Making the right start ’em, sit ’em decisions can be the difference between winning and losing your fantasy football matchup each week. Throughout the 2026 NFL season, we’ll break down the best fantasy football starts and sits at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defense, and kicker. Using matchups, usage trends, advanced stats, injuries, and scoring opportunities, this weekly Start ’Em, Sit ’Em guide will highlight the players you should trust in your lineup, and the ones you may want to leave on the bench.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Bryce Young CAR
Bryce Young has been one of the biggest surprises of the first two weeks, and I’m willing to keep riding it against Cleveland. Young followed his 361-yard, three-touchdown opener with 287 yards and three more scores in Carolina’s 34-3 win over Atlanta, giving him 648 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, and only one interception through two games. The underlying numbers support the breakout. According to PFF, Young has an 80.9 passing grade with four big-time throws and only one turnover-worthy play, while his 10.5-yard average depth of target shows Carolina isn’t building this production entirely on easy throws underneath. He’s also added a rushing touchdown, giving us another path toward fantasy production when Carolina gets near the goal line.
The matchup gives me another reason to trust him for at least one more week. Cleveland has played single-high coverage at one of the highest rates in football through two games, and Young has been particularly effective against those looks, grading seventh among quarterbacks against single-high coverage according to PFF. That’s important because Young’s willingness to push the ball downfield has been one of the biggest differences in Carolina’s offense so far. Regression will eventually come from six passing touchdowns in two games, but I’m not trying to predict exactly when it happens. Carolina has scored 71 points through two weeks, Young is playing some of the best football of his career, and this matchup gives him another legitimate opportunity to produce as a QB1.
Tyler Shough NO
Tyler Shough has gone from an interesting late-round quarterback to someone I’m willing to start after what he’s shown through two weeks. He threw for 410 yards and three touchdowns against Detroit in Week 1 before completing 27-of-34 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown against Baltimore, adding nine carries for 23 yards and another score. That gives him 662 passing yards through two games, but the rushing usage is what makes the fantasy profile even more interesting. Shough already has 13 rushing attempts, and Week 2 showed that he can salvage a fantasy day with his legs even when the passing volume comes down. We’re no longer relying entirely on 300-plus passing yards for him to reach his ceiling.
Las Vegas can create pressure, and losing left tackle Kelvin Banks makes Maxx Crosby an obvious concern for New Orleans, so I’m not treating this as a completely safe matchup. What keeps me willing to start Shough is how comfortable he’s looked operating in less-than-perfect conditions through the first two weeks. The Saints are giving him legitimate passing volume, Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson provide reliable targets, and Shough’s willingness to run gives him another way to generate fantasy points if the pocket breaks down. There will be some volatility with a quarterback this aggressive, but the combination of volume and rushing upside gives Shough enough paths to another QB1 performance for me to keep him in the lineup.
Jared Goff DET
Jared Goff is coming off exactly the type of performance that reminds us how high his fantasy ceiling becomes when Detroit is forced to throw. Goff completed 26-of-38 passes for 327 yards and four touchdowns against Buffalo, giving him 533 yards, six touchdowns, and zero interceptions through two games. The Lions still want to build their offense around Jahmyr Gibbs, but Week 2 showed us Goff doesn’t need a perfect matchup to produce a massive fantasy score when Detroit’s opponent forces the offense to remain aggressive. With Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Gibbs all involved in the passing game, there simply aren’t many quarterbacks with a better collection of weapons.
The Jets have actually played well against the pass through two games, so this isn’t a matchup I’m trying to sell as easy. What I like is how their defensive approach fits Goff. New York has been willing to blitz, while Goff has consistently been one of the better quarterbacks in football when defenses send extra pressure and allow him to diagnose where the ball needs to go before the snap. Detroit also gets this game at Ford Field, where this passing offense has repeatedly produced some of its best performances. The Jets can create pressure, but Goff has too many answers underneath and over the middle for me to move away from him after what we saw against Buffalo. He’s back in my QB1 range for Week 3.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Justin Herbert LAC
Justin Herbert is the most uncomfortable sit because Buffalo has been extremely friendly to fantasy quarterbacks through two games. C.J. Stroud and Jared Goff combined for 601 passing yards and six touchdowns without throwing an interception against the Bills, so I’m not going to manufacture a difficult matchup argument that isn’t there. My concern is what we’ve actually seen from Herbert and the Chargers. He followed a disappointing opener with only 192 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against Las Vegas, leaving him with 401 passing yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions through two games. The Chargers have been willing to let Herbert attack downfield, but those opportunities haven’t translated into nearly enough explosive plays or touchdowns.
