Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Projections for Top 10 Players at Each Position

With a week of regular-season football behind us, we finally have a sample size, albeit a small one, to use when making fantasy lineup decisions. 

Rather than heading into the season on outdated information from last year, we've seen players either rise to their potential or fall far below it with our own eyes. Week 1 held some surprises: San Francisco 49ers' Carlos Hyde led all offensive players in points, with 30.20, and rookie Marcus Mariota performed better than most veteran signal-callers.

Some players also proved why they are fantasy mainstays. We're looking at you, Rob Gronkowski and Julio Jones. 

Let's take a look at the top players at each position in fantasy football this week, as well as a "start 'em" and "sit 'em" recommendation for each. 

The players who played in Thursday night's game have been omitted from the projections, so in some cases the rankings may include up to the top 12 projected players.

Consensus score projections from Fantasy Pros, which averages projections from ESPN, CBS Sports, numberFire and FFToday, have been used to give as accurate a score as possible. 

Quarterbacks 

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Andrew Luck, IND	NYJ	20.6
2	Drew Brees, NO	TB	20.4
3	Aaron Rodgers, GB	SEA	19.2
4	Matt Ryan, ATL	at NYG	18.0
5	Russell Wilson, SEA	at GB	18.0
6	Eli Manning, NYG	ATL	17.8
7	Tony Romo, DAL	at PHI	17.7
8	Ben Roethlisberger, PIT	SF	17.7
9	Ryan Tannehill, MIA	at JAC	17.4
10	Sam Bradford, PHI	DAL	17.1

Start 'Em: Carson Palmer, ARI (at CHI)

Ross D. Franklin/Associated Press

Sure, the Arizona Cardinals are facing the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field, but even though he's not playing at home, it's a great matchup for Carson Palmer. 

Just ask Aaron Rodgers: Playing in Chicago in Week 1, the Packers passer had 23.06 points and three touchdowns. Rodgers only passed for 189 yards, but that was less due to a stout Chicago secondary and more so because of changes in how the Packers offense moves down the field without Jordy Nelson. 

Palmer should have similar success in Week 2. He had a strong start to the season against the New Orleans Saints, with 307 yards for three touchdowns and 25.68 points. Clearly, that was enough for many fantasy owners to go out and make Palmer a part of their team; while he was owned on 78.6 percent of teams in Week 1, that number jumped to 86.2 percent for Week 2. 

As for the 1,217 fantasy owners who dropped Palmer this week...well, their loss is your gain, if you happened to pick him up on waivers. 

Sit 'Em: Ryan Tannehill, MIA (vs. JAC)

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Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill got a shiny new stock of weapons this offseason, including rookie DeVante Parker and veteran tight end Jordan Cameron. Second-year pass-catcher Jarvis Landry is also coming into his own this season.

Owners clearly thought Tannehill would be a solid start every week as they drafted their lineups; he was owned in 98.3 percent of leagues in Week 1. But Tannehill had a disappointing start to the season in a juicy matchup against the Washington Redskins, throwing for just one touchdown and earning owners just 11.74 points.

That was good for 22nd among fantasy quarterbacks in Week 1, meaning almost everyone who had Tannehill in a 12-team league would have been better off starting their backup. 

Though Tannehill would seem like a solid start in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, their defense is more stout than you'd think. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was only able to throw on them for 175 yards and one score. They also picked him off once.  

Even though the Panthers receiving corps is depleted heading into the season, the common element here will be the Jaguars defense, which limited the Panthers to just 13 points. Jacksonville will be able to take advantage of Tannehill's weapons and, by extension, Tannehill. 

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Marshawn Lynch, SEA	at GB	15.1
2	Matt Forte, CHI	AZ	14.6
4	Jeremy Hill, CIN	SD	13.9
5	Eddie Lacy, GB	SEA	13.4
6	Adrian Peterson, MIN	DET	13.4
7	DeMarco Murray, PHI	DAL	13.1
8	Lamar Miller, MIA	at JAC	12.6
9	Carlos Hyde, SF	at PIT	12.4
10	Mark Ingram, NO	TB	12.3
11	Justin Forsett, BAL	at OAK	12.2

Start 'Em: Chris Ivory, NYJ (at IND)

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

Maybe this season was the year you finally decided to stop taking a chance on Chris Ivory, who never quite delivered on his fantasy promise in seasons past (134.40 points in 2014, 102.30 points in 2013).

Maybe that was a bad idea.

Ivory went off in Week 1, rushing for 91 yards and two touchdowns. He was third among fantasy running backs in points, with 22.

Can he keep it going against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 2? Our small sample size of recent history suggests as much; the Colts allowed 147 total yards to the Buffalo Bills' backfield, including Karlos Williams (11.50 points), LeSean McCoy (8.70 points) and Anthony Dixon (6.10 points)—26.3 points in all. 

Ivory is also a double threat on the field. He had a touchdown catch in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, though it was negated by a penalty. Until he slows his workhorse ways, Ivory will continue to be a must-start. 

