By SCOTT FELTS
Welcome back to I-81 Sports’ weekly fantasy football article that tells you who to bench (sit), who to play (start), and who to pick up off waivers (snipe) heading into your weekly fantasy matchup.
Let’s jump right into the Week 2 recommendations.
Scheduling
No teams are on bye in Week 2. The slate opens Thursday with Lions at Bills and wraps Monday with Giants at Rams.
Sit
QB: Jacoby Brissett, Arizona
Brissett had a solid Week 1, but Arizona hosts a Seahawks defense that ranked among the stingiest against quarterbacks. Volume may still be there, but efficiency could take a hit. If you have a higher-upside or safer alternative, lean that direction.
RB: MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay
I told you to grab him last week and Lloyd led the Packers backfield in carries with Josh Jacobs still on the Commissioner’s Exempt List but he shared significant snaps with Chris Brooks. Green Bay faces the Jets, which is a better matchup on paper, but the committee look and limited receiving work make him a risky RB2/flex this week. Proceed with caution or look for higher-floor options, just don’t cut him yet unless the committee situation gets worse.
WR: Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville
The Jags face a tough road environment and a defense that can limit outside receivers. After a quieter or less efficient Week 1 showing relative to expectations, the matchup and potential for limited efficiency make him a sit if you have stronger flex alternatives.
TE: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans
Johnson is dealing with a tough matchup against the Ravens’ defense, which has been stingy against tight ends. Even with solid route participation in Week 1, the defensive matchup and potential for the Saints to struggle overall lower his floor. Prefer a higher-upside or better-matched streamer.
Start
QB: Geno Smith, NY Jets
Last week I told you to snipe him. This week he’s a true start suggestion. He’s a solid veteran streamer with a manageable matchup and enough weapons around him to deliver QB2 production. Good volume floor without needing elite upside.
RB: Jordan Mason, Minnesota
Mason is positioned for a meaningful role in the Vikings backfield and draws a solid Week 2 matchup. He’s a clear mid-tier/flex Start candidate who offers a mix of early-down work and enough opportunity to deliver RB2/flex production.
WR: Khalil Shakir, Buffalo
Excellent matchup against a Lions defense that has been soft against wide receivers. In a high-scoring Thursday night game, he has a clear path to strong flex production on moderate targets.
TE: Hunter Henry, New England
Steady target share and a favorable enough matchup to make him a viable streaming/start option at a thin position. Reliable enough floor for managers needing a mid-tier tight end.
Snipe
QB: Tyler Shough, New Orleans (Rostered around 40-47%)
Shough put up a massive second-half surge in Week 1 (35-of-56, 410 yards, 3 TDs) after a slow start and nearly stole the game in overtime against Detroit. The Saints figure to be playing from behind again at Baltimore, which should mean another high-volume passing day. He’s a strong streamer/plug-and-play QB2 while the volume is there. Grab him before the rest of your league wakes up.
RB: Kaelon Black, San Francisco (Rostered around 15-26%)
The rookie looked sharp sharing the backfield with Christian McCaffrey in the Australia win over the Rams (solid efficiency on double-digit touches). San Francisco is a heavy favorite at home against Miami and could lean on the run if they get out early. Black has clear RB2/handcuff value and weekly flex upside in a high-powered offense. Priority add in most formats.
WR: Jalen Coker, Carolina (Rostered around 50% or lower in many leagues)
Coker continues to look like the clear No. 2 opposite Tetairoa McMillan and produced in Week 1. Carolina heads to Atlanta in what should be a competitive game. Target share and opportunity are real and he’s a solid waiver priority with flex potential this week and beyond. It’s the second time I’m telling you to grab him, it’s likely your last chance.
TE: Brenton Strange, Jacksonville (Rostered in the low-to-mid 20% range in most leagues.)
If you’re in a league with me, chances are he’s already rostered. I went draft heavy with him as a backup TE. He has a path to meaningful targets in the Jaguars’ offense and offers upside as a streaming tight end if the volume continues or expands. Low-cost waiver add with weekly flex/TE potential while remaining widely available.
That’s the Week 2 blueprint. Prioritize the high-upside waiver adds with clear roles or volume (Shough and Black stand out), lean into the high-scoring environments and stud performers for your starts, and don’t be afraid to bench the inefficient or tough-matchup players even if they’re big names. One week doesn’t make a season, but smart waiver claims and lineup decisions separate the contenders early.
See you next week for the next round of Sit, Start, Snipe.