Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Week 2

Week 1 has come and gone, and much like the Miami Dolphins, several fantasy teams are already a wreck. Whether it was sitting Sammy Watkins, playing Jameis Winston, or not trusting Lamar Jackson - owners had their fair share of Week 1 gaffes - and I was no exception.

But after correctly predicting breakouts from Chris Carson and Marlon Mack last week (let’s just forget that errant Jameis Winston advice) I’m back to try and help your teams for Week 2.

Start:

• Tom Brady vs. Dolphins

Yes, Miami has seemingly been Tom Brady’s kryptonite in recent years, but this is also a Dolphins team that looked like a bunch of 8th graders last week against Baltimore.

Don’t overthink this one. Start Brady.

• Lamar Jackson vs. Arizona

Is Lamar Jackson going to replicate Sunday’s performance against Arizona? Probably not. But the QB has the confidence, weapons, and talent to continue his hot start this weekend in a prime match-up. The Cardinals secondary was abused by Matthew Stafford last week, getting shredded for 385 pass yards and 3 touchdowns. Journeyman Trumaine Brock and 2nd Round rookie Byron Murphy are currently Arizona’s two starting outside corners, and look for Jackson to take advantage of the inexperience and weaknesses at the position.

The Cardinals coverage in the middle of the field was also abysmal against Detroit, with rookie TE T.J. Hockenson going for 131 yards and a touchdown - and given Baltimore and OC Greg Roman love to feature their TE’s - that bodes VERY well for Jackson.

All in all, this couldn’t be a better schedule to start Jackson’s year. Play him or you’ll regret it.

• Amari Cooper vs. Washington

Because of Dak Prescott’s career performance against New York, it seemed on the surface like Cooper had a “down” week last Sunday. Teammate Michael Gallup outperformed the former Alabama wideout, but that didn’t mean he played anywhere close to poorly. Cooper posted an extremely solid 6-106-1 stat line and he was his crisp and efficient self, showing off his natural explosion and agility. Look for him to pick up right where he left off against a Washington team who was just shredded by DeSean Jackson this past weekend - and don’t be surprised if Cooper replicates some of Jackson’s electrifying performance.

Start him all day long.

Sleeper:

• D.K. Metcalf vs. Pittsburgh

Thousands of lazy takes and uniformed narratives have been laid upon Metcalf in the past year - and the former Ole Miss wideout keeps on disproving all of them. As a rookie in a run-heavy scheme, he’s a risky fantasy proposition, but after posting a productive 4-89 line last week - and now up against a brutal Pittsburgh D - I can’t help but be stoked for his performance this coming Sunday.

If you want to be bold and have that classic “go big or go home” mentality, Metcalf is your guy.

Sit:

• John Ross vs. 49ers

Ross had a career game against Seattle last week, finally showing off the dazzling speed and playmaking ability that got him selected 9th overall back in 2017. Looking like a revamped player in Zac Taylor’s new scheme, the former Husky posted an impressive 7-158-2 line and could have been even more productive if he capitalized on a few poor drops. Unfortunately, it’s that inconsistency that still scares me, and it’s what makes me not able to invest in him this coming weekend.

Only fantasy relevant if he capitalizes on long passes, the streaky and dependent nature of Ross’ game makes him a strong “bust” candidate this weekend. Stay away.

• Kenyan Drake vs. Patriots

Miami is a train-wreck, and despite Drake proving he is the best RB on the team, the Dolphins are insistent on keeping him in a timeshare with Kalen Ballage - rendering both useless for fantasy purposes.

Hard pass.