Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 15th, 2024, 4:05 ET
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Network: FOX
Los Angeles Rams
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford: Sit, QB2
Matthew Stafford lost Puka Nacua but has a strong matchup this Week. I want to be clear: I have no problem starting Stafford if you have him rostered, but he does fall outside my top 12 players at the position. I don’t expect him to throw the ball 50 times in this one, which is why he falls short of their QB1 tier for me in Week 2. I don’t see him struggling much, either. If you have Stafford, he is a solid high-floor option.
Running Back
Kyren Williams: Start, RB1
Blake Corum: Sit
Kyren Williams was the Rams’ workhorse in Week 1. However, he was highly inefficient, falling before 3.0 yards per carry. That won’t always be the case, and fantasy managers can be excited about his early usage. The Rest of the Rams’ backfield was an afterthought, and while Blake Corum should remain on your rosters, he may be more of a late-season play than anything else right now. If someone is trying to sell Kyren, he is worth kicking the tires on.
Wide Receiver
Cooper Kupp: Start, WR1
Demarcus Robinson: Sit
Tyler Johnson: Sit
Cooper Kupp is now a locked and loaded top-five wide receiver. In Week 1, he saw 21 targets, and no, that is not a typo. He brought in 14 of those targets for 110 yards and a touchdown. He has another cake matchup against the Cardinals in Week 2. Similar to last week, the opponent has a poor defense and a strong offense, which bodes very well for Kupp managers. He probably won’t see 21 targets, but double digits are a near lock. We are in for prime Cooper Kupp until Puka Nacua comes back, which looks to be quite a ways away. Demarcus Robinson and Tyler Johnson were popular waiver wire adds, but there have not been enough injuries for us to consider either a must-start in Week 2. If you did lose Puka, Robinson has the matchup and should be the number two option. It would be a fine replacement in the interim.
Tight End
Colby Parkinson: Sit, TE2
I like Parkinson as a strong option in TE premium leagues, as he should see the target volume to get you over the hump without Puka Nacua. That being said, he is a fringe TE1 on the week and should remain in that range while Tyler Higbee is on the mend.
Arizona Cardinals
Quarterback
Kyler Murray: Start, QB1
Kyler Murray was an enigma in Week 1. He completed 21 of his 31 passes, but most of those completions were in the short area of the field. He peppered Greg Dortch with targets all game and failed to eclipse 200 passing yards. In Week 2, he faces a division opponent, the LA Rams, who were ranked right in the middle as far as opposing quarterback play. If he wants to hit the numbers many were expecting, he will need to start incorporating their top-five draft pick, Marvin Harrison Jr. The issue here is that Harrison Jr. had an inconsistent day at best. He was not separating well and looked slow for most of the game. The one moment fantasy managers will point to is the would-be touchdown that Kyler ignored Harrison for. That is not ideal, but I don’t expect that to continue into Week 2. Both players should be due for a bounce-back.
Running Back
James Conner: Start, RB2
Trey Benson: Sit, RB4
James Conner and Trey Benson both have a good matchup against an already banged-up LA Rams defense. Conner is the go-to option in the backfield, but Benson did get some run. Benson was the more efficient player on significantly less work, but we could see him eat into Conner’s touches earlier than we were expecting. As things stand now, Conner is the only startable option, but if you do roster Benson, hold tight because brighter days could be ahead. The good news for both backs is that they can impact the game as runners and receivers, which gives the offense as a whole versatility and fantasy managers more opportunities to roll them out in their lineups.
Wide Receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr.: Start, WR2
Greg Dortch: Sit
Michael Wilson: Sit
Marvin Harrison Jr. had arguably the most disappointing week of any receiver in Week 1, and I wouldn’t blame fantasy managers for feeling a little uneasy about the rookie heading into Week 2. While Harrison Jr. looked (and was) slow during the season opener, he’s displayed better speed during his collegiate career and is due for better days ahead. A division matchup at home is a perfect get-right spot for MHJ, who falls just outside our top 12 plays this week at WR13. Greg Dortch and Michael Wilson aren’t recommended starts this week, but the former is an interesting bench hold to see if he continues to absorb targets from Kyler. Wilson is more of an end-of-bench stash or dart throw in very deep leagues.
Tight End
Trey McBride: Start, TE1
Trey McBride didn’t put together an impressive point total in Week 1, but he did pace the Cardinals in targets by leading the team with 9. McBride is one of the very few tight ends that should command a target share this high every week, meaning he’s locked in as a Top-3 option this week against the Rams.