Week 2 Fantasy Football Projections: Stat Predictions for Top 100 Players

Week 1 in the NFL likely did a very good job of testing your love for fantasy football. 

The wild set of 16 games began with a John Kuhn touchdown vulture, ended with a Carson Palmer touchdown toss to—not Larry Fitzgerald, not Michael Floyd, not Andre Ellington—rookie John Brown and had a whole bunch of unforeseen events in between.  

If you haven't already tossed your computer out the window or given up on your 13 teams, let's take an early look at the top 100 players for Week 2.

Note: The players are not arranged in order of projections, but on a conglomeration of where they are ranked on different sites, in an effort to help find value.  

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projections
1	Peyton Manning, DEN	vs Chiefs	330 PAS, 4 TD
2	Drew Brees, NO	at Browns	365 PAS, 3 TD, 1 INT
3	Aaron Rodgers, GB	vs Jets	325 PAS, 2 TD
4	Andrew Luck, IND	vs Eagles	400 PAS, 3 TD, 1 INT
5	Tom Brady, NE	at Vikings	270 PAS, 3 TD
6	Matthew Stafford, DET	at Panthers	285 PAS, 2 TD, 1 INT
7	Colin Kaepernick, SF	vs Bears	205 PAS, 25 RUS, 1 TD
8	Matt Ryan, ATL	at Bengals	290 PAS, 2 TD, 1 INT
9	Nick Foles, PHI	at Colts	320 PAS, 2 TD, 1 INT
10	Tony Romo, DAL	at Titans	275 PAS, 2 TD, 2 INT
11	Cam Newton, CAR	vs Lions	225 PAS, 35 RUS, 1 TD, 1 INT
12	Russell Wilson, SEA	at Chargers	240 PAS, 20 RUS, 2 TD
13	Jay Cutler, CHI	at 49ers	295 PAS, 2 TD, 1 INT
14	Andy Dalton, CIN	vs Falcons	270 PAS, 1 TD, 1 INT
15	Philip Rivers, SD	vs Seahawks	185 PAS, 1 TD, 1 INT
16	Robert Griffin III, WAS	vs Jaguars	250 PAS, 20 RUS, 2 TD
17	Ben Roethlisberger, PIT	at Ravens	300 PAS, 2 TD, 1 INT
18	Carson Palmer, ARI	at Giants	285 PAS, 2 TD, 2 INT
19	Joe Flacco, BAL	vs Steelers	320 PAS, 1 TD, 2 INT
20	Jake Locker, TEN	vs Cowboys	280 PAS, 2 TD, 1 INT
21	Geno Smith, NYJ	at Packers	200 PAS, 30 RUS, 0 TD, 1 INT
22	Eli Manning, NYG	vs Cardinals	150 PAS, 1 TD, 3 INT
23	Ryan Tannehill, MIA	at Bills	210 PAS, 1 TD
24	Chad Henne, JAX	at Redskins	250 PAS, 2 TD, 1 INT
25	Alex Smith, KC	at Broncos	200 PAS, 25 RUS, 1 TD

Sleeper: Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans

The Dallas Cowboys defense was just as bad as everyone thought it would be in Week 1, as Colin Kaepernick put together a squeaky-clean performance, completing 16 of his 23 throws for 201 yards (8.7 yards per attempt) and two touchdowns. 

Even Deion Sanders couldn't help but join in on the mockery of his former team:

In the midst of a now-or-never contract year, Jake Locker looked impressive in the Tennessee Titans' opener, shredding Kansas City on the road for 266 yards and a pair of scores. And Dallas is to Kansas City what a colander is to a brick wall. 

Locker and tantalizing deep threat Justin Hunter are going to have fun with this matchup. 

