Starts and sits is here to help fantasy managers make those all important last minute lineup decisions .While we won’t tell you about obvious starts such as Christian McCaffrey or Justin Jefferson, we will find players you may be waffling about and help you make a decision.
Let’s look at quarterbacks for Week 3.
Start: Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts
Assuming rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is able to exit the concussion protocol following his injury last Sunday, he is a slam dunk start against softer than expected Baltimore defense. Richardson’s running ability is bound to make him a must start should he keep up his current usage, and his passing ability is already up there with the other rookies in his class. Check the injury report going into the weekend, and if Richardson is a go, fire him up as a QB1.
Start: Brock Purdy, QB, San Francisco 49ers
Brock Purdy has been a little better as a real life quarterback than a fantasy one this season, though I think it is fair to say he has gone up against two of the better looking defenses on the season in the Steelers and Rams. This week Purdy gets a much softer matchup in a Giants squad that made Josh Dobbs look like Cam Newton last week. Fire up Brock Purdy tonight as a solid QB2 and a top 15 option at the position.
Sit: Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker has been featured on this list the last two weeks as a start, and it has worked out pretty well for the fantasy managers who started him. This week however, Mayfield gets a ferociously talented Philadelphia defense that won’t be quite as generous as the previous two he has faced. With corners that can actually cover Mike Evans, and a pass rush that will punish a middling interior offensive line, Baker could be in for a rough outing. Find a better option if you can.
Start: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
There are Tua Tagovailoa owners out there who may see the Denver defense on the Miami schedule and panic a bit by bumping Tagovailoa into a QB2. However, given the play of both the Miami Dolphins’ QB and the recent play of the Denver defense, Tagovailoa becomes a must start. There isn’t really any defensive back on the Denver roster that can man up with Tyreek Hill, and the depth behind Patrick Surtain is concerning. Expect a field day for Tua, who can confidently be started as a top five option once again.
Bench: Sam Howell, QB, Washington Commanders
Everyone loves a feel-good story, and Sam Howell is one of the best feel good stories in the entire league. After leading the Commanders to a 2-0 record, and lighting up a Denver defense all afternoon, there are plenty of people aboard the Sam Howell train, and for good reason. However, neither the Arizona or Denver defenses Howell has faced so far present the same challenge that the Buffalo defense does, and Howell may be pressured early and often. Feel free to start Howell in a two-quarterback league, otherwise look elsewhere for your weekly starter.
