Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
As we head into Fantasy Football Week 2, it's always essential to remember not to overreact to what we saw in the first week. We will spend the first few weeks of a new season getting a feel for what players and offenses are exceeding or falling beneath expectations.
We can use the Seahawks as an example of what may and may not be applicable in the longer term. Jaxon Smith-Njigba delivered a strong opening performance, and we should anticipate that he will consistently deliver good results, Kenneth Walker III, on the other hand, will have better fantasy outings ahead this year.
Here are our spotlighted starters to consider for Fantasy Football Week 2 when faced with tight lineup decisions. Players are listed in order of preferred lineup usage at their respective positions, and the analysis is based mainly on PPR formats.
NFL Week 2: Running Backs To Start
START Travis Etienne Jr: Some fantasy football players may wonder whether Etienne's impressive season-opening performance can be replicated in Week 2. Last week vs. Carolina, Etienne piled up 143 rushing yards. The Jaguars' decision-makers clearly believe Etienne will continue to function as a quality lead RB for them. Jacksonville cleared the path for him to take on a consistent workload when they traded Tank Bigsby to Philadelphia after the opener.
Etienne will be a focal point of the Jacksonville offense this week. He faces a highly vulnerable Bengals defense, and should see some frequent openings to exploit.
START Javonte Williams: Much uncertainty surrounded the Dallas backfield situation throughout the offseason, but Williams clearly staked his claim to the lead role in Week 1. He rushed for two TDs against the Eagles and can be a regular goal-line area finisher for a potent offense. Dallas takes on the Giants this week, and New York's defense will spend a lot of time on the field. Williams may post adequate rushing totals and should get into the end zone at least once.
START TreVeyon Henderson: The Patriots rookie carried only five times in his NFL debut, but he did average 5.4 yards per carry. To boost the offense, Henderson needs to get the ball more often, and he might start to see more carries this week vs. Miami. He has the potential to rip off a big play at any time, so pop him into the lineup for some possible upside.
START Zach Charbonnet Consider Charbonnet as a flex play, as his physical style can combat a strong Pittsburgh defensive front. The third-year RB scored the Seahawks' first TD of the season last week and can at least give you a respectable fantasy day if he gets into the end zone again. The Seahawks will be looking to produce more on the ground this week and Charbonnet should be an important element in the offensive mix.
For those looking to gain more clarity on the Seahawks RB situation from fantasy perspectives, both Charbonnet and Walker can be considered as flex/RB3 options for now. Each player will carry some weekly statistical upside, sometimes depending on the matchup. Charbonnet is our featured option for Week 2.
NFL Week 2: Wide Receivers To Start
START A.J. Brown: The Eagles' standout WR caught only one ball in the season opener, which frustrated fantasy football players. Still, the Eagles won and good players will sometimes log disappointing fantasy totals on occasion. In a headlining Super Bowl 59 rematch this week, I would expect Jalen Hurts to make it a point to get the ball to his best WR more often. You drafted Brown too early to reserve him after one game.
START Tyreek Hill: This is another situation where a top WR should bounce back after a quiet outing. Hill was statistically silent in Miami's blowout loss at Indianapolis in Week 1. Miami should be highly motivated to rebound in its home opener, and to get the offense back on track again, the Dolphins need to get the ball to their best player.
START Keon Coleman: Buffalo may have found its new No. 1 pass-catcher. Coleman is a candidate for a breakout campaign in his second NFL season. In the exciting season-opening win over Baltimore, Coleman caught eight of 11 targets for 112 yards and a TD. The Jets allowed four TD passes to Pittsburgh last week and Coleman might get in the end zone again as he starts to make a case to become a regular fantasy starter.
START Ricky Pearsall: The 49ers are being raided by injuries again, and fantasy players might get concerned that the offense will be less productive with Mac Jones taking over at QB for the injured Brock Purdy. But Jones is a respectable NFL backup and Pearsall must continue to take on a large offensive role right now. He finished with 108 receiving yards in the season opener.
NFL Week 2: Quarterbacks To Start
START Justin Herbert: If you drafted Herbert as one of your streaming options, his Week 1 performance in the upset win over Kansas City was very encouraging. Those who waited to draft a QB outside the must-start types should give Herbert an opportunity to start this week. He passed for 318 yards and three TDs against Kansas City's defense and can fare well against Las Vegas, which presents less of a formidable challenge.
START Dak Prescott: In the season opener vs. Philadelphia, Prescott passed for just 188 yards and no TDs. But he performed better than the box score might indicate, and should frequently carry the Dallas offense this season. Expect a very good overall performance from the Cowboys' offense against the Giants defense, which will get overworked. Prescott is another streaming option for those who waited until the later rounds to draft their QB this season.
NFL Week 2: Tight Ends To Start
START Harold Fannin Jr.: The Browns' third-round rookie made more of an initial splash than expected in his pro debut. Fannin led Cleveland with nine targets, catching seven passes for 63 yards. The Browns may run a lot of two-TE sets and can also use Fannin at H-back, so he can continue to see a lot of field time. At the thinnest position in fantasy football, you can take the chance that Fannin continues to be productive enough.
START Dalton Kincaid: As the Buffalo offense moved the ball at will against the Ravens in Week 1, it was apparent that Kincaid was an important part of the attack at key times. He caught all four of his targets for 48 yards. That wasn't a major fantasy stat line, but it was further boosted by a 15-yard TD reception. Look for Buffalo to continue to put up good offensive numbers this week against the Jets. Kincaid will do enough to warrant starting him as a streamer.
NFL Week 2: Defenses to Stream
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. Las Vegas), Dallas Cowboys (vs. New York Giants), Seattle Seahawks (vs. Pittsburgh), Detroit Lions (vs. Chicago).
The Seahawks' defensive line, led by Leonard Williams and Byron Murphy II, should be able to limit the Pittsburgh ground game and get frequent pressure on Aaron Rodgers. Last week, the Seahawks registered two interceptions, and three-plus sacks are possible this week. DeMarcus Lawrence was highly active last week and should be again on Sunday.
The Seahawks and Steelers face off on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. Kickoff is set for 10:00 a.m. PT. Take a look back through history at the Seahawks' matchups against the Steelers.


