B/R's Week 2 PPR Fantasy Football 2026 Player Rankings

The first week of the 2026 NFL season is in the books. And for fantasy managers, it was a wild and wacky ride.

Some things went as expected—the highest-scoring running back of the first week was Baltimore's Derrick Henry, who has been known to have a big game every now and then. But the first wideout off draft boards on average was invisible, and the high scorer at the position went undrafted almost as often as he was.

Now, there are two types of fantasy managers—undefeated juggernauts and winless tomato cans. OK, that's not true, but the latter group feels that way. However, one of the keys to fantasy success is to not get too high or too low—especially early in the campaign. Complacency will get you cooked as quickly as freaking out.

Whether you're looking to stay on track or get your team back on it, Bleacher report has your back for Week 2. Tiered PPR Rankings? Check. Player commentary and advice? Check. The top-125 players overall for Week 2? Check.

So, let's, um, check out the Week 2 landscape.

Week 1 of the 2026 season went exactly how we suspected it would at the quarterback position in fantasy leagues.

It was no surprise to see Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills have a big week—even against a stout Houston Texans defense. But the rest of the top-five in fantasy points was filled with surprises.

Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars lit up the Cleveland Browns for four touchdown passes. Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants threw three scoring strikes and topped 50 rushing yards. Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers had one of the best games of his professional career.

And Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears? Williams threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for two more on the way to the biggest fantasy score of the week under center.

It's important not to overreact to one game. But it was an…interesting start to the season nonetheless.

Allen and Josh Allen are elite fantasy options regardless of their opponent, and Allen faces a Detroit Lions defense that just surrendered over 400 passing yards to the New Orleans Saints. After watching the Bears drop 59 (!) points on the Panthers, Williams has moved into the top tier.

Fantasy managers rolling out a Tier 2 quarterback in Week 2 should feel pretty good about where they stand at the position. Patrick Mahomes didn't look like a guy who tore his ACL late last season against the Denver Broncos last week, and Dak Prescott and Jayden Daniels are both set up well in matchups against defenses that were first and second in fantasy points per game allowed to quarterbacks a year ago.

The third tier of quarterbacks in Week 2 is a mixed bag of so-so starters. Dart looked great last week against Dallas, but he draws a far tougher matchup this week against an angry Rams team. Game script could mean a pedestrian day for Brock Purdy if the Niners get a big lead, while Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye are both trying to wash off the stink of a Week 1 clunker.

There's potential for some solid outings from the Tier 4 quarterbacks, but questions as well. Can Bryce Young come close to last week's numbers in what could be a lower-scoring matchup with the Falcons? Can Tyler Shough repeat last week's big game against the Lions, or was it a one-off? Can Bo Nix wash off the stink of his Week 1 dud against the Chiefs?

The fifth tier is a small one. It's also the end of the line for quarterbacks that can be started with even nominal confidence in fantasy leagues. The Dolphins offense looked abysmal last week, but rushing upside keeps Malik Willis on the fantasy fringes. Jacoby Brissett started off the 2026 season the same way he ended 2025—quietly posting low-end QB1 numbers.

Fantasy managers starting a Tier 6 quarterback are either playing in superflex leagues or already have serious issues under center. Only one quarterback in the tier finished last week inside the top-20 (Deshaun Watson), and that was due to a long touchdown pass in garbage time.

It was a big week for offenses across the NFL in Week 1. Teams averaged 24.7 points per game—the most in the opening weekend of the regular season since the AFL-NFL merger. Plenty of running backs got in on the fun—six topped 30 PPR points.

The most impressive outing of the week may well have been the last.

Kenneth Walker III wasn't the highest-scoring back of Week 1—that honor went to Derrick Henry (stunner). But Walker piled up 191 total yards (including 173 rushing) and found the end zone three times in his Chiefs debut.

One game does not a season make. But it was still exactly what fantasy managers were hoping for from Walker in his new home.

The Tier 1 running backs are all elite fantasy options and every week must-starts. Most came out of the gate strong in Week 1. The one who didn't is Christian McCaffrey, who actually had fewer carries than Kaelon Black in Australia. However, McCaffrey was reportedly dealing with cramps in a game the Niners controlled from the jump—no need to panic just yet.

