The Primer: Week 2 Edition (2025 Fantasy Football)

San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints

• SF -3, O/U 40.5
• San Francisco 49ers vs. New Orleans Saints Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

49ers Players & Weekly Rankings

Saints Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Christian McCaffrey

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Ricky Pearsall (WR)

Ricky Pearsall picked up in Week 1 right where he left off last season as the WR20 in weekly (PPR) scoring. He had a 20% target share, a 54.3% air-yard share, 39% of the team’s receiving yards, 3.28 yards, a 26.1% first-read share, and 0.129 first downs per route run. He had two red zone targets in Week 1. Pearsall should have another productive day matching up with Kool-Aid McKinstry (66.7% catch rate and 135.4 passer rating allowed) and Isaac Yiadom (80% catch rate and 96.7 passer rating allowed) all day. In Week 1, New Orleans allowed the ninth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Juwan Johnson (TE)

What a difference a year makes. Juwan Johnson exploded in Week 1 as an integral part of the passing offense. He had a 79.6% route share with a 23.9% target share (second on the team), 1.95 yards per route run (76 receiving yards), a team-leading two red zone targets, a 28.1% first-read share (tied for the team lead), and 0.103 first downs per route run. He was the TE1 in fantasy in Week 1. I don’t think that continues obviously, but it was an awesome start for Johnson, who looks to play a big role for this team in 2025. Johnson is a strong tight end streaming option this week despite a tough matchup. He should see plenty of volume to help outkick the matchup. Last year, San Francisco allowed the eighth-fewest yards per reception and the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. Jennings is a game-time decision. Monitor his status up to kickoff. It feels like a coin flip if he’ll be active this week.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Mac Jones (QB)

With Brock Purdy looking to miss multiple games, Mac Jones will get the call and start for the 49ers until he returns. Last year, as the Jaguars starter, he averaged 13.1 fantasy points per game as the QB30 in fantasy points per game during that stretch (Weeks 10-18). Among 47 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 35th in yards per attempt, 36th in passer rating, 37th in CPOE, and 31st in catchable target rate. Surprisingly enough, among the same set of quarterbacks, he ranked eighth in highly accurate throw rate. Jones is a decent QB2 play this week, considering the offensive ecosystem and his matchup. In Week 1, New Orleans allowed the tenth-highest success rate per dropback, the ninth-highest passer rating, and ranked 15th in adjusted completion rate. If you’re desperate in Superflex formats, fire up Jones.

Jauan Jennings (WR)

Jauan Jennings is dealing with a shoulder injury and has been listed as questionable for Week 2. He logged DNPs for Wednesday and Thursday before managing a limited practice on Friday. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, without Brandon Aiyuk, as a full-time player, he had a 25.1% target share, averaged 63.4 receiving yards per game, produced 2.23 yards per route run with a 32.7% first-read share, and 0.113 first downs per route run. In Week 1, the Saints utilized single high at the 12th-highest rate (59.5%). Last season, in Weeks 10-18, Jennings had a 30% target per route run rate, 2.53 yards per route run, and a 33.9% first-read share against single high. Jennings is a solid flex this week, even with Mac Jones starting. In Week 1, New Orleans allowed the ninth-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Is Jauan Jennings playing Week 2? Check out our Are They Playing tool for the probability of injured players suiting up this week

Chris Olave (WR)

Chris Olave resumed his spot atop the Saints target pecking order to begin the 2025 season. In Week 1, he had a 26.1% target share (led the team), a 28.7% air-yard share, and a 28.1% first-read share (tied for the team lead). Olave’s -0.103 separation score and only 2.6% route win rate were concerning, but it was only one game, so we’ll see how those numbers look with a larger sample size. Olave remains a volume-fueled flex play after finishing as the WR26 in Week 1. He’ll face off with a San Francisco secondary that allowed the tenth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers in Week 1.

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Spencer Rattler (QB)

Spencer Rattler finished as the QB22 in Week 1, which was mainly due to his 46 passing attempts and 29 rushing yards added on the ground. As a passer, he was tough to watch against the Cardinals. In Week 1, Rattler had the fifth-fewest yards per attempt, the sixth-lowest passer rating, the 12th-lowest CPOE, and the seventh-lowest catchable target rate. The 49ers don’t have a juggernaut pass defense, but they should still be able to keep Rattler quiet in Week 2. In Week 1, San Francisco held Sam Darnold to the lowest success rate per dropback, the 13th-lowest passer rating, and he ranked 16th in yards 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.

