Whether you’ve started red hot at 2-0, ice cold at 0-2, or lukewarm at 1-1, you want to position yourself for more fantasy football success in Week 3. That starts with your start ’em, sit ’em decisions, and that starts with our Week 3 fantasy lineup advice below.
Injuries continue to mount for fantasy owners, with Justin Herbert (ribs), Jerry Jeudy (ribs), Dalton Schultz (knee), Damien Harris (knee), and James Conner (ankle) joining the likes of JK Dobbins (knee), Keenan Allen (hamstring), Alvin Kamara (ribs), Gabriel Davis (ankle), George Kittle (groin), Chris Godwin (calf), and Michael Pittman (quad) on the injury report. Mike Evans also went and got himself suspended, so plenty of fantasy squads will be shorthanded. Chances are, more players will pop up on the injury report as the week goes on, so you never know how deep you’ll have to go to fill out your starting lineup.
Navigating through a wide array of potential starting options, here are our must-starts and start ’em sit ’em recommendations for Week 3. If you have a specific lineup questions, check out RotoBaller’s industry-leading “Who To Start?” tool below and compare up to four players across all positions.
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Fantasy Football Week 3 Start ‘Em: Quarterbacks
QB must-starts
- Josh Allen, Bills (at MIA)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at WAS)
- Justin Herbert, Chargers (if he plays, vs. JAX)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at IND)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs NE)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (at NYJ)
- Kyler Murray, Cardinals (vs. LAR)
Stronger starts
Kirk Cousins, Vikings (vs. DET). Cousins had a prime-time nightmare in Week 2 against the Eagles but should bounce-back big-time back in the afternoon at home against a terrible pass defense.
Matthew Stafford, Rams (at ARI). The Cardinals overachieved a little against the Raiders, but they are still a weak overall defense that don’t have answers for Stafford’s top targets.
Derek Carr, Raiders (at TEN). It’s been a lot rougher than expected in a higher-upside passing game, but he will have his best game yet against a reeling defense.
Carson Wentz, Commanders (vs. PHI). He’s feeling it in their offense with his myriad weapons all over the field and will deliver with more high volume in a revenge game opposite Jalen Hurts.
Jared Goff, Lions (at MIN). He should get it done again with big volume in a high-scoring affair with Kirk Cousins.
Justin Fields, Bears (vs. HOU). Fields has done the best he could with limited volume against the 49ers and Packers. Look for offensive fortunes to change with the Texans at home, where he will be good for a solid rushing and passing day.
Marcus Mariota, Falcons (at SEA). Mariota’s knowledge of the offense and figuring out how to produce even without Kyle Pitts doing much is promising, and this matchup puts him back into play for sneaky production.
DFS Targets
FanDuel cash game pick
Kirk Cousins, Vikings ($7,600). He’s a little cheaper than Matthew Stafford and easier to trust at home compared to Carson Wentz or Joe Burrow in their matchups for a $100 less. He has a high floor with the high point total in the game vs. Goff.
DraftKings tournament pick
Matt Ryan, Colts ($5,200 vs. KC). This is part contrarian but more about the matchup and volume he’s bound to get opposite Patrick Mahomes. Here’s also hoping he will get Michael Pittman Jr. (quad) and Alec Pierce (concussion) back to help him get the necessary multiple TDs (instead of INTs) with 300-plus yards. His price, behind Joe Flacco, is so nice to help get in some gamebreakers at other positions.
Streamer Special
Ryan Tannehill, Titans (vs. LV). Tannehill crashed hard against the Bills defense, but that’s forgetting he delivered as a top-12 QB at home vs. the Giants in Week 1. The Raiders provide a big rebound shot with Derrick Henry helping to rev up the downfield passing game.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Russell Wilson, Broncos (vs. SF). The 49ers’ familiar defensive front and physical defense isn’t the best thing for Russ to cook out of his slump, especially when he’s not running a lick.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers (vs. GB). It will happen for Brady soon with healthier receivers and better matchups, but the current state with a suspended Mike Evans says you can’t go there yet.
Aaron Rodgers, Packers (at TB). Rodgers also has line and receiver issues and is facing a scorching Buccaneers’ defense on the road.
Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins (vs. BUF). It might seem really hard to go here and not chase the Ravens comeback points, but the Bills’ zone defense and pass rush is a different story.
Jameis Winston, Saints (at CAR). His weapons make him intriguing, but the turnover potential and back injury make you shy away in a tough spot.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (at LAC). Lawrence got to rip the Commanders and Colts early, but the Chargers D on a long road trip is very tricky.
Jimmy Garoppolo, 49ers (at DEN). He will be useful at some point as a Trey Lance fantasy fill-in, but this spot has low upside.
WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start ‘Em: Running backs
RB must-starts
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. KC)
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings (vs. DET)
- Nick Chubb, Browns (vs. PIT)
- Joe Mixon, Bengals (at NYJ)
- Derrick Henry, Titans (vs. LV)
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers (vs. JAX)
- Saquon Barkley, Giants (vs. DAL)
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers (vs. NO)
- D’Andre Swift, Lions (at MIN)
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers (vs. GB)
- Najee Harris, Steelers (at CLE)
- Antonio Gibson, Commanders (vs. PHI)
- Aaron Jones, Packers (at TB)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (if he returns, at CAR)
- James Conner, Cardinals (if he plays, vs. LAR)
- Javonte Williams, Broncos (vs. SF)
- James Robinson, Jaguars (at LAC)
- David Montgomery, Bears (vs. HOU
- Kareem Hunt, Browns (vs. PIT)
- AJ Dillon, Packers (at TB)
Stronger starts
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs (at IND). CEH is getting just enough volume in relation to their other backs to be a reliable weekly RB2 for now.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Falcons (at SEA). Patterson should get his regular lead spot working well in a positive game script against a porous defense.
Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers (at DEN). He’s the man more so now with Lance and Tyrion Davis-Price (ankle) joining Elijah Mitchell (knee) on the shelf and Deebo getting more receiving run with Jimmy G. The Broncos’ run defense is not good.
Miles Sanders, Eagles (vs. WAS). The Commanders are wilting everywhere defensively, and Sanders will provide another RB2 performance.
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, Cowboys (at NYG). The Giants contained Henry but didn’t look great against CMC. Dallas will try to run its way to 2-1.
Dameon Pierce, Texans (at CHI). Pierce got his volume corrected in Denver, and that sets up his breakout game against the Bears.
Breece Hall, Jets (vs. CIN). Michael Carter quickly faded as a thing, and Hall will get rolling again as the most promising rookie RB2.
Darrell Henderson Jr., Rams (at ARI). Henderson still is getting the key touches and should find the end zone again.
Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (at LAC). He and Robinson will be the best avenue for his team to move the ball in a tough spot for the passing game.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
David Montgomery, Bears ($7,100). Monty is still the man over change-of-pace Khalil Herbert for now, and the Texans can get gashed.
James Robinson, Jaguars ($6,600). The Jaguars have a nice groove with the usage of him and Etienne together, and he’ll be busy vs. the Chargers.
DraftKings tournament picks
Dalvin Cook, Vikings ($7,900). Cook is overdue for a massive game, and the Lions’ run defense should oblige.
Joe Mixon, Bengals ($7,600). Expect an overcorrection to take pressure off Joe Burrow, and there’s nothing scary about the Jets’ run defense.
WEEK 3 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Josh Jacobs, Raiders (at TEN). He’s been so meh with limited efficiency to serve as an uninspiring RB2 who’s more of a deep-league flex.
Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (at BAL). Harris (knee) should be fine to play, but New England’s rushing attack will remain underwhelming in a tough spot.
Devin Singletary, Bills (at MIA). The Dolphins traditional run defense has been stout early, and Singletary can be lost in the pass-happy attack.
Melvin Gordon, Broncos (vs. SF). They keep forcing him in with Javonte Williams with undesirable results.
Cam Akers, Rams (at ARI). He is out of the doghouse but not in your lineups in relation to Darrell Henderson.
Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostert, Dolphins (vs. BUF). Mike McDaniel is giving us reasons to avoid trusting this backfield in any given week.
Nyheim Hines, Colts (vs. KC). Hines might get a few more catches, but this is a Jonathan Taylor game.
