The Biggest Start/Sit Decisions for Week 2 (Fantasy Football)
Not sure if you noticed, but it’s Week 2 baby! Welcome to the 2023 season of the Start/Sit series, where we’ll discuss your most commonly asked “Who should I start?” questions for the week.
The projections between any two players on your roster may appear similar, but this “simple” choice could be the difference between your team’s victory or defeat. Luckily, the Fantasy Footballers have created an amazing Start/Sit tool to easily compare any two (or more) players with insight from the Ballers themselves, and trust me — it’s an extremely valuable asset that will help you make these crucial lineup decisions that could ultimately lead you to your #FootClanTitle.
In this article, you’ll find your most popular Start/Sit questions of the week, along with the Ballers’ projections and my personal opinions on the matter. Please note that the Footballers’ rankings are constantly being updated as news breaks, so make sure you check out the tool for yourself to catch any last-second changes.
So, without further ado, let’s kick things off with the biggest Start/Sit questions for Week 2:
WR:
Jahan Dotson (WAS) or Puka Nacua (LAR)?
I loved Dotson last week, but he was a major letdown in what should’ve been a one-sided whooping against the Cardinals. The good news: he had seven targets and caught five of them, both metrics being markedly better than what he averaged during his rookie season (5.1 targets and 2.9 receptions). The bad news? None of those targets were in the red zone, and he only managed 40 scoreless yards from his frantic sophomore QB. He had a measly 18.4% TPPR (WR45), which at least led the team with Curtis Samuel in second place at 15.6%.
On the other end is the surprise breakout rookie Puka Nacua, who boasts a spectacular 40% TPPR (WR3) after a 10-119-0 showcase from 15 (!!!) targets. He’s currently fantasy’s WR9 and was the WR3 in expected fantasy points, meaning there’s even more meat left on the bone. Sure, he’s a fifth-round rookie on a mediocre offense, facing a defense that’s tougher than the Bubble Yum Pete Carroll chomps on. But targets are earned, and the kid’s certainly earned his share, especially while stud receiver Cooper Kupp is OOO.
Puka Nacua definitely has the skill set to fill in some of the gaps left behind by Cooper Kupp for the LA Rams. Good underneath route runner who can also sting defenses downfield on out-breaking routes. Strong hands and YAC ability.
Puka's route success rate (how often he got… pic.twitter.com/UFqtaxGmvN
— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) September 10, 2023
Obviously, we should temper expectations against a divisional beast in the 49ers, but the Rams have a slightly higher implied team total than the Commanders and Nacua should be involved in getting them there. All of this makes him a recommended DraftKings and FanDuel DFS play. Just make sure he’s fully healthy.
All three Ballers have Dotson as the winner, and I agree. But I wouldn’t be surprised if Nacua heats up on Sunday.
The Verdict
Jahan Dotson
Tyler Lockett (SEA) or Zay Flowers (BAL)?
Speaking of disappointments, Tyler Lockett was a major one last week after scrounging up a depressing 2-10-0 line from four targets. But he’s always been a volatile player, so we are all ready to get hurt again in what should be a higher-scoring affair at Ford Field. There are clear concerns with the O-line, and 2023’s first drafted WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba will continue siphoning targets (of which he had one more than Lockett in the opener), so we’ll need Geno Smith to lean more heavily on Hot Lockett to keep up with Goff and co.
Zay Flowers emerged as the Ravens’ surefire WR1 with a 47.6% target share. However, Mark Andrews should return, meaning Flowers will most likely relinquish his crown as the team’s target share leader. His uninspiring 2.8 aDOT doesn’t help his case either. It’s best to wait and see until we first find out how the workload is spread with Andrews active.
The Verdict
Tyler Lockett
RB:
Miles Sanders (CAR) or James Conner (ARI)?
This matchup is all over the place in this battle of the “good, not great” dead zone RBs. Sanders saw more usage (18 carries, six targets) but will be up against a formidable Saints defensive front that stuffed all three of Derrick Henry‘s red zone attempts. Conner is on a similarly terrible but even less promising team, although he gets to face a Giants defense that just gave up two TDs to Tony Pollard.
Even the Ballers are split on this one, with Andy and Jason favoring their hometown guy while Mike prefers Sanders. I’d personally go with the matchups and choose Conner, but Sanders eeks it out in the projections.
The Verdict
Miles Sanders
TE:
Pat Freiermuth (PIT) or Hunter Henry (NE)?
Last season, Pat Freiermuth garnered only six targets, two receptions, 41 yards, and zero TDs total in two games against the Browns. He should see more usage with Diontae Johnson likely out, but he’ll also need to be in full health to really get Luth (sorry).
Meanwhile, New England’s Hunter Henry is miraculously fantasy’s reigning TE king in his ninth season, and he just may repeat himself in Week 2 with a favorable matchup in what should be a barnburner. My money’s on Henry — btw he’s also Mike’s TE Start of the Week — but the Muth edges it out in the projections.
The Verdict
Pat Freiermuth
QB:
Justin Fields (CHI) or Anthony Richardson (IND)?
It’s sad to say it, but based on last week’s tape, Colts rookie QB Anthony Richardson already looks more “football ready” than third-year veteran Justin Fields. Regardless, both guys have the legs to run up the score, and both are definitely not afraid to use them. They already have a combined 19 carries, 99 rushing yards, and a rushing TD after just one week.
Fields has the better matchup and higher implied team total and should run his way to a top-10 fantasy finish despite his throwing deficiencies, making him Andy’s QB Start of the Week and the crew’s favorite over Richardson. Both guys have safe floors with week-winning upside.
The Verdict
Justin Fields
FLEX:
Rachaad White (TB), Garret Wilson (NYJ), Marquise Brown (ARI), or Tyler Allgeier (ATL)?
It’s funny seeing Tyler Allgeier at the bottom of this list when he currently has the 11th most fantasy points out of ALL positions. He has more points than QBs like Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Anthony Richardson, and even first-round fantasy picks like Stefon Diggs, Tony Pollard, Justin Jefferson, and Bijan Robinson, the rookie sensation that Allgeier was only supposed to “back up.” The matchup is good and his workload should be secure as the team has no qualms with establishing the run till the final bell.
Meanwhile, Rachaad White gets the vote despite having the worst Week 1 performance of the bunch. But he has the easiest matchup, Vegas thinks his team will score the most, and he’s the bona fide RB1 for his team. He also has one of the worst O-lines imaginable while Allgeier has one of the best. But volume is king, and White is the only one who is guaranteed it.
Garrett Wilson is sadly benchable with Zac Wilson at the helm against a punishing Cowboys defense. Though if anyone has the talent to circumvent poor QB play, it’s him. Marquise Brown is in a similar situation until he gets Kyler Murray back.
The Verdict
Rachaad White
Good luck Footclan! If you have any questions, hit me up on Twitter. And don’t forget to tune in to the Sunday Live broadcast where Mike will answer your last-second Start/Sit questions!