Welcome to Sit & Start (Week 3). This is where we highlight a few players at each position that we want to sit or start this week. We will avoid the obvious starts, and for the sits, we will avoid the obvious ones. This is a place to deal with the players who make tougher decisions. For our full weekly rankings list, head to The FFU Weekly Rankings Page or try our Sit/Start Tool Powered by Fantasy Pros.
It’s important to mention that quarterbacks are about 1QB leagues. In a superflex league, every quarterback is relevant.
Sit ‘Em- Quarterbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesJustin Fields, Steelers vs LAC (32)
The belief all offseason was that Justin Fields was a great stash candidate just in case he ever found his way back into a starting role. Everyone assumed that once he started again, he would be a top-12 quarterback. Sadly, he got his chance to start and the Steelers have morphed him into a conservative game manager. Not only is he only throwing for 150 yards per game but he has seen his rushing totals cut in half. A Week 3 matchup against a run-funnel defense like the Chargers will make it difficult for him to produce for fantasy. Leave Fields on your bench this week.
Justin Herbert, Chargers vs PIT (31)
Malik Willis, Packers vs TEN (28)
Daniel Jones, Giants vs CLE (23)
Sit ‘Em- Running Backs
Embed from Getty ImagesJames Conner, Cardinals vs DET (31)
Conner has been excellent to start the season and the Cardinals offense is coming together nicely, unfortunately he faces the Detroit Lions in Week 3 and they consistently limit opposing running backs to less than 50 rushing yards. A running back whose best-case scenario is 50 yards rushing is a scenario to avoid if you can. You may have no choice but to put Conner in your lineup, so temper your expectations in that situation.
Aaron Jones, Vikings vs HOU (30)
JK Dobbins, Chargers vs PIT (28)
Carson Steele, Chiefs vs ATL (27)
Sit ‘Em- Wide Receivers
Embed from Getty ImagesGeorge Pickens, Steelers vs LAC (31)
Pickens is a trendy name because he is the only reliable pass-catcher in the Steelers offense. The issue with that is the fact that the Steelers remain committed to a slow-paced, ground attack. They have operated with a two-headed running back committee and have only thrown the ball when forced to. The pass volume in this offense is simply too low to make Pickens a reliable starter in a bad matchup against the Chargers who allow the second-lowest points to running backs. This game projects to be a run-heavy, low-scoring game.
Jayden Reed, Packers vs TEN (30)
Brian Thomas Jr, Jaguars vs BUF (28)
Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs CIN (27)
Sit ‘Em- Tight Ends
Embed from Getty ImagesMike Gesicki, Bengals vs WSH (32)
Gesicki was an excellent streamer last week and saved managers who were in need of a tight end. The problem with streaming him this week is that he faces a Commanders defense that is so bad across the board that their opponents don’t need any production out if the tight end position. The Commanders rank as the worst matchup for tight ends while giving up points in bunches to pretty much every other position. He was good last week, but don’t risk starting him this week.
Luke Musgrave, Packers vs TEN (31)
Colby Parkinson, Rams vs SF (30)
Dalton Kincaid, Bills vs JAC (29)
Start ‘Em- Quarterbacks
Embed from Getty ImagesJoe Burrow, Bengals vs WSH (1)
Burrow has gotten off to a hot and cold start this season as the Bengals offense struggled in Week 1 but got back on track in Week 2. The perceived value of Burrow has never been lower in fantasy and this is a crucial game for him. Against a Commanders defense that is a disaster and ranks as the best matchup for quarterbacks he is in a position where he either has to put up a monster game or be dropped down a tier or two. Look for Burrow to get himself back into the conversation of top-5 quarterbacks with a huge game against Washington.
Kirk Cousin, Falcons vs KC (2)
Brock Purdy, 49ers vs LAR (4)
Jared Goff, Lions vs ARI (5)
Start ‘Em- Running Backs
Embed from Getty ImagesDerrick Henry, Ravens vs DAL (1)
Henry has not been the beast we all came to know and love since joining the Ravens but that is to be expected as age and injury have caught up with him over the past few seasons. This week though, he should get his season back on track against a Cowboys run defense that had been putrid this season. Last week Dallas was destroyed by Alvin Kamara and figure to be a get-right spot for Henry in Week 3. Henry has top-5 upside this week in a sweet matchup.
Travis Etienne, Jaguars vs BUF (3)
Jordan Mason, 49ers vs LAR (4)
Tony Pollard, Titans vs GB (7)
Start ‘Em- Wide Receivers
Embed from Getty ImagesChris Olave, Saints vs PHI (2)
The Saints offense is off to a red-hot start and are scoring at will. Somehow, that production hasn’t transitioned to Chris Olave who has been average at best. Olave should be able to rebound this week as the Saints face off with an Eagles secondary that has been awful for well over a year. Look for Olave to catapult back into the WR2 range in this juicy matchup.
DJ Moore, Bears vs IND (5)
Garrett Wilson, Jets vs NE (7)
Khalil Shakir, Bills vs JAC (8)
Start ‘Em- Tight Ends
Embed from Getty ImagesKyle Pitts, Falcons vs KC (1)
Pitts is one of the many tight ends that hasn’t gotten off to a great start this year. The Falcons and new quarterback Kirk Cousins have taken a little time to put things together and are a work in progress. A matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs could be exactly what they need as the Chiefs allow more fantasy points per game to quarterbacks than any team in the NFL. He is a must-start this week and should be locked in as a top-5 tight end on the week.
Brock Bowers, Raiders vs CAR (2)
George Kittle, 49ers vs LAR (3)
Pat Freiermuth, Steelers vs LAC (10)
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