Which under-the-radar players might be able to give your fantasy team a lift? Which chalky players might not be as safe as they seem? Our featured analysts name some potential sleepers and underachievers along with start/sit advice for Week 3.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start/Sit Advice
Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is a good sleeper start, and why do you think he has upside this week?
Hunter Henry (TE – NE)
“Hunter Henry has emerged as a must-start through the first two weeks of the season. After questions during the offseason about how the Patriots would manage their tight ends, we have now seen Henry total 11 catches, 108 yards, and two touchdowns, ranking as the overall TE2 behind just T.J. Hockenson. He also played a solid 92 percent of snaps in Week 2. The Patriots’ wide receivers will run into a strong group of Jets receivers next Sunday, leaving plenty of opportunities for the tight ends. Henry will feast again. ”
– Andersen Pickard (Prime Time Sports Talk)
“My player is Hunter Henry. When chasing tight ends, we want players who are a top three option in their team’s passing scheme, which Hunter Henry is that for the Patriots. We also attach ourselves to a tight end who leads the NFL for tight ends in yards before catch and air yards. Henry is also tied for third in targets and sixth overall in red zone targets.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
“I’m starting Hunter Henry this week as my player currently ranked outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros flex rankings. He’s caught a TD pass in each of his first two games this season. He finished as TE1 in week 1 and TE2 in week 2, so if he’s still available in your fantasy leagues, the window is closing on your opportunity to pick him up. He’s good for at least 5 receptions, 50 receiving yards, and possibly a third TD in as many games. He faces a New York Jets team that gives up the 7th most fantasy points to opposing Tight Ends this season. ”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
“Hunter Henry ranks second among tight ends in fantasy points and has scored touchdowns in each of the first two games. Henry is the most trusted and the go-to option for Mac Jones in the red zone. He has produced at least six targets in consecutive games, and fantasy managers should have zero hesitation in starting this week against the Jets, who have surrendered two touchdowns to tight ends in two games. ”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
“I know we’ve been here plenty of times already, but it’s time to give Kyle Pitts another chance. Can we trust Arthur Smith and Desmond Ridder to give Pitts a fair chance to succeed with good opportunities and catchable targets? Absolutely not. This is a good spot for the third-year tight end, though, as the Detroit Lions have surrendered the third most fantasy points to tight ends through two weeks. This is his breakout game, folks. I can feel it.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
Jakobi Meyers (WR – LV)
“Jakobi Meyers unfortunately missed Week 2 because of a concussion, but when he played in Week 1, he was dominant with Jimmy Garoppolo throwing him passes. He finished as the WR3 on the week, and now he draws a matchup against a weak Pittsburgh secondary that could be missing their top player, Minkah Fitzpatrick. It’s easy to see a world where the Raiders are down and have to pass the ball frequently throughout the game, and Meyers will be the chain-moving receiver that has top-24 upside on the week. I would easily start him over players like Rondale Moore, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kadarius Toney, and Van Jefferson, all of whom have a higher weekly ranking in 1/2 PPR formats.”
– Leo Sells (Couch Report Sports)
“Jakobi Meyers showed exactly what he can do in Week 1, running riot over the Broncos for 10 targets, 81 yards, and two touchdowns. Against a middle-of-the-road Steelers secondary, he’s a strong start, especially with Davante Adams questionable.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
Kendre Miller (RB – NO)
“Kendre Miller has top-24 upside this week. Alvin Kamara‘s suspension has one game left. Meanwhile, Jamaal Williams will miss time with a hamstring injury he suffered in Week 2. However, head coach Dennis Allen said Miller should make his NFL debut this week against the Packers. While some are worried about Taysom Hill, the Saints gave Tony Jones Jr. two rushing touchdowns over Hill after Williams left the matchup against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Green Bay has surrendered 4.4 yards per rushing attempt and 25.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Miller is a borderline must-start RB2 in Week 3.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Rookie Kendre Miller is making his NFL debut this weekend. He has been hampered by a nagging hamstring injury but is practicing in full leading up to a matchup against a Green Bay Packers defense that gave up chunks of yards to Bijan Robinson. He will share the backfield with Tony Jones but should have a solid week. He should be a solid flex start with possible RB2 numbers this week.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)
“The Bills finally got the ball rolling in Week 2, and I think the key was balance. Dalton Kincaid, as he progresses, will benefit from that said balance, as defenses are now going to be a little more concerned about the Bills’ rushing attack. There is no better situation for a young player to get both targets and TD opportunities, as the man isn’t designed to block and when on the field, will only run routes. I think he gets his TD this Week 3, and I think he has over 50+ yards receiving.”
