Week 2 could be a make-or-break week for many highly drafted players that underperformed last weekend. I will touch on a number of those players in this week’s podcast, which I will record and publish late Thursday. For now, here is a list of ten players that seem to be getting a lot of attention in my emails. Start/Bench-Week 2
Bench
Gaej Walker, RB-Western Kentucky at Florida International
Consider: Junior running back Gaej Walker carried the ball 19 times for 152 yards and two touchdowns in the Hilltoppers season-opening loss to Central Arkansas. This week, Western Kentucky opens conference play by traveling to Florida International, which represents a step up in competition. We’re not opposed to starting Walker if your roster has been dealt an early blow due to injuries, but we would like to see another solid performance before trusting him in an active slot.
Isaih Pacheco, RB-Rutgers at Iowa
Consider: Pacheco was probably one of the most added players from Week 1 because his numbers were so good, as he carried the ball 20 times for 156 yards and four touchdowns in Rutgers’ 48-21 win over UMass. Points won’t be that easy to come by this Saturday, and neither will yards for that matter, as the Scarlet Kinghts open conference play with a road trip to Iowa.
Jonathan Ward, RB-Central Michigan at Wisconsin
Consider: In a Week 1 win over Albany, Jonathan Ward looked like the version of himself we remembered from 2017, as he carried the ball 22 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns. However, we aren’t expecting much from Ward this weekend when the Chippewas travel to Wisconsin and face a Badgers defense that only gave up 26 rushing yards at South Florida in their opener.
Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks, RBs- Buffalo at Penn State
Consider: Last week, we were on the money if suggesting benching Tulsa’s running back duo on the road at Michigan State. This week, we’ve identified Buffalo’s backs as the duo fantasy owners should strongly consider benching. There may be some yards to be had against the Nittany Lions’ defense, but we cannot say with confidence which one of these two might actually produce.
LeVante Bellamy, RB-Western Michigan at Michigan State
Consider: We are expecting big things from Bellamy in 2019, but if he puts up solid numbers this weekend it would be a surprise. On Saturday, Western Michigan travels to Michigan State and faces a Spartans defense that held Tulsa to a negative rushing total last weekend (-73 yards).
Start
Woody Barrett, QB-Kent State vs Kennesaw State
Consider: To mention that Barrett struggled in the season opener at Arizona State would be an understatement, as the junior quarterback only accounted for 82 total yards in a 30-7 loss. In three of the next four weeks, the Golden Flashes play at Auburn, at Wisconsin, and have a bye, so if you have Barrett on your roster, a matchup against Kennesaw State is one you will want to take advantage of.
Robert Mahone, RB-Boise State vs Marshall
Consider: It seems like we got clarity on the Boise State backfield situation in their Week 1 win at Florida State, when Mahone carried the ball 24 times for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Now, the redshirt junior is the favorite to extend the Broncos’ streak of 1,000-yard rushers to eleven.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB-Memphis vs Southern
Consider: Playing alongside Patrick Taylor, Kenneth Gainwell carried the ball 16 times for 77 yards and added six receptions for 41 yards through the air in last week’s 15-10 win over Ole Miss. In that game, Taylor suffered an ankle sprain and will not play against Southern, so owners shouldn’t hesitate starting the redshirt freshman this weekend.
Caleb Huntley, RB-Ball State vs Fordham
Consider: In a Week 1 loss to Indiana, junior running back Caleb Huntley carried the ball 22 times for 81 yards and a touchdown. Seemingly locked into the top spot on the depth chart, Huntley should be given strong consideration to start in Week 2 with a matchup at home against Fordham.
Scottie Phillips, RB-Ole Miss vs Arkansas
Consider: The entire Ole Miss offense struggled in a Week 1 loss at Memphis, but Phillips led the team with 19 carries and 62 rushing yards, while scoring the Rebels lone touchdown. Sometimes the biggest improvement during a season happens between the first and second games, and we’re expecting that to be the case here because the offensive line and quarterback Matt Corral couldn’t possibly play any worse than they did last Saturday.