Week 2 gave us a much better idea of which Week 1 performances were legitimate and which ones may have been noise. We’re still working with an extremely small sample, but two games is enough to start identifying meaningful changes in usage, especially when snap counts, routes and opportunities are moving in the same direction.
That’s what I’m focused on here. Touchdowns and fantasy points are obviously important, but I’m much more interested in the roles underneath them. Several players had disappointing Week 2 box scores despite extremely encouraging usage, while others produced fantasy points that could be difficult to sustain if their current roles continue. Here are my biggest fantasy football takeaways from Week 2.
TreVeyon Henderson Needs to Be New England’s RB1
This might have been the most important backfield development of Week 2. Rhamondre Stevenson opened the game as New England’s starter and played every snap on the opening drive before losing a fumble. According to PFF, Henderson then played 21 of the Patriots’ next 25 offensive snaps while Stevenson played only six. Henderson ultimately finished with 16 carries for 76 yards and a touchdown.
I’m not ready to call this a complete takeover because Stevenson remained involved in obvious passing situations, and his fumble clearly influenced how the Patriots handled the backfield. But Henderson showed exactly why New England drafted him. He gives this offense considerably more explosiveness, and there shouldn’t be many games going forward where Stevenson receives more touches. Whether Week 2 represented a permanent change or not, Henderson earned more work and is moving considerably higher in my rest-of-season rankings.
Bhayshul Tuten Has Taken Control of Jacksonville’s Backfield
I’m done treating Bhayshul Tuten like a speculative fantasy option. Tuten handled 13 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown against Denver, while Chris Rodriguez Jr. managed only six carries for 13 yards. More importantly, Tuten’s normal early-down snap rate climbed to 67.6%, and he handled half of Jacksonville’s goal-line snaps.
LeQuint Allen is still involved in obvious passing situations, so this isn’t a true three-down workload. But for fantasy purposes, I’m much more interested in who gets the early-down carries and opportunities around the goal line, and right now that’s Tuten. Rodriguez can be dropped in most normal-sized leagues, while Tuten has moved into weekly flex territory with a path toward considerably more. If this usage holds, we could eventually be talking about him as an RB2.
Jonah Coleman Is the Priority Waiver Add
Denver’s backfield suddenly became one of the most important situations to monitor heading into Week 3. RJ Harvey missed Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, and then J.K. Dobbins suffered a hamstring injury of his own. Once Dobbins went down, Jonah Coleman stepped directly into the early-down role while Tyler Badie handled more of the passing situations.
Everything depends on the severity of the injuries to Dobbins and Harvey. If both return immediately, Coleman could go right back to being difficult to trust. But we’re talking about a rookie who already appeared to be earning more involvement and could now walk into significant rushing volume. If you’re spending FAAB this week, Coleman should be near the top of the list.
Don’t Panic on Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty’s fantasy production hasn’t matched expectations yet, but I’m much more interested in his opportunity than two weeks of efficiency. Jeanty received 28 opportunities in Week 2 and continued dominating the valuable parts of Las Vegas’ backfield. According to PFF, he also handled all four Raiders goal-line snaps. He briefly left with an ankle issue but was able to return.
There was some concern entering the season that Mike Washington Jr. could steal short-yardage or goal-line work, but through two weeks that hasn’t happened. Jeanty has the volume, receiving involvement, and scoring opportunities we’re looking for from an elite fantasy running back. The production hasn’t followed yet, which makes this exactly the type of situation where I’d rather buy before the touchdowns and explosive plays arrive. If the Jeanty manager in your league is frustrated, I’m sending offers.
Bucky Irving’s Fantasy Value Is Rising
One of my biggest concerns with Bucky Irving entering the season was how much Kenneth Gainwell would cut into his workload. Through two weeks, I’m becoming much less worried about it. Irving handled 17 carries compared to only two for Gainwell in Week 2, and Tampa Bay increased Irving’s early-down involvement while continuing to use him in passing situations, two-minute situations, and short yardage.
