Week 2 was a bit more action-packed for fantasy football, and let’s hope the wild ride continues in Week 3! For some players, the lack of training camp reps has been evident, and others came out in mid-season form. Stuck between two players and don’t know who to start in Week 3? In these weekly articles, I will review and help you decide what WRs and TEs to start and sit every week based on matchup, weather conditions, injuries, and more. You’ll never see studs like Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb on this list, but this is moreso advice to help you decide between those two players that will help you set and win your weekly lineup. For any additional gameday questions, be sure to follow me on X at @Lobosffden.
Week 3 Start and Sit
Start ‘Em Wide Receivers
Brandon Aiyuk vs. Los Angeles Rams
After an offseason filled with drama and contract negotiations, Aiyuk is off to a slow start in 2024. A year after finishing as the WR14 (PPR), Aiyuk has finished as WR69 and WR40 to kick off his 2024 campaign. Lack of training camp reps, practice time, and overall offensive struggles in SF have caused some headaches for Aiyuk owners, but that should change in his Week 3 matchup vs. the Los Angeles Rams. The 49ers are without Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel, forcing Aiyuk to step up into that WR1 role we know he’s capable of. In games without Deebo over the last three years, Aiyuk averages 5 receptions, 65 yards, and a 29% target share. Fire Aiyuk up this week, it is time.
George Pickens vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Though his numbers might not reflect it, Pickens has been dominant on the football field in 2024. Through the first two weeks, Pickens has proven he’s an elite WR by putting up an impressive 25.6% target share, ranked in the top 10 in average separation score, and an impressive 53% of his team’s total share of air yards. Week 2 should have shaped a bit better for Pickens and his fantasy football numbers, as he unfortunately had a 50-yard reception and an 11-yard TD called back due to holding penalties on the offense. While I don’t expect the Steelers to start to air it out any more than they have, they haven’t been in a situation that warrants Justin Fields to throw often (43 attempts in two games) This week, might be a different story against a surprising Chargers team. Wheels up on Pickens in Week 2.
Keon Coleman vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
After a promising start (5 targets, 4 receptions, 51 yards) for the rookie, he was held catchless in a Week 2 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. In a game where the Bills controlled the entire game, the game script didn’t force Josh Allen to throw the ball and left Coleman in the dust. Some encouraging signs that there are better days for the rookie, are how often he was on the field (91% of offensive snaps), and additionally led the team in routes run. He gets a much easier matchup against the Jaguars, who have allowed nearly 200 yards to the WR position. In a game that should force Josh Allen to throw the ball a bit more, I expect the rookie to have a bounce-back week and have solid flex appeal.
Sit Em Wide Receivers
Michael Pittman vs. Chicago Bears
The Anthony Richardson rollercoaster is underway, and Michael Pittman hasn’t quite taken off yet. Through the first two games of the 2024 season, Pittman has averaged 7.5 targets per game, 3.5 receptions, and 26 yards per game. Richardson tends to look his way, but the duo can’t quite seem to connect. Indianapolis gets sophomore WR Josh Downs back from an ankle injury in Week 3, which actually might help kick start this offense. The Colts get a tough matchup in Week 3, against a Bears stingy Bears defense. I anticipate Richardson and Jonathan Taylor play a large role in the rushing game, punting the WR position. Until we see more consistency from the Richardson/Pittman connection, you should consistently sit Michael Pittman.
Jaylen Waddle vs. Seattle Seahawks
An unfortunate injury to Tua Tagovailoa has heavy implications to the Miami Dolphins WR group. Back in 2022 when Sklar Thompson went under center for Miami for three games, Waddle’s numbers took a massive dip, averaging 5 targets, 3 catches, and 37 yards per game. With Miami’s stellar RB group of De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson, and rookie Jaylen Wright all trending to be active, I expect a heavy running dose for this Miami offense. Sit Waddle in Week 3.
