Analysis

9/12/23

26 min read

2023 NFL Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings

By Josh Larky

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Below are my 2023 Week 2 fantasy rankings for points per reception (PPR) and half-PPR leagues. Included are my top 32 QB Rankings, top 54 RB Rankings, top 77 WR Rankings and top 26 TE Rankings.

At the bottom, you’ll find top-12 defense rankings from Ryan Reynolds.

For each player, you can view their ranking, matchup and implied team total, according to Las Vegas sportsbooks.

For example, the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars have a Vegas game total of 51, with the Chiefs favored by three points (27 points implied for the Chiefs, 24 points implied for the Jaguars). Seeing the implied point totals can help you understand which games are projected to be high-scoring.

Meanwhile, xPPR (expected PPR points) looks strictly at usage rather than a player’s ability. Think of this as each player’s average expected fantasy points per game based on the type of touches they are getting.

The Proj. column in the table (projected fantasy points) is courtesy of our data scientist, Ben Wolby. His projections won’t fully align with my fantasy rankings, but it’s another good piece of the puzzle to consider.

Detailed player write-ups will be added through Wednesday night and appear below each set of positional rankings.

Join our FREE Discord for help with start-sits, trades, and general fantasy advice each week. We’ll also drop player prop bets and DFS strategy in there throughout the season.

>>READ: Week 2 Waiver Wire Targets

Week 2 Fantasy Rankings

Top 32 Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Lamar Jackson threw for only 169 yards with no touchdowns on the back of just 22 pass attempts in Week 1. But let’s add a little context, shall we? TE Mark Andrews was absent from the starting lineup while dealing with a quad injury, and the Ravens were largely able to coast to victory behind three rushing scores. J.K. Dobbins is out for the season and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken has long been known to tailor a game design to his opponent. Now, with Andrews potentially returning, Dobbins out and an opponent in the Cincinnati Bengals likelier to put up points than the rookie quarterback without three offensive linemen the Ravens faced a week ago, things are shaping up well for Jackson to see quite the bounce back in Week 2. — Mark Garcia

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa led all quarterbacks with 466 passing yards in Week 1, and he averaged 11 air yards per attempt, too. The New England Patriots' secondary caused the Philadelphia Eagles problems in Week 1. Still, I’m confident enough in the Miami Dolphins passing offense to recommend Tagovailoa as a strong start in Week 2. The Dolphins attempted 45 passes and just 13 rush attempts in Week 1, and that’s certainly encouraging for Tagovailoa while being damaging for the Miami running back room.

Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Richardson dropped back 45 times in Week 1, attempting 37 passes and running 10 times. His expected fantasy points were 25.0, second-highest behind only Tagovailoa for Week 1. Knowing the team will let Richardson drop back an above-average amount while he'll also remain a serious threat with his legs, Richardson leaps into the top 10 for Week 2. There’s still volatility here, as we are dealing with a one-game sample, but it’s clear the Indianapolis Colts intend to run their entire offense through him.

Daniel Jones, New York Giants

Another massive bounce-back candidate for Week 2 is Daniel Jones, who, alongside his New York Giants, got embarrassed on national television en route to being shut out. Jones completed just 15 of 28 pass attempts for 104 yards and two interceptions. He also fumbled twice, both of which were recovered by the Giants. But while the Dallas Cowboys generated pressure at a whopping 38.6 percent clip against the Giants, a week ago, the Giants’ next opponent, the Arizona Cardinals, managed to pressure the quarterback just 17.9 percent of the time and even blitzed 25.6 percent of the time, so it won’t exactly be the same setup for the Giants in Week 2. — Mark Garcia

Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns 

Deshaun Watson only completed 55 percent of his passes, but he did out-duel Joe Burrow in a bad-weather game in Week 1. Watson averaged nearly 11 air yards per attempt (encouraging) and ran five times for 45 yards and a touchdown. He still looks like the 2022 version of himself as a passer, but his legs should keep him fantasy-relevant most weeks. Should he put things together as a passer, he’ll flirt with elite fantasy territory later in the season.

Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Brock Purdy played admirably against a strong Pittsburgh Steelers defense in Week 1, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt (eighth) and throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions. He now faces a Los Angeles Rams defense featuring eight starters who are either undrafted, rookies or guys taken Round 6 or later in the NFL Draft. Purdy is the best streaming option ahead of Week 2. 

