Welcome to the Week 2 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.
“The Decider” is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 — a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
- There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they’re active. Those are the “regular starts.”
- For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are “stronger starts,” while the recommended sits are “weaker starts.”
- We’re also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, “The Decider” also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for tips on how to put the best fantasy football lineups on “the field” for your critical second game.
FANTASY WEEK 2 PPR RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Must-start Week 2 QBs
- Josh Allen, Bills (at NYJ)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at CLE)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at KC)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (at LV)
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders (at GB)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (vs. JAX)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. CAR)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (vs. PHI)
- Justin Fields, Jets (vs. BUF)
- Drake Maye, Patriots (at MIA)
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (if he plays, at NO)
Strong Week 2 QB starts
12. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. NYG): The Cowboys did their best to stick with the Eagles, and Prescott was denied at least one TD pass. That won’t happen again as he plays Giants killer at home.
13. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. CHI): Goff is indoors in a potential high-scoring revenge game with the Bears in the Ben Johnson revenge game.
14. Caleb Williams, Bears (at DET): Caleb compiled in an ugly way on MNF, but all that still counts in fantasy ahead of dueling Goff.
15. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (vs. SEA): He’s back in weekly consideration after 4 and 0 on the Jets, and the Seahawks are not scary at all at home.
16. J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (vs. ATL): Don’t make fun of this latest Kevin O’Connell “system” QB anymore after his rally on MNF, and he can Baker-ize the Falcons at home.
17. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at CIN): Cool the jets on his breakout because he didn’t do much vs. the Panthers, but he’ll need to throw vs. Burrow.
DFS QB Week 2 pick
Justin Fields, Jets ($5,700 on DraftKings, $7,600 on FanDuel): The Bills had a terrible time defending the dual threat of Lamar Jackson at home and will have some issues vs. the Jets’ new red-hot offense on the road, where Fields gets it done big with arm and legs again.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 2 QB plays
18. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at HOU): The Texans are tricky for him with their pass rush and coverage on the road, and they will be jacked up in prime time.
19. Bo Nix, Broncos (at IND): Nix started his sophomore slump against the Titans at home to tell you to stay away from him on the road, where he wasn’t as good as a rookie.
20. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (at MIN): The legend of the Penix will meet a similar fate vs. a McCarthy team after losing to him in the natty.
21. Jordan Love, Packers (at WAS): The Commanders defense is getting harder to feel good about on the other side and you can do much better.
22. Daniel Jones, Colts (vs. DEN): Don’t go chasing Week 1 against this much, much tougher visiting defense.
23. C.J. Stroud, Texans (vs. TB): He’s borderline droppable in one-QB leagues should the poor play continue.
FANTASY LINEUP TIPS: Week 2 Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em | Week 2 Sleepers
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start ‘Em: Running backs
Must-start Week 2 RBs
- Derrick Henry, Ravens (at CLE)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at NO)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at MIN)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. CHI)
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles (at KC)
- Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at HOU)
- Chase Brown, Bengals (vs. JAX)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (at TEN)
- De’Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. NE)
- Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs. WAS)
- James Conner, Cardinals (vs. CAR)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. DEN)
- Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (vs. LAC)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at CIN)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. BUF)
- James Cook, Bills (at NYJ)
- Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at LV)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. SF)
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at ARI)
- Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. LAR)
- Jaylen Warren, Steelers (vs. SEA)
- TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (at MIA)
- RJ Harvey, Broncos (at IND)
- David Montgomery, Lions (vs. CHI)
Strong Week 2 RB starts
25. Aaron Jones, Vikings (vs. ATL): Keep rolling with him in a juicy spot after what Irving did.
26. D’Andre Swift, Bears (at DET): Stick with him for volume for now but it can get ugly because they can’t run the ball.
27. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. GB): “Bill” will remain a big running game factor on the road, too.
28. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. NYG): He can do more than plunge into the end zone a couple of times to give you good production.
29. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (at DAL): Tracy should be rather busy and the Cowboys run defense stinks.
30. Jordan Mason, Vikings (at ATL): He got enough work with Jones to FLEX him at the very worst for a second straight week.
31. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (at PIT): He looks the high-leverage touch guy in their sudden committee and the Steelers gave it up to Hall.
DFS RB Week 2 Picks
Kyren Williams, Rams (at TEN, $6,300 on DraftKings, $8,000 on FanDuel): Williams can remain steady powering through a Titans defense that didn’t stop Denver’s duo in a very positive and more productive game script.
Travis Etienne, Jaguars (at CIN, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,700 on FanDuel): He’s back to being the guy with no more Tank Bigsby talk and he can dominate for a second straight week in a great matchup with fine volume with the price being in everyone’s favor.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 2 plays
32. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at MIA): Not with Henderson looking better. even in a good matchup.
33. Trey Benson, Cardinals (vs. CAR): He can have his flashes but it’s still a heavy Conner backfield.
34. Austin Ekeler, Commanders (at GB): “Bill” is keeping him from charging.
35. Dylan Sampson, Browns (vs. BAL): Sampson was strong as a receiver last week but gets shut down in his second game.
36. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (at PIT): He looked rough against the 49ers and won’t suddenly slump-bust here.
37. JK Dobbins, Broncos (at IND): Yeah, don’t depend on the TDs behind the more explosive Harvey.
38. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at LAC): This running game really stinks for Mahomes.
