National Football League

Fantasy Football 2016: 5 Must Starts for Week 2 and Why

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (59) looks on during a booth review in the second half against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Each week we will take a look at the best fantasy football matchups by position and also give you the numbers you need to feel confident about the pick.

We know it’s just fantasy football. It’s not the real thing. But let’s get real when it comes to football fans and their latest obsession.

Each Sunday morning we will present our five best fantasy picks, addressing quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end and defense/special teams.

There will be no Ouija Board employed, rather statistical history when it comes to these choices. Because fans want to know not only who to pick but why.

Onward and good luck this season.

Sep 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) calls a play against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at EverBank Field. Green Bay Packers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 27-23. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

The numbers are hard to ignore. You can almost hear the roar of “DUH” across the fantasy football landscape.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers comes off a week in which he threw for 199 yards and two touchdowns, plus ran for a score in his team’s 27-23 win at Jacksonville.

Mike McCarthy’s team is on the road for the second straight week against 2015 NFC North champion, the Minnesota Vikings. It’s safe to say that the Pack’s talented signal-caller has had his share of success against the Purple Gang and the incredible numbers bear that out.

In 16 meetings with the Vikings (including playoffs) dating back to 2008, Rodgers has thrown for 4,250 yards—an average of about 265 yards per contest. Even more amazing is that he’s served up 35 touchdown passes to only five interceptions in those contests. Now it’s also worth noting that the Packers’ star has also been sacked an amazing 50 times over that span, just in case you want to take a flier on the Minnesota defense.

Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon (28) runs the ball during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Running Back: Melvin Gordon, San Diego Chargers

Fans of the Bolts don’t have to be reminded how big of a disappointment that the team’s first-round pick of 2015 proved to be.

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In 14 games last season, running back Melvin Gordon carried 184 times for 641 yards and no touchdowns. He caught 33 passes for 192 yards and zero scores. And he also fumbled six times and lost four of those miscues.

That changed last week in the season opener at Arrowhead Stadium. The former University of Wisconsin standout totaled 14 attempts for 57 yards and a pair of end zone visits. He teamed with Danny Woodhead (16-89) to gouge the Chiefs for 155 yards on the ground.

This week, the Chargers host the Jacksonville Jaguars, who come off a 27-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers. Their defense allowed only 294 yards but this is still a suspect unit learning to play with a lot of new faces. This has all the makings of a high-scoring game, with Gordon finding the end zone once or twice again.

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Sterling Shepard (87) celebrates in from of Dallas Cowboys cornerback Anthony Brown (30) after catching a touchdown pass at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Wide Receiver: Sterling Shepard, New York Giants

It’s safe to say that fantasy football fans don’t need to be reminded of last season’s shootout between the Saints and Giants at the Superdome. The final score saw New Orleans squeeze out a wild 52-49 victory but it was the performance of both quarterbacks that was notable.

Eli Manning threw for 350 yards while Drew Brees outdid him with 505 yards. When it was all said and done, Brees (7) and Manning (6) had combined for 13 scores through the air—an NFL record for a single game. Of course, it was hardly surprising considering that only the Giants gave up more total yards and more passing yards in the league than the Saints in 2015.

The usual suspects will show up for both teams in terms of wide receiver. Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, etc. But 2016 second-round pick Sterling Shepard will benefit from New Orleans preoccupation with Manning’s veteran targets. The rookie totaled three catches for 43 yards and a score in last Sunday’s win at Dallas. Those numbers will double against the Saints on Sunday.

Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West (35) celebrates with tight end Travis Kelce (87) after a touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City won 33-27. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Tight End: Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

It’s hard to ignore this kind of production. In last season’s Week 1 win at Houston, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce totaled six catches for 106 yards and a pair of touchdowns—both scores coming in the first quarter.

Four months later, the Chiefs and Texans squared off in the AFC Wild Card Playoffs and Kelce was at it again. While he didn’t reach the end zone, he hauled in eight passes for 128 yards in the team’s lopsided 30-0 victory.

Does Houston defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel have an answer for the four-year performer and former Pro Bowler? The Texans’ pass rush got to Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler last week but are outside linebackers Whitney Mercilus, Jadeveon Clowney and/or John Simon capable of keeping Kelce under wraps?

Bill O’Brien’s club has its work cut out for itself when it comes to the Chiefs’ short passing game. Be it Kelce or running back Spencer Ware, look for Andy Reid to test the Texans defense underneath. Which means another big day for Kansas City’s talented tight end.

Sep 8, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) throws a pass under pressure from Carolina Panthers defensive end Kony Ealy (94) in the first quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Panthers 21-20. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Defense/Special Teams: Carolina Panthers

Yes, the defending NFC champions came up short at Denver in the Super Bowl 50 rematch. But it’s not like the Carolina defense played poorly. They allowed 21 points and 307 total yards but did come up with a pair of sacks and forced 3 turnovers in the one-point setback.

Keep in mind that we are talking about a team that came up with an NFL-high 39 takeaways in 2015. And the Panthers defensive line, with the addition of rookie Darius Butler and the presence of defensive end Kony Ealy, could improve on its total of 44 sacks from a year ago.

Here is a little more food for thought when it comes to this matchup: The Panthers have had more than a week to host this matchup while the Niners are making a cross-country trip after playing on Monday night at Levi’s Stadium.

Led by Carlos Hyde, the 49ers will get their rushing yards. But they could bog down in the red zone with an assist from Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis and the rest of Ron Rivera’s defenders.

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