Welcome Fantasy friends and foes to my weekly Start and Sit advice column with the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 3 Start Sit.
I kicked off the Week 2 Start-Sit advice strong with the Quarterback calls hitting two out of three on each recommendation. Jared Goff and Baker Mayfield shined this week (wait, did I say that?). However, Brock Purdy decided to break his streak of two passing touchdowns or more this week.
The highlighted suggested starting RB duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and James Cook came through for fantasy managers. The other duo of RBs to start, Joshua Kelley and Dameon Pierce, were a colossal disappointment. Sean McVay took my advice to sit with Cam Akers literally and deactivated Akers. Najee Harris disappointed on Monday Night, but James Conner proved me wrong as a Sit by rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The Wide Receiver position treated me well, with only Brandon Aiyuk not meeting his Start recommendation. However, Drake London decided to step up and produce for fantasy managers but didn't help me with my Sit advice. The Tight End advice helped fantasy managers with their lineups, except for Jake Ferguson scoring a touchdown.
Here are better results as I take on the 2023 Fantasy Football Week 3 Start Sit.
2023 Fantasy Football Week 3 Start Sit
Become an All-Access Member to get access to the Award-Winning Rankings, DFS Tools, and more.
If you are already a member, sign in.
Quarterbacks
Start -Â Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Aaron who? Jordan Love has taken over the Packers offense. All he has done is throw for three touchdowns in the first two games this season. Love has yet to throw an interception and has averaged seven yards on his five rushes this season.
His Week 3 matchup against the New Orleans Saints looks attractive, with the Saints defense ranking in the bottom third in pass defense. More impressively, Love is accomplishing this production level with his WR1 Christian Watson, and Aaron Jones was out in Week 2.
Their Week 3 is still unknown, but you should give Love to Jordan Love in Week 3.
Other QBs to Start: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys, Jared Goff, Detroit LionsÂ
Sit - Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Every fantasy manager cringed when they saw the video of Joe Burrow injuring his calf. Still, Burrow was out there in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, but maybe he shouldn't have been. Burrow looks hobbled, and the Bengals offense is struggling.
Burrow produced functional fantasy stats last week with 222 yards and two scores versus the Baltimore Ravens. However, fantasy managers didn't select Burrow to be functional. They chose Burrow to be a top-five fantasy quarterback. There are rumblings that Burrow may even sit out of his Week 3 matchup, which takes place in Cincinnati against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night.
Trusting Burrow in your starting lineup is challenging, even if he suits up on Monday Night. If there is any way to sit Burrow, bite the bullet.
Other QBs to Avoid: Daniel Jones, New York Giants, Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints
Running Backs
Start - Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco has disappointed fantasy managers through two games with zero touchdowns. He entered the season with injuries that seemed to contribute to his slow start, but he enters into a juicy Week 3 matchup against the Chicago Bears.
The Bears have surrendered 65 points, the second-most in the league, and now face a Chiefs offense looking to get in sync. This could get ugly quickly.
This game should be a get-well game for the Chiefs' offense, and Pacheco should thrive and bounce back in the good graces of fantasy managers.
Start - Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
The rookie is scheduled to make his NFL debut this Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. Kendre Miller walks directly into the lead back role with the Saints running back group injuries and Alvin Kamara still suspended.
This is an ideal opportunity for Miller to display his talents with minimal competition for touches. Volume is king, and Miller will garner all the opportunities he can handle and be at least a FLEX option for fantasy managers.
Other RBs to Start: Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks, Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Sit - Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
The unfortunate injury suffered by Nick Chubb allowed Jerome Ford to thrive against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday Night. Ford was excellent in the relief role, producing 106 rushing yards and scoring on a receiving touchdown. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear that Ford will be the lead back in Cleveland even though the Browns brought back Kareem Hunt to their backfield.
Ford should lead the team in touches this week. However, he faces a daunting task against the Tennessee Titans run defense, who give up a measly 2.7 yards per carry. The Browns offense will be forced to the air, allowing Deshaun Watson to redeem himself after an ugly performance Monday Night.
The TItans' run defense will bottle up Ford, and we should see Hunt get his opportunities in the passing game, which will limit fantasy opportunities for Ford.
Sit - Joshua Kelley, Los Angeles Chargers
Joshua Kelley was the talk of the fantasy geeks, with Austin Ekeler out in Week 2. Unfortunately, he laid an egg against the tough Tennessee Titans run defense. Kelley had 13 rushes for only 39 yards and killed plenty of fantasy and DFS lineups simultaneously.
