Fantasy Football Week 2 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2025)

Welcome to Week 2, and welcome to Quick Grades, your weekly companion for start/sit clarity. We’ve combined consensus rankings and projections with The Primer’s matchup analysis to assign letter grades for every fantasy-relevant player, then added concise notes to illuminate the reasoning. Treat the grade as your default stance and the note as your context check.

Let’s make your weekly lineup calls easy. In general, A means start with confidence, C is matchup-dependent, and F is a bench. Scroll for every position’s call, plus key notes that explain the “why” behind the grade. Prefer a curated view of only your roster? Sync your team for a personalized My Primer experience.

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Week 2 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Jared Goff (QB)

Jared Goff had a rough opening to the season as the QB21 in fantasy. He ranked 21st in yards per attempt, 18th in passer rating, 17th in CPOE, and 26th in fantasy points per dropback. The Detroit offense looked out of sorts to open the season, with its offensive line having the 13th-lowest pass blocking grade for the week. Goff has been pressure sensitive for much of his career. We’ll see if he and the offense can bounce back in Week 2 as he squares off against his former offensive coordinator’s team. The Bears offer a nice matchup this week for Goff to let off some steam. In Week 1, once J.J. McCarthy settled in, he shredded this pass defense as they allowed the fourth-highest CPOE and the 12th-highest passer rating and yards per attempt. Chicago had the fourth-lowest pressure rate of Week 1, so Goff should have more time to work in Week 2.

Caleb Williams (QB)

There’s no way around it. I’m sorry, Bears fans, but Caleb Williams had a ROUGH outing in Week 1. During the beginning of the game, he was skating by with his rushing ability and checking it down (third-highest checkdown rate of Week 1), but that luck eventually ran out. He finished the week as the QB9 in fantasy thanks to 58 yards and a score on the ground. As a passer, it was tough to watch as he ranked 20th in yards per attempt, 30th in CPOE, 29th in highly accurate throw rate, 31st in catchable target rate, and he had the highest off-target rate. The Lions offer an easier matchup for Week 2 than what he dealt with against Minnesota, but I still don’t trust Williams in fantasy to take advantage of it unless he’s putting up rushing stats like Week 1 every game. In Week 1, Detroit allowed the seventh-highest yards per attempt, the fourth-highest passer rating, and the second-highest success rate per dropback. The Lions also generated the fifth-lowest pressure rate.

Joe Flacco (QB)

Joe Flacco finished Week 1 as the QB19 in fantasy. He ranked 18th in yards per attempt, 24th in passer rating, 11th in CPOE, and fifth in highly accurate throw rate. Flacco directed an offense that was eighth in neutral passing rate. Cleveland will be pass-heavy this season, whether in neutral environments or because they are likely trailing in games. Flacco is a steady QB2 again this week based upon volume alone. Toss out Baltimore’s Week 1 pass defense stats, as they played Josh Allen, who tore them apart. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Baltimore allowed the second-fewest yards per attempt, the lowest passer rating, and the fourth-lowest CPOE. In a divisional game and coming off a tough loss, Baltimore likely resembles last year’s pass defense excellence.

Dak Prescott (QB)

Dak Prescott played well in Week 1, but he was left walking away empty-handed with only 7.8 fantasy points. Thanks to two Javonte Williams short touchdowns, some underthrown seam balls, and his receivers dropping other passes, Prescott’s stat line doesn’t give him the respect he deserves. Prescott had the most yards lost in Week 1 due to drops (61). In Week 1, he was sixth in catchable target rate and third in hero throw rate while ranking seventh in aDOT. Prescott is primed for a better week against the Giants. In Week 1, they gave up the 11th-highest yards per attempt, the 12th-highest passer rating, and the fifth-highest CPOE. This is while their talented defensive line had the eighth-lowest pressure rate.

