Matthew Berry published his positional PPR rankings for Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season on NBC Sports, updating lists for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends. The release highlights top-tier names—Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, Ja’Marr Chase and Brock Bowers—while listing extended rankings (30 QBs, 60 RBs, 60 WRs, 30 TEs). Berry notes the lists are updated across the week and promotes his daily Fantasy Football Happy Hour and Sunday Fantasy Football Pregame on Peacock and YouTube. Managers should use these ranks as a baseline and monitor late-breaking injury and role news before final lineups.
Key Takeaways
- Lamar Jackson is the No. 1 QB for Week 2, matched against the Cleveland Browns; the QB list includes 30 names through Russell Wilson at No. 30.
- Christian McCaffrey tops the RB board (49ers vs. Saints); the RB list spans 60 players with Christian, Saquon Barkley and De’Von Achane among the top five.
- Ja’Marr Chase is the No. 1 wide receiver (Bengals vs. Jaguars); the WR rankings list 60 receivers led by Chase, Puka Nacua and CeeDee Lamb.
- Brock Bowers is the top tight end, followed by Trey McBride and Tyler Warren in a 30-player TE listing.
- Several rookie quarterbacks appear in Week 2 ranks: Drake Maye (No. 10), Caleb Williams (No. 15) and J.J. McCarthy (No. 18), highlighting rookie fantasy potential and uncertainty.
- Bye-week impact: multiple high-end starters have Week 8–14 byes; managers should note bye weeks for roster planning (e.g., Christian McCaffrey Bye 14, Ja’Marr Chase Bye 10).
- Berry emphasizes continual updates; expect ranking movement through the week as injuries, practice reports and game-time decisions emerge.
Background
Week 2 rankings arrive at the start of a season where early data, small sample sizes and training-camp reports set the baseline for fantasy decision-making. Berry’s Week 2 lists reflect preseason expectations combined with Week 1 results, integrating usage patterns, target shares and early injury reports. Fantasy managers rely on positional ranks to decide start/sit choices, trades and waiver priorities; early-season volatility makes rank interpretation more tactical than definitive. The PPR format elevates pass-catching backs and slot receivers, a theme visible in Berry’s elevated placements for multi-role, reception-heavy players.
The NFL calendar and team byes already affect roster construction; Berry lists bye weeks next to each player to aid planning. Rookies and new starters are prominent this week, which increases roster turnover and creates streaming opportunities. Matchup context is also central: a player’s Week 2 opponent is noted for each ranking to help owners weigh matchup-based choices. Berry’s daily shows and Peacock programming offer further discussion and midweek updates that can change rank priority before kickoff.
Main Event
Berry’s Week 2 release presents full positional pads: 30 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 60 wide receivers and 30 tight ends, each annotated with team, opponent and bye week. On the QB list the mobile and dual-threat Lamar Jackson sits at No. 1 heading into a Browns matchup, followed by Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts in the top three. The rankings mix established stars (Patrick Mahomes No. 7) with immediate-impact rookies (Drake Maye No. 10, Caleb Williams No. 15), reflecting both ceiling and risk assessments for owners.
At running back Christian McCaffrey holds the top spot, with Saquon Barkley and De’Von Achane rounding out the top three; Berry’s PPR emphasis props pass-catching backs as higher-value assets. Wide receiver rankings place Ja’Marr Chase first, with Puka Nacua and CeeDee Lamb close behind—Berry flags slot-versus-vertical usage and quarterback play as differentiators among receivers. The tight end board is led by Brock Bowers, then Trey McBride and Tyler Warren, signaling a shift toward younger, high-target TEs in fantasy value charts.
The release also lists many mid-tier and deep-league names to help managers fill benches and search for waiver targets. Notable matchup notes include several high-profile contests—Chiefs vs. Eagles and Bills vs. Jets—that affect multiple fantasy starters. Berry reiterates that the ranks will be revised if practice reports or injury updates emerge, so owners should treat these lists as a dynamic tool rather than a final verdict. Overall, the Week 2 lists are a practical starting point for lineup decisions ahead of Sunday’s games.
Analysis & Implications
Tiered QB valuation: placing Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen atop the QB list signals preference for rushing upside combined with passing efficiency in single-QB and superflex formats. For managers in one-QB leagues, the value gap between the top 10 and the mid-QB group suggests prioritizing RB/WR upgrades over late-round QB upgrades unless streaming matchups look favorable. Because Berry provides opponent context, owners can pair tier-based choices with matchup analytics to maximize Week 2 upside.