The front of Tier 2 contains a pair of AFC West backs who went off last week in Walker and Ashton Jeanty—both could jump into the top tier with another big outing in Week 2. There are some questions at the back of the tier though—Chase Brown draws a tough matchup with the Texans this week, while Omarion Hampton rushed for under 45 yards in the opener against Arizona.

The third tier features multiple veterans coming off solid openers. Javonte Williams and David Montgomery didn't post big yardage numbers in Week 1, but multiple touchdowns propelled them into the top-10 in PPR points. D'Andre Swift got in on the offensive explosion by the Bears with three scores last week, but this week's matchup with Minnesota is considerably less favorable.

This small tier features backs with upside and uncertainty in equal measure. Chuba Hubbard was the Panthers' clear lead back in Week 1, but many still expect Jonathon Brooks to supplant him. Quinshon Judkins had a miserable Week 1 against the Jaguars' No. 1 run defense from a year ago. Travis Etienne didn't see the workload most expected a week ago—just nine carries against the Lions.

By the time you hit the fifth tier of running backs, things start getting dicey. If Week 1 was any indication, Tony Pollard is going to have a low fantasy ceiling in an abysmal Titans offense. The Denver duo of JK Dobbins and R.J. Harvey faces a Jacksonville defense that barely allowed 85 yards per game on the ground a year ago. Kyle Monangai had a big Week 1, but his touches could vary wildly from week to week.

We're in "maybe" flex territory now. Even if TreVeyon Henderson plays in Week 2, his touches could be limited as he recovers from an ankle injury. Jonathon Brooks needed a 48-yard catch to salvage even a "meh" 2026 debut for the Panthers. Blake Corum, Tyler Allgeier and Kaelon Black could all see 15 carries in Week 2—or five.

Tier 7 is deep league flexes and desperation plays. Maybe one of these backup backs will find the end zone or pick up some stats in garbage time. But there isn't a back in the tier who can be slotted in starting lineups without needing a double shot of Mylanta first.

There were any number of big-name wide receivers who started strong in Week 1—Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seahawks and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Lions were both top-10 PPR options.

But the No. 1 wide receiver for the week was someone no one saw coming.

Granted, there was some buzz surrounding Jalen Coker of the Panthers as a late-round breakout candidate over the summer. But even Coker's own mother didn't expect the third-year pro to blow up against Chicago to the tune of eight catches for 138 yards and a pair of scores.

It was a week-winning stat line—that was probably wasted on benches in more fantasy leagues than not.

There's not a lot to say about the Tier 1 wide receivers other than if you have one, he's in the starting lineup. Ja'Marr Chase is a candidate for a "squeaky wheel" game after just two catches for 12 yards in Week 1, while Justin Jefferson will look to build on a strong start to the season despite an injury under center in the Twin Cities.

The Tier 2 wideouts aren't quite the mortal locks that the receivers above them are, but they are still rock-solid fantasy starts in Week 2. Rashee Rice of the Chiefs salvaged his first game with a touchdown, while CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens should rebound from a pedestrian Week 1 against a Commanders team that allowed the fifth-most PPR points per game to wideouts in 2025.

The wide receivers in Tier 3 are better suited to the WR2 slot on fantasy rosters than the top spot, but there are multiple players with top-10 upside. Christian Watson had a massive game in Green Bay's Week 1 loss to Minnesota, while Mike Evans and Brock Purdy appear to already have a strong rapport in San Francisco.

Tier 4 is comprised largely of wide receivers with considerable upside who are trying to shake off a down Week 1. Jaylen Waddle's Broncos debut was a mess—just one catch for two yards. While Coker was going nuts, Tetairoa McMillan finished Week 1 outside the top-30 receivers. Zay Flowers had a bonkers first half against the Colts, but he's questionable for Week 2 after aggravating a hamstring injury he suffered in camp.