– Smitty (TheFantasyFootballShow)
Tyjae Spears (RB – TEN)
“Tyjae Spears against the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 is a good sleeper start. Spears saw his touches increase from 4 in Week 1 to 10 in Week 2. He has been incredibly efficient on the ground, averaging 6.9 yards per carry on his 11 rushes so far this season. Spears has gotten some work in the passing game as well- it’s clear the Titans want him involved in the offense. I wouldn’t be surprised if Spears scores double-digit fantasy points in Week 3, similar to Jaylen Warren in Week 2 against the Browns.”
– Joe Orrico (No Expert Fantasy Football)
Elijah Mitchell (RB – SF)
“Hopefully, people see this in time and start 49ers RB Elijah Mitchell. The 49ers should easily defeat the Giants at home, and on a short week, it seems to make sense that Kyle Shanahan will scale back Christian McCaffrey‘s carries a little. I like Mitchell as a good anytime TD bet, too!”
– Dr. Roto (FullTime Fantasy)
Robert Woods (WR – HOU)
“I’m not entirely sure why people don’t like Texans WR Robert Woods. The Houston offense has thrown the ball at least 40 times in each game thus far to keep pace with their opponents, resulting in back-to-back 6-catch performances from their veteran wideout. Both Woods and teammate Nico Collins sit high atop the team lead in targets (20 and 19, respectively), and I would expect the Texans will again have to air it out to keep up with the Jaguars in Week 3. Good ol’ Bobby Trees shouldn’t be on your waiver wire!”
– C.H. Herms (Draft Sharks)
Josh Reynolds (WR – DET)
“Josh Reynolds is a great start this week despite sitting outside the top 100 flex rankings. Over the first two games, Reynolds has been heavily involved in the Lions offense, seeing at least six targets in both games. There is also some worry about Amon-Ra St. Brown being banged up with a potential toe injury. Even if Amon-Ra is healthy, Reynolds has a role in this offense and gets to play the Atlanta Falcons, who just gave up two touchdowns to Jayden Reed. Reynolds should be heavily involved again and is a great sleeper start for week three.”
– Dylan Licciardo (FF Gamers)
Tony Jones Jr. (RB – NO)
“Tony Jones Jr. is a nice sleeper option if you’re in need of a flex player, assuming Jamaal Williams is unable to go in Week 3. The Saints are facing a Green Bay defense that is in the bottom three in rushing yards allowed across the first two weeks. Jones Jr. could shoulder the majority of the workload for a Saints offense that has run the ball 30 times a game in the first two weeks. ”
– Anthony Corrente (The Dynasty Drive)
Taysom Hill (TE – NO)
“Taysom Hill is a streaming tight end option this week and is currently 144th overall (TE24). Jamaal Williams is out, and Tony Jones Jr. will be in. If Kendre Miller continues to miss, Hill could get more work as a running back like we saw Monday when he gained 75 yards on 9 carries. Tight ends are hard to find, and Hill could be a spot starter this week with Kamara serving his suspension. He had versatility and upside the other tight ends in this range just don’t have.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
“Jake Ferguson gets an Arizona defense in Week 3 that has been a fantasy goldmine for tight ends. The Cardinals are allowing 9.6 fantasy points per game to the tight end position. Add in Dak Prescott‘s habit of peppering his tight ends with targets, and this has a top-five tight-end finish written all over it. Start Ferguson everywhere you can.”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)
Pat Freiermuth (TE – PIT)
“The panic meter is exploding for fantasy managers, and it should be. So far this season, Pat Freiermuth has five targets and just five yards. However, for those willing to risk it, the Raiders have given up an average of eight receptions for 56 yards to tight ends this season. Freiermuth smashes this week, and for that reason, I have him as Week 3’s TE6.”
