Week 2 Smashes and Stashes: Travis Hunter and Rome Odunze Set For Big Weeks

Week 2 is where the discipline kicks in. Can we loosen our grip on our own confirmation bias without wildly overreacting to all the surprises that unfolded?

For any newcomers, welcome. Let’s quickly summarize what we are all about here. Our goal is to dominate. This week and beyond. In order to do that, I’m going to share some key players on my radar as “Smashes” and “Stashes”.

The “Smashes” are players I expect to out-perform their season projections in Week 2. We want these guys in our lineups, even as flexes. The “Stashes” are our secret-weapons with long-term upside. You know the rules. We don’t blink, we don’t flinch, and we certainly don’t panic drop these guys when they start slow. We are thinking long-game.

Week 2 Fantasy Football Smashes

Travis Hunter WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s not every year that fantasy managers are left wondering whether the most talented rookie WR will even get a chance to make a fantasy impact.

Then again, players like Travis Hunter don’t come around every year.

The No.2 overall pick introduced himself to the league by hauling in 6 of 8 targets. Despite leaving his defensive duties on read (six snaps), he netted only a modest 33-yards in a game dominated by the Jaguars running game.

Hunter left us waiting for more. Now it’s time to SMASH him for the encore.

With the first game jitters are out of the way, The Jaguars two-way threat has a massive opportunity to eat in a very exploitable matchup. In his first game as a pro, Hunter had the top utilization score among Jaguars receivers (ahead of Brian Thomas Jr.). The former Heisman trophy winner also saw the ball on 30% of his routes, another great sign for Hunter’s trajectory in Liam Coen’s offense.

Strategically speaking, getting gifted the Bengals’ defense is an opportunity you simply can not pass up. I’m convinced Cincy’s serviceable performance against the Browns is more mirage than misread, and the step-up against a much more talented unit will be too much to handle. I’m ready to take full advantage by smashing Hunter in all my lineups as a WR2 or flex option. This is the week where his ability as a playmaker will shine, giving us a glimpse of his potential ceiling moving forward.

DeVonta Smith, WR Philadelphia Eagles

Okay, I have a confession. I watched DeVonta Smith’s “Dagger” from Super Bowl LIX seven straight times before deciding that Smith is a SMASH for this week. It’s possible I’m looking at this through a champagne-colored lens, but there is no denying the matchup advantages for the Eagles wideout heading into Week 2.

Smith has historically seared the Kansas City secondary. Ironically enough, his most recent performance in last year’s Super Bowl could be considered his least productive.

Let’s stroll down memory lane and rehash Steve Spagnuolo’s struggles containing Philly’s WR2.

Note: Smith also had a 10-catch, 122 yard game in 2021, but we’re going to keep it recent.

• SB LVII: 7 receptions, 100 receiving yards, 14.3 avg.
• 11/20/23: 6 receptions, 99 yards, 16.5 avg.
• SB LIX: 4 receptions, 65 yards, 1 TD, 17.3 avg.

Smith might be a WR2 in Philadelphia’s high-powered offense, but the smooth route runner with reliable hands could function as the primary option on more than a few teams. That dynamic has always presented a problem for the Chiefs defense as they try to account for A.J. Brown and the Eagles punishing ground game.

Kansas City’s secondary was alarmingly dysfunctional to start the season, colliding with each other in coverage on more than one occasion. After allowing Chargers QB Justin Herbert to complete 73.5% of his passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns, the Chiefs open the year dead last (32nd) in dropback success rate allowed, and 28th in EPA per dropback.

Smith is rostered in 82% of  the leagues but only starting in 67% of lineups. Don’t let his underwhelming opener fool you into wasting a classic smash spot.

Rome Odunze, WR Chicago Bears

Chicago, I get it. It’s too damn soon. You don’t want to hear anything remotely close to the glass being half-full. Especially when there are still tiny shards from Monday night all over the floor of your man cave.

The Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams opening act started hot before it bombed with disappointment. I’m not here to tell you the Bears are making the postseason, but I promise you that Rome Odunze is coming. And I’m all-in on Odunze breaking out this week.

Caleb Williams was at his best versus the Vikings prior to Brian Flores turning up the heat in the pocket. He isn’t going to face pressure to the same degree against Detroit.

Detroit defense vs. Green Bay (Week 1):

• Sacks: 0
• Pass/EPA allowed: 0.44 (31st)
• ADoT allowed: 11.50 (31st)
• Fantasy Points allowed to WR: 26.4 (20th)

*Detroit finished 31st in this category in 2024.

The Fantasy Life Utilization Report (presented by DraftKings) indicates Odunze led the Bears with a 25% target share, while securing Williams’ only touchdown pass on the night. Odunze is projected as WR42 with a ceiling of 20.7 FP in 0.5 point PPR leagues. His chemistry with Caleb, along with the advantageous matchup has me fully expecting Odunze to outperform his projection in a big way.

Week 2 Fantasy Football Stashes 

RJ Harvey, RB Denver Broncos

When you draft a rookie, you sign up for the long game. If that wasn’t the case, guys like RJ Harvey wouldn’t be available after the first three rounds.

The good news is - Harvey looked the part in his NFL debut.

The Broncos’ running back only needed six carries to finish as the team's leading rusher with 70 yards. His impressive 11.7 yards per carry was bolstered by a 50-yard run where he showcased the vision and explosiveness that made him the 60th overall pick.

As excited as we are for Harvey to take over Sean Payton’s offense, his limited touches are a strong indication that it’s going to be J.K. Dobbins shouldering the load for now. A quick peek at the usage from last Sunday shows Dobbins gobbling up 67% of the touches.

• J.K. Dobbins: 40 snaps | 18 touches | 13.8 FP
• RJ Harvey: 22 snaps | 7 touches | 6.9 FP
• Tyler Badie: 14 snaps | 2 touches | 2.6 FP

Dobbins and Harvey are neck and neck in our Week 2 rankings, with the expectation that both running backs continue to cannibalize each other's fantasy ceiling for the short term.

Once Harvey forces Payton to take off the training wheels - watch out. His RB1 upside in this offensive system makes him a must-stash.

Isaac TeSlaa, WR Detroit Lions

When Dan Campbell talks, people listen.

The Lions’ authentic, and at times overly emotional, head coach isn’t known for holding his cards close to his chest. Campbell wants to see more of the Lions' rookie, and after Sunday, I’m willing to bet it wasn’t just the four espresso shots talking.

TeSlaa needed just three offensive snaps to earn the attention of his head coach. He converted his only target into a beautiful “OBJ-esque” touchdown reception that sat atop of the Week 1 highlights. If the Lions’ carve him out a red-zone role, then I'm certainly willing to carve him out a roster spot in deeper leagues.

TeSlaa comes in at WR94 in our consensus rankings for Week 2, so there won’t be an immediate impact regardless of the matchup. We are undeniably in deep stash territory, but I love the way he continues to capitalize on his opportunities. If we include the preseason, TeSlaa has found the end zone in four straight games.