Sit 'Em: Latavius Murray, OAK (vs. BAL)

Ben Margot/Associated Press

Latavius Murray is the No. 1 running back on the Oakland Raiders' depth chart, but his average draft position was 45.80, making him a value investment for many owners looking to use a starting running back as their No. 2 or flex. 

However, Murray's production in Week 1 didn't match up with his position. Though he was Oakland's leading rusher and receiver, he ended his day with just 44 rushing yards and 36 receiving yards and didn't reach the end zone against the Cincinnati Bengals' stingy defense. 

The 98.2 percent of fantasy owners who have Murray on their roster have to be encouraged by his usage but should be wary of his production. Until he can prove he can get into the end zone, he should be benched for Week 2 in standard scoring leagues.

A matchup against Baltimore's defense, which allowed Denver Broncos rushers just 69 total yards and no touchdowns in Week 1, does Murray no favors. 

Wide Receivers

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Antonio Brown, PIT	SF	15.2
2	Julio Jones, ATL	at NYG	13.9
3	Odell Beckham Jr., NYG	ATL	13.6
4	A.J. Green, CIN	SD	12.4
5	Randall Cobb, GB	SEA	12.2
6	Calvin Johnson, DET	at MIN	12.1
7	Alshon Jeffery, CHI	AZ	11.6
8	Brandin Cooks, NO	TB	11.6
9	DeAndre Hopkins, HOU	at CAR	10.6
10	Jordan Matthews, PHI	DAL	10.4
12	Terrance Williams, DAL	at PHI	10.1

Start 'Em: Brandin Cooks, NO (vs. TB)

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Week 2 is the week that the New Orleans Saints can put themselves back on the map. A good matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense creates opportunities for multiple Saints, including receiver Brandin Cooks.

New Orleans has historically been a tough team from which to draft fantasy skill positions (except for former tight end Jimmy Graham), because it's hard to know which player will see targets. Cooks, however, is establishing himself to be a favorite target of Drew Brees, now that Graham is with the Seattle Seahawks. 

In Week 1, Brees targeted Cooks more than any other receiver: eight times. Cooks didn't have a huge day, putting up 5.30 points on 49 yards, but that's mainly because he didn't find the end zone. 

You can go ahead and get distracted by the fact that Saints wideout Brandon Coleman scored twice as many fantasy points as Cooks in Week 1 (10.10 with one touchdown), but don't risk benching Cooks. He was covered by Patrick Peterson through the entirety of his first game, and Peterson did his job well.

Cooks should have a big day against the Bucs defense, which gave up 210 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns to Tennessee Titans pass-catchers in Week 1. 

Sit 'Em: Davante Adams, GB (vs. SEA)

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When fantasy owners heard that second-year Green Bay Packers wideout Davante Adams would be lining up in Nelson's position this season, many scrambled to draft him, no doubt remembering Nelson's 146 targets and 13 touchdowns in 2014. 

But if Green Bay's Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears is any indication, while, yes, Adams will be running routes from Nelson's normal position on the field, he's not going to be close to the same scoring machine.

Newly re-signed veteran James Jones is falling right back into being one of Aaron Rodgers' go-to targets in the end zone; Jones had three touchdown catches in Week 1, though one was wiped out by a penalty. 

In some weeks, with certain matchups, Adams is still a good play for the number of looks and subsequent yards he'll get. But against Seattle's defense, Packers wideout Randall Cobb may be the only safe play. 

92.1 percent of fantasy owners had Adams on their roster in Week 1. That number is already down to 89.4 percent. Don't get drastic; there's no need to drop Adams, but Seattle is not a good matchup for him. 

Tight Ends

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Rob Gronkowski, NE	at BUF	10.3
2	Jimmy Graham, SEA	at GB	8.9
4	Jason Witten, DAL	at PHI	8.8
5	Greg Olsen, CAR	HOU	8.7
6	Tyler Eifert, CIN	SD	8.4
7	Martellus Bennett, CHI	AZ	8.4
8	Jordan Cameron, MIA	at JAC	7.8
9	Heath Miller, PIT	SF	7.7
10	Jordan Reed, WAS	STL	7.5
11	Dwayne Allen, IND	NYJ	7.3

Start 'Em: Tyler Eifert, CIN (vs. SD)

Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

It's finally time for former first-round draft pick and Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert to begin capitalizing on all the fantasy hype.

Eifert's first season was forgettable; he had 445 yards and two touchdowns. His sophomore season was regrettable: An elbow injury landed him on injured reserve. But the third season could be the charm. 

In Week 1, Eifert finally started looking like a first-round pick, with a whopping 104 yards and two touchdowns. In one game, he matched his career scoring total.

There's no reason to get off the Eifert train heading into Week 2 if you're one of the 57.1 percent of astute owners who have him on your team. (To the other 42.0 percent: What are you waiting for?)

The tight end has a good matchup against a San Diego Chargers defense that gave up a touchdown and 11.30 fantasy points to Eric Ebron in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions. 

Sit 'Em: Charles Clay, BUF (vs. NE)

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The New England Patriots defense, missing many of its stars in the secondary from last season (Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Kyle Arrington), gave up 351 receiving yards in Week 1 to Pittsburgh Steelers pass-catchers, including 84 to tight end Heath Miller.

