 rushing yards, a touchdown and 40 yards on a perfect 5-for-5 targets.
Aside from Terry McLaurin, the Commanders’ receiving corps has a lot to be desired. I expect Washington to heavily control the time of possession, and in doing so, they don’t have to force it on Brian Robinson Jr. either.
Washington’s strong desire for Ekeler in the offseason is partially reliant on his pass-catching abilities. I like a receiving and ground score for him on Sunday.
Editor’s Note: Ekeler ranks below Tier 4 in Wolf’s RB Rankings (RB34)
Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
At New England Patriots
Starter Kenneth Walker (oblique) is out against the Patriots, and with the way Seattle’s passing offense looked against Denver last week, Zach Charbonnet could be in for a major workhorse role.
Charbonnet, in three career starts, has averaged 20 attempts per game and 75 rushing yards. Despite a new coaching staff and ugly game, Walker had more than 100 yards on 20 attempts before exiting in the fourth quarter.
Cincinnati only elected to run the ball nine times with Zack Moss in his team debut, but it was a low-scoring, poor offensive showing all around for a Bengals offense that was missing its top two receivers.
I’m not convinced New England’s offense can win the time of possession battle against a more complete team (at least on paper), and if Seattle finds itself ahead or wanting to pound down on defenders, running with Charbonnet will accomplish that.
Editor’s Note: Charbonnet ranks below Tier 4 in Wolf’s RB Rankings (RB23)
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This will likely be the last time that Jamo qualifies for this sleeper list after his Week 1 blow-up against the Rams. However, The Wolf is seven spots ahead of the FantasyPros Expert Consensus Rankings, slotting Williams at WR25.
Williams finished as the Week 1 fantasy WR5 and put up a couple of eye-opening statistics, highlighted by a 32% target share, 15.4 aDOT, and 68% air yard share. The Bucs deploy a tough defense as a whole, but he could still put up numbers across from Amon-Ra St. Brown, who hopes to improve from his lackluster start to the season.
Lions coaches could not stop pumping the former first-round pick’s tires all offseason, and it appears they were right on the money with his year-three ascension. Let’s hope it continues this week as Jared Goff’s clear No. 2 option.
Editor’s Note: Williams ranks below Tier 4 in Wolf’s WR Rankings (WR25)
Demarcus Robinson, WR, LA Rams
At Arizona Cardinals
With Puka Nacua sidelined for at least four weeks due to a knee injury, Demarcus Robinson is set to step up as the Rams’ WR2 heading into Week 2.
Robinson ended last season on a high note, logging significant playing time. That trend continued in Week 1, when he was targeted seven times, including once in the end zone, signaling that he remains on Matthew Stafford’s radar.
Even with Cooper Kupp commanding a crazy 21 targets, Robinson has the opportunity to carve out a meaningful role. This could make him a sneaky fantasy flex option for Week 2 and beyond, depending on Nacua’s recovery on injured reserve.
In Week 1 against the Lions, Robinson’s seven targets were tied for second-most on the team, putting him in line for an expanded role as Nacua’s absence frees up 29% of the target share.
Robinson, alongside Tyler Johnson, will now be the primary receiving options behind Kupp. In Sean McVay’s pass-heavy offense with Stafford under center, Robinson’s increased workload could translate into solid fantasy value.
Editor’s Note: Robinson ranks below Tier 4 in Wolf’s WR Rankings (WR42)
Colby Parkinson, TE, LA Rams
At Arizona Cardinals
I know, I know. Putting two teammates on this list is cheating, but when Puka Nacua’s massive target share opens up, more than one player will benefit.
Enter Colby Parkinson.
In Week 1, Parkinson owned the TE1 role with an 88% snap rate, 84% route run rate, and a 10% target share. Although those aren’t elite fantasy TE1 numbers, we sometimes have to make lemonade out of lemons.
Parkinson’s upside qualifies him as a top tight end streamer this week, and he gets a juicy matchup against the Cardinals, who notoriously cannot guard the position. Last season, Arizona allowed the second-most receiving touchdowns to tight ends and consistently allowed chunks of yardage.
I like Parkinson for a touchdown this week, and you should, too.
Editor’s Note: Parkinson ranks in Tier 4 in Wolf’s TE Rankings (TE12)
