In Week 3, I start paying closer attention to what teams are actually showing us on the field. One week can be an outlier, but after two games, we’re starting to get a better idea of usage, offensive identity, and which players will be central to their team’s game plan. This week, I’m looking at 4 must-start players for week 3 who I believe are in strong positions to outperform their current ADPs.
Whether it’s a potential shootout, an offense leaning heavily on its running game, a star receiver coming off a disappointing performance, or a tight end I expect to find the end zone, each of these players has a path to a big fantasy Sunday.
Must-Start QB – Geno Smith
This has shootout written all over it.
Geno is my quarterback must-start this week, and the matchup against Detroit is exactly why.
The Lions have been involved in some high-scoring affairs through the first two weeks. Detroit is averaging 31 points per game, but their defense has allowed an eye-popping 35.5 points and 457.5 yards per game. That’s the kind of defensive environment I’m looking to attack with a quarterback like Geno and will probably continue to do against whoever the Lions play.
Smith himself has been solid to start his first season back with the Jets. Through two games, he’s completing 70.8% of his passes, has thrown for 462 yards and a touchdown last week to Garrett Wilson, and hasn’t thrown an interception yet. His passer rating currently sits at 95.8
Now he gets a Detroit defense that has already surrendered 64.02 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, the most in the NFL through two weeks. That’s the number that really jumps off the page for me.
The Lions have allowed big production through the air, and the overall game environment could force the Jets to stay aggressive, keeping up with the Lions offense. And that’s exactly what I want for Geno. This doesn’t need to be a game where the Jets dominate. In fact, I’d rather see Detroit score early and often, because that could force Geno to throw 35+ times and give him plenty of opportunities to rack up yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points.
Look, I’m not saying Geno is a Top 10 QB this week, but there have been so many QB injuries I bet half of you reading this are looking for someone to pick up and stream for this week.
My prediction: Geno Smith has his best fantasy game of the season so far.
Must-Start RB – Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams is another player I’m putting in my lineup this week, but for a slightly different reason.
The Rams are heading into a Sunday night matchup against Denver, and I expect Sean McVay to continue leaning on his running game- particularly in situations where the Rams want to control the pace and keep pressure off Matthew Stafford. Not to add, Puka Nacua is questionable to play.
Williams hasn’t been given a massive workload through two games, but his role is still important. In Week 2 against the Giants, he carried the ball 12 times for 85 yards while averaging 7.1 yards per carry(one of them was a 20-yard run), and he also added two receptions; one was a designed red-zone play that he scored.
What is particularly encouraging is what happened after a relatively quiet Week 1 rushing performance. Williams went from 41 rushing yards against San Francisco to 85 yards against New York, showing the potential for rushing efficiency to come around. The one thing fantasy managers need to monitor is the presence of Blake Corum. The Rams have been using both backs, and recent reporting indicates that backfield split is something that could continue.
But even with Corum involved, I still like Williams because of his involvement in the passing game and the opportunities he gets in the red zone. And this is a Sunday Night Primetime game, which gives us another reason to believe the Rams will have a clear offensive game plan coming in. Not to mention, Denver has been very vulnerable against the run this year, allowing 157.5 rushing yards per game (2nd most in the NFL), 5.1 YPC, and 3 rushing touchdowns already. I get Kenneth Walker was a big reason for those numbers, and Kyren is no K9, but I expect him to have success and for the Rams to lean on him.
Must-Start WR – Ladd McConkey
It’s time for Ladd and the Chargers to bounce back.
McConkey is probably the most interesting player on this list because there are two things working simultaneously: the matchup and the usage.
Ladd Week 1 ended early because of a rib injury, and that obviously creates some concern heading into the Week 2 matchup. He was limited in practice later that week and was ultimately questionable, but before leaving Week 1, his usage was extremely encouraging.
Through the first three quarters, McConkey had an 85% route share and a massive 46.7 target share, along with 82 yards. He also saw two red-zone targets. That’s the kind of usage I want to chase in fantasy football.
Now he’s getting Buffalo.
The Chargers are coming off a disappointing 26-14 loss to Las Vegas, and I expect Justin Herbert and this offense to be looking for answers. The Bills have allowed 197 receiving yards per game to opposing wide receivers through the first two weeks, which is the fourth-most in the NFL. That’s a favorable matchup for Ladd, especially if he returns to his usual role, which the Chargers will need. This game’s total is set at 50.5, so clearly the books think this will be a high-scoring affair. I’m expecting fireworks from Ladd’s performance and making him a very strong start this week.
Must-Start TE – Mark Andrews
I think Mark Andrews scores a touchdown this week.
Andrews has quietly been getting involved early in the 2026 season. Through two games, he has 10 receptions for 98 yards on 13 targets, and his role has become particularly interesting with Isaiah Likely no longer in Baltimore. In Week 2 alone, Andrews caught six of seven targets for 49 yards and finished second on the Ravens in targets. He also ran 28 routes on Lamar’s 38 dropbacks.
That’s important because we’re not relying solely on the idea that Andrews needs a touchdown to save his fantasy day. He’s getting legitimate involvement. And that’s not all…Zay Flowers is most likely going to miss this week.
Now the Ravens head into a matchup against Dallas. And when I look at Andrews specifically, I keep coming back to the red-zone and touchdown potential. Lamar Jackson has historically had a strong connection with Andres, and with Andrews seeing 13 targets through two games, potentially no Flowers, the opportunity is there for him to turn that volume into fantasy points and touchdowns.
So I’m going to make the prediction:
Mark Andrews finds the end zone this week against the Cowboys.
Maybe it’s. red-zone target. Maybe it’s a play-action look. Maybe Lamar scrambles around and finds Andrews late. Whatever it looks like, I’m bettin on the touchdown. Especially if Zay Flowers misses Week3.
Final Thoughts
Week 3 is all about identifying the players whose usage, matchup, and game environment give them multiple paths to fantasy production.
For me, that starts with Geno Smith in what I expect to be a high-volume passing environment, Kyren Williams in a game where I expect the Rams to lean on the running game, Ladd McConkey as a bounce-back candidate, and Mark Andrews as my touchdown call of this game (Besides the King).
Four players. Four different reasons. Let’s win our Week 3 matchups!
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