Fantasy football advice, Week 2: Who to start for Seattle Seahawks vs. Los Angeles Rams
Dan Ciarrocchi reviews who needs to be in your fantasy lineup or on the bench for an NFC West battle.
Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
Start ‘em
Fantasy owners who were forced to bench Thomas Rawls in Week 1 should feel much more inclined to put him back into lineups against a Rams defense that just got steamrolled by Carlos Hyde. Rawls will assume lead back duties once again, but Christine Michael can still be expected to be involved in the mix. Whether Rawls is completely over a season-ending foot injury from 2015 is a valid concern, but he has RB1 upside in a game that could be run-heavy.
Doug Baldwin could also be in line for a big game after the 49ers’ slot receivers gave the Rams fits, catching seven passes for 61 yards. They would have had a long touchdown, too, had the pass not been overthrown by Blaine Gabbert. Baldwin has been a touchdown monster since midway through the 2015 season and fantasy owners wouldn’t be crazy to bank on him finding the end zone in Week 2. He’s a solid WR2 for Sunday’s bout.
Start ‘em?
It’s tough to be equivocal about Russell Wilson in fantasy football, but his health should make fantasy owners think twice about giving him the nod in a road divisional matchup. The Rams let Gabbert look like a dual-threat quarterback in their first game, which ordinarily would have Wilson’s owners salivating. Massive upside for Wilson still remains, but it’s fair to wonder if he will be scrambling for gains as much as we are accustomed to seeing. Wilson can be considered a QB1 as usual, but there’s more risk involved than other weeks.
Sit ‘em
Tyler Lockett, Jimmy Graham and Jermaine Kearse don’t have the usage to warrant starting consideration. Michael can be relegated to benches once again now that Rawls has reclaimed his starting spot
Los Angeles Rams
Start ‘em
It was rough sledding for Todd Gurley in another negative game script for the Rams in Week 1’s embarrassing loss to the 49ers. Though Gurley has the talent to thrive against defenses of all calibers, game script will be his biggest enemy as part of a pathetic offense. Fantasy owners can still start him solely for upside, but against a swarming Seahawks defense, they have to be prepared for a letdown.
Sit ‘em
Everyone else. Tavon Austin and Case Keenum should be in for a long, long afternoon.
