<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1HRTto_0vZjrDXo00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1HRTto_0vZjrDXo00" width="1200" height="600" ></figure><h2>Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3</h2><p>It was a brutal week for injuries. First were the announcements that Tee Higgins and A.J. Brown would be out. Then, Evan Engram had a late scratch due to a hamstring injury. Finally, Cooper Kupp, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Isiah Pacheco suffered injuries during their games. This will leave many managers scrambling to find replacements at a time in the season when the strong and weak teams are starting to come into focus. Still, there are options, and with every injury we experienced came stories of breakouts, over-production, and newfound opportunities. Below are some players who could help you (or hurt you) this week as you try to keep things rolling on your path to fantasy glory. The following are my Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3 recommendations.</p><h2><b>WEEK</b> <b>3 STARTS</b></h2><p><i>Start Stat %, Via Sleeper</i></p><h2>Baker Mayfield (QB)</h2><p><b>Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. DEN (54% Start)</b></p><p>Going into Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season, no one could have predicted that Tampa Bay Buccaneers Baker Mayfield would have two top-five QB finishes in as many weeks. But Mayfield has looked sharp, decisive, and efficient through the air and, perhaps more surprisingly, on the ground. Through two games, Mayfield has completed 36 of 49 passes for 474 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. He has also added 55 yards and one touchdown with his legs. His development has also helped re-energize Chris Godwin (the No. 1 WR through two weeks in half and full-PPR formats) into a fantasy WR powerhouse. Mayfield will now take on a Denver team still trying to find an offensive identity. Their offensive deficiencies often put the defense in difficult situations and keep them on the field so much that they can’t help but get gassed. Look for Mayfield to have another top 5-7 finish. </p><h2>J.K. Dobbins (RB)</h2><p><b>Los Angeles Chargers @ PIT (58% Start)</b></p><p>It seemed impossible coming into the season, but, at least for now, Los Angeles Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins looks healthy. Not only does he look healthy, he is explosive. Through two games, the fifth-year running back has 27 carries for 266 yards and two touchdowns. 27 carries in two games may not excite you, but his usage went from 10 rushing attempts in his first outing to 17 this past week, so his role is growing. He also leads the league in rushing yards and is a top-three running back in all formats. This is made more impressive by the fact that Dobbins has suffered major injuries the last few seasons and has only played in 11 games since his rookie season. It is possible that facing two weak run defenses (Raiders and Panthers) has aided in his success. He will get a tougher matchup in Week 3 when he takes on the Steelers. Still, with the workload growing and how he has looked up to this point, Dobbins has to be in your lineup.</p><h2>Calvin Ridley (WR)</h2><p><b>Tennessee Titans vs. GB (42% Start)</b></p><p>After a disappointing debut performance that saw him muster just three catches for 50 yards, Ridley rewarded fantasy managers on Sunday with a four-catch, 77-yard, one-touchdown performance. He was tied for the team-high in targets and finished the week as a top-six WR regardless of format. If you invested a mid-round pick on him, it was a nice thing to see. The one caveat is that the Titans are not a pass-heavy team. Will Levis only attempted 28 passes and with Jordan Love still on the shelf, their matchup against Green Bay could be a low-scoring affair that doesn’t require the young QB to increase that number. But if Ridley continues to see a high percentage of those targets and can be efficient with them, he should find himself dancing in the end zone once again and outperforming his projection. Ridley is a low-end WR2 with upside this week. </p><h2>Jameson Williams (WR)</h2><p><b>Detroit Lions @ ARI (63% Start)</b></p><p>Williams didn’t light up the stat sheet against the Buccaneers like he did when he faced the Rams, but he still had a solid outing, especially for a player most people drafted in the 10th round. Through two weeks the third-year wide receiver has 200 receiving yards, one touchdown, and is the WR6 in fantasy. He also has 20 targets in two games. While he has only caught half of those targets, his usage can no longer be ignored. Star WR Amon-Ra St. Brown also suffered a lower body on Sunday, and while it’s not expected to be serious, he could miss Week 3. This would burst the door wide open for Williams. He would become the de facto No. 1 target in an offense averaging 42 pass attempts per contest. The Cardinals’ secondary has not been bad, but if Williams gets 15-20 targets (certainly within the realm of possibility) he would not have to be particularly efficient to produce. Williams is a player most managers can play in their flex who could produce WR2 (or even WR1) numbers.</p><h2>WEEK 3 SITS</h2><h2>Jayden Daniels (QB)</h2><p><b>Washington Commanders @ CIN (52% Start)</b></p><p>I debated putting Anthony Richardson in this spot. He has struggled and will now go up against an elite Chicago defense. But while I understand the need to start him, I don’t know why Daniels is still being started in over 50% of leagues. Going into the season the consensus was that if you drafted one of the top rookie signal callers you should back them up with a veteran and play the veteran until the rookie acclimates to the NFL. Daniels had a good debut, but that was largely due to the 88 yards and two touchdowns he got on the ground. This past Sunday he was far less effective on the ground (10 rushes for 44 yards) and failed to crack the top 15 at the position. He will now face a Bengals defense holding opposing QBs to under 13 points per game. This includes a matchup against Patrick Mahomes. Daniels may find it difficult to get much of anything going. I would only consider starting him in Superflex or 2QB leagues.</p><h2>Aaron Jones (RB)</h2><p><b>Minnesota Vikings vs. HOU (80% Start)</b></p><p>I know it’s difficult to sit a player who was drafted to be an RB2 or, if you went zero-RB, an RB1, but Aaron Jones could disappoint in Week 3. In his debut as a Viking, Jones ran 14 times for 94 yards (6.71 per carry) and one touchdown and was a top 10 running back. But he followed it up with a nine-carry, 32 yard (3.56 per carry), zero touchdown performance. The difference? The opponent and Ty Chandler’s involvement. After facing a leaky Giants defense he went up against a much more stout San Francisco front seven. On top of that, Chandler had more carries than Jones did this past Sunday. Jones is still involved in the passing game. But against another tough defense in Houston that has held Jonathan Taylor and D’Andre Swift to under 20 fantasy points combined, I’d look elsewhere for running back help.</p><h2>Michael Pittman (WR)</h2><p><b>Indianapolis Colts vs. CHI (81% Start)</b></p><p>This is less about Pittman and more about the players around him. Through two weeks in favorable matchups, Pittman has finished outside the top 50 at the position. The 15 targets are nice, but the quality of those targets from Anthony Richardson is in question. Alec Pierce’s emergence has also made things difficult for Pittman. Pierce has out-produced Pittman in two straight games with 181 total yards and two touchdowns. Pierce may be No. 1 target in this offense. It may not make sense from a talent standpoint, but if Richardson prefers Pierce then Pittman will continue to disappoint. He now has to face a dominant Chicago defense. Nico Collins managed 135 yards and a touchdown Sunday night. But honestly, if a Colts receiver has that type of game in Week 3, my money is on Pierce, not Pittman.</p></div></body>

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Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3

It was a brutal week for injuries. First were the announcements that Tee Higgins and A.J. Brown would be out. Then, Evan Engram had a late scratch due to a hamstring injury. Finally, Cooper Kupp, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Isiah Pacheco suffered injuries during their games. This will leave many managers scrambling to find replacements at a time in the season when the strong and weak teams are starting to come into focus. Still, there are options, and with every injury we experienced came stories of breakouts, over-production, and newfound opportunities. Below are some players who could help you (or hurt you) this week as you try to keep things rolling on your path to fantasy glory. The following are my Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3 recommendations.

Start ‘Em Sit ‘Em Week 3

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