Week 1 is behind us and the injury bug has reared its ugly head early on in 2023, to help you out here are some streaming options for Week 2. Now, with how the league has been, and the waiver wire clearing, some of these players may not be available in your league. If they are, then consider them as quick adds you can make.
Week 2 QB Streaming Options
Brock Purdy (SF) @LAR
Brock Purdy showed no signs of slowing down in Week 1, as he once again displayed full control of the offense in a 30-7 rout over the Steelers. Purdy has scored at least 16 fantasy points in each of his 6 regular season starts for the 49ers, providing a high floor for managers that need consistency at the position. The LA Rams had a surprisingly great game defensively in Seattle in Week 1, but I wouldn’t be afraid to start Purdy against them in Week 2. Kyle Shanahan tends to have Sean McVay’s number when these two teams meet.
Sam Howell (WAS) @DEN
Through 2 NFL starts, Sam Howell has been a viable fantasy asset. In those 2 games he’s had 19.3 points and 16.2 points while showing the ability to run the football. Howell had some head-scratching plays and certainly looked like a young quarterback in Week 1, but he also provided some high end plays through the air and with his legs. Those ups-and-downs may not be good for Washington as a team, but it can work for your fantasy football team. In Week 2 Washington will head to Denver, who per PFF had the 3rd-worst pass rush grade and 7th-worst overall defensive grade in Week 1. I try not to take too much away from Week 1, but Vance Joseph’s defenses have underperformed over the last few seasons and the Broncos lack pass-rushing talent across the board. Washington’s biggest weakness may be along the offensive line, and Denver’s lack of pass rush may help Howell have another solid fantasy day.
Honorable mentions: Baker Mayfield v CHI & Derek Carr @CAR
Week 2 RB Streaming Options
Kyren Williams (LAR) v SF
Kyren Williams stole the show in the backfield for LA in Week 1. Wiliiams outsnapped presumed-starter Cam Akers 26 to 4 in the first half and found his way into the endzone twice. He saw 6 carries inside the redzone and looks to be a featured part of this offense moving forward. His matchup vs. San Francisco in Week 2 is one to avoid if possible, but he could also provide long-term value past this week.
Joshua Kelley (LAC) @TEN
Joshua Kelley saw a surprising amount of volume in Week 1, notching 16 carries while playing alongside Austin Ekeler. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore led offenses that supported both Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in Dallas, boding well for Kelley’s season-long outlook. Ekeler sustained an ankle injury in Week 1, which will be an important situation to monitor going forward. Kelley played plenty of snaps before Ekeler suffered his injury, so whether Ekeler plays this week or not does not change the fact that Kelley is a solid flex play. If Ekeler misses Week 2, Kelley would comfortably project to produce RB2 numbers.
Justice Hill/Gus Edwards (BAL) @CIN
The Ravens will most likely deploy a backfield-by-committee approach following JK Dobbins’ ACL tear, meaning that one of Edwards or Hill has a good chance of being on your waivers. Edwards has produced in the past, but is an older back with many more career carries than Hill. Hill also found the endzone twice on Sunday but was inefficient on the ground (8 carries for 9 yards). Baltimore’s new look offense barely ran any designed runs for Lamar Jackson in Week 1, and their running backs had 3 touchdowns in total from within the 10-yard line. There may be less running by Lamar Jackson inside the redzone in 2023, which should help Edwards’ and Hill’s chances of falling into the endzone on Sunday. Editors note: I’d be ok rolling the dice on Melvin Gordon as a deep bench stash. Might not pan out, but if either of these flame out he is inline to be activated.
Tank Bigsby (JAX) v KC
Bigsby’s 5.3 points in his NFL debut won’t get anyone excited, but there were some encouraging signs with his usage in a high-powered offense. Bigsby received 7 carries and got 1 target while seeing 21% of snaps in Week 1. Most importantly, Bigsby saw 2 carries within the 5 yard line, converting one of those into his first career touchdown. If it wasn’t for a fluky play where Bigsby thought a play was over and was subsequently stripped of the ball, he would’ve finished with 7.3 points on the day. Bigsby’s role in this offense should increase over time, and I think it’s appropriate to use him as a spot-start in Week 2 in what should be a high-scoring game against Kansas City.