Many are probably surprised to see Coker this low after his ridonkulous Week 1 stat line. But fantasy managers shouldn't overreact to one huge game any more than a bad one. With that said, Marvin Harrison Jr. had five fewer targets in the opener than Kendrick Bourne and caught just one pass. If he doesn't rebound this week, Harrison will be hard to start moving forward.

Welcome to the land of "You might have to start one of these wideouts, but you don't have to like it" section of this week's program. Carnell Tate is going to have trouble ever getting untracked if Tennessee's offense can't get going. Brian Thomas Jr. has clearly taken a back seat to Parker Washington (and possibly even Jakobi Meyers) in Jacksonville. Romeo Doubs is the new No. 1 wideout in New England with A.J. Brown out, but his Pats debut was a disaster.

There's a least some fantasy upside this far down the list in surprise standouts like Devaughn Vele and Caleb Douglas, both of whom posted at least WR2 numbers in Week 1. But while there's some upside in Tier 7, there is also an abundance of players with low fantasy floors—fantasy managers could be left holding the bag as easily as raking it in in Week 2 with this bunch.

These wide receivers are the bottom of the barrel—high-variance options who should be started only in the deepest of leagues. Denzel Boston is an excellent example—he was a top-25 wideout last week, but almost all of his production came on one play. Tread lightly—or just steer clear altogether.

OK, so things didn't quite go according to plan for fantasy managers who rolled out Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland in Week 1.

Loveland was a trendy breakout pick this year after a strong finish to his rookie year, with more than a few pundits speculating that he could crack the top tier at his position in 2026. Given that the Bears scored 59 points and amassed over 550 yards of offense against the Carolina Panthers, one would assume that Loveland's breakout had already started.

You know what they say bout assumptions—Loveland was targeted just twice in the game and didn't record a catch.

Loveland's goose-egg is a tough pill to swallow, and this week's visit from the Minnesota Vikings isn't favorable from a fantasy perspective.

But there's nothing to do but roll him out. The turnaround will come.

With Brock Bowers out with a knee injury, Trey McBride is a tier unto himself—only Isaiah Likely of the Giants had more PPR points among tight ends last week than McBride.

Not a lot has changed at tight end in one week—after McBride comes the three-man tier of Loveland, Tyler Warren and Tucker Kraft. None had an especially great game in Week 1, but in accordance with this week's theme all three deserve some patience. Of the trio, Kraft has the best fantasy matchup this week against the Jets.

Likely wasn't the only Tier 3 tight end who blew up in his first game of the season—Dallas Goedert found the end zone twice in the Eagles' nailbiter against the Washington Commanders, and Dalton Kincaid had five catches for 130 yards against the Houston Texans. So long as your starter is in one of the top-three tiers, you should be fine in Week 2.

Loveland wasn't the only big name at tight end who posted a big fat zero in Week 1—with third-string quarterback Cooper Rush under center for the Atlanta Falcons, Kyle Pitts was held catchless as well. Harold Fannin didn't fare much better—three targets, two catches and 21 yards against the Jaguars. Fannin is the better bet to rebound in Week 2—the Tampa Bay Buccaneers surrendered the fourth-most PPR points to tight ends last season.

The fifth tier of tight ends produced multiple viable fantasy starters last week—Mike Gesicki caught five passes for 78 yards and a score against Tampa, while Evan Engram was the lone bright spot for the Denver offense on Monday night. However, it's entirely possible we just saw the best game either tight end will have this season—don't get caught chasing big outings that are unlikely to be duplicated.

Fantasy managers with any other options should avoid the players in this tier—most have a low fantasy ceiling and an even lower floor. Brock Bowers is included here only because the Raiders continue to insist he could return in Week 2. I continue to insist that I will win the Powerball. Both are equally likely—or not.

There's a flip side to the record-setting offensive outburst we saw in Week 1. Quiet a few defenses took it on the chin—including a couple of elite units.

It's still too early to panic about the Houston Texans. It was a bit unsettling to see the ease with which the Buffalo Bills moved the ball in Week 1, but it's still the Bills—Buffalo allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing defenses in 2025. This week's matchup with the Bengals isn't great, but Houston should have more success rushing the passer in Week 2.