– Elvin Ryan (FantasyPros)
Kendrick Bourne (WR – NE)
“Kendrick Bourne will get plenty of looks and likely not guarded by Sauce Gardner. This will be a low-scoring affair, and I anticipate the Jets will be forced to look for big plays due to their inability to string together a consistent drive.”
– Matt De Lima (The Game Day)
Craig Reynolds (RB – DET)
“As much as Jahmyr Gibbs’s managers may not want to hear this, Craig Reynolds is going to get work. Now, how much work remains the question. It was discouraging, to say the least, last week when fantasy managers saw Reynolds taking snaps away from Gibbs after David Montgomery went out injured. While Gibbs should see more work (hopefully) this week with no Montgomery, I still think Reynolds is going to get enough work to be a viable flex play.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Darnell Mooney (WR – CHI)
“Darnell Mooney is a good sleeper for week three. He got banged up in week two but looks on track to play in a crucial matchup against the Chiefs. The Chiefs’ secondary is solid on the outside, but they are vulnerable in the middle of the field. Darnell Mooney has played the most slot snaps on the team over the first two weeks. The Chiefs have given up 17 receptions, 181 yards, and a touchdown to the opposing slot receivers. Mooney should be able to bounce back and have a solid week three. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Kadarius Toney (WR – KC)
“The Bears struggle to cover receivers, and the Chiefs’ offense is due for a big game. Kadarius Toney pulled in five catches in Week 2 after his disastrous performance in Week 1. And last week’s performance came with Travis Kelce in the lineup. Toney had the most catches on the team, and he could do the same this week.”
– Phil Wood (Bet On Phil Wood)
Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?
Najee Harris (RB – PIT)
“It has been a frustrating start to the season for Steelers running backs Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren. In fact, the former has turned 21 opportunities into just 76 scrimmage yards through two games. There had been some speculation that Harris only struggled in Week 1 due to a tough 49ers defense that buried the Steelers early on, leading to optimism that the former first-round pick would bounce back in Week 2. Instead, he struggled to make plays happen in the first half of Monday’s game and delivered another fantasy dud. He might not even be worth starting in Week 3, let alone ranking within the top 40. ”
– Andersen Pickard (Prime Time Sports Talk)
“Najee Harris is a fade for me if you have any other option to play in your lineup. He has be conceding touches to Jaylen Warren and neither have done anything special with their chances. A Steelers vs. Raiders matchup doesn’t scream a shootout to me. With the Raiders using Josh Jacobs and the Steelers implementing a two-back committee so far, I don’t see enough field time for Harris to pay off his higher ranking.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
“Najee Harris continues to frustrate fantasy managers. Volume made Harris a viable fantasy running back and covered up his inefficiencies. However, the Steelers have turned to Jaylen Warren more often through two games. Warren has looked more explosive and continues to eat into the touches in the Steelers backfield. Ranking Harris as the 30th-best Flex option is more of the result of his juicy Week 3 matchup against the Raiders, who surrender an ugly 4.9 YPC. However, we have yet to see Harris be efficient enough to take advantage of opportunities, while Warren’s ascension into more volume leads to fantasy success and signals plenty of risk with starting Harris. ”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
Alexander Mattison (RB – MIN)
“Alexander Mattison has looked supremely sluggish while averaging 3.3 yards on 19 carries through two games. The onus will continue to be on Kirk Cousins and the passing game to keep this team in games. We can’t trust him as anything more than a flex – and even that’s risky – until he shows us he’s not one of the more inefficient runners in the NFL.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
“I’m benching Alexander Mattison this week as my player currently ranked inside of the top 40 in the FantasyPros flex rankings. He has yet to rush for more than 35 yards per game and has yet to find the endzone this season. He faces a Los Angeles Chargers defense that is middle of the pack against opposing Running Backs. And with Cam Akers being traded to the Minnesota Vikings, this will create the dreaded running back by committee going forward. ”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WAS)
“Brian Robinson Jr. has gotten off to a really hot start this year, but in Week 3, he’ll face a Buffalo defense that held Josh Jacobs to NEGATIVE rushing yards in Week 2. The Commanders will probably be down for most of this contest, so that the game script won’t be favorable to Robinson as a high-volume rusher. If you start him, it’ll be on the prayer that he stumbles into the end zone, which is less likely against a tough defense like this one. He’s not a bad start by any means, but I think he could disappoint, and there are options with higher upside to consider starting over him.”
