The Seahawks came away with a victory in Week 1 of the 2024 season, and hopefully, you did the same in the first fantasy football matchup of the year. If not, it's much too early to panic after only one week of play. Many NFL teams and players are just starting to round into the form we might see for most of the season.

For Week 2 of the fantasy season, we provide reassurances on some of your projected starters who did not come through as hoped in Week 1, while also spotlighting some recommended starting options when you are faced with tight lineup decisions. In a new feature for 2024, we also now supply waiver wire rankings at every position to help prioritize free agent pickups. Players who are heavily rostered in most leagues will not be included. The analysis leans to Point Per Reception (PPR) formats.

Running Back Starters For Week 2

START J.K. Dobbins: In his Chargers debut, the ex-Raven exploded for 135 rushing yards on 10 carries in a win over the Raiders. His highlight play was a 61-yard TD run. Los Angeles will continue to emphasize the ground game under Jim Harbaugh and the Carolina defense will spend a lot of time on the field. The Panthers allowed 180 rushing yards in Week 1.

START Najee Harris: We saw how effectively the Seahawks were able to run the ball against Denver (Kenneth Walker III rushed for 103 yards), and Pittsburgh may follow the same sort of game plan. The Steelers are still getting settled into a new QB situation, and Harris can provide respectable production and support for Justin Fields. He carried 20 times for 70 yards in Week 1 and will be the main goal-line RB for Pittsburgh if the offense gets into short-scoring range.

START Brian Robinson Jr.: He will be the lead ball carrier for the Commanders and should benefit from working in the same backfield as dual threat rookie QB Jayden Daniels. Defenses will be concerned about a running QB, and Robinson should see some consistent open running lanes. He also caught three passes for 49 yards in Week 1.

Robinson should be a respectable starting option in Week 2 against the Giants, who allowed Aaron Jones to rush for 94 yards and a TD on just 14 carries last week.

START Jerome Ford: Consider the Cleveland RB as a flex option as the Browns look to rebound from a Week 1 loss to Dallas. Cleveland must utilize ball control to control the clock against Jacksonville. Ford displayed versatility in the season opener, catching six of seven targets while also rushing for a TD. Jacksonville allowed nine receptions to RBs in Week 1.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 2 Waiver Wire Running Backs

1. Jordan Mason: He finished as fantasy RB5 in Week 1 and might start again in Week 2.
2. Jaylen Wright: Injuries in the Miami backfield could lead to an expanded role on a short week heading into Thursday night. Wright is an essential fantasy insurance RB for those who roster De'Von Achane or Raheem Mostert.
3. Bucky Irving: Led Tampa Bay with 62 rushing yards last week and has some appeal as a fantasy depth add.
4. Tank Bigsby: Logged 12 carries for a team-leading 73 yards vs. Miami and will spell Travis Etienne when needed.
5. Alexander Mattison: Took a 31-yard reception in for a TD in the opener vs. the Chargers and might continue to push for a timeshare role in the Raiders backfield.
6. Zach Charbonnet: The second-year Seahawk caught a 30-yard TD pass in the win over Denver and will be worthy of a starting fantasy lineup spot whenever he might see an increased role.

Wide Receiver Starters For Week 2

START Marvin Harrison Jr.: The highly touted rookie caught one pass in his pro debut at Buffalo. When a quality WR has a quiet game, he will often get frequent and possibly early looks in his next outing. Harrison is considered to be very special in terms of pure talent and techniques, and I would not be reactionary to his first NFL outing. Keep Harrison active for Week 2.

Expect a higher-scoring game between the Cardinals and Rams, and the son of the Hall of Famer will come through with his first impactful fantasy performance.

START Drake London: I use the same sort of fantasy thought process with London as recommended with Harrison. The Atlanta passing game was stifled by the formidable Pittsburgh defense in Week 1. The Eagles allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to WRs last week and considering many fantasy leaguers drafted London in the second round, he should not be benched after one game.

Some may think about reserving the Falcons' No. 1 WR as a reaction to the Week 1 performance, but I will bank on London providing quality fantasy totals this week. He will be a prime example of how you should exhibit patience where it makes sense early in the season.

START Diontae Johnson: The Panthers got off to a bad start to the season against New Orleans but can bounce back for a respectable showing against the Chargers. Offensive progress will begin by getting the ball to Johnson, a premier offseason acquisition for Carolina. The Panthers will be motivated to put on a better showing in Week 2 and Johnson should post at least adequate fantasy totals.

