Sit/Start Week 2: Reviewing All Fantasy Relevant Players In Every Single Game

Game Info

Kickoff: Sunday, September 20th at 1:00 PM ET

Location: Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA

Betting Odds: DEN +6, 43 total via Oddsshark

Network: CBS

Denver Broncos

Quarterback

Drew Lock (Sit)

The Steelers were top four against fantasy quarterbacks last year. Opposing quarterbacks averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game against Pittsburgh in 2019. Drew Lock won’t be useful this week, even in two-quarterback leagues. He will be lucky to reach QB2 territory. 

Running Backs

Melvin Gordon (Start, RB2), Phillip Lindsay (Sit, Flex)

Phillip Lindsay left the Broncos’ Week 1 game with a case of turf toe, which gave Melvin Gordon plenty of chances to impress on his new team. Denver believes Lindsay’s turf toe is mild, but any football fan will tell you it’s a nagging, annoying injury to have over the year. If a player has turf toe, there’s a darn good chance it’s going to limit his production in some capacity throughout the season. It’s worth mentioning Lindsay never returned from the locker room after he left the game.

Gordon had a respectable RB2 performance and looked like a reliable feature back in Lindsay’s absence. If Lindsay is out this week, I believe Gordon is capable of RB2 numbers, even against a stingy Pittsburgh defense that allowed 14.8 fantasy points per game to running backs last year.

Even if Lindsay is good to go, it will be tough trusting him this week. All it takes is one misstep on one play to re-aggravate that turf toe. I believe flex value is the most one could reasonably expect from an active Phillip this week, and even that feels like a long shot. I would look elsewhere.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Courtland Sutton (Flex consideration if active), Jerry Jeudy (Sit, WR3), Noah Fant (Start, Low-end TE1)

Courtland Sutton was inactive for the Bronco’s first game after he suffered an AC joint sprain in practice last week. The initial reports indicated the injury isn’t too bad, but now the injury information is getting a bit foggy. The good news is: Sutton had a limited practice on Wednesday, a good sign of his progression. The bad news is: the Steelers were very good against wide receivers last year (top three in passing yards allowed per game). One of the best pass defenses in the league going up against a guy who could re-injure himself with one awkward fall sets Sutton’s value back a bit this week. Although Courtland should be capable of flex production if he’s fully healthy this week, it will be tough trusting him in your starting lineup. 

With Sutton out, Jerry Jeudy did a pretty good job taking over the Broncos’ WR1 spot in his NFL debut. Jeudy had the lowest snap count of any Denver receiver, but easily the largest target share (18.2%). He dropped at least two passes, but Jeudy showed some impressive skill in Week 1, especially with his footwork. That said, Jerry will have a tough time finding fantasy relevance against a stout pass defense.

Noah Fant had himself a fantastic Week 1 and looks like he could be the real deal this year. Unfortunately, this Week 2 matchup against the Steelers isn’t very favorable. Pittsburgh was pretty tough on tight ends last year, averaging 7.2 points to the position each week of 2019. I suspect Fant will come back down to Earth after his stellar Week 1 performance, but if Fant receives another six or seven targets and is on the field for 73% of snaps again, I can see him reaching TE1 territory again this week. Just don’t expect another top-three tight end performance. Low-end TE1 is more realistic.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Quarterback

Ben Roethlisberger (Start, high-end QB2)

Big Ben Roethlisberger, at 38-years-old, looked like he hardly lost a step after missing the majority of the 2019 season with an elbow injury. Ben threw three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the 2020 season opener and finished the week safely in QB1 territory. That was against a pretty bad Giants defense, though. Denver is much better against opposing quarterbacks. They averaged 14.8 fantasy points to opposing QB’s in 2019. Keep in mind the Broncos recently lost their best defender, Von Miller, to an injury. Denver let Ryan Tannehill put up 19.3 fantasy points against them last week. I believe Big Ben should be startable and capable of high-end QB2 numbers with potential QB1 upside.

Running Backs

Benny Snell (RB2 upside if Conner is inactive), James Conner (Flex consideration if active)

Well, last week was a disappointment for James Conner managers. Conner only had a handful of carries before succumbing to a sprained ankle, which kept him out for the rest of the game. It’s worth noting that Conner was quickly back on the sideline and attempting to jog, stretch, and move his ankle. The Steelers were probably exercising an abundance of caution with James, and they say the injury is mild.

Benny Snell took over and had a respectable flex-worthy running back performance. Over 110 yards on 19 carries is impressive. If Snell scored a touchdown and Conner’s injury was worse, the former would be much higher on most Week 2 waiver wire lists. So we have an interesting situation on our hands. The Steelers don’t think Conner’s injury is too severe, but at the same time, head coach Mike Tomlin has already said Snell is capable of being the bell cow if Conner has to sit out a week or two.

If Conner is out, Snell could be a pretty reliable start. He doesn’t have any pass-catching upside, so he’s a bit touchdown-dependent. That said, a touchdown on top of  23+ carries should be enough put Snell in RB2 territory. Pittsburgh’s offensive line should still be dependable even with the loss of starting right tackle Zach Banner.

If Conner is good to go, it will be tougher to trust him. He missed a handful of games last year as well, and not lasting even one half of one game is not encouraging for Conner’s longevity. If he’s active, flex consideration is likely the best projection we can give Conner until he proves he can play a full game. If you must start him, do so with extreme caution.

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

JuJu Smith-Schuster (Start, WR2), Diontae Johnson (Start, Flex), James Washington (Sit), Eric Ebron (Sit), Vance McDonald (Sit)

JuJu Smith-Schuster is still the WR1 on this team, and he proved it in Week 1 with a pair of touchdowns on six catches. He’s probably not going to get you multiple touchdowns every week, but JuJu should be a lock for at least WR2 production this week against a better pass defense.

James Washington got lucky with a touchdown reception in Week 1. He only had two catches on three targets. Don’t get excited over a flash in the pan.

Diontae Johnson didn’t have an overly impressive Week 1 from a fantasy standpoint, but there were plenty of positive signs. Johnson tied Smith-Schuster with 55 snaps and had a massive 32.3% target share. Big Ben is already trusting his young receiver with plenty of work; the fantasy production should follow naturally. Johnson easily warrants some flex consideration this week, but you may have a better option on your fantasy team. I can easily see Johnson reaching consistent WR2 levels in a few weeks.

I’m not interested in either of these tight ends. Two targets each for Eric Ebron and Vance McDonald isn’t going to cut it. Neither is viable until one breaks out and starts receiving more targets. 

-Ryan Kruse (Twitter handle @ryanpkruse)