Jayden Reed vs. Tennessee Titans
After a stellar Week 1 performance – an injury to Jordan Love and Reed himself sustaining a calf injury had him come back to earth in Week 2. Reed posted 2 receptions on 9 yards and added 37 yards on the ground. Reed landed on the injury report again this week, so even if he is active in Week 3, he may have a very minimal impact on that game, or play on a limited role in that offense. Until Jordan Love comes back to carry this Green Bay team, Reed should stay on your bench.
Check out all of our Week 3 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex
Start ‘Em Tight Ends
Kyle Pitts vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The Tight End position as a whole has been a huge letdown in 2024. However, pinch me if you’ve heard this before… Kyle Pitts has started his season on a slow note. Through two games, Pitts has 6 receptions, 46 yards, and a TD, which is well below the expectation for the former 1st round pick. Arthur Smith’s departure led fantasy football owners to have some optimism, and I believe Week 3 will be what we’ve all been waiting for. The Kansas City Chiefs lead the league in points allowed to opposing TEs, allowing 9 receptions and 111 yards to Isaiah Likely in Week 1, and Mike Gesicki for 7 receptions for 91 yards in Week 2. This is the week fantasy owners, this is the week Kyle Pitts could be the TE1. Start him.
Hunter Henry vs. New York Jets
Your current TE4 in fantasy football is none other than Hunter Henry! Coming off a monster Week 2 performance, Henry leads the Patriots offense in almost every category – receptions (10), targets (15), and receiving yards (127). Through the first two weeks of the season, Jacoby Brissett leads the league in TE targets, targeting the TE position 42.6% of the time. As long as Brissett stays at the helm for New England, Hunter Henry is a must-start.
Mike Gesicki vs. Washington Commanders
After what many consider a “breakout” from Mike Gesicki in Week 2, going for 16.1 fantasy points, he gets another favorable matchup in Week 3 vs. a weak Washington defense. While the Washington defense has allowed the most points to opposing QBs and WRs, the TE position is actually the one position they’ve been able to contain. So why start Gesicki? The Bengals utilized Gesicki in the middle of the field frequently, which was where this defense has struggled immensely. While Tee Higgins remains questionable going into the game as he nurses an injury, Gesicki should continue to see valuable targets in the Bengals offense, as they try and get their first win of the season. Start Gesicki in what should be a fun game for the Bengals offense.
Sit ‘Em Tight Ends
Dalton Schultz vs. Minnesota Vikings
The Houston Texans prioritized adding some weapons to that offense, and with the additions of Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon, Dalton Schultz’s usage in this explosive offense has burned out. After finishing as TE10 in 2023, Schultz is currently the TE24, averaging 4.3 fantasy points her game. While Schultz remains on the field 75% of the time, he’s been limited to 3 targets, 2.5 receptions, and 18.5 yards per game. As long as the Texans have a healthy WR core, Schultz should stay on your bench.
Cole Kmet vs. Indianapolis Colts
Cole Kmet suffers a similar fate as Schultz above, as the Bears added Keenan Allen, first-round draft pick Rome Odunze, and some competition in Gerald Everett to that offense. Perhaps the bigger impact has been the Bears’ abysmal offensive line, which has hardly protected rookie QB Caleb Williams. When throwing the ball, Caleb Williams targets the WR position 71.4% of the time and has spread the ball pretty evenly between Everett (4 targets) and Kmet (6 targets). Until the Bears figure out this offensive line, this offense will continue to struggle. I want nothing to do with Cole Kmet.
Jonnu Smith vs. Seattle Seahawks
Did I mention that an injury Tua Tagovailoa impacts fantasy football heavily in Miami? Smith had a better week in Week 2, reeling in 6 receptions for 53 yards in Thursday night’s game vs. Buffalo, but with Skylar Thompson under center, I’m avoiding any Miami pass catcher for the time being. The only startable options in Miami should be their RB group. If you’ve got deep benches, Smith might be worth stashing on your bench, but that’s the only place he should be.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!