All Ravens (vs. NE). Kenyan Drake? Mike Davis? Justice Hill? Nope. Lamar Jackson is the top back as JK Dobbins (knee) continues to ail.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start ‘Em: Wide receivers
WR must-starts
- Cooper Kupp, Rams (at ARI)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. DET)
- Stefon Diggs, Bills (vs. TEN)
- Davante Adams, Raiders (vs. ARI)
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals (at NYJ)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. WAS)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (vs. BUF)
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers (at DEN)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. WAS)
- Mike Williams, Chargers (vs. JAX)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. SF)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at BUF)
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (if he returns, vs. KC)
- Michael Thomas, Saints (at CAR)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at NYJ)
- Keenan Allen, Chargers (if he returns, vs. JAX)
- Rashod Bateman, Ravens (vs. NE)
- Gabriel Davis, Bills (if he returns, vs. TEN)
- Christian Kirk, Jaguars (vs. LAC)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. PHI)
- D.J. Moore, Panthers (vs. NO)
- Brandin Cooks, Texans (at CHI)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at NYG)
- Diontae Johnson, Steelers (at CLE)
Stronger starts
Drake London, Falcons (at SEA). London is coming through like the No. 1 they expected and matchup is beautiful.
Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (at DEN). Aiyuk is heating up again like the summer and will have a fine outing with Pat Surtain hurting.
Allen Robinson, Rams (at ARI). Robinson finds the end zone again playing off Cooper Kupp in a great spot.
Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson, Commanders (vs. PHI). Keep riding the wave playing off Terry McLaurin knowing Carson Wentz is getting more massive volume.
Amari Cooper, Browns (vs. PIT). He reestablished himself as a No. 1, and even with limited passing from Jacoby Brissett, he’s the best and only choice.
Hunter Renfrow, Raiders (if he plays, at TEN). The Titans can struggle with the slot, and he can rebound from getting banged up and coughing up the game in Week 2.
DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at WAS). Smith came alive in Week 2 playing off A.J. Brown, and the Commanders can’t cover them.
Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. CIN). Wilson is living up to his first-round talent to stand out as the emerging No. 1.
Treylon Burks, Titans (vs. LV). Burks can eat up this secondary away from Nate Hobbs.
Russell Gage, Buccaneers (vs. GB). He’s the GOAT’s best option in a tough matchup.
Allen Lazard, Packers (at TB). He’s the MVP’s best option in a tough matchup.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game picks
Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($9,500). Jefferson will be moving on way up again back at home against the Lions’ secondary following the MNF whiff.
Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins ($7,500). He’s been great in relation to Tyreek Hill and will be the guy getting key looks against a tough Bills defense.
Brandin Cooks, Texans ($6,600). Cooks is due for a big game off volume, and look for him to get him matched up on rookie Kyler Gordon.
DraftKings tournament picks
Tyler Lockett, Seahawks ($5,800 vs. ATL). Lockett ripped off a big game with Geno Smith last week, and with A.J. Terrell taking the outside, Lockett should continue in a cake spot.
Darnell Mooney, Bears ($5,300 vs. HOU). The Texans’ secondary has been better than expected but can be be burned by primary targets. The vibe on Mooney is so bad that contrarian can be your friend here, too.
Chris Olave, Saints ($4,500 at CAR). He’s still priced cheap after his breakout game, and Donte Jackson is hurting for the Panthers.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Marquise Brown, Cardinals (vs. LAR). The Rams’ secondary is struggling, but there’s a good chance Jalen Ramsey locks him down.
DK Metcalf, Seahawks (vs. ATL). He’s frustrated ahead of seeing plenty of A.J. Terrell outside.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Chiefs (at IND). Any individual Chiefs wideout is hard to trust in the Patrick Mahomes slot machine.
Jerry Jeudy, Broncos (vs. SF). A bad shoulder plus a bad matchup plus a slumping Russell Wilson says no.
Jarvis Landry, Saints (vs. NO). The numbers quickly came down to earth with Chris Olave’s rise.
Jakobi Meyers, Patriots (at BAL). You can’t really feel good about playing any Mac Jones targets against a Ravens secondary that will rebound big time.
Adam Thielen, Vikings (vs. DET). The matchup says yes, but usage says no.
Elijah Moore, Jets (vs. CIN). Take a wait-and-see approach until Zach Wilson (knee) returns.
