Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings Risers and Fallers: Travis Etienne Is Cleared For Takeoff

It is time to set our fantasy lineups for Week 2, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest risers and fallers in the ranks to help you make those start-sit decisions.

Rankings Risers for Week 2

What follows are players from each position who are getting upgraded in my Week 2 fantasy football rankings.

As a reminder, you can access all of our Utilization Report data for 20% off with code DWAIN!

Justin Herbert climbs to No. 6 in the Week 2 QB rankings.

Herbert played pitch and catch against the Chiefs like it was a 7-on-7 drill, completing 25 of 34 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. He also added 36 yards on four scrambles before giving away four yards on kneel-downs. The sixth-year signal caller finished as the QB5 with 27.9 points in Week 1.

Herbert notched QB8 and QB3 finishes in fantasy points per game his first two seasons before QB14, QB10 and QB15 campaigns. With the Chargers' added firepower, Herbert looks poised to push for another mid-range QB1 campaign in his second season in the Greg Roman offense.

The Chargers leaned more to the pass after Herbert got healthy in Week 5 of 2024, but they pushed to new territory in Week 1 with an 11.6% dropback rate over expected (DBOE). While it could have been matchup-induced, there is also a chance this is a pass-first squad in 2025.

The Bolts carry the fifth-highest team total (25.5) in a divisional matchup with the Raiders as 3.5-point favorites.

I am not on an island with this one—Herbert is the consensus QB6 in the FantasyLife rankings.

QB Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

Kyler Murray | Cardinals: Murray only passed for 163 yards in Week 1, but he tossed two TDs and added 38 yards on four scrambles and one designed rush. That goes a long way, y'all! That 3.8 points on the ground turned 14.5 points into 18.3. This is how Murray has remained a low-end QB1 over the past few years, and he always has the potential for a blowup game when he hits as a passer. Arizona is a 6.5-point favorite against the Panthers, who were the fourth-best opponent-adjusted matchup for QBs last year, boosting performances by 4.4 points per game. The Cardinals tie the Chargers for the fifth-highest team total (25.5). Murray is my QB8 this weekend.
Bo Nix | Broncos: Nix bombed last weekend (8.8 points), but was highly engaged as a runner. His 15% designed rush rate ranked fifth in Week 1, which is the sort of thing that usually raises floor and ceiling outcomes. The Broncos are 2.5-point favorites against a Colts defense that awarded the eighth-best opponent-adjusted boost to the position last year at 2.1 points per contest. Denver's team total of 22.5 is modest, but the Fantasy Life NFL Betting Game Model (thank you, Matthew Freedman!) likes them slightly more at 23.1. Nix falls outside the top 12 in our consensus ranks, but I have him at No. 10.
Jared Goff | Lions: I was basically anti-Goff this preseason, but not due to concerns about the wheels falling off the offense—my issue was his inability to add any value on the ground. But now, things have gone too far—Goff ranks as the QB18 in our consensus rankings. The Lions boast the third-best team total (27.9) in the Game Model as 4.5-point favorites over the Bears. Look for Goff & Co. to get things rolling against their old OC Ben Johnson. He is borderline QB1.

James Conner remains the RB1 in Arizona and has a SMASH matchup in Week 2.

The word on the street is that youngster Trey Benson is taking over this backfield. While the second-year back did have a more significant role in Week 1 with 35% of the rushing attempts, Conner remained in the driver's seat with a 64% snap share.

The veteran dominated short-down-and-distance (SDD) opportunities and notched a 55% route participation rate with 14% of the targets. I think it is fair to question whether Conner will receive as many touches this season as he did last, with Benson looking good, but he is still well-positioned within the Cardinals' offense.

Arizona boasts the fifth-best team total (26.8) in the Game Model with the fourth-highest spread of seven points. Last weekend, Travis Etienne Jr. shredded the Panthers for 143 yards, averaging 8.9 yards per tote. Carolina's defense picked up right where they left off in 2024, when they were the juiciest opponent-adjusted fantasy matchup to RBs with an 8.6 point bump per contest.

Some of my fellow rankers are even more excited than I am about Conner. I have him as a borderline RB1, but multiple rankers have him inside the top 12.

Travis Etienne Jr. is one of the biggest Week 2 rankings risers, entering must-start territory.

Etienne looked fresh and explosive in Week 1 against the Panthers, compiling 157 total yards. He led the team in snaps (62%), rushing attempts (57%), routes (45%), and was the two-minute back (80%).

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The trade of Tank Bigsby to the Eagles opens the door for Bhayshul Tuten to gain reps, but we could also see Etienne get even more work while the rookie gets up to speed.

The Bengals' run defense was stout last weekend against the Browns, but they were a neutral matchup in 2024.

Etienne climbs out of the RB3 cellar into mid-range RB2 territory.

