Quarterback and tight end matchups: the positions where people seem to take the most risk in fantasy football.
Sure, you have the studs that you roster with high draft capital. But what about injuries? Tough defenses against quarterbacks? Exploitable defenses for tight ends?
Thankfully, we have one month before we have to start worrying about bye weeks. And, since it’s Week 2, nearly every starting quarterback is healthy. Tight end? Those tiers, in terms of points per game, are so close that even if you’re rostering someone such as Brock Bowers, you have options.
But how confident are you in Lamar Jackson against the Saints, possibly down two receivers? Trevor Lawrence against a Broncos team looking to bounce back? A banged-up Joe Burrow against Houston?
Suddenly, streaming a quarterback – or starting the guy you drafted to be your QB2 – begins to look intriguing.
So, who are our top fantasy football Week 2 QB & TE streamers? Let’s dive in.
Editor’s Note: The majority of point values are based on standard scoring leagues.
Fantasy Football Week 2 QB Streamers
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay vs Cleveland
Any time a key player is in a revenge game, I care. And so should you.
Baker Mayfield was disappointing with three fumbles and no touchdowns in Cincinnati. So not only are the Bucs looking to bounce back in a big way, but they’ll be led by a guy their opponent wrongly gave up on.
Mayfield has also lost his only matchup against the Browns in his career, a two-point defeat as a member of the Carolina Panthers in 2022.
Tampa Bay is a better team than what Mayfield took the field with in 2022, and a two-for-one should be in the cards this weekend. Getting to .500 could be enough to win the NFC South again, and evening the tab – instead of going down two games – is more than doable against one of the worst teams in the league.
It’s also good to know that the Jaguars’ Lawrence tossed four scores and 245 yards in a blowout win against the Browns in Cleveland. And…my top quarterback sleeper last week, Tyler Shough, was QB 6 on the week, and within nine points of No. 1.
Baker Mayfield is QB 20 on The Wolf’s Week 2 rankings.
Bryce Young, Carolina @ Atlanta
Bryce Young was a popular waiver wire add this week, and should again be trusted this weekend in Atlanta.
In two career games in Atlanta, Young has 699 yards, eight touchdowns (six passing), and zero interceptions. His 361 yards in Week 1 match that pace, and he has a good receiving corps with Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and running back Chuba Hubbard (who would rather die than be in a committee backfield).
Atlanta has offensive weapons, but has no quarterback. Michael Pennix (knee) was seen taking first-team reps, but with Cooper Rush alongside him. It would be Pennix’s first start since tearing his ACL in November last season. Tua Tagovailoa (oblique) has not practiced.
Running back Bijan Robinson kept the Falcons afloat in what would have otherwise been a runaway game by a mediocre Pittsburgh team.
Atlanta’s defense isn’t stellar, and whether the team has a less-than-100 % quarterback or a QB3, Carolina should be able to control the game script.
Bryce Young is QB 21 on The Wolf’s Week 2 rankings.
Fantasy Football Week 2 TE Streamers
Mark Andrews, Baltimore vs New Orleans
Yes, again.
Mark Andrews’ 4-49-0 stat line in Week 1 didn’t move the needle much in adds on most sites from Week 1 to 2.
However, Baltimore could be without both Zay Flowers (hamstring) and Ja’Kobi Lane (wrist), who has already been ruled out.
New Orleans was two yards away from a 1-0 record last weekend, seeing quarterback Shough pass for 325 yards alone in the second half.
The Ravens may want to run the ball with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry every play, but that won’t be realistic. It would take more of a jump for Rashod Bateman, Devontez Walker or LaJohntay Wester to lead the team in targets, than it would for Andrews.
Andrews is likely a lower-end starter, but in a crowded group of available tight ends that struggle to score with not many tiers between them, I’ll take whatever advantage I can get.
This week, if it’s not Andrews, you won’t see him for a Week 3.
Mark Andrews is TE 18 on The Wolf’s Week 2 rankings.
Hunter Henry, New Engand vs Pittsburgh
I expect New England to deploy more from tight ends Hunter Henry and Eli Raridon on Sunday now that A.J. Brown (ankle) has been placed on injured reserve.
Whatever the increase looks like, it will favor the veteran Henry. Henry proved that last season against Pittsburgh after posting 90 yards and two touchdowns with a commanding eight catches in a game where the script featured him.
Much like Baltimore, the Patriots’ receiving cast is underwhelming. They’re projected to start Romeo Doubs, Demario Douglas, and Mack Hollins. It would again take more of a jump for that trio to command the most targets than it would for Henry.
TreVeyon Henderson should also be back for New England, which will force the Steelers defense to play more honestly, too. Even if more overall carries go to running backs, Henry should be the leader in targets.
Hunter Henry is TE 16 on The Wolf’s Week 2 rankings.