Russell Wilson (QB)

Russell Wilson won’t grace any starting lineup of mine in Week 2. I don’t care if it’s Superflex or not. He was a sitting duck last week and honestly looked lost. He finished Week 1 with a 45.9% completion rate, 4.5 yards per attempt, and a 59.3 passer rating. This is all while he also sustained the fourth-highest pressure rate. Dallas held Philly to 6.6 yards per attempt and the 13th-lowest CPOE. I expect Wilson to be under duress again this week against a Dallas front that led the NFL in pressure rate in Week 1. Wilson might get pulled at some point for Jaxson Dart. While I hope it doesn’t happen (for Dart’s sake), I can’t rule it out.

Trevor Lawrence (QB)

Trevor Lawrence had a rough Week 1 in his first game with Liam Coen calling plays. There’s no denying it. Last week, among 32 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 22nd in yards per attempt, 25th in passer rating, 19th in catchable target rate, and had the fifth-highest turnover-worthy play rate. He should have a bounce-back week 2 performance against a bottom-of-the-barrel Cincy pass defense. Last week, predictably, Cincy looked like the same pass defense from 2024, allowing the fifth-most passing yards, the 11th-highest CPOE, and the fourth-highest success rate. Lawrence could flirt with QB1 numbers this week if everything goes according to plan.

Week 2 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Travis Hunter (WR)

Well, Travis Hunter is a full-time wide receiver. We debated this all offseason, but now we have seen it. In Week 1, he had a 75.8% route share with a 25.8% target share, a 28% first-read share, and a 37.5% designed target rate. The results weren’t what we wanted, with only 33 receiving yards and 1.32 yards per route run, but the usage was quite encouraging. His per-route metrics also paint a less-than-rosy picture as he had a -0.040 separation score and didn’t record a route win in Week 1. Hunter was a player that I talked about all offseason who needed to continue to improve his route running if he was going to separate at a high level against NFL competition. His 76% slot usage in Week 1 and heavy slot and designed target usage moving forward should allow him to “grow on the job” this season while being productive for fantasy purposes. He should have a more productive Week 2 against a secondary that in Week 1 allowed the sixth-most fantasy points and the fifth-most receiving yards to the slot. In Week 1, Dax Hill allowed five of his six targets defended to be secured with an 84.0 passer rating. The biggest concern for Hunter this week is the team stating that he’ll play more defense this week which could impact his ceiling and floor.

Davante Adams (WR)

Davante Adams‘ fantasy finish for Week 1 wasn’t amazing (WR41), but better days are ahead. All of his efficiency and market share metrics are still strong. He had a 27.6% target share with 1.96 yards per route run, a 29.6% first-read share, and 0.154 first downs per route run. Yeah, Adams is still quite good. This week, Adams faces a Tennessee secondary that utilized zone coverage at the second-highest rate in Week 1 (90.7%). In Week 1, among 105 qualifying receivers, Adams ranked tenth in separation and 11th in route win rate against zone. Adams should do a better job of filling the stat sheet this week against a secondary that gave up the 12th-highest PPR points per target to premier wide receivers in Week 1.

Calvin Ridley (WR)

Calvin Ridley walked away from Week 1 with the results I pretty much expected. He got shut down by Patrick Surtain II in shadow coverage. Surtain II followed him on 87.1% of his routes, limiting him to three receptions (six targets) and 26 receiving yards. Ridley’s market share metrics are still a positive takeaway despite the poor results. He had a 28.6% target share and 26.3% first-read share. Ridley will be Cam Ward‘s clear number one target this season, and he’ll have better fantasy days. Ridley should have a better day in Week 2, but the Rams also are no pushover secondary. In Week, they allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Akhello Witherspoon (only five receiving yards allowed and a 70.1 passer rating) and, surprisingly, Emmanuel Forbes were quite strong. We’ll see if Forbes can continue this level of play.

Elic Ayomanor (WR)

Elic Ayomanor‘s Week 1, outside of the boxscore, should have everyone very intrigued/happy with his 2025 outlook. Yes, Ayomanor finished with only 13 receiving yards, but he soaked up a 25% target share, a 48.5% air-yard share, and a 36.8% first-read share. Among 105 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 45th in separation and 23rd in route win rate. This could be another quiet week for him against a tough secondary, but Fantasy GMs should not be dropping him in any league and should be trading for/picking him up off waivers where possible. The Rams are no pushover secondary. In Week, they allowed the 11th-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers. Akhello Witherspoon (only five receiving yards allowed and a 70.1 passer rating) and, surprisingly, Emmanuel Forbes were quite strong. We’ll see if Forbes can continue this level of play.