Franco Harris of the Steelers carried for short yardaga in first quarter action Sunday, Dec. 4, 1977 past Seattle Seahawks Bob Lurtsema (70). Harris rushed for more than 100 yards for the twenty-eight time in his career, only two other players have done it more often. Harris also went over the 1000 yard mark for the year. (AP Photo)

Steelers Franco Harris (32) gets past Seahawks Bill Gregory (77) for Pittsburgh's third touchdown of the game, Sept. 11, 1978. The Steelers won the game in Pittsburgh, 21-10. (AP Photo/R.C. Greenawalt)

Steve Largent of the Seattle Seahawks runs with the ball during game action against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Nov. 8, 1981. (AP Photo)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris (32) is tackled for no gain by Seattle Seahawk conerback Keith Simpson (42) in the first quarter of their National Football League game in the Seattle Kingdome, Nov. 28, 1982. (AP Photo/Gary Stewart)

Franco Harris (32) of the Pittsburgh Steelers slides into the end zone for six points after being hits by Kenny Easley (45) and Kerry Justin of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of their game in Seattle, Wash., Oct. 23, 1983. Harris went nine yards for the score. (AP Photo/Barry Sweet)


Seattle Seahawks linebacker Brian Bosworth (55) sets for play during a 13-9 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on December 6, 1987 at The Kingdome in Seattle, Washington. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)



Seattle Seahawks quarterback, Rick Mirer (3) is sacked for a seven-yard-loss by Kevin Henry (76) of the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter of their NFL game in Seattle, Wash., Sunday, Dec. 26, 1993. (AP Photos/Gary Stewart)

Pittsburgh Steelers offensive center Dermontti Dawson (63) looks up from the field with his helmet up during a NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks on September 25, 1994 in Seattle. The Seahawks won the game 30-13. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)

Seattle Seahawks punt returner Charlie Rogers (31) evades Pittsburgh Steelers' John Fiala as he runs the Josh Miller punt back for a touchdown in the first quarter in Pittsburgh on Sunday, Sept. 26, 1999. Steelers Dewayne Washington (20) Orpheus Roye, (71) Kevin Henry (76) and Carlos Emmons (51) watch from the sidelines. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander celebrates as he runs off the field after the 23-16 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Seattle Sunday Nov. 2, 2003. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Seattle Seahawks' Isaiah Kacyvenski, left, and J.P. Darche (52) bring down Pittsburgh Steelers' Antwaan Randle El during a punt return as Seahawks' Orlando Huff (57) comes in on the play in the fourth quarter Sunday, Nov. 2, 2003, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 23-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Seattle Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens (86) catches a pass in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Super Bowl XL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta)

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis (36) is tackled during the third quarter of play against the Seattle Seahawks at the Super Bowl XL football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger dives in for a one-yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of play at the Super Bowl XL football game, Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Pittsburgh Steelers line backer James Farrior (51) tackles Seattle Seahawks tight end Marcus Pollard (88) as Ryan Clark (25) runs at the football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)


