Week 1 gave us plenty of surprising fantasy performances, but one big game doesn’t automatically equate to a perennial weekly lineup lock. Here are my best and worst matchups to consider at each position heading into Week 2.
Quarterback
Best: Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Baker Mayfield has everything he needs for a Week 2 bounce-back against the Browns. Ball security was a major issue in Tampa Bay’s opener, but Mayfield still completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards, and added 30 yards on the ground with a rushing TD to boot. Now he gets a Cleveland defense that just surrendered four passing touchdowns to Trevor Lawrence and generated only one sack in Week 1. If the Browns continue to struggle generating pressure, it could give Mayfield the clean pocket he needs to light up the scoreboard. There’s also some extra juice here, as Mayfield will face the team that drafted him for the first time since leaving Cleveland. After a frustrating opener, this sets up as an ideal spot for Mayfield to get back on track.
Worst: QB Jacoby Brisset, Arizona Cardinals (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Jacoby Brissett played well in Arizona’s season opener, completing 27 of 37 passes for 277 yards and a touchdown without throwing an interception. However, he draws a brutal matchup in Week 2 against Seattle. The Seahawks rank first in blended FPA allowed to quarterbacks, giving up just 13.9 fantasy points per game to the position. That makes Brissett a tough sell despite his strong debut. Brissett remains a viable option in two-quarterback and superflex leagues, but fantasy managers with comparable alternatives should look elsewhere this week.
Running Back
Best: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders (@ Dallas Cowboys)
Jacory Croskey-Merritt answered some questions about Washington’s crowded backfield in Week 1, emerging as the clear leader in touches. Croskey-Merritt handled 16 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown, accounting for half of the Commanders’ rushing attempts while Rachaad White and Kaytron Allen combined for just 11 carries. That workload makes him especially appealing heading into a Week 2 divisional matchup with Dallas. The Cowboys allowed 165 rushing yards to the Giants in their opener, giving “Bill” a favorable opportunity to build on his strong debut. If Washington continues to lean on him as its primary back, the former New Mexico Lobo has legitimate RB2 upside this week.
Worst: D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
It’s hard to look at what D’Andre Swift did in Week 1 and not be ecstatic going into Week 2, but the matchup with Minnesota is a different story. Swift racked up 124 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries as Chicago exploded for 59 points, though he wasn’t the only Bears running back getting work. Kyle Monangai carried the ball 10 times for 100 yards and a 61-yard touchdown, giving Chicago another option to lean on. Minnesota ranks second in blended FPA to running backs at just 15.6 fantasy points per game. Swift is still a big part of this offense, but expecting another three-touchdown performance against the Vikings is asking for a lot.
Wide Receiver
Best: WR D.J. Moore, Buffalo Bills (vs. Detroit Lions)
I’ll take the L here from last week. I had listed Moore as my worst wide receiver matchup in Week 1 against a tough Houston defense. Instead, Moore proved me dead-wrong, catching five passes for 100 yards and a touchdown, the most receiving yards he has ever recorded in Week 1. Now he gets a much friendlier matchup with Detroit. The Lions jumped out to a 21-point lead against New Orleans last week but gave it all back, with Saints quarterback Tyler Shough throwing for 410 yards before the game went to overtime. Buffalo should also have plenty of reason to keep throwing, as Detroit’s offense has enough firepower to keep the Bills from taking their foot off the gas. After producing against a much tougher defense in Week 1, Moore has the volume and matchup to put together another strong performance.
Worst: WR DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers (@ New England Patriots)
DK Metcalf saw more targets than any other Steelers receiver in Week 1, but he turned them into just 40-something yards as Pittsburgh leaned heavily on short throws from Aaron Rodgers. That could be a problem again against New England. The Patriots are likely to have Christian Gonzalez spend plenty of time on Metcalf, making it harder for him to create the explosive plays that make him such an appealing fantasy option. Pittsburgh averaged only 10 yards per reception in its opener, and Metcalf finished behind Michael Pittman and Pat Freiermuth in receiving yards. The target volume is encouraging, but with a difficult individual matchup and an offense that may not push the ball downfield much, Metcalf looks more like a middling flex play in Week 2.
Tight End
Best: TE Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns (@Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Harold Fannin Jr. had a quiet Week 1, catching just two passes for 21 yards, but there’s plenty of reason to expect a bounce-back against Tampa Bay. With David Njoku gone, Fannin enters the season as Cleveland’s top receiving tight end after catching 72 passes for 731 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie. He now gets the best possible matchup at the position, as Tampa Bay ranks 32nd in blended FPA to tight ends at 18.7 fantasy points per game. The Buccaneers also just allowed Cincinnati tight end Mike Gesicki to go off for 78 yards and a touchdown, which could open the door for Fannin to make an impact. Cleveland’s offense comes with plenty of uncertainty, but Fannin’s role and matchup make him tough to leave on the bench.
Worst: TE Juwuan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (vs. Baltimore Ravens)
Juwan Johnson rewarded fantasy managers who trusted him in Week 1, catching three of seven targets for 54 yards and a touchdown. Unfortunately, the matchup gets considerably tougher against Baltimore. The Ravens allowed the fewest touchdowns to tight ends in the NFL last season, and no tight end gained more than 60 receiving yards against them. They also held Indianapolis’ Tyler Warren to just 13 yards in Week 1. Johnson’s seven targets are encouraging, but he has plenty of competition for opportunities in New Orleans, with Chris Olave seeing 13 targets and Noah Fant getting eight in the opener. Johnson should have better weeks ahead, but this is a spot where fantasy managers should look elsewhere if they have another viable tight end option.
