Welcome to the Week 3 edition of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.
"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
- There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
- For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
- We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for tips on how to put the best fantasy football lineups on "the field" for your critical second game.
FANTASY RANKINGS WEEK 3: QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | PK
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must-start Week 3 QBs
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. MIA)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. DET)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. LAR)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at NYG)
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders (if he plays, vs. LV)
- Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at CHI)
- Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. NYJ)
Strong Week 3 QB starts
8. Caleb Williams, Bears (vs. DAL): The Cowboys' defense stinks against the pass. Williams will need to keep chucking to compile at home.
9. Drake Maye, Patriots (vs. PIT): The Steelers' defense isn't the daunting force it used to be, especially on the road.
10. Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. DEN): The matchup is a little tougher inside the division, but he comes through with a third consecutive fine winning performance.
11. Daniel Jones, Colts (at TEN): With the rash of QB injuries, he is playable for sure after getting it done with arm and legs the past two weeks.
12.Matthew Stafford, Rams (at PHI): He should come through with more high volume with his top wideouts opposite Hurts.
13. Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (at NE): The Patriots game might end up being high-scoring with Maye going to work on the other side.
14. Jake Browning, Bengals (at MIN): Browning will take advantage of a vulnerable Vikings pass defense in a potential revenge shootout.
DFS QB Week 3 pick
Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at CHI, $5,900 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): Prescott has a great price in what should be a back-and-forth passing affair between him and Williams with two terrible defenses.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 3 QB plays
15. Justin Fields, Jets (if he plays at TB): Fields' head injury might keep him out, and as is, it's risky to think his running cheat code will be enough for pleasing production vs. the Buccaneers.
16. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at SF): Murray also can be contained as a runner here with little compensating passing pop.
17. Jared Goff, Lions (at BAL): He's outdoors in a hostile environment in prime time, so no.
18. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. HOU): He could be a lot better, but this looks like a lower-scoring game.
19. Jordan Love, Packers (at CLE): Love likely won't need much passing volume, and the Browns are tough at home with Myles Garrett.
20. Bo Nix, Broncos (at LAC): This is a messy trap with his turnover woes.
21. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (at CAR): He also may have limited volume after a run-heavy, effective attack led by Robinson.
FANTASY LINEUP TIPS: Week 3 Sleepers
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must-start Week 3 RBs
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (at TEN)
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at CAR)
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles (vs. LAR)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. ARI)
- Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. DET)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at BAL)
- James Cook, Bills (vs. MIA)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (at SEA)
- Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (vs. NYJ)
- Chase Brown, Bengals (at MIN)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (at PHI)
- Josh Jacobs, Packers (at CLE)
- Travis Etienne, Jaguars (vs. HOU)
- De'Von Achane, Dolphins (at BUF)
- Breece Hall, Jets (at TB)
- Javonte Williams, Cowboys (at CHI)
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (vs. ATL)
- Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at WAS)
- Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. IND)
- James Conner, Cardinals (at SF)
- David Montgomery, Lions (at BAL)
- Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at NE)
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs. LV)
Strong Week 3 RB starts
24. Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. NO): Give him that RB2 shot again after getting back on track with the key touches.
25. D'Andre Swift, Bears (vs. DAL): If he can't get going against this rushing sieve, then it would be easier to sit him in Week 4.
26. JK Dobbins, Broncos (at LAC): Dobbins will have a nice revenge game with 60 yards from scrimmage and a TD.
27. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. NO): Charbonnet still saw key touches last week and can be a stronger 1-2 punch with Walker in this route.
28. Rhamdondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. PIT): He's getting the key work over his rookie support, and the Steelers' run defense suddenly can't stop anyone.
29. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at NYG): Here's taking one last shot at him running well and scoring against a weaker front.
30. Omarion Hampton, Chargers (vs. DEN): Here's hoping he can break out on the Broncos, who have been ripped by the run early.
DFS RB Week 3 Picks
Chase Brown, Bengals (at MIN, $6,900 on DraftKings, $7,800 on FanDuel): Brown will need a bigger role to carry the team with no Joe Burrow, and the Vikings struggled with the duality of Bijan Robinson last week.
Alvin Kamara, Saints (at SEA, $6,300 on DraftKings, $8,000 on FanDuel): Kamara is seeing a boatload of touches as expected as their offensive centerpiece for Spencer Rattler and the Seahawks can not cover backs early.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 3 plays
31. Jordan Mason, Vikings (vs. CIN): The split is annoying with Aaron Jones, and the Bengals might make this a pass-happy affair for Minnesota.
32. Nick Chubb, Texans (at JAX): He scored on a long run last week, but the running game remains overall anemic.
33. Aaron Jones, Vikings (vs. CIN): See Mason, Jordan.
34. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (vs. PIT): Pump the brakes on Henderson as yet another rookie needing time with Stevenson staying in the lead.
35. Dylan Sampson, Browns (vs. GB): This rookie steps into a brutal matchup where he needs to share more with another rookie.
36. RJ Harvey, Broncos (at LAC): Harvey is a big-play change of pace at the moment to Dobbins.
37. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (vs. KC): If you must play a Giants back, you can take a more exciting shot on Cam Skattebo.
