Start Puka Nacua vs. Jordan Addison vs. Garrett Wilson vs. Kendrick Bourne | Fantasy Football Week 2 Start Decision
Some strong wide receiver showings in week 1 mixed with the injury to Aaron Rodgers has created some interesting trending decisions on the FantasySP “Who Should I Start? tool prior to week 2 kicking off.
Minnesota Vikings’ Jordan Addison is part of several of the top decisions currently trending, so with his team playing Thursday, let’s find out if he’s worth a start over another player or two on your team. Addison is being considered against Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua, New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson and New England Patriots’ Kendrick Bourne. Let’s get into it.
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Why You Should Start Jordan Addison
Addison played well in his first NFL game, catching four of the six passes thrown his way for 61 yards and one touchdown. He had a long reception of 39 yards.
Addison did all that damage while playing in just 36 offensive snaps, which was just over 55% of the total plays. Addison played in less snaps than fellow wideouts Justin Jefferson (63) and K.J. Osborn (58), yet still tied for third overall on the team in targets.
Addison and the Vikings will take on the Philadelphia Eagles to open the second week of the season. Philly surprisingly allowed 306 net passing yards in the first week, with the New England Patriots passing 54 times in total. The Eagles held the Pats to just 76 rushing yards on 22 attempts.
The Vikings might not throw 54 times, but they probably finish with less than 22 rushing attempts, which gives Addison and the team’s pass catchers plenty of chances to produce.
Why You Should Start Puka Nacua
Nacua was the top rookie wideout in week 1, catching 10 of the 15 passes thrown his way by Matthew Stafford in the team’s upset win over the Seattle Seahawks. Nacua racked up 119 yards and six first downs, but did not score.
Nacua played 63 snaps, which was just under 80% of the team’s total plays. Van Jefferson (75) and Tutu Atwell (64) played more snaps, both only had 13 combined targets.
The Rams will be looking for another upset win in week two when they face the San Francisco 49ers, who demolished the Pittsburgh Steelers in the opener. San Fran allowed just 239 total yards, with only 198 coming through the air.
Why You Should Start Garrett Wilson
I’ve already written about how Wilson’s stock took a big hit after the injury to Rodgers, but the wideout still produced for fantasy owners after Rodgers left. Wilson caught all five passes thrown his way for 34 yards and a touchdown. Three of his catches went for first downs.
Wilson played 50 offensive snaps, which accounted for about 93% of the team’s overall plays. There’s no question who the star is in the team’s wide receiver room, with Allen Lazard the next closest in snaps at 42.
The Jets face off against the Dallas Cowboys in week 2. The Cowboys dominated the New York Giants in the opener, allowing just 171 total yards and 63 net passing yards.
Why You Should Start Kendrick Bourne
Bourne caught six of the 11 passes thrown his way in the team’s season-opening loss to the Eagles. Three of the catches went for first downs, and he also scored twice.
Bourne played the most of any Pats’ receiver, logging 73 snaps, which was about 91% of the total snaps. Kayshon Boutte was on the field the second most at 55 snaps.
DeVante Parker missed the game entirely and Boutte was injured during it. Both were limited participants in the team’s first practice of the week. If one or both can’t go, Bourn’s stock rises up quite a bit.
New England will be in search of its first win when it takes on the Miami Dolphins this Sunday night. The Dolphins were part of a shootout with the Los Angeles Chargers in week 1. Miami allowed 433 total yards, but just 200 came through the air
Wilson is the Recommended Start
All four of the wideouts we’re pitting against each other come in ranked between 28-52 in the FantasySP week 2 projections. None of the receivers have all that favorable a matchup, and for that reason, I’d lean toward starting Wilson given his past production. I’m not a fan of his situation in New York without Rodgers, but he’s going to be targeted the most in the passing game and has the best chance on his team to score.
My next choice between these four needs to be made after you see what Patriots’ receivers are playing. If Parker and Boutte are out, Bourne is my choice over Nacua and Addison. If Parker and Boutte play, I’d choose Nacua and Addison over Bourne.
The matchup between Nacua and Addison is a toss-up decision for me. I’d lean toward Addison as he has a definite star ahead of him in the receiver room, so it would be more difficult for an opposing defense to take him away. Nacua could be a focal point for the 49ers’ defense this week with Cooper Kupp still out.