Gainwell happened to play Tampa Bay’s lone goal-line snap, but according to PFF, it wasn’t a designed goal-line substitution. Irving doesn’t need a 90% snap share to produce like an elite fantasy running back, especially if Tampa Bay continues giving him a larger percentage of the rushing workload while keeping him involved as a receiver. I entered the season expecting Gainwell to be a legitimate obstacle, but after two weeks this backfield looks increasingly like Irving’s.
Omarion Hampton’s Volume Remains Extremely Encouraging
Omarion Hampton handled 23 carries and caught two passes in Week 2, giving him 25 opportunities despite Los Angeles continuing to rotate other backs into specific situations. Kimani Vidal remained involved in passing situations while Keaton Mitchell mixed in for six touches, giving the Chargers three backs with defined roles. Mitchell was still used sparingly, however, and neither backup came close to threatening Hampton’s overall workload.
The receiving role is the one part I’m monitoring. If Vidal consistently takes obvious passing situations, Hampton may not immediately develop into the true three-down back we hoped for. But 23 carries plus two receptions is more than enough volume to produce high-end fantasy numbers. For now, I’m treating Hampton as a strong fantasy starter and viewing the 25 opportunities as significantly more important than the handful of touches going to the backs behind him.
Travis Etienne’s Backfield Is Becoming Difficult to Trust
Alvin Kamara’s return immediately made Travis Etienne’s fantasy situation more complicated, but the usage wasn’t quite as disastrous as the final box score makes it look. Kamara controlled the backfield early, receiving 10 first-half touches while Etienne had only two carries. That flipped after halftime, with Etienne out-snapping Kamara 21-7 and out-touching him 8-4 in the second half.
The concern is that we’re now dealing with a backfield without a clearly established weekly hierarchy. Kamara’s return created another major competitor for touches, while New Orleans continues rotating a third back into situational work. I’m not completely burying Etienne because his second-half usage gives us a reason to avoid overreacting, but I’m also no longer comfortable treating him as an automatic RB2. Until we see whether that second-half workload carries over, he’s closer to the RB3/flex range.
Aaron Jones Is Suddenly a Workhorse
Jordan Mason’s injury completely changed Minnesota’s backfield. Jones played 80.8% of the Vikings’ offensive snaps in Week 2, handled 31 of Minnesota’s first 38 offensive snaps through three quarters, and returned after briefly leaving with a knee issue. That increased workload translated into 23 carries for 105 yards.
That’s a massive change from the committee we saw in Week 1. The knee needs to be monitored, and Minnesota’s offense has its own issues, but Jones no longer has Mason taking a substantial portion of the early-down workload and goal-line opportunities. As long as Jones is healthy, I’m treating him like a legitimate weekly fantasy starter.
Tank Bigsby Could Become a Must-Start if Saquon Barkley Misses Time
Saquon Barkley’s status is going to be one of the biggest injury situations to monitor heading into Week 3. Barkley suffered a stinger against Tennessee and was able to return, but he played only one of Philadelphia’s 20 fourth-quarter snaps. Tank Bigsby took advantage of the additional opportunity, finishing with 13 carries for 33 yards and a touchdown.
The Eagles appear to have fairly defined backup roles, with Bigsby operating as the early-down and short-yardage option while Will Shipley is more likely to handle passing situations. Philadelphia’s offensive line and scoring environment can create fantasy value without a running back dominating every passing-down snap, so Bigsby becomes extremely interesting if Barkley can’t play. If Barkley is ruled out for Week 3, I’m comfortable putting Bigsby directly into fantasy lineups.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Has Entered the Overall WR1 Conversation
There isn’t much left to question with Jaxon Smith-Njigba. The production is elite, the target volume is elite and Seattle’s receiver usage continues moving further in his direction. One of the more interesting developments underneath JSN’s production is what’s happening with Cooper Kupp. According to PFF, Kupp’s participation in 12 personnel has fallen substantially from last season through the first two weeks, and he didn’t play any of Seattle’s 15 single-receiver snaps Sunday.