Rashid Shaheed (WR)

Last year, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed were 1A/1B in the Saints’ passing attack, but this season (so far), there’s a definite gap. In Week 1, Shaheed had a 19.6% target share and 21.9% first-read share. Both of those figures were third on the team. Shaheed wasn’t very efficient with his volume, with only 33 receiving yards and 0.80 yards per route run. He also didn’t see a red zone target in Week 1, while Olave (one) and Juwan Johnson (two) were both targeted by Spencer Rattler inside the 20-yard line. Until the quarterback play can improve in New Orleans or Shaheed can improve his per-route efficiency, he’ll remain a low-end PPR flex play. In Week 1, the San Francisco secondary allowed the tenth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers in Week 1.

WAS vs. GB | CHI vs. DET | CLE vs. BAL | NYG vs. DAL | JAC vs. CIN | LAR vs. TEN | SEA vs. PIT | BUF vs. NYJ | SF vs. NO | NE vs. MIA | CAR vs. ARI | DEN vs. IND | PHI vs. KC | ATL vs. MIN | TB vs. HOU | LAC vs. LV

New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins

• MIA -1, O/U 43
• New England Patriots vs. Miami Dolphins Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Patriots Players & Weekly Rankings

Dolphins Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• De’Von Achane

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Drake Maye (QB)

The Patriots took to the sky in Week 1, running a pass-centric offense. In Week 1, New England ranked second in neutral passing rate (72.2%). The volume helped Drake Maye finish as the QB18 in fantasy, but it was disappointing in the rushing department as he only had four rushing attempts and 11 yards on the ground. This isn’t the rushing upside that we were promised in draft season, but it has only been one game, so we need to chill. As a passer, Maye ranked 19th in yards per attempt, 22nd in passer rating, 13th in highly accurate throw rate, and 15th in catchable target rate. Maye should have a strong week against what looked like a hapless secondary in Week 1. The Dolphins allowed the fourth-highest yards per attempt, sixth-highest passer rating, and the eighth-most passing yards in Week 1 to Daniel Jones.

In Week 1: MIA led the NFL in blitz % (51.5%)

Wk 1 when blitzed (per @FantasyPtsData)

Kayshon Boutte first-read share: 33.3% ????
(led the team)
————————————
In 2024 Wks 16-18 when blitzed

Kayshon Boutte first-read share: 21.1% ????
(tied for the team lead) pic.twitter.com/QVPjw6aV30

— Derek Brown (@DBro_FFB) September 14, 2025

Kayshon Boutte (WR)

Kayshon Boutte led the way in Week 1 as Drake Maye’s favorite receiving weapon. He had a 17.4% target share, a 37.9% air-yard share, 2.58 yards per route run (103 receiving yards), and a 23.3% first-read share (led the team). He backed those stats up with a solid 0.103 separation score and 15.4% route win rate. Boutte also had an end zone target. Boutte’s ascension actually started last season in Weeks 16-18 when he had a 21.3% target share, a 35.2% air-yard share, 2.79 yards per route run, and a 25.8% first-read share. We’ll see if he can keep it rolling in Week 2, but the matchup should allow him to have another solid day as a strong flex in all formats. In Week 1, Miami led the NFL in blitz rate (51.5%). In Week 1, Boutte led the team with a 33.3% first-read share when Drake Maye was blitzed. Last year, in Weeks 16-18, when Maye was blitzed, Boutte tied for the team lead with a 21.1% first-read share. In Week 1, Miami allowed the seventh-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Tyreek Hill (WR)

The Dolphins were getting their butts kicked so badly in Week 1 that they pulled their starters during the fourth quarter, so it muddied their usage metrics. In the first three quarters of Week 1, Hill had a 76.2% route share, a 27.8% target share, a 48.2% air-yard share, 2.50 yards per route run, and a 30.8% first-read share. We’ll see if he can have better luck in Week 2 than his WR53 finish. His underlying metrics were strong, so I believe if Tua Tagovailoa can play better, Hill is in for a strong day. In Week 1, New England utilized single high at the highest rate in the NFL (74.4%). Last year, with Tagovailoa under center, Hill remained excellent against single high with a 34% target per route run rate, 2.72 yards per route run, and 0.168 first downs per route run. In Week 1, New England ranked 17th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Hunter Henry (TE)

In Week 1, Hunter Henry had a 17.4% target share, 1.83 yards per route run (66 receiving yards), a 32.1% air-yard share, and a 20% first-read share. He was the TE15 in fantasy for the week. Henry is a strong streaming option this week against a defense that allowed the 12-most receiving yards and fantasy points to tight ends last year.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

