Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly positional start and sit guide is built to give you an edge.
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Wide Receivers to Start
Rome Odunze CHI
Rome Odunze is breaking out in a big way and looks like the Bears’ new WR1. Through two games, Odunze has 20 targets compared to DJ Moore’s 11, while leading the team in air yards and red-zone looks. He’s already scored at least 15.7 PPR points in both contests, posting 13 receptions for 165 yards and three touchdowns. The matchup this week is perfect, as Dallas has allowed the most yards and third-most touchdowns to wide receivers so far. Odunze’s role as Caleb Williams’ top target makes him a must-start fantasy football wide receiver in Week 3 with WR1 upside.
Michael Pittman Jr. IND
Michael Pittman Jr. should bounce back after a tough matchup against Denver in Week 2. He gets a Titans defense that has been extremely vulnerable to perimeter receivers, giving up three performances of at least 18 PPR points in just two weeks. Pittman has a 20.6% target share and 2.07 yards per route run so far, and historically, he has played well against Tennessee with two touchdowns in his last three road games versus the Titans. With Tennessee ranking 19th in PPR points allowed per target to perimeter receivers, Pittman has a great chance to get back on track. He’s a borderline WR2 in all fantasy football formats and belongs in starting lineups this week.
George Pickens DAL
George Pickens has emerged as Dallas’ top end-zone threat, with five end-zone targets through two weeks. While his overall usage has been somewhat volatile, he remains heavily involved downfield with a 25.6% air-yard share. The Bears’ secondary is reeling, having just given up 309 yards and three touchdowns to Lions’ receivers last week. With Jaylon Johnson out, Chicago has now allowed the most touchdowns to wide receivers this season. Pickens is coming off a five-catch, 68-yard, one-touchdown performance against the Giants and is set up for another strong game. He’s a solid WR2 with big-play potential for Week 3 fantasy football lineups.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Chris Olave NO
Chris Olave continues to see great volume (23 targets in two games), but the production hasn’t followed. He has just 13 receptions for 108 yards and no touchdowns despite being the focal point of the passing game. The issue lies with quarterback play, as Spencer Rattler has struggled to connect with Olave on deep balls. This week’s matchup against Seattle is brutal; the Seahawks have allowed the second-fewest yards to receivers, the lowest passer rating when targeted, and the lowest completion percentage. While Olave still offers a safe floor in PPR formats, his upside is severely capped, making him more of a WR3 or sit candidate in Week 3 fantasy football.
Jerry Jeudy CLE
Jerry Jeudy has been one of the bigger disappointments to start the season, ranking as the WR41 in fantasy points per game. He has yet to score a touchdown, hasn’t seen a red-zone target, and is averaging just 58.5 receiving yards per game. The matchup against Green Bay is a nightmare, as the Packers have allowed the fifth-fewest receiving yards and the second-fewest yards per attempt to wideouts. Jeudy’s 17.2% target share hasn’t translated into fantasy production, and Cedric Tillman has actually seen more high-value looks near the goal line. Until Jeudy’s role improves, he should be on fantasy benches this week, especially against Green Bay’s lockdown secondary.
Travis Hunter JAC
Travis Hunter has been as fun as advertised, seeing significant playing time on both sides of the ball, but it has not translated into fantasy production just yet. Through two weeks, Hunter has just nine catches for 55 yards on 14 targets while splitting time on defense and offense. He’s operating mainly out of the slot with short-area designed targets, limiting his big-play opportunities. Now he faces a Texans defense that has kept Mike Evans, Davante Adams, and Emeka Egbuka all under 13 fantasy points. With just 14.5 total points across his first two games and limited red-zone involvement, Hunter is too risky to trust in Week 3 fantasy football. He’s a sit in most leagues until his offensive role expands.