JSN doesn’t have those problems. He’s the centerpiece of the passing offense regardless of personnel grouping, and at this point I’m comfortable treating him as one of the very best receivers in fantasy football. We’re beyond discussing whether he’s a WR1. The question now is how high he belongs within that tier.
Christian Watson Is Finally Getting WR1-Type Volume
Christian Watson averaging 8.5 targets through two games might be one of my favorite early-season developments. Watson drew six targets in Week 1 and another 11 in Week 2, turning Sunday’s opportunities into four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. We’ve always known the talent and big-play ability were there. The issue has been consistency, health and Green Bay spreading the football around too much for Watson to receive reliable weekly volume.
That appears to be changing. Green Bay has consolidated its receiver rotation around Watson and Matthew Golden, and now Jayden Reed is dealing with a potentially significant neck injury. If Watson continues seeing eight-plus targets per game, his ceiling changes completely. We’re talking about a receiver who already possesses elite downfield ability finally receiving the volume necessary to become a consistent high-end fantasy starter. I’m buying the breakout.
Stefon Diggs Is Rising, But I’m Not Giving Up on Terry McLaurin
Stefon Diggs has quickly become one of the biggest risers in my rankings. After seeing nine targets and scoring in Week 1, Diggs continued showing that Washington intends to feature him. His ability to command targets whenever he’s on the field has been extremely encouraging, but I wouldn’t go as far as declaring Terry McLaurin unstartable. McLaurin still led Washington in route participation in Week 2, so this isn’t a situation where Diggs has simply replaced him as the unquestioned No. 1 receiver.
The larger concern is Jayden Daniels, who suffered a dislocated left elbow against Dallas. Initial testing showed no fracture, but we don’t know enough yet to assign a return timetable. I’m moving Diggs up because the involvement looks legitimate, while McLaurin is moving down because the production hasn’t followed his opportunities and the quarterback situation creates considerably more uncertainty for the entire Washington passing game.
Denzel Boston Shouldn’t Be Sitting on Waivers
There aren’t many widely available receivers who are actually functioning as the top receiver in their offense, but Denzel Boston appears to be one of them. PFF’s personnel data shows Boston remaining Cleveland’s primary receiver across its major personnel groupings, while Jerry Jeudy and KC Concepcion rotate more frequently around him.
Cleveland isn’t going to be an offense we love targeting every week, but that’s also part of the appeal. The Browns should find themselves chasing points plenty this season, creating the type of garbage-time passing volume that can make a receiver surprisingly useful in fantasy. If Boston continues leading Cleveland’s receivers in routes, he shouldn’t be sitting on waivers.
Chicago’s Pass Catchers Are Becoming a Mess
Chicago’s passing game might be one of the hardest situations to evaluate through two weeks. Luther Burden played every 11-personnel snap in Week 2, which sounds great until you look at what happens when Chicago uses heavier formations. According to PFF, Burden played only one of the Bears’ 17 snaps in 13 personnel, leaving him with a route participation rate of just 71.4%. That’s a problem in an offense willing to use those heavier formations frequently, while Colston Loveland has also failed to establish himself as the dominant receiving tight end many expected.
Burden has actually been encouraging when he’s been involved, so the concern isn’t talent or efficiency; it’s simply that he isn’t running enough routes to support the fantasy expectations surrounding him. Caleb Williams’ status adds another layer of uncertainty after he suffered a right hamstring injury on a non-contact scramble against Minnesota, with the severity still being evaluated. Until we know Williams’ status and see this receiving rotation consolidate, I’m lowering expectations for Chicago’s secondary pass catchers.
Dalton Kincaid’s Breakout Looks Real
Two weeks into the season, Dalton Kincaid might be one of the biggest fantasy winners. His route participation climbed to 71.1% against Detroit, and Buffalo continues finding ways to keep him involved through heavier personnel groupings. The Bills have already used double-digit snaps of 13 personnel in both games this season after never reaching that mark in a game last year.
