Game Info
Kickoff: Thursday, September 12th, 2024, 8:15 ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, Florida
Network: Prime Video
Buffalo Bills
Quarterback
Josh Allen: Start, QB1
Josh Allen‘s first half was abysmal, but he ended the game on an absolute tear, giving us some classic Josh Allen moments. Allen won’t ever fall out of the top-5 quarterbacks. He is just that good. In Week 2, Allen is heading towards a shootout. There were some obvious concerns about who would be his go-to target, but now that Week 1 is behind him, I expect that to change. Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir should likely lead the wide receivers, and Dalton Kincaid should be set up for a bounce-back week.
Running Back
James Cook: Start, RB1
James Cook was the primary beneficiary of the new-look Bills offense. He had 22 touches and eclipsed the 100-yard mark. He was not overly efficient with his rushing work (3.74 ypc), and the goal-line work will almost always go to Josh Allen or Ray Davis going forward, but the team is committed to getting Cook involved. In Week 2, he comes in as my RB9, as I expect him and have him projected to see six targets in a short game.
Wide Receiver
Keon Coleman: Sit, FLEX
Khalil Shakir: Sit, FLEX
Curtis Samuel: Sit
Mack Hollins: Sit
We saw it in Week 1. There is no clear leader among the Bills’ pass catchers. Until that is established, you are avoiding all of these options for your starting lineups. Coleman led the team in target share (21.7%), and I expect that to continue. He is still a raw prospect, though, so there will be ups and downs week to week. The rest of the pass catchers saw an 11% target share or fewer, which is not ideal for fantasy football production. Once again, I would prefer to lean on Dalton Kincaid, but unlike last week, you can expect him to actually get involved.
Tight End
Dalton Kincaid: Start, TE1
Dalton Kincaid put up only two points and one catch in Week 1. He was a big miss production-wise for me. The good news for Kincaid is that he saw the highest snap share (84%) and the highest route participation (80+%) in his career. He should bounce back nicely in Week 2. He lands as my TE5 this week and should lead the way in the intermediate area of the field.
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: Start, QB1
One of the biggest challenges in evaluating Tagovailoa is figuring out what he really gives a fantasy football team. Despite throwing for nearly 5,000 yards last season, he was only able to climb to QB9. The ceiling isn’t really there. In Week 1, it was more of the same. He threw for nearly 400 yards and was the QB9 on the week. In Week 2, he is looking at a very similar stat line. Facing the Bills, who may be able to provide a better pass rush, he should be able to lean on his electric weapons for solid production, but he’s unlikely to reach the ceiling of a Top-5 QB most weeks without any rushing upside.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: Start, RB1**
Jaylen Wright: FLEX Option
Jeff Wilson Jr.: Sit**
Right now, there are questions about which running backs will be available for tonight’s game. While Raheem Mostert has already been ruled out, De’Von Achane remains a game-time decision for Thursday. Achane still should be startable if he is in fact playing because of his usage in the receiving game (20% target share) and will be an RB1 option due to his playmaking ability. With Mostert out, Jaylen Wright becomes an intriguing FLEX option, with even higher upside if Achane sits. Wright was a healthy scratch in Week 1, but that was due to Jeff Wilson Jr.‘s prowess on special teams as opposed to Wright’s shortcomings as a running back. His blistering speed makes him a big-play threat like almost every other player in Miami’s offense. Wilson Jr., on the other hand, provides a higher floor but lower ceiling as things currently stand. I would sit him if Achane is active, but he becomes a FLEX option if Achane sits.
Wide Receiver
Tyreek Hill: Start, WR1
Jaylen Waddle: Start, WR1
The Dolphins’ wide receivers continue to be the engine of this offense. Hill finished as the WR4, and Waddle was the WR16. Tyreek Hill‘s volume may keep him in elite status, but Jaylen Waddle‘s efficiency (21.8 yards per catch) popped out to me. He did leave the game with a potential concussion but was able to return to the game. You are plugging and playing both players without question every week.
Tight End
Jonnu Smith: Sit, TE2
Smith is more of an honorable mention than anything and a name to keep an eye on in the TE landscape, but he is mainly off the fantasy radar for now.