PPR impact skews RB rankings toward reception-heavy backs. Christian McCaffrey’s No. 1 spot is driven by expected volume and target share in San Francisco’s scheme; similarly, Jahmyr Gibbs (No. 7) benefits from pass-game work and should be started in PPR lineups. Fantasy managers who roster one or two elite RBs and a deep WR core will find Berry’s lists useful for balancing weekly starts and handcuff decisions—particularly with several change-of-pace and committee backs listed in the mid-20s to 40s.
At WR the early-season rankings reward target certainty and quarterback rapport. Ja’Marr Chase and Puka Nacua anchor many lineups; owners facing tough matchups may pivot to high-floor receivers like Amon‑Ra St. Brown or slot options who draw volume. For tight ends, Brock Bowers’ top billing underlines how positional scarcity still elevates every reliable target; owners in leagues without TE premium should weigh streaming options when top-10 TEs face tough coverage.
Rookies and uncertainty: placements for rookie QBs and younger skill players create both upside and risk. Drake Maye’s top-10 QB slot implies a starting recommendation in many formats, but managers should monitor practice reports and game-planning shifts. The rankings implicitly recommend playing established starters while treating rookies and players with role questions as matchup-dependent decisions, particularly in shallow leagues.
Comparison & Data
| Position | Rank 1 | Rank 2 | Rank 3 | Rank 4 | Rank 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Lamar Jackson | Josh Allen | Jalen Hurts | Jayden Daniels | Joe Burrow |
| RB | Christian McCaffrey | Saquon Barkley | De’Von Achane | Bijan Robinson | Derrick Henry |
| WR | Ja’Marr Chase | Puka Nacua | CeeDee Lamb | Malik Nabers | Justin Jefferson |
| TE | Brock Bowers | Trey McBride | Tyler Warren | Sam LaPorta | Travis Kelce |
The table above compresses the top five names at each position from Berry’s Week 2 lists to help managers spot cross-position value and stacking opportunities. These top fives show a mix of high-floor, volume-driven players and high-ceiling athletes; pairing a top QB with his top WR or analyzing cross-matchup density (e.g., Chiefs‑Eagles game impacting both QBs and WRs) can guide lineup and stack decisions. Use the table as a quick reference and consult the full ranked lists for deeper bench and waiver planning.
Reactions & Quotes
Berry framed the Week 2 release as a baseline that will evolve with new information; managers should expect adjustments as the week progresses. He also promoted his weekday and Sunday programming as supplemental analysis for late-breaking news.
“These ranks are continually updated throughout the week, so check back often.”
Matthew Berry / NBC Sports (media)
Berry’s note to watch updates underscores the practical reality of fantasy lineup management: late practice reports, injury designations and coach comments commonly reshape the best starts and sits. For managers who want live discussion, Berry points to Fantasy Football Happy Hour and Fantasy Football Pregame as places for real-time context.
“Tune into Fantasy Football Happy Hour weekday at 12 p.m. ET on YouTube and on Peacock at 5 p.m. ET for daily analysis.”
NBC Sports / Peacock (program announcement)
Unconfirmed
- Final snap counts and exact target shares for rookies (e.g., Caleb Williams, Drake Maye) remain dependent on Week 2 game plans and are not guaranteed.
- Late-week injuries or practice-designated statuses could move players up or down Berry’s lists before kickoff; those changes were not reflected at the time of publication.
- Any in-season role changes (committee back adjustments, receiver route-tree shifts) listed as probable in some reports were not independently verified before these ranks were published.
Bottom Line
Berry’s Week 2 PPR rankings provide an organized starting point for fantasy managers, emphasizing volume, target share and matchup context across 30–60 player position lists. Use the top-tier placements to set a baseline, but pair those ranks with late-week injury/practice reports and opponent-specific adjustments before finalizing lineups. In PPR leagues, prioritize reception-rich backs and high-target receivers; in deeper formats, consult the extended lists for sleeper and handcuff options.
Finally, treat these rankings as dynamic. Berry’s repeated reminder to check for updates — and to use his daily video programming for context — is a practical nudge: in early-season fantasy, up-to-the-minute information often matters more than small differences between closely ranked players.