Ekeler looks to be out again this week, so Kelley and his fantasy managers looked to rebound in Week 3 with a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings defense is atrocious, and the Chargers' offense should have their way all game. However, Herbert and his elite receiving weapons should hit big and often. Kelley is not an option in the passing game, so that he will take a backseat on Sunday.
Other RBs to Avoid: Matt Brieda, New York Giants, Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta FalconsÂ
Wide Receivers
Start - Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
There were concerns that Amari Cooper would be unable to suit up on Monday Night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but Cooper toughed it out. Cooper produced seven receptions on ten targets for 90 yards in a contest that saw Deshaun Watson play horribly.
Cooper is a PPR monster whom Watson focuses on whenever he is in trouble. However, that shouldn't be an issue in the Week 3 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans' defense strength is versus the run, but they get lit up against the pass.
They have surrendered 476 passing yards (second-most) and three touchdowns to wideouts this season. Cooper should thrive in this plus matchup and a wideout in your Week 3 lineups.
Start - George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
George Pickens showcased his big-play ability with a 71-yard touchdown play on Monday night against the Cleveland Browns. Pickens also led the Steelers in targets with Dionate Johnson sidelined for four weeks with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy managers might hesitate to trust Pickens, but the Steelers offense desperately needs his playmaking ability, with Pickett still growing into an NFL quarterback and stagnant running game.
The Steelers visit Las Vegas for a Sunday Night matchup against the Raiders, where we should see Pickett and Pickens hook up for a score or two. The Raiders defense has coughed up a league-leading four touchdowns to wideouts this season. Pickens will add to that total and is a must-start this week.
Other WRs to Start: Josh Reynolds, WR, Detroit Lions, Zay Flowers, Baltimore RavensÂ
Sit - Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kirk bounced back with a bang in Week 2 after one reception for a nine-yard output in Week 1. In Week 2, Kirk took advantage of the Chiefs' defense, focusing on Calvin Ridley to the tune of 11 receptions on 14 targets for 110 yards.
Unfortunately, fantasy managers will see a big letdown in Week 3 as Kirk takes on the Houston Texans, who have done a great job shutting him down. Kirk totaled only three receptions on six targets for 32 yards in two games last season.
The Texans' defense gets destroyed on the ground, so there is minimal volume through the air, and that should occur again on Sunday. Find an alternative option at wide receiver this week.
Sit - Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Fantasy managers might be encouraged by his start this season; Courtland Sutton is currently at WR32. However, there should be apprehension about inserting Sutton in your Week 3 lineups. The Denver Broncos offense is still a work in progress, with Russell Wilson and his weapons still learning Sean Payton's offense.
Plus, Jerry Jeudy is hobbled and didn't play in Week 1 and looked like more of a decoy in Week 2 as he continues to try to bounce back from a hamstring injury. Sutton has 12 targets through two games, and that number will decrease as Jeudy gets healthier and the explosive rookie Marvin Mims, Jr. gets more looks.
The Broncos offense takes on the Miami Dolphins defense in Week 3, who has yet to give up a touchdown to wide receivers this season. Look for that streak to continue this week by shutting Sutton out of the endzone and your fantasy lineups.
Tight Ends:
Start - Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Hunter Henry has shined in Bill O'Brien's offense and has developed excellent chemistry with quarterback Mac Jones. Henry has produced 11 receptions on 13 targets for 108 yards and has scored a touchdown in each contest.
Henry comes in at TE12 this week and buys in that he can produce similar stats in his Week 3 matchup against the New York Jets. The Jets have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to tight ends through two games, and Henry should contribute to lowering them in the rankings.
Other TEs to Start: Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys, David Njoku, Cleveland BrownsÂ
Sit - Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Everyone gushes over his talent, but his fantasy production makes me nauseous. Whether it's poor quarterback play, inept play-calling, or a combo of both, starting Kyle Pitts always disappoints. Fantasy managers and analysts continue to place TE1 status on Pitts, but he has to produce as one through two games.
Only targeted eight times through two games, Pitts seems to be the forgotten playmaker in the Atlanta Falcons offense. Pitts has a plus matchup this week against the Detroit Lions, who are in the bottom third in fantasy points allowed to tight ends. Regardless, sitting Pitts until he can produce fantasy-relevant stats is the Week 3 path for fantasy managers.
Other TEs to Avoid: Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints, Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
Want more help with your starting lineups? Stay up to date with our award-winning rankings!
