Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Projecting Stats for Top 10 Players at Every Position

We have a larger sample size of fantasy performance to go off of heading into Week 3, but that doesn't mean it gets any easier to predict the top stars.

Week 2 in the NFL was another example of how quickly players can rise and fall in the fantasy world. 

While many had written off San Francisco passer Colin Kaepernick as an unreliable starter, Week 2 demonstrated that the 49ers just need to be far enough behind to force him to air out the ball. 

Meanwhile, owners who were riding high after Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith's performance in Week 1 were less than thrilled when their passer put up two interceptions and no touchdowns for less than 200 yards. 

Let's take a look at the top players at each position in fantasy football this week, as well as a "start 'em" and "sit 'em" recommendation for each. 

The players who played in Thursday night's game have been omitted from the projections, so in some cases the rankings may include up to the top 12 projected players.

Consensus score projections from FantasyPros.com, which averages projections from ESPN, CBS Sports, numberFire and FFToday, have been used to give as accurate a score as possible. 

Quarterbacks

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Russell Wilson,SEA	CHI	22.1
2	Aaron Rodgers, GB	KC	20.8
3	Tom Brady, NE	JAC	20.1
4	Cam Newton, CAR	NO	20.0
5	Andrew Luck, IND	at TEN	19.5
6	Carson Palmer, ARI	SF	18.2
7	Ben Roethlisberger, PIT	at STL	17.8
8	Matt Ryan, ATL	at DAL	17.5
9	Peyton Manning, DEN	at DET	17.2
10	Ryan Tannehill, MIA	BUF	17.0

Start 'Em: Cam Newton, CAR (vs. NO)

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Some fantasy owners shied away from selecting Carolina signal-caller Cam Newton in their drafts this year after the Panthers lost top wideout Kelvin Benjamin for the season with a torn ACL, as well as Stephen Hill to the same injury. 

Then, veteran receiver Jerricho Cotchery suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 2 against the Houston Texans, making matters worse for Newton. However, Panthers coach Ron Rivera hopes that Cotchery will be ready to go by the weekend, per Bill Voth of Black and Blue Review. 

But if you have him on your roster this week, take the gamble and play him for high rewards in a favorable matchup against the New Orleans defense, which has allowed 22.13 fantasy points per game on average to quarterbacks through two games. 

Newton has averaged 185 yards per game in 2015, with three passing touchdowns and a rushing touchdown. 

Sit 'Em: Joe Flacco, BAL (vs. CIN)

Tony Avelar/Associated Press

The 79.7 percent of fantasy owners who have Flacco as the No. 1 quarterback on their rosters may want to sub in their No. 2 in Week 3. 

Flacco is heading into an unfavorable matchup against a Cincinnati Bengals defense that has limited opposing quarterbacks to 203 yards per game on average in 2015, good for No. 7 in the league. Their 16 points allowed per game on average is also fourth-best of any defense in the league. 

Owners might be tempted to gamble on Flacco considering that he put up 25 fantasy points last week against the Oakland Raiders, but meetings with the Bengals haven't gone swimmingly for the Ravens signal-caller in the past. 

In his last five games versus Cincinnati, Flacco has thrown for twice as many interceptions (eight) as touchdowns.

Running Backs

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Marshawn Lynch, SEA	CHI	17.1
2	Le'Veon Bell, PIT	at STL	16.1
3	Adrian Peterson, MIN	SD	15.3
4	Jamaal Charles, KC	at GB	14.7
5	Latavius Murray, OAK	at CLE	12.9
6	Matt Forte, CHI	at SEA	12.2
7	Carlos Hyde, SF	at CAR	12.1
8	LeSean McCoy, BUF	at MIA	11.9
9	Joseph Randle, DAL	ATL	11.8
10	Jonathan Stewart, CAR	NO	11.8

Start 'Em: Latavius Murray, OAK (at CLE)

Ben Margot/Associated Press

If you're wobbling between two options to start as your No. 2 running back in Week 3 and Oakland Raiders rusher Latavius Murray is one of them, slide him into that active spot in your lineup.

Murray is heading into an extremely favorable matchup against the Cleveland Browns defense, which has allowed an average of 24 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs through two games this season. 

Murray was a bargain for most owners during fantasy drafts this offseason. Though he leads Oakland's backfield and has seen an average of 13 attempts per game in 2015, he was drafted in Round 5 on average, putting him in flex or even bench territory for some owners. 

His 65 rushing yards and touchdown in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens earned Murray's owners 14.7 fantasy points, and he faces a much more pedestrian run defense this week in the Browns.

Sit 'Em: Lamar Miller, MIA (vs. BUF)

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Fantasy owners had high hopes for Dolphins rusher Lamar Miller in 2015, making him the 13th running back drafted on average, putting him in solid starting No. 2 status in most leagues.