Tua Tagovailoa (QB)

Tua Tagovailoa had a wretched Week 1 as the QB30 in fantasy. He was near the bottom of the barrel in nearly every metric. Tagovailoa ranked 26th in yards per attempt, 31st in passer rating, 28th in CPOE, and 22nd in fantasy points per dropback. He also ranked 18th in catchable target rate and had the 11th-highest off-target rate. We’ll see if he can enjoy a better day in Week 2 as the Patriots are a softer matchup. In Week 1, New England was ripped apart by Geno Smith, giving up the second-highest yards per attempt, the tenth-highest passer rating, and the fifth-highest CPOE. New England ranked 16th in pressure rate, so hopefully Tagovailoa can enjoy some clean pockets this week.

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.

Jaylen Waddle (WR)

The Dolphins were getting their butts kicked so badly in Week 1 that they pulled their starters during the fourth quarter, so it muddied their usage metrics. In the first three quarters of Week 1, Jaylen Waddle had a 76.2% route share, a 16.7% target share, only a 3.6% air-yard share, a 1.3 aDOT, and a 23.1% first-read share. The short area usage isn’t a bad thing if the volume is there, but a target share below 20% isn’t going to cut it for Waddle if he’s getting these near the line of scrimmage dump-offs. The matchup isn’t terrible in Week 2 for Waddle, but I’m more pessimistic about his outlook versus Tyreek Hill. Miami looks determined to force the ball to Hill, and Waddle is left with the scraps left over. This offense and his usage aren’t to the level where he’s a must-play. Add in that Waddle is dealing with a shoulder injury, and he’s just a middling flex play this week. In Week 1, New England ranked 17th in PPR points per target allowed to perimeter wide receivers.

Stefon Diggs (WR)

Stefon Diggs was eased into Week 1 with a 62.3% route share while seeing a 15.2% target share, a 17% air-yard share, and a 20% first-read share. He churned out 1.73 yards per route run (57 receiving yards) and 0.091 first downs per route run. I’m guessing we see Diggs’ route share bump into the 70s this week. His per-route metrics weren’t great, though, as he had a -0.031 separation score and only a 3.1% route win rate. The Dolphins’ secondary could be very giving this week, though, and provide an efficiency boost for Diggs. In Week 1, Miami allowed the seventh-most PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

DeMario Douglas (WR)

DeMario Douglas operated as New England’s low aDOT slot option in Week 1. He had a 67.9% route share with a 5.4 aDOT. He saw two end zone targets and scored a touchdown, but the rest of his metrics aren’t impressive as he had only a 10.9% target share and 13.3% first-read share. He’s a deep league PPR flex only. He’ll match up against Jason Marshall Jr. (100% catch rate and 108.3 passer rating allowed).

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

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.

WAS vs. GB | CHI vs. DET | CLE vs. BAL | NYG vs. DAL | JAC vs. CIN | LAR vs. TEN | SEA vs. PIT | BUF vs. NYJ | SF vs. NO | NE vs. MIA | CAR vs. ARI | DEN vs. IND | PHI vs. KC | ATL vs. MIN | TB vs. HOU | LAC vs. LV

Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals

• ARI -6.5, O/U 43.5
• Carolina Panthers vs. Arizona Cardinals Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Panthers Players & Weekly Rankings

Cardinals Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• James Conner
• Trey McBride

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

Kyler Murray (QB)

Kyler Murray had a “down week” as the QB16 in fantasy, but it still was a strong week of fantasy production. He had 18.3 fantasy points while rushing for 38 yards (seven carries). Two high coverage continues to stifle Murray, though. Last week, he ranked 23rd in yards per attempt and CPOE and 24th in catchable target rate. Murray should have a better day passing in Week 2 and another productive outing for fantasy purposes. Carolina’s pass defense looked improved against Jacksonville, but there are still cracks in the pavement. Last week, Carolina still allowed the 11th-highest success rate per dropback and the 13th-highest CPOE. Sadly, they also had the lowest pressure rate in the NFL (12.1%), so Murray should have plenty of time in the pocket this week against a single high heavy coverage structure (66.7%, sixth-highest in Week 1).

