With two weeks in the books for the 2024 NFL regular season, there is a bigger-yet-still-small sample size for every viable fantasy football option. But although some trends might be developing and here to stay, there is still some volatility to consider based on what opponents and matchups teams have had so far.
That means the tough lineup decisions haven't gotten much easier, maybe even more confusing, but Vinnie Iyer is here to help again with another dose of "The Decider", a unique blend of positional rankings and start 'em, sit 'em advice based on matchups, usage and other factors.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
WEEK 3 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Regular starts
- Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills (vs. JAX)
- Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (vs. DET)
- Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NO)
- Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens (at DAL)
- Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL)
- Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. WAS)
- Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders (at CIN)
Stronger starts
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. BAL): Prescott had a rare clunker at home, and the Ravens' defense is having more passing holes than usual, including in the middle of the field where he likes to throw often.
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR): Purdy and the Niners' passing game are off to a slow start, but they'll get it revved up with no CMC or Deebo here against a Rams' pass defense that's looking lost everywhere.
Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons (vs. KC): Cousins got into a groove a little more with his new receivers in Philly, and he is a good volume based play back at home opposite Mahomes.
Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints (at PHI): Carr keeps driving this offense down the fast lane playing off the run well and staying sharp with downfield passing. He may need to throw a ton with Hurts on the other side.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions (at ARI): Goff's home splits weren't positive, but they will get this cake road matchup for him to put up viable starting digits.
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears (at IND): Williams shakes off two bad games to start his career to put up multiple combined TDs and hit on some shots he's just missed the past two games.
WEEK 3 FANTASY ROSTER MANAGEMENT ADVICE
Buy Low, Sell High | Sleepers | Busts | Usage Report | Stock Watch | Start/Sit
DFS pick
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (vs. LAR, $6,000 on DraftKings, $7,400 on FanDuel): Purdy has had a rough couple of matchups to start the season, but he'll rip into the Rams' depleted defense to help set up the running game to dominate in the second half.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker starts
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts (vs. CHI): When AR is contained running and can't score on the ground and you need to trust him as a passer first against a tough pass defense, you can do better.
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (at MIN): Stroud faces a brutal attack defense on the road that has handled the 49ers' offense already, and the Texans are similar.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DEN): The Buccaneers will throw early in this one to try to build a lead, but their defense and running game can allow them to roll the Broncos at home.
Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIA): Smith can put up OK numbers, but he's probably facing a very positive game script in which the team can exploit the Dolphins' bigger weakness vs. the run.
Justin Fields, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC): Fields has been fine protecting the ball and running, but there's nothing to see here of significant production running or passing.
Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns (vs. NYG): Watson has a favorable matchup in theory, but this looks like another defense and running game-based dominant walkover.
Sam Darnold, Minnesota Vikings (vs. HOU): He has been a pleasant surprise leading this passing game, but he'll cool off vs. a tough defense at home.
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Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Running backs
Regular starts
- Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (vs. KC)
- Breece Hall, New York Jets (vs. NE)
- Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (vs. CHI)
- Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (at PHI)
- Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NO)
- Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (at DAL)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (at ARI)
- James Cook, Buffalo Bills (vs. JAX)
- Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at BUF)
- Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (at NYJ)
- De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (at SEA)
- James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (vs. DET)
- Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DEN)
- Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (at SF)
- Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders (at CIN)
- Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (vs. GB)
- J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers (at PIT)
- Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (at TEN)
- David Montgomery, Detroit Lions (at ARI)
Stronger starts
Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC): Harris has had trouble powering through running lanes early, but here he finds the end zone with about 60 rushing yards.
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIA): Charbonnet filled in well for Kenneth Walker III in New England and keeps it up at home against a vulnerable Dolphins front seven.
Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. WAS): Moss controlled most of the work against the Chiefs, and the Commanders have sprung leaks vs. the run.
Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (vs. NYG): He's still the key guy over D'Onta Foreman filling in for Nick Chubb and will take advantage of the Giants at home in a positive game script.
Devin Singletary, New York Giants (at CLE): Singletary has run well trying to support Daniel Jones, and that continues here as their best source of offense.