That’s why this is a player and offense fade rather than a Buffalo fade. Herbert could absolutely make this recommendation look terrible if Josh Allen forces Los Angeles into a high-volume passing script, and that’s the obvious path to a bounce-back performance. The problem is that I’m not willing to start Herbert solely because two other quarterbacks shredded Buffalo. His rushing production hasn’t been substantial enough to protect his fantasy floor when the passing game struggles, either. Until Mike McDaniel’s offense shows it can turn those downfield opportunities into explosive plays and touchdowns, I’m willing to look elsewhere in a normal one-QB league.
Drake Maye NE
Drake Maye’s rushing ability keeps his fantasy ceiling alive, but his passing performance through two weeks has been concerning enough that I’m sitting him against Jacksonville. Maye threw for 178 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions against Seattle before following it with 208 yards, zero touchdowns, and another interception against Pittsburgh. That leaves him at 386 passing yards, one touchdown and four interceptions through two games. The bigger concern is how much New England has needed Maye’s legs to keep his fantasy production alive. Defenses have begun playing more two-high coverage against him to limit the downfield passing game, and Maye has yet to consistently punish that adjustment through the air.
Jacksonville has allowed some passing production through two weeks, so this isn’t simply about chasing the opponent. I’m more concerned with Maye’s current passing floor and an offensive line that has already struggled to keep the pocket clean. Starting guard Mike Onwenu also left Week 2 with an ankle injury, adding another potential concern up front. Maye is talented enough to erase some of these problems with 40 or 50 rushing yards, and that’s why I wouldn’t consider him an automatic bench in superflex formats. But one passing touchdown against four interceptions through two games is difficult to overlook. Until the passing efficiency stabilizes and New England shows it has answers for the coverage adjustments Maye is seeing, I’m willing to sit him in Week 3.
Trevor Lawrence JAX
Trevor Lawrence showed us both sides of his fantasy profile over the first two weeks. He destroyed Cleveland for 245 yards and four touchdowns on only 23 attempts in the opener, then came crashing back against Denver with 189 yards, zero touchdowns and an interception. That leaves him with 434 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception through two games, but the underlying decision-making has been more volatile than the box score suggests. According to PFF, Lawrence has only one big-time throw compared with four turnover-worthy plays through 56 dropbacks. He was also pressured 11 times against Denver after facing only six pressures in Week 1, and Jacksonville’s offense struggled considerably more once Lawrence stopped consistently operating from a clean pocket.
New England is exactly the type of defense I don’t want to attack while Lawrence is showing that volatility. The Patriots have opened the season playing excellent pass defense and just held Aaron Rodgers to 187 passing yards with no touchdowns while recording four sacks in a 20-3 win over Pittsburgh. Their first two quarterback matchups were Drew Lock and Rodgers, so I’m not pretending two games make this an elite defense we avoid all season. The concern is how the matchup intersects with what Lawrence struggled with last week: pressure, difficult coverage windows, and avoiding negative plays. Lawrence also has only two scramble yards through two games, according to PFF, so there hasn’t been much of a rushing floor when the passing touchdowns disappear. If I have another legitimate QB1 available, I’m willing to sit Lawrence this week.
Running Backs to Start
David Montgomery HOU
David Montgomery burned fantasy managers in one of the best matchups on the board last week, but I’m willing to go right back to him against Indianapolis. After scoring three total touchdowns on 23 touches in Week 1, Montgomery was held to 10 yards on six carries against Cincinnati while adding two receptions for 14 yards. The touch distribution was obviously concerning with Woody Marks getting 13 opportunities, but the playing time wasn’t nearly as bad as the box score suggests. Montgomery and Marks both played 38 offensive snaps, so this hasn’t suddenly become a backfield where Montgomery is operating as the clear backup.
Indianapolis gives him a great opportunity to bounce back. The Colts have struggled to consistently stop the run through the first two weeks, and that’s exactly the type of environment where I want to take another chance on Montgomery’s early-down and scoring role. The three touchdowns in Week 1 also reminded us why he doesn’t necessarily need 20-plus touches to produce a strong fantasy score. Marks has earned enough work that I’m no longer treating Montgomery as a volume-based RB1, but one disappointing performance isn’t enough for me to abandon a player who is still splitting the backfield snaps evenly and should have opportunities near the goal line. I’m going back to Montgomery as an RB2 in Week 3.
