Fantasy Football Redraft

Print

Week 2 Wide Receiver Preview: Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins Project for Stronger Output

Top Fantasy WRs for Week 2

Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 2 WR Rankings.

Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens

Zay Flowers, Ravens

We can't expect Flowers to replicate last week's No. 1 overall finish or 47.4% target share, but he remains a strong option against a Browns' secondary that Flowers had some success against last season, catching 7 balls for 115 yards in Week 8. Flowers is a strong WR2 in a matchup where the Ravens are projected to score the most points. 

Jerry Jeudy, Browns

Buffalo's WRs had a banner day against this Baltimore secondary last week, so there is hope that Jerry Jeudy and the Browns can continue that trend. Cleveland is an 11.5-point underdog, which sets up the passing attack for more volume. View Jeudy as a WR3/flex option, but one who could post sneaky good numbers if the Browns can stay within striking distance. 

Cedric Tillman, Browns

Tillman's 2024 momentum carried over into 2025. He was Cleveland's most effective WR in their opener, catching 5-of-8 targets for 58 yards and a TD. This week, Tillman offers WR3/flex potential against a Ravens' secondary that surrendered a league-high 20 receptions and 240 yards to Buffalo's WRs in Week 1. 

Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Chase shockingly managed only 2 catches for 26 yards in the opener. Note that Joe Burrow attempted only 23 passes, though. That volume – along with Chase’s production – should jump up this week vs. Jacksonville. 

Tee Higgins, Bengals

Higgins wasn’t immune to Cincy’s low-volume, low-output passing game in Week 1. The veteran managed only 3 catches for 33 yards on a 17.3% target share. But we’re wiping that shaky debut away, as the Bengals head home for a nice scoring matchup with the Jags. Go right back to Higgins as a WR1/2.

Brian Thomas, Jaguars

Forget about Thomas’ Week 1 dud. HC Liam Coen detailed how the team was close to unlocking Thomas in the opener. Indeed, the effort was there, with Thomas drawing a near 23% target share. Now, we’ll see if Trevor Lawrence can assemble a more consistent outing. But continue starting Thomas as a WR1 against a beatable Cincinnati secondary. 

Travis Hunter, Jaguars

The Jags fed Hunter a few designed looks in Week 1. Zooming out, he played an encouraging 30 of Jacksonville’s 33 pass plays. HC Liam Coen said this week that Hunter should see more work on defense after playing only a few snaps on that side. Still, the Bengals matchup gives the rookie plenty of WR2/3 appeal.

New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys

Ceedee Lamb, Cowboys 

Lamb had 13 targets in Week 1, catching seven for 110 yards. His four drops were frustrating, but if Lamb gets a 40% target share every week, he will be a smash play weekly. George Pickens likely will take on some of that share, but Lamb is locked in as a fantasy starter.

Malik Nabers, Giants 

Nabers had 12 targets in Week 1 and should continue to be peppered with targets by Russell Wilson. The Giants do seem keen on moving Nabers to the slot more, with 39% of his snaps coming out of the slot, more than any game last season. He is locked in as a fantasy starter.

George Pickens, Cowboys

Pickens disappointed in his Cowboys debut catching only three of four targets for 30 yards. CeeDee Lamb remained the target hog, but Pickens played nearly every snap for the Cowboys. Expect Pickens to see an uptick in targets and be a factor in the end zone (he did draw a target there last week). Be confident trotting Pickens out in a flex spot. 

Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants

Robinson caught six of eight targets in Week 1. He still draws targets, but does very little with them going for only 55 yards. He did run fewer routes than Darius Slayton, so it isn’t a great sign for the future. Robinson is dealing with an ankle injury and could be hampered by that this week. Bench him if you can.

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions

St. Brown started quietly, but his whole offense struggled with a Green Bay defense that looks like it'll be a problem. He still accounted for a solid 20% of Detroit's receiving yardage in the opener, despite ranking third in targets and getting just 15.4% of Jared Goff's pass attempts thrown his way. A Week 2 matchup with Chicago should prove more favorable for the whole unit.

Jameson Williams, Lions

Detroit's Week 1 results might prove to be worth throwing out as we get into the season. Not only was it the first game under a new OC and with a renovated middle of the O-line, the Green Bay defense also appears to be very good. Williams notably led all non-QB Detroit skill-position players in snaps. He'll be a better bet for production against Chicago this week.