START Jaxon Smith-Njigba: The second-year man may deliver his first quality fantasy performance of the 2024 season. The New England defense, as all other opponents do, will be heavily focused on containing DK Metcalf. Tyler Lockett reminded the rest of the league that he is still a very important part of the Seahawks passing game in Week 1.

Smith-Njigba can benefit from the defensive attention paid to the veteran WRs and Walker in the backfield. Start "JSN" at a flex spot. As the schedule moves on in the early season, look for improving fantasy-related production from the Seahawks passing game.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 2 Waiver Wire Wide Receivers

1. Demarcus Robinson: Caught TD passes in four straight games late last season and will have the opportunity to take on a larger role in the Rams' offense with Puka Nacua out.
2. Rashid Shaheed: Launched the 2024 fantasy football season, as his 59-yard TD reception was the first big play of the year. Shaheed is an upside streamer in a New Orleans offense that might be improved this season.
3. Brandin Cooks: Caught eight TD passes last year and another in Week 1.
4. Tyler Johnson: Flashed some upside at Detroit, another possible contributor for the Rams while Nacua is on IR.
5. Gabe Davis: Led the Jaguars with 62 receiving yards in Week 1.
6. Jalen Nailor: Caught a 21-yard TD pass in Week 1 and the Vikings may need him to play a larger role this week.
7. Wan'Dale Robinson: 12 targets in Week 1 has him on the fantasy radar.
8. Greg Dortch: Once Harrison gets rolling, he can benefit as a complement working out of the slot for Arizona as defenses become more concerned about the rising rookie.
9. Allen Lazard: In his first game with Aaron Rodgers as a Jet, he caught two TD passes, one from his longtime Packers teammate. Lazard might be useful for fantasy players as a streamer in the shorter term as Mike Williams continues to work his way back from last season's knee injury.
10. Devaughn Vele: The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder tied for Denver's team lead with eight targets in Week 1. Take a shot on Vele to see if he possibly becomes an eventual No. 2 WR for the Broncos.

Tight End Starters For Week 2

START Dalton Kincaid: See Marvin Harrison Jr. and Drake London for similar fantasy reasoning. Kincaid caught one pass in the season opener, but most TEs did not produce as hoped in Week 1. He is still expected to be a top pass-catcher for the Bills.

START Colby Parkinson: Those who waited until the later rounds to draft a TE should add the former Seahawk off waivers and take a shot on starting him in Week 2. He is another potentially respectable fantasy producer from the Rams over the next few weeks.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 2 Waiver Wire Tight Ends

1. Isaiah Likely: The most desired fantasy football waiver wire pickup of Week 2. Likely might operate as an unofficial wide receiver for the Ravens, If your league uses a waiver wire order and he is available, consider offering a trade to the team in the No. 1 spot.
2. Taysom Hill: Confirm his TE eligibility in your league, then plug Hill in if needed for the possible upside.
3. Colby Parkinson: A 6-foot-7, 265-pound guy with some yardage after the catch ability, Now the No. 1 TE for the Rams. Was listed as one of my preseason sleepers.

Quarterback Starters For Week 2

START Brock Purdy: The 49ers QB did enough to help score a win over the Jets and now gets an easier passing draw against the Minnesota secondary in Week 2. Purdy was not a fantasy factor in Week 1, but his pass-catchers should shine vs. the Vikings.

START Matthew Stafford: He will be without one of his top targets, yet I still expect Stafford to adjust and put up good numbers against a vulnerable Arizona defense.

Fantasy Football Rankings: Week 2 Waiver Wire Quarterbacks

1. Justin Fields: Published reports have indicated that he may start again in Week 2, and the rushing promise is always apparent. The best option to replace an injured Jordan Love right now because of the potential statistical ceiling in any given week.
2. Derek Carr: Tossed three TD passes in Week 1 and now can prove more against a sturdy Dallas defense this week.
3. Geno Smith: If he lands on your league's free agent list consider adding Smith. His deep receiving crew can help him supply some spike fantasy weeks as a streamer.

Fantasy Football Week 2 Defensive Streaming Options: The Seahawks defense should keep the score down while the secondary continues to display opportunistic tendencies at New England. If the Seahawks defense is not available on free agency, consider the Chargers (vs. Carolina), then the Texans (vs. Chicago), and the Colts (vs. Green Bay).