Jaylen Warren PIT
Jaylen Warren hasn’t given us a massive fantasy performance yet, but his workload has been considerably more encouraging than the box scores. He has 21 carries for 89 yards through two games while catching seven of 10 targets for another 61 yards, giving him 150 scrimmage yards on 28 touches. The receiving usage is particularly important because Warren has already drawn 10 targets, giving him a path toward fantasy production even when Pittsburgh can’t establish the running game. Most importantly, Rico Dowdle is dealing with a toe injury and missed Wednesday’s practice while wearing a walking boot. Warren has an injury of his own, but his shoulder issue only limited him in Wednesday’s practice rather than keeping him off the field entirely.
Cincinnati makes this an even easier player to trust. Warren doesn’t need Pittsburgh to give him 20 carries because the receiving work can keep him involved regardless of game script, and Dowdle’s status could create additional opportunities if he’s limited or unavailable. I’m not assuming Warren suddenly controls the entire backfield because Dowdle actually entered the game before him last week, but the injury situation clearly increases Warren’s path toward touches. If Dowdle is ruled out, Warren becomes one of my favorite RB2 plays of the week. Even if Dowdle suits up at less than 100%, Warren’s combination of rushing and receiving usage makes him someone I’m comfortable starting against Cincinnati.
Chuba Hubbard CAR
Chuba Hubbard’s situation has changed dramatically since we were worried about Jonathan Brooks eating into his workload entering the season. Hubbard handled 12 carries for 53 yards against Atlanta last week and caught both of his targets for 11 yards and a touchdown, giving him 64 scrimmage yards and 14.4 PPR points. More importantly, Brooks’ groin/core injury is significant enough that he’s heading to injured reserve and is expected to undergo surgery. That removes the biggest threat to Hubbard’s workload and gives him a much cleaner path toward controlling Carolina’s backfield.
Cleveland isn’t a matchup I’m aggressively targeting, so Hubbard is here because of his role rather than because I expect Carolina to run all over the Browns. That’s an important distinction. The Panthers have scored 71 points through two games, Bryce Young is playing extremely well, and Hubbard now has a much clearer path toward carries, receiving work, and goal-line opportunities. At running back, secure volume can overcome an imperfect matchup, especially when that back is attached to an offense consistently reaching scoring position. Hubbard has gone from a questionable flex entering the season to a player I’m comfortable starting as an RB2 in Week 3.
Running Backs to Sit
Jeremiyah Love ARI
Jeremiyah Love remains one of my favorite young running backs long term, but Arizona still isn’t giving him the workload we need for reliable fantasy production. Love carried nine times for 29 yards against Seattle last week and caught three passes for 16 yards, finishing with only 45 scrimmage yards. Through two games, he’s averaging 3.5 yards per carry with 70 rushing yards on 20 attempts. The bigger problem is playing time. Love did out-touch Tyler Allgeier 12-7 last week, but Allgeier has played 76 total offensive snaps through two games compared with only 52 for Love. Arizona has also publicly indicated that it intends to continue rotating the two backs.
Now Love goes into San Francisco while still playing fewer snaps than Allgeier. He scored in Week 1 and possesses enough explosiveness to turn limited touches into a useful fantasy performance, but that’s exactly what we’d be betting on right now: efficiency and touchdown variance rather than secure volume. I don’t want to give up on Love or sell low because his talent could eventually force Arizona to expand his role. For Week 3, though, a back playing around 40% of the snaps needs too many things to go right. Until Love starts taking playing time away from Allgeier, I’m keeping him on the bench when I have another viable RB2 or flex.
Travis Etienne Jr. NO
Travis Etienne Jr.’s Week 2 usage was considerably more concerning than his Week 1 performance suggested. He opened the season with 78 scrimmage yards on 16 touches, including seven receptions, while Alvin Kamara was unavailable. Kamara returned against Baltimore and immediately complicated everything. Etienne finished with eight carries for 25 yards and two receptions for six yards while playing roughly half of New Orleans’ offensive snaps. His receiving involvement also dropped dramatically, and Kamara received the Saints’ lone running-back red-zone carry. That creates a much different fantasy situation than the one Etienne had to himself in Week 1.
There was at least one encouraging development beneath the overall split. Etienne played 21 second-half snaps compared with only seven for Kamara and out-touched him 8-4 after halftime, so I’m not declaring that Etienne has lost this backfield. The problem is that we’re still dealing with an uncertain committee, reduced receiving usage, and now a hamstring injury that limited Etienne in Wednesday’s practice. The Raiders don’t need to be an elite run defense for this sit to make sense. Until New Orleans gives us a clearer hierarchy and Etienne gets through the hamstring issue, I’m treating him as an RB3/flex rather than an automatic starter.