– Leo Sells (Couch Report Sports)
Rachaad White (RB – TB)
“Rachaad White had a bounce-back Week 2 performance against the Bears. Despite facing one of the worst run defenses in the NFL, White still averaged only 4.3 yards per rushing attempt last week. Furthermore, it took 17 rushing attempts, a touchdown, and 5.5 half-point PPR fantasy points in the passing game for White to have a top-10 finish in Week 2. Now he faces an Eagles defense that has shut down running backs, giving up only 3.1 yards per rushing attempt and 12.3 fantasy points per game this season. I would start both Steelers running backs against the Raiders over White this week.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Rachaad White faces the Eagles in what profiles as another dud week. The Buccaneers could easily find themselves behind and the Philly D-line is brutal against opposing runners. He’s a very scary start in Week 3.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
“Rachaad White is set to disappoint fantasy managers this week with an incredibly difficult matchup against the Eagles on Monday Night Football. The Eagles have only given up 104 rushing yards over the first two games, least in the NFL. Last week, we saw them bottle up Alexander Mattison and should expect a similar game for White. White has struggled with inefficiency throughout his career, and this matchup should only highlight those struggles. He could get some points for fantasy managers through the passing game, but fantasy managers expecting to get RB2 value from White will be disappointed this week.”
– Dylan Licciardo (FF Gamers)
James Conner (RB – ARI)
“Coming off a big Week 2, James Conner now faces a monster Dallas defense. And, while Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua proved in Week 2 that matchups shouldn’t determine much (as both thrived against the 49ers in Week 2), the Cardinals have been playing strangely good football through two weeks of action, something that is certainly going to be unlikely (not impossible) in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys. Not to mention, even if AZ does play well somehow, they will surely be playing from behind, thus fazing out the run at least a significant amount. Conner has impressed, but this might be the week to sell him high. Even if I’m wrong and he continues to do well going forward, selling high means you get a player that you like better, and you won’t regret it. That’s the point of selling high, to hedge the risk if the player you trade continues to thrive. Just buy the ‘right player’ low! Ex: Jahmyr Gibbs, Breece Hall, Dameon Pierce”
– Smitty (TheFantasyFootballShow)
“James Conner has carried the Cardinals offense in the past two weeks, but the Cowboys defense is playing next-level football right now. If there was ever a time to bench him, this might be the week.”
