The Biggest Start/Sit Decisions for Week 2 (Fantasy Football)
Football season is here, and it is already Week 2! We started strong, going 4-0 with our Week 1 picks. Sure, Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle didn’t do much, but a win is a win, and we will take it. Now let’s keep that momentum going. Early-season trends can make lineup choices tough, but with the Fantasy Footballers Start/Sit tool and my weekly analysis, we will help you make the right picks. The goal is the same: get another win, keep the streak alive, and keep chasing that championship.
Week 2 brings some tough Start/Sit choices for the FootClan, so let’s jump right into the matchups:
Bhayshul Tuten or Jacory Croskey-Merritt?
First up is a classic Andy vs. Jason “Starts of the Week” matchup. Both players look good on paper, but if you dig a little deeper, one is clearly the safer pick for Sunday. Here is what I would do:
Bhayshul Tuten made the most of his Week 1 chances. He had 16 opportunities on a 49% snap share, looked explosive on early downs, and ranked 13th among RBs with 5.5 yards created per touch. He finished as RB28, but his burst was obvious. Trevor Lawrence took all four rushing TDs in Jacksonville’s blowout, which is why Andy is backing Tuten.
Now Tuten faces a Denver defense that Kenneth Walker just torched for over 40 fantasy points. Was that a fluke or just early-season rust? Probably a bit of both. Denver was tough on RBs last year, but they do not look as scary up front now. The main concern with Tuten is his limited upside. Chris Rodriguez took the goal-line work, and Tuten only had one target. He is a solid flex, but he will not have week-winning upside until he gets more valuable touches.
On the other side, “Bill” Croskey-Merritt had a solid game with 16 carries for 63 yds and a TD against a tough Eagles defense. He clearly has the goal-line role over Rachaad White, and his 14 routes show Washington wants him in the passing game. It is easy to see why Jason picked him as his Start of the Week. This week, Bill faces a Dallas defense that struggled badly in Week 1. Cam Skattebo and the Giants ran all over them, and Dallas ranked last in EPA per drive. Washington’s zone-blocking scheme fits Bill’s running style, and Dallas cannot seem to stop the stretch zone. The big concern is the fumble. Bill lost the ball late in the fourth quarter last week, and Dan Quinn quickly benched him for rookie Kaytron Allen. Ball security was an issue for him last year, and Quinn made it clear that protecting the football is the top priority. If Bill fumbles early against Dallas, he could end up on the bench again.
The Verdict: Jacory Croskey-Merrit is the play. Even though the fumble risk is there, Bill has the better role and a great matchup. He gets the goal-line work, is more involved in the passing game than Tuten, and faces a Dallas run defense that looks lost. Start Bill this week and take advantage of those high-value touches.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt or MarShawn Lloyd?
I already explained why I like Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt, so let’s talk about MarShawn Lloyd for Week 2. Lloyd’s draft stock jumped after Josh Jacobs landed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, and many thought he would be the main guy. But Week 1 did not live up to those hopes.
Better games ahead for Marshawn Lloyd? #ad Fantasy Forecast is sponsored by @PrizePicks pic.twitter.com/TbohamUXkB
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) September 17, 2026
Lloyd had 13 carries for 37 yards (less than 3 yards per carry) and didn’t catch his only target in a rough loss to Minnesota. He played just 44% of the snaps, while Chris Brooks played 56%. Lloyd got more carries, but only after Brooks had his chance. He should lead Green Bay’s backfield in carries again in Week 2, but he is stuck in a committee and is not involved in the passing game. The good news is Week 2 brings an easier matchup against the Jets.
Verdict: Jacory Croskey-Merritt wins again. Bill! Bill! Bill! The Commanders have a higher implied total than the Packers this week, and Croskey-Merritt had much better usage and performance in Week 1. I am confident he can deliver again, especially with a great matchup against the Cowboys.
Jaylen Waddle or Parker Washington?
Jaylen Waddle’s Denver debut was an absolute nightmare. One catch for two yards is every fantasy manager’s worst nightmare… especially if you hyped him up as a legit WR1, as I did. Instead of Where’s Waldo?, we are all out here asking Where’s Waddle?
Denver’s offense looked completely lost, and Bo Nix struggled, but there is way too much talent in that offense for them not to bounce back. Jacksonville’s defense is pretty middle-of-the-road, making this a prime bounce-back spot for Waddle to get right.
On the flip side, Parker Washington WENT NUCLEAR. He shredded Cleveland for 83 yds and a TD on five catches, leading the Jags in receptions, yards, and targets. Coming off a strong finish last season and playing for a new contract, he is proving he is going to be a focal point in this offense. The only real downside? Denver’s defense is going to be a much tougher test than the Browns.
The Verdict: Ride the hot hand and fire up Parker Washington. Do not overthink it. Start Washington and do not look back. If you can put Waddle in your flex, that’s fine, but Washington is the clear pick over him this week.
Isaiah Likely or Tucker Kraft?
Isaiah Likely had a great New York debut with eight catches on eight targets for 78 yds and two TDs, helping the Giants beat the Cowboys. The preseason hype about his connection with Dart showed right away. The Giants now head to LA to face the Rams on Monday night. The Rams just lost badly to the 49ers in Australia, and jet lag might have played a part, but they also looked disorganized. Now they lose Myles Garrett to IR, and Aaron Donald might return for his first game in over two years. There are still a lot of questions for the Rams.
Isaiah Likely moving like 2024 Week 1 Isaiah Likely pic.twitter.com/yaQHHVXEIR
— Fantasy Footballers (@TheFFBallers) September 14, 2026
Tucker Kraft looked impressive in his return from last year’s ACL tear, turning three catches on limited snaps into 65 yds against the Vikings. He remains one of the league’s top YAC threats at the position, and his snap count should only trend up as he works his way back to full health. Facing a Jets defense that was not heavily tested in Week 1, Kraft offers explosive upside in Green Bay’s revamped, pass-first offense.
The Verdict: Start Isaiah Likely. Kraft has big-play potential as he gets healthier, but Likely gives you steady targets you don’t often see at TE. After a TE1 performance and showing instant chemistry with Dart, stick with the guy who’s locked into double-digit PPR chances. Keep Kraft on your bench for now until his snaps go up.
As we turn to Week 2, it is time to sustain the momentum and lock in those lineups. Watch those juicy matchups, monitor the late-breaking injury updates, and above all, rely on your instincts. If you are still torn on any final Start/Sit calls, message me on X or tune into Mike’s Sunday morning pre-kickoff show before lock! Set your rosters, offer up a quick prayer to the fantasy gods, and let’s go secure another win.