Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 2: Mike Evans & Other WRs to Monitor This Weekend

Only six wideouts finished with at least 100 receiving yards in Week 1. That group was led by Saints WR Chris Olave, who turned 13 targets into 10 receptions for 182 yards. As far as the biggest disappointments go, Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase finishing with 2 receptions and 12 yards while his team scored 33 points probably tops the list.

Some favorable Week 2 matchups could help receivers produce gaudy stat lines. Others might be left out to dry in what could be an uphill battle against good defenses.

Below, let's list some NFL Week 2 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em candidates for the WR position, including picks to consider on PrizePicks for Mike Evans, Devaughn Vele, and more. Keep this analysis in mind when making your Week 2 fantasy football decisions.

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Start: 49ers WR Mike Evans

Game: Dolphins vs. 49ers – Sunday, September 20, 4:25 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 50.5 Rec Yards, 3.5 Recs

Evans battled nagging injuries during the preseason but played in the 49ers’ 27-7 victory over the Rams in Week 1. He was tied for second on the team with his 7 targets, which he turned into 6 receptions for 49 yards and 1 TD.

The 49ers targeted him twice inside the red zone, one of which came inside the five-yard line. Evans has been adept at accumulating TDs throughout his career, finishing a season with at least 10 of them five times.

San Francisco entered the campaign thin at WR with Ricky Pearsall (knee) out for the year. Now rookie WR De’Zhaun Stribling (ankle) is expected to miss at least one month. The 49ers have a couple of reliable veterans in Deebo Samuel Sr. and Demarcus Robinson, but neither has the upside that Evans brings to the table.

Expect him to be a difficult cover for the Dolphins' defense, which was 25th in dropback EPA last season, per RBSDM.

Add Mike Evans to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Start: Saints WR Devaughn Vele

Game: Saints vs. Ravens – Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 38.5 Rec Yards, 3.5 Recs, 9 Fantasy Score

Vele developed a good relationship with Saints QB Tyler Shough towards the end of last season. Prior to missing the last three games because of injury, Vele had a four-week stretch in which he caught 19 of 26 targets for 239 yards and 1 TD. For the season, he finished with an average depth of target (aDOT) of 12.6 yards, per PFF.

Rookie WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) began this season on IR, paving the way for Vele to fill an expanded role behind Olave. The Saints were forced to throw a lot during their 31-30 Week 1 loss to the Lions, leaving Vele to register 7 receptions for 69 yards and 1 TD on 9 targets.

New Orleans could attempt to move the ball through the air a lot again when they play the Ravens, who scored 41 points against the Colts on Sunday. Targets might be plentiful for Vele again.

Add Devaughn Vele to your PrizePicks lineup now.

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Sit: Titans WR Wan’Dale Robinson

Game: Eagles vs. Titans – Sunday, September 20, 1 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 39.5 Rec Yards, 3.5 Recs (Goblin), 9 Fantasy Score

The Titans couldn’t get anything going on offense during their 23-10 Week 1 loss to the Jets. QB Cam Ward only completed 59.4% of his passes, throwing for 140 yards and 1 TD. His quiet day didn’t help Robinson, who finished with 5 receptions for 38 yards.

Wan'Dale Robinson broke out with the Giants last year, posting at least 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. Helping his cause was his career-best aDOT of 9.0 yards. In Week 1, that mark was 4.0 yards with his new team.

WR Carnell Tate is the best deep threat on the roster, so the Titans could continue to look for Robinson to run short routes and be a veteran security blanket for Ward. According to RotoWire, the Eagles finished last season allowing the fifth-fewest yards per target to WRs (7.24).

With that in mind, it may be difficult for Robinson to provide significant fantasy production Sunday.

Add Wan’Dale Robinson to your PrizePicks lineup now.

Sit: Jaguars RB Brian Thomas Jr.

Game: Jaguars vs. Broncos – Sunday, September 20, 4:05 p.m. ET

Projections via PrizePicks: 40.5 Rec Yards

After a standout rookie performance in 2024, Brian Thomas Jr. was a massive disappointment last year. In 14 games, he finished with only 48 receptions for 707 yards and 2 TDs. He was eventually surpassed on the depth chart by WR Parker Washington, who had 22 receptions for 400 yards and 2 TDs over the final four games.

The Jaguars only needed to attempt 23 passes in their 34-10 dismantling of the Browns in Week 1. Still, Washington led the team with 6 targets. Thomas only had three passes thrown his way, although he caught each of them for a total of 40 yards.

The third-year receiver emerged from the game with a shoulder ailment that should limit him in practice this week, but Jaguars head coach Liam Coen expects him to play against the Broncos.

Thomas is battling injury, sits behind Washington on the pecking order, and now faces a Denver defense that ranked second in dropback EPA last season. That’s a difficult hill for him to climb.

Add Brian Thomas Jr. to your PrizePicks lineup now.

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Evans and Vele have the potential to build on valuable Week 1 performances when they fill important roles for their teams Sunday. The same positive outlook is difficult to have for Robinson and Thomas, who have roles and matchups that aren’t conducive for fantasy gold.

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