Unfortunately, Miller has not delivered on that investment. Through two games so far this season, Miller has rushed for 67 yards and no touchdowns, and it's not for lack of use: He's gotten 23 carries. 

Miller's paltry 14 rushing yards in Week 2 led 1.5 percent of fantasy owners to drop him in Week 3, though he's still owned in 97 percent of leagues. 

It might be time to look elsewhere for a bench player for those owners. Miller isn't providing anyone depth they can count on right now, let alone starting potential. 

Wide Receiver

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Antonio Brown, PIT	at STL	15.3
3	Julio Jones, ATL	at DAL	14.1
4	Demaryius Thomas, DEN	at DET	12.7
5	Randall Cobb, GB	KC	12.6
6	Julian Edelman, NE	JAC	12.3
7	DeAndre Hopkins, HOU	TB	12.0
8	Emmanuel Sanders, DEN	at DET	11.9
9	Calvin Johnson, DET	DEN	11.6
10	Brandon Marshall, NYJ	PHI	11.4
11	Larry Fitzgerald, ARI	SF	10.8

Start 'Em: DeAndre Hopkins, HOU (vs. TB)

George Bridges/Associated Press

Be sure that Hopkins has been cleared after going through his concussion protocol before solidifying him in your lineup, but indications Thursday from Texans coach Bill O'Brien were that the receiver "looked pretty good," per the team website.

Over 1,000 fantasy owners dropped Houston wideout DeAndre Hopkins after his disappointing Week 2 showing, in which he had five receptions for 53 yards and 5.3 fantasy points. 

We're not really sure what they were thinking, or how well their short-term memory is functioning—Hopkins had almost 100 yards and two touchdowns in Week 1—but their loss is your gain if you can manage to pick him up on waivers.

Otherwise, if you're one of the owners who drafted Hopkins, keep the faith. His Week 3 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could look more like his first outing of the season than his second. 

The Bucs have given up 25 fantasy points per game to wide receivers through two weeks this season, and Hopkins doesn't hurt for targets. He was the leading receiver by far in both Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs, with nine receptions, and had five receptions but 11 looks in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers. 

Sit 'Em: Mike Wallace, MIN (vs. SD)

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Wide receiver Mike Wallace was supposed to provide a veteran presence for Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater this season, but not only has the wideout not racked up much in terms of production, he's not even Bridgewater's favorite target.

Wallace had seven targets in Minnesota's season opener against the San Francisco 49ers but just three targets in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions, behind tight end Kyle Rudolph. 

So far this season, Wallace has nine receptions for 101 yards and no touchdowns, with just 10.1 fantasy points on the year. The no-scores part is troubling, considering that Wallace had 10 touchdowns last year with the Miami Dolphins. Theoretically, he should be a go-to red-zone target for Bridgewater. 

Wallace won't be helped this week by a poor matchup against the San Diego defense. The Chargers have only allowed 15.8 fantasy points to wide receivers through two weeks in 2015.

Tight End

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Rob Gronkowski, NE	JAC	12.2
2	Greg Olsen, CAR	NO	8.9
3	Jimmy Graham, SEA	CHI	8.4
4	Martellus Bennett, CHI	at SEA	8.2
5	Tyler Eifert, CIN	at BAL	8.2
6	Jared Cook, STL	PIT	7.8
8	Travis Kelce, KC	at GB	7.3
9	Heath Miller, PIT	at STL	7.3
10	Jordan Cameron, MIA	BUF	7.0
11	Crockett Gilmore, BAL	CIN	6.7

Start 'Em: Tyler Eifert, CIN (at BAL)

Gary Landers/Associated Press

If he keeps it up at his current clip, Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert could be a must-start every week in 2015. 

Through two games this season, Eifert has impressed, with 13 receptions for 153 yards and three touchdowns on 17 targets. He's been a favorite weapon for Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton, especially in the red zone, which is what fantasy owners want to hear. 

Don't be afraid of Baltimore's defense here, even though it's allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing tight end so far this season. 

Both of the Ravens' opponents this season haven't been able to throw much at them in the way of tight ends, including Denver's Owen Daniels and Oakland's Mychal Rivera.

The Ravens did, however, give up huge gains to both Michael Crabtree and Amari Cooper in Week 2, both of whom had more than 100 yards and a touchdown. That bodes well for Eifert, who has been targeted like a top receiver this season. 

Sit 'Em: Vernon Davis, SF (at ARI)

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There was once a time when the thought of benching Vernon Davis in your lineup, especially in standard-scoring leagues where you may have no backup tight end or have drafted someone solely for bye-week purposes, would be considered fantasy blasphemy. 