Tyler Boyd, Bengals (at NYJ). It’s become harder to go three deep here with Joe Burrow slumping, and Boyd is more TD-dependent.
Chase Claypool and George Pickens, Steelers (at CLE). These guys really need Kenny Pickett.
Robbie Anderson, Panthers (at NO). It’s not a very good big-play spot against Dennis Allen’s coverage.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start ‘Em: Tight ends
TE must-starts
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at IND)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. NE)
- Darren Waller, Raiders (at TEN)
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at SEA)
- George Kittle, 49ers (if he returns, at DEN)
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles (at WAS)
Stronger starts
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (at CLE). Until they make a QB change, Mitchell Trubisky keeps Freiermuth’s value high.
Zach Ertz, Cardinals (vs. LAR). This isn’t the best matchup given how the Rams cover the position, but this is pure volume-based recommendation.
Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. ARI). The Cardinals are back struggling against the tight end, and Higbee can make like Travis Kelce and Darren Waller for one week.
Dawson Knox, Bills (at MIA). He can get more work inside given the Dolphins’ cornerbacks and the possibility of Gabe Davis (ankle) missing more time.
Gerald Everett, Chargers (vs. JAX). He’s been solid early in his new offense and can keep that up in this matchup.
Logan Thomas, Commanders (vs. PHI). Thomas is healthy and connecting well with Carson Wentz like Ertz once did.
Hayden Hurst, Bengals (at NYJ). Hurst should stay involved as they shorten up the passing game a little to help Joe Burrow.
Tyler Conklin, Jets (vs. CIN). If you’re really hurting at the position and C.J. Uzomah is still hurting for his revenge game, you can go here for some points.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game and DraftKings tournament pick
Kyle Pitts, Falcons ($5,600 and $4,800). Expect an overcorrection in a great matchup given how much the Seahawks struggled to cover the Broncos and 49ers tight ends.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
T.J. Hockenson, Lions (at MIN). You might be stuck rolling with him, but it’s not inspiring given how much Goff is throwing well to wideouts and D’Andre Swift.
Robert Tonyan, Packers (at TB). He’s a TD-or-bust play still.
Evan Engram, Jaguars (at LAC). It’s not a bad idea in theory, but Dan Arnold hurts it in practice this week.
Taysom Hill, Saints (at CAR). He showed his volatility in two weeks, so you can’t go there.
Mike Gesicki, Dolphins (vs. BUF). He’ll go back to doing nothing.
Cole Kmet, Bears (vs. HOU). Cole Nyet.
All Browns, Vikings, Broncos, Patriots, Seahawks and Buccaneers. Two or more tight ends is as good as having none viable for fantasy.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start ‘Em: Defenses
Defense must-starts
- Cowboys (at NYG)
- Browns (vs. PIT)
- Bills (at MIA)
- Ravens (vs. NE)
- Chargers (vs. LAC)
- Bengals (at NYJ)
- 49ers (at DEN)
- Rams (at ARI)
Stronger starts
Saints (at CAR). They are still looking good, and it’s mistake-prone Baker Mayfield.
Steelers (at CLE). No. J.J. Watt, but they still have a good chunk of playmakers vs. Jacoby Brissett.
Buccaneers (vs. GB). They can contain and frustrate the MVP.
Packers (at TB). They can contain and frustrate the GOAT.
Bears (vs. HOU). Davis Mills tends to be a lot more giving on the road.
Eagles (at WAS). Carson Wentz can put up numbers, but he also can make key mistakes.
DFS targets
FanDuel cash game pick and DraftKings tournament pick
Panthers ($3,900 and $2,600, vs NO). Carolina gives us a cheap play against the potential of key Jameis Winston takeaways.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit ‘Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Broncos (vs. DEN). The 49ers will protect Jimmy Garoppolo and the ball on the road.
Chiefs (at IND). This is a bit of a trap given it’s on the road against Jonathan Taylor.
Giants (vs. NYG). Let’s not “Rush” to try to attack this Cowboys’ offense.
Vikings (vs. DET). They are somewhere in between Week 1 and Week 2 with their value.
Patriots (at BAL). Not against Lamar.
Colts (vs. KC). Not against Patrick.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer’s in-depth fantasy football advice for Week 3 by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
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