NFL 2018: Week 2 Studs

Week 1 was full of big scoring fantasy displays from a number of players. James Conner, Alvin Kamara, Tyreek Hill and Michael Thomas all scored above 30 points (in half PPR leagues) for their owners and most likely won them their game-weeks.

Here I take a look at a few players who I expect to have big outings over the second weekend of the season. (Note: I have excluded the so-called ‘elite players’ such as Antonio Brown and Todd Gurley etc. We all know they are going to be great.)

Texans D/ST

The Texans get a tasty matchup against a banged-up Tennessee Titans in week 2. Fresh off of the back of a 2 sack, 1 INT, 2 fumble recovery display against the Patriots, this dominant Texans D gets to face a Titans side that are without Taylor Lewan, Jack Conklin and Delanie Walker. The Titans may also be forced to play their 3rd string RT, with backup Tyler Marz signed from the practice squad to replace Dennis Kelly (illness).

The Titans may also be without Marcus Mariota who is suffering from a pinched nerve in his elbow, on his throwing side. If Mariota has to miss time then Blaine Gabbert will be the man to take snaps under center. The Texans D are going to FEAST.

Jarvis Landry

Landry has had a good start to life in Cleveland. In his week 1 matchup against the Steelers, Landry recorded 7 catches for 106 yards. This week he gets to face a Saints defense that was torched by Ryan Fitzpatrick and co. Another reason for Landry being a must play is the recent news about Josh Gordon.

Gordon is set to be released by the Browns on Monday, if he isn’t traded before then. The Browns have apparently run out of patience and trust with their troubled wideout. With Gordon out of the mix, Landry will see a big uptick in targets. That is until a big name replacement is signed…(cough, Dez Bryant, cough). Bless em.

JuJu Smith-Schuster

JuJu started 2018 just like he finished 2017. He caught 5 of 8 targets for 119 yards against the Cleveland Browns. His role is cemented in this offense and he is a great complimentary piece to Antonio Brown on the outside. This week he faces up against the Kansas City Chiefs in what could be an absolute humdinger of a match.

The Chiefs have a very weak secondary without Eric Berry, so both JuJu and Brown are likely to put up big numbers. They gave up 424 passing yards to Philip Rivers and the Chargers last week, so I think JuJu will get another 100-yard game as well as his first TD of the season.

Jordan Reed

The rule with Jordan Reed is you have to play him when he’s healthy. Reed has shown in the past that he could finish as a top 3/3 Tight End in this league, but injuries have always held him back. Reed is back to full health, and put up a 48 yard, 4 catch performance for a TD in week 1 against the Cardinals.

This week he faces a hapless Colts defense who struggled against the Bengals in week 1. Alex Smith is known to love throwing to his Tight End, and with his receivers on the outside struggling to create separation, Smith could pepper Reed with targets. I love the Redskins this week against the Colts. Heck, I’d play Alex Smith, Adrian Peterson, Chris Thompson and Jordan Reed this week. Do it, start them all.

Emmanuel Sanders

Sanders exploded in week 1 with a 10 catch, 135 yard and 1 TD display against the Seattle Seahawks. He led the team in targets, catches and yards and hasn’t lost a step at the age of 31. This week he gets to face a Raiders team that are in disarray. Case Keenum should have plenty of time in the pocket without Khalil Mack bearing down on him.

That’ll give Sanders enough time to torch his coverage, just like he did in week 1. I can see a big win for the Broncos this week, with all of Sanders, Thomas and Freeman being playable.