NFL fantasy football owners saw a couple of big performances from rookie receivers in Week 1, but one of them wasn’t Travis Hunter.
As the No. 2 overall pick adjusts to the NFL as primarily a receiver, the question is not if Hunter will make an impact for the Jacksonville Jaguars offensively, but when. With Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka putting up 23.60 fantasy points in his NFL Debut and Tetairoa McMillan giving his fantasy owners a respectful 11.80 points, all eyes are on Hunter in Week 2.
With the Jaguars traveling to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals, is Hunter primed for a big game, or should he land on the Sit ‘Em list?
NFL Week 1 Fantasy Football Start ‘Em
WR – Travis Hunter, WR25, Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)
Although Hunter didn’t put together any big plays in his debut, he wasn’t quiet. In his team’s win over the Carolina Panthers, Hunter caught 6 passes for 33 yards. That earned his owners 9.30 fantasy points. Expect a bigger performance against the Bengals in Week 2.
Following Week 1, the Bengals defense fantasy football points against vs wide receivers is 30.90. With the tandem of Brian Thomas Jr. and Hunter, expect Trevor Lawrence to have some success against the Bengals’ secondary, including a highlight big play from Hunter.
WR – Emeka Egbuka, WR32, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) vs. Houston Texans (0-1)
Stick with the hot receiver in Emeka Egbuka going up against a Texans team looking for their first win. Egbuka was clutch in his NFL debut racking up the 23.60 fantasy points. Although Dereck Stingly Jr. is one of the top corners in the league, the Texans will have to decide to match him up with Mike Evans or Egbuka.
The rookie receiver may have to put together a string of more great performances before he earns that type of respect though he will still draw Kamari Lassiter in coverage. With that said, expect Baker Mayfield to continue to build chemistry and trust with the first-year receiver who is on the path to surpassing Chris Godwin as the team’s WR2.
WR – Jayden Higgins, WR60, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0) vs. Houston Texans (0-1)
In that same matchup, Texans top draft pick Jayden Higgins will make his own big plays against the Buccaneer’s offense. CJ Stroud will look to get Nico Collins going early, but Higgins get his targets.
Coming off an NFL debut performance in which he caught 2 passes for 32 yards, look for more targets in the direction of the big receiver who earned 5.20 fantasy points in Week 1. Tampa Bay will challenge the young receiver. How he responds to the test could set the tone for his rookie season.
NFL Week 2 Fantasy Football Sit ‘Em
WR – Tetairoa McMillan, WR24, Carolina Panthers (0-1) vs. Arizona Cardinals (1-0)
Tetairoa McMillan had a strong NFL debut. He led the Panthers with 5 receptions for 68 yards in the team’s loss to the Jaguars. That included a catch in the game that showed just why McMillan was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While there is temptation to give advice to start McMillan against the Cardinals, he could be slowed down in a game that will feature a matchup between McMillan and rookie cornerback Will Johnson. Expect both to get challenged in this game. The edge goes to the rookie playing at home which is Johnson. Although, it could be more of a homecoming for the University of Arizona alum.
WR – Tre Harris, TE54, Los Angeles Chargers (1-0) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (0-1)
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris is another rookie receiver to watch in Week 2. The second-round pick was targeted just 1 time in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs and could see more targets in the AFC West matchup against the Raiders. Don’t expect the rookie to take off just yet.
As proven in the opener, Justin Hebert’s top two targets are Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey. The hope is for Harris to emerge as that boundary receiver, but with Quentin Johnson (5 receptions for 79 yards vs Chiefs) also in the mix, Harris will have to work his way into the mix as the team’s fourth option at wide receiver.
NFL Week 2 Fantasy Football Sleeper
WR – Kyle William, WR53, New England Patriots (0-1) vs. Miami Dolphins (1-0)
The third-round pick only had 1 target in the Patriots Week 1 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, but he did get his first NFL reception which was for 12 yards. Expect Kyle Williams to get more looks from Drake Maye against the Dolphins’ suspect secondary in Week 2.
With his ability to make explosive plays, the Patriots must get him involved a bit more. While Kayshon Boutee, Stefon Diggs and tight end Hunter Henry are Maye’s top targets, more emphasis on the running game in Week 2 could lead to some play action strikes to Williams.