Starts and Sits: Week 3
Week 3 is here, so we need to know who to start and who to sit. Our start/sit article is not going to discuss the obvious players who should always be played. We aim to help you with the players that you might be on the fence about heading into the weekend. Good luck this week and don’t overthink it.
Here are the Starts/ Sits for Week 3:
Quarterback
Starts
Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals Vs.New York Jets
To say that Burrow and the Bengals have been underperforming is an understatement. Going 0-2 was not how most pictured their season starting, but I believe things will turn around this week against the Jets. This is the first week that I have complete confidence in starting Burrow this season. He has offered a safe floor so far this season and should offer a good ceiling in this week’s matchup. The Jets have been able to score against opposing defenses decently throughout the first 2 weeks, which is good news for Burrow and the Bengals offense as a whole. Burrow is a low-end QB1 in week 3 with an upside.
Jared Goff, QB, Detroit Lions Vs. Minnesota Vikings
Goff has been surprisingly decent throughout the first two games of 2022, and that should continue against a Vikings defense that was thoroughly thrashed by the Eagles in week 2. Goff has plenty of weapons surrounding him, which only adds to my confidence in streaming him this week. Goff offers a safe floor with enough upside to be started this week. He is a mid-tier QB2 with an upside.
Marcus Mariota, QB, Atlanta Falcons Vs. Seattle Seahawks
I was off of Mariota last week against the Rams, but he should be a great play this week against the Seattle Seahawks. Mariota’s ability to pass and run makes him an interesting start this week against a subpar Seahawks defense. If you are in a tough spot, Mariota is a good option for week 3. He is a low-end QB2 with an upside.
Sits
Russell Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos Vs. San Francisco 49ers
I know what you’re thinking, how can I possibly sit Wilson in week 3?! The facts are that things aren’t going all that great for Wilson and the Broncos. The Broncos should be winning huge and they’re not. They have underperformed in each of the last two weeks. Wilson will most likely be without one of his top options, Jerry Jeudy, who is dealing with a shoulder injury from week 2. My fear is that Wilson’s floor is safe but his ceiling will be terribly low in a tough matchup against the 49ers. Wilson is a risky high-end QB2 with a low ceiling in week 2.
Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Vs. Green Bay Packers
Brady and the Bucs are going through a rough patch right now. They’re still a top-tier team in the NFC, but from a fantasy perspective, I do not have high hopes for them in week 3. The Packers are a good enough defense to cause issues for Brady and the Bucs early and often. The Bucs are dealing with a poor offensive line and multiple injuries. They can very well be without all three of their top wideouts this week, which would lead me to look elsewhere for my starting QB in week 3. Brady offers a low floor and ceiling this week. He is a high-end QB2 with a really low floor in week 3.
Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears Vs.Houston Texans
I was really high on Fields coming into the season. I saw him as a true late-round value at the QB position. I was wrong. The Bears offense as a whole is in really bad shape. They do not have the talent on the offensive line or in the receiver group to be able to maintain a startable fantasy QB. Fields will have weeks where he shows signs of ability but I am not expecting it to be this week. Keep Fields on your bench or waivers until we see him perform at a high rate consistently. Fields is a low-end QB2 in week 3.
Running Back
Starts
Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers Vs. Denver Broncos
Wilson is now cemented in as the lead back for the Niners until Mitchell comes back. He no longer has any real threat behind him due to Tyrion Davis- Price being put on IR either. It also helps Wilson’s value that Jimmy G is now the starting QB as well. Wilson is set to receive the bulk of the carries going forward and should offer a safe floor and great ceiling even against a tough opponent. Wilson is a high-end flex play with great upside.
Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys Vs. New York Giants
Although the situation in Dallas is murky, Pollard is still able to produce on the ground and through the air. I can’t say that he is the lead back in Dallas, but I can say that he is the running back that I would want in the backfield. Pollard also has a great matchup against a Giants defense that is equally susceptible to the run-and-pass game. Pollard is a great high-end flex option with an upside in week 3.
Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks Vs. Atlanta Falcons
Penny hasn’t been the league-winning back that we loved having on our rosters at the end of last season, but that doesn’t mean that he isn’t start-worthy in good matchups. This week’s matchup against the Falcons is as good as it gets. Penny offers a safe floor with enough upside to be a mid-tier flex option in week 3.
Sits
Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills Vs. Miami Dolphins
It looks like it is going to be another year of not knowing which Bills running back you should start. The Bills offense is elite, but it really doesn’t utilize it’s run game. The issue with Singletary is that if he doesn’t score an early touchdown, his overall floor can be extremely low and his ceiling nonexistent. Singletary is better left on the bench this week, or until we see him separate himself from the rest. Singletary is a risky flex play in week 3.
Chase Edmonds, RB, Miami Dolphins Vs. Buffalo Bills
Edmonds has been one of the bigger disappointments at the RB position. I don’t see his potential changing in week 3 against one of the best defenses in the league. Even if Edmonds is the lead back in Miami, he is not being used as such. I would look for an option with a higher floor and ceiling for week 3. Edmonds is a low-end flex in week 3.
Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans Vs. Chicago Bears
Better days are ahead for Pierce, as I believe he will be the lead back for the Texans before the seasons end. I just don’t see it happening this week against the Bears. This matchup has a good chance of being an extremely low-scoring matchup. I would continue to stash Pierce until we see him receive the bulk of the carries and put out enough production to be a startable asset. Pierce is a flex option in week 3 with a potentially low floor and ceiling.
Wide Receiver
Starts
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons Vs. Seattle Seahawks
London is the man in Atlanta! I was initially worried that there wouldn’t be enough targets in town with Kyle Pitts around. But it is not a concern as London has been the focal point over the first two weeks of the season. If you have any hesitation about starting London this week, don’t. He is going to feast against a weak Seahawks defense. London is a low-end WR2 with an upside in week 3.
Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings Vs. Detroit Lions
If Thielen doesn’t produce this, he never will. This matchup is cherry and it should be one of the best that the Vikings have all year. The Detroit defense bleeds yardage to opposing wide receivers, and it should be no different for the Vikings this week. The Vikings and Thielen should rebound nicely in week 3. Thielen is a high-end flex with an upside in week 3.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets Vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Wilson is showing why the Jets took him as the 10th pick in this year’s draft. Wilson has the skill and ability to be a WR1 in the league. Unless your team is incredibly stacked, you will be starting Wilson this week. The Jets have been a capable offense throughout the first two weeks and the Bengals should put a good amount of points on their defense. The matchup could certainly turn into a shootout and Wilson should be one of the main beneficiaries if it does. Wilson is a high-end flex with an upside in week 3.
Sits
D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks Vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Seattle Seahawks offense is a no man’s land for the most part and we knew that coming into the year. There is always the off chance that someone can produce, but it is extremely difficult to know who will produce on any given week. Which is why I am completely out on Metcalf again in week 3, even in a good matchup. Metcalf is receiving a solid target share but hasn’t been able to put up enough yards or find the endzone in the first two weeks of the season. That may change this week, but it is hard to bet on it. I would look for a player with a higher floor and ceiling in week 3. Metcalf is a high-end flex with boom/ bust potential.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
McLaurin may be the WR1 in Washington, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. He has been outproduced over the first two weeks by Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, and that shouldn’t change against the Eagles this week. McLaurin could very well be covered by the Eagles CB1, Darius Slay, which leaves me wanting nothing to do with him in fantasy this week. McLaurin is a low-end WR2 with a capped ceiling.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears Vs. Houston Texans
The Bears offense has been just plain bad. Outside of their run game, they truly have no offensive weapons that I would want to start in fantasy. The offense is barely passing which hurts not only Justin Fields but especially Mooney. Mooney’s production over the first two weeks has been abysmal, and it’s not going to be any different this week against the Texans. Mooney is nothing more than a desperation flex play.
Tight Ends
Starts
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams Vs. Arizona Cardinals
Higbee is once again in my start column and for good reason. Over the last two weeks, he has shown that he is 2nd most consistent passing option on the Rams outside of Cooper Kupp. He has been receiving a great target share and always adds value due to his redzone presence. If you picked Higbee off of the waivers last week, he is your guy going forward. Higbee is a low-end TE1 with an upside in week 3 against the Cardinals.
Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Chargers Vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
There is not anyone who is more excited for Everett going forward than I am. Everett has not only been receiving a great target share but his ability to score from all over the field gives him great stability at a position where there is none. As long as Herbert is behind center, I have nothing but confidence in Everett’s ability going forward. His matchup this week against the Jaguars is as juicy as it can get. Everett is a low-end TE1 with an upside in week 3.
Logan Thomas TE, Washington Commanders Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
I was high on Thomas going into next week and nothing has changed for week 3. The Commanders have a harder matchup this week than last but Wentz will need to rely on someone to move the chains this weekend. Thomas is that guy. If you need a safe floor with a decent ceiling, Thomas is a good option in week 3. Thomas is a high-end TE2 with an upside.
Sits
Hayden Hurst, TE, Cincinnati Bengals Vs. New York Jets
Hurst has been getting a great target share but unfortunately, it hasn’t been enough to push him into the starting tight-end conversation for week 3. The Bengals have been underperforming as a whole and although this week should be a bounce back for the team, I am not excited for Hurst this week. With a healthy Tee Higgins back, Hurst figures to be the 4th-5th option at best. If Hurst doesn’t get one of the first TD’s, I would worry that he wouldn’t get enough yardage to be a streamable option. Hurst is a mid-tier TE2 with a limited ceiling in week 3.
Cole Kmet, TE, Chicago Bears Vs. Houston Texans
Kmet has been one of the most disappointing tight ends so far this year. Coming into the season he was the perfect late-round tight end option but has not even received a target share to warrant being on your bench let alone in your starting lineup. Kmet is a low-end TE2 with a floor that is 0 and a ceiling that isn’t much higher.
Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins Vs. Buffalo Bills
After being completely written off after week 1, Gesicki impressed in week 2. I am hesitant to start him this week though as the Dolphins will face their greatest test against the Buffalo Bills. If you rostered Gesicki, I would keep him on the bench until we see him produce on a weekly basis. Gesicki is a low-end TE2 in week 3.