With the amount of narratives circulating in the NFL, it’s hard to believe it’s only been one week. From the Bengals finally winning in Week 1, the Dolphins imploding and the Packers dominating last year’s NFC North Champions, there is no shortage of things to talk about. We also had our first look at which matchups might be worth targeting for fantasy football.
My name is Ellis Johnson, and this is your smash starts for Week 2. In this article, I will highlight five players who are primed for a big fantasy week. From stars to waiver wire adds, I’ll cover a variety of players who can win you your week.
- Waiver Wire Picks
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Smash Starts: Week 2
James Conner (RB – ARI) vs. Carolina Panthers
Despite everyone creating narratives that James Conner has lost a step, the veteran back keeps proving people wrong. Although Trey Benson managed to outproduce Conner on fewer touches last week, his role is limited to third downs. Most notably, Conner out-snapped the sophomore back 65% to 33%. Conner was also heavily utilized in the receiving game, getting three screen targets and scoring his touchdown through the air.
This week, the Cardinals take on a Panthers team desperately trying to forget last week. The Jaguars dominated the Panthers on the ground, highlighted by a 79-yard rush by Travis Etienne. Etienne finished with 16 carries for 143 yards and three receptions for 33 yards. This game could become the highest-scoring matchup of the week, and all pieces should be in play. Start Conner as a low-end RB1 in another stellar matchup.
Kayshon Boutte (WR – NE) @ Miami Dolphins
Kayshon Boutte making my smash starts column was not on my bingo card heading into the season. Going back to last season, he has 95+ yards in three of his last four games. He also has five or more targets in every game but one, going back to Week 12. Say what you will, but that’s some incredibly consistent usage. This week, the Patriots face a Dolphins team that was torn apart by Daniel Jones in their opener.
The Dolphins were already starting a fifth-round rookie as their slot corner, and now 2024 undrafted free agent (UDFA) Storm Duck is out with an injury. After all of the excitement over Drake Maye this offseason, Week 1 was a letdown for Patriots fans. Thankfully, this is the perfect matchup for the youngster to show off his arm talent. Start Boutte as a Flex option, and you may be pleasantly surprised with his production.
Trevor Lawrence (QB – JAX) @ Cincinnati Bengals
Despite cruising to a victory last week, Trevor Lawrence was shaky, at best. Even in a plus matchup, Lawrence passed for fewer than 200 yards and an interception. This week, the Jaguars face the Bengals in a matchup that has shootout written all over it. The Bengals did not look good last week, but that seems to be how they start their seasons. We know the Bengals have the talent to boat race any team, and this Jaguars team is more of a speedbump than a roadblock.
Both star receivers in this matchup had disappointing opening games and will be looking to bounce back. Add in Travis Hunter being deployed as an offensive weapon, and Lawrence has all the help he needs to keep up with this Bengals team. All players on both sides should be in your fantasy lineups this week.
Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR) @ Arizona Cardinals
The man from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Chuba Hubbard, is primed to have another great week for fantasy. Last week, Hubbard was one of the few positives on the Panthers’ offense. Despite speculation that he would not be involved in the passing game, Hubbard had an 11% route share and ran 40% of the running back routes. He may not be prominent in the pass game, but it’s clear that this team doesn’t mind using him in this role.
This week, the Panthers take on a Cardinals team coming off a win over the Saints. The Cardinals team is looking functional on both offense and defense. Although they managed to hold Alvin Kamara to 45 yards on 11 attempts, it appeared to be more an indictment of the Saints’ limited weapons than the Cardinals’ run defense. Head coach Dave Canales has been adamant that this Panthers team wants to commit to their run game. Fire up Hubbard as a strong RB2/fringe RB1 for the second week in a row.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA) @ Pittsburgh Steelers
What a start to the season for Jaxon Smith-Njigba. If you were wondering what this passing offense would look like, the answer was Smith-Njigba. In the opening week, he accounted for 90% of the team’s air yards and 83% of their receiving yards. Sam Darnold looked early and often at Smith-Njigba, and this week against the Steelers should be no different.
In what was one of the more surprising shootouts last week, the Steelers beat the Jets 34-32. Much like the Seahawks, the Jets are a very condensed passing offense. With Garrett Wilson leading the charge with seven receptions, no other player had more than two. Wilson finished with 95 yards and a score on the day. Despite having Joey Porter Jr. and Jalen Ramsey, this Steelers defense was getting beaten both out wide and in the slot. Maybe the Steelers will surprise us with another shootout, making Smith-Njigba primed for another great fantasy day.
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