Bucky Irving TB
Bucky Irving is easily the most aggressive sit in this group because there is absolutely nothing wrong with his workload or his performance. He had eight carries for 45 yards and a touchdown while catching seven passes for 48 yards in Week 1, then followed it with 17 carries for 89 yards and four receptions for one yard against Cleveland. Through two games, Irving has 183 scrimmage yards, 11 receptions and a touchdown while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also handled 21 opportunities last week while playing more than three-quarters of Tampa Bay’s offensive snaps. This is not a workload fade. Irving has established himself as the clear centerpiece of this backfield.
This is specifically about lowering Irving relative to his normal ranking in a more difficult Week 3 matchup with Minnesota. His receiving involvement normally gives him an excellent floor, but last week was a reminder that receptions don’t automatically create meaningful fantasy production when four catches produce one yard. I’m also not telling fantasy managers to bench Irving for a random flex option. He’s running too well and controlling too much of Tampa Bay’s backfield for that. If I have another legitimate RB2 or strong flex with a better matchup, though, I’m willing to lower expectations and consider sitting Irving this week. The workload gives him every opportunity to beat the recommendation, but I don’t view him as the automatic high-end RB2 he normally would be in a more favorable matchup.
Wide Receivers to Start
Jalen Coker CAR
Jalen Coker has done enough through two weeks that I’m done treating this breakout like a fluke. He opened the season with eight receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns on nine targets, then followed it with another eight catches for 66 yards against Atlanta. That’s 16 receptions for 204 yards and two touchdowns through two games, and the Week 1 usage was every bit as impressive as the production. Coker commanded a 26.5% target share and accumulated 102 air yards, showing us that Carolina isn’t simply manufacturing short touches for him. Bryce Young is trusting Coker at multiple levels of the field, and that’s especially important with Young throwing for 648 yards and six touchdowns during his own breakout start to the season.
I’m willing to keep riding that connection against Cleveland. The Browns have leaned heavily on single-high coverage through the first two weeks, a structure Young has handled particularly well during his hot start. Coker also doesn’t need another 138-yard, two-touchdown explosion to help fantasy lineups when the target volume has been this stable. He’s caught eight passes in consecutive games while Tetairoa McMillan gives defenses another legitimate perimeter threat they have to account for. There will eventually be weeks where Carolina’s passing production comes back down, but I’m not sitting a receiver who has immediately established this type of role in an offense playing as well as the Panthers have through two weeks. Coker belongs in the WR2/flex conversation for Week 3.
Dontayvion Wicks PHI
Dontayvion Wicks is quickly becoming one of my favorite early-season values because Philadelphia is giving him more than just a situational deep-threat role. Wicks turned four targets into two receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown in Week 1 before catching five passes for 74 yards against Tennessee. That gives him 147 receiving yards through two games while averaging 21.0 yards per reception. According to Fantasy Points Data, Wicks commanded a 16% target share, 23.5% first-read share and two deep targets while producing 2.70 yards per route run in Week 1. Week 2 was even more encouraging from a volume perspective because the Eagles found ways to get him five receptions rather than requiring one massive play to produce a usable fantasy score.
Chicago is exactly the type of matchup where I’m willing to keep him in the lineup. We watched this secondary allow Bryce Young to throw for 361 yards and three touchdowns in Week 1, and Philadelphia has enough weapons to make it difficult for the Bears to dedicate coverage toward Wicks. DeVonta Smith remains the primary receiver, but that can help Wicks continue finding favorable opportunities elsewhere in the secondary. Jalen Hurts has already connected with him for explosive plays, and Wicks has produced at least 73 receiving yards in both games despite only 10 total targets. That efficiency will eventually come down, but the expanding role gives him more margin for error than he had entering the season. I’m comfortable starting Wicks as a WR3 with legitimate big-play upside.
Romeo Doubs NE
Romeo Doubs gave us exactly the response I wanted after a disastrous Patriots debut. He failed to catch any of his three targets against Seattle in Week 1, including a costly fourth-quarter drop, before rebounding with three receptions for 96 yards against Pittsburgh. Two of those catches gained at least 20 yards, including a 63-yarder, and Doubs led New England’s wide receivers in targets, receptions and receiving yards. More importantly, A.J. Brown’s high-ankle sprain landed him on injured reserve and has pushed Doubs into a much more important role in this passing game. He played the second-most snaps among Patriots wide receivers in Week 2, and New England doesn’t have another established perimeter receiver demanding the opportunities Brown was expected to receive.