Top 54 Running Backs

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

One of the biggest arguments against drafting Christian McCaffrey early in the first round in best ball were his splits in 2022 with and without a healthy Elijah Mitchell. McCaffrey threw those splits to the ground in Week 1, surging to an elite 85 percent snap rate and handling a robust 81.8 percent share of the available running back opportunities for the 49ers. McCaffrey is the unquestioned RB1 until further notice. — Mark Garcia

Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers

Austin Ekeler is dealing with an ankle sprain, and whether it’s of the low (mild) or high-ankle (severe) variety is still to be determined. Ekeler and Joshua Kelley split work down the middle in the run game, with each back handling 16 carries (five red zone attempts for each). Ekeler did take on four of the five goal-line attempts, which was encouraging, but Kelley ran nearly as many routes on Sunday, too. Should Ekeler miss Week 2, Kelley would jump into the top-15 running back conversation against a Tennessee Titans team that kept New Orleans Saints RB Jamaal Williams in check in Week 1.

Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb had four targets in Week 1, which was encouraging usage with Kareem Hunt no longer with the Cleveland Browns. 

Backfield, Tennessee Titans

Derrick Henry handled 15 of 18 running back carries, along with all three red zone attempts. He also caught two of three targets for 56 yards. Rookie RB Tyjae Spears slightly out-snapped Henry but only had three carries and four targets, catching one pass for one yard. Henry’s workload is probably fine, but it’s worth monitoring, given that Spears was on the field far more than expected.

Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

Travis Etienne handled 18 carries to Tank Bigsby’s seven, and Etienne out-gained him 77-13 on the ground. Bigsby had both goal-line carries, but Etienne managed to score from farther out. Etienne also set a career-high in the receiving game, catching all five of his targets. Etienne may not have the goal-line role, but he gets most of the carries, offers game-breaking speed and appears in line for a significant receiving workload. He’s a fantasy RB1 against the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense in what projects to be a high-scoring affair.

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks 

Kenneth Walker handled 12 carries to Zach Charbonnet’s three, ran 16 routes to Charbonnet’s seven and out-targeted him five to zero. Walker is a bell cow in a Seattle Seahawks offense that should bounce back against the Detroit Lions. Start Walker confidently in Week 2.

Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Jacobs returned from his holdout to immediately reclaim the workhorse role for the Las Vegas Raiders, an aspect of the game we know to largely be a dying breed. He commanded an 80 percent snap rate and was responsible for 22 of the 25 available running back opportunities, good for a massive 88 percent team running back opportunity share. The Buffalo Bills have been better against the pass than the run for the previous two seasons, a trend we saw continue into Week 1. Start Jacobs with confidence. — Mark Garcia

Backfield, Detroit Lions

David Montgomery handled 21 carries to Jahmyr Gibbs’ seven, but anyone watching Thursday’s game immediately noticed Gibbs’ electric burst and escapability. Montgomery received four of the team’s five goal-line carries and also ran twice as many routes as Gibbs. Coach Dan Campbell mentioned that Gibbs will see increased work in Week 2, and the Seahawks have a history of inviting running back dump-offs with their defensive scheme. Montgomery is a strong play due to volume, while Gibbs managed 60 yards in Week 1 on only nine touches. I’d expect Gibbs to be more involved, but for Montgomery to still hover around 15-18 total touches.

Alexander Mattison and Ty Chandler, Minnesota Vikings 

Alexander Mattison was RB14 with 14.3 expected PPR fantasy points in Week 1 based on usage. While his 11 carries for 34 yards were unimpressive, he did run 25 routes to Ty Chandler’s seven. Overall, Mattison did enough to likely keep his workhorse status for Week 2. Chandler gained zero yards on his three carries, and Mattison handled both red zone carries and the lone goal-line carry.

Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

According to Next Gen Stats, Rachaad White handled 17 carries to Sean Tucker’s two, but White had 2.4 rushing yards below expectation per carry. White also was targeted just twice on 21 routes, while Tucker was targeted twice on his four routes. White is a workhorse back (for now) and has a great matchup against a Chicago Bears team that was embarrassed by RB Aaron Jones in Week 1. Tucker should be stashed off waivers, and White can continue to be started in fantasy, but this is a backfield to monitor weekly.

Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers

According to Next Gen Stats, Miles Sanders handled 18 carries and six targets, but he left a full yard per carry on the table in Week 1. The Saints are not a particularly concerning matchup, but his inefficiency from Week 1 could dampen his opportunities moving forward. He has a loose grip on the team’s workhorse role for now. Chuba Hubbard saw nine carries and two targets and should be stashed in all formats.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

Tyler Allgeier is only the RB26 for Week 2 despite coming off a 24-fantasy-point performance against the Carolina Panthers. Ultimately, all three of Allgeier’s goal-line carries came in the fourth quarter once the game was out of hand. Only six of his 15 carries came in the first three quarters, while nine of Bijan Robinson’s 10 carries came before the fourth quarter. Allgeier is a borderline fantasy RB2 with how reliant the Atlanta Falcons are on the run game, but fantasy managers shouldn’t get too carried away by his box score results.

Kenneth Gainwell and D’Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles

Kenneth Gainwell handled 14 of the 16 running back carries (including three in the red zone) and caught all four targets. Gainwell also ran 16 routes to D’Andre Swift’s 13. However, Gainwell didn’t practice on Tuesday (ribs), so he’s facing an uphill battle to remain the workhorse on Thursday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Should Gainwell miss this contest, Swift jumps into the fantasy RB2 conversation. This is a situation to monitor.

Kyren Williams and Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

Kyren Williams out-snapped Cam Akers 52-26, and while Akers had 22 carries, they only went for 29 yards. Williams had 15 carries in his own right, and he handled five of the seven red zone rush attempts despite being the smaller back. In the receiving game, Williams ran 28 routes to Akers’ two. Williams looks like the preferred fantasy option moving forward.

Backfield, Denver Broncos 

Javonte Williams handled 13 carries to Samaje Perine’s eight, while Perine ran 17 routes to Williams’ 12. Perine was more efficient in both areas and scored more fantasy points. However, the underlying usage favored Williams, who is still recovering from an ACL tear last season. Neither is an exciting option in Week 2 against an intimidating Washington Commanders defensive front. This committee feels a lot like the Melvin Gordon–Javonte Williams one of years past, and until Russell Wilson gets this offense on track, it’s tough to see any difference-making fantasy stat lines from this tandem. 

Rhamondre Stevenson and Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson was on the field for twice as many snaps as Ezekiel Elliott, but Stevenson only saw 18 opportunities to Elliott’s 14. Stevenson is just a fantasy RB2 if he can’t command more than 60 percent of the backfield touches each week, and Elliott is a borderline flex play on a weekly basis.

Backfield, Washington Commanders 

Brian Robinson Jr. handled 19 carries to Antonio Gibson’s two. Robinson also ran the same number of routes as Gibson but was targeted twice as much. Three of the four red zone carries went to Robinson, too. Gibson is one week away from being dropped, and he’s nothing more than a bench stash heading into Week 2.

Backfield, Baltimore Ravens 

Dobbins tore his Achilles and is out for the season. In his absence, Justice Hill and Gus Edwards split the work. Both saw eight carries, but Hill saw the four red zone attempts (two at the goal line) and scored twice. It’s surprising to see the undersize Hill get that green-zone work ahead of the bulky Edwards, and I’m not confident that Hill will keep that role the rest of the season. I’d expect Edwards to handle more of the early-down work and Hill to see more pass game work. This is probably an underwhelming committee for fantasy football, but Hill’s pass game upside makes him the slightly more intriguing play.

Deon Jackson and Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts

Evan Hull just went on IR, and Zack Moss should return in Week 2 from a broken arm. Deon Jackson had 14 rushing yards on 13 carries and fumbled twice in Week 1. His six targets may go to Moss in Week 2, and neither is a preferred starting option yet. Jackson is ranked ahead of Moss given his great Week 1 role, but he has a tenuous-at-best grip on this backfield heading into Week 2’s divisional matchup with the Houston Texans.

Top 77 Wide Receivers

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Tee Higgins didn’t reel in any of his eight targets, but Ja’Marr Chase only had nine targets in the Week 1 contest. Higgins should be perfectly fine the rest of the season and should be started in all fantasy formats.

Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts

Michael Pittman’s 11 targets (eight catches) for 97 yards and a touchdown was one of the more surprising stat lines of Week 1. He now faces a Texans secondary that looks better than the Jacksonville Jaguars one he faced in Week 1, but it’s tough to deny the volume.

DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans

DeAndre Hopkins had a 38 percent target share, catching seven of 13 targets in Week 1. He’s the only Titans pass catcher worth starting in Week 2 against a Chargers defense that was lit up by the Dolphins last week.

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens

Zay Flowers saw 10 targets in his debut, with Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman each seeing only three. Flowers caught nine passes for 78 yards and had all four of the team’s red zone targets. Andrews likely returns this week, but Flowers showed enough to remain in lineups ahead of Week 2. Bateman and Beckham sit at around eight out of 10 on the panic meter, as it’ll be tough for either to be fantasy-relevant each week as the Ravens’ third and fourth pass game options. Flowers has shades of Antonio Brown in his game with the way he runs routes and makes guys miss after the catch. 

Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

Brandon Aiyuk’s underlying usage was better than Deebo Samuel’s. Hence, he is ranked higher for Week 2. However, Samuel had a strong Week 1, too. Aiyuk (28 percent target share) and Samuel (24 percent) were the focal points of this passing game, and Samuel’s average target depth was 10 yards, far higher than last year’s four yards with Purdy. Aiyuk and Samuel are strong starts against the Rams’ secondary in Week 2.

Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Michael Thomas saw a 24 percent target share in Week 1, catching five of eight targets for 61 yards. He was targeted three times in the red zone and once in the end zone. He’s a strong start in Week 2 against a Carolina secondary that was largely untested in its opening contest against the Falcons.

Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

K.J. Osborn ran 44 routes to Jordan Addison’s 31, yet Addison caught four of six targets for 61 yards and a touchdown, while Osborn had three catches for 31 yards. Addison should push Osborn further in Week 2, and I’d expect Addison to run more routes Thursday night against the Eagles.

DJ Moore, Chicago Bears

DJ Moore was targeted twice (five percent target share) in Week 1, and he’s a tough player to start in Week 2. Justin Fields’ 37 pass attempts were more than any game last season, but he continued to struggle with accuracy and taking sacks (four).

Puka Nucua and Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams

Puka Nacua’s 15 targets (39.5 percent share) led to 10 catches for 119 yards. In Week 2, he won’t be facing a Seahawks defense that has no interest in proper coverages each week, but he does look like a viable fantasy play while Cooper Kupp is on IR. Nacua has his work cut out against the 49ers' secondary, but on volume alone, he sneaks into the fantasy WR3 conversation for Week 2. Tutu Atwell also chipped in with six catches on eight targets for 119 yards. It appears those two will take on a higher volume role, with Van Jefferson continuing to primarily stretch the field.

Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders

Jakobi Meyers led the Raiders with a 38 percent target share, catching nine of 10 targets for 81 yards and two touchdowns. He had two end zone targets in a game where Davante Adams had none. Adams is still the preferred fantasy option for the rest of the season (obviously), but Meyers established there’s a big two in Las Vegas’ pass game. He should be started in Week 2 against a Bills team that should pour on the points against a rough Raiders secondary — expect another eight or more targets for Meyers in potential shootout conditions.

Zay Jones and Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

Zay Jones started ahead of Christian Kirk in two-receiver sets, running 33 routes to Kirk’s 23. Calvin Ridley (34), TE Evan Engram (31) and RB Travis Etienne (29) also saw more action than Kirk. It’s time to panic, but he’s not droppable (yet) in fantasy, as the Chiefs were lit up by Kirk last season. This is a get-right game for the slot receiver, but his ranking reflects the growing concern from his Week 1 performance.

Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns

Elijah Moore tied with Amari Cooper for the team lead in targets with seven, and while he only caught three passes for 43 yards, he did have one of the team’s three red zone targets. Moore also handled two rush attempts for 19 yards, another encouraging sign for the former New York Jets receiver. If QB Deshaun Watson can improve slightly as a passer (Week 1 was a bad-weather game), then Moore has true fantasy WR2 potential, as he demonstrated during his rookie season.

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton was the de facto WR1, with Jerry Jeudy (hamstring) missing Week 1, but Sutton only delivered four catches for 32 yards on five targets. The touchdown salvaged his fantasy day, but that’s concerning usage against a beatable Raiders secondary. With Jeudy likely to return in Week 2, Sutton can be dropped in shallower leagues.

Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

Drake London was a victim of Desmond Ridder in Week 1. Ridder attempted just 18 passes for 115 yards and averaged 3.5 air yards per pass attempt (awful). London will have a tough time being fantasy-relevant when the Falcons have an elite offensive line and arguably the best rushing duo in the NFL in Bijan Robinson and Allgeier. Week 2 against the Packers should be another matchup where Atlanta can lean on the run game.

Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills

Gabe Davis led the Bills in snap rate yet again, cementing his status as an every-down wide receiver on one of the top offenses in the league. The Bills were unable to work anything downfield against a ferocious Jets pass rush in Week 1 but now get a Raiders defense that generated pressure at a paltry 10.8 percent clip a week ago (which ranked 30th in the league, and Las Vegas blitzed at a 29.7 percent clip, to boot!). Davis sets up well to exploit those shortcomings in Week 2 and finds himself in a potential eruption spot. — Mark Garcia

Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions

Josh Reynolds is one of the cheapest wide receivers you can start in Week 2. Nacua and Kendrick Bourne will command more attention on the waiver wire, but Reynolds’ 20 percent target share led to four catches for 80 yards against Kansas City. He has another solid matchup in Week 2 against Seattle.

