Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em, Play or Bench Advice on Top Fantasy Football NFL Stars

Fantasy managers will face several difficult lineup decisions in Week 3, in part, due to the NFL's latest rash of injuries.

If you haven't heard, Cincinnati Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to miss roughly three months with a toe injury. New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields was ruled out with a concussion on Wednesday.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle remains on injured reserve.

Many managers will be forced to rely on second-tier players at key positions, and for them, finding the right matchups will be key.

Start: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys

AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter

Over the past week, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott has likely gone from high-end backup to surefire starter in a lot of fantasy leagues. He had a good 2025 debut, even if it wasn't statistically impressive. The gaudy numbers came this past Sunday.

Prescott cooked the New York Giants to the tune of 361 yards and two touchdowns, with another 17 yards on the ground. He'll have a great opportunity to reward managers again in Week 1.

The Cowboys are set to visit the Chicago Bears, who have struggled mightily against opposing quarterbacks this season. No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing signal-callers through two weeks.

Chicago's top cornerback, Jaylon Johnson, is also out indefinitely with a groin injury.

Sit: Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/David Becker

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert has played like a viable MVP candidate through the first two weeks of the season. His improved receiving corps has given him a high fantasy ceiling as well, while his scrambling ability provides a reasonable floor.

However, this would be a good week to examine other options at quarterback, if any are available. Herbert has a brutal matchup against the rival Denver Broncos, who boast one of the better pass defenses in the league.

Though Denver struggled to completely corral Daniel Jones in Week 2, it has still allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. Playing rookie Cam Ward in Week 1 certainly played a role in that, but rolling the dice with Herbert could be problematic.

The Broncos' 20th-ranked run defense is vulnerable, and this could be the week in which Jim Harbaugh gets back to the run-first, grind-it-out style of offense we saw in 2024.

Start: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III is proving to be a fairly reliable fantasy option, even in a split backfield. Walker and Zach Charbonnet have each logged 27 touches through the first three weeks, but Walker has logged four more receptions and 85 more scrimmage yards.

Walker and Charbonnet have each scored a rushing touchdown.

While Walker isn't a high-end point-per-reception (PPR) back or even a high-volume player, he's a strong situational start—and he's facing a terrific situation in Week 3.

The Seahawks are set to host the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this season but has still surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs.

Sit: Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

While Tyrone Tracy Jr. was a solid flex option in 2024, he's trending toward being droppable in 2025. The New York Giants have already started to lean more heavily on Cam Skattebo, and with Brian Daboll fully trusting Russell Wilson, the opportunities for Tracy will be limited.

The second-year back saw just five carries in Week 2, though he did log four receptions.

Tracy's value is almost entirely receptions-based, and that's not what managers should want. He can be stashed for emergency purposes but should stay on the bench this week.

The Giants are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs, who have allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points (tied) to opposing running backs this season.

Start: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP PhotoDanny Karnik

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a rough outing against the Houston Texans' defense on Monday night, although they did come out of it with a win.

Rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka wasn't as productive (29 yards) as he was in Week 1 (67 yards, 2 TDs), but he did record four receptions and found the end zone. He and Baker Mayfield failed to connect on three other targets, but Egbuka is clearly a player that Mayfield trusts.

This week, the Buccaneers will host the New York Jets. While that will mean facing star cornerback Sauce Gardner, there's a good chance that Gardner will trail Mike Evans instead of Egbuka.

Even with Gardner in the lineup for 96 percent of the snaps this season, New York's defense has been middle-of-the-road against fantasy receivers (16th-most points allowed).

Sit: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/Nick Wass

Jerry Jeudy was a breakout fantasy star in 2024, finishing the year with 90 catches, 1,229 receiving yards and four touchdowns. He's not poised to replicate those numbers in 2025.

Jeudy is still a go-to target in the Cleveland Browns offense and has a fair PPR floor—he has at least four catches and 51 yards in each game this season. His ceiling, however, is entirely matchup-based.

The Browns have a very bad matchup coming to town this week. Cleveland will host the Green Bay Packers, who now have Micah Parsons leading their pass rush.

While Green Bay hasn't been a dominant defense against fantasy receivers (12th-fewest points allowed), its pass rush will likely prevent the Browns from pushing anything down the field. A 40-year-old Joe Flacco behind Cleveland's questionable line could even leave Jeudy drawing a blank.

Start: Juwan Johnson, TE, New Orleans Saints

AP Photo/Gerald Herbert

Anyone who drafted Juwan Johnson or snagged him on waivers has found themselves a very promising fantasy tight end. The 29-year-old is proving to be an integral part of Kellen Moore's offense.

Johnson ranks second among Saints players in targets (20) and tied with Chris Olave for first in receptions. Through two games, he's caught 13 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown.

While Seattle will provide a tough environment for Spencer Rattler and the Saints, Johnson should remain on an upward trajectory. The targets will come, and the Seahawks haven't been particularly good at defending tight ends.

In fact, no team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing TEs this season than Seattle.

Sit: Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

Brenton Strange was a logical speculative target in drafts since he has replaced the departed Evan Engram as the Jacksonville Jaguars' top tight end. However, he hasn't been a focal point of the offense and has logged just seven receptions for 76 yards through two weeks.

Strange is droppable in all but the deepest leagues, and he definitely shouldn't be in starting lineups this week.

Jacksonville is set to host the Houston Texans, who have been far more vulnerable to the run than the pass this season. A ferocious pass rush is likely to limit Trevor Lawrence's big-play opportunities, and Strange only has limited upside as a check-down target.

The Texans have surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.