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projections
1	Marshawn Lynch, SEA	at Chargers	110 RUS, 1 TD
2	LeSean McCoy, PHI	at Colts	85 RUS, 45 REC, 1 TD
3	Adrian Peterson, MIN	vs Patriots	125 RUS, 2 TD
4	DeMarco Murray, DAL	at Titans	75 REC, 40 REC
5	Jamaal Charles, KC	at Broncos	55 RUS, 65 REC, 1 TD
6	Arian Foster, HOU	at Raiders	130 RUS, 2 TD
7	Matt Forte, CHI	at 49ers	100 RUS, 50 REC
8	Montee Ball, DEN	vs Chiefs	95 RUS, 1 TD
9	Le'Veon Bell, PIT	at Ravens	70 RUS, 60 REC, 1 TD
10	Giovani Bernard, CIN	vs Falcons	55 RUS, 80 REC, 2 TD
11	Eddie Lacy, GB	vs Jets	55 RUS
12	Alfred Morris, WAS	vs Jaguars	100 RUS
13	Frank Gore, SF	vs Bears	75 RUS
14	Zac Stacy, STL	at Buccaneers	65 RUS, 1 TD
15	Doug Martin, TB	vs Rams	95 RUS, 1 TD
16	Toby Gerhart, JAX	at Redskins	75 RUS, 25 REC
17	Andre Ellington, ARI	at Giants	55 RUS, 55 REC, 1 TD
18	Reggie Bush, DET	at Panthers	15 RUS, 65 REC
19	Knowshon Moreno, MIA	at Bills	95 RUS, 1 TD
20	Rashad Jennings, NYG	vs Cardinals	30 RUS, 45 REC
21	C.J. Spiller, BUF	vs Dolphins	70 RUS, 25 REC
22	Terrance West, CLE	vs Saints	75 RUS
23	Mark Ingram, NO	at Browns	75 RUS, 1 TD
24	Shane Vereen, NE	at Vikings	25 RUS, 60 REC, 1 TD
25	Justin Forsett, BAL	vs Steelers	70 RUS, 25 REC, 1 TD
26	Chris Johnson, NYJ	at Packers	80 RUS, 30 REC
27	Joique Bell, DET	at Panthers	65 RUS, 15 REC
28	DeAngelo Williams, CAR	vs Lions	55 RUS
29	Darren Sproles, PHI	at Colts	40 RUS, 30 REC
30	Shonn Greene, TEN	vs Cowboys	70 RUS, 1 TD

Sleeper: Justin Forsett, Baltimore Ravens

Nick Wass/Associated Press

I'm hesitant to roll the dice long term on Justin Forsett, who is 5'8" and 197 pounds soaking wet. He's a change-of-pace back rather than someone the Ravens will want to lean on for 16 games. 

Still, with Baltimore announcing the termination of Ray Rice's contract and Bernard Pierce looking terrible even before his fumble got him benched in Week 1, there is opportunity right now for the 28-year-old veteran, who tallied 84 total yards and a score in relief Sunday.

"Justin did a great job," head coach John Harbaugh told reporters, via ESPN.com's Jamison Hensley. "He has been playing that way all since he got here, all through offseason and training camp. He proved it in the game." 

And when Forsett gets an opportunity, he tends to produce. He is averaging a stout 4.9 yards per carry for his career, and that number jumps to 5.9 over his last three seasons (80 carries). He also proved Sunday he has value in PPR leagues, pulling in five receptions as Joe Flacco nearly threw his shoulder off. 

Against a Steelers run defense that got gashed by Terrence West, Ben Tate and Isaiah Crowell for 173 yards on 27 carries (6.4 YPC), Forsett will run wild at home Thursday night.  