PROTECT YOUR BACKFIELD: RB handcuff rankings and depth charts
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 3 WRs
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at MIN)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at CHI)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. CIN)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (at PHI)
- Malik Nabers, Giants (vs. KC)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at BAL)
- ) Nico Collins, Texans (at JAX)
- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. NO)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at MIN)
- DK Metcalf, Steelers (at NE
- Zay Flowers, Ravens (vs. DET)
- Davante Adams, Rams (at. PHI)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. BUF)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. HOU)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (vs. ATL)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. LAR)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (at HOU)
- Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (at HOU)
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. DEN)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (vs. SF)
- Drake London, Falcons (at CAR)
- Deebo Samuel, Commanders (vs. LV)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at BUF)
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at BUF)
Strong WR Week 3 starts
25. Keenan Allen, Chargers (vs. DEN): He keeps getting it done scoring with Herbert, and he can make a division reunion trifecta.
26. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. TEN): He didn't get the love with Troy Franklin and Marvin Mims Jr. doing their thing, but he finds the end zone again.
27. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at WAS): The Commanders have tried to improve at corner, but still can struggle against him.
28. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. LAR): Here's hoping the Eagles need to throw a little more to win to get him and Brown going with some big plays.
29. Rome Odunze, Bears (vs. DAL): He's the clear all-around go-to guy for Williams and gets a big break with this secondary.
30. George Pickens, Cowboys (at CHI): The Bears can be burned for big plays (see the Vikings and Lions), and Pickens nails one here.
31. Jameson Williams, Lions (at BAL): The Ravens' secondary has enough big-play holes to like him despite Goff.
32. Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (vs. ARI): He needs to be key for Mac Jones right along with Jauan Jennings and Luke Farrell.
DFS WR Week 3 picks
DK Metcalf, Steelers (at NE, $5,700 on DraftKings, $6,800 on FanDuel): Metcalf warmed up well in his revenge game against the Seahawks, and he can smash a pass defense that couldn't handle the Raiders' or Dolphins' primary weapons.
George Pickens, Cowboys (at CHI, $5,900 on DraftKings, $6,200 on FanDuel): Fire up Pickens in most tournament formats when you do play him.
Rome Odunze, Bears (vs. DAL, $5,200 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel): Odunze is slowly developing into the new go-to Amon-Ra for Ben Johnson.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 3 WR plays
33. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. NYG): It feels uncomfortable playing him with the passing compressed and the chance Daniels sits hurt for careful Marcus Mariota.
34. DJ Moore, Bears (vs. DAL): He hasn't shown much at all with Williams in the offense so no.
35. Jerry Jeudy, Browns (vs. GB): Sit every Brown you can here.
36. Chris Olave, Saints (at SEA): Not feeling with Rattler.
37. Calvin Ridley, Titans (vs. IND): Not feeling it with Ward.
38. Travis Hunter, Jaguars (vs. HOU): It's been slow on this side, and the Texans won't make it easier.
39. Hollywood Brown, Chiefs (vs. NYG): Tyquan Thornton and others are doing their best to limit his upside.
40. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (vs. PIT)
BEST PICKUPS: Fantasy Week 3 waiver wire adds
Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must-start Week 3 TEs
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (at SF)
- Tucker Kraft, Packers (at CLE)
- Brock Bowers, Raiders (at WAS)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at BAL)
- Tyler Warren, Colts (at TEN)
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at NYG)
- Juwan Johnson, Saints (at SEA)
Stronger Week 3 TE starts
8. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (at NYJ): The Jets struggled vs. the Steelers at the position, and Austin Hooper got open well for the Patriots.
9. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at CAR): The Panthers don't have the athletes to cover this mismatch.
10. Zach Ertz, Commanders (vs. LV): He stays heavily involved, whether it's Daniels or Mariota.
11. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at CHI): Play every Cowboy you can in this shootout after a tight end scored in Week 2 on the Bears.
12. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. CIN): The Bengals matchup screams that he should get back on track with the ideal new QB Carson Wentz to throw to him.
13. Jonnu Smith, Steelers (at NE): Jonnu's revenge game in New England ends up with another TD.
DFS TE Week 3 pick
Kyle Pitts, Falcons (at CAR, $3,900 on DraftKings, $5,400 on FanDuel): Pitts is a brutal mismatch for the Panthers' defense. He's getting more favorable run with Penix for big plays, and that happens plus a score.
Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 3 starts
14. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. DET): Ugh. He might be totally washed or hungover from his playoff drop. Either way, go another way until you feel otherwise.
15. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (vs. HOU): The Jags are spreading the ball around a little too much with Lawrence to trust his volume.
16. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. PIT): It's difficult now to work him in there with Hooper back to some old Falcons tricks.
17. Evan Engram, Broncos (at LAC): Has anyone seen him do much on the stat sheet since the Week 1 injury?
18. David Njoku, Browns (vs. GB): The Packers are even tougher than usual on tight ends, and what Ertz did was in garbage time.
19. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. LAR): You can't get here vs. their front seven.
Fantasy Football Week 3: Defense/special teams best starts
- Green Bay Packers (at CLE)
- Buffalo Bills (vs. MIA)
- Seattle Seahawks (vs. NO)
- Kansas City Chiefs (at NYG)
- Minnesota Vikings (vs. CIN)
- Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN)
- Indianapolis Colts (at TEN)
- San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
- Atlanta Falcons (at CAR)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. HOU)
- Houston Texans (at JAX)
- Washington Commanders (vs. LV)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. NYJ)
- Baltimore Ravens (vs. DET)
DFS Week 3 D/ST pick
Los Angeles Chargers (vs. DEN, $2,900 on DraftKings, $3,500 on FanDuel): They have the sweet spot in price and can continue to bring on some turnover woes during Bo Nix's sophomore slump.
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