Flex Options for Week 2 (Fantasy Football)
Welcome back for another week of this Flex Options column! We had some good and some bad in Week 1. Jayden Reed finished as the number one wide receiver on the week, and Jameson Williams proved himself more than worthy of a deep-league dart throw. Even Jerome Ford managed to fall into the end zone in garbage time and return flex value. On the other hand, Tank Dell and Javonte Williams didn’t quite pan out so nicely if you had them in your flex spot. Most importantly, we learned a lot from Week 1, and we’re ready to take another stab at some players who can help you win your matchup this week, or at least not be the reason you lose.
Tony Pollard
Pollard got 61% of the snaps for Tennessee’s offense last week, which featured a surprisingly effective ground game in the absence of Derrick Henry. Pollard’s heavy snap share equated to 20 opportunities, which he turned into 94 scrimmage yards, including an impressive 26-yard TD run where he showed off his explosive athleticism. This week, Pollard faces a Jets defense that just got gashed for 147 yards by 49ers’ running back Jordan Mason. Look for the Titans to try and replicate this plan of attack and continue to feed touches to Pollard.
Ezekiel Elliott
Speaking of Tony Pollard, his former teammate Ezekiel Elliott is also a good flex option this week. Zeke is back in Dallas, and he seems to have picked back up where he left off as the early down grinder and goal-line back. Zeke played 51% of snaps for the Cowboys in Week 1, taking 10 rushes for 40 yards. More importantly, he got the one and only goal line attempt, plunging in for a three-yard touchdown. Dallas figures to have one of the better offenses in the league, so there should be plenty of goal-line chances for Elliott to punch in this season. This week, the Cowboys find themselves with a 26-point implied team total against the New Orleans Saints. Flex Zeke if you’re in a pinch and hope he once again finds his way into the end zone.
Xavier Worthy
It didn’t take long for the fastest man (by 40-yard dash time) in NFL history to make a splash. He scored two touchdowns on just three touches in his NFL debut. The first came on an end-around where he outran the entire Ravens defense to the end zone (shown below), and the second on a busted coverage up the sideline where Worthy essentially walked into the end zone. Although he only saw three targets in Week 1, Worthy appeared to be the clear-cut number two WR for Kansas City with Hollywood Brown sidelined due to injury. The modest usage is a slight concern, but you won’t find a flex option with more upside than Worthy in this high over/under matchup (47.5) with the Cincinnati Bengals. I think it might be fair to say Xavier is worthy of every-week flex consideration going forward.
XAVIER WORTHY HAS ARRIVED.
📺: #Kickoff2024 on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0612BrVxlJ— NFL (@NFL) September 6, 2024
Brian Thomas Jr.
Here is another rookie wideout who impressed in his NFL debut. Like Worthy, Thomas Jr. overcame limited volume to post a productive stat line in Week 1. His four targets actually tied for the most among Jaguars wide receivers on a day when quarterback Trevor Lawrence only threw 21 passes. He caught all four of those targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. With a 6’2”, 209-pound frame, 4.33-second 40-yard dash, and an impressive college resume, Thomas profiles as a player who could become a true alpha for the Jaguars. If he does, you’ll want him in your lineup when the true breakout game happens. It could be this week against the Cleveland Browns.
Demarcus Robinson
Puka Nacua has been placed on IR, and it’s Demarcus Robinson who figures to benefit the most from his absence. Robinson isn’t flashy, nor is he the type of player who is going to break out and evolve into a WR1 for your fantasy team, but he posted four finishes inside the top-24 over the final six games of last year, and he was heavily involved again last week. The point total for this week’s game against the Arizona Cardinals is currently at 49.5, so there figures to be some scoring in this matchup. Fire up Robinson in your flex spot if your roster has already been thinned out by injuries, and expect him to see enough volume to not tank your week.