Starts/Sits For Fantasy Football Week 3

Fantasy football has been crazy this year so far. With some top players getting off to slow starts and many players dealing with injuries, week 3 is full of tough decisions. Here are my starts/sits for fantasy football in week 3.

Starts/Sits For Fantasy Football In Week 3

Many people’s running back rooms have been hit hard. Nick Chubb is gone for the season. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry are dealing with injuries as well. Aaron Jones is on track to be back, but until we hear something, I would be cautious. We did see Cam Akers get moved, which might benefit his fantasy value but that is also unclear. Onto the list!

Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (31) – Megan Briggs/Getty Images

Start: RB Raheem Mostert (vs. Broncos)

Mostert has been a lifesaver for many in the flex spot (including myself). He has benefitted from Jeff Wilson being on IR and rookie De’Von Achane is barely playing. I would expect a similar workload against the Broncos on Sunday. Their defense is allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2023. Mostert may even get more touches as wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is dealing with an injury. If you are looking for a solid RB2 for this week, Mostert is a great option.

Jest RB Dalvin Cook (33) – Bill Kostroun/New York Post

Sit: RB Dalvin Cook (vs. Patriots)

If you are dealing with running back problems, it is easy to look at the name of Dalvin Cook and think, “Ooo that’s a nice option”. Then you look at the numbers. Through two games, Cook has scored just nine fantasy points. He only had four carries last week and one target in the passing game. Breece Hall and Michael Carter are splitting carries. To make matters worse, the offense is now led by Zach Wilson making it likely that the team will be playing from behind and abandon the running game at some point during the game. If you have to start Cook, don’t be surprised if he gives you a donut in terms of points.

Packers WR Jayden Reed (11) – Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Start: WR Jayden Reed (vs. Saints)

Reed has been off to a scorching start. With Christian Watson dealing with a hamstring injury, he has been the clear WR1 in the Green Bay offense. Last week, he had two touchdowns and scored one the previous week as well. For years, Aaron Rodgers looked for Randall Cobb on key third downs. It looks like Jordan Love is forming the same bond with Reed. He ranks in the top five in targets, giving him ample opportunity to get yards. Even if Watson comes back, I would expect Reed to still get a variety of looks. The Saints are tough against the run, so the Packers might air it out more on Sunday.

Jets WR Garrett Wilson (17) – Adam Bettcher/Getty Images

Sit: WR Garrett Wilson (vs. Patriots)

Am I making it clear I dislike the Jets’ offense? Wilson was saved last week by catching a long touchdown pass. Otherwise, his day was very mediocre and borderline bad. The Jets are sticking with Zach Wilson at quarterback (at least for now). Wilson has been bad against the Patriots defense. In three games, he has two touchdowns and seven interceptions. The Patriots have faced both the Eagles and Dolphins, who have great receiving rooms and have held them in check. I would expect Garrett Wilson to be shut down on Sunday.

Falcons TE Kyle Pitts (8) – Michael Ainsworth/AP Photo

Start: TE Kyle Pitts (at Lions)

I know. I know. You have Pitts, and he has burned you the first two weeks. The Falcons, for some reason, refuse to draw up plays for him. It’s frustrating not just as a fantasy football owner but as a fan of the game who wants to see freakish athletes do amazing stuff. I have him in the starts because of the opponent. The Lions have already allowed 175 yards to tight ends. Remember, they played the Chiefs without Travis Kelce and still gave up a bunch of yards to tight ends. If it doesn’t happen in this matchup, you will never see Pitts in this starts again, but for this week, put him in the lineup.

Rams TE Tyler Higbee (89) – Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Sit: TE Tyler Higbee (at Bengals)

When Cooper Kupp went to the IR, I, and many others, thought that Higbee would see an increase in targets. Spoiler alert! He hasn’t. Higbee has ten targets and six catches on the year. What no one counted on was Puka Nacua becoming the second coming of Jerry Rice. He and Tutu Atwell have seen steady targets while Higbee is left picking up the scraps. The matchup also isn’t ideal, as the Bengals have allowed less than 100 yards total to tight ends on the season. There are so many options at tight end. Try another one this week.

Vikings QB Kirk Cousins (8) – David Berding/Getty Images

Start: QB Kirk Cousins (vs. Chargers)

He is playing the Chargers defense. Need I say more? But seriously, Cousins has been amazing from a fantasy perspective. No matter what you think of him as an NFL quarterback in terms of wins and losses, the man puts up stats. He is one of two quarterbacks to have more than 700 yards passing and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes. This is likely to be one of the highest scoring games this week, so really anyone playing in this game is a safe bet.

Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (18) – Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images

Sit: Trevor Lawrence (vs. Texans)

Most likely, you saw the Texans and thought, “Lawrence is a must-start!” As the great Lee Corso would say, not so fast, my friend. The Texans have only allowed one passing touchdown all season, and Lawrence has only thrown two. Houston has allowed just 16 TD passes in total, the fewest in the league. They have more interceptions (17) than TDs allowed in that span. This is a stat that doesn’t seem like it is true, but it is. There are a lot of mid-tier quarterbacks with better matchups this week, so look to one of those to fill the quarterback slot.

That is my list of starts/sits for fantasy football in week 3. Good luck everyone!