D.J. Moore, Bears

Moore went quiet in a Week 1 game plan that spread the targets around. That included ranking just third among Bears wideouts in targets. Moore might cede his season target lead to second-year WR Rome Odunze, but expect him to bounce back vs. Olamide Zaccheaus, who played about half as many snaps (30) as Moore did (56) in Week 1.

Rome Odunze, Bears

Odunze enjoyed an encouraging opener that found him leading D.J. Moore in playing time, targets, and targets on which he was the first read. A more favorable coverage matchup with Detroit (as opposed to Minnesota) in Week 2 should help the whole passing game.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins

We’re not bold enough to bench Hill after one showing – albeit a disastrous one. But it’s reasonable to reframe expectations after an ugly showing from Tua Tagovailoa in Week 1. Hill will get a small boost if top CB Christian Gonzalez (hamstring) misses another week.

Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins

Waddle left Week 1 with a shoulder injury, but he ultimately returned. While he landed on the Week 2 injury report, there’s been no indication that he’ll miss time. Now, the Fins look to play a more competitive game after getting blown out (and pulling starters late) in Week 1. Waddle’s role puts him in play as a WR3 or FLEX. 

Stefon Diggs, Patriots

Diggs’ New England debut came and went without much fanfare. The veteran finished third on the team in route rate (70%) in his first game back from a 2024 ACL tear. He did tally 6 catches, albeit for only 57 yards. Next up is a Dolphins secondary that’s without anything close to a shutdown CB.

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

Chris Olave, Saints

It was an encouraging opener for Olave. He drew a team-high 13 targets on a 28% share. And the Saints offense, as expected, was fast-paced and ran a lot of plays under new HC Kellen Moore. QB play remains a concern here, but it'll be tough for Olave to fail as a WR3 if this usage sticks.

Ricky Pearsall, 49ers

Pearsall tallied 108 yards on four catches and seven targets (20% share) in the opener. Expect that target share to climb in Week 2 with TE George Kittle and WR Brandon Aiyuk out and WR Jauan Jennings dealing with a shoulder injury. That -- plus a good matchup against the Saints -- should keep Pearsall in starting lineups, despite the absence of QB Brock Purdy. QB Mac Jones is a quality backup and should be fine in HC Kyle Shanahan's offense.

Rashid Shaheed, Saints

Shaheed managed just 33 yards in Week 1. But he caught six balls on nine targets (20% share). And, as expected, the Saints offense was fast-paced and ran a lot of plays under new HC Kellen Moore. QB play remains a concern here, but Shaheed's usage makes him a WR4 candidate.

Jauan Jennings, 49ers

We'll see if Jennings is able to play through his shoulder injury vs. the Saints this weekend. But between that injury and QB Brock Purdy's absence, try to leave Jennings on your bench.

Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

Garrett Wilson, Jets

The Garrett Wilson/Justin Fields reunion got off to a great start. Wilson caught 7-of-9 targets for 95 yards and a TD in the opener, quelling some of the concerns about volume in a potentially run-heavy scheme. At 46.5, this week's AFC East rivalry game has an inviting script for both offenses. Wilson offers top-10 upside against a secondary that just allowed Zay Flowers to post the overall WR1 numbers. 

Keon Coleman, Bills

It was a coming-of-age Week 1 outing for Keon Coleman. The sophomore WR caught a career-high 8 passes for 112 yards and a score. He led the Bills in routes (44), target share (24%), and air yard share (33.7%). However, a matchup with CB Sauce Gardner looms in Week 2, so Coleman is more of a WR3/flex option in Week 2. 

Khalil Shakir, Bills

Shakir took a back seat to Buffalo's other WRs in Week 1 but still managed to rack up a solid 6/64/0 outing on a 17.4% target share. 35 of Shakir's 41 routes last week came from the slot, so he'll mostly avoid Sauce Gardner's coverage. This could lead to a few more targets, making Shakir a good bet for WR3/flex production. 

Joshua Palmer, Bills

Palmer's first game with the Bills went well. He caught 5 balls for 61 yards, but what was encouraging was the 9 targets. In Week 2, Palmer, who excels at defeating man coverage, gets a matchup with a Jets' defense that utilizes man coverage over 35% of the time. Palmer is a viable flex option with WR2 potential in Week 2. 

