Boom! Just like that, we are in the 2025 NFL regular season. A wacky Week 1, which saw Daniel Jones finish in a tie for QB2, is in the books. Last week I had some hits and some misses, with more of the latter, admittedly. Notwithstanding all of that, I’m hopefully addressing a bunch of 1-0 team managers today. But if you’re 0-1 (like I am in my fair share of leagues), remember, it’s early!
Now, we look ahead to Week 2 and check out the matchups. One week is a very small sample size. But it is actual 2025 data, so I will take it into account. That being said, I will still largely rely on statistics and trends from last year. In fact, this will be the case until approximately Week 4, when we can begin to see more definitive trends emerging around the league. So, without too much overreaction from Week 1, let’s dive right into my start and sit recommendations for this week.
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Week 2 Fantasy Football Start/Sit
Quarterback
Start: Kyler Murray
New Orleans proved to be a tougher out than I thought in Week 1. And I would venture to guess I’m not alone there. Arizona managed to secure the win, however, and the Cardinals’ QB was efficient, completing 21 of 29 pass attempts. Though his yardage was held to just 163, he helped his cause with two passing touchdowns. It was encouraging to see Murray connect with Marvin Harrison Jr on five of his six targets, hinting at a budding chemistry between the second-year wideout and his signal-caller. Murray also ran the ball seven times for 38 yards. There could be more of this in the coming weeks. According to an azcentral.com article, the Cards “tweaked some of their pass protection schematics in an attempt to open up more scrambling lanes for Murray up the middle.”
After a matchup on the road to start the season, Murray and company return home to Glendale, AZ, to host the Carolina Panthers. Last year, the Panthers surrendered 20.5 fantasy points per game to the quarterback position. Putting them ahead of only the Dallas Cowboys. Look for Murray to eclipse the 20-point threshold he narrowly missed last week. This week, the AZ QB is seventh in PlayerProfiler’s weekly quarterback rankings. I don’t care what he wears to the game; if I don’t have one of the four or five “elites,” he’s going in my lineup.
Honorable Mention: Justin Herbert
Sit: Baker Mayfield
I mentioned in my Studs and Duds article back in August that Mayfield was a regression candidate. In Week 1, the Bucs faced the Atlanta Falcons, who ranked 29th against quarterbacks in 2024. Mayfield delivered a somewhat predictable, if unorthodox, solid fantasy outing, producing 22.6 points. He was able to connect on three touchdowns while avoiding any turnovers. The former No. 1 overall pick also added 39 yards on five scrambles. While he may not have been picked off in this game, Mayfield completed only 17 of 32 passing attempts, with a couple of near interceptions early on.
Week 2 pits the wily veteran quarterback against the Houston Texans. The Texans enter 2025 boasting Pro Football Focus‘ fourth-ranked secondary. Last week, they held Matthew Stafford to 13.6 fantasy points. Houston also has a couple of talented edge rushers in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. As of this writing, there has been no news on the return of star left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Should Wirfs miss another game, the aforementioned duo will provide a significantly tougher challenge to the Bucs’ makeshift offensive line than the Falcons’ pass rush did last week. Indeed, this would be a tough matchup for the Tampa offensive line at full strength. Depending on your options at the position, you may be left with no choice. But I would at least lower expectations for Mayfield.
Honorable Mention: Jared Goff
Running Back
Start: Chuba Hubbard
The 2021 fourth-round draft pick established himself as Carolina’s unquestioned lead back last year. He received a nice contract extension in the offseason and an improved offensive ecosystem to work within.
Last week, Hubbard picked up where he left off in 2024, accounting for 16 of the 20 running back rush attempts. He was also a factor in the passing game, catching three of five targets for 32 yards and a score.
Hubbard’s Week 2 opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, allowed 19.8 fantasy points per game to running backs in 2024. He is a solid option in your RB2 slot this week.
Chuba Hubbard Season Stats
Honorable Mentions: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Jaylen Warren
Sit: Isiah Pacheco
My standout value of the year came out of the gate awfully slow last Friday, as he found himself part of a three-way rotation. He garnered just five carries, despite averaging five yards. The Chiefs seemed intent on giving Kareem Hunt nearly every high-value touch opportunity. Even rookie Brashard Smith chipped in with a 13% snap share, running six routes.
