One-Hit Wonders or Here to Stay? Analyzing Week 2 Breakout Players: Kyler Murray, J.K. Dobbins, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Mike Gesicki and More

Week 2 of the NFL season has wrapped up, and fantasy football owners are now moving on to week 3.

Before we do that though, let’s discuss some of the week 2 top performances that came from unsuspecting players, like we did after week 1. Here’s the week 2 panic meter story.

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Quarterbacks

Kyler Murray, Derek Carr, Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones are the players I want to discuss this week.

Murray was 17-of-21 for 266 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in week 2. He added 59 rushing yards on five attempts.

Murray is a dual-threat quarterback, so it’s no surprise to see him have a big day on the ground. His passing usually isn’t that great though, and fantasy owners are wondering if that’s sustainable. 

While he might not reach 250+ yards and three passing scores each week, the Cardinals’ offense has enough playmakers to make Murray a fantasy star each week. So while it’s not sustainable, I think Murray is here to stay as a top-end fantasy option.

Carr completed just 11 of his 16 passing attempts in week 2, but for 243 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. He also ran for a touchdown.

Carr has been fantastic through two weeks, and he’s a big-time waiver option as a result. He performed well against a Dallas defense that’s expected to be pretty good this season, but I’m still not completely sold on Carr.

Carr is definitely worth a waiver add if you had a QB like Jordan Love or Tua Tagovailoa, but outside of the favorable matchups, I see Carr’s start to the season being outlier fantasy showings.

Darnold threw for 268 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against a good 49ers’ defense in week 2. He added 32 rushing yards on five attempts.

Darnold has looked better than average through two weeks, making him another waiver wire target this week. I’m also not totally convinced of Darnold and think he’s going to come crashing down soon. He will be playable against weaker defenses, but don’t expect Darnold to perform this well against every top defense.

Jones had a rare good fantasy week, throwing for 178 yards and two scores, while avoiding turnovers. He added 32 rushing yards on five carries.

It was a step in the right direction for Jones, but it also came against a weak Commanders’ defense. His dual-threat ability makes him an intriguing fantasy play, but outside really weak matchups, I’m not trusting Jones yet.

Running Backs

J.K. Dobbins, Braelon Allen and James Conner are three backs I want to discuss.

Dobbins was great again in week 2, rushing for 131 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. It came against a terrible Panthers’ team though, but Dobbins also delivered good numbers in week 1.

As long as Dobbins can stay healthy, I think his fantasy numbers are sustainable. He’s risky to trust long term because of his injury history, but when he’s on the field, he’s a good starting option in all formats. Get him in your lineups while you can.

Allen barely was involved in week 1, but had 56 total yards and two scores in week 2. He played 20 snaps to Breece Hall’s 41.

Hall should still be viewed as the workhorse back for New York, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Allen get some run going forward after his big showing. His touchdown production will fall off, but if he can continue to get 20 or so snaps, he might not be a half bad starting option. I like him more in deeper leagues, but he’s one more decent showing away from being a standard league starting option too.

Conner also delivered for the Cardinals in week 2. He rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, while adding a two-yard reception on his lone target.

He’s scored in each of the first two games and is getting nearly double the snaps that backup Trey Benson is. While I don’t see Conner rushing for over 100 yards each week, I don’t see a reason why he can’t remain a starting option every week in all league formats.

Wide Receivers

Chris Godwin, Calvin Ridley, Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Quentin Johnston are four wideouts I’d like to discuss.

Godwin went for 117 yards and a touchdown on seven catches and eight targets in week 2. That came after 83 yards and a score on eight catches and targets in week 1.

Godwin proved his week 1 showing wasn’t a fluke. I’m not saying you should expect these kinds of numbers every week, but that Godwin should be trusted with a starting spot until further notice. Even without the touchdowns, he’s got good fantasy totals so far.

Ridley went off for 77 receiving yards and a score on four catches and six targets, while adding a 10-yard rushing touchdown in week 2. Ridley had 50 total yards on three touches and seven targets in week 1.

The scores this week really boosted Ridley’s fantasy totals, but 122 yards through two weeks isn’t too shabby either. He’s a borderline starting option in standard leagues, while being a good starter for deep league teams. I’d roll with Ridley until his production falls off.

Smith-Njigba made up for a weak showing in week 1 by going for 117 yards on 12 catches and 16 targets in week 2. That came against a good Patriots’ defense too.

With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the team, I can’t imagine JSN is going to deliver too many more showings similar to week 2, but he’s at least put himself on the starting line in standard leagues, while becoming a good/great deep league option. Expect his production to fall off, but for the young wideout to be a decent fantasy wideout every week.

Johnston broke out with 51 yards and two scores in week 2. He accomplished those numbers on five catches and six targets.

Johnston had 38 yards on three catches and five targets in week 1, so the big difference between the weeks was the scores. He was a first-round pick for a reason and could be figuring things out now. Johnston is worth a roster spot and probably a starting spot in deeper leagues after what he’s shown through two weeks, and because the Chargers don’t have a true No. 1 wideout.

Tight Ends

Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki and Jonnu Smith are the tight ends I want to talk about this week.

Henry went for 109 yards on eight receptions and 13 targets in week 2. That made up for an 18-yard showing on two catches and three targets in week 1.

I liked Henry coming into the season because I thought the Pats’ QBs would look his way often as a checkdown option. I don’t expect Henry to deliver week 2 numbers the rest of the season, but I do think he can deliver average numbers and be a good PPR TE. He’s a good starting option in deeper leagues, and can be started in standard leagues when matchups are favorable.

Gesicki tallied 91 yards on seven grabs and nine targets in week 2. He had 18 yards on three receptions and four targets in week 1.

Gesicki stepped up with Ja'Marr Chase struggling and Tee Higgins out for a second straight week. Those two will soak up most of the targets when healthy, but there’s still room for Gesicki to deliver on this offense. Again, I don’t see him repeating his week 2 performance often, but he’s worth a waiver wire add and a start in at least deeper leagues this coming week.

Smith went for 53 yards on six catches and seven targets in week 2. That came after just one catch, two targets and seven yards in week 1.

Behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Dolphins could use another pass catcher in their offense. The problem now is that Tua Tagovailoa is banged up. A QB switch to Skylar Thompson or Tyler Huntley could actually be beneficial to Smith (while downgrading Hill and Waddle), so I think Smith is worth an add in deeper leagues (and maybe even standard leagues). Smith’s statline in week 2 wasn’t crazy, and it’s definitely something that could be replicated in the weeks to come.