Seattle Seahawks at Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks

Smith-Njigba dominated with a 59.1% target share and 90.4% of the Seahawks air yards. His nine catches for 124 yards led the team and provided WR1 upside. JSN also played most of his snaps on the outside, which seemed to work for him. The Steelers struggled last week against Garrett Wilson, giving up 95 yards and a TD. JSN could be in line for a similar game as a high-end WR2.

D.K. Metcalf, Steelers

Metcalf found some success even with Sauce Gardner covering him hauling in four of seven targets for 83 yards. He played nearly every snap and appeared to have good chemistry with Aaron Rodgers. Trust Metcalf as a low-end WR2.

Cooper Kupp, Seahawks

Kupp only drew three targets last week, catching two for 15 yards. He did play every snap and was the primary slot WR for the Seahawks. He will need more targets to be useful, and that is far from a guarantee. Consider him a bench this week. 

Los Angeles Rams at Tennessee Titans

Puka Nacua, Rams

Nacua racked up 11 targets -- 38% of Matthew Stafford's total pass attempts -- in Week 1, despite playing just 63% of the snaps while dealing with a nagging cut near his eye. Nacua trailed Davante Adams by 16 total snaps but easily led the team's receiving. Expect that to continue.

Davante Adams, Rams

Adams' 4-51 receiving line trailed well behind Puka Nacua last week, but his eight targets finished much closer to Nacua's 11. He's clearly No. 2 but should see consistent target volume in a concentrated pass offense.

Calvin Ridley, Titans

Ridley didn't generate the production to show it against a tough Broncos secondary last week, but he got the kind of high-level usage we were hoping he'd see. 

Ridley's eight targets marked a 28.6% share of Cam Ward's total pass attempts. If that continues, he'll be more helpful for PPR lineups on a regular basis. 

This week's matchup with the Rams presents another tough pass rush but no cover man as good as Denver CB Pat Surtain II.

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals

Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals

Harrison opened his 2025 campaign with a 5-71-1 line. And it would have been a MUCH bigger outing had QB Kyler Murray not missed him on what could have been a 97-yard TD on a post route. Harrison has a good chance to keep rolling in Week 2 against a bad Panthers defense.

Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers

McMillan came out of Week 1 with a decent 5-68-0 line. More encouraging is that he drew a team-high nine targets (26% share) and just missed coming down with a couple of deep balls. McMillan needs better play from QB Bryce Young, but a breakout game is coming soon.

Xavier Legette, Panthers

Neither Legette nor QB Bryce Young looked good in Week 1. The duo connected on just three of seven targets for 10 yards. Legette should not be in Week 2 fantasy lineups.

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Including the postseason, Sutton has topped double-digit PPR points in 13 consecutive games. Last season against Indianapolis, Sutton only caught 3 of his 9 targets, but got into the end zone in a game where he scored 12.2 PPR points. Sutton's No. 1 WR role assures he has a safe floor, making him a strong WR2 play in Week 2. 

Marvin Mims, Broncos

It was a disappointing opener for Marvin Mims. He ranked third on Denver's receiving corps with a 63% route rate and 15% target share. He drew an end-zone target, but otherwise did nothing of note. He comes in as a low-end WR4/flex option in Week 2, but you shouldn't feel the need to force him into lineups. 

Troy Franklin, Broncos

Franklin was Denver's second-most productive WR in Week 1, catching 4-of-6 targets for 44 scoreless yards. 63% of his Week 1 snaps came from the slot, which means he'll primarily be covered by Colts nickel CB Kenny Moore. Franklin's ceiling is limited, making him a middling flex option in deeper leagues. 

Michael Pittman, Colts

Pittman's Week 1 usage (90% routes, 23% target share) was encouraging. He also caught a TD and looked to be Daniel Jones' primary read. Those are indicative of a WR with weekly WR2 potential. However, Pittman faces Denver and will see plenty of CB Pat Surtain this week, so he's more of a WR3/flex option. 

Josh Downs, Colts

It was a discouraging start for Downs, who only caught 2 balls for 12 yards in the Colts' Week 1 victory. Downs only drew 3 targets in a game where Indianapolis was able to take its foot off the gas in the second half. This week, Downs could again struggle to deliver against a formidable Denver defense. View him as a flex option only, but not one to go out of your way to force into lineups. 

