Welcome to Week 3, friends. As always, we’re here to provide you with some fantasy football Quick Grades (or Start/Sit Grades, if you prefer) for the week.

We tapped into our consensus projections and rankings and Derek Brown’s weekly Primer to generate this week’s Quick Grades. See below for the results and accompanying notes.

• Erickson’s Fantasy Forecast: Week 3
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
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Week 3 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

* Burrow is questionable for Monday Night Football and is a game-time decision.

Ryan Tannehill: Will the real Ryan Tannehill please stand up? After a rough Week 1, he rebounded dramatically last week. Tannehill was first in passing grade, first in yards per attempt, and first in adjusted completion rate as the QB15 in fantasy. We’ll see if Tannehill can stack back-to-back fantastic games against a Browns’ defense that looks legit. Cleveland has allowed the second-lowest yards per attempt, third-lowest passer rating, and the lowest adjusted completion rate. The Browns also have the eighth-best pressure rate. Tannehill won’t have much time in the pocket in Week 3. Week 3 Positional Value: low-end QB2

Deshaun Watson: I warned everyone this offseason that 2022 Watson could be quite similar this season. The former magic he possessed on an NFL field looks to be gone. Watson has the 12th-lowest passing grade, third-lowest yards per attempt, and second-lowest adjusted completion rate. He is 19th in fantasy points per dropback. That said, this is the matchup for Watson to turn his fortunes around. If it can happen in 2023, it should start in Week 3 against a burnable Titans’ pass defense. Tennessee has permitted the fourth-highest yards per attempt, eighth-highest passer rating, and the 12th-most fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Week 3 Positional Value: QB2 with QB1 upside this week

Desmond Ridder: Ridder has been a replacement-level quarterback so far. With two games under his belt, he has the second-worst passing grade, highest turnover-worthy play rate, and seventh-lowest aDOT. He also has the fourth-lowest deep passing grade and tenth-lowest deep passer rating. His ten rushing attempts (39 rushing yards) last week and rushing score saved his fantasy day. In his six NFL starts, that is only his second game with more than ten rushing yards, so I wouldn’t count on the rushing production as a consistent weekly aid. Detroit is 11th in passer rating, 14th in yards per attempt, and has allowed the sixth-highest adjusted completion rate. Their pass defense is still finding its way, but their pass rush is in midseason form, ranking fifth in pressure rate. Ridder has crumbled under pressure with the sixth-lowest adjusted completion rate and fifth-lowest yards per attempt. Week 3 Positional Value: Low-end QB2

Jared Goff: Goff has been playing outstanding football. He’s fifth in passing grade, third in yards per attempt, and second in adjusted completion rate. Goff is also tenth in fantasy points per dropback. He started balling out down the stretch last season and has continued to play well into the 2023 season. After demolishing rookie Bryce Young in Week 1, the Falcons faced Jordan Love last week. Against Love, they finished the week with the fifth-lowest passer rating, fifth-lowest yards per attempt, and third-lowest adjusted completion rate allowed. Atlanta’s pass defense looks legit, also ranking eighth-best in pressure rate. Goff should have plenty of time to find open receivers, as his offensive line has allowed him to face the seventh-lowest pressure rate. Goff should post a solid stat line here but don’t expect a ceiling performance. Week 3 Positional Value: low-end QB1/high-end QB2

Derek Carr: Carr’s play has been a rollercoaster through two weeks as he settles in. Carr is fifth in yards per attempt and fourth in big-time throw rate, but he’s also 20th in passing grade and 30th in adjusted completion rate as he tries to get on the same page with his receivers. Green Bay hasn’t been a pushover pass defense, ranking 18th in yards per attempt while holding passers to the seventh-lowest passer rating, but they can be beat deep. The Packers have allowed the second-highest passer rating and third-highest adjusted completion rating to deep passes. This matches up perfectly with their struggles to defend the deep ball in 2022. Last season, Green Bay gave up the tenth-highest passer rating and fourth-highest adjusted completion rate to deep passes. Carr has been hyper-aggressive, letting it rip downfield. He leads all quarterbacks in deep ball rate and deep pass attempts. Week 3 Positional Value: QB2 with QB1 upside if he connects on the deep balls

Jordan Love: The perception of Love’s quarterbacking has been puffed up by an unsustainable touchdown run out. Love is tied for first in passing touchdowns (six) despite ranking 28th in passing attempts. This will come back to earth, and it probably starts this week. Love’s efficiency metrics are ghastly. He’s 26th in passing grade with the tenth-lowest big-time throw rate and the lowest adjusted completion rate in the NFL (minimum 20 dropbacks). New Orleans is a defense to be reckoned with. They have held passers to the fourth-lowest yards per attempt, second-lowest passer rating, and third-lowest adjusted completion rate. Quarterbacks average only eight fantasy points per game against New Orleans (fourth-lowest). Week 3 Positional Value: Worrisome QB2