Javonte Williams should be in most fantasy football lineups in Week 2.

I don't know if Williams can hang onto this role all season, but my confidence is high regarding Week 2. Even if we have Jaydon Blue active, Williams has a lot of breathing room based on an 80% snap share in Week 1. Williams was a bellcow, remaining on the field for all critical situations like attempts inside the five-yard line and the two-minute offense.

Williams cashed in on two short-yardage touchdowns behind a Cowboys offensive line that earned the No. 3 run-blocking grade (72.2) per PFF. While he didn't look like vintage Javonte, he got what was blocked, which should give him a chance to keep scoring.

Dallas owns the sixth-best team total (25.25) as six-point favorites over the Giants. It's worth noting that our local betting brainiac, Freedman, sees this one slightly differently in the NFL Betting Game Model:

Dallas team total: 24.3
Spread: four-point favorites

So, you may want to take the points and bet the Giants, but it still looks good for Williams. New York offered the fourth-best opponent-adjusted matchup for RBs last season at plus-4.7 per game. The Commanders' trio of backs ran for 133 yards and a TD on the Giants in Week 1.

Williams UPGRADES to low-end RB2 status and should be in most fantasy lineups.

RB Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

Christian McCaffrey | 49ers: CMC is our No. 1 projected back at 20.5 points. His Xfinity Best (ceiling) projection is a whopping 43.2 points. Yeah, that would be an extreme performance, but CMC had 22 carries and 10 targets in Week 1. Even with Mac Jones under center, he is going to get fed and carries a big ceiling-floor combination.
James Cook | Bills: Cook notched a career-high Utilization Score of 85 with 21.2 fantasy points in Week 1 against Baltimore. He played 59% of the snaps and handled 59% of the rushing attempts with a 52% route participation. Last season, those numbers were 48%, 50% and 40% with a 66 Utilization Score. There is a chance the Bills want to get more out of Cook now that they paid him—he UPGRADES to low-end RB1 status (keep an eye on his injury status).
David Montgomery | Lions: Montgomery led the Lions with a 52% attempt share in Week 1, while Gibbs led the way in route participation 65% to 33%. It was a terrible game script for the early-down runner, but his role as the lead ground-game option might still be intact, and Detroit is a 7.3-point favorite over the Bears in the NFL Betting Game Model. This is a great bounce-back spot for Montgomery, who is a low-end RB2.
Zach Charbonnet | Seahawks: Charbonnet led the Seahawks with a 59% snap share in Week 1, shocking the fantasy football world. The attempts and targets remained slightly in Walker's favor, 13 to 11, but Charbonnet played in critical situations inside the five-yard line and the two-minute offense. If that holds, Charbonnet will be more game-script proof and offer more upside than Walker. Charbonnet UPGRADES to mid-range RB2 territory.
Jordan Mason | Vikings: Mason led the Vikings with a 57% snap share and bogarted 63% of the rushing attempts against the Bears in Week 1. Mason wasn't very active in the passing attack with a 28% route share versus 52% for Aaron Jones. Game scripts could be a challenge for Mason, but the Vikings trailed by four-plus points on 69% of the plays and stuck with the run against Chicago. The new-look Minnesota offense posted a -13.5% DBOE (30th) after finishing as the No. 4 most pass-heavy unit in 2024. Mason is a mid-range RB3.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba ascends to No. 10 in the Week 2 WR ranks.

Smith-Njigba finished hot last season and picked up where he left off with 19.4 fantasy points in Week 1 on a massive 59% target share. The most interesting part about his Week 1 performance was the work downfield (13.6 aDOT) while primarily working from the outside on over 70% of his snaps. He dominated air yards with 91%.

Klint Kubiak also kept the layup looks intact, with 23% of JSN's targets coming on screen passes.

It's worth noting that I struggled with how far to move him up the ranks. I have him sandwiched between Ladd McConkey and Mike Evans. Kubiak loves to pound the rock, and Seattle posted a -10% DBOE (28th), dropping back to pass on only 52% of snaps in Week 1. To continue to thrive, Smith-Njigba will need to continue is target-dominating ways.

The Seahawks are three-point underdogs against the Steelers, and their team total isn't strong at 18.25 points. Still, we saw the same scenario last weekend against Pittsburgh when the Jets stuck with the run while featuring Garrett Wilson.

Smith-Njigba carries the seventh-highest ceiling in our projection model with an Xfinity best projection of 28.4 fantasy points. Hello!

Smith Njigba is a low-end WR1 option this weekend.

Rome Odunze jumps inside the top 36 WRs against the Lions.

Odunze led the Bears with a 25% target share, dialing up 15.7 fantasy points against the Vikings on Monday night. Interestingly, he wasn't just a deep threat, earning targets underneath and in the intermediate game with a 7.5-yard aDOT.