39. Nick Chubb, Texans (vs. TB): Nothing cheap comes vs. Vita Vea.
PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 2 WRs
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (vs. JAX)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. NYG)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. ATL)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. CHI)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (at KC)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (at CIN)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (at TEN)
- Nico Collins, Texans (vs. TB)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (vs. CAR)
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at LV)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. BUF)
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (at PIT)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. JAX)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at HOU)
- Drake London, Falcons (at MIN)
- Davante Adams, Rams (at. TEN)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (at IND)
- Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (at HOU)
- DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. SEA)
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (at CLE)
- Malik Nabers, Giants (at DAL)
- Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (at NO)
- Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. CHI)
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders (at GB)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (at GB)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at ARI)
- Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (vs. LAC)
Strong WR Week 2 starts
28.Stefon Diggs, Patriots (at MIA): He was solid last week and he gets to play alpha this week.
29. Keenan Allen, Chargers (at LV): It was just like old times for him and Herbert as he catches his way to Canton.
30. Hollywood Brown, Chiefs (vs. PHI): He can be the guy if healthy for Worthy as the big-play threat of choice.
31. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. NE): Here’s hoping for the best in a favorable spot at home even with a bad QB.
32. D.J. Moore, Bears (at DET): He should get peppered with targets in the second half.
33. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at KC): Trust in him and Brown to get going as the Chiefs’ secondary stunk vs. big plays in Week 1.
34. Jerry Jeudy, Browns (vs. BAL): Pump the brakes on another player being their top wide receiver.
35. Travis Hunter, Jaguars (at CIN): We’re calling his first TD catch on the Bengals secondary.
36. Rome Odunze, Bears (at DET): He underwhelmed until scoring on MNF but he looks like the key go-to guy for Williams more than Moore.
DFS WR Week 2 picks
Tee Higgins, Bengals (vs. JAX, $6,100 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): He and Ja’Marr Chase will get greased well for big plays after underwhelming with Burrow in Week 1.
Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. CHI, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,100 on FanDuel): He and Amon-Ra St. Brown will get greased well for big plays after underwhelming with Goff in Week 1.
DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at KC, $5,600 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel): He and A.J. Brown will get greased well for big plays after underwhelming with Hurts in Week 1.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 2 WR plays
37. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (vs. NE): He’s hut and he’s got Tua, so no.
38. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. DEN): He’s Surtain to have a much tougher mathcup this week.
39. Calvin Ridley, Titans (vs. LAR): No more Surtain, but the Rams’ pass defense is getting tough.
40. George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. NYG): Here we go all over again with his massive upside disappointing.
41. Chris Olave, Saints (vs. SF): Here’s not feeling much with wideouts with Spencer Rattler.
42. Cooper Kupp, Seahawks (at PIT): There’s not much to see here beyond JSN.
43. Keon Coleman, Bills (at NYJ): The Buffalo baby’s got Sauce
44. Cedric Tillman, Browns (vs. BAL): Let’s not “entertain” this risky play again.
BEST PICKUPS: Fantasy Week 2 waiver wire adds
Fantasy Football Week 2 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
Must-start Week 2 TEs
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (vs. CAR)
- Brock Bowers, Raiders (vs. LAC)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. CHI)
- Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. DEN)
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. PHI)
- Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. WAS)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (at CLE)
- Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at NYJ)
Stronger Week 2 TE starts
9. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (at CIN): When you’re Strange, faces look pretty when you keep producing in great tight end matchups.
10. Hunter Henry, Patriots (at MIA): The Double H will throw down the Dolphins inside coverage.
11. Evan Engram, Broncos (if he plays, at IND): They need him badly for Nix.
12. David Njoku, Browns (vs. BAL): We’re not ready to totally give up in a good matchup, but be wary of rookie Harold Fannin Jr.
13. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at MIN): Let’s take another shot at him if needed with a lot of bad tight ends out there.
14. Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. GB): He can easily find the end zone again, locked in with Daniels.
DFS TE Week 2 pick
Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. MIA $4,500 on DraftKings, $5,500 on FanDuel): Until they realize he is super cheap as a top-five tight end as a rookie, you gotta keep going to the wall for this year’s Bowers or LaPorta.
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 2 starts
15. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at ATL): He has lost plenty after the knee issues and it doesn’t feel good with McCarthy.
16. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. NYG): They paid him a lot for Lamb to dominate targets.
17. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at KC): This is more of a WR game for Hurts.
18. Cade Otton, Buccaneers (at HOU): We’ll pass after his zero.
19. Jonnu Smith, Steelers (vs. SEA): Don’t chase the TD.
20. Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. SF): Don’t chase what he did vs. the Cardinals’ D with Fred Warner lurking.
MORE: George Kittle fantasy replacements to add
Fantasy Football Week 2: Defense/special teams best starts
- Baltimore Ravens (at CLE)
- Los Angeles Rams (at TEN)
- San Francisco 49ers (at NO)
- Arizona Cardinals (vs. CAR)
- Denver Broncos (at IND)
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. ATL)
- Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. SEA)
- New England Patriots (at MIA)
- Los Angeles Chargers (at LV)
- Detroit Lions (vs. CHI)
- Indianapolis Colts (vs. DEN)
DFS Week 2 D/ST pick
Dallas Cowboys (vs. NYG, $3,000 on DraftKings, $3,400 on FanDuel): If they don’t force multiple turnovers from Russell Wilson and get a pick six from him to send him to the bench, that would be the actual real shock.
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