Jacksonville gives Doubs an opportunity to build on that performance. The Jaguars have already allowed usable fantasy performances to Denzel Boston and Jaylen Waddle through two weeks, and this is a game where New England may need considerably more from Drake Maye than it did in the 20-3 win over Pittsburgh. I’m still concerned about Maye’s early-season passing efficiency, which keeps Doubs from becoming an automatic start, but the opportunity has changed substantially since Brown went down. Doubs has a history of producing downfield and in the red zone, including 55 receptions for 724 yards and six touchdowns last season, and now he has a path toward functioning as New England’s primary outside receiver. After seeing the expanded opportunity translate into 96 yards last week, I’m comfortable using him as a WR3/flex.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Jameson Williams DET
Jameson Williams is one of the most frustrating players to sit because the playing time hasn’t disappeared. He ran a route on 91% of Jared Goff’s dropbacks against Buffalo, yet finished with only two receptions for 33 yards on four targets. That’s especially disappointing after Williams commanded nine targets in Week 1 but turned them into only four receptions for 45 yards. Through two games, we’re looking at six catches for 78 yards without a touchdown despite Detroit throwing six touchdown passes. According to FantasyPros, Williams has commanded only a 15.6% target share while producing 1.00 yards per route run. The routes are there, but they simply haven’t translated into enough opportunities or production.
The Jets aren’t the matchup I want to bet on for an immediate correction. According to FantasyPros’ Week 3 matchup data, New York has played two-high coverage on 66.2% of its defensive snaps, and Williams has historically been less productive against those looks. He’s been targeted on only 19% of his routes against two-high while averaging 1.24 yards per route run. Williams can always erase a quiet afternoon with one 60-yard touchdown, so I’m not suggesting his season-long value is collapsing. But Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs give Goff several more consistent options, and Williams hasn’t earned enough volume for me to chase the big play in a matchup that doesn’t particularly suit him. If I have another legitimate WR3 or flex, I’m sitting Williams.
Rome Odunze CHI
Rome Odunze’s talent isn’t the problem. The target volume is. He caught two passes for 52 yards in Week 1 and followed it with three receptions for 43 yards against Minnesota, giving him five catches for 95 yards through two games. The 19.0 yards per reception looks great, but Odunze has received only seven targets despite running the most routes among Chicago’s wide receivers. That’s the disconnect I’m worried about. He’s on the field enough to produce, but the routes haven’t turned into the type of target volume we need from a dependable fantasy starter. Luther Burden III and Kalif Raymond have both been involved, while Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland give Chicago two more pass catchers capable of earning targets over the middle.
Now we have another variable with Caleb Williams dealing with a hamstring injury. He’s considered week-to-week and hasn’t officially been ruled out, but even if Williams plays, I’m not comfortable assuming Odunze suddenly jumps from 3.5 targets per game into the seven-to-nine target range we need from a reliable fantasy starter. His efficiency gives him the ability to make this recommendation look bad with one downfield reception, but that’s essentially what we’re betting on right now. Five receptions through two games isn’t enough volume for me to trust, especially with uncertainty at quarterback. Until Chicago starts turning Odunze’s routes into consistent targets, I’m keeping him on the bench.
Carnell Tate TEN
I’m still encouraged by Carnell Tate’s long-term outlook, but Tennessee’s passing offense hasn’t given us enough to start him yet. Tate caught four of six targets for 38 yards in his NFL debut before finishing with three receptions for 27 yards on five targets against Philadelphia. That leaves him with seven receptions for 65 yards on 11 targets through two games. The encouraging part is that the Titans clearly want him involved. Tate led Tennessee’s receivers in snaps, receptions and targets against Philadelphia, and his five targets were also the most on the team. The problem is that Cam Ward attempted only 20 passes, leaving almost no margin for error for anyone trying to produce fantasy points in this passing game.
The Giants matchup is considerably easier than Philadelphia, but I’m not letting matchup alone convince me to start Tate before Tennessee proves it can generate enough passing volume. Eight different Titans were targeted last week despite Ward attempting only 20 passes, and Tate has yet to score or reach 40 receiving yards in either game. His Week 1 usage was promising with a 31.6% first-read share, so I absolutely want to keep him rostered because there’s a path toward Tate eventually emerging as Ward’s top receiver. That’s a different question from whether I want him in my Week 3 lineup. Right now we’re betting on a rookie receiver in a passing game that hasn’t generated enough quarterback volume through two weeks. Until Ward and this offense show us more, Tate remains on my bench.
Tight Ends to Start
Dalton Schultz HOU
Dalton Schultz is coming off exactly the type of usage that can turn a normally low-ceiling tight end into a weekly fantasy starter. With Nico Collins sidelined against Cincinnati, Schultz caught 12 of 14 targets for 140 yards, finishing as the TE1 in PPR scoring despite Houston failing to score a touchdown. He now has 16 receptions on 22 targets through two games after opening the season with four catches for 35 yards on eight targets. More importantly, Schultz leads Houston in routes run and targets per route run through two weeks. The Texans’ offense has struggled to generate points, but C.J. Stroud still threw for 353 yards last week, and Schultz became the player he consistently leaned on while Houston’s running game produced almost nothing.