– Dr. Roto (FullTime Fantasy)
D’Andre Swift (RB – PHI)
“We should pump the breaks on D’Andre Swift a bit. I don’t believe Swift will receive 31 opportunities or 75% snaps again in Week 3. While he may have won the starting job, the type of workload we saw for Swift in Week 2 is incredibly rare for Philadelphia RBs. Expect a disgruntled AJ Brown to see more work in Week 3 and Hurts to take advantage of a brutal Tampa Bay secondary. Swift is an okay RB2, but I’m not ready to anoint him a stud RB1 just yet. ”
– Joe Orrico (No Expert Fantasy Football)
“D’Andre Swift exploded in Week 2, and while I expect him to hang on to the starting running back job in Philadelphia, I think he faces tough sledding in week two. Swift is facing a tough Tampa Bay front seven that will look to hold him in check, and the Eagles could look to exploit the Buccaneers in other ways. It’s understandable if you need to put Swift in your lineup, but I’d temper expectations in week three. ”
– Anthony Corrente (The Dynasty Drive)
“D’Andre Swift was amazing on Thursday, and he will get that primetime bump. Expectations will be high, and I caution managers that are overly optimistic. His usage against the Vikings was way above his career average and happened after he only had 3 carries in Week 1. Kenneth Gainwell is trending towards returning, and the usage could go down. Swift also faces the Buccaneers, who are allowing the 8th-least amount of points to the running back position in the league.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
“D’Andre Swift finally gave a showing that fantasy managers had been looking for in his first few years! He was given a full run of the backfield and didn’t disappoint, rushing for 175 yards on 28 carries! Unfortunately for Swift owners, Kenneth Gainwell should be back this week, and Philly has promised to use a runningback-by-committee approach, which will lower both of their ceilings in the high-powered Philadelphia Eagles offense.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
“Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs is a tremendously talented player. It’s fantastic that Detroit got him more involved and gave him 7 targets in Week 2 vs. the Seahawks. It’s essential, however, to consider that RB Craig Reynolds played significant snaps after David Montgomery left Sunday’s contest with a quad injury. Gibbs should still be good in Week 3 vs. the Falcons, though his slight frame and skill set will likely mean that the Lions split this backfield workload between him and Reynolds more than fantasy managers would like.”
– C.H. Herms (Draft Sharks)
Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL)
“After exploding in Week 1, Tyler Allgeier came back down to earth in Week 2. In Week 3, he gets a matchup with a much improved Lion’s run defense. Factor in the backfield split has quickly shifted from a timeshare to one hugely in favour of star rookie Bijan Robinson, and it’s going to be nearly impossible for Allgeier to finish as a top-40 fantasy asset this week. ”
– Aaron St Denis (The League Winners)
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
“After being shut out in Week 1, Tee Higgins rewarded his fantasy managers who started him in Week 2 with eight receptions for 89 yards and two TDs. But I wouldn’t bank on this happening again in Week 3. The Rams boast the 5th-best passing defense, and I expect the Bengals to force-feed Ja’Marr Chase, who has just 70 yards through the first two games.”
– Elvin Ryan (FantasyPros)
Joshua Kelley (RB – LAC)
“Joshua Kelley didn’t look very good last week. While the Vikings don’t exactly have a stout defense to slow him down, the Chargers will look elsewhere and likely give more opportunities to their WR corps because of Minnesota’s shaky secondary.”
– Matt De Lima (The Game Day)
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
“I am choosing not to overreact at how bad the New York Jets defense as a whole looked last week against Dallas. The Cowboys are just a really good football team, and the sooner everyone accepts that game as not a measuring stick game for the Jets, the better. This is the test for the New York Jets, and that Jets defense is annoyed, to put it mildly. Rhamondre Stevenson comes in barely scraping by last week against the Dolphins, with a touchdown saving his day. I, for one, am really concerned with Stevenson. One, the Patriots offense is not very good; two, he hasn’t looked particularly good either; and three, as we talked about during the offseason, how many touchdowns are really in this offense this year? If you could swing it, avoid Stevenson this week.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Zack Moss (RB – IND)
“Zack Moss could end up disappointing fantasy managers in Week 3. The uncertainty of Anthony Richardson will always bring this offense down if he were to miss. The Ravens have a tough front seven and are top five against fantasy running backs this season. Grant that Moss sees all the work in the backfield; it could be a game where he finishes under ten fantasy points. Moss is not a confident play for week three. ”
– Steven Pintado (The Fantasy Coaches)
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET)
“Amon-Ra St. Brown. After suffering turf toe in Week 2, St. Brown didn’t catch another pass the rest of the game. The Lions’ offense has so many weapons, even with David Montgomery out, that St. Brown may be used in a limited fashion if he plays at all. The Falcons’ defense does offer an enticing matchup, but it’s probably better to look at other Lions’ receiving weapons in Week 3.”
– Phil Wood (Bet On Phil Wood)
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