Throughout the NFL regular season, we'll meet here on Thursdays to break down the film from a fantasy football perspective. I'm looking for trends and tendencies on both side of the ball to give fantasy managers a jump when they set their weekly lineups. Schemes matter. So does offensive deployment in weekly matchups. And remember, the game tape always tells us a story.
As we head into Week 2, I'm WR-heavy here. From the upgrades to the question marks, there are plenty of pass-catchers below. And I've also got a few players to keep your eye on as you watch the games this weekend. There are players with potential who should be on your radar.
All references to fantasy scoring are for PPR leagues, unless otherwise noted.
Week 2 upgrades
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
There was a considerable effort to get the ball into Flowers' hands during the Week 1 win over Houston. He saw 11 offensive touches, catching nine of 10 targets for 78 yards and adding two carries for 9 more yards. Flowers finished with 17.7 fantasy points, and the offensive deployment works. Multiple alignments, isolation routes, screens and fly sweeps. Plus, he's such an easy and explosive mover. Even if Flowers' total volume takes a slight dip this week against the Bengals, his playmaking ability and usage as a motion/movement player push him into the WR3/flex discussion.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Collins saw 11 targets in the Week 1 loss to the Ravens, catching six passes for 80 yards. A lot of in-breakers, with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud delivering the ball in rhythm. Collins finished the game with 14 points, and I like the matchup this week against the Colts' defense. Collins has the size to create leverage to the ball on quick throws outside the numbers, and we should expect Houston to use the play-action pass game to open the second-level windows for Stroud on early downs. Collins has WR3/flex potential in Week 2.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I had real questions on Evans heading into the Week 1 game versus Minnesota with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. This was about the volume and the route structure. Evans, however, led Tampa in targets (10), catching six of them for 66 yards and a score, good for 18.6 points. And the touchdown was a schemed end zone throw with Evans isolating on the deep half defender. With a Week 2 home matchup against the Bears' zone-heavy coverages (66.7% of coverage snaps in Week 1), I like Evans as a fringe WR2.
Players I have questions about in Week 2
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
It's Zach Wilson now under center for the Jets against the Cowboys. I want to see how New York schemes for the quarterback this week, and if its offensive philosophy changes without Aaron Rodgers running the show. Garrett Wilson scored 14.4 fantasy points in the Monday night win over the Bills, highlighted by a ridiculous finish on an end zone fade ball for a score. He's still a locked-in starter, and that won't change, but I did drop him down in my ranks as a midtier WR2 for this week's matchup. There's much more to learn here with this Jets pass game given the sudden transition at quarterback. Let's see what we get on Sunday.
Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders
I liked Howell this summer as a potential streamer in standard leagues (and a QB2 in superflex setups) because of his mobility and second-reaction skills, in addition to having Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson to throw to. While Howell posted just over 15 fantasy points in Week 1 against the Cardinals (on the strength of a rushing and passing score), I thought his play style was very frenetic at times, which includes his poise inside the pocket. Let's see if Howell can be more efficient with his pocket movement -- and also protect the ball -- in a tough Week 2 matchup on the road against the Broncos' defense.
Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals
I'm curious if Brown will see the ball at the third level of the route tree this week against the Giants. In the Week 1 loss to the Commanders, Brown caught three of five targets for only 23 yards. And while he recorded a vertical route rate of 30% in that game, he didn't log a target on a throw down the field. Remember, this is a different Cardinals offense with Joshua Dobbs under center, and Brown needs some explosive-play opportunities to produce viable fantasy numbers.
Players to monitor in Week 2
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
In his first pro game, LaPorta caught all five of his targets for 39 yards during the win over the Chiefs. LaPorta aligned as a flexed tight end on four of those receptions, and he has the route traits, plus the frame, to separate underneath. And he can rumble after the catch, too. LaPorta could potentially sneak into the TE1 discussion here soon. The Lions get the Seahawks at home in Week 2.
Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The rookie didn't see a heavy workload as the Bucs' No. 2 back behind Rachaad White in Week 1, rushing five times for 15 yards while adding two receptions for 9 yards. At least he is getting offensive touches, though, and I want to see if his volume starts to climb in the next couple of weeks. He could develop into a smart insurance play behind White based off what I saw on his college tape.
Calvin Austin III, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
With Diontae Johnson out with a hamstring injury, let's keep Austin on the radar. In Week 1, Austin caught all six targets for 37 yards, finishing with 9.7 fantasy points in the loss to the 49ers. The movement skills jump here, and he has home run ability to his game, too.