Fantasy football rest of season rankings: Week 2

By HC Green

NOTE: These fantasy football rankings track a player’s value for the remainder of the season and are intended to be used as a tool, not necessarily a definitive guide to player valuation. The scoring system is performance PPR. There is no exact science behind season-long rankings, considering all of the variables and situational uncertainties at work.

Fantasy football rest of season rankings

Quarterbacks
Rk	Never leaves lineup	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
1	Patrick Mahomes, KC	12
2	Kyler Murray, ARI	12		if he can stay healthy he could have a monster season
3	Josh Allen, BUF	7
4	Dak Prescott, DAL	7		showed no signs of his ankle injury; stood strong against a tough Bucs pass rush
5	Lamar Jackson, BAL	8
Rk	Lineup regulars	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
6	Russell Wilson, SEA	9		my concern with Wilson remains his week-to-week usage on a team that wants to run
7	Aaron Rodgers, GB	13		Green Bay has had some stinkers under the Rodgers/LaFleur pairing; I’m not concerned as of yet
8	Justin Herbert, LAC	7
9	Tom Brady, TB	9
10	Jalen Hurts, PHI	14		excellent start to the season for the dual-threat; was it legit growth or is ATL really bad?
11	Matthew Stafford, LAR	11
12	Ryan Tannehill, TEN	13		poor start, but let’s give it a few weeks as Jones gets more comfortable in the offense
13	Joe Burrow, CIN	10		Burrow’s quick recovery from a torn ACL is impressive
Rk	Weekly matchup plays	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
14	Kirk Cousins, MIN	7		49 pass attempts in a loss; how mad is Mike Zimmer right now?
15	Matt Ryan, ATL	6
16	Baker Mayfield, CLE	13		CLE scored four TDs in Wk 1, all rushing; if that evens out Mayfield could move up
17	Ben Roethlisberger, PIT	7
18	Derek Carr, LV	8		what if all those young WRs start playing well?
19	Trevor Lawrence, JAC	7
20	Justin Fields, CHI	10		“The most amazing TD run in NFL history.” — Bears fans on Twitter (probably)
21	Jameis Winston, TB	6		if it’s possible to have an unimpressive 5-TD game I think we just saw it
22	Tua Tagovailoa, MIA	14
23	Mac Jones, NE	14		Jones looked pretty steady against a quality defense
24	Daniel Jones, NYG	10
Rk	Fringe plays/roster depth	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