Robert Woods and Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Robert Woods and Nico Collins commanded double-digit targets, with rookie QB C.J. Stroud dropping back 52 times in his NFL debut against the Ravens. In Week 2, Houston will face a Colts’ secondary that is a major step down in competition, and Woods and Collins are both viable starts in deeper leagues. Collins is the preferred option, with 11 targets and 158 air yards, but Woods should be slightly more consistent in PPR formats. My expected fantasy points model reflects strong showings from Collins (14.3) and Woods (13) from Week 1.

Receivers, Pittsburgh Steelers 

George Pickens is the preferred Week 2 option (barely) when the Steelers face the Browns on Monday Night Football. The Browns’ defensive front wreaked havoc on Burrow last week, and the Steelers’ offensive line is a couple notches below Cincinnati's. QB Kenny Pickett may not have time to target Pickens deep, and Allen Robinson led the team with eight targets on nearly half the average target depth. Robinson may be the sneaky start in Week 2, with Diontae Johnson out for multiple weeks (hamstring). Calvin Austin is a desperation fantasy option who filled in admirably once Johnson went down. However, he’s 160 pounds and shouldn’t be counted on in a high-volume role each week.

Top 26 Tight Ends

Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

Dallas Goedert’s Week 1 goose egg is reminiscent of DeVonta Smith’s zero-catch day in Week 1 of 2022. He should be started in Week 2 against a porous Vikings defense.

Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals

Zach Ertz led all tight ends in expected fantasy points in Week 1, with 10 targets (four red zone, one end zone). The 32-year-old has just enough left in the tank to score fantasy points in half-PPR and PPR formats and should be fired up in Week 2 against the Giants.

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

Dalton Kincaid dropped a hefty 92.6 percent route participation rate and saw a 59 percent slot snap rate in Week 1, basically providing everything best ball drafters had in mind when they selected him in the 11th round of drafts this offseason. — Mark Garcia

Hayden Hurst, Carolina Panthers

Most fantasy managers will focus on the running back and wide receiver position on waivers. Hayden Hurst should be a cheap pick-up ahead of Week 2 after leading the Panthers with seven targets, catching five for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys

Dallas blew out the Giants 40-0, so no Cowboys players were utilized much in the passing game. However, Jake Ferguson commanded a target on seven of his 14 routes (50 percent targets per route run rate) and was targeted four times in the red zone. It looks like he’s secured the Dalton Schultz role in this offense, and if Week 2 is more of the same, Ferguson will be an every-week starter in fantasy.

Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders

Logan Thomas quietly caught four of his eight targets for 43 yards. He should be available in all formats and is a desperation play with a decent floor ahead of Week 2.

Tight Ends, Los Angeles Chargers

Gerald Everett and Donald Parham were in a true committee in Week 1, and Everett can be dropped from fantasy football rosters.

Top 12 Defense/Special Teams

*Defense rankings and write-ups courtesy of Ryan Reynolds.

Buffalo Bills D/ST

Buffalo is in a classic correction spot after a Monday night loss to Zach Wilson’s Jets.

New York Giants D/ST

New York was embarrassed by the Cowboys last Sunday night. Thankfully for the Giants' defense, their talented pass rush faces Josh Dobbs behind one of the league’s least reliable offensive lines.

Cleveland Browns D/ST

Cleveland not only held Burrow’s Bengals to three points, but their pass rush and secondary looked like premium units. They face a Steelers team that was dominated last week by the 49ers' elite defense.

Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST

The Steelers do not have a trench advantage against Cleveland, but Deshaun Watson was a very inconsistent passer on opening day.

New England Patriots D/ST

New England’s defense has a tough matchup against Miami, but the Patriots played very well against the Eagles on opening day. Additionally, if Dolphins LT Terron Armstead sits, the Patriots' defense will have a trench advantage in this contest.

Los Angeles Chargers D/ST

The Los Angeles Chargers have to play with a lead for this to work, but their pass rush has an edge against the Titans' offensive line in that scenario.

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Josh Larky

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Josh Larky is the Director of Fantasy and Gambling at The 33rd Team.  He joins us with a unique blend of educational and professional experience.