Week 2 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Baker Mayfield, Jaleel McLaughlin, Tyler Lockett, Colby Parkinson and More

All of these guys are sleepers you should give a second look at if you need someone to plug into your lineup this week.

Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mayfield went off for 289 yards and four TDs in Week 1 and this week goes up against a Lions' pass defense that allowed Matthew Stafford to finish with the second-most passing yards on the week despite losing Puka Nacua early in the game.

These teams faced off in the playoffs and despite losing, Mayfield threw for 349 yards and three TDs. We wouldn't expect him to go off like that but there is no reason he can't have another strong fantasy outing in a game the Bucs are likely to be losing and forced to throw the ball to keep up. It may be time we start respecting Baker as a legitimate fantasy option. 

Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers

All signs point towards Fields getting another start for Pittsburgh this week as they travel to Denver. This one is rocket science. We all know what he brings to the table with his legs and he's always a solid sleeper option if you're in a pinch. The difference between him and other sleepers is his ability to win or lose you a week.

His upside is massive thanks to his playmaking ability, but he's also bad enough to throw three picks and get benched in the first half. If you had Jordan Love, this is the perfect option if you need an upside play. The reward is worth the risk if you need a QB who can win you a week and not just a guy to not lose you one.

Running Backs

Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos

The Steelers' defense looks like it's going to be elite once again this season and they are always among the best at getting to the quarterback. The Broncos are going to look to protect Bo Nix and have him get the ball out quickly in a game he's sure to be overwhelmed in.

McLaughlin led the team with 10 carries last week compared to Javonte Williams' eight and caught all five of his targets. This only resulted in 28 total yards, but the distribution of opportunities was clearly in his favor. This is a game where we expect the Broncos to run a decent amount and dump it off early and often. This makes him an intriguing PPR flex option if you're in need of a sleeper running back.  

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bigsby matched Travis Etienne with 12 carries in Week 1 in a tight game - a game that saw Etienne fumble the game away in the end zone. As of now, Etienne is the goal-line back and is clearly the pass-catching back. However, it wouldn't surprise us if the snaps were closer this week or if Bigsby even had more carries than Etienne.

He could ultimately take over in the red zone as well if he plays like he did last week. Not only did he see equal volume in the rushing attack, but he was much more efficient averaging 6.1 yards per carry to Etienne's 3.7. On film, Bigsby looked like the better runner and he could have a growing role in the offense. That's enough for us to give him sleeper status. 

Alexander Mattison, Las Vegas Raiders

Mattison is the clear passing down back for the Raiders and out-snapped Zamir White 60% to 38% in Week 1. White did have more opportunities with 13 carries, which he took for 44 yards, but Mattison turned his five carries and six targets into 62 total yards and a TD while snatching four receptions and being more efficient on the ground.

With the Ravens next up for the Raiders, it's likely this will be another Mattison-heavy game with the team losing the majority of the game. 

Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers

All the talk is about J.K. Dobbins this week and rightfully so. However, don't completely ignore Edwards this week against the Carolina Panthers, who were dominated on the ground last week. Just like Jamaal Williams was useful in Week 1 despite playing behind Alvin Kamara in this matchup, Edwards can do the same.

We also aren't sure that if Gus looks good early he won't lead this team in carries. He actually had one more carry last week despite being massively outperformed. 

Wide Receivers

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

Lockett was by far the Seahawks' best wideout in Week 1 and still gets no respect. Despite Lockett clearly being targeted ahead of Jaxon Smith-Njigba and playing much better, JSN is still ahead of Lockett in ECR this week. There is no excuse for that.

DK Metcalf is understandable, but not JSN. He was a little banged up so he played a few fewer snaps, and still led the team in targets, receptions and yards while JSN was an afterthought in the passing game. Don't sleep on Lockett like everyone else is.  

Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams

With Puka Nacua out for at least the next four weeks, Robinson is expected to step in as the WR2 in LA. We have seen him have long stretches of impressive productivity in this system and there is no reason to believe that won't be the case over this next month.

Don't be afraid to immediately stick him in your lineup as your WR3 or flex if you need him. The team needs him, Stafford targets him and he has both a high floor and a decent ceiling.  

Greg Dortch, Arizona Cardinals

Whenever Dortch gets an opportunity, he makes the most of it. It looks like he's finally locked in as the team's starting slot guy, and could be a PPR machine. Kyler Murray looked his way early and often in Week 1, targeting him eight times for six connections.

We wouldn't start him in non-PPR leagues because his ceiling is capped when it comes to yardage, but you can do a lot worse in your flex in PPR leagues. 

Tight Ends

Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams

Parkinson is another guy who should see an uptick in targets with Nacua lost for at least a month. On Sunday Night Football, he caught four of five targets for 47 yards, which wasn't a bad week for a tight end last week. However, if he can find the end zone with one of those catches you'd be very happy with his fantasy output.

There is a good chance you can stream him right now if you need a sleeper tight end to get you through this week or even a stretch of games. 

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