As expected the first week of the NFL season presented us some surprises and new faces that make fantasy football fun – or frustrating if you were slow on the waiver wire trigger. We’re back to give you a couple of players to push into your starting lineup or move to your bench, along with a sleeper and a reader pick.
Now, you’re not going to find "start Adrian Peterson" here. If you drafted a player in the first five rounds, chances are those are your go-to players, so we’ll try to give you some less-than-obvious choices to bolster your lineup every week.
On that note, here we go for Week 2:
Start ‘em
Julian Edelman, New England Patriots wide receiver vs. New York Jets
Unless you were smart enough to draft Edelman as a handcuff to the oft-injured Danny Amendola – or you knew that Amendola would eventually get hurt, as he did last week – chances are Edleman was scooped up already on waivers. He’s a smart play this week with Amendola out. And, he’s not a typical backup – he started over Wes Welker at the beginning of last year has the complete trust of Tom Brady.
Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears tight end vs. Minnesota
Bennett dropped a pass on what would’ve been a big play last week, but more than made up for it with a tough touchdown grab. The Vikings’ linebackers aren’t big or athletic enough to handle Bennett, who should once again receive plenty of looks from Jay Cutler.
Sit ‘em
Any Steelers running back
The Steelers gained just 32 yards on 15 carries last week against what will prove to be a very good Tennessee defense, but the Steelers also lost Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey for the season. Stay away from whoever the Steelers trot out.
EJ Manuel, Buffalo Bills quarterback vs. Carolina
One of many Week 1 surprises with 2 touchdown passes against New England, there is now game film on the rookie and while Seattle QB Russell Wilson piled up the yards last week, the Seahawks – a much better overall offense than the Bills – scored just 12 points against a stout Panthers defense.
Sleeper
Chad Henne, Jaguars quarterback vs. Oakland
If you’re already hurting at quarterback after your first week, Henne might not be a bad play. Andrew Luck had a great day against the Raiders last week and Henne was a fantasy machine once he took over for Blaine Gabbert in Week 10 of last year. In his final seven games (six starts), Henne topped 250 yards passing four times and threw at least for one touchdown five times.
Reader sleeper
@JimOwczarski @onmilwaukee Jordan Cameron. It's like watching Antonio Gates' career start all over again. — Discovery World (@discoveryworld) September 11, 2013