The following list is a projected top 12 ranking for each of the major positions (running back, wide receiver, tight end, quarterback) in week 2 of Fantasy Football. This list is ranking players based on a points per reception (PPR) format. Information considered in players rankings includes their matchup, history against their opponent, last year’s performance, and changes in situation. For some players on this list, a small explanation is used to justify their placement.
Running Backs
- Jonathan Taylor
- Alvin Kamara
Kamara plays at home against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 2 who were the third best defense against running backs in 2021, averaging only 13.1 PPG to the position. Despite the seemingly difficult matchup for Kamara, he averages 21.92 PPG in his 10 career starts against the Bucs. The one knock to Kamara is his potentially reduced receiving workload due to the return of Michael Thomas and addition of rookie wide receiver Chris Olave and veteran Jarvis Landry.
- Christian McCaffrey
- Austin Ekeler
- Dalvin Cook
- Derrick Henry
- D’Andre Swift
- Aaron Jones
Jones plays at home against the Bears; the #17 ranked running back defense, averaging 15.9 PPG to the position. In his 6 career starts against the bears, Jones averages 15.33 PPG but with the departure of All Pro receiver Davante Adams, he will likely get more work in the receiving game, leading to improved performance in week 2.
- Nick Chubb
Chubb meets the New York Jets in his week 2 matchup. Last year the Jets defense ranked #32 against running backs, giving up 24.6 PPG to the position. In his 2 career stats versus the Jets, Chubb averaged 18.7 PPG. If the Browns 2nd stringer Kareem Hunt doesn’t play due to a contract dispute, Chubb holds top 3 potential in week 2 but this ranking is assuming Hunt will play.
- Najee Harris
- Joe Mixon
- Saquon Barkley
Wide Receivers
- Cooper Kupp
- Stefon Diggs
Diggs had a down year last year following his 2020 campaign in which he won the receiving yards title. While he only averaged 16.8 PPG last year, he plays the Titans who averaged 21.5 points to WRs in 2021 and he averages 22.25 PPG against the titans since 2020. With a large portion of targets opened up by the departure of Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders, Diggs will have a massive week 2.
- Jamarr Chase
- Justin Jefferson
- Deebo Samuel
- Davante Adams
Last years WR 2 who averaged 21.5 PPG faces a seemingly easy matchup against the #29 ranked defense against receivers, averaging 23.9 PPG to the position. Conversely, Adams no longer has MVP Aaron Rodgers throwing to him and now shares targets with tight end Darren Waller and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow. With a downgrade at quarterback and reduced target share, the all pro receiver will continue to thrive but likely sees regression in week 2 and the 2022 season.
- Keenan Allen
- Tyreek Hill
Dolphins new wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, plays the Ravens in week 2 who averaged 24.2 PPG to receivers in 2021. However, in his 2 career starts versus the Ravens Tyreek averages 13.55 PPG. The Ravens are also anticipating the return of cornerback Marcus Peters. Combined with Hill’s quarterback downgrade, expect Tyreek to have a slow week 2.
- Michael Thomas
Thomas is by far the most unpredictable and difficult to rank player on this list. Thomas plays Tampa Bay at home in week 2. The Buccaneers averaged 19.9 PPG to wide receivers in 2021 and in his 3 healthy games against Tampa since 2019, Michael Thomas averaged 25.56 PPG. On the other hand, Thomas has struggled to perform over the past 2 seasons, barely playing 7 in 33 games. Thomas needs to form a connection with new Saints quarterback Jameis Winston and secure his spot as the primary target amongst veteran Jarvis Landry and rookie Chris Olave. If he can do so, he holds potential to be wide receiver 1 overall in week 2 but his struggles over the last 2 seasons knock him down to ninth in this ranking.
- Ceedee Lamb
- Adam Thielen
- AJ Brown
Tight Ends
- Travis Kelce
Kelce plays against the Chargers in week 2, who averaged 10.9 PPG to tight ends, most to the position in the NFL in 2021. In his 3 starts against the Chargers since 2020, the five time fantasy tight end 1 averages 27.5 PPG. With access to newly vacated targets from the departure of Tyreek Hill, Kelce looks to have a massive week 2.
- Mark Andrews
- George Kittle
- Kyle Pitts
- Darren Waller
Waller meets the Arizona Cardinals for the first time in week 2. The Cardinals were the #2 defense against tight ends in 2021. Waller was the 6th tight end in points per game in 2021 averaging 12.1 PPG and 2nd in 2020 averaging 17.4 PPG. Waller may not see the same massive target share he’s seen in years prior due to recently acquired all pro receiver Davante Adams. With the new threat of Adams on the field but increased potential for touchdown scoring, Waller will have a solid week 2 against the Cardinals.
- TJ Hockenson
- Dalton Schultz
The Cowboys play the Bengals in week 2 who were the #25 defense against tight ends in 2021 for 8.2 PPG. Schultz is likely to experience a breakout year with access to a massive share of vacated targets due to the departure of wide receiver Amari Cooper and injuries of Michael Gallup and James Washington. With a chance to be Dak Prescott’s number 2 option, Schultz projects to have a strong week 2.
- Dallas Goedert
- Zach Ertz
- Dawson Knox
- Mike Gesicki
- Cole Kmet
Quarterbacks
- Justin Herbert
Herbert has an incredible matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in week 2 who averaged 21.6 PPG to Quarterbacks. In his 4 career starts against the Chiefs, Herbert averaged 27.78 PPG. This divisional matchup between 2 of the best teams in the AFC looks to be a shootout, affording Herbert the opportunity to have a steller week 2 performance.
- Patrick Mahomes
- Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers plays his longtime foe, the Chicago Bears in week 2 who were the #24 defense against quarterbacks in 2021, averaging 20.5 PPG to the position. Rodgers has a long history of strong games against the Bears; his last 4 starts averaged 26 PPG. In the offseason Rodgers lost his favorite target, Davante Adams but the back to back defending MVP is sure to continue owning the Bears.
- Josh Allen
- Lamar Jackson
- Russel Wilson
The new Broncos Quarterback looks to have a big week 2 as he meets the Huston Texans who averaged 20.1 PPG to Quarterbacks in 2021. Wilson finds himself in new surroundings after being traded from the Seattle Seahawks. In his one start versus Huston in week 14 of 2021, Wilson scored 20.2 points. If the aging quarterback can continue his streak as a top 10 fantasy quarterback and build repertoire with his new receivers in Courtland Sutton and 2020 1st round pick Jerry Jeudy, Wilson will have a great week against the Texans.
- Joe Burrow
- Kyler Murraw
- Tom Brady
- Jalen Hurts
- Matthew Stafford
- Dak Prescott