Week 1 is in the books, which means half of your fantasy football lineup decisions already look like strokes of genius and the other half… well, let’s just say you’ve got some explaining to do. Don’t worry—we’ve all been there. Week 2 brings new matchups, new headaches, and a fresh round of “Should I really bench this guy?” debates. Luckily, our Featured Pros have done the heavy lifting for you. They’ve combed through the numbers, trends, and gut instincts to deliver their favorite Starts and Duds of the week. So before you overthink your flex spot for the fifth time today, take a deep breath and let the experts steer you in the right direction.
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Fantasy Football Week 2 Start/Sit Advice: Sleepers
Fantasy Football Week 2 Sleepers
Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?
Dylan Sampson (RB – CLE)
“I doubt he stays outside of the top 100 for long, but Dylan Sampson is a must-start this weekend. In a close game for its entirety, the rookie caught all eight of his targets along with 12 rushing attempts. In a game against a pissed off Ravens squad that will have a large lead most of the day, there should be even more targets going Sampson’s way. This may be the last time to use him with Quinshon Judkins coming in, but it is a great spot.”
– Michael Tomlin (Fantasy Six Pack)
“Dylan Sampson is a clear sleeper for Week 2 at Baltimore. The Ravens just lost a heartbreaking game to the Bills in prime time, and they get to take their frustration out on the Browns. Expect the Ravens to score early and often, which will lead to plenty of passing volume for the Browns. Sampson not only got 50% of the carries, but he also tied for 2nd in targets and led the team in receptions. Even if Quinshon Judkins joins the team for Week 2, Dylan Sampson should be in your lineups.”
– Will Urion (FantasyNow+)
“Dylan Sampson was outstanding in Week 1, finishing as the RB9, scoring 17.3 PPR fantasy points against the Cincinnati Bengals. However, he struggled on the ground, totaling 12 rushing attempts for 29 yards (2.4 yards per attempt). Yet, the rookie was outstanding in the passing game, leading the team with eight receptions for 64 receiving yards. Furthermore, Sampson had 66.7% of the backfield touches in Week 1, including 88.9% of the running back targets. While Quinshon Judkins could make his NFL debut on Sunday, expect Sampson to be the Browns’ lead running back until the former Ohio State star is up to speed. Meanwhile, he faces a Baltimore Ravens defense that gave up 24.7 fantasy points to the Buffalo Bills backfield in Week 1, including 11.7 in the passing game. Cleveland will be chasing points most of the game, leading to more targets for Sampson.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR – NYG)
“Wan’Dale Robinson is an excellent sleeper flex option if his Week 1 usage is anything to go by. He finished second on the team in targets with eight, securing six of them for 55 yards. This shows that he will be a key piece of the Giants’ passing game, especially in PPR leagues where his high target share gives a safe floor. His role as a high-volume slot receiver makes him a good flex play with some upside for a solid fantasy outing.”
– Luke Renton (The Franchise Tag UK)
Trey Benson (RB – ARI)
“Trey Benson is currently the overall 113 and RB39 consensus-ranked player for Week 2. He tallied eight carries for 69 yards and one reception for 6 yards. While most of his yards came in a massive 52-yard scamper, he gets the Panthers in Week 2, a team that let Travis Etienne look like a demi-god in Week 1. Even with James Conner getting the bulk of the touches, I have no doubt that Benson will return solid flex value (with the potential to reach low-end RB1 territory).”
– Tim Metzler (FantasyPros)
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
“Rhamondre Stevenson, 106th overall, is somewhat intriguing to me this week. The Patriots face the lowly Dolphins coming off a brutal loss in Week 1. Last week, Stevenson got seven carries for 15 yards while Henderson got five carries for 27 yards. Neither were all that impressive, but Henderson did a lot more with his carries than Stevenson did with his. That being said, the cheaper price on Stevenson makes him attractive to me. He might even be on waivers in some shallower leagues. Against the Dolphins last week, the Colts used Jonathan Taylor and DJ Giddens for a combined 30 carries, and I expect the Patriots to try to copy that game plan. More volume tends to mean more fantasy points, and at RB37, I think Stevenson has a lot of upside.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Kayshon Boutte (WR – NE)
“Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte is my sleeper pick for Week 2. Boutte showcased his elite potential in Week 1, with six catches on eight targets for 103 yards, leading the team in receiving yards and snaps (81.6%). His 17.7% target share and 2.34 yards per route run highlight his growing role in a budding offense, especially with his rapport with QB Drake Maye. Facing a Miami defense that allowed 272 passing yards in Week 1 to Las Vegas, Boutte’s deep-target usage (17.4 yards average depth of target) makes him a high-upside flex play. His recent consistency, with 343 receiving yards over his last four games, further supports his breakout potential.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
