Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 15th, 2024, 1:00 ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Network: CBS
San Francisco 49ers
Quarterback
Brock Purdy: Sit, QB2
Brock Purdy did not look in rhythm in Week 1. The yardage was there thanks to his strong supporting cast (231 Pass Yards), but he gave you a 0 in the touchdown department. I expect him to rectify that in Week 2 against the Vikings, who played surprisingly well and let up the least amount of fantasy points to the quarterback position last week. Now, a lot of that had to do with the fact that they were playing Daniel Jones, but they still looked decent. With CMC likely still on the shelf, I would not be surprised to see the Niners continue their game plan and feed Jordan Mason while allowing all of their pass catchers to get involved when necessary. The Niners should run away with this one, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see their defense get 7. Purdy is a high-end QB2 for this one as he finds himself in game-manager mode.
Running Back
Jordan Mason: Start, RB2
Jordan Mason got the surprise start in Week 1 and had the best game of his career. Mason ran for 147 yards on 28 carries. The game plan did not look like it changed much in the Niners superstar running back’s absence. This week, you can expect a similar workload with a small dip in efficiency. It’s hard to see Mason falling out of the top 15 running backs as long as he sits in the driver’s seat. If McCaffrey does suit up, you are obviously starting him, but Mason would still maintain FLEX viability given that CMC would be unlikely to handle a full workload.
Wide Receiver
Brandon Aiyuk: Start, WR2
Deebo Samuel: Start, WR2
Both Niners wide receivers should have solid performances in Week 2. Aiyuk had a slow start, but without Christian McCaffrey, he should lead the team in targets without question, as Deebo plays the multiple-position role. They both land as WR2s for me this week, but the upside play is going to be Deebo Samuel for as long as he is getting rushing work on top of his receiving. In Week 1, he saw 17 opportunities, eight of which were rushes. When healthy, they are some of the more efficient players in the NFL, and for your fantasy rosters, they should be WR2s with elite upside if they can break a couple of big plays.
Tight End
George Kittle: Start, TE1
George Kittle will settle in the TE4-TE10 range most weeks. He saw 92% of the snaps in Week 1. If you drafted Kittle, odds are you don’t have another option, so keep plugging him in, and you should rarely be disappointed.
Minnesota Vikings
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: Sit, QB3
Darnold was far from perfect in Week 1, but the Kevin O’Connell effect was evident. Darnold’s ceiling is capped in this offense, and they should not be in lineups in 1QB leagues. He faces a tougher matchup in Week 2 with the 49ers, so even after a high-end QB2 performance in Week 1, I would temper expectations.
Running Back
Aaron Jones: Start, RB2
Aaron Jones balled out in Week 1 with 94 yards, earning 6.71 yards at a time and finding the end zone. Jones comes in as my RB24 this week as the entire Vikings offense is likely to take a step back. According to PFF, Aaron Jones was the top-rated running back last week, just ahead of Bijan Robinson. The Vikings seem set on not overworking their 29-year-old running back, and that could mean we get more efficient games like this one going forward from Jones. Ideally, we would like to see him get more involved on passing downs, though.
Wide Receiver
Justin Jefferson: Start, WR1
Jordan Addison: Sit
Justin Jefferson comes into this week as my WR9. He earned six targets from Darnold and should be able to eclipse that number in Week 2. Darnold faces a tougher pass rush and front seven this week, which may lower the overall ceiling for the offense, but if there is one thing Darnold knows, it’s that he needs to feed Justin Jefferson to keep his job. Outside of Jefferson, you aren’t starting any other pass catcher. Addison was set up for a significant step back this season with the departure of Kirk Cousins, but he is also now dealing with an ankle injury that may be a bit of a death knell for fantasy purposes.
Tight End
Sit All
Without TJ Hockenson, there is no viable option for the Vikings at Tight End. He should return later this season, but it will still take some time to ramp up before he gets back to his normal self.