2026 Fantasy Football: Week 3 Sneaky Starts

Things can go from being sneaky to obvious very quickly. I know we’re just two games into the 2026 NFL season, but things are already changing. We have to make sure our reactions are correct, but Bryce Young is already not a sneaky start. The hope is that players go from initially being sneaky starts to being widely known factors in your lineups each week. With Week 3 here, let’s take a look at some sneaky starts for your fantasy football lineups.

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Sneaky Starts for Week 3 of Fantasy Football

Jordan Love, QB, Green Bay Packers

Through the first two weeks of the season, we’re trying to figure out the culprit. Was it the offenses the New York Jets faced or poor quarterback play across the field that led to poor performances? I’m going to actually give the Jets some credit, but in facing the Atlanta Falcons this week, it’s not like Love will encounter a massive amount of resistance.

After throwing for 387 yards in Week 1, Love was all the way down to 145, but it’s not like he forgot how to play quarterback. In each week, Love had two touchdown passes. Now, he steps down in weight class, and it’s important not to put too much weight on either performance to begin the season. Love has enough to make us feel good targeting him.

CJ Stroud, QB, Houston Texans

Targeting a quarterback who has another week to go without his number one wide receiver (Nico Collins) seems a little odd. However, this week’s opponent, the Indianapolis Colts, rank at the bottom of fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks. Not having Collins didn’t slow Stroud down last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. Yes, the Texans were playing from behind, but Stroud threw for 353. The problem is that Stroud and the Texans only turned it into six points, but things should be easier against the Colts.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

There’s a strong possibility that Hubbard was already either in your starting lineup or close to it, but there should no longer be a decision point. Hubbard was already taking control of the backfield, but with Jonathon Brooks headed for core surgery, there’s no longer a debate.

He has a receiving touchdown in each game so far this season, and Hubbard averaged 4.9 and 4.4 yards, respectively, on the ground. With no obstacles in place, fantasy should feel comfortable with the Carolina running back.

Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

After missing Week 1, Kamara returned to action, and it was like he never left. Well, at least from a quantity perspective. If we look at the results, you can certainly come to the conclusion that some rust was involved.

When the Saints signed Travis Etienne this offseason, that’s where the attention fell. But it was Kamara who caught five of his six targets on Sunday while carrying the ball nine times. The problem, though, is that Kamara only had 22 combined yards. We know that the Saints are going to spend a lot of time targeting Kamara in the passing game, which means a lot of PPR production. Now, if he can just gain more yardage, he is expected to be very involved in New Orleans’s game plan. We aren’t expecting Kamara is to take over for Etienne, but there’s enough work here that he’s going to have real value and be a real factor.

Check out all of our Week 3 Rankings: Flex Rankings | QB Rankings | RB Rankings | WR Rankings | TE Rankings | MOP Rankings

Denzel Boston, WR, Cleveland Browns

This is it. I’d argue that Boston is already no longer a sneaky option, as he was a popular waiver wire addition this week, but I want to make sure the rookie gets his due. Maybe Deshaun Watson isn’t all that bad from a fantasy perspective, but the rookie has burst onto the scene.

After catching just two passes for 59 yards in Week 1, Boston had five catches for 95 yards last week. The rookie was targeted seven times, and he now has a touchdown in back-to-back games. It’s clear that there’s an initial chemistry between Boston and Watson, and I’d look for this duo to continue connecting. Facing the Carolina defense should also translate to a lot of downfield passing opportunities for Watson.

Adonai Mitchell, WR, New York Jets

It’s going to take a lot for the Jets to keep up with the Detroit Lions offensively this week. That means New York, led by Geno Smith, will have to take it to the air. They’ll be looking downfield, and with rookie Omar Cooper on Injured Reserve, the task will be on Garrett Wilson and Mitchell. Last week, Smith looked Mitchell’s way a startling, and perhaps unexpected, 12 times. Mitchell turned that into six catches for 63 yards as Smith kept him very much involved. All it takes is one connection on a deep ball to make it a big day for Mitchell, but the quantity appears to be there as well. Let’s see Mitchell deliver on his talent and upside.

Dalton Schultz, TE, Houston Texans

As we look at all of the young, athletic, and explosive tight ends, Schultz can fly under the radar. In Week 2, though, Stroud wanted to make sure that wasn’t the case. Schultz more than picked up the slack for Collins being sidelined. He was targeted 14 times and turned that into 12 catches for 140 yards. It was a game in which the Texans were playing from behind, so game flow did play a factor in the number of targets. However, Schultz did a great job of capitalizing on his targets.

The Colts are in the bottom five of fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends, and that sets up nicely for Schultz. Collins is going to be out again, and there’s a clear chemistry developed with Stroud.

Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!