Chuba Hubbard (RB)

Chuba Hubbard started the season off strong with an RB8 finish in weekly scoring, finishing with 19 touches and 89 total yards (one score). He played 67% of the snaps, seeing 64% of the rushing opportunities. The worry for Hubbard remains his passing game usage, and if the game script works more against him the rest of the season. In Week 1, Hubbard did have an 11.4% target share, but he managed only a 40% route share, which means the passing game usage could be more volatile than the boxscore suggests. It’s only a one-game sample, but I don’t want to overreact to that or his lack of tackle-breaking in Week 1. Hubbard didn’t force a single missed tackle in Week 1 and had only 1.44 yards after contact per attempt. Those numbers could improve this week against a run defense that in Week 1 allowed the ninth-highest rushing success rate, the sixth-highest missed tackle rate, and had the ninth-lowest stuff rate.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

N/A

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Bryce Young (QB)

If you had hope Bryce Young would get off to an electric start to the 2025 season, you aren’t going to be happy when you look at his box score. There are reasons to have hope moving forward despite his QB25 finish in Week 1. While he did have the second-lowest yards per attempt and rank 21st in catchable target rate, Young was also 14th-best in highly accurate throw rate and had the third-lowest off-target rate. Now, after offering some hope for Young, I have to say that this isn’t the matchup to consider starting him again. In Week 1, Arizona continued to field one of the best on-paper pass defenses in the NFL as its late-season excellence translated to 2025. They allowed the fifth-fewest yards per attempt, the sixth-lowest passer rating, and the 12th-lowest CPOE in Week 1. Sit Young this week.

Tetairoa McMillan (WR)

Tetairoa McMillan was stifled in Week 1 by Bryce Young‘s play, but there’s a ton to be encouraged with here with his usage as the WR30 for the week. He had a 22.9% target share with a 40.6% air-yard share (16th-best), 1.94 yards per route run, a 27.3% first-read share, and 0.114 first downs per route run. McMillan looks the part of the alpha that Carolina thought they were drafting. We just need Young’s play to improve for McMillan to pay off in fantasy. The volume will be there, but McMillan has a tough test this week, lining up against Will Johnson (57.1% catch rate and 68.8 passer rating allowed) and Max Melton (50% catch rate and 68.8 passer rating allowed) all day. In Week 1, Arizona allowed the eighth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers.

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR)

Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s Week 1 will have plenty of people bullish about the rest of his season outlook, as he was the WR12 in scoring. While mildly encouraged, Harrison Jr.’s Week 1 wasn’t a smash outing as he did have 2.15 yards per route run and 0.090 first downs per route run, but his market share only stood at a 20.7% target share and 21.7% first-read share. These are solid, but not WR1 usage metrics. With a narrow target tree, Harrison Jr. will still see solid production, but I worry if he’ll pay off as a consistent WR2 or more this year. He has a tough test on paper in Week 2 against a secondary that allowed the tenth-fewest PPR points per target to perimeter wide receivers in Week 1. The outside tandem of Jaycee Horn (25% catch rate and 0.0 passer rating allowed) and Mike Jackson (66.7% catch rate and 86.8 passer rating allowed) looked good in Week 1. Keep your outlook for Week 2 in check.

Xavier Legette (WR)

Xavier Legette continues to underperform in the NFL. Bryce Young would have to be balling, or the matchup extremely advantageous, for me to consider flexing Legette. In Week 1, he had a 17.1% target share, 0.32 yards per route run (10 receiving yards, and a 27.3% first-read share. Carolina continues to feed him opportunities, but Legette is doing nothing with them. He had a 0.00 separation score and only a 6.5% route win rate in Week 1. Sit him again this week. Will Johnson (57.1% catch rate and 68.8 passer rating allowed) and Max Melton (50% catch rate and 68.8 passer rating allowed) should put the clamps on him this week.

WAS vs. GB | CHI vs. DET | CLE vs. BAL | NYG vs. DAL | JAC vs. CIN | LAR vs. TEN | SEA vs. PIT | BUF vs. NYJ | SF vs. NO | NE vs. MIA | CAR vs. ARI | DEN vs. IND | PHI vs. KC | ATL vs. MIN | TB vs. HOU | LAC vs. LV

Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts

• DEN -1.5, O/U 42.5
• Denver Broncos vs. Indianapolis Colts Player Prop Bets via BettingPros

Broncos Players & Weekly Rankings

Colts Players & Weekly Rankings

Must-Start

These are no-brainer MUST starts.

• Jonathan Taylor
• Tyler Warren

Strong Starts

Here are players that should be in starting consideration for most fantasy teams.

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.