Philadelphia Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs

A.J. Brown, Eagles

Brown has given us duds before, which will happen in one of the league's most run-heavy offenses. But he looked bad in generating little separation and drawing just one target against Dallas. 

We're giving Brown the benefit of the doubt in Week 2, and the Eagles have shown willingness in the past to follow negative outings for the stud wideout by forcing him the ball. We'll see whether that occurs in K.C.

Devonta Smith, Eagles

Smith fared only mildly better than A.J. Brown in Week 1, catching three targets but taking those for only 16 yards. The expected absence of TE Dallas Goedert (knee) should help Smith's target share. We'll see whether the Chiefs can push more Philly passing volume by stifling the run game (which they did in the Super Bowl loss) and challenging on offense (which they didn't).

Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, Chiefs

Brown led the league in Week 1 targets and ranked sixth in target share. He might not see usage quite that high this week, but Brown should remain the easy top receiver for a matchup unlikely to be friendly to Chiefs rushing.

Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings

Justin Jefferson, Vikings

Jefferson was quiet outside of a 13-yard TD in the 4th quarter of Monday's win over Chicago. Just note: J.J. McCarthy was making his NFL debut -- on the road -- in primetime. Despite some hiccups, he showed poise by rebounding from a pick-six. Now, the Vikings are expected to lean on the run this year. But McCarthy will average more than the 20 attempts he handled in the opener. Jefferson could also pick up extra looks, with Jordan Addison suspended for two more games.

Drake London, Falcons

London sustained a shoulder injury late in the opener. He’ll likely play through the soreness against Minnesota after practicing this week. The Vikings project as a tough matchup, but it’s hard to avoid London given his current role. Michael Penix fed the WR a huge 36% target share in the opener.

Darnell Mooney, Falcons

Limited in practice this week, Mooney’s tentatively expected to return vs. the Vikings. He’ll catch their secondary likely without S Harrison Smith. Still, the veteran WR makes for a risky fantasy start after missing almost all of training camp.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans

Nico Collins, Texans

Collins disappointed with only three catches on five targets for 25 yards. But, we know what talent Collins possesses and this match-up should be slightly better than against the Rams. Don’t overreact, start Collins.

Mike Evans, Buccaneers

Evans caught five of eight targets for 51 yards in Week 1. He led the team in targets and should be the focal point of the pass game again. The Texans with Derek Stingley Jr. are more competent against top WRs than the Falcons, but Evans often overcomes those match-ups. He is a low-end WR1 this week.

Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers

Egbuka caught four of six targets for 67 yards and two TDs. He was on field for nearly every play. He also had a majority of snaps from the slot. This lines up for a solid game against the Texans, who struggled against slot WRs last season. He is a high-end WR3 with a high ceiling if he can find the end zone again.

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders

Ladd McConkey, Chargers

McConkey posted a solid 6-74-0 receiving line in the opener. More importantly, QB Justin Herbert looked awesome, and the Chargers went pass-heavy. If that continues, McConkey is in for a big season. Week 2 brings a Raiders defense that allowed 173 yards and a score to Patriots WRs last week.

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders

Meyers opened his 2025 campaign with an 8-97-0 receiving line on 10 targets. He's now averaging 9.4 targets, 6.2 catches, and 74.8 yards in his last 13 games since Davante Adams was traded. That stretch includes a 9-123-1 line vs. the Chargers, whom Meyers gets on Monday night.

Keenan Allen, Chargers

Vintage Keenan Allen in the opener: 7 catches for 68 yards and a score on a team-high 10 targets. And if that win over the Chiefs is any indication, this Chargers passing game is in for a big season. Next up is a Raiders defense that allowed 173 yards and a score to Patriots WRs last week.

Quentin Johnston, Chargers

Johnston registered an 88% route rate and 21% target share in the opener, catching five balls for 79 yards and two scores. That gives him 10 TDs over his last 17 games. Next up is a Raiders defense that allowed 173 yards and a score to Patriots WRs last week.

Next Up

Week 2 Matchups That Matter: Perfect Bounce-Back Spot For Bengals

Next Article  

Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.