25	Carson Wentz, IND	14
26	Trey Lance, SF	6
27	Teddy Bridgewater, DEN	11
28	Jared Goff, DET	9		massive garbage time production vs SF; I’m not buying it
29	Zach Wilson, NYJ	6
30	Tyrod Taylor, HOU	10
31	Taylor Heinicke, WAS	9		steps into the starting role w/ Fitzpatrick out; might be worth watching
32	Sam Darnold, CAR	13
33	Jimmy Garoppolo, SF	6		in a game where SF scored 41 points, Jimmy G completed just 17 passes
34	Andy Dalton, CHI	10
35	Ryan Fitzpatrick, WAS	9		placed on IR w/ a hip injury; likely to miss 6-8 weeks
36	Deshaun Watson, HOU	10		worth carrying in all leagues until the trade deadline passes
Running backs
Rk	Never leaves lineup	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
1	Christian McCaffrey, CAR	13		30 touches, 187 yards in Wk 1; Run CMC is back!
2	Alvin Kamara, NO	6
3	Dalvin Cook, MIN	7		we’ll see how Cook responds to a rough opener (3.1 YPC, lost fumble)
4	Jonathan Taylor, IND	14
5	Ezekiel Elliott, DAL	7		let’s assume his Wk 1 usage was a byproduct of facing last year’s No. 1 run D
6	Derrick Henry, TEN	13		TEN’s o-line blocked so poorly their LT apologized on social media’
Rk	Lineup regulars	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
7	Nick Chubb, CLE	13
8	Joe Mixon, CIN	10		Mixon ran for 127 yds Sunday; last year he ran for 164 yds combined in Sept.
9	Aaron Jones, GB	13		a terrible day for GB’s offense extended to Jones; expect them to right the ship in Wk 2
10	David Montgomery, CHI	10		posted 117 total yds & a TD in Wk 1; he’s someone whose value could go up whenever Fields takes over
11	Antonio Gibson, WAS	9
12	Austin Ekeler, LAC	7		dealing w/ a hamstring injury; carried 15 times in Wk 1 but nothing as a receiver
13	Saquon Barkley, NYG	10		looked rusty in his return from a torn ACL last Sept.; it’ll likely take time to get back up to speed
14	Najee Harris, PIT	7
15	Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC	12
16	Chris Carson, SEA	9
17	James Robinson, JAC	7		had fewer touches than Carlos Hyde; for now let’s assume that was due to a big early deficit
18	Josh Jacobs, LV	8		only 34 yards but scored twice; already bothered by a turf toe
19	Chase Edmonds, ARI	12
20	D’Andre Swift, DET	9
21	Miles Sanders, PHI	14		a reminder that Sanders has a career YPC of 4.9; all about staying healthy
22	Mike Davis, ATL	6
Rk	Weekly matchup plays	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
23	Kareem Hunt, CLE	13
24	Darrell Henderson, LAR	11		operated as LA’s clear RB1 on SNF; the key for Henderson is staying healthy
25	Damien Harris, NE	14		had 23 of NE’s 30 rushing attempts but his day ended w/ a killer fumble
26	Myles Gaskin, MIA	14
27	Nyheim Hines, IND	14
28	Javonte Williams, DEN	11		Williams had 14 carries to Gordon’s 11 in Wk 1
29	Melvin Gordon III, DEN	11		Gordon hit on a late 70-yard TD run but was basically 1b to Williams’ 1a vs NYG
30	Jamaal Williams, DET	9		played well in his DET debut but so much damage was done when SF had built a huge lead
31	James Conner, ARI	12
32	Leonard Fournette, TB	9
33	Ty’Son Williams, BAL	8		turned his 12 touches into 94 yds and a TD; if he’s available go get him
34	Devin Singletary, BUF	7
Rk	Fringe plays/roster depth	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
35	AJ Dillon, GB	13		arguably GB’s most effective player in a utterly disastrous opener
36	Ronald Jones, TB	9		Arians’ willingness to ice out Jones when mistakes are made is concerning
37	Michael Carter, NYJ	6
38	Mark Ingram, HOU	10		served as HOU’s bell cow in Wk 1 w/ 26 of the team’s 41 rush attempts
39	Tony Pollard, DAL	7
40	Kenyan Drake, LV	8
41	Elijah Mitchell, SF	6		topped 100 yds in his NFL debut; w/ Mostert out he should get first crack at being RB1 in SF
42	Zack Moss, BUF	7		Moss was a healthy inactive vs PIT; this is a storyline to watch in Wk 2
43	Sony Michel, LAR	11
44	Latavius Murray, BAL	8		got 10 carries on MNF & scored a TD; still a physical runner
45	James White, NE	14
46	J.D. McKissic, WAS	9
47	Carlos Hyde, JAC	7
48	Phillip Lindsay, HOU	10