“Kayshon Boutte was a wide receiver that most fantasy owners weren’t thinking about heading into the season, but then Week 1 happened! He had six receptions for 103 yards! He was Drake Maye‘s top-targeted receiver. This week, he gets to play the terrible Miami Dolphins secondary. He was probably one of the top three waiver claims in all leagues, and now he is a great sleeper for teams heading into week 2!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“Kayshon Boutte – Over his last four games played, Boutte has averaged 5.5 catches, 87.5 yards, and 0.5 touchdowns (14.5 Half PPR points). In week 1, Boutte led the team in routes (44) and target share (17.78%) – we should expect this to continue as Stefon Diggs only ran 19 routes and is still ramping up in his recovery from injury. Boutte saw almost all of his yards come through the air, ranking 3rd in the league in air yards and only accumulating 3 yards after the catch. The Patriots get the Dolphins this week, whose defense was 30th in EPA in Week 1 (only behind the Bills and Ravens) despite playing the Colts. It’s somewhat likely we see Miami’s defensive woes continue as injuries in their secondary pile up.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR – KC)
“JuJu Smith-Schuster is outside of the Top 160 in FantasyPros Flex rankings, but you can bet your boots I’m calling him a sleeper start in Week 2. With Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy out for the next few weeks, this team is desperate for pass catchers. The injury to Worthy comes at a terrible time, as we have a Super Bowl rematch ahead of us. Being embarrassed in the Super Bowl last year, the Chiefs will be extra motivated for this game. Since Travis Kelce is no longer a weapon you can run your offense through, Hollywood Brown is left as the only other option. Last week, Smith-Schuster played 80% of snaps and caught all five targets for 55 yards. I expect he’ll easily outproduce that in Week 2.”
– Ellis Johnson (FantasyPros)
Jonnu Smith (TE – PIT)
“Jonnu Smith (Flex Rank 124, TE19) is a sneaky Week 2 start after catching five passes for 15 yards and a touchdown in his Steelers debut. He led the tight end room in snaps and targets, and it’s clear that Aaron Rodgers trusts him, especially in short-area and red zone situations. His familiarity with the offensive system earned him schemed touches, and the usage suggests a defined role moving forward. The Week 2 matchup offers soft coverage against tight ends, giving Smith a chance to build on his early momentum. If you’re streaming or digging deep for a flex play, Jonnu is a viable dart throw with touchdown upside.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
Calvin Austin III (WR – PIT)
“Calvin Austin played on 80% of the snaps and ran a route on almost 97% of his snaps. Garnering a 20% target share, sign me up. They get the Bills this week, and Austin’s role in this offense deserves more attention. He is going to be a hot waiver wire pick up, and he is definitely someone you can consider as a WR3 or a flex play.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)
“The runway is starting to clear for rookie Bhayshul Tuten to take off. Jacksonville’s trade of Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia pushes everyone up one rung on the Jaguars’ depth chart. Perhaps no one benefits more than electric rookie Bhayshul Tuten. When it comes to Bhayshul “Rootin'” Tuten, his talent is obvious. He’s the fastest RB north, south, east, and west of the Pecos, in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Yosemite Sam Ringo. I’m not sure if Tuten will hit this week, but sooner or later, Bhayshul is going to make a fantasy impact. Ringo’s comp- a smaller version of the former Bronco and Redskin, Clinton Portis.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Elic Ayomanor (WR – TEN)
“Elic Ayomanor is an easy choice for a sleeper start heading into Week 2. Ayomanor checked all of the boxes in a challenging matchup against the Denver Broncos. That game showed us that Cam Ward is the real deal, and he needs a second solid option in the receiving game. Ayomanor finished first in unrealized air yards and top ten in first read target share. There are a lot of encouraging signs for the rookie out of Stanford. If I needed a desperation play, I would look for Ayomanor as a quality pickup for week two and beyond.”
– Ryan Prosick (Fantrax)
Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL)
“Darnell Mooney is currently day-to-day, but I believe he should be back on the field this week for Atlanta. Last season, he came close to topping 1,000 receiving yards for the second time in his career and set a career high in touchdowns. Drake London is also day-to-day with a shoulder injury. Mooney could be a top-24 WR in fantasy points per game this week, with top-15 upside if London misses the game against the Vikings.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)
Brenton Strange (TE – JAC)
“A very solid showing for Brenton Strange in Week 1 now sees him in a very solid position for this week against the Bengals. Strange recorded four catches for 59 yards a week ago, leading the Jags in receiving yards. Now, Strange faces a Bengals defense that conceded the second-most touchdowns to the tight end position in 2024. Cincinnati also allowed the Browns’ combo of tight ends to post 100 yards on them in Week 1. This matchup calls for points, in both directions, which may result in Strange finishing as a low-end TE1 at minimum for the week.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
“Kyle Pitts. We saw encouraging usage in Week 1, with Pitts catching seven passes for 59 yards on eight targets. With WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney both dealing with shoulder injuries, Pitts should continue to have strong route participation and target numbers this week against the Vikings.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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