With the season in full swing, fantasy football managers enter Week 3 with some crucial start/sit decisions as injuries and performance trends continue to have major impacts on lineups.
Doing start/sit articles can be a little challenging. The players featured on the list below should not be taken as “must starts” or “must sits.” Instead, these are more suggestions on what we believe managers should do with fringe players heading into the weekend. The choice is ultimately up to the manager.
Just because a player is listed as a “start” doesn’t mean he should be put in the lineup over the secure, bona fide studs. Vice versa for the “sits.” If there’s no better option on the waiver wire or the bench, a manager shouldn’t automatically sit the player. That’s why these can be tricky waters to navigate.
Feel free to ask any specific start/sit questions via X, formerly Twitter, (@KevinHickey11) or check out our player projections for Week 2:
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams at Cincinnati Bengals
The Rams have had no qualms airing it out with Stafford, evident by their 60% pass rate, which is the eighth-highest in the NFL through two weeks. Despite his one touchdown pass thus far, Stafford has gone over 300 passing yards in each of the first two games. The Bengals have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game (20.8) to the position to open the season.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
After not being needed in Week 1, Prescott looked more like himself in Week 2. He completed 31-of-38 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns while adding six carries for 14 rushing yards. The Cardinals have allowed the third-most fantasy points per game (23.0) to quarterbacks thus far, putting Prescott firmly in the fringe QB1 tier.
Sit ’em
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints
Sensing a trend here? Love and the Packers are off to a solid start offensively even while dealing with injuries. However, regression could hit big time this week. His 11.5% touchdown rate is bonkers and will come back down to reality. Meanwhile, the Saints defense is legit. They have the ninth-most sacks and 12th-most pressures, according to Pro Football Reference. It might be best to let Love ride the bench in this one.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals vs. Los Angeles Rams
It feels blasphemous to suggest this, but here we are. The calf injury is significant and could simply keep him out of the game. They play Monday night so that’s a tough decision in itself. On top of that, Burrow has not looked like his typical self, averaging just 4.2 yards per attempt. The Rams also have been surprisingly stout against quarterbacks, allowing the seventh-fewest fantasy points per game (11.9) to the position. The Bengals should figure it out eventually, but it’s not wise to risk playing an already injured Burrow on a Monday night while he’s struggling to get things going.
Running Back
Start ’em
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos at Miami Dolphins
The start to the season has been middling for Williams. It hasn’t been good, but it hasn’t been terrible. What’s encouraging is the fact that he’s leading the team in rush share (69%) and target share (15%). If there’s a game for him to break out, it’s this one. The Dolphins have allowed the fourth-most PPR points per game (28.9) and rushing yards (271) to the position thus far.
Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks
Sanders finds himself in a similar situation to Williams. His production hasn’t been fantastic, but the usage is encouraging. Through two games, he has a 74% running back rush share to go along with an 18% target share. Working with a rookie quarterback has limited the offense, but Andy Dalton taking over this week may be better for Sanders, surprising as it may be. Also, the matchup is strong as the Seahawks have allowed the seventh-most PPR points per game (26.4) to opposing backs.
Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears at Kansas City Chiefs
Admittedly, this one is pretty risky. The Bears offense has been dysfunctional, to say the least. But Herbert is still the leader in the backfield even with rookie Roschon Johnson hot on his heels. With a 53% running back rush share and 13% target share, Herbert could be a solid option as the Bears will need to keep up with the Chiefs.
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns vs. Tennessee Titans
Before you start throwing stuff, this is aimed more toward managers who have the depth to sit Ford. Some managers are desperate for starting running backs. In that case, Ford is a volume flex play. However, there’s a good chance the Browns simply air it out against the Titans’ weak secondary rather than go against arguably the best run defense in the NFL. Ford will be involved enough, but there’s a chance he’s stifled as a runner.
Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Last year’s successful rookie campaign Pierce put together seems so long ago after the first two weeks of this new season. The 23-year-old has yet to produce more seven PPR points in a game and hasn’t topped 38 rushing yards yet. He’s also seen just six targets over the first two games while the Jaguars have allowed the third-fewest PPR points per game (12.8) to opposing backs.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals vs. Dallas Cowboys
Again, those with Conner are probably starting him, so this is more to temper expectations. The usage has been fantastic, but Conner is going to run into a major problem against the red-hot Cowboys defense. They’ve allowed the second-fewest PPR points per game (8.6) to opposing backs, which includes the likes of Saquon Barkley and Breece Hall.
Wide Receiver
Start ’em
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings vs. Los Angeles Chargers
One of our sleepers this week, the rookie is likely due for regression at some point. But that may hold off for another week. Addison is clearly the No. 3 option in the passing game, but he’s already showing the ability to make high-impact plays. Meanwhile, the Chargers have been gashed by wideouts, allowing the most PPR points per game (57.1) and receiving yards (565) to the position through two games.
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts
Another talented rookie off to a hot start, Flowers is in a prime position to offer both floor and upside this week. The Ravens will be without Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle), and the Colts have allowed the second-most PPR points per game (53.1) to the position through two games. The weather may be a factor, but Flowers should do most of his work after the catch anyway.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
It’s likely going to be a volatile season for London considering the pass/run splits Atlanta is trending toward. However, he bounced back in a strong way in Week 2, posting a 6-67-1 receiving line on a 24% target share. The Lions offense should force the Falcons into a slightly more pass-heavy script, and they’ve allowed the eighth-most PPR points per game (39.3) to the position. He’s a WR3/flex play with upside.
Sit ’em
Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Chicago Bears
Though it was fun to watch Moore score a long touchdown on a broken play, managers should proceed with caution here. The matchup against the Bears defense is a favorable one, but he still hasn’t posted higher than a 10% target share in any game this season. We need to see more volume before he can be trusted.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers vs. New Orleans Saints
The second-round pick currently leads the team with a 22% target share, which is great. However, there’s a chance we see the return of Christian Watson (hamstring) this week, so it’s unclear what the dynamic will look like if and when he’s back. Also, the Saints have allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points per game (27.6) to wideouts thus far. Reed is absolutely a stash, but he should probably be on the bench this week.
Jahan Dotson, Washington Commanders vs. Buffalo Bills
We simply have not seen enough from Dotson in this new Commanders offense to trust him in the starting lineup. His 19% target share through two games is solid, but the Bills have been strong against the position, allowing the fourth-fewest PPR points per game (24.1) to wideouts thus far. This also is a game likely to be impacted by weather, so it’s best just to let Dotson prove he needs to be in the starting lineup.
Tight End
Start ’em
Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals
There may be more exciting options, but Ferguson is in line for a solid game. The Cardinals are allowing the 10th-most PPR points per game (12.3) to the position, and he’s tied for the second-most targets on the team while boasting a strong 18% target share.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
You’re likely already starting Goedert, so this is just a confidence booster to keep him in the lineup. It’s been a slow start, but he did just post a 32% target share in Week 2 and is on the field for nearly every snap. Meanwhile, the Bucs have allowed the fifth-most receptions (15) to the position through two weeks.
Sit ’em
Luke Musgrave, Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints
The rookie can be an intriguing option in the right matchup, but this isn’t one of them. The Saints have allowed just three receptions and five total PPR points to the position this season. This matchup could be a defensive battle, so we should look at higher-upside options.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans at Cleveland Browns
Okonkwo certainly has an intriguing profile given his explosive play-making, but those plays have been few and far between. The Titans’ passing attack doesn’t have an identity right now, and Chig is sporting just an 11% target share. Also, the matchup is horrendous as the Browns have allowed just four receptions for 19 yards to the position through two games.
