Week 2 of the NFL season is here, and there are decisions to be made. This is a time of uncertainty; last Sunday gave us a good idea of how teams operate, but not the full picture. With 12 different featured games, fantasy football managers have plenty of options. However, finding value before a single snap is easier said than done. Here are some sleeper picks that could help you win a DraftKings DFS or season-long fantasy matchup.
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Week 2 Fantasy Football Sleepers
QB Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns ($5,000)
In a league filled with uncertainty under center, Joe Flacco is a breath of fresh air. At this point in his career, fantasy managers know what they’re going to get from the veteran. That means plenty of passes, barely any rushing yards, and some high-risk throws. In Week 1, the former Super Bowl MVP threw for 290 yards and a touchdown. However, he also tossed two interceptions against the Bengals en route to 14.2 fantasy points.
If (big if) Flacco can control the turnovers, he could enjoy a productive outing against his old team. Last week, Josh Allen ($7,100) carved up Baltimore’s secondary (41.76 FPTS). Granted, the MVP is a significant step up in talent compared to Cleveland’s QB. Regardless, a stat line that’s even half as good as Allen’s would make the 40-year-old a steal. Assuming the Ravens operate a run-heavy, time-consuming offense, the Browns will be forced to throw the ball. That should allow Flacco to rack up a decent chunk of yardage in garbage time.
RB Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers ($4,400)
One of the biggest topics of debate in fantasy football this offseason was Pittsburgh’s backfield. Following Week 1, it appears that Jaylen Warren ($5,400) is the current RB1. Still, there’s room for more than one Steelers running back to produce. The player that received the second-most carries against the Jets was former Eagles rusher Kenneth Gainwell. Granted, he only gained 19 yards on seven rushes. Still, it was enough of a workload to hint at bigger things to come.
In addition to his work on the ground, Gainwell managed to haul in three catches on Sunday. In this new, Aaron Rodgers-led offense, there should be several opportunities for dump-off passes. It also helps that Pittsburgh’s opponent, the Seahawks, allowed the 49ers to run wild in Week 1. Despite being the third-most expensive Steelers RB, Gainwell could deliver major dividends for fantasy managers.
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs ($4,000)
Xavier Worthy (shoulder) won’t suit up this weekend. Rasheed RIce remains suspended. That leaves the Chiefs with a major lack of depth at wide receiver. Hollywood Brown ($5,200) is a trendy pick to dominate targets on Sunday. However, there’s enough room in this offense to feed multiple players. If anyone else can make an impact for Kansas City, it might be JuJu Smith-Schuster.
The ninth-year pro is no longer a true difference-maker on the outside. Still, as a veteran presence, the Chiefs could do a lot worse. Last week against the Chargers, the 29-year-old caught five balls for 55 yards. Sunday’s marquee matchup with the Eagles could see Kansas City trailing. Much like the Ravens, Philadelphia’s running game could keep the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ ($6,200) hands. That could lead to an abundance of passes in the middle of the field. At 6’1″, Smith-Schuster is an ideal target for any quarterback. The veteran doesn’t need to do much in order to go over this modest $4,000 price tag.
