Start ‘Em / Sit ‘Em Week 3
Start Em’ / Sit ‘Em Week 3
The fantasy season is well and truly underway as we head into week
three, it should be clear by now just how well you drafted in the pre-season.
Injuries are mounting up and rosters are being tested. Whether you have
started 2-0, 1-1 or 0-2 this is a new week, and fresh optimism is in the air.
As always, Rush Nation, we are here to help with Week 3. Do you start ’em or sit ’em? Let’s go!
Start and Sit Week 3 Quarterbacks
My top-ranked Quarterbacks for Week 3 are:
- Allen @ MIA
- Mahomes @ IND
- Jackson @ NE
- Burrow @ NYJ
- Cousins vs DET
Start QB 1- Carson Wentz vs PHI
Who would have thought Wentz would be a top 5 fantasy QB through the
first two weeks? Week 3 will be his toughest test yet. The Eagles D is
holding opposing QB’s to an average of 218 yards and 12.2 fantasy points
per game. The offensive weapons that Wentz has at his disposal should
see him finish as a top 12 QB in his revenge game this week.
Start QB 2- Matthew Stafford @ ARI
After a rough opening match up against the Bills, Stafford improved last
week. Week 3 should see him have his best fantasy performance yet.
The Cardinals D is allowing the most fantasy points to opposition
quarterbacks and the Cardinals defensive unit will not be able to hang with
the Rams attack.
More start options
D. Carr @ Ten
K. Murray vs LAR
J. Hurts @ WAS
Sit QB 1 – Aaron Rodgers @ TB
The Buccs D has only allowed 1 touchdown so far and is giving up 7.55
points on average to the QB position. Rodgers was better in week 2 but still
has O-line problems and is not in sync with his receiver core. If you have
another option on your bench this might be the best option.
Sit QB 2 – Tom Brady vs GB
With serious offensive line problems and the lack of starting wide receivers,
I would sit Brady in week 3. This may be the first time ever that both Brady
and Rodgers have been in the sit section of a start / sit article!
Start and Sit Week 3 Running Backs
My top-ranked Running Backs for Week 3 are:
- Cook vs. DET
- Taylor vs. KC
- Barkley vs. DAL
- McCaffrey vs. NO
- Mixon @ NYJ
Start RB 1- Jeff Wilson @ DEN
Denver have not conceded a single rushing touchdown through the first two
games but the volume of work that Wilson is likely to receive should see
him as a flex with RB2 upside. The 49ers are averaging 182.5 rushing
yards per game. And, with the backfield banged up, Wilson could see the
bulk of the carries.
Start RB 2- Miles Sanders vs WAS
Sanders was the clear lead back in Week Two with 17 rush attempts and
three catches out the backfield. The Commanders are allowing 28 fantasy
points on average to opposing Running Backs. Sanders will be a solid RB2
with RB1 upside if he can find the end zone once or twice.
Start RB 3- Dameon Pierce @ CHI
You can take this one to the bank! Pierce is about to break out, this is the
first of an 8 game streak that should see Pierce unlocked in the Texans
backfield. His snap percentage was up by 33% from week one, he had 15
rushing attempts for 4.6 yards a carry against a tough Denver D. The work
load should increase again and I have Pierce as a flex for now with upside.
More Start Options
B. Hall vs CIN
T. Etienne Jr @ LAC
M. Gordon III vs SF
Sit RB 1- Z. Elliott @ NYG
I had Zeke as a sit last week and I offer the same advice in week 3. Pollard
is more than just a passing option out the backfield. He saw goal-line work
which lead to his touchdown in week 2. Elliott is averaging just 5.90 fantasy
points across the first two games, and his snap count went down by 16% in
week 2.
Sit RB 2 – Chase Edmonds vs BUF
After the off-season hype and week one production for Edmonds, coach
McDaniels indicates that the backfield usage is down to scheme and this
could vary from week to week. The Bills are only allowing 12 points per
game to running backs and with the Dolphins’ air attack looking slick it’s
hard to trust Edmonds.
