Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Decisions for Fantasy Football Fringe Starters

Week 1 brought plenty of surprises to the fantasy football world, and it brought a few unfortunate injuries, too. This may leave many managers relying on fringe starters at key positions in Week 2.

The good news is that some matchups are favorable enough to allow second-tier fantasy starters to shine. Of course, picking the right matchups and properly projecting roles will be key.

And, there's obviously no guarantee that what we saw in Week 1 will translate into trends moving forward. Based on recent results, impending matchups, and a little educated guesswork, though, here's a look at some start/sit recommendations for point-per-reception (PPR) play in Week 2.

Start: Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

The Jacksonville Jaguars battered the Cleveland Browns through the air early in Week 1, and despite building an early lead, they never leaned heavily on new starting running back Bhayshul Tuten. The second-year back did tally 88 scrimmage yards, but he logged just 15 carries, one reception, and no touchdowns.

It's clear that Liam Coen is likely to use a committee approach to his backfield more often than not this season.

However, Tuten still has an opportunity to reward fantasy managers this week in a potential playoff preview against the Denver Broncos. While Denver had one of the league's top defenses a year ago, it found few answers for the Kansas City Chiefs and running back Kenneth Walker III on Monday night.

Only the Carolina Panthers surrendered more fantasy points to opposing running backs than the Broncos in Week 1.

Sit: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Tuten is replacing 2025 starter Travis Etienne Jr. in Jacksonville's backfield, and Etienne was a legitimate fantasy star a season ago. However, his floor appears to be much lower now that he's with the New Orleans Saints.

To be fair, the Saints spent most of Week 1 playing from behind, so Etienne was never likely to get a ton of carries. However, the fact that he logged as many carries as Kendre Miller—and watched Miller get the goal-line work—is concerning.

Etienne did salvage the week with seven receptions, but he'll be difficult to trust this week against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens are hoping for a defensive resurgence under new head coach Jesse Minter, and they just might get it. Despite facing star Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor in Week 1, the Ravens surrendered just 102 rushing yards, 251 total yards, and 23 points.

Taylor did have a pair of rushing touchdowns, but Miller's presence is problematic for Etienne managers.

Start: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka had a solid, if unspectacular, 2026 debut, finishing with five catches for 63 yards. Even though the Bucs spread the ball around against the Cincinnati Bengals, Egbuka should be in store for a bigger Week 2 outing.

Tampa is set to host the Browns, who looked absolutely lost in trying to defend Jacksonville's passing attack on Sunday. Only the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings surrendered more to opposing wide receivers in Week 1.

That's part of the equation here. The other piece is that this will be a revenge game for current Bucs signal-caller and former Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

"I mean, obviously, there's history there—there's no way to go around that," Mayfield told reporters (h/t ProFootballTalk's Myles Simmons).

Expect the Buccaneers to air it out early and often, and for Egbuka to have a strong stat line.

Sit: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File

While Denver's defense looked nothing like the championship-caliber unit it was a year ago in Week 1, it did limit Kansas City's wide receivers. It's certainly worth recognizing that the Chiefs leaned heavily on the run, but it's also worth noting that the Broncos surrendered the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts this past week.

Of course, the bigger issue for Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. may be the fact that he's no longer one of Trevor Lawrence's go-to targets. He did log three receptions and 40 yards in Week 1, but Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers are both more trustworthy options.

Washington has firmly entrenched himself as Jacksonville's new No. 1 receiver.

Jacksonville should try to lean on its ground game in Denver, just as the Chiefs did at home on Monday night. Thomas might break a big play, but he's unlikely to have a high target share and is a risky play against a defense desperate to return to form.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.