NFL Fantasy Names Bryce Young Week 2 QB Start, Malik Willis Top Sit

Q: Will Brandon Young's historic chemistry with Jalen Coker be enough to torch the Falcons' defense again in Week 2?

Yes—there is a strong case that Brandon Young can punish Atlanta again in Week 2, and his chemistry with Jalen Coker is a major reason why. The fantasy case is built on both production and matchup. Young has thrown multiple touchdown passes in three of his last four games and has averaged 19.1 fantasy points per game since Week 11 of last season. His connection with Coker has been elite by the numbers: a 135.9 passer rating when targeting him, the best among quarterback-receiver pairings with at least 45 targets since the start of the 2025 season. Coker also enters this game hot after his explosive Week 1 line against Chicago and a strong playoff showing late last season. Atlanta’s defensive situation adds to the optimism. The Falcons are dealing with injuries and pass-rush instability, and outside of Bijan Robinson, they looked shaky as a team in Week 1. Reports around the Falcons also point to uncertainty at quarterback, which could leave their defense on the field too long if Carolina controls tempo or forces Atlanta into mistakes. There are still some cautions. Carolina allowed 59 points in Week 1, so game flow could shift in unpredictable ways, and Coker has been managing an ankle issue, even if he is not expected to miss time. Still, Young already posted 448 yards and three touchdowns against Atlanta in their last meeting, and the current version of the Falcons does not appear better equipped to stop him. That makes another strong Week 2 outing more likely than not.

Q: Can Will Willis overcome a brutal 49ers matchup using his rushing ability, or is a fantasy disaster inevitable?

Will Willis can salvage some fantasy value with his legs, but against San Francisco the safer expectation is a low-output day rather than a true breakout. The case for optimism is narrow but real. Willis’ rushing ability is what kept his Week 1 line from collapsing entirely, as he scored on a 14-yard run. Fantasy analysts have noted all offseason that his mobility can keep him relevant even when the passing numbers are shaky. If Miami leans more on designed runs, read-options and play-action off De’Von Achane, Willis has a path to usable production in deeper or superflex formats. The bigger body of evidence points the other way for Week 2. He was inefficient against Las Vegas, completed just 55.6% of his passes, threw an interception, took five sacks and did not produce a passing touchdown. That is a dangerous profile going into a matchup with a 49ers defense that just held the Rams to seven points and is coming off a strong opener led by Fred Warner and a healthy front. San Francisco is also being widely targeted as a top fantasy D/ST play this week specifically because Miami’s offense looked disjointed. So the rushing gives Willis a better floor than a pure pocket passer would have in this matchup, but it likely is not enough to outweigh the sack risk, stalled drives and limited passing upside. He is not unplayable in two-quarterback formats, but in standard one-QB leagues the odds favor disappointment.

3 articles · Updated · NFL.com · Sep 16

Bryce Young was tagged Week 2's quarterback Start of the Week after averaging 19.1 fantasy points per game since Week 11 last season.
That call leans on both form and matchup: Young has multiple TD passes in three of his last four games and faces a Falcons defense missing multiple key defenders.
Young also torched Atlanta for 448 passing yards, three touchdowns and 31.8 fantasy points in their last meeting in Week 11 of 2025.
Malik Willis drew Sit of the Week after a shaky opener against Las Vegas — 55.6% passing, one interception, no passing TDs — before a tougher test against San Francisco.
The broader Week 2 list also elevated Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, Matthew Stafford and Baker Mayfield as starts, while warning on Justin Herbert if Ladd McConkey sits and on rookie Tyler Shough on the road.