The concern with Kincaid has never been talent. It’s been whether Buffalo would consistently put him on the field and allow him to run enough routes to become an elite fantasy tight end. We’re finally seeing that happen, and the personnel changes suggest this isn’t simply a two-game production spike. I’m treating Kincaid as an every-week TE1 until the role gives us a reason not to.
Sam LaPorta Is Back to a Full-Time Role
LaPorta’s Week 1 usage created some concern because his workload remained limited coming off his back and hip issues, but that concern largely disappeared against Buffalo. After taking one early play off, LaPorta essentially remained on the field with Detroit’s starters for the rest of the game. PFF specifically noted afterward that his recent injuries no longer appear to be affecting his workload.
LaPorta’s talent was never the question. We simply needed confirmation that Detroit was comfortable returning him to his normal workload, and we got that in Week 2. There’s no longer much reason to treat him differently because of the limited deployment we saw in the opener, and I’m comfortable putting LaPorta right back into the every-week TE1 group.
Tucker Kraft Is a Perfect Buy-Low
If you’re looking at Week 2 fantasy points alone, Tucker Kraft doesn’t stand out. If you’re looking at his usage, he absolutely does. Kraft caught only two passes for 15 yards, but his snap share jumped to 98.3% and his route participation reached 93.8%, compared with a 47.8% route participation rate in Week 1.
That’s an enormous role change hidden behind a terrible fantasy box score. When a player runs a route on nearly every passing play and doesn’t receive targets, I’m usually willing to bet on the targets increasing before I bet on the routes disappearing. Green Bay potentially losing Jayden Reed only creates more opportunity, making Kraft exactly the type of player I want to buy before the fantasy production catches up to the usage.
Juwan Johnson’s Box Score Is Hiding a Concerning Change
Juwan Johnson caught four passes for 66 yards in Week 2, which looks like another encouraging fantasy performance after his strong opener. The underlying role tells a different story. His route participation fell from 79% in Week 1 to only 59% in Week 2 as Noah Fant and Oscar Delp became more involved.
I’d much rather roster the tight end whose routes are increasing before the production than the tight end producing while his routes are disappearing. Johnson can still be useful, particularly because New Orleans has shown a willingness to target him in valuable areas of the field, but I’m lowering expectations if this rotation continues. Coming off another productive box score, he’s someone I’d at least consider selling if another manager values him as a locked-in TE1.
George Kittle Is Getting Closer to His Normal Role
Kittle still isn’t playing his usual workload, but Week 2 was a major step in the right direction. His route participation increased from 47.2% in Week 1 to 60% on Sunday, and San Francisco intentionally used more of his limited snaps on passing plays. Kittle responded with four catches for 80 yards and a touchdown.
The raw snap percentage matters less if the 49ers are intentionally getting him onto the field when they’re throwing. Eventually, I’d still like to see Kittle return to his normal workload, but concentrating his snaps on passing situations gives him a much better chance of producing while San Francisco continues managing him. Week 2 was enough for me to feel significantly more comfortable starting him going forward.
Patrick Mahomes’ Fantasy Ceiling Is Coming Back
Patrick Mahomes might be one of the biggest fantasy risers through two weeks. After showing encouraging mobility in Week 1, Mahomes reminded everyone of his passing ceiling against Indianapolis, completing 32 of 47 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns in Kansas City’s 33-30 overtime win. The encouraging part isn’t simply the 382 yards; it’s that we’re starting to see multiple paths toward elite fantasy production again.
Mahomes showed in Week 1 that the ACL and LCL injuries haven’t completely taken away his mobility, including a rushing touchdown against Denver, and then the passing volume and ceiling returned in Week 2. He doesn’t need Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson rushing numbers for that to matter. Another 20-30 rushing yards in certain weeks with the occasional touchdown can raise his fantasy floor considerably. Two games isn’t enough to declare vintage Mahomes completely back, but I’m moving him up my rest-of-season quarterback rankings because his path toward finishing among the elite fantasy quarterbacks looks much stronger than it did entering the year.
