Start Em Sit Em Week 2: Making the Call on Riskiest Players

There are a number of risky players that you'll be on the fence on during Week 2 of the NFL season, but it's time to make the call on whether to start them or leave them on the bench.

There were a number of risky moves that payed off Week 1.  Terrelle Pryor had a big game against the Indianapolis Colts, and Anquan Boldin went off for over 200 receiving yards.  

Meanwhile, guys like Robert Griffin III and Roddy White were major disappointments, killing many owners' chances at starting off the year 1-0.

Let's take a look at this week's biggest risks, and whether or not you should start them.

Terrelle Pryor, QB, Oakland Raiders

Like I said, Pryor went off against the Colts.  He only had 217 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions through the air, but he also ran for 112 yards on the ground.

This week, Pryor will be going against the Jacksonville Jaguars.  This is arguably a battle between the two worst teams in the NFL, but Pryor is looking to win some games for the Raiders.  

The Jaguars offense didn't do anything against the Chiefs, and they likely won't do much against the Raiders.  This means that Pryor will get plenty of chances to make plays and find the end zone, which is always a plus.

If you don't have a solid top-tier quarterback on your roster, put in Pryor.  He's a risk, but he showed against a 2012 playoff team that he could rack up a lot of yards, and maybe he can find the end zone a couple of times this week.

Verdict: Start 'em

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Indianapolis Colts

A nagging foot injury kept Bradshaw out of training camp for the Colts this offseason, and it appears that the team isn't worried about pushing him into the offense too quickly.

It was a statistically negligible game for Bradshaw against the Raiders.  He had seven carries for 26 yards and had a catch for seven yards.  For a team that seems to want to establish a power running game, that's not the start you want to see from your "starting" running back.

This week could be different, especially since the Colts will probably want to keep the pressure off of Andrew Luck, but that could mean that they rely more on Vick Ballard.  We know that Bradshaw has put up some solid numbers over his career, but I'm not convinced the Colts will give him a big enough workload this early in the season. 

In a couple weeks, I'd definitely say to start Bradshaw as a flex or RB2, but for now I'd shy away from him.

Verdict: Sit 'em

Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears

It's hard to like a receiver that plays next to Brandon Marshall, but at the same time, that might not be such a bad thing for the second-year receiver out of South Carolina.

Jeffery had five catches for 42 yards in Week 1, but we know that he has big-play potential.  Despite missing significant time due to injury last season, Jeffery still had 367 yards and three touchdowns.  

The new offense under Marc Trestman seems to be working out alright so far.  The passing game was quite efficient, and the offensive line didn't allow a single sack.  Still, they would probably like to involve Jeffery a bit more in the offense as the season goes on.

The Vikings will be paying a lot of attention on Marshall this week, and their secondary certainly isn't the strongest in the NFL.  Expect Jay Cutler to find Jeffery a few times, and he very well may have the chance to break off a big play or two.

If you're looking for a decent flex player, this is your guy this week.

Verdict: Sit 'em