In an expanded route tree, we could see big things from Odunze this season. The departure of Keenan Allen looks like a plus at the moment, with Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III struggling to garner much playing time. Now is the time if the former top-nine pick wants to cement himself as a staple of the Bears' passing attack.

Odunze is a mid-range WR3 who could spike for a massive WR1 outing. Think of names like Jameson Williams and George Pickens, that is Odunze's tier in Week 2.

WR Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

Deebo Samuel | Commanders: I have waxed poetic about Samuel for two weeks now and gave him massive props in the Utilization Report, so I will keep this short and sweet: Deebo is my WR15 this weekend.
Garrett Wilson | Jets: Wilson is the opposite of Samuel. I haven't given him his due in writing this year. I have always said that Wilson is a WR1 talent—my challenge is the hot-and-cold Justin Fields. Which version will we get this week? I don't know, you tell me! Vegas still hasn't warmed on this offense—the Jets carry a 19.3 team total as seven-point dogs against the Bills. Wilson upgrades to mid-range WR2 territory, but I can't even bring myself to capitalize the word upgrade because I remain leery of this run-heavy attack with an erratic passer.
Emeka Egbuka | Buccaneers: Egbuka scored 23.6 points in his professional debut thanks to two TD receptions. The first-round pick was hyped all summer and delivered in Week 1. He finished the day with a 21% target share and a 73 Utilization Score. Egbuka is my WR22 this weekend against the Texans.
Ricky Pearsall | 49ers: Pearsall was poised for a feature write-up, and then we got the news that Brock Purdy won't play this weekend. With George Kittle out and Jauan Jennings questionable, he could still be the No. 2 weapon in the offense behind McCaffrey. Mac Jones supported big production from Brian Thomas Jr. at the end of last season. Marvin Harrison collected five grabs for 71 yards and a TD in Week 1 against New Orleans. Pearsall is a borderline WR2 against the Saints.
Hollywood Brown | Chiefs: Brown garnered an electric 40% target share after the loss of Xavier Worthy in Week 1. While his ability with the ball in his hands was certainly less than electric, he still managed to get free for a long catch on a busted coverage. Just think of it this way: Brown has been a good WR before, and he plays with Patrick-friggin-Mahomes, man. Brown is a mid-range WR3 in Week 2 against the Eagles.
Keenan Allen | Chargers: Allen wasn't a full-time player with a 78% route participation, but still led the team with a 29% target share last Thursday night. He and Herbet's chemistry was already evident as Allen hogged 50% of the third- and fourth-down targets. The Chargers have the fifth-highest team total as 3.5-point favorites versus the Raiders. Allen is a low-end WR3.
Keon Coleman | Bills: Coleman notched the No. 1 Utilization Score (95) for a WR in Week 1. He caught a fluky TD that was intended for Khalil Shakir, but still played well, earning a 26% target share. He was just short of another touchdown. Coleman could see tough coverage from the Jets and Sauce Gardner this weekend, but he is still worthy of consideration as a boom-bust WR4 option.

Tyler Warren skyrockets to No. 3 in the fantasy TE rankings.

The Round 1 NFL draft pick exploded onto the scene in Week 1, leading the Colts with nine targets (31%) on his way to 14.9 fantasy points.

Shane Steichan utilized screens, RPOs and play action to create space for his favorite new toy. Given how strong the Broncos' cornerbacks are, that should be the plan again in Week 2.

Warren is a high-end TE1 option in Week 2.

TE Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

Jake Ferguson | Cowboys: Ferguson notched a 19% target share with an 83% route participation in Week 1. The Cowboys carry the sixth-highest team total as six-point favorites. Ferguson is a borderline TE1 option.
Harold Fannin Jr. | Browns: Kevin Stefanski featured Fannin heavily in Week 1, moving him all over the formation, leading to a 22% target share and 13.6 fantasy points. The rookie even got a carry out of the wildcat. Fannin is a high-end TE2 option.

Rankings Fallers for Week 2

What follows are players from each position who are getting downgraded in my Week 2 fantasy football rankings.

Kenneth Walker III tumbles down the Week 2 fantasy ranks.

Walker only played 41% of the snaps in Week 1, playing behind Charbonnet, leaving fantasy managers disappointed with only 5.4 fantasy points.

Walker was heavily featured when on the field, garnering a 33% target-per-route-run rate (TPRR) and earning only one less rushing attempt than Charbonnet. Still, his role took a big hit, losing the two-minute offense and the work inside the five-yard line—two of the most valuable opportunities.

To add insult to injury, the Seahawks carry the third-lowest team total (18.25) this weekend.

Walker DOWNGRADES to low-end RB3 territory. Life happens fast, y'all!

Matthew Golden falls out of the top 48 WRs for Week 2 in fantasy.