D.K. Metcalf (WR)

Last week, D.K. Metcalf finished as the WR28 in fantasy as he dealt with shadow coverage from Sauce Gardner. Gardner followed him for 88.9% of his routes, allowing only one reception (four targets). Metcalf finished with a 23.3% target share (four receptions, 83 receiving yards), 3.07 yards per route run, a 24% first-read share, and 0.148 first downs per route run. Metcalf will tangle with his former team this week and a secondary that allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers in Week 1. Metcalf will see Josh Jobe (20% catch rate and 0.0 passer rating allowed) and Tariq Woolen (75% catch rate and 156.3 passer rating allowed) all game. Despite the tough matchup, Metcalf will still see a ton of volume this week.

Cooper Kupp (WR)

Cooper Kupp was a ghost in Week 1. Despite having an 84% route share, Kupp had only a 13% target share, a 10.7% air-yard share, 15 receiving yards (0.71 yards per route run), and a 16.7% first-read share. None of this is good, and his -0.048 separation score and only 9.5% route win rate don’t help his outlook at all. Kupp is borderline droppable in leagues depending upon your waiver wire options, but the bigger takeaway is that he is unstartable at the moment. That might change, but I can’t put him into any fantasy lineup until he shows some life.

Calvin Austin (WR)

While D.K. Metcalf was dealing with Sauce Gardner all day, Calvin Austin was taking advantage of softer matchups against Michael Carter and Brandon Stephens. Austin finished as the WR16 in fantasy for the week. He had a 20% target share, a 71.1% air-yard share (14.3 aDOT), 2.80 yards per route run, and a 24% first-read share. Austin will spend about half of his routes in the slot against Julian Love (2024: 56.2% catch rate and 66.7 passer rating allowed). When he’s outside, the matchups don’t get any easier against Josh Jobe (20% catch rate and 0.0 passer rating allowed) and Tariq Woolen (75% catch rate and 156.3 passer rating allowed). Last year, Seattle allowed the third-fewest PPR points per target to slot receivers. I don’t want to play Austin this week unless I’m out of other options.

Week 2 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Breece Hall (RB)

Breece Hall looked explosive in Week 1 as the RB10 in PPR scoring. He played 58% of the snaps with 70.3% of the running back rushing attempts, but he had only two of six red zone carries. Hall finished with 21 touches and 145 total yards. He was impressive on a per-touch basis with a 26% missed tackle rate and 2.58 yards after contact per attempt. Hall should have success on the ground again this week against a run defense that was gashed last week by Derrick Henry. Last year, Buffalo allowed the eighth-highest missed tackle rate, the 12th-most yards after contact per attempt, and the ninth-highest yards before contact per attempt.

Braelon Allen (RB)

Braelon Allen might have saved his fantasy day with a score in Week 1, but he’s nothing more than a touchdown-dependent flex at this point. Last week, he played 31% of the snaps and had six carries, which he turned into nine yards on the ground. His mediocre per-carry efficiency is already manifesting itself again in 2025, as he didn’t force a single missed tackle and had only 1.17 yards after contact per attempt. The matchup is good for Allen on the ground, but you’re likely praying for another score if you put him in your flex. Last year, Buffalo allowed the eighth-highest missed tackle rate, the 12th-most yards after contact per attempt, and the ninth-highest yards before contact per attempt.

James Cook (RB)

James Cook finished Week 1 as the RB4 in fantasy. He played 57.7% of the snaps with 81.2% of the running back rushes, a 46.2% route share, and a 10.9% target share. Cook finished with 18 touches and 102 total yards. Cook was immensely productive for fantasy purposes, but he wasn’t very efficient on the ground, with only an 8% missed tackle rate and 1.31 yards after contact per attempt. It’s a one-game sample against a good run defense, so I’m not going to freak out or overweight it. Cook has another rough matchup this week on the ground, which he’ll need his touchdown equity and passing game utility to save him from. Last week, the Jets allowed the fourth-fewest rushing yards while giving up only 1.85 yards after contact per attempt and 0.80 yards before contact per attempt.