Now he gets an Indianapolis defense that has already shown it can be attacked through the tight end. Mark Andrews caught four passes for 49 yards against the Colts in Week 1 before Travis Kelce erupted for nine receptions, 101 yards and a touchdown last week. Indianapolis also allowed the eighth-most fantasy points per game to tight ends last season. Collins’ availability matters because Schultz obviously isn’t going to command 14 targets every week when Houston has its full receiving corps, but we’ve already seen enough volume to establish a real role regardless. If Collins remains unavailable, Schultz has one of the strongest target-volume projections at the position. Even if Collins returns, Schultz has earned enough involvement for me to keep him in the TE1 conversation against Indianapolis.
Pat Freiermuth PIT
Pat Freiermuth hasn’t given us a massive yardage performance yet, but his consistency through two weeks makes him one of my favorite tight end streamers. He caught all five of his targets for 46 yards and a touchdown against Atlanta before adding four receptions for 32 yards on five targets against New England. That’s nine receptions on 10 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown through two games. In Week 1, he played 70.3% of Pittsburgh’s offensive snaps and ran a route on 72.1% of Aaron Rodgers’ dropbacks while also seeing two red-zone targets. That’s the type of involvement I’m willing to chase at tight end, especially when Pittsburgh doesn’t have an established target hog outside of DK Metcalf.
Cincinnati is where this becomes considerably more interesting. The Bengals were one of the best defenses to target with fantasy tight ends last season, finishing 2025 with the most receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns allowed to the position. Freiermuth doesn’t need to suddenly become a 100-yard receiver for this start to work. He’s received exactly five targets in each of Pittsburgh’s first two games, caught nine of the 10 passes thrown his way, and already has a touchdown. The red-zone involvement is particularly important because that’s where Freiermuth has historically generated much of his fantasy ceiling. Against a Cincinnati defense that has struggled with this position, five or six opportunities with another legitimate chance at a touchdown are enough for me to start him as a low-end TE1.
Isaiah Likely NYG
Isaiah Likely’s Week 1 explosion wasn’t followed by another massive fantasy performance, but Week 2 might have actually told us more about the sustainability of his role. After catching eight passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns against Dallas, Likely caught five of 10 targets for 33 yards against the Rams. The efficiency was ugly, but I’m considerably more interested in the 10 targets. Jaxson Dart left on New York’s opening possession with a knee injury, yet Likely still led the Giants in targets with Jameis Winston taking over. Through two games, we’re looking at 13 receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns on 18 targets. That’s an enormous change from the inconsistent opportunities he received while sharing the field with Mark Andrews in Baltimore.
Now Likely gets Tennessee rather than Dallas, which was incorrectly listed in the previous version. The quarterback situation creates some uncertainty, but Week 2 gave us evidence that Likely’s role can survive a change under center. Ten targets in a game where the Giants scored only six points is exactly the type of underlying usage I want to buy rather than panic over the 33 receiving yards. Malik Nabers remains the centerpiece of this offense, but Likely has quickly established himself as one of the next players New York wants to feature in the passing game. We already saw the touchdown ceiling in Week 1 and then the target floor in Week 2. That’s enough for me to keep Likely firmly in my starting lineup against Tennessee.
Tight Ends to Sit
Colston Loveland CHI
We’re reaching the point where I need Colston Loveland to actually show me something before putting him back into a fantasy lineup. He has one reception for three yards on five targets through two games, but the surprising part is that playing time isn’t the problem. Loveland has run 61 routes, more than any other Chicago pass catcher through two weeks. Rome Odunze has run 57, Luther Burden III 55, Kalif Raymond 53, and Cole Kmet 32. That’s arguably more concerning for his immediate fantasy value. Chicago is putting Loveland on the field and sending him into routes; he simply isn’t earning enough opportunities when he’s out there.
Caleb Williams’ hamstring injury adds another layer of uncertainty heading into Philadelphia. Williams is considered week-to-week, and I already wasn’t willing to start a tight end who has turned 61 routes into only five targets and one reception. The route participation gives me plenty of reason to remain patient with Loveland season-long because the opportunity for a breakout is clearly there if his involvement changes. That’s different from trusting him in a Week 3 lineup. Until those routes begin producing actual targets and receptions, Loveland belongs on my bench.
