By Ryan Bologna
We’re on to week two in the NFL season, and it’s time to set your fantasy lineups. As usual, we compiled what the top outlets are saying to give you a cheat sheet. Based on what we found, there are some very popular choices this week, especially when it comes to running backs and tight ends. Read more to get the edge in your matchup.
Quarterbacks
Kirk Cousins was a popular pick across outlets this week, as he was mentioned by four of the five. Cousins’ Vikings will travel to Philadelphia on Monday night to play the Eagles, who gave up 35 points in a win against the Lions in week one. Cousins put up a solid performance against the Packers in the season opener and should have an easier time against the Eagles defense.
There was no name that was overwhelmingly common for the Sit ‘Em category, but when Tom Brady is listed twice it is something to take note of. Brady didn’t light up the scoreboard in week one and he is facing the Saints this weekend. Pretty much any football fan knows Brady’s track record against New Orleans since joining the Buccaneers. It might be wise to go with someone else this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Trey Lance | Tom Brady, Marcus Mariota, Justin Fields, Ryan Tannehill |
| ESPN | Jalen Hurts, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow | Kirk Cousins, Matt Ryan, Jameis Winston |
| CBS | Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Trey Lance | Ryan Tannehill, Trevor Lawrence, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Fields, Jameis Winston |
| Yahoo | Kirk Cousins, Jalen Hurts, Trey Lance | Matt Ryan, Tua Tagovailoa, Ryan Tannehill |
| Sporting News | Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Trey Lance | Tom Brady, Jameis Winston, Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence |
Running Backs
Commanders’ players were popular in our week two edition of waiver wire. Another Commander getting some love this week is running back Antonio Gibson, who’s facing a Lions defense that gave up 216 yards and four touchdowns on the ground against the Eagles last week. While the Eagles are a run-heavy team, Gibson could be in for a good game this Sunday as the lead back.
Dameon Pierce was a popular pick in the middle and later rounds of fantasy drafts, but he just doesn’t have a big enough role to start as of now. Pierce was on the given 11 rushes and one target in a game that played a full 10 minutes of overtime. Pierce could be a good fantasy player later on this season, but keep him stashed on the bench until he sees a bigger role.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Antonio Gibson, Darrell Henderson, Jeff Wilson | Josh Jacobs, Cam Akers, Damien Pierce, Damien Harris |
| ESPN | Antonio Gibson, A.J. Dillon, Kareem Hunt | Rashaad Penny, Travis Etienne Jr., Breece Hall |
| CBS | Antonio Gibson, Kareem Hunt, Darrell Henderson Jr., A.J. Dillon, Miles Sanders | Ezekiel Elliott, Dameon Pierce, Cam Akers, Devin Singletary, Damien Harris |
| Yahoo | Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Rashaad Penny, Jeff Wilson Jr. | Breece Hall, David Montgomery, Damien Harris |
| Sporting News | Miles Sanders, Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris, Devin Singletary | Ezekiel Elliott, Rashaad Penny, David Montgomery, Darrell Henderson |
Wide Receivers
Multiple outlets love Amon-Ra St. Brown this week — he showed that his production from last season wasn’t a fluke win for week one, with eight receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. St. Brown should have a big role in the offense throughout the season as he has had the most targets of anyone on the Lions last week with 12. If you have St. Brown on your roster, you should highly consider starting him.
Seattle got a big win against Denver on Monday night, but outlets are not very optimistic when it comes to DK Metcalf. The wide receiver led Seattle in targets with seven against the Broncos, but only came away with 36 yards. Metcalf will perform better as the season goes on, but on the road against a tough 49ers defense isn’t the spot for that breakout game. Consider other options this weekend.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Gabe Davis, Christian Kirk, Julio Jones, Drake London | Kadarius Toney, Elijah Moore, Amari Cooper, Adam Thielen |
| ESPN | D.J. Moore, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Gabe Davis | DK Metcalf, Christian Kirk, Hunter Renfrow |
| CBS | Allen Robinson, Gabe Davis, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Mike Williams, D.J. Moore | DK Metcalf, Rashod Bateman, Darnell Mooney, Amari Cooper, Robert Woods |
| Yahoo | Amon-Ra St. Brown, Gabe Davis, Courtland Sutton | DK Metcalf, Rashod Bateman |
| Sporting News | CeeDee Lamb, Juju Smith-Schuster, Adam Thielen, Brandon Aiyuk | DK Metcalf, Rashod Bateman, Elijah Moore, Christian Kirk |
Tight Ends
Pat Freiermuth came into the season with volume concerns due to the Steelers drafting George Pickens, but those were put to bed in week one. He was targeted 10 times and should have a big role in Pittsburgh’s offense. He can be a valuable safety blanket for Mitch Trubisky and eventually Kenny Pickett.
Someone to consider benching is Dawson Knox. He may be a quality tight end, but Knox is battling for targets with Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis on his team. If you picked up someone like Everett or have another tight end of similar capabilities on your roster, consider starting them over Knox this week.
| Start ‘Em | Sit ‘Em | |
| NFL.com | Kyle Pitts, Dalton Schultz, Pat Freiermuth, Gerald Everett | Dawson Knox, Irv Smith, Mike Gesicki, Hunter Henry |
| ESPN | Pat Freiermuth, Zack Ertz, Dallas Goedert | David Njoku, Evan Engram, Irv Smith |
| CBS | Pat Freiermuth, Zack Ertz, Gerald Everett | Mike Gesicki, David Njoku, Evan Engram, Dawson Knox |
| Yahoo | Dallas Goedert, Pat Freiermuth, Gerald Everett | Hayden Hurst, Austin Hooper, Noah Fant |
| Sporting News | Pat Freiermuth, Zach Ertz, Hunter Henry, Gerald Everett | Dawson Know, Albert Okwuegbunam, Taysom Hill, Cole Kmet |