However, there's cause for genuine concern with the Denver Broncos. It's not just that the Broncos were boatraced in Kansas City. It's how they lost. The defense just looked bad. The tackling looked like a junior high team.

And in Week 2, the Broncos host a Jacksonville Jaguars team that was a buzzsaw offensively in Week 1 against the Browns.

The top tier of defenses this week is as much about the matchups as the defenses themselves. The Seahawks face a Cardinals team that gave up the seventh-most fantasy points to defenses last season. The Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans were both top-five fantasy matchups in 2025, and both teams looked terrible offensively in their 2026 openers.

Tier 2 is a combo platter of matchup plays, high-end defenses with OK (but not great) matchups and big names looking to bounce back. The Saints moved the ball all over the place last week but also gave up multiple big plays, so the Ravens should be a solid play. The Rams are far better defensively than what they showed in Week 1, and so are their SoFi Stadium roomies in the Chargers. Both defenses should rebound this week.

By the end of Tier 3, the defenses that can be started with a reasonable amount of confidence are just about exhausted. Given how badly the Broncos struggled offensively in Week 1, the Jaguars have gone from Week 1 rental to potential multi-week starter. If the Chiefs can contain Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the team could post a second straight top-10 fantasy finish to open the season.

There's at least a little "Hail Mary" appeal with a couple of the Tier 4 defenses—the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears face opponents in Week 2 who were kind to opposing defenses in 2025. But these are either bad defenses or OK units with sketchy matchups. Look elsewhere if at all possible.

Let's see, how best to put this? Don't do it. Sure, one of these defenses could log a pick-six or return a punt and pull a good fantasy outing out of the ether. But it's far more likely that fantasy managers will get little to nothing out of this batch of porous defensive units.

Generally speaking, a short leash is advisable with kickers. If a guy isn't scoring points, off to the waiver wire he goes—period. It doesn't matter who it is.

However, since I'm such a nice guy, we'll give Brandon Aubrey of the Dallas Cowboys one more chance.

Aubrey has one of the biggest legs in the game. Last year, only Jason Myers of the Seahawks had more points among kickers than Aubrey. But his Week 1 stat line was a major letdown. Zero field goal tries. A missed extra point. And two fantasy points.

The Cowboys should have more luck offensively this week against a Commanders team that was mediocre at best defensively a year ago. Provided that's the course, Aubrey's a good bet to turn things around.

However, if he has another down game, don't be afraid to cut bait.

Aubrey and Cam Little are in a class of their own among kickers. Both play on teams capable of piling up points and marching up and down the field. Both also have the ability to hit field goals from 60-plus yards without breaking a sweat.

The Tier 2 kickers are reliable weekly starters far more often than not—proven veteran options on good offenses with a track record of producing. Cameron Dicker is another big-name at the position who had a bad Week 1, but the Chargers should be able to get the offense back on track at home against the Raiders.

There's some appeal from a few of the Tier 3 kickers—most of whom are available on the waiver wire. Trey Smack is a big-legged youngster who nailed a 59-yarder last week. Chris Boswell isn't exciting, but he's been a consistent fantasy option for years. Jake Elliott and Tyler Bass both play for teams that should have offensive success this week.

Said it last week. Will say it next week. And the week after that. In 99 percent of fantasy leagues, if you're starting a kicker from the bottom tier at the position, something has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

Before we get to this week's list of the top-125 players overall, a couple of notes.

As always, the first is that there are no quarterbacks on this list. So, while it can help you make "flex" lineup decisions, in "superflex" leagues you need to ask yourself one question—is my QB2 any good? If he is, start him.

The second note is this. No one wants to start the season 0-1. But half of every league does it every year. Don't exacerbate the situation by panic-dropping players or making cute lineup calls two weeks into the season.

This isn't to say that hot (and cold) starts should be ignored. All information has value. But it's one week. Stars who started slow will turn things around—possibly as soon as this week. Week 1's surprise studs can just as easily be Week 2's duds that aren't a surprise at all.

Take a breath. Stay the course. Start your starters.

Every little thing is gonna be all right.

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow Gary on X at @IDPGodfather .