Underdog Battle Royale Week 2 Rankings

Quarterbacks:

1. Justin Herbert

2. Patrick Mahomes

3. Josh Allen

4. Trevor Lawrence

5. Joe Burrow

6. Lamar Jackson

Sleepers- Jared Goff, Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, Brock Purdy, Geno Smith

It’s easy to like the quarterbacks from the Chiefs/Jaguars and Ravens/Bengals game, but Justin Herbert is my top QB this week. The Titans are a pass funnel defense, and the Chargers top RB Austin Ekler is banged up and might not play. This is the perfect spot for Kellen Moore to unless this passing attack, and attack Tennessee’s weak secondary. Josh Allen doesn’t project to be in a shootout like the other QBs on the list, but this feels like a get right spot for the Bills offense after the Monday night issues. We’ve seen this team over the past couple of years strike early and often, and Allen has had games of 30+ points by the end of the 3rd quarter.

As for the sleepers, Goff is the only one I’m really interested in, given how bad the Seahawks secondary looked week 1. Also when these two teams met up last season they combined for 93 points. While there are some concerns about Seattle’s offense given their offensive line issues, I would not rule out this game being in the mix for the highest scoring of the week. Fields and Jones are coming off terrible weeks, but have better match-ups this week and could spike with their rushing ability.

Running backs:

1. Saquon Barkley

2. Christian McCaffrey

3. Tony Pollard

4. Travis Etienne

5. Derrick Henry

6. Josh Jacobs

7. David Montgomery

8. Joe Mixon

9. Bijan Robinson

10. James Cook

11. Dameon Pierce

12. Joshua Kelly (assuming Ekler is out)

Sleepers: Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker, Tyler Allgier, James Conner, Brian Robinson, A.J. Dillon (if Aaron Jones is out)

I love this spot for Saquon Barkley to have a massive spike week. The Cardinals’ defense played better than expected week 1, but they were facing a young inexperienced QB, and a team with a new offensive system. The Giants have more experience, and I think they will be able to get Barkley going against this defensive line, that lacks any elite talents. After their offense sputtered vs the Cowboys, the Giants should try and open things up this week.

McCaffrey is always a top play, and that should be the case this week. The real question is can the Rams keep up with the 49ers and keep CMC on the field late in the game. The Jets defense is tough, but that shouldn’t deter you from playing Pollard given his usage. Henry split snaps with Spears this past week, but he got the lions share of the carries and should see all the red zone work. The Chargers run defense is a definite concern, it just wasn’t exploited as much last week given how good the Dolphins passing game was. That won’t be the case with the Titans, who also could be without DeAndre Hopkins.

Among the rest I want to keep firing at the Lions offense, and will target Montgomery in drafts when I don’t have Goff. Not only should he continue to out-snap/touch Gibbs, but he will get more of the high value touches in the red zone. Though he didn’t have a catch last week, Montgomery led in routes run as well. That being said, I still like taking a shot on Gibbs, though he will likely be drafted far more than Montgomery. The Bijan Robinson/Tyler Allgier combo is also interesting as they will both get plenty of work in the best schemed rushing offense in the league. Guys like Conner, Brian Robinson and A.J. Dillon are just volume plays to consider. They aren’t on great teams, but they could have 20+ touches easily, if those turn into 2 TDs you will wan them in the mix.

Wide Receivers:

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown

2. Stefon Diggs

3. Calvin Ridley

4. Ja’Marr Chase

5. Keenan Allen

6. Tee Higgins

7. Mike Williams

8. Mike Evans

9. Davante Adams

10. Brandon Aiyuk

11. Deebo Samuel

12. Zay Flowers

13. Michael Pittman

14. CeeDee Lamb

15. D.K. Metcalf

Sleepers: Nico Collins, Gabe Davis, Zay Jones, Christian Kirk, Tyler Lockett, Rashee Rice, Skyy Moore, Odell Beckham Jr., Robert Woods

For me it’s pretty simple as I am typically only looking to draft 2 WRs, so I’m going to prioritize getting at least one of the top 7 guys. All are in great spots, and potentially high-scoring games. There is some risk with the Bengals pair, but I don’t mind betting on talent. I am pretty bullish on Mike Evans, I think this match-up is one that he can succeed in and have another strong week. I honestly don’t know what to make from the 49ers receivers, and who to target this week. Either Aiyuk or Samuel could smash this match-up so you need to at least consider them.

Among the sleepers I’m mainly targeting the number 2 or 3 WR from the Bills, Ravens, Jaguars, and Seahawks. All could standout in this match-up, and those are the games to target for points. Now I will at least consider some of the Chiefs receivers, mainly Rice and Moore. I don’t consider the play safe, but the potential for one to have a big game is there. The Texans pair of receivers isn’t as flashy, but they both saw 10+ targets last week, and the Colts secondary is probably bottom 5 in the league.

Tight Ends:

1. Travis Kelce

2. Evan Engram

3. Sam LaPorta

4. Luke Musgrave

5. Dalton Kincaid

6. Mark Andrews

Sleepers: Zach Ertz, Darren Waller, George Kittle, Jake Ferguson, Cole Kmet, Chigozeim Okonkwo

A lot here does depend on the health of Kelce and Andrews, but I’m assuming they both will play this week. Even partially limited, Kelece can be the top TE on this slate. Kelce had 14 catches for 98 yards and 2 TDs in the playoffs last year vs the Jags, and that was with Mahomes banged up. I like Engram as my 2nd TE, as I see this as a shootout and the Chiefs struggled vs an athletic TE last week in LaPorta. Speaking of the rookies, I think the trio of LaPorta, Musgrave, and Kincaid answered the questions about playing time and usage week 1. All 3 are in strong spots, but I really like LaPorta to breakout this week.

For sleepers it’s tough to ignore how involved Zach Ertz was in week 1, leading the team in routes, targets and catches. If the Giants jump out to big lead, the Cardinals might need to throw the ball even more. Ferguson’s usage was solid last week, and I would not be afraid of his match-up. I don’t love the QB play for either Kmet or Okonkwo, but the opportunity is there. Both were clearly the top TE on the team, and should have some solid spike weeks. Okonkwo could get a boost if Hopkins does need to miss this game.