49	Malcolm Brown, MIA	14
50	Kenneth Gainwell, PHI	14		saw a respectable amount of work against ATL; keep an eye on him
51	Larry Rountree, LAC	7		worked as RB2 in Wk1
52	Tevin Coleman, NYJ	6
53	Trey Sermon, SF	6		inactive Sunday; it appears he’s third on the depth chart for now
54	David Johnson, HOU	10		worked behind Ingram & Lindsay in the opener
55	Devonta Freeman, BAL	8
56	Darrynton Evans, TEN	13
57	Justin Jackson, LAC	7		just two touches in Wk 1
58	Damien Williams, CHI	10
59	Chuba Hubbard, CAR	13
60	Raheem Mostert, SF	6		placed on IR w/ a knee injury; he’s expected to miss roughly half of the season
61	Samaje Perine, CIN	10
62	Giovani Bernard, TB	9
63	Alexander Mattison, MIN	7		purely a handcuff for Dalvin Cook
64	Darrel Williams, KC	12
65	Tarik Cohen, CHI	10		will miss at least the first 6 games on the PUP list
66	Rashaad Penny, SEA	9		suffered a calf strain in Wk 1; will miss at least one game
67	Wayne Gallman, ATL	6
68	Devontae Booker, NYG	10
69	Benny Snell Jr., PIT	7
70	Rhamondre Stevenson, NE	14
Wide receivers
Rk	Never leaves lineup	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
1	Davante Adams, GB	13
2	Stefon Diggs, BUF	7
3	Tyreek Hill, KC	12		accounted for more yds in Wk 1 than Adams & Diggs combined
4	DeAndre Hopkins, ARI	12
5	DK Metcalf, SEA	9
6	Calvin Ridley, ATL	6		there were some definite red flags for ATL’s offense on Sunday
7	Keenan Allen, LAC	7
8	Justin Jefferson, MIN	7
9	Terry McLaurin, WAS	9		quiet opener, catching all four of his targets
10	CeeDee Lamb, DAL	7		he’s still leaving plays on the field; the talent is there, though
11	A.J. Brown, TEN	13
Rk	Lineup regulars	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
12	Allen Robinson II, CHI	10		CHI’s QB situation makes me a little nervous for Robinson
13	Robert Woods, LAR	11
14	Amari Cooper, DAL	7		perhaps not as explosive as Lamb, but he’s the steadiest DAL WR
15	Chris Godwin, TB	9		out of all TB’s weapons I like Godwin to be the most reliable contributor
16	Adam Thielen, MIN	7
17	Cooper Kupp, LAR	11
18	Mike Evans, TB	9		his week-to-week value is gonna be more volatile than Godwin or Brown
19	Tyler Lockett, SEA	9
20	Tee Higgins, CIN	10
21	D.J. Moore, CAR	13
22	Diontae Johnson, PIT	7
23	Julio Jones, TEN	13
24	JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT	7
25	Deebo Samuel, SF	6		with Aiyuk in the doghouse, Samuel is THE guy outside in SF
Rk	Weekly matchup plays	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
26	Kenny Golladay, NYG	10
27	DeVonta Smith, PHI	14		led PHI in targets in a strong debut
28	Brandin Cooks, HOU	10
29	Ja’Marr Chase, CIN	10
30	Mike Williams, LAC	7		if Williams can stay healthy he has top-20 potential
31	Robby Anderson, CAR	13
32	Chase Claypool, PIT	7
33	Brandon Aiyuk, SF	6		he didn’t get a sniff in Wk 1; Shanahan is apparently sending a message…
34	Laviska Shenault Jr., JAC	7
35	Corey Davis, NYJ	6
36	Michael Thomas, NO	6		currently on the PUP w/ an ankle injury
37	Antonio Brown, TB	9		Brown could move closer to Tier 2 w/ another strong performance this weekend
38	Courtland Sutton, DEN	11
39	Curtis Samuel, WAS	9		Samuel is currently on IR w/ a groin injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk. 4
40	Odell Beckham Jr., CLE	13		DNP in Wk 1 as he works back from last year’s knee injury
41	Michael Pittman Jr., IND	14
42	DJ Chark Jr., JAC	7		targeted 12 times in Wk. 1 but caught just three balls
43	Jarvis Landry, CLE	13
44	Emmanuel Sanders, BUF	7
45	Jakobi Meyers, NE	14
46	Jerry Jeudy, DEN	11		expected to miss 4-6 weeks w/ a high-ankle sprain
47	Darnell Mooney, CHI	10
48	Marvin Jones, JAC	7
49	Jaylen Waddle, MIA	14		caught a TD pass in his NFL debut
50	Russell Gage Jr., ATL	6		had as many catches as I did in Wk 1
51	Tyler Boyd, CIN	10		it sure feels like Boyd is already WR3 in Burrow’s mind
52	Marquise Brown, BAL	8
53	Sammy Watkins, BAL	8
54	Rondale Moore, ARI	12
55	Marquez Callaway, NO	6
56	A.J. Green, ARI	12		finished behind Hopkins, Kirk & Moore in catches/yards in Wk. 1
