Fantasy Football Week 2 WR Start Decision: Can Marvin Harrison Jr. be Trusted over Chris Godwin, D.J. Moore, Brandon Aiyuk and Others?

Taking a look at several fantasy wide receiver starting options for week 2.

Marvin Harrison Jr. was an extremely hyped prospect coming into the NFL, but he struggled in his first game.

That’s led to fantasy football owners worrying about the rookie wideout as a possible starting option in week 2. Harrison is part of a few start/sit decisions that fantasy owners want some thoughts on, and I’m here to provide some analysis.

We’ll put Harrison up against Ladd McConkey, Chris Godwin, Joshua Palmer, Demarcus Robinson, Alec Pierce, Calvin Ridley, Drake London, Brandon Aiyuk, Tank Dell, D.J. Moore, Zay Flowers and Tyler Lockett.

Looking for start/sit help? Be sure to check out the FantasySP Who Should I Start tool.

Week 1 Numbers

Harrison played 55 of a possible 61 offensive snaps for the Cardinals in week 1. He had just three targets, making one catch for four yards.

McConkey played 38 of the team’s 57 offensive snaps in week 1. He had five receptions on seven targets for 39 yards and a touchdown. McConkey was targeted twice in the red zone, making one grab.

Godwin played 50 of the team’s 64 offensive snaps. He made eight catches on as many targets for 83 yards and a touchdown. Godwin caught his only red zone target.

Palmer was on the field for 46 of his team’s 57 offensive snaps. He was ejected from the game, but had two catches on four targets for 15 yards. He caught one of his two red zone targets.

Robinson was on the field for 72 of the team’s 78 offensive plays in week 1. He caught four of his seven targets for 42 yards. He failed to catch his lone red zone target, but should be more involved going forward with Puka Nacua out.

The Colts had just 45 offensive snaps in week 1, and Pierce played 38 of them. He had three catches on as many targets, going for 125 yards and a touchdown.

Ridley played 54 snaps in week 1, when his team had 64 offensive snaps. He made three receptions on seven targets for 50 yards.

London played all 56 offensive snaps in week 1. He had two catches on three targets, going for 15 yards. London made a catch on his lone red zone target.

Aiyuk was on the field for 43 of his team’s 72 offensive snaps in week 1. He caught two passes on five targets for 28 yards. He failed to haul in either of his two red zone targets.

Dell played 50 offensive snaps in week 1, while the team had 79 in total. He made three catches on seven targets for 40 yards. He didn’t catch his only red zone target.

Moore was on the field for 49 of the Bears’ 56 offensive snaps in week 1. He had five catches for 36 yards on eight targets. 

Flowers played a whopping 71 snaps (out of 80 total) in week 1. He had six catches on 10 targets for 37 yards. He was targeted twice in the red zone, but didn’t catch either pass.

Lockett played 36 of the team’s 67 offensive snaps in week 1. He had 77 receiving yards on six receptions and seven targets.

Week 2 Matchups

Harrison will be going up against the Rams in week 2, which is an average matchup based on how week 1 went.

McConkey and Palmer have a bit tougher matchup on paper against the Panthers.

Godwin and the Bucs’ wideouts have the best matchup on paper, taking on the Lions this week.

The Cardinals are a pretty favorable matchup for Robinson. The Packers provide a similar opportunity for Pierce.

The Jets were pretty much ripped apart in week 1, but they were closer to average against wide receivers - it’s still an above-average matchup for Ridley.

London has a very favorable matchup against the Eagles in week 2. Aiyuk has an average matchup against the Vikings.

Dell has a bit tougher matchup against the Bears. Moore’s battle against the Texans is quite favorable based on last week’s numbers.

Flowers has a pretty average matchup against the Raiders, while Lockett has a tough battle with the Patriots.

Recommended Starters

With so many receivers in this decision, I’m not going to break down what fantasy owners are doing for every guy. You can check out the start/sit tool for those numbers.

In terms of the week 2 PPR wide receiver projections, Moore is the highest at 15 points. London and Harrison are at 14 points.

Aiyuk, Godwin and Flowers are projected for 13 points each. Dell and Lockett are among the receivers at 12 points, while Ridley, Palmer and McConkey are at 11 points. Robinson is projected for 10 points, while Pierce sits at just seven.

I agree with the projections and think Moore is the top option among these receivers. He’s got a favorable matchup, and he should be targeted early and often with his WR teammates Rome Odunze and Keenan Allen banged up (or out?).

I like Flowers the next of the bunch. His matchup is average, but I have a feeling the Ravens are going to get their second-year wideout more involved after being mostly held in check in week 1. I think his chances of scoring are very high in this contest.

Give me Harrison next. I know you’re worried about him, and while I am a bit, I think the team will make him the focal point of the offense. You just have to trust your highly-drafted receiver to get the job done.

I’m not a huge fan of London, but I think he’s a good play this week. The great matchup trumps what little London accomplished in week 1.

I like Godwin next, and really wanted to take him higher. The only reason I didn’t is because Mike Evans could steal all his work any given week. I see Godwin finishing as possibly the top WR2 this week.

I’m going to take a little gamble and say Aiyuk here. He looked out of sorts in his first game, but I think he knocked the rust off and will enjoy a much better showing this week. I have him as a top-10 PPR receiver for the season, so I need him to get rolling this week.

I’d take Ridley here. The matchup against the Jets is more favorable than I expected, and with DeAndre Hopkins still being eased in, Ridley should be the clear-cut No. 1 wideout for Tennessee.

I’m taking Robinson next. The matchup is pretty solid, and he should be targeted a bunch (only behind Cooper Kupp). Robinson excelled when the Rams were down a receiver last season, and I think he turns into a weekly starter for a while after a strong showing this week.

I’ll take McConkey next. Palmer is banged up, so I think McConkey will serve as the team’s No. 1 wideout this week. After scoring last week, I bet the Chargers get McConkey more involved in week 2.

I’d then roll with Dell. Nico Collins is a bit banged up, so I could see Dell getting a few extra looks this week. The only reason I don’t have him higher is because it’s a bit tougher matchup.

I’m torn between two wideouts who are banged up (Lockett and Palmer), but will give the edge to Palmer because the matchup is more favorable. These are probably the first two guys of the bunch that I’d prefer to sit in standard leagues - they should be starting in deeper leagues.

Pierce is a popular name this week after his breakout in week 1. I’m sorry to say it, but those games are going to be few and far between. His big-play ability makes him a solid deep league starting option, but that’s it.