Fantasy Football Week 2 Wide Receiver Late-Game Start/Sit Decisions: Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., and More

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka entered the league as a first-round pick, putting expectations on him to perform early in his career. It seemed like he might be a little buried on the depth chart right away, but veteran Chris Godwin is still out after suffering a dislocated ankle last season, and Jalen McMillan is on IR to start the season, so Egbuka was called on immediately.

He didn't disappoint in Week 1, leading his team in receiving yards and touchdowns in a game his team won by only three points. Egbuka is a popular name coming across our FantsySP start/sit tool as fantasy owners try to determine if his performance will continue to Week 2.

Let's look at Egbuka and three receivers from the late games/night games who are being compared to him often using the start/sit tool: Marvin Harrison Jr., Tetairoa McMillan, and Courtland Sutton.

Use the FantasySP Who Should I Start? tool each week to help make your toughest lineup decisions!

Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Houston Texans

This is a tough matchup for Egbuka. Houston allowed the second-fewest yards per pass attempt last season, though Matthew Stafford was able to find some success in Week 1, gaining 245 yards on 8.4 per attempt. I'm not betting on too many teams having good passing games against the Texans.

Last week's game against the Falcons represented an OK matchup, as they were in the middle last year in terms of yards per attempt allowed. While Atlanta added a few defensive pieces, including two first-round pass rushers, I still see them as an average defense at best who can still be beat.

Egbuka totaled four catches, 67 yards, and two scores in his first game. His six targets tied for second on the team behind Mike Evans, a trend likely to continue until other players make it back. We can likely count on Egbuka for at least decent volume, and that creates fantasy value given his pedigree.

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals vs. Carolina Panthers

I wrote earlier this week that we overlooked Harrison's rookie season because he didn't break records like Malik Nabers or even Brock Bowers. Harrison still hauled in 62 receptions for 885 yards and eight touchdowns; if we weren't enamored by the recent superstar play of pass-catching rookies, Harrison would have been more lauded for that performance.

In Week 1, Harrison picked up right where he left off, catching five passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. A player who looked like a generational talent entering the league doesn't have much reason to expect less right now.

The matchup here also couldn't be much better on paper. The Panthers gave up the most points of any team last season and allowed 26 to the Jaguars in Week 1. Carolina also allowed the fourth-most yards per pass attempt in 2024. While they were better in that department against Jacksonville, the game was also not close in the second half, so the Jags didn't have to do much.

Harrison is a budding receiver with a great matchup here, and it could lead to a big day for the young receiver.

Advice: Start Marvin Harrison Jr. over Emeka Egbuka

Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers @ Arizona Cardinals

On the opposite sideline from Harrison is the rookie McMillan, who led his team in Week 1 with five catches for 68 yards. McMillan will likely lead the way most weeks, but the question is how much the Carolina passing game can produce. Bryce Young threw for just 154 yards in Week 1 on 4.4 yards per attempt.

The Jaguars in Week 1 were an easy matchup based on last year's numbers, as Jacksonville allowed more yards per pass attempt than any other team. They have highly regarded players on the defensive line and a good cornerback in Tyson Campbell, but I have a hard time believing that the Jags will make a huge jump; this had more to do with the Panthers.

Arizona might have an above-average defense. They have built a solid group of players at every level on the D and held the Saints to just 13 points in Week 1. Spencer Rattler averaged 4.7 yards per pass attempt on the way to 214 yards, and the Saints barely broke 300 total yards.

That was an easier matchup for the Cardinals, but I'm expecting them to be stout many weeks, and that includes against the Panthers here.

Advice: Start Emeka Egbuka over Tetairoa McMillan

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos @ Indianapolis Colts

Sutton's performance since Bo Nix got to town has him on the verge of being a must-start player. In 2024, he had 81 receptions for 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns. He kept the good times rolling in Week 1, hauling in six passes for 61 yards and a score. Sutton is the unquestioned top target in Denver.

That came against a tougher defense in Tennessee; the Titans were in the top 10 in least yards per pass attempt allowed last season. Indianapolis allowed the fifth-most yards per attempt, seemingly offering the opposite matchup here. The Colts made moves to improve the defense in the offseason, though, most notably bringing in cornerback Charvarius Ward and free safety Cam Bynum.

Indy locked up the Dolphins in Week 1, allowing just 4.7 yards per pass attempt to the combination of Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson while causing Tua to throw two interceptions and lose a fumble. Tyreek Hill had four catches for 40 yards and Jaylen Waddle four for 30 yards.

It was a great start, but I'm betting that the game had more to do with Miami's ineptitude than Indianapolis' stifling defense. They can be good, but they won't be that great all season. Also, Ward is out in Week 2 with a concussion, making things easier on the Denver receivers.

Advice: Start Courtland Sutton over Emeka Egbuka