NFL Fantasy Start Em, Sit Em: 20 Players to Start or Sit in Week 3
There were disappointments across the board in Week 2 as offensive production continues to be down, so how should you make changes for Week 3? Jason Radowitz is here to help with his NFL Fantasy start or sit em list for Week 3. Check it out.
Jason Radowitz - September 18, 2024, 10:13 AM EDT
3 minNFL Fantasy Start Em, Sit Em: 20 Players to Start or Sit in Week 3
It's been a whirlwind in the NFL through the first two weeks of the NFL season. With so many injuries and star players missing some time, many lineups are hanging on by a thread to start the season. If you're one of them, I'll try to help save the year. Here are 20 players to start or sit in Week 3.
Click here for the latest NFL Week 3 odds
Quarterbacks To Play in Week 3
1. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers will take on a Rams defense that allowed Kyler Murray to throw for 266 yards and three touchdowns. Without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, Purdy must make some plays. He's still got Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings. All will be alright against that Rams defense. Meanwhile, even Daniel Jones scored a passing touchdown against Washington. Enjoy Joe Burrow's massive game. You're playing him this week if you've got him.
Can the Bengals hit their stride in Week 3? Check out the latest Bengals vs. Commanders odds
Quarterbacks To Sit in Week 3
3. Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings
4. Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
5. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Sam Darnold had another surprising game against the 49ers last week, totaling 268 yards passing and two touchdowns. He even ran for 32 yards. But with Justin Jefferson not fully healthy and questionable, I'm staying away from him this weekend against Houston. You also won't find me starting Anthony Richardson. Richardson has completed no better than 50% of his passes over the last two weeks. So far, the Bears have done well defensively, adjusting in the second half, too. He's not worth the gamble until Trevor Lawrence wins a game under center.
Trevor Lawrence and the Jags are off to a brutal start. Is it time to fade Jacksonville?
Running Backs To Play in Week 3
6. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
7. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
8. Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs
Tony Pollard has earned at least 16 carries in back-to-back weeks to start the season. He's also recorded at least three receptions in both games and has seen at least four targets. You can be confident playing him against the Packers this week. On the other hand, with a competent offense, Chuba Hubbard's value will rise. He's already seen 16 carries with Carolina despite the team being down early in both matchups. Andy Dalton will help him. With Isaiah Pacheco potentially out for two months, Carson Steele will be the lead back of the offense. He might not get third downs, but he'll be used.
Running Backs To Sit in Week 3
9. Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
10. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
Zamir White will likely lose the No. 1 running spot to Alexander Mattison. He also didn't get the goal-line carry from last week's game. Instead, Mattison got it. Stay away from White. It was also apparent that Jerome Ford lost his massive role with D'Onta Foreman. Foreman saw 14 carries, while Ford only saw seven last week. That's something to monitor and a reason to sideline Ford this week.
Wide Receivers To Play in Week 3
11. Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers
12. Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams
I've just listed two No. 1 receivers who should be in an improved situation this week. Diontae Johnson will have Andy Dalton under center. Johnson has already seen 12 targets in two games but only connected on five of them. That'll likely change this weekend. Plus, with Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out for multiple weeks, Demarcus Robinson will be the main receiver in the Los Angeles offense.
Wide Receivers To Sit in Week 3
13. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
14. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
15. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
Until Jordan Love is back and fully healthy, don't consider any Green Bay Packers receivers. It was shocking that Christian Watson didn't have a single reception last week. On the other hand, even with Keenan Allen injured, Rome Odunze caught only two receptions on five targets from Caleb Williams. Williams is throwing super short routes and not really earning big plays down the field. In addition, he's also struggling to get the offense near the red zone. If Keenan Allen is in or out, don't play Odunze.
Tight Ends To Play in Week 3
16. Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
17. Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
Joe Burrow sure loves his tight ends. He found Mike Gesicki seven times on nine targets for 91 yards last weekend. Gesicki doesn't have a touchdown this season but had one called back in Week 1. He'll continue to get opportunities against a weak Washington defense. On the other hand, Zach Ertz has been the go-to target for Jayden Daniels in the Commanders' offense. He's added at least three receptions in each game and has played at least 65% of snaps in each game.
Tight Ends To Sit in Week 3
18. Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens
19. Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
20. Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints
I'm sorry if you spent a lot of FAAB on Isaiah Likely last week. He only caught two balls for 26 yards and played in fewer than 50% of the snaps last weekend. Then there's Cade Otton and Juwan Johnson. Both had higher expectations heading into the season than what they've shown. Johnson didn't even record a target against Dallas last weekend and Otton saw two targets with no catches. Better options exist if you're looking to stream a tight end.