Alvin Kamara (RB)

Alvin Kamara played his usual bellcow role in Week 1 with 79% of the snaps, but the returns were discouraging. He finished with only 13 touches and 57 total yards. In a game where Spencer Rattler threw the ball 46 times…Kamara had only two targets. TWO! That is inexcusable. Rattler had the seventh-lowest checkdown rate in Week 1 (2.2%). One of the appeals of Kamara in draft season was not only his stable, voluminous role, but his pass game usage and how that would project on a terrible team this season that would be trailing a ton. Well, I guess none of us weighed that Rattler doesn’t check down and how that would impact Kamara. I hope this changes, but we’ll have to see if it does. Kamara did have a strong 18% missed tackle rate in Week 1, so there’s a small sliver of hope for Fantasy GMs. Kamara is likely headed for another down week, and now we have no clue if he’ll get the targets to save him. In Week 1, the 49ers allowed the 13th-fewest rushing yards, the fifth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the eighth-lowest yards after contact per attempt.

TreVeyon Henderson (RB)

TreVeyon Henderson was the RB25 in PPR scoring in Week 1. He played 33.8% of the snaps, finishing with 11 touches and 51 total yards. His passing game role fueled his week with a 32.1% route share but a 13% target share (six targets). He had only 38.4% of the running back rushing attempts (five). He posted a 20% missed tackle rate but only 0.40 yards after contact per attempt. It was an incredibly small sample, so take it with a grain of salt. Hopefully, his role grows in Week 2 against a middling run defense. In Week 1, Miami ranked 17th in stuff rate and 16th in yards before contact per attempt while giving up the eighth-most yards after contact per attempt.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB)

In Week 1, Rhamondre Stevenson couldn’t have done much less with his volume if he tried. He played 66% of the snaps with a 41.5% route share, which he turned into nine touches and 27 total yards. He didn’t manage a single missed tackle and had only 1.29 yards after contact per attempt. He split the red zone rushing role with TreVeyon Henderson, with each player getting a carry inside the 20-yard line. We’ll see if Stevenson can be more productive in Week 2, but I’m not sure it will happen. In Week 1, Miami ranked 17th in stuff rate and 16th in yards before contact per attempt while giving up the eighth-most yards after contact per attempt.

RJ Harvey (RB)

I’ll start this off with the usage for R.J. Harvey wasn’t what I hoped for, but I think better days are ahead for Harvey. Sean Payton utilized a three-headed committee in Week 1, and I don’t see that lasting. Tyler Badie had a 25.6% route share (the same as Harvey). I think Badie will fade into the background. The only question is how long it will take for that to happen. It could come as soon as this week. In Week 1, Harvey played 31% of the snaps with only one target (2.5% target share) as he finished with seven touches and 69 total yards. Harvey was money when he did touch the ball, though, racking up a 33% missed tackle rate and 2.50 yards after contact per attempt. J.K. Dobbins handled all of the red zone rushing work (all three attempts), so that’s also something to watch. Please, Sean Payton, unleash Harvey in Week 2. Indy is a good matchup to do so. In Week 1, Indy allowed the highest yards after contact per attempt and the sixth-highest rushing success rate while also having the 11th-lowest stuff rate.

J.K. Dobbins (RB)

J.K. Dobbins played 53% of the snaps in Week 1 and had all three of the team’s red zone carries. He finished with 18 touches and 68 total yards. Dobbins posted solid tackle-breaking numbers with a 19% missed tackle rate and 2.63 yards after contact per attempt. He only had an 18.6% route share, which I kinda expected. He will be the back who contributes on early downs and in pass protection. Dobbins should have a strong day on the ground this week against Indy. In Week 1, Indy allowed the highest yards after contact per attempt and the sixth-highest rushing success rate while also having the 11th-lowest stuff rate.