The Chiefs’ Week 2 matchup is significantly tougher, as they host the Philadelphia Eagles. Last season, Philly was stout against the run, allowing a league-low 12.1 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. The Eagles did give up 119 yards on the ground last week, but a big chunk of that came on a 49-yard scamper by former Eagle Miles Sanders, who promptly fumbled on the following play. Lead back Javonte Williams was held to 54 yards rushing, with an average of 3.6 yards per carry. Even if the Eagles’ run defense has taken a step back this year, Pacheco’s usage last week was troubling to put it lightly. Let’s look elsewhere this week and see if Pacheco can get on track in the near future.
Honorable Mentions: D’Andre Swift, CLE RBs
Wide Receiver
Start: Ricky Pearsall
Ricky Pearsall Profile and Workout Metrics
The second-year wideout held his own last week in a tough Week 1 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Pearsall hauled in four of seven targets for 108 yards and was one fingertip deflection away from a touchdown.
The Saints of New Orleans will host the 49ers in Week 2. Last year, they allowed 23.3 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. That ranked them at 27, tied with the Dallas Cowboys.
Quarterback Brock Purdy is now doubtful for Week 2, and we will want to monitor that. Should he miss this week’s game, Mac Jones would get the nod as signal-caller. Even so, with the matchup and the lack of other options (with both Jauan Jennings and star tight end George Kittle expected to miss at least one game), Pearsall is set to see a healthy target share. I trust head coach Kyle Shanahan will be game-planning to get Pearsall open looks. After all, wasn’t it Shanahan’s offense that got Jimmy Garoppolo that big deal in free agency a couple of years ago? We may not be able to trust what the eighth-year head coach says entirely, but we can trust his scheme. Plug Pearsall into your flex spot with some confidence.
Honorable Mentions: Travis Hunter, Calvin Ridley
Sit: Jayden Reed
You may see Reed’s 13.5-PPR-point fantasy output from Week 1 and think he is good to go. But I would practice caution this week. Remember, Jayden Reed is attempting to play through a Jones fracture, a fracture of the fifth metatarsal (located on the outer side of the foot). While it is amazing that Reed can play with this injury at all, we should note that his snap share was capped at 51%. This makes him a “touchdown or bust” kind of play.
In Week 2, the Packers host the Washington Commanders. Last year, the Commanders were in the top half of the league defending the wide receiver position. Last week, they were able to keep Malik Nabers from breaking out, though admittedly, that could have had something to do with struggling veteran quarterback Russell Wilson as well. Nonetheless, I’m seeking out other options where I can for Week 2.
Honorable Mentions: Michael Pittman Jr., Tyreek Hill
Tight End
Start: Mark Andrews
Mark Andrews Athleticism Score and Ranks
The Ravens’ veteran tight end was largely a non-factor in the Sunday night fireworks display versus the Bills last week, hauling in his lone target for a measly five yards.
But that was last week. It’s tough for me to conclude that Andrews is completely washed and will vanish due to one bad week. He has had bad games in the past. Lamar Jackson will look for his long-time teammate more frequently in their upcoming divisional matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Last year, the Browns finished in the bottom half of the league against the position, and that trend continued in Week 1. If you have a better matchup in your lineup, go for it. By no means is Andrews a “must-start.” But if you’re in a pinch, I would not discard the 30-year-old tight end just yet.
Honorable Mentions: Hunter Henry, Brenton Strange
Sit: Dalton Kincaid
Don’t let Kincaid’s Week 1 fantasy output fool you. The third-year tight end drew only four targets, though he caught all of them. And one went for a score, bolstering his fantasy production, as is the case with most tight ends outside of the “elite” tier. The touchdown was one of only two thrown by star quarterback Josh Allen in the thrilling Sunday night game, where he also rushed for two scores. This is a trend continued from 2024, when the Bills’ red zone run-to-pass ratio was almost two-to-one.
This week, the Bills travel to East Rutherford, NJ, in a clash with the New York Jets. The Jets were stingy versus opposing tight ends last year, allowing them only six fantasy points per game. You don’t have to squint to see Kincaid getting lost in the shuffle this week.
Honorable Mentions: Dallas Goedert, Colston Loveland
Thanks for taking the time to read.
And good luck!
Kyle Lesti (@klest.bsky.social)
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