That was often the case in 2014, however, and unfortunately for both Davis and his fantasy owners, he isn't yet staging the comeback season he was supposed to have in 2015. 

Through two games, Davis has 109 receiving yards on eight catches and no touchdowns. Don't expect him to change his lack of scoring in Week 3, either; in his last five games played in Arizona, Davis has only one touchdown. 

So far this season, the Cardinals have allowed only nine catches for 81 yards and no scores to opposing tight ends, so if Davis is going to bounce back, this week isn't his opportunity. Swap him out this week for your bench player, or check the waiver wire for a sub. 

D/ST

Rank	Unit	Opponent	Projection
1	New England Patriots	Jacksonville Jaguars	14.8
2	Seattle Seahawks	Chicago Bears	12.9
3	Buffalo Bills	at Miami Dolphins	11.2
4	Houston Texans	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	10.9
5	Denver Broncos	at Detroit Lions	8.5
6	Indianapolis Colts	at Tennessee Titans	8.5
7	Cleveland Browns	Oakland Raiders	8.4
8	Arizona Cardinals	San Francisco 49ers	8
9	Philadelphia Eagles	at New York Jets	7.9
10	San Francisco 49ers	at Arizona Cardinals	7.6

Start 'Em: Denver Broncos (at DET)

Charlie Riedel/Associated Press

The Broncos defense was the 12th unit drafted on average in 2015 by fantasy owners, making it barely a starter in a 12-team standard league. 

But it's certainly not playing like it. 

Through two games, Denver is second in the league in total defense. It's first against the pass, allowing just 133.5 passing yards per game on average, and eighth in scoring, allowing just 18 points per game. 

The team has been busy interrupting opponents and getting points for fantasy owners, racking up four interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns, six sacks and three fumble recoveries. 

So far the Broncos defense/special teams has 38 fantasy points on the season, making it the highest-scoring unit. 

Sit 'Em: Baltimore Ravens (vs. CIN)

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Don't get too attached to the defense you drafted. Fantasy owners were high on the Ravens this year, drafting them seventh among all defense/special teams and in Round 10 on average. 

However, with so many units available on waivers each week and with matchups dictating performance from game to game, there's no use sticking with a unit you hope might be good. Go with one that has the matchup working in its favor. 

That's not the case for Baltimore this week. The Ravens are coming off an embarrassing showing in Week 2, having allowed 448 yards of total offense to the Oakland Raiders. Their 50 points allowed are 11th worst in the league heading into Week 3. 

Meanwhile, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton has yet to throw an interception, but he has racked up 483 yards and five touchdowns in two weeks. The Ravens might pull it together at home, but is that a chance you want to take?

Kickers 

Rank	Player	Opponent	Projection
1	Steven Hauschka, SEA	CHI	9.3
2	Nick Folk, NYJ	PHI	8.8
3	Justin Tucker, BAL	CIN	8.8
4	Mason Crosby, GB	KC	8.8
5	Graham Gano, CAR	NO	8.7
6	Randy Bullock, HOU	TB	8.3
7	Chandler Catanzaro, ARI	SF	8.2
8	Dan Carpenter, BUF	at MIA	8.1
9	Cairo Santos, KC	at GB	8.0
10	Zach Hocker, NO	at CAR	7.9

Start 'Em: Brandon McManus, DEN (at DET)

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Unlike defenses, which you can stream from week to week as the matchups suit, many fantasy owners typically keep the kicker they drafted, with the exception of the bye week.

That's not a bad strategy, as there isn't a wide deviation in kicking performances from week to week, or if there is, it's certainly hard to predict. However, one kicker that may be worth picking up is Denver's Brandon McManus.

Through two weeks, McManus is tied for the highest-scoring fantasy kicker, with 26 points. That includes an impressive three field goals of 50-plus yards made, the most in the league. That's one of the few areas that makes a difference for kicking, so it's worth having the biggest leg on your team.

McManus is still only owned in 38.8 percent of leagues. You may want to pick him up for Week 3 if you fall into that 61.2 percent of owners who are going with someone else. 

Sit 'Em: Cody Parkey, PHI (at NYJ)

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

There are very few exceptional kickers in the NFL, but there are some bad ones. Last season, Parkey was a solid option for fantasy owners, but those who drafted him this season expecting more of the same have to be disappointed, at best. 

Through two games, Parkey has only managed to score 10 points for his owners. That's not entirely his fault; he's only kicked two field goals. But it's not a good situation. 

This week especially, Parkey has an unfavorable matchup against a tough New York Jets defense, which has allowed fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers, just 2.5 points per game. 

If you own Parkey, try another leg this week. Better yet, why don't you see if Brandon McManus is available?

Consensus score projections via Fantasy Pros and updated as of Sept. 23. Scoring leaders, ownership percentage and ADP information via NFL.com.