Much like Week 1, you’re likely starting all your big-name guys in Week 2 (unless you lost George Kittle), and not super worried about matchups. And if you are looking at matchups, you likely got someone off a weak waiver wire this week.
Back by popular demand this season: the top five fantasy football sleepers of each week. Maybe it’s guys you haven’t heard of. Maybe they’re a rookie or on a new team? Maybe they’re filling in for an injury? Regardless, more often than not, last season, these picks ended up on the right side of the ball.
Let’s be honest, do you really need to be told to avoid the defenses in the Super Bowl rematch? Or start Christian McCaffrey when he’s most certainly the safest offensive player on San Francisco?
But what you may need is that extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with.
You also may have taken a gamble in the draft and feel depleted at a position, looking to slyly slide someone in this week. And let’s be honest, this happens most weeks.
Last week, we saw Browns’ QB Joe Flacco, Commanders’ RB Austin Ekeler, 49ers’ WR Ricky Pearsall, Patriots’ WR Demario Douglas and Ravens’ TE Charlie Kolar make the list.
Did you bet on Douglas to have a 1,000-yard season? Congratulations, you only have 1,002 yards to go!
If you are looking for redemption from me, welcome back. But I get it if you set fire to a Kolar jersey and a picture of me…
To help you out, this article contains my top five sleepers of the week, and why.
Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 2 Rankings.
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 2 SLEEPERS
Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams
@ Tennessee Titans
After the public watched Matthew Stafford battle a back injury of an unknown severity in the offseason, the 17-year veteran had a 109 quarterback rating in Los Angeles’ season-opening win.
He averaged nearly 12 yards per pass – or a first down every time he dropped back – helped keep a low-scoring battle favoring the Rams.
Wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams fared pretty much to what we expected: Nacua wracking up receptions and Adams being a strong safety valve replacing Cooper Kupp.
Tennessee kept it close through three quarters with Denver last week, but quarterback Cam Ward is still looking for his first NFL touchdown. While he may get it, this isn’t his breakout game.
The only fear is the Rams running the ball if they get up. Even so, I like taking the chance of Stafford hitting the 250-yard mark.
Stafford ranks in Tier 5 (QB 27) on The Wolf’s Week 2 Rankings.
Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
vs Seattle Seahawks
The Steelers’ rushing statistics didn’t jump out in Week 1 because Aaron Rodgers stole the show.
Expecting a four-score performance again from Rodgers is silly, and with Pittsburgh wanting to split carries between three rushers, it’ll have to do better than 19 total carries.
Kenneth Gainwell saw more field snaps than Jaylen Warren, 30-25, but when Warren was in the game, it was intentional. He corralled all his targets and had 59 total yards and a score.
Warren isn’t McCaffrey – who torched Seattle for 142 total yards (69 rushing) – but for a Tier 4 rusher this week, I like it.
Warren ranks in Tier 4 (RB 28) on The Wolf’s Week 2 Rankings.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
vs Atlanta Falcons
There were rumors in the offseason that Jordan Mason, who was with San Francisco to begin his career, would split time with 8-year vet Aaron Jones. I didn’t believe them, and I was wrong.
Mason received nearly double the carries that Jones did, 15-8. He also outperformed Jones with 4.5 yards per rush to 2.8.
They say Week 1 is a liar, but if this trend continues, Mason and Jones will swap places sooner rather than later.
Minnesota was also confident using the duo this way on prime time, exactly where they are again in Week 2.
Mason ranks in Tier 5 (RB 33) on The Wolf’s Week 2 Rankings.
Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns
@ Baltimore Ravens
This Ravens’ home opener is not going to be a blowout like many think.
Joe Flacco returns to Baltimore for the first time in his career as a visitor for the Browns. His stat line last week would’ve looked significantly better if his receivers hadn’t failed in tip drills with costly turnovers.
Regardless, Cedric Tillman is a rollercoaster of a receiver so far in his short career. But the way the 25-year-old performed last season against the Ravens and the defensive woes Baltimore is still facing, the ball is gonna get launched to someone.
I think Tillman can beat Jaire Alexander, who struggled in his first game with Baltimore. Tillman had two scores, seven catches and was one yard short of the century mark.
Tillman ranks in Tier 6 (WR 49) on The Wolf’s Week 2 Rankings.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
@ Miami Dolphins
Unless you’re in a 14-team league or more, Hunter Henry does not get started weekly.
This week, I’m predicting a Top 8 finish.
Miami, which in recent years has been atrocious defending against tight ends, ran a defense on Indianapolis’ field that was worse than most thought.
To make matters worse, starting corner Storm Duck has already been ruled out and corner Ethan Bonner is doubtful. Safety Ashytn Davis is also not 100%.
If Miami’s defense has any silver lining, it’s its linebackers and edges. I don’t like running back TreVeyon Henderson this week, but I do like quarterback Drake Maye and the inevitable opportunities he’ll have to pass.
Colts’ tight end Tyler Warren had seven catches (nine targets) for 76 yards, and Henry already had eight targets from Maye in Week 1.
Division games scare me, but the Dolphins don’t.
Henry ranks in Tier 3 (WR 14) on The Wolf’s Week 2 Rankings.
Bonus Unit: Dallas Cowboys Defense/Special Teams
vs New York Giants
Returning readers will find this as bonus content, and you new eyes simply see the first installment of “Bonus Unit” this season without needing to work for it.
I typically stick to players, but I found myself saying “I wish I did special teams” or “what if I spiced this up with a surprise?” when researching this week. Thus, ‘Bonus Unit’, makes its debut.
This week, a defense many likely shied away from in drafts: Dallas’ defense.
The Giants’ offense returned everyone but their quarterback from last season and couldn’t do diddly against Washington last week.
Even if not much was expected, the similar could be said for Dallas after it traded star pass rusher Micah Parsons. Instead, the defense kept it close with the reigning Super Bowl champs and actually provided a pass rush.
If New York’s players like Brian Daboll, his job is on the line, and they need to begin playing like they know that.
