Wondering who the top wide receivers to start for Week 2 are, or which players should be riding your bench this week? Here’s our fantasy football start ’em sit ’em Week 2 wide receivers guide to help you get an edge in your league this week.
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Start ‘Em/Sit ‘Em Week 2, 2026 – Wide Receiver
So, who should you absolutely slot into your lineup for Week 2, and who’s better of left on your bench? Let’s take a look. We’ll be focusing mostly on wideouts managers might be on the fence about, rather than established weekly must-starts like Ja’Marr Chase or Puka Nacua.
Wide Receivers to Start in Week 2, 2026
Start ’Em
DJ Moore: Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
Kickoff: Thursday, September 17 at 8:15 p.m. ET
Moore caught five of eight targets for 100 yards and a touchdown in his first game with Buffalo, including a 43-yard score that put his vertical potential, which QB Josh Allen has sorely needed, on full display. He already leads the Bills’ wide receivers in yardage, and Detroit allowed 410 passing yards and three touchdowns to sophomore Saints QB Tyler Shough in Week 1. Moore is one of the best options at wideout for Week 2, and he’s playing in the highest-projected scoring matchup of the week.
DeVonta Smith: Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Smith led Philadelphia with six targets in the opener, catching three passes for 53 yards. He did not receive a red-zone target, but his 31-yard reception demonstrated that he remains one of the team’s primary sources of explosive plays. Tennessee ranked near the bottom of the league in passing yards allowed last season, giving Smith an opportunity to turn his encouraging target share into a much stronger fantasy result.
Luther Burden III: Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Burden caught all five of his targets for 63 yards in Chicago’s 59-point offensive explosion. He produced efficiently despite competing for opportunities in a deep group of pass catchers, and his perfect catch rate should encourage the Bears to keep him involved. Minnesota surrendered 387 passing yards and two touchdowns to Christian Watson in Week 1, creating a favorable setting for Burden’s speed and after-the-catch ability.
More Wide Receivers to Start:
- Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
- Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Wide Receivers to Sit in Week 2, 2026
DK Metcalf: Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 1 p.m. ET
Metcalf received a team-high 10 targets in his Steelers debut but remained underwhelming, making only four catches for 40 yards. Drops and penalties contributed to the disappointing performance, and he’ll face a tough New England defense that finished last season ninth in passing yards allowed and held Seattle to just 13 points in Week 1. We’ll pass on DK this week.
Marvin Harrison Jr.: Arizona Cardinals vs. Seattle Seahawks
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 4:25 p.m. ET
Harrison caught just one of his three targets for 33 yards in Arizona’s opening victory, despite Jacoby Brissett throwing plenty, notching 277 pass yards. Tight end Trey McBride dominated the short-area opportunities, while Michael Wilson continued to shine from last season as Brissett’s top downfield option. They’ll face Seattle, who intercepted Drake Maye three times and kept the pressure on in Week 1. It’s looking unlikely that we’ll see the breakout everyone has been waiting for from Harrison this week.
Quentin Johnston: Los Angeles Chargers vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Kickoff: Sunday, September 20 at 4:05 p.m. ET
Johnston caught only two of six targets for 17 yards as the Chargers struggled to sustain their passing attack. His six opportunities showed that the volume is there, but the inconsistency that has made him difficult to trust in fantasy lineups continued. Las Vegas posted five sacks against Miami and didn’t allow a single touchdown in Week 1, leaving Johnston as a low-floor option behind Ladd McConkey.
More Wide Receivers to Sit:
- Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
- Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots
Looking for complete fantasy football rankings for other positions each week, too? Check out our full fantasy football rankings guide.
Watch NFL Football on DIRECTV
You can watch all of these wideouts and the rest of the players on your fantasy roster rack up points all season long on by watching NFL games every week on DIRECTV.
Frequently asked questions
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