Fantasy Football: Week 3 Start / Sit ‘Em

Fantasy Football Expert Mark Deming discusses which players you should start and which players you should let red the pine as we approach Week 3 of the NFL season!

Editor’s Note: Based on PPR scoring and written to focus on more bold calls than fluffy selections.

Start ‘Em

QB Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Again for some reason most national rankings have Wilson in the teens? The Saints are a fragile team headed into Seattle. The addition of rookie DJ Metcalf and emerging Tyler Lockett gives Wilson a WR combo he’s never had the luxury of working with. Wilson posted a 310 yards and three TD game in last regular season home start vs. the Saints.

QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray

What else do you need to see from the rookie from a fantasy perspective? What are some of these experts watching that have Murray ranked out of the top10 QB this week? Arizona is fantasy gold so far and they have competed until the final seconds in both games. Let the rookie rip vs the 0-2 Panthers. Murray is averaging 302 passing yards per game thus far.

RB Frank Gore, Buffalo Bills

With rookie Devin Singletary battling a hamstring issue the door is open the ageless wonder Frank Gore to get lots of work vs. the Bengals. Cincinnati has allowed 165.5 rushing yards per game, 3rd most in the league. Buffalo and the Bills mafia should be electric in the home opener.

RB David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

Did panic set in for those rostering Montgomery in the Thursday NFL opener when he wasn’t even on the field in crunch time?  Montgomery posted a modest yet productive fantasy line in Week 2 and that trend should continue vs the Redskins. Washington’s defense has allowed 168 rushing yards through two games, second worst in the league.


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WR Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs

What are the experts watching to rank Hardman in the mid 30’s this week? Hardman had a long TD nullified last week vs. the Raiders and would have posted a monster game. This is the easiest call of the week, start Hardman, all day, everyday while Tyreek Hill is out.

WR Christian Kirk, Arizona Cardinals

The second-year WR has 20 targets through two games and is just getting started in the air raid offense. For some reason rankings have Kirk in the late 20’s/30’s and that’s too low in my opinion. A breakout fantasy game is coming from Kirk…

WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Redskins

According to rankings experts aren’t sold on the rookie from Ohio State yet. For those who drafted him or were lucky enough to land him in early free agency, he’s a difference maker. Peep these numbers: 16 targets, 10 receptions for 187 and two TDs. McLaurin is a WR3 and on his way to more in the fantasy world. He could be the steal of the draft for the Redskins.

TE  Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys

Maybe the veteran TE’s role in Monday Night Football broadcast booth made fantasy players uneasy. But on the field Witten continues to produce. With emerging WR Michael Gallup out for 2-4 weeks, Witten’s role could increase. Say what you want about Witten, but two games and two TDs doesn’t lie.

TE Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks

Another TE putting up early season impressive numbers is Seattle’s Will Dissly. The second year TE might be touchdown dependent but that’s all he does is catch TDs. Dissly only played in four games his rookie season after being placed on IR but these numbers are amazing: In six career games, Dissly has 21 targets and 14 receptions for 218 yards and four TDs. 



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Sit ‘Em

QB Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

Nobody wants to see Wentz on this list but unfortunately the Eagles are decimated at WR position and could have difficulty mounting drives this Sunday. If you have other QB options you should definitely consider it and see what the Eagles offense brings to the table without starting WRs Alshon Jeffrey and Deshaun Jackson.

QB Teddy Bridgewater, New Orleans Saints

Some in the fantasy community value the Saints skill position players and play calling as much that there starting Bridgewater with confidence. I’m leaning the opposite direction. Bridgewater looked stiff in the pocket and held the ball way too long in my opinion last week. I think Seattle defense at home gives Bridgewater trouble all day.

RB Damien Williams, Kansas City Chiefs

This is a heads up that if you count on Williams as one of your main RBs you better think about other options based on his injury status and matchup. Williams hasn’t practiced all week and the Ravens have allowed a league low 41 total rushing yards through two games. KC might rely on the passing game to carry the offense in Week 3.

RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

Mixon is a total beast when healthy but unfortunately the 2nd year RB seems to have only one gear that is 100 MPH. Mixon put up a stinker in Week 2 when he entered the contest playing through injury. I’ve watched Mixon since college and he’s special when he’s healthy but I’d bench him until he’s back to form.  Mixon has 9.7 fantasy points through two games. Ouch.

WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

T.Y. HiltonIf you have a deep roster you may consider benching Hilton in Week 3 vs the Falcons. Hilton is off to a productive fantasy season but faces an Atlanta defense that’s stingy vs the pass. The Falcons defense has allowed a league low 167 passing yards per game. Hilton will most likely be matched up vs. cornerback Desmond Trufant who leads the NFL in interceptions with two.

WR Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns

Regression is a popular term used in the fantasy and DFS community. When I think of regression I tend to think of Landry. Once a PPR stud and lock for 15 points every game, Landry is not the same player. QB Baker Mayfield has 44 completions through two games and Landry has only seven of them.

TE Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

This recommendation is based on QB Cam Newton missing the Week 3 contest. Olsen was ignored in drafts as drafters forgot how much Cam loves Olsen. In Week 2, Olsen flashed and put up a monster game. Temper those expectations if Cam is out.

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