Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Fantasy Football Stars to Play and Bench

Week 1 was a wacky one in the world of fantasy football, as is often the case. We saw stars like Ja'Marr Chase and Matthew Stafford fall flat, while players like Bryce Young and Jalen Coker shined.

This doesn't mean, of course, that those who disappointed in the opening slate should be avoided in Week 2. Managers should absolutely trust their top draft choices to rebound.

When it comes to second-tier stars, though, it's best to circle the favorable matchups and bypass the tougher challenges. Here, you'll find some start/sit recommendations for point-per-reception (PPR) options in Week 2.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Jalen Hurts

Start: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles offense largely looked average in the debut of new coordinator Sean Mannion. However, Hurts still managed to finish the week as QB8, and he has top-three potential this week.

The Eagles will visit the Tennessee Titans, who operated like the worst team in the NFL in Week 1. The New York Jets racked up 367 yards of offense against the Titans. It wouldn't be a total shock to see Hurts match that total by himself.

The list of other second-tier stars worth considering this week includes:

Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Sit: Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense might not be able to match the pressure and opportunistic play we saw from the Kansas City Chiefs' defense on Monday night. However, it's impossible to trust Bo Nix right now against any playoff-caliber unit.

The Denver Broncos are still trying to find their way under new play-caller Davis Webb, and it's likely to be an elongated process.

Other QB sits for Week 2:

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Malik Willis, Miami Dolphins

Geno Smith, New York Jets

Running Back

AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh

Jordan Mason

Start: Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings used Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason in a split backfield in Week 1, and both backs finished as top-30 RB scorers for the week. Both should be solid flex plays in Week 2, though Mason should get the start for managers who have both rostered.

This week, Mason will face a Chicago Bears defense that was about as solid as a jellyfish in Week 1. Chicago surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing RBs last week.

Other RB Starts:

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

Sit: Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren was largely a reliable flex starter in 2025. However, he may not have quite the same value under new head coach Mike McCarthy. He's still Pittsburgh's starter, but he's probably more of a matchup-based option.

Warren finished as RB25 in Week 1, but he'll face a terrific New England Patriots defense on the road this weekend. New England surrendered the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs last week.

Other RB Sits for Week 2:

Rico Dowdle, Pittsburgh Steelers

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Chris Godwin

Start: Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin looked like his old pre-injury self in Week 1, though he only finished as WR46. He should have a much better statistical outing this week against the visiting Cleveland Browns.

The Browns couldn't cover a twin bed against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1. Now, they'll face a grumpy Baker Mayfield in what he views as a revenge game. Expect Godwin to be targeted early and often.

Other Week 2 WR starts:

Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers

Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders

Sit: Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

About the only Browns player worth considering in Week 2 is tight end Harold Fannin Jr. Managers certainly shouldn't trust Jerry Jeudy, who is no longer Cleveland's No. 1 receiver.

The Bucs' defense held Ja'Marr Chase to just two catches and 12 yards last week. Jeudy might end up with negative fantasy points.

Other WR sits:

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Tight End

AP Photo//Chris Carlson

Isaiah Likely

Start: Isaiah Likely, New York Giants

New York Giants head coach John Harbaugh brought former Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely with him this offseason, and it's clear that Likely is already one of Jaxson Dart's go-to targets. He repeatedly gashed the Dallas Cowboys' defense and finished Week 1 as TE1.

Don't expect Likely to be as productive against a solid Los Angeles Rams defense. Do expect the Giants to pass early and often, which will give Likely a high PPR floor:

Other Week 2 TEs to consider:

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints

A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks

Sit: Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders

Michael Mayer did an admirable job of filling in for Brock Bowers during the Las Vegas Raiders' season-opener. There's a chance that Bowers returns for Week 2, but Mayer shouldn't be trusted regardless.

After finishing as TE19 last week, Mayer is likely to disappoint against a Los Angeles Chargers defense that is better than it showed in Week 1. Other TE sits:

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.