Week 2 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Colston Loveland (TE)

Ben Johnson is making his talented rookies earn their spots. In Week 1, Coltson Loveland had a 44.2% route share with a 5.7% target share and 5.6% first-read share. He could make it more of an even split with Cole Kmet as soon as this week, but the bigger takeaway is that neither he nor Kmet is startable with their usage up in the air. It’s not like you’ll be missing out on a smash matchup for either player. Last year, Detroit allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Mark Andrews (TE)

Mark Andrews‘ 2025 season got off to a quiet start. He had a 59.1% route share but only had a 5.3% target share (one target) and 6.7% first-read share. Andrews could easily have a bounce-back game against Cleveland this week. During his last four regular-season meetings against this defense, he has averaged four receptions and 53.5 receiving yards with four receiving scores (he scored in three of four games). Last year, Cleveland allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game and the 11th-most receiving touchdowns to tight ends.

David Njoku (TE)

Last week, David Njoku had a quiet game as Harold Fannin Jr. stole the Cleveland tight end show. Njoku still had a 79.2% route share, but he only saw an 11.1% target share with 0.97 yards per route run (37 receiving yards) and an 8% first-read share. This seems to be the possible “get right” matchup for a bunch of players in this game. It could be for Njoku as well. Last year, in his only meeting with the Ravens, he secured five of his seven targets with 61 receiving yards (one score) as the TE7 for the week. Last year, Baltimore allowed the ninth-most receiving yards, the tenth-highest yards per reception, and the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends.

Harold Fannin Jr. (TE)

Is Harold Fannin Jr. 2024 Isaiah Likely? Doomed to disappoint us in fantasy after a wonderful Week 1 performance? I don’t know, to be quite honest. Ok, here’s the good. Last week, Fannin Jr. had a 20% target share, 2.17 yards per route run (63 receiving yards), and a 24% first-read share as the TE6 in fantasy. Alright, now it’s time for the negative. Fannin Jr. had only a 60.2% route share and a ridiculous 31% target per route run rate. Both of those usage metrics scream regression. It’s unlikely that he continues to see a target per route run rate that high, so unless he sees an uptick in routes, his usage is likely to come crashing back to Earth. Cleveland also utilized two tight end sets with 50.7% (second-highest in the NFL) of their offensive plays in Week 1. That’s a big difference from their 16.5% (tenth-lowest) snap usage of the same personnel grouping last season. I would sit Fannin Jr. this week to see how his usage shakes out, but I know that’s likely not the world that many people are living in after Week 1 with a BEVY of tight end injuries hitting fantasy teams. The matchup and talent are there for this usage to continue for at least one more week. Last year, Baltimore allowed the ninth-most receiving yards, the tenth-highest yards per reception, and the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends.

Jake Ferguson (TE)

Last week, Jake Ferguson had a 77.1% route share with a 17.6% target share and 22.7% first-read share while he finished with five receptions and 23 receiving yards. The usage is exactly what we wanted to see, despite the ending result not being amazing for fantasy purposes. Last week, the Giants continued their trend of single high heavy defense (eighth-highest rate, 64.9%). Last year, against single high, Ferguson had only 1.04 yards per route run and a 16.8% first-read share. Last year, the Giants also held tight ends to the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game and the fourth-fewest receiving yards. Ferguson needs a touchdown to pay off for fantasy this week, likely.

Brenton Strange (TE)

Brenton Strange makes the streaming bucket for tight ends this week. Last week, he had a 60.6% route share, which, honestly, I hope we get that number to come up, but it’s workable for a streaming option. It will add to his week-to-week volatility if it doesn’t trend up, but he’s still a decent option if you’re struggling with tight end this week. In Week 1, he had a 12.9% target share, 2.95 yards per route run, and a 16% first-read share. Strange has a glorious matchup this week that should help boost his outlook. Last year, Cincy allowed the third-most receiving yards and the most fantasy points per game to tight ends. They are still struggling to defend the position in 2025, allowing the second-most receiving yards and the fourth-most fantasy points in Week 1.

Week 2 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 2 Kicker Start/Sit Grades