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Week 3 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Michael Thomas: If any wide receiver could get shadow coverage from Jaire Alexander, it’s probably Thomas. Alexander followed D.J. Moore on 55% of his routes in Week 1. He held Moore to goose eggs across the board with zero targets or receiving yards. Thomas has a 22.9% target share and 22.3% air-yard share with 1.76 YPRR as the WR41 in fantasy. Thomas has looked like the vintage Thomas. He’s been second in command against zone coverage behind only Olave. If Alexander doesn’t follow Thomas, he’ll run about 72% of his routes against Alexander (75% catch rate and 156.3 passer rating) and Rasul Douglas (63.6% catch rate and 41.9 passer rating). Thomas has been the go to receiver in the red zone (tied for the sixth-most red zone targets in the NFL). Week 3 Positional Value: WR3

Romeo Doubs: Doubs has earned a 15.7% target share and a 19.2% air yard share this season. He’s 24th in receiving grade and 47th in YPRR with a 64% route run per team dropback rate. While he opened the season with two scores in Week 1, we can’t rely on those touchdowns weekly. We should look elsewhere if we’re looking for strong receiving yardage totals to balance out the touchdown valleys. Doubs has surpassed 50 receiving yards in only three career games. I doubt he will make it four this week. Doubs will run about 81% of his routes against Marshon Lattimore (37.5% catch rate and 9.4 passer rating) and Paulson Adebo (55.6% catch rate and 43.5 passer rating). Week 3 Positional Value: WR5

Jayden Reed: Reed has been incredible on a limited route volume. He’s only seen a 57% route run per team dropback rate. Among wide receivers with at least 25 routes (141 WRs), Reed is 24th in target share (23.5%), third in TPRR (38%), and 17th in YPRR (2.66). Reed’s role is holding him back. He’s stuck in a part-time slot role on a low-volume passing offense. Until he can break free and become a full-time player, his upside is capped regardless of how good he is on a per-route basis. Reed will run about 65% of his routes against Alontae Taylor (80% catch rate and 105.2 passer rating). Week 3 Positional Value: WR4/5

Jerry Jeudy: Jeudy was slow out the gate with a 15.6% target share and a 13.0% air yard share (0.76 YPRR), but his underlying usage is very encouraging. While he was not blowing up the boxscore in his first game back, he had an 81% route run per team dropback rate and a 33.0% first-read share. The high route total means he is somewhere close to full health, and the heavy first-read usage foretells that the target volume is coming. The closest receiver to that number for first reads is Sutton at a disappointing 17.2%. Jeudy will run about 73% of his routes from the slot against Kader Kohou (66.9% catch rate and 85.7 passer rating allowed in his career). Week 3 Positional Value: WR2

Courtland Sutton: Sutton has an 18.2% target share and a 30.4% air yard share. His first read share (17.2%) and efficiency have been disappointing. Sutton could very well be past his prime at this point. Without Jeudy in the lineup, he was unable to command heavy volume. Among 60 qualifying wide receivers, he ranks 30th in receiving grade and 39th in YPRR. He’ll run about 79% of his routes against Xavien Howard (68.8% catch rate and 55.5 passer rating) and Eli Apple (64.3% catch rate and 84.5 passer rating). Week 3 Positional Value: WR4

Marvin Mims: Mims is unstartable despite last week’s 113 receiving-yard performance. He only ran six routes last week. Mims just drew two deep targets (45.0 aDOT) and converted both for 113 receiving yards. Mims isn’t playable until the snaps and routes climb. Week 3 Positional Value: Must-Sit

Jordan Addison: Addison is inching closer weekly to supplanting K.J. Osborn as the team’s starter in two wide sets. His route run per team dropback rate increased from 61.7% to 71.7% last week. Addison has drawn only a 12.5% target share, a 26.2% air yard share, and a 12.3% first-read share despite his 2.15 YPRR. This passing offense heavily flows through Jefferson, and Hockenson is the number two after him, so Addison has his work cut out to possibly supplant Hockenson as the WR2 in the target tree. Addison will run about 73% of his routes against Samuel and Jackson. Week 3 Positional Value: WR3/4

