7 Week 2 Fantasy Breakouts In 2025 That Upended Early Rankings

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By: Jessica Morrison

Surprise fuels these Top 7 Week 2 breakouts. This list pulls directly from ESPN’s Week 2 winners and injury coverage to show which players rewired fantasy rosters on Sep. 14, 2025. Each item below pairs a verified stat with a quick take on roster moves you should make now. Which of these hot starts will last the month – and which are sell-high candidates?

Why these 7 Week 2 breakouts matter for your 2025 rankings

  • Malik Nabers erupted for 37.7 PPR on Sep. 14; immediate WR1 upside.
  • Amon‑Ra St. Brown piled up 39.2 PPR and three TDs; matchup-proof threat.
  • Ja’Marr Chase scored 36.5 PPR despite Joe Burrow leaving with a toe injury.

The 7 picks that redefined Week 2 and what you should do now

1 – Malik Nabers – The sophomore who just demanded a first‑round tag

Nabers delivered a career‑high 37.7 PPR and a 48‑yard, low‑probability TD that ESPN’s Next Gen Stats put at 16% catch probability. Start him confidently this week; he’s a bonafide WR1 until proven otherwise.

Short scan: move him into your WR1 slot.

2 – Amon‑Ra St. Brown – A five‑TD week that screams buy now

St. Brown’s 39.2 PPR came on nine catches, 115 yards, three TDs with Jared Goff in clean pockets. This performance shifts his floor and ceiling upward; consider upgrading him in trade talks.

Short scan: you’ll want him Sunday.

3 – Ja’Marr Chase – Elite output even with Burrow exiting early

Chase finished 36.5 PPR and caught 10 of 14 targets with backup Jake Browning in relief, proving his volume is real even if Burrow misses time. If you need WR firepower, Chase is a locked-in starter.

Short scan: keep him, not sell him.

4 – Rome Odunze – Rookie volume turns into instant fantasy trust

Odunze notched 31.8 PPR with two TDs and now has 20 targets through two games, signaling a clear No. 1 role for Caleb Williams. If you roster him, ride the volume; if not, call around the wire.

Short scan: target him in trades.

5 – James Cook – Goal‑line work that changes committee math

Cook scored twice and posted 26.5 PPR, taking meaningful goal-line work from Josh Allen. That usage raises his weekly floor against run-friendly defenses. Start him confidently in favorable matchups.

Short scan: start in most formats.

6 – Puka Nacua – Target share that suddenly looks sustainable

Nacua totaled 27.6 PPR and holds roughly a 33% team target share over two games, per ESPN reporting, placing him alongside Davante Adams as Stafford’s top options. Expect steadier production; stash or start depending on your depth.

Short scan: consider him a weekly WR2.

7 – Tucker Kraft – The tight end you can actually trust right now

Kraft scored 24.4 PPR (six catches, 124 yards, TD) and has now found the end zone in both games, turning him into an immediate TE1 option for managers burned in drafts. If your TE slot is thin, pick him up.

Short scan: waiver priority material.

The numbers that matter after Week 2 that predict staying power

KPI Value + Unit Change/Impact
Highest single‑game PPR 39.2 PPR Amon‑Ra raises WR1 floor
Most single‑game PPR 37.7 PPR Malik Nabers forces roster moves
Top WR target share ~33% Puka Nacua becomes weekly starter

Which of these rises still feel like temporary fireworks in 2025?

Short-term wins matter, but roster decisions require context: matchups, injuries, and quarterback status all reshape value. With Joe Burrow’s toe issue noted by ESPN and other QB uncertainties, consider Chase and Nabers must-starts while monitoring Burrow’s availability. Which breakout will you act on first – buy, stash, or sell?

Sources

  • https://www.espn.com/fantasy/football/story/_/page/FFSundayHighLows-46258492/nfl-week-2-fantasy-football-winners-losers-injuries-rankings-more

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