Fantasy start/sit: Week 2 edition

Last week is over and done with — your Las Vegas Raiders are 1-0!

Fantasy football is now in the equation after the Thursday Night results are long behind us. Who are you starting and who are you sitting this week? Let’s let the “experts” from around the country tell us who on the Raiders you should start, or sit, this weekend.

Quarterback — Derek Carr

Sit (CBSSports.com):

Carr didn’t play as well as expected in Week 1 at Carolina with 15 Fantasy points, and he shouldn’t have a big outing this week against the Saints, even in the first game for the Raiders in Las Vegas. We’ll see if Henry Ruggs III is 100 percent after getting banged up in Week 1, and Carr could use some big plays from Ruggs to succeed. The Saints defense should be able to pressure Carr, and this secondary should keep him in check. I’m not sure I want to trust Carr even in two-quarterback and Superflex leagues in Week 2.

Sit (SportingNews.com):

The Raiders are clearly a run-first team and won’t suddenly get flashy and force a shootout against the Saints.

Sit (Sports Illustrated)

Running Back — Josh Jacobs

Must Start (PressBoxOnline)

Wide Receiver — Henry Ruggs

Sit (CBSSports.com):

Ruggs was on his way toward a big game in Week 1 at Carolina with three catches for 55 yards in the first half, including a 45-yard reception where he was dragged down at the 1-yard line. He injured his knee before halftime and didn’t have a catch in the second half, but he’s expected to be fine this week. That said, this is a tough matchup against Lattimore and the Saints. I’m excited for Ruggs’ outlook for the rest of the year, but I don’t want to start him in most leagues this week.

Sit (SportingNews.com):

The rookie faces a tough secondary matchup here, and Carr keeps spreading the ball around for a run-heavy team.

Sit (Sports Illustrated)

Other items of note — NFL.com says to start Jared Cook, the New Orleans Saints TE AGAINST the Raiders defense. Makes sense with Michael Thomas out, here’s what they had to say:

Cook outscored Michael Thomas last week, which was what we were all expecting coming into the first weekend of the season. I jest, obviously. But Cook had seven targets which he turned into five receptions and 13 fantasy points. What stood out to me was Cook had 75 air yards, which was fourth among tight ends. And then there is that huge bummer, where Michael Thomas is going to be out a few weeks with a high-ankle injury. Which means there could be even more opportunity for Cook in this offense.

CBSSports.com, on the other hand, says to sit Saints QB Drew Brees against the Raiders defense.

You know the story with Brees by now that Michael Thomas (ankle) is out, which makes it hard to trust Brees as a must-start option. He’s more of a bust alert than an outright sit, mostly because the matchup is great against the Raiders, even on the road. I can see Sean Payton using more of Taysom Hill than we like to be creative without Thomas, and this could get frustrating for Brees until Thomas returns. For now, consider Brees a low-end starting option at best while Thomas is hurt.

So, who you starting this weekend?