Garrett Wilson: Wilson has had an amazing run out the last two weeks, with a touchdown-saving his day in Week 1 and a long touchdown in Week 2 doing the same. He has a 24.5% target share and a 48.5% air yard share, which is amazing until you realize it’s amounted to only six targets and 58.5 receiving yards per game. He can’t sustain this type of output as the WR23 all season with Zach Wilson under center. Wilson will run about 80% of his routes against Christian Gonzalez (66.7% catch rate and 58.5 passer rating) and some combination of Shaun Wade and Marcus Jones (combined have allowed a 66.7% catch rate and 40 receiving yards total). Week 3 Positional Value: WR4

Gabriel Davis: Davis remains Josh Allen‘s second in command when he looks to go deep. Davis was second on the team in deep targets (sixth-most among wide receivers) last year. This season, he has a 14.8% target share and a 30.5% air yard share. Davis ranks 26th in receiving grade and 36th in YPRR. We’ve seen Davis have huge outings when Allen’s deep ball is on display, which could easily happen in Week 3. Davis will run about 84% of his routes against Fuller and Forbes. Week 3 Positional Value: WR3 with massive upside

Terry McLaurin: Terry McLaurin has struggled out of the gate. He has a 15.8% target share and a 28.5% air yard share. Those numbers aren’t frightening, but he also ranks 51st in receiving grade and 43rd in YPRR. That’s where the “oh my” comes into play. This is probably injury-related and small sample variance, but it’s still noteworthy. McLaurin will run about 84% of his routes against Tre’Davious White (75% catch rate and 125.5 passer rating) and Christian Benford (33.3% catch rate and 52.1 passer rating). Week 3 Positional Value: WR3

Jahan Dotson: Dotson hasn’t started the season off strong either. He has a 19.0% target share and a 24.2% air yard share, but he’s done very little with it. Among 60 qualifying wide receivers, Dotson ranks 52nd in receiving grade and 57th in YPRR. Dotson leads the receiving group in weighted opportunity (WOPR). This doesn’t feel like the spot where Dotson begins to turn things around. He’ll run about half of his routes against Benford and White. Week 3 Positional Value: WR4/5

Michael Pittman: Pittman has been a target hog. He has a 30.6% target share, a 36.3% air yard share, and a whopping 39.6% first-read share. Among 60 qualifying receivers, he’s 26th in YPRR. He is second on the team (Downs, three) with two red zone targets. He’ll run about 75% of his routes against Brandon Stephens (57.1% catch rate and 71.7 passer rating) and Ronald Darby (50% catch rate and 99.0 passer rating). Week 3 Positional Value: WR2/3

Zay Flowers: Flowers has a 27.3% target share and a 21.8% air yard share. Among 60 qualifying wide receivers, he’s ranked 16th in receiving grade and YPRR. In Week 1, he drew a ridiculous 45.5% target share and 60% first read share. Yes, a large portion of that first-read share was related to screens. In Week 2, his usage came crashing back to earth with a 15.2% target share and a 19.2% first-read share. That first-read share was still good for second-best on the team, though. Against zone coverage (excluding designed or screen targets), Flowers leads the team in YPRR, but he falls down the pecking order in TPRR and first-read share. Flowers will run about 62% of his routes against Dallis Flowers (50% catch rate and 100.0 passer rating) and Darrell Baker Jr. (61.5% catch rate and 125.8 passer rating). Week 3 Positional Value: WR3

Week 3 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Kenneth Walker: Walker has maintained his firm grip on the starter’s job ahead of Zach Charbonnet. He’s averaged 62% of the snaps with 17 touches and 60.5 total yards. Walker is sixth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 28th in yards after contact per attempt. Carolina is a plus matchup for Walker. They have the fourth-lowest stuff rate, rank 15th in missed tackles allowed per attempt, and are sixth-worst in yards after contact per attempt allowed. Week 3 Positional Value: low-end RB1

Zach Charbonnet: Charbonnet is a handcuff stash only. He’s only averaged 26% of snaps played with 4.5 touches and 20.5 total yards. Week 3 Positional Value: Handcuff only

Khalil Herbert: Herbert saw the biggest bump from D’Onta Foreman being a healthy scratch last week. Herbert played 60% of the snaps with eight touches and 58 total yards. Herbert ranks 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 22nd in yards after contact per attempt. The Chiefs’ run defense has been pliable with the 12th-lowest stuff rate, the eighth-highest missed tackles allowed rate, and the 12th-highest yards after contact per attempt allowed. The problem for Herbert is that 56% of his runs have been on zone plays. The Chiefs have allowed the sixth-lowest yards per carry to zone runs. Week 3 Positional Value: low-end RB3