Courtland Sutton (WR)

Courtland Sutton was the WR12 in fantasy in Week 1. I was worried about a L’Jarius Sneed shadow in Week 1, but Sneed wasn’t a full-time player as Tennessee eased him into action to begin the season. Sutton dominated the passing work in Week 1 for Denver with a 22.5% target share, a 30.7% air-yard share, 0.108 first downs per route run, and a 37.5% first-read share. In Week 1, Indy utilized two high at the ninth-highest rate (52.8%). Last year, against two high, Sutton had a 24% target per route run rate and 25.9% first-read share. His efficiency took a little hit with 0.081 first downs per route run. Sutton should be a steady option for fantasy again this week. I’m not overly concerned about Mekhi Blackmon or Xavien Howard on the perimeter at this point in the season. Nix will still hyper-target Sutton in Week 2.

Fantasy Football Flex & Deep Plays to Consider

Let’s fill out those flex spots.

N/A

Concerning Starts & Players to Fade

Players in consideration for lineups, but temper your expectations this week.

Bo Nix (QB)

Bo Nix was bad in Week 1. There’s no way around it, but I’m not pressing the panic button yet. The Broncos looked rusty all day, with Nix struggling and Sean Payton too deep in his bag for his own good. Nix was the QB27 in fantasy in Week 1 and ranked 31st in yards per attempt, 28th in passer rating, 26th in CPOE, and 28th in catchable target rate. He did have eight carries, but he only managed 18 rushing yards. Indy crushed the Dolphins in Week 1, but I think that says more about the state of the Dolphins than it does about Indy’s defense after one game. They did give up the sixth-lowest yards per attempt, the third-lowest passer rating, and the sixth-lowest CPOE. Indy also had the second-lowest pressure rate, so Nix should have time in the pocket in Week 2 to work through his issues. I think Nix has a bounce-back game in Week 2, but there’s some risk in playing him.

Daniel Jones (QB)

Well, Daniel Jones was the QB2 in fantasy in Week 1. He ripped the pitiful Dolphins apart. He added 26 rushing yards and two scores on the ground (seven carries) to a solid passing day. Jones ranked fourth in yards per attempt, sixth in passer rating, 11th in highly accurate throw rate, and third in catchable target rate. He faced the third-lowest pressure rate in Week 1 despite Miami blitzing (51.5%) at the highest rate in the NFL. That says more about the Miami pass rush than the Indy offensive line at this point. We’ll see if Jones can keep it up this week against one of the best defenses in the NFL. This week is a huge litmus test for Jones. Last week, Denver allowed the fewest yards per attempt, the second-lowest passer rating, and the second-lowest CPOE. Denver ranked ninth in pressure rate and 13th in blitz rate.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR)

Last week, Pittman Jr. was the WR8 in fantasy, soaking up a 27.6% target share and 30% first-read share from Daniel Jones. He produced 2.86 yards per route run (80 receiving yards) and 0.143 first downs per route run. Pittman Jr. will have a tough time this week as shadow coverage from Patrick Surtain is incoming. Last week, Patrick Surtain followed Calvin Ridley on 87.1% of his routes. Cam Ward only targeted Ridley once (zero receptions) with Surtain draped all over him. Pittman Jr. will have a down game in Week 2. Sit him.

Josh Downs (WR)

This could easily be related to the hamstring injury that Josh Downs sustained in August, but he didn’t play enough in Week 1 to even consider him for fantasy lineups for Week 2. Downs had only a 48.5% route share on top of a 10.3% target share, 19% target per route run rate, and 10% first-read share. The Colts utilized 12 or 13 personnel with 41.4% of their offensive snaps. We’ll see if this holds as we move further into the season, but we have to see Downs’ usage and playing time trend up before plugging him into fantasy lineups.

Evan Engram (TE)

Evan Engram picked up a calf injury in Week 1. He practiced in full on Thursday and Friday this week and doesn’t carry an injury designation into Week 2. Engram is a must-sit this week, though. His usage in Week 1 was the worst-case scenario that we could have possibly imagined before he left with the injury. In the first half last week, he had only a 34.8% route share, a 13.6% target share, and an 18.2% first-read share. That limited route share will capsize his fantasy value this season if it continues. We need to see if it improves in Week 2 before plugging him into a fantasy lineup. If it continues, he’s droppable in every format.

**Denver looks to be deploying a wide receiver by committee approach again in 2025 if they keep up with Week 1 usage of this group. Only Courtland Sutton had north of a 60% route share last week. Until this changes, Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims should be parked firmly on fantasy benches.**

WAS vs. GB | CHI vs. DET | CLE vs. BAL | NYG vs. DAL | JAC vs. CIN | LAR vs. TEN | SEA vs. PIT | BUF vs. NYJ | SF vs. NO | NE vs. MIA | CAR vs. ARI | DEN vs. IND | PHI vs. KC | ATL vs. MIN | TB vs. HOU | LAC vs. LV