Honorable Mentions: Zack Moss (IND) @HOU, Tyjae Spears (TEN) v LAC & Kendre Miller (NO) @CAR
Week 2 WR Streaming Options
Romeo Doubs (GB) @ATL
Doubs was receiving solid training camp reports all Summer, and he was a major contributor for Green Bay in Week 1 against the Bears. Doubs only had 26 yards receiving, but found the endzone twice and showed good rapport with new QB Jordan Love. If Christian Watson misses Week 2 with his hamstring injury, I’d be comfortable with Doubs as a strong flex play.
Kendrick Bourne (NE) v MIA
Bourne has flashed in his career previously, but he really seemed like the #1 wide receiver for New England on Sunday. He saw 11 targets and caught 2 touchdowns as New England played catch-up to Philadelphia in Week 1. The Patriots should be looking to pass often against Miami in Week 2, and we’ll be able to see if Bourne holds onto his prominent role in this offense. Consider Bourne a fine flex play in a gamescript that is likely to favor the passing game for New England.
Allen Robinson (PIT) v CLE
Nobody wants to hear about it, but Allen Robinson had the most receiving yards for the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 (5 catches on 8 targets for 64 yards). Robinson primarily played from the slot, but he should see a full-time role on the outside while Diontae Johnson recovers from the injury he suffered in Week 1. If you’re desperate because of injuries to your wide receivers, Robinson may be a valuable pickup with less target competition moving forward in Pittsburgh.
Honorable Mentions: Tutu Atwell (LAR) v SF, Rashid Shaheed (NO) @CAR, Robert Woods (HOU) v IND & Josh Reynolds (DET) v SEA
Week 2 TE Streaming Options
Hunter Henry (NE) v MIA
Henry was the next-most productive pass-catcher for New England on Sunday, reeling in 5 of his 6 targets and scoring a touchdown against Philadelphia. Henry has been a fantasy-relevant player in the past with injuries ultimately plaguing his career. Similarly to Bourne, I expect Henry to get plenty of targets in a negative gamescript for New England on Sunday night. The addition of Bill O’Brien as the offensive coordinator for the Patriots may propel everyone’s fantasy value here in New England.
Luke Musgrave (GB) @ATL
The transition from college to the NFL for the tight end position can be extremely difficult, but it seems as if Luke Musgrave has handled it well in Green Bay. In Musgraves’ first NFL game he saw 75% of snaps and had 50 yards on 4 targets. Whenever a rookie tight end gets that sort of utilization early, they’re worth having on your radar. Musgrave could quickly become one of Jordan Love’s favorite redzone targets with his 6’6″ frame. This Packers offense is young, but they could be dangerous if they’re able to build upon their success in Week 1.
Honorable Mentions: Jake Ferguson (DAL) v NYJ & Mike Gesicki (NE) v MIA
Week 2 DST Streaming Options
Tampa Bay Buccaneers v CHI
There may have been some hesitancy to start any defense against the Justin Fields-led Chicago Bears prior to week 1, but there should be no such hesitancy anymore. Chicago looked helpless on offense in Week 1, and most importantly Fields didn’t show any signs of developing as a passer. I expect Chicago to take another week or two to adjust their offensive gameplan, and Tampa Bay should benefit next week. The Buccaneers still have plenty of talent defensively and only allowed 17 points to the Vikings in Week 1.
Cleveland Browns @PIT
The Browns added multiple pieces to their defensive line over the offseason, and it really showed in Week 1 vs. the Bengals. Joe Burrow threw for only 86 yards and the Bengals only mustered 3 points against what looked to be a new-and-improved defensive unit for Cleveland. Look for their defensive success to continue against a Steelers offense that could barely move the ball in Week 1 against San Francisco.
Honorable Mentions: New York Giants @ARI & Denver Broncos v WAS
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Image Credit: Stan Szeto – USA TODAY Sports