Roschon Johnson: Johnson has played 39-42% of the snaps, averaging 8.5 touches and 48.5 total yards. This would be the perfect spot to unleash Johnson, but I don’t have faith in the Chicago coaching staff to do that. Among 53 qualifying running backs, Johnson ranks 30th in missed tackles forced per attempt and ninth-best in yards after contact per attempt. The key for Johnson here is that 60% of his runs have come on gap plays. These are the Chiefs’ kryptonite. They have allowed the 11th-highest yards per carry (4.5) and ninth-highest success rate to gap runs. Week 3 Positional Value: RB3/4

James Conner: Conner is operating as Arizona’s bell-cow, averaging 78% of the snaps with 21 touches and 88 total yards. Among 48 qualifying backs, Conner ranks 19th in missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt. Conner is 17th in expected fantasy points per game. Dallas is just as tough on the ground as they are through the air. The Cowboys have the 13th-lowest stuff rate, but the rest of their metrics are elite. Dallas has the third-lowest missed tackles allowed rate, the fifth-lowest yards after contact per attempt, and the second-lowest yards per carry to gap runs (Conner 54% gap). Week 3 Positional Value: Volume-based RB2/3

Najee Harris: Harris has played 52-57% of the snaps weekly, averaging 9.5 touches and 38 total yards. He’s splitting time with Warren, but he has recently shown some life. He ranks 13th in missed tackles forced per attempt and seventh in yards after contact per attempt. Las Vegas has the eighth-lowest stuff rate and the fourth-highest yards after contact per attempt allowed. If Harris wants to try and put some distance between him and Warren, here’s his shot. The Raiders have allowed the seventh-highest yards per carry to zone runs (Harris 56.3% zone). Week 3 Positional Value: low-end RB2/high-end RB3

Jaylen Warren: Warren has played 40-43% of the snaps weekly, averaging nine touches and 52 total yards. Among 53 qualifying running backs, Warren ranks fifth in missed tackles forced per attempt and 28th in yards after contact per attempt. Warren is a pass-game weapon with a 13.2% target share and 38.1% route run per team dropback rate. Among 24 qualifying backs, he’s eighth in receiving grade and second in YPRR behind only Josh Jacobs. Warren can not only rip the Raiders on zone runs (66% zone), but he can have a solid day through the air. Last year, Las Vegas allowed the most receiving yards, the fourth-highest yards per reception, and the fourth-most receptions to running backs. Week 3 Positional Value: RB3 with RB2 upside

Josh Jacobs: Jacobs remains the Raiders’ bell cow, averaging 76% of the snaps played with 17.5 touches and 60 total yards. Despite the lockdown on work, it’s been a tough start to the season for Jacobs. Jacobs has the third-highest stuff rate, ranks 24th in missed tackles per attempt, and has the eighth-lowest yards after contact per attempt. Jacobs can’t escape all of the blame, but his offensive is part of the problem. Las Vegas has the eighth-lowest yards before contact per attempt. The Steelers’ swiss cheese run defense could be the get-right elixir this week. Pittsburgh has surrendered the sixth-highest missed tackles allowed rate, the highest yards after contact per attempt, and the fourth-highest explosive run rate. Week 3 Positional Value: RB1

Rachaad White: White has played 72-79% of snaps, averaging 20.5 touches and 76 total yards. I worry that White’s hold on this job is loosening. Chase Edmonds was getting a ton of run early in last week’s game before leaving due to injury. Maybe White has tightened his grip with last week’s game, but I still have a bad spider sense vibe. Among 48 qualifying backs, White ranks 30th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 34th in yards after contact per attempt. He still hasn’t managed one explosive run this season. Add all of this on top of pedestrian tackle-breaking numbers from last season, and the worry gets real. Fast. The Eagles are a brick wall against rushing attacks. They have the 11th-best stuff rate, the lowest missed tackles allowed rate, and they haven’t allowed an explosive run yet. Good luck, Mr. White. Week 3 Positional Value: Volume-based low-end RB2/high-end RB3

Kyren Williams: Williams played 95% of the snaps last week, making Cam Akers expendable. He handled 20 touches, churning out 100 total yards with an 18.1% target share. Among 48 qualified backs, Williams ranks 25th in yards after contact per attempt and 26th in elusive rating. While these aren’t eye-popping numbers, volume is king, and Williams is the king of the Los Angeles backfield. Cincinnati has allowed the eighth-highest explosive run rate. This run defense also has the second-worst missed tackles allowed rate. The Bengals have given up the seventh-highest yards per carry to gap runs (Williams 82.8% gap). Week 3 Positional Value: Matchup-proof RB1