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. CAR): White will do more with limited touches this week as the Panthers bring their terrible front on a long road trip for the Raiders' home opener.
D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears (at IND): He hasn't been gaining any new "Swifties" for his dismal production so far, but here he gets going against a Colts defense that's become a complete sieve against backs (see Mixon and Jacobs).
DFS Picks
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (at GB, $6,000 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel): The Packers' run defense has been gashed by Saquon Barkley and Jonathan Taylor in the first two games, and that trend continues as the Titans try to go run-heavy to take pressure off Will Levis in pursuit of their first win.
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. CAR, $5,500 on DraftKings, $6,000 on FanDuel): White has been stymied by the defenses of the Chargers and Ravens early with Alexander Mattison cutting into his key role, but he gets on track here vs. the Panthers' wilting front, who just let Alvin Kamara and J.K. Dobbins go off.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker starts
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (vs. HOU): Jones lost a fumble and looked shaky again with his age against the 49ers, plus the Texans are tough and Ty Chandler is a factor again.
Cam Akers, Houston Texans (vs. MIN): He should get the first shot ahead of hurting Dameon Pierce and receiving-oriented Dare Ogubowale to fill in first for Joe Mixon but this revenge game will be terrible.
Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos (at TB): Williams will go back to being shut down by a strong run defense with his fickle volume.
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders (at CIN): His teammate Robinson will run well, but so far the Bengals have held backs in check in the passing game.
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC): The Chargers will give some to Harris on the ground but can contain him better outside.
Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (vs. BAL): He is fading again with Rico Dowdle coming into the picture, and this matchup stinks.
Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL): You are just about TD dependent to play him as the converted fullback type will still see a limited overall role in the offense as a committee approach will likely compensate for the loss of Isiah Pacheco.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Regular starts
- Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. WAS)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions (at ARI)
- CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys (vs. BAL)
- Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (at HOU)
- Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
- Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals (vs. DET)
- DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NO)
- Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. CAR)
- Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (at SEA)
- Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DEN)
- Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (at PHI)
- Nico Collins, Houston Texans (vs. MIN)
- Malik Nabers, New York Giants (at CLE)
- DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIA)
- Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DEN)
- Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (at SEA)
- D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears (at IND)
- Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens (at DAL)
- Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions (at ARI)
- Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (vs. KC)
- Garrett Wilson, New York Jets (vs. NE)
- George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC)
- Stefon Diggs, Houston Texans (vs. MIN)
Stronger starts
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans (vs. GB): Ridley has become their premier receiving playmaker, and he'll be busy again all over the field against the Packers.
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (at PHI): Shaheed is taking advantage of more play-action usage for making big field-stretching plays in the middle, and the Eagles have given them up badly in the first two games.
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns (vs. NYG): Stay the course with him as he can get going on short-to-intermediate routes with more effective volume at home.
Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIA): He's now fully involved as the expected No. 2 and can be schemed open well at home.
Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers (at LV): He will get more love and attention from Andy Dalton, leading to a fine volume-based day.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (at CIN): He needs to get going as a downfield threat, and it happens with Daniels being let loose.
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills (vs. JAX): The Jaguars' corners are getting lost, and Shakir can be busy and productive in the slot at home.
DFS picks
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. ARI, $6,900 on DraftKings, $8,000 on FanDuel): Smith will once again see a ton of high-leverage targets with A.J. Brown missing one more game, and his movement in the slot under Kellen Moore helps to keep him away from tough outside corners.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR, $6,200 on DraftKings, $6,500 on FanDuel): Aiyuk was a letdown last week as the entire offense went into the tank, but now he gets the burnable Rams' secondary deep with Deebo Samuel out, making him a much better value this week, too.
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints (at PHI, $5,300 on DraftKings, $6,300 on FanDuel): Shaheed has scored on two long TDs in the first two games and can do it one more time stretching the field inside after the Eagles just got ripped for another big play score vs. the Falcons' Darnell Mooney.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker starts
Tank Dell, Houston Texans (vs. MIN): Dude, you're not getting a Dell in your lineup until he gets the ball more in relation to Collins and Diggs, and it's a revenge game for the latter.
