Week 3 of the NFL season is here, and with it comes a new set of challenges for fantasy football owners.
Whether you’re trying to build on a winning streak or claw your way back from an 0-2 start, making the right lineup decisions can be the difference between victory and defeat.
This week brings a mix of high-powered offenses in favorable matchups and surprising defensive struggles that could impact even the most reliable fantasy stars.
To help you navigate these crucial choices, here’s a list of players you should start with confidence and those who are best left on your bench.
NOTE: Rarely will I insert stars into this column. You need to start your stars with confidence each week. And if you can’t, your team probably has big problems.
Start ‘em
Quarterbacks
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): Prescott is set up for an explosive performance against a Chicago Bears defense that has surrendered a ton of fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season.
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears): Facing a high-powered Cowboys offense — and a struggling Cowboys defense — Caleb Williams is likely to be in a pass-heavy game script that could lead to plenty of garbage-time production.
Drake Maye (New England Patriots): Drake Maye has shown a solid fantasy floor with both his arm and his legs and has a favorable matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers’ struggling pass defense.
Marcus Mariota (Washington Commanders): Mariota is an intriguing spot-start option due to his dual-threat ability and a plus matchup against a Las Vegas Raiders defense that struggles against quarterbacks.
Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): With continued chemistry with his receivers and a balanced offensive approach, Baker Mayfield has legitimate QB1 upside against a New York Jets defense that has not looked dominant.
Running Backs
Ken Walker (Seattle Seahawks): Ken Walker should see a healthy workload and has a favorable matchup against a New Orleans Saints defense that has been vulnerable to opposing running backs.
Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Bucky Irving has been a consistent fantasy producer, especially in PPR formats, and has a great matchup against a New York Jets defense that has allowed mucho points to running backs.
Jordan Mason (Minnesota Vikings): With Aaron Jones sidelined, Jordan Mason is elevated to the lead back role for the Vikings and should see a significant increase in touches.
Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans): Despite a slow start to the season, Tony Pollard’s elite usage and high snap share make him a prime candidate for a breakout performance.
Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers): Warren is the clear lead back for the Steelers, and his involvement in the passing game gives him a high floor, particularly in a favorable matchup against the New England Patriots.
Wide Receivers
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seattle Seahawks): Jaxon Smith-Njigba has a high target share and should have a strong performance against a New Orleans Saints’ pass defense that has given up a high number of passing touchdowns.
Nico Collins (Houston Texans): Collins is the primary receiving option in a Texans offense that is expected to be in a high-scoring affair against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens): Flowers is a reliable receiver in a potent Baltimore Ravens offense that should find success in a potential shootout with the Detroit Lions.
Rome Odunze (Chicago Bears): Odunze has quickly become the primary target for Caleb Williams, and he gets a dream matchup against a Cowboys’ secondary that was just torched by the Giants in Week 2.
Brian Thomas Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars): Brian Thomas Jr. has seen a high number of targets, and he has a chance to turn that volume into fantasy points against a Houston Texans’ pass defense that can be exploited.
Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions): LaPorta had a good Week 1 and then kind of became the odd man out as the Lions were pouring it on against the Bears last week. He should rebound as he’ll be needed against a tough Ravens team.
Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs): Kelce is a must-start against a poor Giants team and with the Chiefs having their backs against the wall after an 0-2 start.
T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota Vikings): While his early-season production has been low, T.J. Hockenson’s talent and potential for a large target share make him a worthy start, especially as a safety valve for a backup quarterback who is getting the start.
Jake Ferguson (Dallas Cowboys): Ferguson has been heavily targeted and should continue to be a key part of the Cowboys’ passing game in a favorable matchup against the Bears.
Juwan Johnson (New Orleans Saints): Juwan Johnson has been a revelation through two weeks, leading his position in targets, making him a must-start, especially against a Seattle Seahawks defense that has struggled.
Sit ‘em
Quarterbacks
Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers): Despite a strong start to the season, Herbert faces a tough Denver Broncos defense that could limit his upside.
Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals): Murray has had a slow start and faces a difficult matchup against a strong San Francisco 49ers defense.
Jared Goff (Detroit Lions): Goff and the Lions’ offense, fresh off a 50-burger, could struggle against a formidable Baltimore Ravens defense.
Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts): Jones’s impressive start to the season may be difficult to sustain against a Tennessee Titans defense that could pose a challenge.
Jake Browning (Cincinnati Bengals): Browning was a good waiver wire pickup with Joe Burrow out, but this is a tough first matchup on the road against the Minnesota Vikings’ defense.
Running Backs
Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams): The Rams face the defending champions on the road in what is not a great matchup for Williams this week.
Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers): Hubbard faces a stout Atlanta Falcons run defense that has yet to allow a single rusher more than 40 yards through two weeks.
Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders): Jeanty has not been the top fantasy performer many were hoping for this offseason and he’ll face a tough Commanders defense on the road.
James Conner (Arizona Cardinals): Conner’s yards per carry are at a career low and his snap share is decreasing in favor of Trey Benson.
D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears): Swift’s status is in question due to a quadriceps injury, and even if he plays, he likely will receive touch competition and the Bears might have to throw a lot to play catch-up.
Wide Receivers
Jakobi Meyers (Las Vegas Raiders): Jakobi Meyers’ production may be capped as the Las Vegas offense, led by Geno Smith, heads on the road to face a tough Commanders team.
Ladd McConkey (Los Angeles Chargers): While McConkey will play, he is listed as questionable with an arm injury, which could limit his effectiveness.
Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans): Ridley has been inconsistent and faces an Indianapolis Colts defense that has been stingy against wide receivers.
Garrett Wilson (New York Jets): Quarterback change aside, Wilson could be in for a long day on the road against Tampa Bay.
Jerry Jeudy (Cleveland Browns): Jeudy has a difficult matchup against a tough Green Bay Packers pass defense.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft (Green Bay Packers): Kraft’s fantasy value is in question after suffering a knee injury in practice. He’s expected to play, but faces a typically tough Browns defense.
Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens): Andrews has been a huge fantasy disappointment so far this season, and has seen only four targets through two games.
Brenton Strange (Jacksonville Jaguars): Although he’s been a pleasant surprise so far this season, Strange has a tough matchup against a Houston Texans defense.
Harold Fannin Jr. (Cleveland Browns): Despite a productive start, Harold Fannin Jr. is a rookie tight end who is facing a solid Packers defense.
Tyler Higbee (Los Angeles Rams): Higbee has a tough matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles and hasn’t been a great fantasy option just yet this season.