Harold Fannin Jr. CLE
Harold Fannin Jr. gave us a much more encouraging performance in Week 2, so this isn’t nearly as easy of a sit as it looked after the opener. Fannin caught only two passes for 21 yards in Week 1 before rebounding with five receptions for 54 yards on six targets against Tampa Bay. That brings him to seven receptions for 75 yards through two games, and the second performance was a meaningful step in the right direction. He also produced a 21-yard reception from Deshaun Watson, showing some of the receiving ability that made him such an intriguing fantasy option entering the season.
I’m still willing to wait another week before putting him back into my lineup. Carolina isn’t a matchup I’m particularly afraid of, so this is more about establishing that Week 2 represents Fannin’s new role rather than one encouraging performance. Cleveland’s passing game hasn’t been productive enough for me to automatically trust its secondary options, and one six-target game isn’t enough to completely erase those concerns. If Fannin gets another five or six targets against Carolina, especially with consistent route participation, my opinion could change quickly entering Week 4. For now, I like the player, and I’m encouraged by the Week 2 improvement, but I’d rather make him prove that volume is here to stay before using him as my TE1.
Oronde Gadsden II LAC
Oronde Gadsden II is exactly the type of player I want to add before I’m necessarily willing to start him. He played only eight offensive snaps in Week 1 and ran a route on 14% of Justin Herbert’s dropbacks, but injuries created a much larger opportunity against Las Vegas. David Njoku exited with a knee injury, and Charlie Kolar later suffered a forearm injury, helping Gadsden’s route participation jump all the way to 48%. He caught both of his targets for 18 yards and a touchdown. That’s a significant role increase and makes Gadsden one of the more interesting tight end stashes entering Week 3.
It still isn’t enough for me to immediately start him against Buffalo. The touchdown made his Week 2 fantasy line look much better than the underlying volume: two targets, two receptions, and 18 yards. Even a 48% route rate leaves considerable room for his role to grow before we can call him a full-time receiving tight end. The injuries ahead of him could eventually push Gadsden into that role, and that’s why I absolutely want him rostered. But adding an emerging player and immediately trusting him in a starting lineup are two different decisions. I want to see whether the Week 2 route increase continues, and whether it actually translates into more than two targets, before relying on Gadsden as a fantasy starter.
DEF to Start
Carolina Panthers
Carolina is one of my favorite defensive streamers of Week 3 after what we saw against Atlanta. The Panthers held the Falcons to three points while forcing five turnovers, including four interceptions, and returned one of them for a touchdown. Devin Lloyd was everywhere with two interceptions, a pick-six, and a sack, while Jaelan Phillips recorded his second sack in as many games. Carolina isn’t simply surviving defensively; the offseason additions to this unit are already creating exactly the type of splash plays we need for fantasy. The one thing I’m monitoring before Sunday is the injury report, with Lloyd and Phillips both missing Wednesday’s practice.
Now they get Cleveland, which is exactly the type of matchup I’m willing to attack. The Browns have struggled to consistently sustain offense through the first two weeks, while Carolina’s offense has scored 71 points and should give its defense opportunities to play with a lead. That game script matters because it can force Cleveland into more obvious passing situations and create additional opportunities for sacks and turnovers. I’m not expecting another defensive touchdown or five takeaways, but I don’t need anything close to that for this start to work. Carolina has shown legitimate playmaking ability through two games, and the matchup makes the Panthers one of my preferred Week 3 streaming defenses.
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s defense reminded us last week why Brian Flores’ unit can be such a valuable fantasy option. The Vikings held Chicago to only three points in a 9-3 win, limited Caleb Williams to 138 passing yards before his injury, and kept the Bears scoreless on all three of their red-zone possessions. That’s especially impressive considering Chicago entered the game after scoring 59 points in Week 1. Minnesota was already one of the NFL’s best defensive units last season, finishing third in yards allowed while generating the second-highest sack rate in football, and Flores continues to manufacture pressure without needing to play conservatively on the back end.
Tampa Bay gives me another reason to keep Minnesota in the lineup. The Buccaneers enter Week 3 at 0-2, and now they have to deal with one of the NFL’s most aggressive pressure schemes while trying to stabilize an offense that hasn’t consistently produced through two weeks. Kyler Murray’s expected return also matters for the Vikings defense because a more functional offense can create better field position and more favorable game scripts. Minnesota doesn’t need to completely shut Tampa Bay down for this start to work. The pressure Flores creates gives this defense access to sacks and turnovers, and after what we just saw against Chicago, I’m comfortable treating the Vikings as a strong Week 3 D/ST.
