The 2022 Bucs are loaded with talent at every skill position, making for some good options in fantasy football play. In both season-long formats and daily fantasy sports (DFS), Tampa Bay has a plethora of viable options that could produce points for your team. Each week, I’ll take a look at the best options to start and sit, as well as a few sleepers to roll with in both formats.

Here is the Bucs’ fantasy outlook for Sunday afternoon’s Week 2 matchup against the Saints in New Orleans:

Start ‘Em

RB Leonard Fournette

Coming off a 127-yard performance by Fournette in Dallas last Sunday, the Bucs are sure to try and get the running game going once again against the Saints. History tells us to proceed with caution, as Tampa Bay has averaged just 70 yards on the ground through the past four matchups with the Saints. But with a renewed emphasis on the running game, expect the Bucs to run early and often and Fournette to still provide a safety valve out of the back field. Start “Fantasy Lenny” with confidence.

Bucs WR Julio Jones – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

WR Julio Jones

Jones is dealing with a knee injury and didn’t practice until Friday, but he has feasted against the Saints in the past. For his career, he has 102 receptions against New Orleans and averages 89 yards per game. Oh, and that wasn’t with a receiver the caliber of Mike Evans opposite him. He is also a threat in the run game as we saw in Week 1. Jones going to be a game time decision so you will have to monitor his status before game time. But if he is active, he is affordable at a modest price in most DFS formats and is a solid flex option this week.

Sit ‘Em

QB Tom Brady

Since joining Tampa Bay in 2020, Brady has thrown just six touchdowns compared to his eight interceptions and has been sacked 14 times over four regular season losses to the Saints. Add in the fact that the Bucs plan to put an emphasis on establishing the running game and it’s probably a safe bet to keep Brady out of your DFS lineups.

Bucs WR Mike Evans – Photo by: Getty Images

WR Mike Evans

Evans has found the end zone just once in the last four meetings between these two teams. And in that game, it was his only reception for just two yards. In fact, his highest fantasy output has been just 11 points. Evans just hasn’t been a safe bet to produce against the Saints. Start him in season-long formats and pray as he is probably your top receiver, but leave him on the bench in DFS.

Sleepers

WR Russell Gage

Gage continues to nurse his way back from a hamstring injury and was a limited participant all week in practice. His season debut against the Cowboys saw him reel in just two passes for 13 yards. He did, however, have nine receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in his last matchup with the Saints, back when he was with the Falcons. He’s a bargain option in DFS as a flex play and in three-receiver and two-flex season-long leagues.

Bucs WR Russell Gage – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bucs D/ST

The Bucs defense and special teams land here again after a solid week of production against the Cowboys. After a four-sack and one-interception performance, the Bucs could build on those stats again this week. The Saints have some issues along the offensive line and Jameis Winston is still New Orleans’ quarterback. Tampa Bay left a few picks and sacks on the table last week and given the opportunity, I don’t think they miss those again this week.