Fantasy fallers: Players to avoid in Week 2

Whether you’re looking to recover from a Week 1 loss or keep the fantasy chains moving with another victory, these players should be nowhere near your starting lineup for Week 2.

Chase Brown (RB) Cincinnati Bengals

Brown came to the Bengals as a fifth-round pick in 2023 but saw only 44 carries last year as running back Joe Mixon rushed for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns on 257 carries. When Mixon signed with Houston, many assumed Brown would play a larger role in 2024, even while sharing carries with new addition, Zack Moss.

Unfortunately, Brown played just 17 snaps on Sunday while Moss finished the game with 33. Brown had three carries for 11 yards with three receptions for 5.30 fantasy points in Yahoo leagues . Moss had nine attempts for 44 yards and a touchdown with a pair of receptions for 14.10 points.

It’s early and Moss has bounced around in his NFL career but those hoping to get big numbers from Brown should consider running backs like the Raiders’ Alexander Mattison (16.20) or the Ravens’ Justice Hill (11.50) who remain widely available in most fantasy leagues.

Cole Kmet (TE) Chicago Bears

Kmet’s 719 yards and six touchdowns were second-most among Bears’ pass-catchers last year, even with subpar quarterback play from Justin Fields and rookie Tyson Bagent.

Week 1 expectations were high for Kmet, who now catches passes from former Heisman trophy winner and No. 1 pick Caleb Williams, but the 25-year-old tight end didn’t appear to be on the rookie quarterback’s radar.

Kmet had one catch on one target for four yards and 1.4 fantasy points against the Titans on Sunday. Williams was dreadful in his first NFL start, completing just 43% of his passes for 93 yards while taking a pair of sacks. Until he improves, Saints’ tight end Juwan Johnson (10.60) could be a better option considering teammate Foster Moreau (14.30) left last week’s game with a concussion.

Minnesota (DST)

The Vikings defense scored fantasy points by holding the inept Giants offense to a pair of field goals in Week 1. This week, they’ll host a 49ers team that put up 32 points and gained 411 yards against the Jets without star running back Christian McCaffrey.

An Achilles issue could keep McCaffrey off the field again in Week 2 but San Francisco should be fine with backup Jordan Mason after the former undrafted free agent averaged 5.3 yards per carry for 147 yards on Monday Night Football.

Things don’t get any easier for the Vikings defense with the Texans on tap for Week 3. Minnesota shouldn’t be on anyone’s radar until a Week 4 matchup against the Packers, and even that may be dependent on Green Bay's quarterback situation.