Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Week 3 (2025)

Week 2 of the NFL season had its ups and downs. We saw some big plays on both sides of the ball, but the injury monster wreaked havoc across the league. Week 3 is here, and Thursday Night Football was more competitive than expected, but ultimately, the Buffalo Bills walked away with the victory as expected. Looking ahead to this weekend, we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 3

Start em

Tykee Smith (S – TB)
Tykee has been excellent to start the season, following up his seven solo, four assist Week 1 with four solos, two assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football. Tykee is pushing to be included in the DB2 conversation and will get there if he can keep stacking strong production. Start Tykee everywhere for Week 3, thanks to a plus matchup against the New York Jets.

Tarheeb Still (CB – LAC)
Tarheeb was excellent in Week 2, tallying seven solos, two assists, one tackle for loss, and two passes defended. Still has been flying around the field in the nickel role and only projects to get better. Still is an option in leagues of all sizes, but those in deeper formats will want to pay special attention after the waivers were likely picked bare after Week 1. Start Tarheeb as a strong DB3 option for a plus matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Edgerrin Cooper (LB – GB)
Edgerrin Cooper was excellent again in Week 2, racking up seven solos, three assists, and 0.5 sacks. He has been on fire to start the season, recording 15 solos in two contests. His strong start puts him squarely in the LB1 mix for a tasty Week 3 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Start him with confidence everywhere.

Jack Campbell (LB – DET)
Jack Campbell was solid in Week 2, tallying four solos and four assists. Campbell had five solos and five assists in Week 1 and is providing steady value for IDP managers. Campbell should be viewed as an LB3 on most non bye weeks, but can be counted as a strong LB2 option for Week 3, thanks to a plus matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Start him with confidence where possible.

Jack Sawyer (DE/LB – PIT)
We had a Jack Sawyer sighting in Week 2. He played just 40 percent of the snaps but still managed four solos, two assists, one sack, and two tackles for loss. His strong play should have earned him a more consistent role going forward, putting the rookie on deep league radars. Sawyer becomes a deep league start with Alex Highsmith (ankle) projected to be sidelined for multiple weeks. He will split time with Nate Herbig, but has shown enough to warrant a flex or DL3 start if needed. Start him where needed for a plus Week 3 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Sit em

Robert Spillane (LB – NE)
Spillane flashed in Week 2, notching three solos, one sack, and one pass defended. Managing just three solos after failing to top that mark in the opener raises the concern level here, as Spillane is not producing anywhere near the level expected for IDP managers, and it may be time to start thinking about leaving him on benches. He should not be dropped under any circumstances, but until he proves he can produce in this scheme at something above an LB3 level, there is no reason to plug him into lineups based on name equity alone. He is playing nearly every snap, so the good games shouldn’t be too far off, but unless you play in a three LB league with multiple flex spots, he is someone to keep stashed and benched until he starts producing. Look elsewhere for Week 3.

Devin Lloyd (LB – JAC)
Devin Lloyd showed up in Week 2, racking up two solos, three assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Lloyd has had a disappointing IDP start to the season, playing just 34 percent of the snaps in Week 1 and struggling to produce outside of the pick in Week 2 despite 70 percent of the snaps. He is talented enough to keep as a bench stash, but he is not someone you want plugged into lineups outside of 16+ team leagues. Leave him on benches for Week 3 despite the plus matchup against the Houston Texans.

Donovan Wilson (S – DAL)
Wilson showed up in Week 2, racking up three solos, three assists, one interception, and one pass defended. Donovan has just three solos total in two games, making him a waiver wire or bench play for now. He has shown he can produce at a DB1 level in prior seasons, but has settled into more of a DB3/4 role. He is not much of an option outside of the byes, especially with the explosion of valuable nickels in IDP. Look elsewhere for your Week 3 DB3 despite the plus matchup against the Chicago Bears.

Eric Murray (S – JAC)
Murray went off in Week 2, tallying six solos, one assist, one interception, and one pass defended. Murray is a solid flex/flex 2 option, but is not yet in the DB3 mix outside of 16+ team leagues. Roster him where needed, but keep him benched for Week 3, despite the plus matchup against the Houston Texans. Look elsewhere for your Week 3 DB3.

Jowon Briggs (DT/DE – NYJ)
Jowon was excellent in Week 2, racking up four solos, one assist, one sack, one tackle for loss, and one forced fumble. The production is noteworthy, but he played just 48 percent of the snaps and looks like the fifth defensive lineman in the rotation (backup defensive tackle). Roster him where needed, but keep him on benches for Week 3.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.