We learned a lot in the first two weeks of the season, so we can use that to inform our lineup decisions. The best way to do so is to focus on the matchup, consider the game script and compare your thoughts with FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR). You’ll find three fantasy football booms to start and three busts to bench for Week 3. We need to balance what we’ve learned in the first two weeks while not overreacting as we head into the third week of the season. With that in mind, let’s make those lineup decisions easier for you in Week 3.
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Fantasy Football Week 3 Start/Sit Advice
Fantasy Football Boom Starts
C.J. Stroud (QB – HOU)
C.J. Stroud has gotten off to a poor start to the season. Not only has the pass protection been poor, but the Texans haven’t used rookies Jayden Higgins or Jaylin Noel, leaving Stroud with an underwhelming group of wideouts that makes him overly reliant on Nico Collins.
Expect things to change in a must-win game to avoid a 0-3 start against division rival Jacksonville. Veteran receiver Christian Kirk is back in the lineup, providing Stroud with a dependable safety valve in the short-to-intermediate passing game. Expect Stroud to bounce back against the Jaguars.
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC)
Isiah Pacheco is another player who has had a rough start to the year. The veteran running back has been inefficient, while the Chiefs have opted to give playing time to Kareem Hunt and even Brashard Smith. However, there’s some room for hope for Pacheco.
Up next is a good matchup against the Giants, who have been gashed by Javonte Williams and Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the first two games of the year. This sets up as a positive game script for Pacheco, where the Chiefs can play with a lead and run the ball a bit more. With that said, if Pacheco can’t show signs of life here, it may be over for him.
Chris Olave (WR – NO)
Chris Olave is one of my favorite buy-lows in fantasy football. While the production hasn’t been there yet, the usage is promising. Olave has put up target shares of 40% and 38% in two games this season. That’s alpha No. 1 WR type of volume.
We’re seeing head coach Kellen Moore get Olave more involved in the slot, which means more catchable targets and a higher weekly floor. Even though the matchup against the Seahawks isn’t one to get excited about, the heavy usage makes me think it’s only a matter of time before we get an Olave spike week.
Fantasy Football Bust Sits
Kyler Murray (QB – ARI)
Kyler Murray is in a tough spot on the road against the 49ers. Remember, this team got an upgrade at defensive coordinator with Robert Saleh returning, so it’s only a matter of time before they start shutting down opposing offenses. We saw what this defense did to the Seahawks.
I’m not a fan of the projected game script for this game. The Cardinals also have an underrated defense, so this could turn into your classic low-scoring division game, especially if Brock Purdy is unable to play. I’d rather take a shot on Daniel Jones than Murray this week.
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)
D’Andre Swift has been inefficient so far this season, averaging only four yards per carry. Up next is a tough matchup against an improved Cowboys run defense that slowed down Saquon Barkley in Week 1. The one big play against the Giants on a Cam Skattebo 24-yard run was in a gadget look with Jaxson Dart under center.
Despite the high game total, I’m betting that we see the Cowboys slow down Swift. There’s also a chance that rookie Kyle Monangai could start factoring in, which means less touches for Swift. This looks like a low-upside Flex play moving forward.
Deebo Samuel (WR – WSH)
Deebo Samuel has gotten off to a terrific start with the Commanders, but this looks like a spot where you should leave him on your bench when making fantasy start sit decisions. Jayden Daniels is unlikely to play against the Raiders, leaving Marcus Mariota under center.
That’s a massive quarterback downgrade that should have you looking elsewhere. Expect the Commanders to go with a run-heavy approach to take the load off Mariota in this one. It also wouldn’t surprise me if this were a low-scoring game.
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