This article is part of our Fanball Fantasy Football series.
Week 2 of the NFL season offers a bounce-back opportunity for those who didn't fare well in Week 1 or a chance to keep the good times rolling for those who did. The Fanball format calls for a QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, TE, FLEX WR/TE, FLEX RB/WR/TE, D/ST lineup with a $55,000 salary cap. The players below can fit into lineups regardless of strategy, as they all offer strong value relative to price.
QUARTERBACK
Matt Ryan, ATL vs. GB ($7,800): Ryan averaged 322.6 passing yards per game while posting a 19:4 touchdown to interception ratio at home last year, as his speedy receivers knew how to take advantage of the Georgia Dome's turf. The new Mercedes-Benz Stadium features the same surface and conditions, so the veteran should once again thrive against a Packers defense that did well in Week 1 but still has plenty of questions surrounding it after allowing the second-most passing yards in the league in 2016. Green Bay also has the offensive firepower to keep up with the high-flying Falcons, so Atlanta's unlikely to build a big lead and abandon the passing game. Despite all these advantages, Ryan is priced below five alternatives at his position.
Sam Bradford, MIN at PIT ($5,800): Many fantasy owners sat idly by as Ryan put up huge numbers in the early portion of the 2016 campaign, failing to react until his success was already priced into his valuation. Don't make the same mistake with Bradford, who dismantled the Saints with 346 yards and three touchdowns Monday night. At only $5,800, the 2010 first overall pick is a low-risk, high-reward play against a Steelers team that's been involved in some offensive shootouts the last few years.
RUNNING BACK
Tarik Cohen, CHI at TB ($3,600): The Fanball pricing system hasn't seen enough of Tarik Cohen to raise his valuation yet, creating an opportunity for savvy players to get ahead of the curve. The versatile Chicago running back has been among this week's most added options in season-long formats, and for good reason. He led the Bears in both rushing and receiving yardage while finding paydirt in Week 1 and should continue to be heavily involved in the passing game given the injuries to the team's receiving corps. Like Bradford, Cohen carries plenty of upside without burning a hole in your wallet.
Javorius Allen, BAL vs. CLE ($3,000): Allen received 21 carries last week while playing more snaps than nominal starter Terrance West. He's also a better receiver than West and thus the more natural fit to take on some of the pass-catching duties available with Danny Woodhead (hamstring) sidelined the next few weeks. While the Browns shut down a possibly rusty Le'Veon Bell last week, it takes more than one strong performance to go from league laughingstock to feared run-stopping unit.
Ty Montgomery, GB at ATL ($6,600): Montgomery got into the end zone as both a runner and a receiver in Week 1 and is set up for similar success in what's shaping up to be a shootout in Atlanta. In addition to being the top goal-line option on the ground, the former wide receiver has tremendous hands for catching the ball and quarterback Aaron Rodgers' trust. Add the offense-friendly dome conditions for this contest and you get a formula for fantasy success.
WIDE RECEIVER
John Brown, ARI at IND ($4,000): Brown is primed to see terrific volume relative to his price against a porous pass defense that just allowed more than 300 passing yards to Jared Goff. Arizona's No. 2 wide receiver tied running back David Johnson for second on the team with nine targets last week and should be even more heavily involved in the passing game with Johnson sidelined by a wrist injury. Larry Fitzgerald doesn't have much room for growth after leading the league in receptions last year and notching 13 targets in Week 1, but Brown's floor just got much higher while his price did not.
Brandin Cooks, NE at NO ($7,700): Forgetting the whole "revenge on his former team" storyline, Cooks is a No. 1 wide receiver facing a defense that just gave up 250 yards and two touchdowns combined to Vikings wideouts Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen after allowing the most passing yards in the league last year. Tom Brady and Drew Brees likely will trade scores in this Superdome showdown, and Cooks is the surest bet for receiving production of any option from either team.
Corey Davis, TEN at JAC ($5,000): Davis described his hamstring as "90 percent healthy" last week, yet still came up with six catches for 69 yards in his NFL debut against Oakland. With another week to get closer to full strength, the fifth overall pick out of Western Michigan should improve on that performance against a Jaguars defense that allowed top Houston receiver DeAndre Hopkins to score in Week 1. Given how well most wide receivers picked in the top 10 recently have performed during their rookie seasons, Davis is significantly underpriced at only $5,000.
TIGHT END
Jimmy Graham, SEA vs. SF ($5,600): Graham abused the porous 49ers defense last year with 164 yards and a touchdown combined in two meetings and should find success once again here after a quiet Week 1. He's the second option in this passing game behind wide receiver Doug Baldwin, but there should be plenty of opportunities to go around for both and Graham costs $1,300 less. With poor offensive line play likely to limit Seattle's production on the ground, this home opener is shaping up to be a big game for the team's aerial attack.
Coby Fleener, NO vs. NE ($4,700): Brees should carve up a Patriots secondary that just allowed a league-high 352 passing yards to Kansas City's Alex Smith, and Fleener's arguably his most reliable weapon. The tight end tied for the team lead with 54 Week 1 receiving yards while also getting into the end zone and appears to have a much better grasp of the system after a lackluster first season in New Orleans. Brees loves getting his tight ends involved, especially by the goal line, so Fleener's affordable price belies his likely level of involvement.
DEFENSE
Seattle Seahawks, SEA vs. SF ($3,300): Seattle's defense is surprisingly priced below eight units despite a nearly ideal matchup. The Legion of Boom and co. will be out for blood in their home opener after a Week 1 loss at Lambeau Field and get a perfect opponent to take their frustrations out on in the 49ers. San Francisco managed just three points at home against Carolina last week and has no notable weapons outside of running back Carlos Hyde and possession receiver Pierre Garcon. The Seahawks will be disappointed if San Francisco even cracks double-digit points here.
Los Angeles Rams, LAR vs. WAS ($3,200): Los Angeles makes this column for the second consecutive week after a monstrous performance against the Luckless Colts that included two pick-sixes. Washington surrendered a defensive touchdown in its opener as well while quarterback Kirk Cousins looked like prime Jets Mark Sanchez with an interception and two lost fumbles. Defensive maestro Wade Phillips will also have star defensive tackle Aaron Donald back in the lineup after he missed the opener due to a contract-related holdout, so this defense looks primed for another strong performance at home.