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projections
1	Calvin Johnson, DET	at Panthers	115 REC, 1 TD
2	A.J. Green, CIN	vs Falcons	80 REC, 1 TD
3	Demaryius Thomas, DEN	vs Chiefs	140 REC, 2 TD
4	Dez Bryant, DAL	at Titans	80 REC, 1 TD
5	Julio Jones, ATL	at Bengals	120 REC, 1 TD
6	Brandon Marshall, CHI	at 49ers	95 REC
7	Antonio Brown, PIT	at Ravens	110 REC
8	Alshon Jeffery, CHI	at 49ers	90 REC, 1 TD
9	Jordy Nelson, GB	vs Jets	125 REC, 1 TD
10	Andre Johnson, HOU	at Raiders	85 REC
11	Victor Cruz, NYG	vs Cardinals	50 REC
12	Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN	vs Patriots	45 REC, 55 RUS
13	Keenan Allen, SD	vs Seahawks	60 REC
14	Larry Fitzgerald, ARI	at Giants	75 REC, 1 TD
15	Emmanuel Sanders, DEN	vs Chiefs	80 REC
16	Randall Cobb, GB	vs Jets	75 REC, 1 TD
17	Vincent Jackson, TB	vs Rams	45 REC, 1 TD
18	Percy Harvin, SEA	at Chargers	55 REC, 40 RUS
19	Jeremy Maclin, PHI	at Colts	70 REC
20	Brandin Cooks, NO	at Browns	90 REC
21	Pierre Garcon, WAS	vs Jaguars	55 REC, 1 TD
22	Michael Floyd, ARI	at Giants	95 REC, 1 TD
23	Roddy White, ATL	at Bengals	80 REC
24	Julian Edelman, NE	at Vikings	65 REC
25	Kendall Wright, TEN	vs Cowboys	100 REC
26	Marques Colston, NO	at Browns	70 REC, 1 TD
27	T.Y. Hilton, IND	vs Eagles	80 REC
28	Reggie Wayne, IND	vs Eagles	95 REC, 1 TD
29	Kelvin Benjamin, CAR	vs Lions	60 REC
30	Mike Wallace, MIA	at Bills	55 REC
31	DeSean Jackson, WAS	vs Jaguars	105 REC, 1 TD
32	Golden Tate, DET	at Panthers	50 REC
33	Eric Decker, NYJ	at Packers	70 REC
34	Michael Crabtree, SF	vs Bears	60 REC, 1 TD
35	Torrey Smith, BAL	vs Steelers	95 REC, 1 TD

Sleeper: DeSean Jackson, Washington Redskins

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

DeSean Jackson had a nice PPR day (eight catches, 62 yards), but the fact he managed just 7.8 yards per reception made his debut in Washington feel quite underwhelming.

Blame J.J. Watt. The league's best defensive player was in Robert Griffin III's face all game, and when he wasn't, it's because he was octuple-teamed, allowing his teammates to crash the backfield. In order to make sure there wasn't an RGIII-sized hole in the field, head coach Jay Gruden had to run a fairly conservative game plan.

That means Jackson wasn't able to combine his game-breaking speed downfield with Griffin's explosive arm as much as one would like. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars, aka Seattle Jr., are improving on defense, but they are still susceptible to big plays. Look for RGIII and Jackson to connect on a few. 

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Jimmy Graham, NO	at Browns	105 REC, 1 TD
2	Julius Thomas, DEN	vs Chiefs	70 REC, 1 TD
3	Rob Gronkowski, NE	at Vikings	80 REC, 2 TD
4	Vernon Davis, SF	vs Bears	50 REC
5	Greg Olsen, CAR	vs Lions	80 REC, 1 TD
6	Jason Witten, DAL	at Titans	55 REC
7	Zach Ertz, PHI	at Colts	75 REC, 1 TD
8	Martellus Bennett, CHI	at 49ers	40 REC, 1 TD
9	Dennis Pitta, BAL	vs Steelers	80 REC
10	Kyle Rudolph, MIN	vs Patriots	40 REC, 1 TD

Sleeper: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

It wasn't a game that head coach Andy Reid is going to want to put on the resume. He gave the electrifying Jamaal Charles—you know, the guy averaging a historically good 5.6 yards per carry for his career—11 touches, and he played tight end Travis Kelce, who looks like the second coming of Rob Gronkowski, on just 18 (!!) plays despite having a depleted pass-catching corps. 

Fortunately, he realizes the error of his ways, via The Kansas City Star's Terez A. Paylor:

"

Reid on Kelce: “He’s capable of playing more than 18 plays."

— Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) September 8, 2014"

I would hope so. Even on just 18 snaps, Kelce still managed three catches on five targets for 49 yards. If he could just get an average amount of playing time against the Broncos, who gave up a nice day to Dwayne Allen, he could put up monster numbers.