Fantasy Football Week 2 Start/Sit Advice: Riskiest & Safest Players (2022)

This recurring pseudo-start/sit article focuses on some of the players I feel are the safest or riskiest starts in fantasy football each week, especially relative to their ranking in the PPR Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR). Always start your studs, as the elite players will be omitted each week except in extreme circumstances. You can find me on Twitter.

Week 1 in the NFL always seems to be a fickle beast regarding player performances. When they don’t have a great start, it is imperative not to overreact for fantasy, as it usually boils down to teams not yet fully cohesive. That is especially true with the truncated preseason and many opting to sit their starters. Teams will make adjustments, and things will start to level out. It was a mixed bag for calls, too, including mine (though I doubt DeVonta Smith registers a donut every week). Let’s right the ship this week.

Safest Starts

Derek Carr (QB – LV)
Arizona just gave up five passing touchdowns to the Kansas City Chiefs. While he isn’t Patrick Mahomes, the Cardinals aren’t going to have any answers for Derek Carr and the Raiders either, especially with All-Pro receiver Davante Adams at their disposal. Despite constant pressure from the Los Angeles Chargers, Carr still managed 37 passes for 295 yards and two touchdowns. He was also picked three times and sacked six, but that isn’t likely to repeat this week as the Cardinals are awful at creating pressure and turnovers. It also helps that Adams is in a smash spot and is the top WR start of the week. Start the signal-caller as a QB1 in what could be a shootout.

Marquise Brown (WR – ARZ)
On the flip side of the same game, the Cardinals’ offense should rebound a bit this week. Marquise Brown was relatively quiet against the Kansas City Chiefs until a fourth-quarter TD saved his fantasy day. Look for him to get more opportunities in this one, as the Cardinals should have to throw a lot to keep pace with the Raiders.

Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR)
Darrell Henderson has taken over the Rams’ starting running back job for the time being as Cam Akers continues to work his way back from an Achilles tear. Henderson played 82% of the snaps in Week 1, the second-highest rate among RBs. In his last 11 starts, Henderson is averaging 14.1 carries, 3.9 targets and 81.2 yards from scrimmage per game. This week, he is in RB2 territory again due to his heavy usage. Henderson could also see a few more targets in the passing game as the Falcons surrender the most fantasy points to receivers. Since the Falcons were 31st in red zone rushing defense last year, he could also get some scoring opportunities on the ground.

Riskiest Starts

Tom Brady (QB – TB)
Throughout his career, the New Orleans Saints have been Tom Brady’s kryptonite, mainly due to the pressure they put on him up front. The Brady-led Buccaneers have scored 23, 3, 30, 27 and 0 points against the Saints the past two seasons. Brady’s TD to INT ratio in those games is 6:8. He is also coming off a game where he only completed 18 of 27 passes for 212 yards, with just one TD and an INT. The Saints could have an even easier time against him on Sunday as the Buccaneers’ already depleted offensive line could also be without their starting left tackle Donovan Smith. He’ll also be down a weapon with Chris Godwin officially ruled out on Friday, and Mike Williams is battling an injury of his own. Furthermore, Williams will face Marshon Lattimore, who has had his number over the years. Brady is a recommended sit if you have a comparable option or someone in a more favorable matchup like Derek Carr this week.

Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI)
The Chicago Bears didn’t fare well last week against the San Francisco 49ers in monsoon-like conditions. Darnell Mooney had one lone catch and just three targets, which is abnormally low for the third-year receiver. The Bears’ offensive line struggled, and questions remain about the offense’s new scheme and the progression of second-year QB Justin Fields. Things won’t be much better for Mooney in Green Bay, where he could see a lot of CB Jaire Alexander.

Damien Harris (RB – NE)
The matchup against the Steelers isn’t bad on paper, but the Patriots offense was a mess last week. Damien Harris is in a timeshare with Rhamondre Stevenson, receiving only nine rushing attempts and three targets. Besides, with QB Mac Jones possibly not 100% (back/illness), Pittsburgh could stack the box against the ground game and force them to throw.