Christian Kirk and Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (at BUF): The Bills' secondary has been on point early, and you can't trust Trevor Lawrence much here.
Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (vs. CHI): The Bears' secondary sprung leaks in the middle but is very tough with his perimeter cornerbacks.
Jayden Reed and Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (at TEN): Figure on another run-heavy game plan in the Malik Willis revenge game.
Quentin Johnston and Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers (at PIT): You can't go here against a tough secondary in a low-scoring, run-heavy game.
Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams (vs. SF): He should get targets, but that can't add up too much on this pass defense.
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL): He's behind Rice for sure, and this should be a Travis Kelce get-well game on Sunday night.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must starts
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
- Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons (vs. KC)
- Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. CAR)
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals (vs. DET)
- Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions (at ARI)
- Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL)
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens (at DAL)
- Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (vs. JAX)
Stronger starts
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots (at NYJ): Henry is getting too many looks to sit even in a tough spot on the road.
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens (at DAL): He's fading again behind Andrews, but the matchup says they will get him free in the middle of the field often.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC): He was involved more smartly last week playing off his blocking, and this is a fair way to attack the Chargers' defense.
Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys (vs. BAL): Schoonmaker might need to fill in for Jake Ferguson (knee) again, and the Ravens' defense has allowed for working to his position often.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (at PHI): He would have paid off against the Cowboys had Kamara given him one of those TDs, but he finds paydirt for the first time in Philly to do a Hurts impression near the goal line.
DFS pick
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC, $4,000 on DraftKings, $5,200 on FanDuel): He got warmed a bit with Justin Fields against the Broncos and needs to become a factor playing off the run and deep passing game. The Chargers are beatable enough in tight end coverage to get a nice cheap starting play.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker starts
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (vs. CIN): He's getting decent volume, but they are spreading it around a lot, and they are bound to field-stretch soon.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (vs. MIN): Schultz isn't bad in theory, but he's not seeing the ball enough in relation to the loaded wide receivers.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles (vs. NO): He's not getting key targets without A.J. Brown as Grant Calcaterra is a new thorn in his side.
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals (vs. WAS): The Commanders are too easy to destroy at corner for Burrow, and there's a chance Tee Higgins returns.
Colby Parkinson, Los Angeles Rams (vs. SF): Not against Fred Warner and this back-seven defense.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Defense/special teams
Stronger starts
- Cleveland Browns (vs. NYG)
- New York Jets (vs. NE)
- San Francisco 49ers (at LAR)
- Buffalo Bills (vs. JAX)
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. MIA)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DEN)
Las Vegas Raiders (vs. CAR): Andy Dalton only makes this offense a little better vs. a tough Antonio Pierce defense.
Chicago Bears (at IND): Matt Eberflus can have a happy defensive homecoming vs. a struggling Anthony Richardson.
Green Bay Packers (at TEN): They can go after Will Levis well.
Houston Texans (vs. MIN): They can go after Sam Darnold well.
Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. LAC): They are still playable in a tough defensive-minded matchup.
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. PIT): They are still playable in a tough defensive-minded matchup.
DFS pick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. DEN, $3,000 on DraftKings, $4,700 on FanDuel): The Bucs' defense has rallied despite being under transition for Todd Bowles and has played well so far vs. some potent offenses. It can handle the Broncos and Bo Nix very well at home for this price.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Defenses
Weaker starts
Kansas City Chiefs (at ATL): The Falcons' offense is getting rolling and will keep getting better at home in the dome.
Baltimore Ravens (at DAL): You can't go there with their major coverage struggles.
Indianapolis Colts (vs. CHI): The Colts will keep coming up lame vs. the run and everything else, even against the Bears.
Dallas Cowboys (vs. BAL): They are not that good so far with Mike Zimmer.
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. WAS): The Commanders are being too careful with Daniels, so no.
New England Patriots (at NYJ): The Jets can win with the defense and running game again, leaving little opportunity for the opponent.
Get more of Vinnie Iyer's Week 3 fantasy football advice by subscribing to the Locked On Fantasy Football podcast.
