Points, points, points.
Scoring was the story of Week 1 of the NFL season – tying the highest-scoring opening weekend in the Super Bowl era – and not just in points on the field. Fantasy football scores also benefited from all of the touchdowns and explosive plays (hello, Chiefs' Kenneth Walker and Saints' Chris Olave) going on in Week 1.
Week 2 may be quite a different story. For one thing, all 32 teams finally have game film on their upcoming opponent and can prepare their defenses accordingly. For another, injuries have already struck some of football's top players: Patriots wide receiver A.J. Brown and Ravens wideout Zay Flowers among them.
As the picture of the 2026 NFL season rounds into shape, and as NFL defenses try to reach equilibrium
after an offense-heavy Week 1, fantasy football managers have some hard decisions to make. Here are six wide receivers that should be under further start or sit consideration in Week 2:
Fantasy football start 'em: Week 2 wide receivers
Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders (at Dallas Cowboys)
Diggs is the new No. 1 wide receiver in Washington until proven otherwise. The veteran Commanders' newcomer had nine targets in Week 1 against the Eagles – more than twice as many as anyone else – and tallied 55 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Diggs finished as a top-20 wide receiver in all scoring formats to start the season, and that was against a solid Philadelphia defense.
Dallas, despite all of its loud commitments to improving that side of the ball this offseason, does not have a solid defense. The Giants methodically picked apart the Cowboys during the first "Sunday Night Football" game of the year, and their passing defense looked particularly weak with blown coverages galore. New York's top target that night was Malik Nabers, who finished with six catches on nine targets for 69 yards in his first game back from a torn ACL. Diggs will have a chance to feast in Dallas when he plays his second game for the Commanders in Week 2.
Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers (at Atlanta Falcons)
Coker was the No. 1 fantasy wide receiver in the NFL last week and is still only listed as starting in 36% of Sleeper redraft leagues. He's also a potential waiver wire pickup with availability in 35% of the same league sample. Even though Coker's production in Week 1 came against a Bears defense that had trouble stopping anything, there were plenty of positive signs for future production.
For one, Coker was the most targeted Panthers pass-catcher in Week 1 – ahead of even Tetairoa McMillan. For another, he finished 15th among all wideouts in Week 1 with 3.45 yards per route run and was tied for second in caught first downs among receivers (6). Sure, the Falcons' defense had good dropback EPA and success rate allowed numbers in Week 1, but that was against the Steelers, who have an aging quarterback and a relatively old group of pass-catchers. Coker may not have quite as big a day as he had in Week 1, but he's definitely worth starting. For those shying away from Coker because of his apparent injury, the wideout said himself he didn't expect to miss any time after rolling his ankle.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. Detroit Lions)
Shakir was the second-most-targeted receiver for the Bills on Sunday, behind only DJ Moore. Moore is an obvious must-start after a stellar Bills debut, but Shakir also deserves consideration, perhaps in a FLEX spot. Among receivers with at least two targets in Week 1, the Bills' No. 2 receiver ranked 24th in yards per route run (2.50). Of his four catches, two were for first downs.
Another positive for Shakir heading into Week 2 is his matchup advantage. The Lions were on the other side of Chris Olave's 10-catch, 182-yard day in Week 1 as Detroit's defense allowed a staggering 410 passing yards by second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. New Bills head coach let quarterback Josh Allen cook against the Texans in Week 1, and there's no reason for him to rein in the 2024 NFL MVP in this matchup.
Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 2 wide receivers
Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (at Kansas City Chiefs)
The Colts paid big money to keep Pierce in Indianapolis for four more years, and his first game on his new contract was a bit of a letdown. Coming back from ankle surgery in the offseason then a heel injury leading into Week 1, Pierce was the Colts' leading receiver by yards but still only caught four passes for 61 yards. That wasn't enough to finish higher than WR34 in half-PPR and PPR formats, and WR35 in standard scoring.
That was against the Ravens, a team that struggled to stop opposing passers last year. This week, Pierce, quarterback Daniel Jones and the Colts have to play a Chiefs team that boasts a dominant defense, particularly against passers. Kansas City allowed the fewest passing yards in Week 1 against a Broncos team that ran the ball on just under 32% of plays – fourth-fewest in the league last week. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will be prioritizing shutting down Pierce in Week 2, making this a really bad matchup for the already banged-up Colts wideout.
Carnell Tate, Tennesse Titans (vs. Philadelphia Eagles)
Few top receivers had worse Week 1 outings than Tate, the No. 4 overall pick out of Ohio State. His quarterback, Cam Ward, struggled heavily against the Jets' defense despite the unit missing safety Minkah Fitzpatrick after an early groin injury. Though Tate was tied for the most targets for a Tennessee pass-catcher and finished with the most yards, he still only caught four passes for 38 yards.
All due respect to the Jets, that much struggle against Gang Green is a bad sign for a quarterback-wide receiver tandem about to face a formidable Eagles defense schemed by Vic Fangio. Philadelphia got a win in Week 1 by shutting down Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, limiting him to 164 yards on 34 pass attempts. Ward is still developing and is a more limited passer, and Tate's production projects to be even worse than its already low Week 1 baseline.
Luther Burden, Chicago Bears (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
So much for all of that offseason hype? Despite the Bears putting together 552 total yards on offense and scoring 59 points against the Panthers in Week 1, Burden was limited to five catches on five targets for 63 yards. Instead of Burden, newcomer Kalif Raymond was the shining star of Chicago's passing game in its first matchup of the year with his eight catches on nine targets for 84 yards.
Pro Football Focus had Burden with the most snaps on passing plays and most routes run of Bears receivers, but his teammate Rome Odunze should see his involvement increase after he was limited in Week 1 with a calf issue. Burden's matchup against the Vikings, a team with a stellar defense led by DC Brian Flores, does not do him any additional favors. Burden's breakout may be coming this year, but it's unlikely to happen in this Week 2 matchup.
Fantasy football start 'em, sit 'ems, Week 2
Looking for more fantasy football advice? USA TODAY Sports has you covered:
→ Need an edge under center? Here are the best quarterback options to start and to sit in Week 2.
→ A good running back makes all the difference. A bad running back can cost you. Here's who to start and who to sit in Week 2.
→ Tight ends can be the perfect X-factor for any fantasy team. Here's who you should start and sit in Week 2.
→ Defense (and special teams) can win you championships – including your fantasy league's. Here are some of the best D/ST units to start and sit in Week 2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Start 'Em, Sit 'Em wide receivers for Week 2 fantasy football