57	Cole Beasley, BUF	7
Rk	Fringe plays/roster depth	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
58	Nelson Agholor, NE	14
59	T.Y. Hilton, IND	14		currently on IR w/ a neck injury; he’s eligible to return in Wk. 4
60	DeVante Parker, MIA	14
61	Henry Ruggs III, LV	8
62	Michael Gallup, DAL	7		injured his calf in Wk. 1; is expected to be out 3-5 weeks
63	Elijah Moore, NYJ	6
64	Darius Slayton, NYG	10
65	Mecole Hardman, KC	12
66	Bryan Edwards, LV	8
67	Gabriel Davis, BUF	7
68	Jalen Reagor, PHI	14		tied for team lead in catches and scored a TD
69	Parris Campbell, IND	14
70	Marquez Valdes-Scantling, GB	13
71	Sterling Shepard, NYG	10
72	Hunter Renfrow, LV	8
73	Will Fuller, MIA	14		was suspended for Wk. 1; joins a WR group with Jaylen Waddle & DeVante Parker
74	Van Jefferson, LAR	11
75	KJ Hamler, DEN	11		he could have a bigger role w/ Jeudy out until at least October
76	Christian Kirk, ARI	12		posted a 5-70-2 line in Wk. 1, but Kirk has teased fantasy owners before
77	Nico Collins, HOU	10
78	Tyrell Williams, DET	9
79	Byron Pringle, KC	12
80	Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET	9
Tight ends
Rk	Never leaves lineup	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
1	Travis Kelce, KC	12
2	Darren Waller, LV	8		Waller was targeted 19 times in Wk 1; he’s clearly well ahead of Kittle at this point
3	George Kittle, SF	6
4	T.J. Hockenson, DET	9		he’s easily DET’s best receiving target right now, which should mean lots of looks from Goff
Rk	Lineup regulars	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
5	Mark Andrews, BAL	8
6	Kyle Pitts, ATL	6		did little w/ his eight targets, but that matched Ridley for most on the team
7	Dallas Goedert, PHI	14
8	Noah Fant, DEN	11
9	Logan Thomas, WAS	9		scored WAS’ only TD on Sunday
10	Robert Tonyan, GB	13		one of several Packers that didn’t show up in Wk 1
11	Tyler Higbee, LAR	11
12	Rob Gronkowski, TB	9		that looked like old-school Gronk on TNF
13	Hunter Henry, NE	14
14	Jonnu Smith, NE	14		I worry that Smith/Henry will cannibalize each other’s value
15	Mike Gesicki, MIA	14
16	Cole Kmet, CHI	10		Kmet has clearly passed Jimmy Graham in Chicago
17	Jared Cook, LAC	7		trailed only Allen & Williams in Wk 1 targets for LA
Rk	Fringe plays/roster depth	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
18	Eric Ebron, PIT	7
19	Evan Engram, NYG	10		DNP in Wk 1 w/ a calf injury & looks likely to miss Wk 2
20	Gerald Everett, SEA	9
21	Austin Hooper, CLE	13
22	Tyler Kroft, NYJ	6
23	Anthony Firkser, TEN	13
24	Chris Herndon, MIN	7		MIN’s passing game revolves around its wideouts
25	Zach Ertz, PHI	14
26	Juwan Johnson, NO	6		the converted WR had a very interesting debut; he might be worth rolling the dice on
27	Adam Trautman, NO	6
28	David Njoku, CLE	13
29	Blake Jarwin, DAL	7		saw four targets to Dalton Schultz’s six in Wk 1
30	O.J. Howard, TB	9		all Gronk, all the time in the opener
Defensive teams
Rk	Never leaves lineup	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
1	Steelers, PIT	7
2	Rams, LAR	11		LA bent at times against the Bears but rarely broke
3	Buccaneers, TB	9		not many teams out there will be able to match DAL’s game plan
4	Washington, WAS	9
5	Ravens, BAL	8
Rk	Lineup regulars	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
6	49ers, SF	6		I’m going to assume they just completely checked out mentally after going up 28
7	Patriots, NE	14		only allowed 259 yards in Wk 1; if the offense can put pressure on teams the big plays could follow
8	Dolphins, MIA	14
9	Bills, BUF	7
10	Colts, IND	14
11	Cardinals, ARI	12		Chandler Jones could not be blocked
12	Broncos, DEN	11
Rk	Weekly matchup plays	Bye	Up/Down	Notes
13	Chiefs, KC	12
14	Browns, CLE	13
15	Chargers, LAC	7
16	Saints, NO	6		tremendous Wk 1 showing, holding last year’s No. 1 offense to 3 points w/ 3 takeaways
17	Bears, CHI	10
18	Seahawks, SEA	9
19	Cowboys, DAL	7		forced four turnovers in the opener but color me skeptical
20	Packers, GB	13		terrible effort vs NO, but there’s interesting talent there