Golden notched a lowly 53% route participation and 22 Utilization Score against the Lions. When he was on the field, he wasn't highly targeted with a 15% TPRR.

The first-round pick was dealing with a minor ankle injury heading into the game. So, there is a chance he plays a larger role against the Bears this weekend, but it's challenging to assume that when creating the ranks.

Golden is a borderline WR4 that shouldn't be in lineups if you can avoid it.

Colston Loveland should be on fantasy benches in Week 2.

Loveland was my TE faller last week due to uncertainty about his role in Week 1. We are going to run it back again for Week 2, because now our worst fears have been confirmed: Loveland is playing behind Cole Kmet.

Good things could still be in store for the rookie first-rounder as the year progresses, but a 48% route participation is a big flashing sign that says BENCH ME.

Loveland is a low-end TE2 that shouldn't be in lineups.

Rapid Fire Downgrades & Pending News:

Isiah Pacheco | RB | Chiefs: The Chiefs' backfield is a complete mess with three guys rotating. Pacheco is still the lead option by a hair, but this is a situation to avoid if you can. With Jalen Carter back in the lineup, the Eagles will be a formidable run-stuffing opponent. Pacheco falls to low-end RB3 territory.
RJ Harvey | RB | Broncos: Harvey played 31% of the snaps in Week 1. Unfortunately, none of those were in the two-minute offense or in short-yardage situations—Tyler Badie was the primary receiving back and J.K. Dobbins was the hammer. Harvey played well and could carve out a significant role quickly, but a downgrade in the ranks was unavoidable after Week 1. Harvey is a low-end RB3.
Jerry Jeudy | WR | Browns: The Browns are a crowded offense, and Jeudy has never been a consistent target earner. Cedric Tillman, David Njoku, and Fannin make this an offense that is tough to predict. Now tack on an 18.5 team total against the Ravens, and I couldn't find any incentive to rank Jeudy inside my top 36 WRs. Jeudy is a high-end WR4.
Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | Colts: Pittman had an excellent Week 1 with a 28% target share and 20 fantasy points. However, he must face off against the Broncos and Pat Surtain in Week 2. The Broncos limited Calvin Ridley to four receptions for 27 yards on eight targets last weekend. Expect the Colts to try to establish the run while scheming looks underneath in better matchups for Warren. Pittman is a mid-range WR4.

Sicko Starts

I want to throw in a few names for all my fellow fantasy managers who are in a SICKO league. If you are in a 12-team league with three starting WRs and two flexes, these are for you! Or you are in a more typical setup but need a name to help get you through injuries; these are for you!

Let's go, you sickos.

Week 1: Daniel Jones (hit), Jerome Ford (miss), Rashod Bateman (miss), Hunter Henry (hit)

Trevor Lawrence | QB | Jaguars

Lawrence is rostered in 47% of Yahoo leagues and is in a starting lineup only 10% of the time.

Lawrence burned me last weekend by failing to pay off my rank inside the top 12. This is his chance at redemption. He has massive shoes to fill, considering Daniel Jones finished as the QB3 with 29.5 points last weekend.

Still, the same reasons I believed in Lawrence make him a viable sicko candidate. First, he has a history of rushing production. Second, he has the playmakers around him to spike in the passing department.

Lawrence is a mid-range QB2 but still offers the ability to spike in two categories as a mid-range QB1.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. | RB | Giants

Tracy is rostered in 91% of Yahoo leagues, but is in a starting lineup only 28% of the time.

Tracy dominated the Giants' backfield with a 73% snap share against the Commanders. He wasn't able to get anything going with 5.5 fantasy points, but the role was there.

While the second-year player might not retain the same role over the course of the season, it's hard not to feel decent about his chances in Week 2 against the Cowboys.

Follow the Utilization, y'all.

Kayshon Boutte | WR | Patriots

Boutte is rostered in 21% of Yahoo leagues.

Boutte has had multiple opportunities over his first two seasons to step forward into a larger role, but hasn't been able to come through. Still, he led the Patritos in route participation (83%) and targets in Week 1.

To be clear, those aren't great numbers. But Stefon Diggs is still recovering from his ACL, and rookie Kyle Williams isn't playing much so far.

Boutte is a boom-bust WR5 for you deep leaguers.

Juwan Johnson | TE | Saints

Johnson is rostered in 28% of Yahoo leagues, but only in a starting lineup 9% of the time.

The Saints QB room is a complete mess, but Johnson is in line for the most significant role of his career with Taysom Hill out. Kellen Moore sang his praises through the offseason, and Johnson garnered an ELITE 96% route participation rate in Week 1.

He finished second on the team with a 27% target share and posted the No. 1 TE Utilization Score in Week 1.

Johnson climbs to borderline TE1 status in Week 2.