Fantasy Football Week 2: Top 5 sleepers to consider
By Genna Preston
This week’s fantasy football sleeper picks are in! Shake things up and add one of these 5 players to your Week 2 roster.
Welcome to fantasy football Week 2. If you won your season opener, congratulations! If you lost last week’s matchup, there’s still time to make roster changes.
Week 1 is always the most difficult. We don’t have much to compare anything to; you set your lineup according to 2016 statistics and preseason. With Week 1 out of the way, we have a good starting point for Week 2.
There were two season-ending injuries; David Johnson and Allen Robinson. Odell Beckham Jr. is unofficially going to miss at least six weeks of the season due to an ankle injury. Danny Amendola is dealing with a shoulder injury and concussion and missed practice Thursday. Danny Woodhead was placed on injured reserve.
It’s only Week 2 and your A+ fantasy football draft is quickly deteriorating. You may not be able to grab top-ranked players off of the waiver, but you can get some of this week’s sleeper picks.
They may not be every week starters, but this week, these five players should go above and beyond projected fantasy points. Take a risk and start one of these top five sleepers of Week 2.
Next: 5. Allen for Allen
5. Wide Receiver Allen Hurns, Jacksonville Jaguars
This pick is especially for all of you Allen Robinson owners. After going down in Week 1, we learned Robinson tore his ACL. He recently underwent surgery and will miss the rest of the 2017 season.
Allen Hurns is a great filler. Since 2014, Hurns has played 43 games. He has completed 153-of-282 targets for a little under 2,330 yards and 19 touchdowns. Hurns also has experience “filling” in.
There is a debate as to whether Hurns will start over Marqise Lee, but given his past success, I am assuming the Jacksonville Jaguars will focus on Hurns, especially this week.
The Jaguars face the Tennessee Titans, who surrendered the second most fantasy football points to opposing wideouts. Last week, when the Titans played the Oakland Raiders, two wide receivers scored. Everything points to Hurns in this Week 2 game.
Next: 4. This QB had almost 20 fantasy points in Week 1
4. Quarterback Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
If your Week 1 quarterback let you down, chances are Jared Goff is still available in most leagues; he’s owned in less than 10 percent of Yahoo! fantasy football leagues. Although it still isn’t clear if he’ll be trustworthy all season, last week’s performance increased his Week 2 value.
Jared Goff had his first 300-yard game and a touchdown. He earned almost 20 points. This week’s Washington Redskin game assumes the same outcome.
Last week, the Redskins surrendered just about 300 yards through the air in Week 1. There’s no reason he can’t repeat his performance. Especially, with a new outlook on the game.
Goff is showing confidence, self-assurance and has a better offensive line. I am not sure how long this will last, but fantasy owners should take advantage of the situation while they can. Look for Goff to surprise everyone in Week 2.
Next: 3. This Buccaneer is going to make a statement
3. Running Back Jacquizz Rodgers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jacquizz Rodgers is considered a sleeper in Week 2, only because we haven’t seen him in action yet. With Doug Martin suspended, fantasy owners couldn’t wait to start Rodgers against a poor Miami defense, but that will have to wait.
If it’s any consolation, Rodgers has another ideal matchup in Week 2. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers prepare to take on the Chicago Bears, who aren’t very strong at defending the run.
The Bears have surrendered nine touchdowns to the position, in their last four-season games. In last week’s game, they offered running back Devonta Freeman a touchdown, and Rodgers should follow in his steps this week.
Not to mention, the Bears also put linebacker Jerrell Freeman on the injured reserve list. Rodgers is a must go in his Week 2 season debut.
Next: 2. This slot receiver has a great matchup
2. Wide Receiver Golden Tate, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions enter Week 2 as an underdog, even after an amazing season opener comeback. Most fantasy analysts have Matthew Stafford, Eric Ebron, and Marvin Jones Jr. on their fantasy football sit list this week.
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However, I am going against the odds, which is why I am naming Golden Tate a Week 2 sleeper. If you saw last week’s game, you would understand my reasoning Tate looked great in the slot.
He completed 10-of-12 passes, which was a team high. He had over 100 yards and even added seven rushing yards. This week, Tate should have a field day as he takes on a soft New York Giants secondary.
The Giants rank in the top five teams that allowed the most receptions and yards to players in the slot. If Tate chooses his paths wisely, he could have an outstanding fantasy week.
Next: 1. True sleeper alert with D/ST
1. Detroit Lions D/ST
Sticking with the Detroit Lions theme, I am taking a gamble with my No. 1 fantasy football sleeper pick of Week 2. The Detroit Lions have never been known for their defense, but with the right matchup, they can swing a healthy amount of fantasy points.
During their season opener, the Lions defense looked like a completely different team; so far the offseason signings and draft are paying off. They had one sack and three interceptions against the Arizona Cardinals.
The Lions more than doubled their Week 1 fantasy football projection, and I am expecting another great showdown this week against the New York Giants. The Giants haven’t scored more than 20 points in their last seven outings, including last year’s playoffs.
Must Read: Fantasy Football Week 2: Top 5 quarterbacks to start
I am expecting the Lions to force turnovers and put pressure on Eli Manning. Only projected to earn about eight points this week, I am confident the Lions could see double-digits. Trust the process and take a chance with the Lions D/ST in Week 2.