The first few weeks of the NFL season rarely tell us exactly what the rest of the year will look like, so if some of your fantasy starters fell short of expectations in Week 1, don't panic just yet. It sometimes takes a week or two to shake off the offseason rust and for offenses to find their rhythm. Whether you're looking to get your lineup back on track or keep the Week 1 momentum rolling, these four players are worth a look in Week 2.
QB: Baker Mayfield ‐ Tampa Bay vs. Cleveland
Why I like him: This is less about how good Mayfield looked in Week 1 and more about how poor Cleveland's defense looked, because, if we're being honest, Baker struggled. A matchup with the Browns may be exactly what Tampa Bay's offense needs to get back on track. Cleveland allowed Jaguars quarterback Trevor
Lawrence to post a 150.6 passer rating in the opener, and he came out attacking from the start, finishing with four touchdown passes. With the weapons Mayfield has around him, he can take advantage of a similarly favorable matchup.
The play: A frisky quarterback against a team that looks completely out of sorts? Mayfield is a starter this week for fantasy managers facing questionable options at the position.
RB: Chuba Hubbard ‐ Carolina vs. Atlanta
Why I like him: After an offseason full of speculation that Jonathan Brooks could take over the starting job, Hubbard answered those questions with a strong Week 1 performance against Chicago. Hubbard found the end zone twice, once on the ground and once through the air, and caught all three of his targets, reminding fantasy managers that he can contribute as both a receiver and a runner.
Carolina gets a divisional matchup with Atlanta in Week 2, and I'm not giving too much weight to the Falcons holding Pittsburgh to just 58 rushing yards in the opener. The Steelers leaned heavily on the passing game, with Aaron Rodgers attempting 40 passes, so Atlanta was never forced to defend a sustained rushing attack. Hubbard should have a much better opportunity to test that front this week.
The play: Keep riding the hot hand. Hubbard belongs in lineups as a solid RB2 this week.
WR: Devaughn Vele ‐ New Orleans vs. Baltimore
Why I like him: New Orleans has made it clear it wants to throw the football. Tyler Shough averaged 29.7 pass attempts per game last season and opened 2026 by throwing the ball a whopping 56 times against Detroit. That kind of volume creates plenty of opportunities in this passing game. With rookie Jordyn Tyson sidelined for at least another month, those targets are increasingly concentrated among Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson and Devaughn Vele.
Vele made the most of that opportunity in Week 1, running a route on 87.3% of Shough's dropbacks and finishing with 19.9 fantasy points. That usage is hard to ignore. With Tyson out and Vele already playing a significant role, he appears to have firmly established himself as the WR2 in a Saints offense that should keep giving its pass catchers plenty of chances to produce.
The play: Vele belongs in the WR2/Flex conversation this week, with enough volume and upside to outperform that range.
TE: T.J. Hockenson ‐ Minnesota vs. Chicago
Why I like him: If Carson Wentz is under center, Hockenson is an easy start for me this week. He may be more matchup-dependent over the season, but Week 1 showed something important: Hockenson was Wentz's second-most-targeted player against Green Bay and already appears to be a pass-catcher Wentz trusts. Minnesota could also find itself in a pass-heavy game script if Chicago's offense looks anything like it did against Carolina, when the Bears put up 59 points. If Wentz is forced to throw, Justin Jefferson will obviously command his share, but Hockenson could easily be the next-best option in this passing game.
The play: In a favorable matchup with a quarterback who clearly trusts his tight end, Hockenson belongs in lineups this week for anyone without a locked-in elite option at the position.
One Last Thing: Week 1 gave us our first real look at how these offenses plan to operate, but we're still working with a very small sample. The goal is to follow the opportunity, trust the usage and take advantage of favorable matchups while the rest of your league is playing catch-up. If you're already 1-0, keep the momentum going. If not, don't worry. There is plenty of football left this season.
This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Stacy’s Streamers: Four Players to Start in Week 2