While the matchup may tempt owners into activating Charles Clay in Week 2, if you have another tight end on your roster, you may want to keep Clay, who scored 4.30 points against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, on your bench. 

First, there's Adam Schefter's report from Sept. 13 that Clay continues to battle knee injuries, though such information was rebuffed by Bills coach Rex Ryan, who suggested that the source responsible for spreading that information may have been Miami Dolphins executive vice president Mike Tannenbaum, per ESPN.com's Mike Rodak. 

However valid the recent report, there's no denying that Clay has struggled with knee injuries in the past.

Combine that with the fact that Buffalo is going to use an old-fashioned ground attack to try to get things going against New England, and Clay may only be a blip on the fantasy radar in Week 2 (and possibly beyond). 

D/ST

Rank	Unit	Opponent	Projection
1	Miami Dolphins	at JAC	12
2	Baltimore Ravens	at OAK	12
3	St. Louis Rams	at WAS	11
4	Detroit Lions	at MIN	10
6	Arizona Cardinals	at CHI	10
7	Cleveland Browns	TEN	9
8	Seattle Seahawks	at GB	9
9	Houston Texans	at CAR	8
10	New England Patriots	at BUF	8
11	Jacksonville Jaguars	MIA	7

Start 'Em: Carolina Panthers (vs. HOU)

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

If you were astute enough to grab one of the teams in the above table in this year's draft, starting it in Week 2 is a no-brainer. 

However, there are plenty of other good matchups on which to capitalize this week, and that group definitely includes the Carolina Panthers against the Houston Texans. 

The Panthers defense dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, scoring a league-leading 21 fantasy points. And before you say, "Well, that's because they were playing the Jaguars," remember that Jacksonville has enough young weapons, including T.J. Yeldon, Allen Hurns and Denard Robinson, to compete. 

But Carolina was relentless, getting five sacks, six passes defensed, six QB hits and a Josh Norman interception that was returned for a touchdown. 

The Panthers suffered a scare when star linebacker Luke Kuechly left the game with a concussion, and he did not practice on Thursday, per Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer. Still, don't let that scare you into benching this unit. It has plenty of talent to show up Houston's offense. 

Sit 'Em: Green Bay Packers (vs. SEA)

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

The Green Bay Packers defense/special teams unit was the fourth one drafted this season, with an ADP of 79.33. Frankly, that's puzzling at best, given that the run defense was one of the league's worst in 2014 and didn't do a lot to improve through free agency or the draft this year.

While Green Bay was tied for eighth in the league in takeaways last season, with 18 interceptions and nine fumble recoveries, it still doesn't explain the gusto with which owners drafted the unit, in Round 8 on average, this year. 

Now, the 90.1 percent of owners who have Green Bay on their roster need to stream in another defense for Week 2, because there is no universe in which the Packers defense against the Seattle Seahawks is a solid play.

The unit scored only four points against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, and that included an interception, because it gave up so many yards, especially on the ground. Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson should wreak the same kind of havoc on Green Bay's middle in Week 2. 

Kickers 

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Cody Parkey, PHI	DAL	9.5
2	Greg Zuerlein, STL	at WAS	9.4
3	Josh Scobee, PIT	SF	8.7
4	Adam Vinatieri, IND	NYJ	8.7
5	Chandler Catanzaro, ARI	at CHI	8.4
6	Graham Gano, CAR	HOU	8.4
7	Matt Bryant, ATL	at NYG	8.2
8	Mason Crosby, GB	SEA	8.1
9	Mike Nugent, CIN	SD	7.6
11	Steven Hauschka, SEA	at GB	8.1

Start 'Em: Steven Hauschka, SEA (at GB)

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Seattle's Steven Hauschka, once a mainstay in fantasy, had an ADP of 133.54 in 2015, making him the 10th kicker drafted on average this year.

But owners got a nice return on their selection in Week 1, when Hauschka scored 11 points against the St. Louis Rams, the sixth-most points of any kicker. 

In his Week 1 matchup against the Green Bay Packers, Chicago kicker Robbie Gould had 13 points. Seattle, and Hauschka, could have similar success against Green Bay. Without a strong run defense, the Packers likely won't be able to prevent the Seahawks from getting into field goal territory on almost every drive. Seattle should come away with points on most of its possessions, including some by Hauschka.

Sit 'Em: Matt Prater, DET (at MIN)

Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Detroit's Matt Prater had a slow start to his season in Week 1, earning owners just four fantasy points with only four PATs and no field goals. That led to 2.3 percent of fantasy owners dropping him for another option for Week 2, bringing his ownership stats down to 18 percent of owners. 

Those among that 18 percent might want to similarly jump ship and stream another kicker into their lineup this week.

Prater hardly ever reached 10 or more points in 2014, and when there are so many kickers available on waivers in any given week, it's just not worth leaving points on the table. 

Consensus score projections via Fantasy Pros and updated as of Sept. 17. Scoring leaders, ownership percentage and ADP information via NFL.com.