Saints Fantasy: Last-Minute Projections vs. Panthers | Week 2

New Orleans Saints fantasy projection against the Panthers in Week 2.

The Derek Carr era in New Orleans kicked off with a 16-15 victory over the Tennessee Titans at the Caesars Superdome. The Saints are preparing for a Monday Night Football showdown against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.

Carolina's defense earned 6.0 points in ESPN Fantasy Football PPR leagues in the 24-10 loss against the Atlanta Falcons – in which the Panthers allowed 131 rushing yards and 91 yards passing. The explosive weapons on the Saints' offense will have an opportunity to take advantage of the Panthers' lackluster defense and record a plethora of points in leagues across the country.

Derek Carr; Credit: USA TODAY SPORTS

Saints Week 1 Results

Carr passed for 305 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the season-opening victory against the Titans. Carr's performance in his first regular season game in New Orleans earned the gunslinger 14.4 points. In the backfield with Carr, running back Jamaal Williams recorded 7.2 points on 45 rushing yards.

The Saints receiving corps finished week one with two wideouts in the top 15 of ESPN's PPR fantasy football rankings. Chris Olave finished with 19.2 points, Rashid Shaheed recorded 19.0 points in week one, Michael Thomas finished with 11.1 points and tight end Juwan Johnson earned 6.6 points.

New Orleans' ferocious defensive unit allowed no touchdowns against the Titans. The Saints secured three sacks and three interceptions in the win, which totaled 12.0 points. Rookie kicker Blake Grupe went 3-of-3 in field goals and made his extra point to earn 12.0 fantasy points in his regular-season debut.

Saints (-2.5) at Panthers Projections (ESPN PPR)

• QB Derek Carr (14.6 points) - QB Rank: 24th
• RB Jamaal Williams (13.2 points) - RB Rank: 22nd
• WR Chris Olave (14.5 points) - WR Rank: 15th
• WR Michael Thomas (11.4 points) - WR Rank: 38th
• WR Rashid Shaheed (9.4 points) - WR Rank: 53rd
• TE Juwan Johnson (7.5 points) - TE Rank: 24th
• Saints D/ST (7.2 points) - D/ST Rank: 4th
• K Blake Grupe (7.9 points) - K Rank: 19th

Who to Start and Why

Williams is primed for a massive game against the Carolina defense that allowed 131 yards rushing against the Falcons. He would be an excellent pick for an RB2 or a FLEX this week, with all projections leaning towards 13-plus points for the electric running back against the Panthers.

After scoring a combined 38.2 points in week one, Olave and Shaheed could help your team tremendously as starting wide receivers or FLEX. The Saints D/ST unit could also be an exceptional option to start this week after forcing three turnovers and allowing no touchdowns in the season opener.