Week 2 fantasy decisions hinge on risky rookies and tough matchups. Ward faces a stout Rams defense and a banged-up Titans line, making a solid-day unlikely—bench in most formats. Loveland remains a behind-Kmet stash for now, as Lions’ TE defense is among the best in 2024. Skattebo projects to a small role with limited upside against Dallas, while Jaxson Dart isn’t in the mix for Week 2. Monangai’s role is shrinking behind Swift and Roschon Johnson, and Ollie Gordon II’s Week 2 usage is uncertain. The Who Should I Start tool remains a cornerstone for four-player comparisons, while Week 2 buzz centers on a flood of Start/Sit prompts for Warren and friends.

Caleb Williams must surge on a hostile road as the Bears and Lions clash with an 0-1 start on the line. Bold predictions spotlight a deep-ball surge, Roschon Johnson delivering a goal-line TD, Dayo Odeyingbo staying hot, Cairo Santos rebounding, and Ben Johnson dialing a trick play. Williams eyes air yards; Johnson stabilizes Chicago’s ground game; Santos seeks kick-clip redemption as Detroit’s revamped offense tries to rebound under John Morton and Ben Johnson.

The fantasy edge centers on Williams’ arm in a tough environment, Johnson’s backfield leverage, and special-teams swings that could tilt field position. Monitor Johnson’s workload, Santos’ kicking volume, and how Odeyingbo pressures Detroit’s protection in a pivotal divisional showdown.

Week 1 exposed Chicago's ground game struggles: D'Andre Swift managed 17 carries for 53 yards, while Caleb Williams ran for 58 more as the team’s leading ground threat. Ben Johnson signaled changes on Wednesday, stressing more runs and a wider look at who gets carries. Week 2 against Detroit looms as a fork in the road for the Bears’ backfield, with Kyle Monangai expected to get a longer leash.

Monangai, a Rutgers workhorse with 669 carries for 3,222 yards in college, flashed in the preseason and produced a minimal Week 1 touch. If he sparks early in Detroit, Johnson won’t hesitate to ride the hot hand and possibly reduce Swift’s workload, reshaping fantasy projections in a backfield that suddenly looks more volatile but also more dynamic.

Fantasy managers should monitor early-down snaps and red-zone opportunities as the Bears pivot. A Monangai spark could juice the ceiling for both backs, while a slow start might leave Swift as the primary option with Monangai carving a concrete niche. Week 2 will reveal the plan and the shifting fantasy landscape.

Week 2 RB waiver targets tilt toward the Browns’ backfield duo of Dylan Sampson and Quinshon Judkins, with Sampson showing a useful receiving profile even if Judkins debuts soon. Arizona’s Trey Benson is the premier handcuff behind Conner, while Kenneth Gainwell and Kyle Monangai offer deeper league depth behind Pittsburgh and Chicago. Considerable upside exists in Rachaad White, Jaydon Blue, Bhayshul Tuten, Najee Harris, D.J. Giddens, Tyjae Spears, Tyler Allgeier, Ray Davis, Will Shipley, Ollie Gordon II, Rico Dowdle, and Tahj Brooks as Week 2 adds.