Thursday Night Football between the New York Jets and New England Patriots had its moments. The final scoreline played out similarly to how many predicted, but we still saw some vintage Aaron Rodgers, Garrett Wilson scoring his first touchdown in eight games, Drake Maye getting his first NFL action, and Braelon Allen continuing to force a committee for the Jets. On the IDP side of things, we saw Will McDonald continue to emerge as a force on the edge, the Javon Kinlaw reclamation project continue to flourish, Jahlani Tavai become the everydown linebacker with Ja’Whaun Bentley lost for the season, and Keion White cement himself as a top-20 option despite not getting a sack this week. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 3

Start em

Robert Spillane (LB – LV)
Spillane has been excellent to start the season, most recently registering eight solos, two assists, one interception, and two passes defended. He is now up to 15 solos through two games, which means he is producing at an LB1 level. While it may be hard to call him a top-12 option going forward based on the strength of two weeks of action, consider his next few opponents: Carolina this week, Cleveland in Week 4, Denver in Week 5, and Pittsburgh in Week 6. Treat Spillane as a top-15 option for a tasty Week 3 matchup against the struggling Carolina Panthers.

Jared Verse (DE/LB – LAR)
Verse continues to impress for Los Angeles and has already worked his way into the every week starter conversation. He was unable to add to his sack ledger but gave us a glimpse of his upside even when he is not getting QB takedowns, racking up six solos, one assist, three tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. His most recent performance puts him on the DL2 periphery, and if his peripheral counting stats continue to show up even when he is not getting sacks, he can quickly ascend to a top-20 option. Start him everywhere for a plus Week 3 matchup against an injury-ravaged San Francisco 49ers team.

Germaine Pratt (LB – CIN)
Pratt went off in Week 2, tallying seven solos, nine assists, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. Pratt is not a sexy IDP name and is often sort of a forgotten man due to the presence of IDP stalwarts like Logan Wilson and Trey Hendrickson, but he continues to provide serviceable LB2/3 numbers for fantasy managers. Treat him as such for a plus Week 3 matchup against Washington.

Baylon Spector (LB – BUF)
Spector stepped in for the injured Terrell Bernard and made the most of the Bills coaching staff’s trust in him, responding with seven solos, three assists, and one tackle for loss. Bernard is expected to be out for at least a month, so Spector is someone to start not only this week but for as long as Terrell is sidelined. Start Baylon wherever possible as an LB3 with LB2 upside.

Chamarri Conner (S/CB – KC)
Conner went off in Week 2, tallying four solos, two assists, one sack, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. Conner has been a CB1 option for the first two weeks of the season and is a must-start in CB leagues. Start him as a CB1 or DB3 option for a plus Week 3 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.

Sit em

Dennis Gardeck (DE/LB – ARI)
Gardeck went off in Week 2, racking up six solos, three sacks, four tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Gardeck is known to get sacks in bunches, so hopefully, this is the start of a hot streak, but it is equally as likely that he was able to exploit a turnstile Los Angeles Rams offensive line. Start him as a DL4 option for Week 3 where needed, while those looking for a DL3 or better should look elsewhere.

Micah McFadden (LB – NYG)
McFadden shined in Week 2, racking up seven solos, six assists, and one sack. He played zero snaps in Week 1 after losing the positional battle to sixth round rookie Darius Muasu (knee). Muasu played well enough in Week 1 that he will not lose his role due to injury, so McFadden should be left on benches unless Muasu is unable to return to practice at all this week.

Trenton Simpson (LB – BAL)
Trenton Simpson has not quite lived up to the offseason hype, and it may require some patience for fantasy managers to start to see the type of production they were anticipating. He recorded just three solos and two assists in Week 2 and has just five solos total on the season. He is more LB4 than LB3 for the time being, and those expecting LB2 production may simply need to look elsewhere. Keep him benched for Week 3 if you had designs on starting him as an LB3.

Tykee Smith (S/CB – TB)
Tykee was solid in Week 2, tallying six solos, two assists, and one tackle for loss. He was relatively quiet in Week 1 but does have some CB league upside due to playing the slot. However, those outside of CB leagues should look elsewhere for their Week 3 DB3 option despite a plus matchup against the Denver Broncos. He needs to show some consistency before he can be trusted as a top-36 option.

Micah Parsons (DL – DAL)
Parsons has been a massive disappointment through two games of the season and may have more struggles if the Ravens choose to follow the New Orleans Saints gameplan of blocking him with a tight end and running back. He will have a good game if he gets to spy Lamar Jackson, as he suggested on his podcast, or if he lines up on the left for an easier matchup (if there is no help). However, failing that, he could be in for another long night at the office. Treat Parsons as a DL2 instead of a DL1 until he starts to look more like himself again.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.