Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3
The season is long, and all you 0-2 fantasy managers need to be positive. Overreaction can make the situation worse. Just start with your best guys and stay on track. This week’s Start ‘Em Sit ’em column has a few surprising recommendations, but I feel they’re justified. Before I randomly throw some names around, I want to lay out the ground rules for this Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em series.
Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Series Ground Rules
- I will review and grade my picks every week for complete transparency. I think this is important.
- I’m only recommending players to start who have a start percentage of 75% or lower at Sleeper.
- I’m only recommending players to sit who have a start percentage of less than 60% at Sleeper.
Important Tip: When in doubt, always trust your gut over my picks. I’m good at fantasy football, but it’s your team.
Week 2 Article Recap
Last Week’s Recommended Starts
- Drake Maye – QB3 for the week – Great Call.
- Dylan Sampson – TD saved a lousy day.
- Hollywood Brown – 5 catches for 30 yards. dud
- Keon Coleman – Once Josh Allen got hurt, the Bills just sat on the lead.
- Ricky Pearsall – 4 catches, 56 yards. Not great, I expected more.
- Rome Odunze – Good call, WR4 on the week with 7 catches 128 yards, 2 tds
Last Week’s Recommended Sits
- Jordan Love – QB13 for the week. He did better than I thought.
- Isiah Pacheco – Good call, he was RB 55 on the week.
- T.J. Hockenson – Another good call, Vikings offense looked awful.
Week 3 Fantasy Football Start Recommendations
15% Starting at Sleeper
With all the injuries to quarterbacks and the head-scratching start to the season, it feels wrong not to recommend Daniel Jones this week. Danny Dimes is QB2 for the season. It’s early, and the wheels could come off fast, but it’s hard to ignore his impressive start to the season. One aspect of his game that nobody seems to be discussing is his goalline vulturing. Jones has 3 rushing TDs this season, which I’m sure is driving Jonathan Taylor owners crazy.
If you need a QB, Jones and the Colts are riding high after their win over the Broncos. They play the Titans this week and will want to keep their winning streak alive, especially against a division rival.
17% Starting at Sleeper
The threat of rookie running backs stealing jobs was a major storyline this summer. Yet, so far, the rookie class has not made an impact. TreVeyon Henderson has not cut into Stevenson’s workload, and until he does, I would start the veteran running back.
This week, the Patriots take on the Steelers, which normally would be a cause for concern; however, the Steelers haven’t been the elite defensive juggernaut of years past. In both games this season, the Steelers have allowed a 100-yard rusher. Don’t overthink this matchup; start him.
48% Starting at Sleeper
The Vikings host the Bengals this weekend, and neither team will have its starting quarterback. The running game will be an important aspect for the coaches, and the Vikings need a win, and the Bengals want to do their best without Joe Burrow in a long-term plan where he hopefully comes back for a playoff run. Aaron Jones is out, this is a prime game for carries.
65% Starting at Sleeper
The Raiders looked terrible on Monday night, but in fantasy football, a wide receiver who sees 12 targets can’t be ignored. Meyers has 22 targets this season, and he’s easily a top choice for Geno Smith. The Raiders take on the Commanders this week, despite the short week from playing on Monday, I like the Raiders to bounce back in week three.
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65% Starting at Sleeper
The Targets are there, but the chemistry isn’t. Ridley was held to just three catches for 57 yards in Week 2, but Cam Ward’s rookie growing pains are improving each week. I like this matchup and think he’s worth a start.
20% Starting at Sleeper
Injury warning: Jauan Jennings (ankle) injured his ankle in the Week 2 win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis through this week. However, he did look good, catching five of 10 targets for 89 yards and his first touchdown of 2025. Jennings will at least be in play as a WR3/flex if he’s active in Week 3 against the division-rival Cardinals.
3% Starting at Sleeper
You gotta find a way to get this guy into your lineup. Franklin caught eight passes on nine targets for 89 yards and a touchdown in Sunday’s 29-28 loss to the Colts. Gridiron Experts actually had him as a DFS sleeper last week. We’ve been waiting on his breakout game for a while now. Franklin and Bo Nix are former Oregon Ducks, and the chemistry has always been there; it was more about waiting for Franklin to adapt to the pro game. I’m happy to confidently add him to our Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3 article.
25% Starting at Sleeper
Ertz has a touchdown streak that he’s hoping to extend beyond week three. The only problem is that it sounds like Jayden Daniels might not go. The Commanders quarterback is questionable for Week 3 with a knee injury, and his absence could cap Ertz’s upside. Still, the backup QB’s best friend is always the reliable target, and Ertz is definitely that.
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Week 3 Fantasy Football Sit Recommendations
96% Starting at Sleeper
This isn’t a Hurts problem; it’s an offensive coordinator problem.
Every year, the Eagles have a new guy. When they bring in a big name, Hurts has a great season, but that follows with the coach leaving for a Head Coaching job. Kellen Moore was the Eagles’ OC last year; now he’s the head coach of the Saints. Shane Steichen, OC in 2022, then left to coach the Colts. However, when they promote from within, Hurts and the passing game struggle. Brian Johnson was promoted from within in 2023, and the offense sputtered; it seems that way again under Kevin Patullo in 2025.
As a mobile quarterback, Hurts has a lot of value, but the play calling has been subpar for the Eagles’ passing game, and the fan base has been contained due to the team’s 2-0 start. However, I can tell you they do not want a repeat of the 2022 season. Until they fix the playcalling, he’s a sit for me. I’m not saying drop him, that would be stupid, but if you have options, you should consider them.
77% Starting at Sleeper
This isn’t how it was supposed to go. The “Chargers are a running team” narrative doesn’t seem to be true at all. While this week does look to be a better matchup, I can’t go another week with this rookie wrecking lineups.
73% Starting at Sleeper
29-year-old Sutton recorded one reception on four targets for six yards in Sunday’s 29-28 loss to the Colts. Bo Nix seems to prefer Franklin, and we’re stuck holding Sutton stock. Until something changes, I don’t think Sutton is worthy of a start unless you have a deep league.
63% Starting at Sleeper
Flacco is holding Njoku back. The Browns tight end caught four catches, 40 yards in a lopsided Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Njoku has just seven catches for 77 scoreless yards through two games. Meanwhile, fellow Cleveland tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has officially become a concern for Njoku’s fantasy managers as the rookie has outproduced the veteran with 12 catches for 111 yards. Joe Flacco doesn’t offer much hope for upside. Sit him
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