Sit RB 3 – Raheem Mostert vs BUF
Feels a bit cheap this one after explaining my SIT RB2 option but this will
be a genuine question if you are the Mostert owner. Sit until we see
consistency.
Start and Sit Week 3 Wide Receivers
My top-ranked Wide Receivers for Week 3 are:
- Jefferson vs DET
- Kupp @ ARI
- Diggs @ MIA
- Adams @ TEN
- Chase @ NYJ
Start WR 1- Courtland Sutton vs SF
Sutton’s week 2 production is more like what you expected when you
drafted him. 11 targets for 122 yards but yet to find the end zone. I like the
match-up in week 3 against the 49ers’ defensive backs plus, with J. Jeudy
missing time, it’s likely that he will see an increased target share. I have
Sutton as a high-end WR2 with WR1 upside.
Start WR 2- Allen Robinson II @ ARI
Robinson faces a Cardinals DB set that will give up fantasy points to
opposing wide receivers. Kupp will get his of course but there will be
enough for Robinson to reach WR3 status this week. Therefore, if you have
3 starting WR’s or 2 and a flex he is will be serviceable.
Start WR 3- DJ Moore vs NO
Week one was the R. Anderson show and week 2 went to Moore. But, when
you look deeper into it, Moore saw the same amount of targets and
receptions in both weeks. His touchdown in week 2 padded his stats,
which is why this is a risky start for me. Having said this, Moore enjoys
playing against the Saints, he has scored at least 15 points in each of the
past 5 games.
More Start options
G. Wilson vs CIN
T. Lockett vs ATL
A. Cooper vs PI
Sit WR 1- Chase Claypool @ CLE
The Browns is a solid match-up for opposing Wide Receivers but Claypool
has only had 12 targets across 2 weeks and has not had 10 fantasy points
in either week. He is a sit until we see a positive change.
Sit WR 2- Elijah Moore vs CIN
I do believe that Moore will have his days but right now, he has less
targets, receptions and touchdowns as both C. Davis and G. Wilson. Moore
has not broken 10 fantasy points and faces a Bengals D that is ranked 6 th
best against wide receivers through the first two weeks. Sit him this week
but his talent is too good for this to continue long term.
Sit WR 3 – Darnell Mooney vs HOU
This one I’ll keep short and sweet, the Bears had 11 passing attempts in
week 2. Fields has completed total of 15 passes this season, it’s just awful
and until that changes you have to sit Mooney.
Start and Sit Week 3 Tight Ends
My top-ranked Tight Ends for Week 3 are:
- Kelce @ IND
- Andrews @ NE
- Waller @ TEN
- Goedert @ WAS
- Ertz vs LAR
Start TE 1- Evan Engram @ LAC
Engram is catching targets! I’m not mocking him; this was one of his
biggest criticisms in New York. He has seen 12 targets and caught 11, 8 of
which came in week 2. If he gets a similar target share against the
Chargers, who do allow TE production, then he should be a low-end TE1.
Start TE 2- T. Gerald Everett @ JAX
If K. Allen is out again I expect Everett to see similar production as his 10
targets in week 2. He is averaging 13.75 fantasy points through the first two
games which puts him as the TE 4 overall.
More start options
L. Thomas vs PHI
T. Higbee @ ARI
H. Hurst @ NYJ
P. Freiermuth @ CLE
Sit TE 1- Cole Kmet vs Hou
Copy and paste the comments from Darnell Mooney’s sit advice, Fields threw
just 11 times in Week 2. This is not enough for receiving options to be
fantasy relevant.
Sit TE 2- Albert Okweugbunam
Only two targets in week 2, no fantasy points and a reduction in snaps from
Week 1. This does not fill me with confidence and they face the 49ers
who are only allowing an average of 2.6 fantasy points to opposing TEs.
Colin – @ukfantasyballer
