Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Review for Fantasy Football's Top Fringe Starters

We saw several fantasy stars who disappointed in Week 1 bounce back in Week 2. Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase, for example, had just two receptions for 26 yards in the opener but caught 14 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown on Sunday—despite losing quarterback Joe Burrow early in the game.

Of course, it usually pays to stick with your stars in fantasy. Managers shouldn't have to second-guess players like Chase, Saquon Barkley, Trey McBride and Lamar Jackson in any given matchup. It's those fringe starters who tend to deliver tricky decisions.

Here, you'll find start/sit recommendations for some of the top fringe starters of Week 3.

Start: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

While rookie TreVeyon Henderson carried most of the preseason hype for the New England Patriots, Rhamondre Stevenson remains the starter. He had a quiet outing in Week 1, logging just seven carries for 15 yard, but he exploded against the Miami Dolphins in Week 2.

Stevenson gashed the Dolphins for 54 yards on just 11 carries and added five receptions for another 88 yards.

The presence of Henderson and Antonio Gibson does make Stevenson a matchup-based in 2025, but he has a favorable matchup this week. It feels strange to say that, given how Pittsburgh Steelers defenses are usually built, but it's true.

The Steelers have surrendered the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs through the first two weeks, and they've already allowed four rushing touchdowns. Stevenson is looking for his first score of the year. He has a good chance to get it this week at home.

Sit: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Denver Broncos

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins is coming off an 85-yard outing and has found the end zone in each of the first two weeks. Now, he's set to face his former team, as the Broncos will visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.

While it's tempting to buy into a Dobbins revenge game, managers should avoid this one. We just saw on Monday night how the Chargers defense can smother a running back—Ashton Jeanty averaged just 3.9 yards per carry—and that was on the road. Sunday's game will be the Chargers' home opener.

Los Angeles has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs so far this season.

The problem with trusting Dobbins is that he isn't heavily used in the passing game (3 receptions through 2 games). He's a touchdown-dependent option this week, and that's not ideal against a defense that hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown by a running back this season.

Start: George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Julio Cortez

George Pickens had a forgettable Dallas Cowboys debut back in Week 1, finishing with just three catches for 30 yards. However, he rebounded against the New York Giants on Sunday, snagging his first touchdown pass of the season and tallying 68 yards on five receptions.

Pickens figures to be a matchup-based play as Dallas' No. 2 receiver, but his target volume suggests a high floor in strong matchups—he's been targeted 13 times through two weeks. This week, he'll have a good matchup against the Chicago Bears.

The Bears have shown promise on offense, and they should at least hang around against a suspect Dallas D. We might not see the back-and-forth that we saw between the Cowboys and Giants, but Dallas should pass often, resulting in a high number of targets for Pickens.

And Pickens will have opportunities to take advantage. New York is the only team that has allowed more fantasy points to opposing receivers than Chicago.

Sit: Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) returned to the lineup in Week 2, but he had an underwhelming fantasy impact. With Atlanta largely leaning on its running game, Mooney finished with just two receptions for 30 yards.

There's a good chance that Mooney has another limited role in Week 3. Atlanta is set to visit the rival Carolina Panthers, who have been atrocious against the run this season.

There's a reason why the Panthers have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers, and it's not because their defense is that good.

Carolina has allowed a whopping 5.2 yards per carry this season. Managers can expect to see a whole lot of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier this week. Barring a surprise, we shouldn't see a lot of passing by Atlanta, and Mooney remains the third target behind Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.