FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: The Primer: Must-Start Players for Week 2 (Ep. 1702)

Date: September 12, 2025
Host: Seth Woolcock
Expert Guest: Derrick Brown (“DBro”)

Episode Overview

This episode of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast is the Week 2 “Primer,” where hosts Seth Woolcock and Derrick Brown select, debate, and analyze their must-start players for the upcoming slate of fantasy football games. The duo dissects week one performances, warns against overreacting (or underreacting) to small samples, and validate player trends with actionable data and hard-hitting, good-natured banter. Ownership, player trust, and positional depth are all on the table in this lively, stat-rich discussion aiming to give fantasy managers a decisive edge for Week 2.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Week 1 Takeaways & Setting the Table

• Regression Is Coming: Derrick notes many players just missed big week one games due to missed opportunities and expects significant positive regression in Week 2.

  “A lot of guys were really close or could have had big games, but they didn't… I think week two is going to be a reckoning.” (01:59, Derrick)

• Caution Against Overreaction: Seth and Derrick emphasize balancing optimism and skepticism, warning listeners not to overreact (or underreact) to Week 1 data.

2. Must-Start Quarterback

Dak Prescott – Dallas Cowboys

ECR: QB12

• Rationale: Dak suffered from drops (61 passing yards lost), and “multiple touchdowns lost” in Week 1, but underlying stats (6th in catchable target rate, 3rd in “hero throw” rate) point to a major bounce-back opportunity against a poor Giants secondary.
• Giants Defensive Struggles: Allowed the 11th highest yards per attempt and produced the 8th lowest pressure rate in Week 1.
• Key Quote:

  “When you're a quarterback that led the NFL in yards lost in week one due to drops... Dak was so close to a monster game and I'm going right back to the well.” (03:36, Derrick)

• Matchup Note: Seth highlights Dallas’ offensive line’s surprising strength vs. Philadelphia.

  “I'm not afraid of this Giant secondary at all. If Dak Prescott has the time and CeeDee Lamb can make some catches...” (05:09, Seth)

Timestamp: 03:36–06:01

3. Must-Start Running Backs

J.K. Dobbins – Denver Broncos

ECR: RB27

• Evolving Backfield: Although Denver unexpectedly used a three-headed committee in Week 1, Dobbins emerged as the leader (53% snaps, all 3 red zone carries, 18 touches).
• Impressive Efficiency: 19% missed tackle rate, 2.63 yards after contact.
• Matchup Advantage: The Colts (Denver’s opponent) surrendered the highest yards after contact per attempt and 6th highest rush success rate in Week 1.
• Volume and Role Security:

  “If he's getting the guy like the, the red zone carries, then you're looking at 15 to 17 [touches] with touchdown equity. That's an RB2, dude.” (09:13, Derrick)

Isaiah Pacheco – Kansas City Chiefs

ECR: RB32

• High Upside, Volatility Warning: Limited touches in Week 1, but looked “good” on a per-touch basis (20% missed tackle rate, 3.2 YAC/att).
• Philly Run Defense Vulnerabilities: Eagles allowed 7th highest yards after contact/att and 6th lowest stuff rate.
• Game Script Key: Chiefs should lean on the run, especially with injuries:

  “If KC does what I think they should do and leans on their ground game this week...he's gonna walk away with a really strong day.” (12:46, Derrick)

Timestamp: 06:13–14:19

4. Must-Start Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen – Los Angeles Chargers

ECR: WR38

• Still WR1: Led the Chargers with 26.5% target share and strong efficiency stats (2.1 yards/route run, 10th in route win rate).
• Great Matchup: Raiders allowed the 8th most fantasy points and 9th most receiving yards to WRs in Week 1.
• Disrespect in Rankings:

  “I don't understand what people are looking at to rank Keenan Allen as the wide receiver 38 in ECR... Fire up Keenan Allen as a wide receiver two, with confidence this week.” (14:51, Derrick)

Kayshon Boutte – New England Patriots

ECR: WR53

• Emerging Role: Led Patriots in Week 1 first-read share (23.3%), flashed big-play ability (2.58 yards/route).
• Dating Back: Strong close to 2024 season (21.3% target share, 2.79 YPRR over weeks 16–18).
• Soft Matchup: Dolphins’ secondary allowed the 7th-most PPR points/target to perimeter WRs in Week 1.
• On Getting Overlooked:

  “Maybe we didn't give him enough credence for what he did at the end of last season. Myself included… I think that's more real than it is fake…” (18:11, Derrick)

• Seth agrees, noting he trusts Boutte over Diggs for Week 2.

  “I trust Booty at this point more than I do someone like Stefan Diggs. I really do.” (21:03, Seth)

Timestamp: 14:51–22:17

5. Must-Start Tight End

Hunter Henry – New England Patriots

ECR: TE12

• Strong Usage: 93% snap share, 17.4% target share, 21% first-read share, 66 receiving yards in Week 1. “If you added a touchdown, he'd have been a top-5 tight end…”
• Favorable Matchup: Miami allowed the 12th-most receiving yards and fantasy points to TE last year and gave up a top-5 Week 1 finish to Tyler Warren.
• Volume to Support Multiple Pats:

  “The passing volume will be there this week for an offense that… passed at a top five rate. None of us saw that coming.” (25:17, Derrick)

• Seth playfully notes Henry’s rollercoaster history, but likes the recent opportunity.

  “I've always compared him a bit to like a toxic ex you keep going back to and eventually they keep burning you. But …we're seeing the usage, right?” (25:23, Seth)

Timestamp: 22:27–26:02

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Derrick, on overreacting to Week 1:

  "You don't want to overreact to what you see in week one but you also can't underreact to some of the usage you do see." (02:25)

• Seth, about George Pickens:

  "Nobody gets worse calls in the NFL than George Pickens…this guy has lost so many yards and touchdowns over the years..." (05:09)

• Derrick's self-awareness:

  "I think Harvey's eventually going to own the backfield...But yes, Dobbins right now the matchup is there, the workload is there and people need to sit here and wake up..." (09:13)

• On overlooked Keenan Allen:

  "People are not putting enough respect on his name and it's like, bro, just throw all the priors into the trash." (16:53)

• Patriots receiver room confusion:

  “I think he just got lost in the mix, lost in the equation...None of us were talking about Keisha Boute. None of us, myself included.” (21:37)

Timestamps: Must-Start Picks & Analysis

• Dak Prescott (QB) – 03:36–06:01
• J.K. Dobbins (RB) – 06:13–10:11
• Isaiah Pacheco (RB) – 10:24–14:19
• Keenan Allen (WR) – 14:51–18:11
• Kayshon Boutte (WR) – 18:11–22:17
• Hunter Henry (TE) – 22:27–26:02

Final Thoughts

The hosts provide listeners with a critical, measured look at Week 2, urging managers to look past raw Week 1 fantasy scores and target smart play volume, strong matchups, and overlooked talents (especially in Denver and New England). They deliver their signature blend of actionable stats, sharp analysis, and honest course corrections—reminding everyone that flexibility and context are the keys to winning your league.

For your lineup questions or to win a signed Jamar Chase jersey, catch the show on YouTube and interact with the FantasyPros community!