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City’s defense is coming off a difficult performance against Indianapolis, allowing 30 points in an overtime win, so I’m not chasing what happened last week. I’m chasing the matchup. The Chiefs were considerably better defensively in their opener against Denver, and Steve Spagnuolo remains one of the defensive coordinators I’m most comfortable trusting when his unit has a significant advantage over the opposing offense. Kansas City also has Chris Jones and George Karlaftis capable of creating pressure without needing the Chiefs to manufacture everything through the blitz.
Miami is the reason I’m going right back to them. The Dolphins have Malik Willis at quarterback, and this is the type of game where Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City offense can also help their own defense. If the Chiefs establish a lead and force Willis into a pass-heavy game script, Jones, Karlaftis, and the rest of the pass rush should have considerably more opportunities to create negative plays. Kansas City doesn’t need to completely shut Miami out to produce a strong fantasy score. I’m betting on sacks and turnover opportunities against an offense I want to continue targeting with fantasy defenses.
DEF to Sit
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh has done plenty of things we normally want from a fantasy defense through two weeks. The Steelers are tied for second in the NFL with seven sacks; T.J. Watt already has 3.5, and Alex Highsmith has three. They’ve also forced two turnovers in each game and are allowing only 16.5 points per contest. That’s an excellent fantasy profile, and this isn’t a case where I’m suddenly questioning whether Pittsburgh has one of the most talented defenses in football.
The problem is Cincinnati. The Bengals are 2-0 and have been considerably more productive offensively than either Atlanta or New England, the two offenses Pittsburgh faced to begin the season. Pittsburgh’s fantasy ceiling has also been helped by four takeaways through two games, and that’s not something I want to automatically project every week against a much more dangerous opponent. Watt and Highsmith always give this defense enough sack upside to remain playable, so I’m certainly not dropping Pittsburgh. But D/ST is a position where I’m willing to aggressively play matchups, and with Carolina, Minnesota, and Kansas City all in better spots, I’m comfortable moving away from the Steelers for one week.
Denver Broncos
Denver’s defense bounced back in a major way last week, holding Jacksonville to 13 points after a disappointing opener against Kansas City. The Jaguars managed only three second-half points, which looked much more like the defense we expected entering the season. Denver still has one of the most talented defensive units in football, so this isn’t a reaction to anything fundamentally wrong with the Broncos. If anything, Week 2 made me more confident in their season-long outlook.
I just don’t want to use them against the Rams. Matthew Stafford has Puka Nacua and Davante Adams leading one of the deepest passing attacks in football, and Adams just scored twice against the Giants. Sean McVay also gives Los Angeles answers against pressure that make this a considerably different assignment than Jacksonville. Denver can absolutely have a good real-life defensive performance and still disappoint for fantasy if Stafford protects the football and limits sacks. I’m holding the Broncos because there will be much better matchups ahead, but against one of the league’s most dangerous offenses, I’d rather stream a defense with a clearer path toward sacks and turnovers.
Kickers to Start
Will Reichard MIN
Will Reichard was perfect on all three of his field-goal attempts in Week 2, connecting from 35, 49, and 39 yards to account for all nine of Minnesota’s points. With Kyler Murray expected back against Tampa Bay, I’m expecting the Vikings to create more scoring opportunities than they did in last week’s 9-3 win. Reichard has the leg to capitalize when drives stall outside the red zone, making him one of my preferred Week 3 kicker options.
Evan McPherson CIN
Evan McPherson has already reminded us how much ceiling his range creates, making four field goals in the opener with multiple conversions from at least 50 yards. Pittsburgh has allowed only 16.5 points per game, but that’s actually part of the appeal here. Cincinnati should be capable of moving the football without automatically finishing every drive with a touchdown, creating exactly the type of field-goal opportunities we want for McPherson.
Kickers to Sit
Cameron Dicker LAC
Cameron Dicker has attempted only one field goal through two games and missed it, giving fantasy managers almost no production outside extra points. Buffalo could create a high-scoring environment, but I don’t want to chase the projected total when the Chargers haven’t consistently created field-goal opportunities. Until Los Angeles starts giving Dicker multiple attempts, I’m looking elsewhere.
Jake Elliott PHI
Jake Elliott drilled a 58-yard field goal against Tennessee last week, but it was his only attempt of the game, and he’s attempted just two field goals through Philadelphia’s first two games. That’s the problem with rostering a kicker attached to an offense this aggressive near the goal line. Elliott clearly has the range to produce when given opportunities, but Philadelphia continues to turn scoring drives into touchdowns rather than field goals. Against Chicago, I’d rather start a kicker with a clearer path toward multiple attempts instead of hoping one long kick saves Elliott’s fantasy day.
