2 years agoCarolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas operated as the team's TE1 last week and will go on the road to face the New York Giants in Week 2. Thomas was only targeted three times in Week 1, but turned one of his two receptions into a 50-yard gain and was brought down just shy of the end zone. Tommy Tremble is also competing for tight end duties in Carolina but ran clearly behind Thomas, who out-snapped him 35-to-18 in the season opener. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has frequently targeted tight ends throughout his career, so Thomas' utilization going forward is something to keep an eye on. For now, he can be left on the waiver wire in all but the deepest of redraft leagues.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoCarolina Panthers wide receiver Robbie Anderson was surprisingly the best fantasy option on the team in Week 1 and will look to continue his hot start in an away matchup against the New York Giants. Anderson's performance last week can mostly be attributed to one big play, a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Baker Mayfield. That aside, though, Anderson was targeted eight times which led the team. He has been a vertical threat throughout his career and could connect for a deep touchdown on any given week, especially if he continues to be heavily targeted. He will always have a high ceiling and thus can be deployed as a flex play, but nothing more until he proves he can produce consistently for fantasy football.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoCarolina Panthers wide receiver DJ Moore had a disappointing Week 1 and will look to get back on track on the road against the New York Giants in Week 2. There will surely be a handful of down weeks from Moore this season as the Panthers' offense led by Baker Mayfield is not expected to be consistently great. Moore, however, has dealt with subpar quarterback play throughout his career and has still managed to post solid numbers and big fantasy performances from time to time. An ascension into weekly WR1 territory seems unlikely, but Moore should still be started as a solid WR2 with upside.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoCarolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey found the end zone in Week 1 but did not have the monstrous fantasy performance that we've come to expect from him when healthy. He has a great opportunity to get things going in Week 2 against the New York Giants, who allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2021. Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo also said following last week's game that the team must get CMC more involved. Dynamic on the ground and through the air, McCaffrey is a game script-proof workhorse running back and must be started as a top-five play at the position.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoCarolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield will look to improve on his lackluster Week 1 performance in a Week 2 away bout with the New York Giants. Emotions surely had an impact on Mayfield in his Panthers debut as he played his former team, the Cleveland Browns, but he wasn't bad for fantasy. Perhaps he will be able to focus more and have a stronger showing against a Giants defense that allowed a top-12 finish to Ryan Tannehill last week. Still, Mayfield is a low-end QB2 for now and should only be viewed as a viable option in superflex/two-QB leagues.--Jorden Hill - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller

2 years agoThe Houston Texans defense faces a tough test in Week 2 as the team goes on the road to face the Denver Broncos. With Russell Wilson quarterbacking the Broncos and the Texans defense allowing 340 passing yards last week, there's not a lot of upside with this defense for fantasy purposes. There will be times when you can stream the Texans defense, but this probably isn't the week to do it.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoHouston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn was perfect from the field in Week 1, making both of his extra points and both of his field goal attempts. Despite that, Fairbairn ranks fairly low when talking about kickers for Week 2, mainly because this Texans offense isn't good enough to put Fairbairn in position to make many kicks. Maybe that analysis will turn out to be wrong, but unless the Texans start to move the ball better, Fairbairn should be viewed as a bye-week fill in at kicker, not a fantasy starter.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoHouston Texans tight end O.J. Howard caught a pair of touchdowns last week against the Colts, but he was also only targeted on those two plays the entire game. Heading into Week 2 against the Broncos, Howard is an enticing fantasy option, but the lack of usage outside of those touchdowns last week is worrisome. He's a boom-or-bust TE2 play in fantasy this week.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoHouston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins was targeted three times in Week 1, catching two passes for 26 yards. His lack of usage makes him a risky fantasy option heading into Sunday's Week 2 meeting with the Denver Broncos. Brandin Cooks was the team's clear No. 1 receiver last week, while Collins and Chris Moore split the No. 2 role. Collins has some tantalizing athletic traits, but until we see him getting more targets, he should stay out of fantasy lineups.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoHouston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks appears to be the only consistent fantasy threat on the Texans roster heading into Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. Last week, Cooks was targeted 12 times, catching seven passes for 82 yards. No other wide receiver for the team saw more than three targets. Cooks is a volume-based WR2 play on a weekly basis, even though the rest of this Texans offense will likely continue to struggle.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoHouston Texans rookie running back Dameon Pierce appears to be the team's No. 2 back heading into Week 2 and the team's meeting with the Denver Broncos. Pierce had 11 carries in Week 1, finishing with 33 yards. He was targeted once in the passing game, catching it for a six-yard gain. As long as Rex Burkhead is getting the pass-game usage in Houston, Pierce's chances of breaking out remain low. Consider him a deep-league flex play this week.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoHouston Texans running back Rex Burkhead appears to be the team's lead back heading into their Week 2 matchup with the Broncos. Burkhead had three more carries than Dameon Pierce last week, as well as seven more targets than the rookie. Burkhead could have some appeal in deep PPR leagues as a flex play, but the Texans run game is unlikely to find much room against this Broncos defense.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoHouston Texans quarterback Davis Mills has a tough matchup in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos, making him a tough player to trust in fantasy football. Last week, Mills attempted 37 passes but ended up with just 240 yards in an overtime tie with the Colts. The Broncos allowed just 177 passing yards last week, so don't expect Mills to light the world on fire. He's a low-end QB2 at best in Week 2.--Justin Carter - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference

2 years agoNew Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ribs) was not on the field for the portion of Friday's practice that was open to the media. This doesn't necessarily mean he was a non-participant, but at the very least, he was significantly limited. For what it's worth, he was limited on Wednesday but did not practice on Thursday. Between his lack of participation and the Saints' signing of Latavius Murray, it's fair to wonder if Kamara could be inactive for Week 2. If that is the case, Mark Ingram would start at running back against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving him RB3 appeal in fantasy football.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: John Hendrix

2 years agoChicago Bears rookie wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Week 2. He did not practice for the second consecutive week. With Jones sidelined, look for Equanimeous St. Brown and Dante Pettis to fill depth roles behind Darnell Mooney. St. Brown and Pettis combined for two catches, 69 yards, and two touchdowns in Week 1, leaving their respective outlooks fairly unpredictable heading into Sunday's clash with the Packers.--Andersen Pickard - RotoBallerSource: Mark Grote