Fantasy Football Start/Sit Today: Who to Start and Sit for Week 2

Week 1 gave fantasy football managers their first real look at how teams plan to distribute touches, targets and snaps in 2026.

But one game doesn't tell us everything.

That's what makes Week 2 lineup decisions so interesting. We can use Week 1 workloads to identify potential breakout players, but we also have to avoid overreacting to one strong or poor performance.

Using our fantasy football projections as a guide, let’s get you prepped for this week’s fantasy football decisions.

This article is geared toward 12-team, half-PPR scoring formats with only one starting quarterback -- though the general advice can be loosely applied to most formats. Injury information may change after this article is published. You can stay up to date with this week’s injury news via our NFL player news page.

All betting references refer to the NFL odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. All statistics via NFL Next Gen Stats and Pro Football Focus unless otherwise stated.

Week 2 Fantasy Football Start/Sit

Fantasy Football Starts

Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Aaron Jones' Week 1 stat line wasn't particularly exciting, but his situation has changed significantly heading into Sunday's matchup with the Chicago Bears.

Jones handled 12 carries for 40 yards in the opener and found the end zone, but he shared the Minnesota Vikings‘ backfield with Jordan Mason, who recorded 15 carries. Mason has since landed on injured reserve with a fractured thumb, leaving Jones with a much clearer path to volume in Week 2.

That's especially appealing against Chicago. The Bears struggled to contain the run in their opener, allowing Chuba Hubbard to rack up 87 yards from scrimmage and score both a rushing and receiving touchdown. Chicago also allowed the second-highest rushing success rate in Week 1.

Jones' receiving ability gives him another avenue to fantasy production if Minnesota falls behind. With Mason out of the picture, Jones profiles as a solid RB2 option for Week 2.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders

It didn't take long for Jacory Croskey-Merritt to establish himself as a significant part of the Washington Commanders‘ backfield.

Croskey-Merritt played 49.3% of the offensive snaps in Week 1 but handled 55.2% of the Commanders' designed carries. He turned 17 touches into 65 scrimmage yards and a touchdown, finishing as the RB22 for the week.

While Rachaad White's presence limits Croskey-Merritt's receiving ceiling, Croskey-Merritt's rushing workload is encouraging heading into a favorable matchup with the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas surrendered 165 rushing yards in Week 1, while Croskey-Merritt handled 16 of Washington's 27 running back carries. That kind of volume gives him another opportunity to return flex value, particularly if Washington can stay in a positive or neutral game script.

Croskey-Merritt isn't quite an every-week fantasy starter yet, but he's someone I want to get into lineups in Week 2.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

This recommendation comes with one important caveat: keep an eye on Ladd McConkey's status.

McConkey is officially questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. If he's unable to go, Quentin Johnston becomes a very intriguing fantasy option.

Johnston didn't capitalize on his opportunities in Week 1, catching only 2 of 6 targets for 17 yards. However, those six targets represented a 22.2% target share, and Tre Harris was the only other Los Angeles Chargers wideout besides McConkey to see as many looks.

There's also some encouraging history in this matchup. Johnston has amassed 24 receptions for 341 yards and 3 touchdowns over his last five meetings with the Raiders. He's either scored or topped 100 receiving yards in four of those five games.

If McConkey sits, Johnston has WR3/flex appeal with legitimate touchdown upside.

Fantasy Football Sits for Week 2

Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

This one isn't easy after Caleb Williams erupted in Week 1.

Williams completed 21 of 29 passes for 269 yards and 2 touchdowns against Carolina while adding 65 rushing yards and another 2 scores on the ground. That resulted in 37.3 fantasy points.

But fantasy managers with another quality quarterback option in one-QB formats may want to temper expectations against Minnesota.

The Vikings finished 2025 allowing the second-fewest passing yards per game at just 158.5. Williams also struggled in his most recent matchup with Minnesota, completing 16 of 32 attempts for 193 yards without a passing touchdown in November 2025.

His rushing ability always gives him a ceiling, and Williams is certainly coming off a performance that makes benching him uncomfortable. But four touchdowns on 39 total passing and rushing opportunities isn't something we should expect every week.

Williams is more of a matchup-dependent sit than someone fantasy managers need to bench at all costs. If you have another strong QB1 option, this is a week where I'd be willing to go in another direction. In superflex, you’re starting Caleb.

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans

The concerns surrounding Tony Pollard are about much more than his Week 1 fantasy output.

Pollard carried the ball just 7 times for 35 yards in the Tennessee Titans‘ opener and finished with only 34 total yards. More concerning was his role: Pollard played 51% of the snaps and split the backfield work with Tyjae Spears while failing to record a red-zone carry.

That isn't the workload fantasy managers want from a player they're relying on as an RB2 or flex.

The matchup doesn't do much to help matters, either. The Philadelphia Eagles allowed the 13th-lowest rushing success rate in Week 1 and were also among the better defenses at preventing yards before contact.

Pollard's efficiency could occasionally bail him out, but a timeshare combined with the Titans’ poor offense gives him a low floor. I'd look elsewhere for a Week 2 RB2.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr. is the kind of player fantasy managers usually don't want to bench, but his Week 2 matchup is difficult enough to at least consider it.

Thomas was limited by a shoulder issue throughout the practice week, which doesn’t help matters, though he enters Sunday without an injury designation. He logged only a 50% route share in Week 1 and finished with 40 receiving yards while drawing a 13% target share — although he exited early due to injury.

Now comes a road matchup against the Denver Broncos and Patrick Surtain II.

When these teams met last season, Surtain followed Thomas on 78.8% of his routes. Thomas managed only one reception for nine yards in that matchup.

Thomas obviously possesses enough talent to overcome difficult coverage on any given play, so this recommendation depends heavily on your alternatives. But between the shoulder issue, his limited Week 1 role and the likelihood of seeing Surtain, Thomas carries considerably more risk than usual in Week 2.

Fantasy Football Start/Sit FAQ

Who should I start in fantasy football this week?

The best starts are typically players with strong recent usage, favorable matchups and a reliable path to touches or targets. Matchup-specific factors and changes in workload should also be considered before setting your lineup.

Who should I sit in fantasy football this week?

Players can be worth sitting when they face difficult matchups, have seen their role decrease or carry significant risk due to injuries or inconsistent usage. Even proven players can be matchup-based sits in a given week.

How do you decide who to start or sit in fantasy football?

Start/sit decisions should account for a player's expected volume, recent production, matchup, offensive role and game environment. Comparing those factors against your other lineup options can help determine which player offers the best combination of floor and upside.

Should I start a player with a difficult matchup?

It depends. A difficult matchup can lower a player's expected production, but high-volume players can still deliver strong fantasy performances regardless of the matchup. The player's role and expected opportunity should usually carry more weight than matchup alone. Another huge factor is whether or not you have quality alternatives on your roster.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.