Tony Jones Jr..: Jones Jr. could be the Saints bellcow this week. Jamaal Williams is sidelined with a hamstring issue. Kendre Miller could be out again this week. Jones Jr. played 52% of the snaps last week with 12 carries and 34 rushing yards (two rushing scores). Jones Jr. isn’t a flashy player by any means, with his career 2.00 yards after contact per attempt and 20 elusive rating. If you’re plugging him into your lineup as a flex or higher, it’s related to volume and matchup. Green Bay has the third-lowest stuff rate while allowing the third-most missed tackles and the third-highest rate of 10-plus yard runs. Week 3 Positional Value: RB3 with RB2 upside

Week 3 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Juwan Johnson: Johnson’s usage has been borderline TE1-worthy. He has an 11.4% target share and a 13.3% first-read share. He has run a route on 70.9% of the team’s dropbacks. That’s not as high as we would like, but it’s not terrible. If Thomas gets locked up this week with Alexander, it could push some target volume his way. Last year, Green Bay was quite good against tight ends, allowing the second-fewest receiving yards and sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position. After two games, maybe we are seeing a turning of the tide as Green Bay has allowed the 13th-highest yards per reception and the 12th-most receiving yards to tight ends. Week 3 Positional Value: TE2 with TE1 upside this week.

Luke Musgrave: Sit Musgrave this week. That is all. It doesn’t have to be complicated. New Orleans has been and remains a shutdown defense against tight ends. This season, the Saints have allowed the second-fewest receiving yards and zero scores to the position. Last year, they gave up the fewest receiving yards, the fewest fantasy points, and only two receiving touchdowns to tight ends. Do not play Musgrave this week. Week 3 Positional Value: Must Sit

Adam Trautman: Trautman enters the streaming category this week. His 9.1% target share, 0.71 YPRR, and 60.8% route run per team dropback don’t scream upside, but the matchup is sexy. Last season, Miami allowed the eighth-most receiving yards and third-most fantasy points to tight ends. This season, it’s been much of the same as the Dolphins have surrendered the fifth-most receiving yards and the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. Week 3 Positional Value: Top-shelf TE streaming option

Durham Smythe: Smythe is also in the streaming conversation this week. He has been an every-down player for the Dolphins with an 85% route run per team dropback rate. He has a 13.3% target share (1.00 YPRR) with one red zone target. Denver has been a turnstile for tight ends for the last two seasons. Last year, they gave up the fifth-most receiving yard and fantasy point. This season so far, they have yielded the 11th-most receiving yards and the ninth-most fantasy points. Week 3 Positional Value: Top-shelf TE streaming option

Hunter Henry: Henry is the TE2 in fantasy, which is more telling about the position this season than Henry’s performance. Henry has a 65% route run per team dropback rate and a 13.5% target share. Don’t get me wrong. He has been solid, but not TE2 overall spectacular. Henry is seventh in receiving grade and 12th in YPRR. Last year, New York allowed the ninth-highest yards per reception, sixth-most receiving yards, and the ninth-most fantasy points to tight ends. All of this sounds fantastic, but also remember Henry hasn’t crossed the 30-yard receiving threshold in his last two meetings against this defense. Week 3 Positional Value: low-end TE1/high-end TE2

Dalton Schultz: Schultz is an afterthought in this offense. He has a 77.4% route run per team dropback rate, but he’s only drawn a 9.1% target share and produced 0.10 YPRR. His target share only climbs to 9.4% against zone (12% TPRR, 0.15 YPRR). This week, Schultz qualifies as a matchup streamer against a Jaguars defense that has allowed the sixth-most receiving yards and ninth-highest yards per reception to tight ends. Week 3 Positional Value: low-end TE2 matchup-based streaming option

Evan Engram: Engram has a 17.6% target share and a 20.7% first-read share. He ranks third in receiving grade and sixth in YPRR among tight ends (minimum six targets). He’s the third/fourth option against zone coverage, but if Jones is out, he would be the clear third option this week. Engram has been stonewalled in the red zone, as only Ridley and Jones have drawn targets inside the 20. Houston is 17th in receiving yards allowed to tight ends, but they have allowed the sixth-highest yards per reception. Week 3 Positional Value: TE1

Zach Ertz: Ertz has a 78.5% route run per team dropback rate with a 29.5% target share, a 27.0% air yard share, and a 30.2% first-read share. He ranks 23rd in receiving grade and seventh in YPRR (minimum six targets). Last year, Dallas allowed the sixth-lowest receiving yards and second-lowest yards per reception to tight ends. Week 3 Positional Value: volume-based TE2 with low-end TE1 upside

Week 3 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 3 Kicker Start/Sit Grades