In the ever-evolving landscape of fantasy football, finding the right players to start each week can be akin to navigating a complex maze. With players up and down production, injury mines, and the ever-changing team dynamics, staying ahead of the curve is essential for success. Below, we delve into the prospects of some Week 2 flex options and analyze some of the best plays based on their likelihood of scoring a touchdown. A score can turn these players from a flex play to a matchup winner, and SGPN has you covered on the players most likely to do just that.
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Fantasy Football Week 2 Flex Plays Based on Touchdown Opportunities
Jamaal Williams – RB – New Orleans Saints
Jamaal Williams likely disappointed many fantasy managers this past week who counted on him as the only reliable player in the Saints’ backfield. Nonetheless, I am recommending him as a play in Week 2 as he is due for a bounce-back performance. With Kamara suspended and Kendre Miller nursing an injury, Williams will once again dominate the opportunity share. The Titans have one of the best front sevens in the NFL, too, ranking No. 1 in rush defense in the NFL in 2022. It was no surprise that he wasn’t able to generate much success.
Fortunately, he will face a much softer matchup in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. They just gave up 177 yards and 3 touchdowns to the combination of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier. Jamaal Williams scored 17 touchdowns only a season ago as well and is a reliable goal-line running back. Combined with the Saints potentially nursing a lead, these factors suggest Williams is a strong RB2 option this weekend.
Joshua Kelley – RB – Los Angeles Chargers
Regardless of whether Austin Ekeler plays or not, Joshua Kelley belongs in fantasy lineups. He received a 48% snap percentage this past Sunday and ranked as the RB8 in fantasy football leagues. Ekeler has rushed over 200 times in a season only twice in his entire career, and notably, the Chargers opted to run the ball on over 50% of their snaps on Sunday.
Additionally, Ekeler has scored 12 more touchdowns over the last two seasons compared to the next closest player. The Chargers consistently involve their running backs near the goal line, and Kelley received the 3rd most redzone rushing attempts in the NFL in Week 1. Even if Ekeler plays, it’s expected that Kelley will receive his fair share of work, making him a valuable RB3 option. If Ekeler were to miss the game, though, Kelley would rank as a top 15 fantasy football running back in Week 2.
Chuba Hubbard – RB – Carolina Panthers
Miles Sanders was the clear lead back this past Sunday, as Chuba Hubbard only received 36% of the snaps. However, he did play the majority of plays in passing and goal-line situations. According to PFF, he was the highest-graded offensive player for the Carolina Panthers, too, with an 82.1 rating (PFF). Hubbard averaged 6.67 yards per carry and was a more efficient runner than Sanders.
In addition, he will be facing a defense that gave up 5.21 yards per carry against the Tennessee Titans in Week 1. With an offense devoid of talent at receiver, expect Hubbard to continue to receive his fair share of opportunities. If this past weekend is any indication, it will be Hubbard who factors in at the goal line as well. He will be a flex option this week and is one of the few No. 2 running backs with terrific standalone value.
Michael Thomas – WR – New Orleans Saints
Most fantasy managers have been burned too many times by Michael Thomas these past few seasons. Nonetheless, he is proving to be a huge part of the offense when he is on the field. Thomas received a 24% target share in Week 1 and was No. 5 in the NFL in Target Rate in 2022 as well. Health will be the major obstacle for Thomas this season, not his opportunity or productivity.
In the last two seasons, when he was fully healthy, he finished in the top 10 in the NFL in touchdowns. Even in just two fully healthy games last season, Thomas managed to find the endzone three times. Ultimately, his ability to play a full season should be in major doubt at this point. Fantasy managers who invested a draft pick in Thomas should start him while they can. He is a great bet to find the end zone while he is on the field and has WR2 upside.
Elijah Moore – WR – Cleveland Browns
Elijah Moore was thought to be a budding fantasy football superstar prior to the 2022 season. Unfortunately, he fell out of favor in New York and was traded to the Cleveland Browns for draft compensation. Although it feels like a distant memory now, Elijah Moore had an incredible six-game stretch as a rookie where he was the WR9 in fantasy over that span. He had an 18.6% target share that year, which increased to 20% in the red zone.
Fast forward to this season, and fantasy managers still have not seen what this Cleveland offense is capable of. While Deshaun Watson made a number of poor throws, he significantly outperformed Joe Burrow in the same tough weather conditions. Watson ended up sitting most of the fourth quarter, too, but Moore had a 27% target share prior to his exit. He should be a favorite of Watson in the red zone and is a strong WR3, especially given Amari Cooper’s questionable health this week.
Hayden Hurst – TE – Carolina Panthers
Despite positive camp reports, Hayden Hurst remained under the radar heading into the 2023 fantasy football season. He has been a hot waiver wire target over this past week, though, after garnering 7 targets, 5 receptions, 41 yards, and a touchdown in Week 1. Hurst actually had the No. 1 Dominator Rating in the NFL at the Tight End Position and was a massive part of the offense.
This is because, as noted above, Carolina does not have many options at wide receiver. Opportunity is everything at the tight end position, and Hurst will be heavily targeted in Week 2. Hurst will continue to operate as the top red zone target for Young and will be as good a bet as any tight end to score a touchdown any given week. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable starting him as a borderline TE1 and a low-end flex option.
