NFL Week 3 fantasy football starts and sits

Well, Week 2 certainly was a rough one. We saw two of the top fantasy players coming into 2020 go down with injuries on top of countless others. That has probably got you looking especially hard at players you were maybe only expecting to be spot starters for your season as actual threats. Luckily for you, we are here to help point out some of the best players to include in your lineup as well as players you should probably avoid for Week 3.

Running backs

Starts

• Miles Sanders, Eagles: The Bengals haven’t stopped anyone on the ground yet this season. They allow the second most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, according to Fantasy Pros, and with Carson Wentz struggling, they will probably take the easy route as they look for their first win of the season.
• Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley, Chargers: The Panthers defense just isn’t what it use to be now that Luke Kuechly isn’t roaming the middle. They have allowed the most points to opposing running backs per game through two weeks. These two running backs each have 35 carries on the season. Ekeler has more yards and two more catches than Kelley, but the rookie has two touchdowns compared to the veteran. Kelley also seems to be more of the redzone back than Ekeler. Both are very playable this week.

Sits

• Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Browns: I understand you probably can’t afford to sit these guys with how many injuries just went down, but Washington has shut down the run each week so far, and their defense looks like it could actually be good after adding Chase Young. They have allowed the third fewest fantasy points to running backs through two weeks. At least temper your expectations for these guys after an awesome Week 2 performance.
• Mike Davis, Panthers: The only possible saving grace for Davis is he caught a ton of passes in Christian McCaffrey’s absence last week. It really hurts that he will be facing the second toughest defense against running backs in fantasy, the Chargers. I certainly understand in deeper PPR leagues having to take this risk, but players who picked him up thinking he should be thrown right in without consideration should really stop and look at their options.
• Devonta Freeman, Giants: He should absolutely be on your roster as Saquon Barkley’s replacement, but this is too short of a week to trust playing him. The Giants are going to be taking on the 49ers, and there is possible revenge fuel there going against his former offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan, but it is probably best to bench him for a week unless you have no other option.

Wide Receivers

Starts

• Amari Cooper, Cowboys: Cooper can either have really great games or disappear. This week he will be facing the Seahawks who give up the most points to opposing wide receivers after he caught six of nine targets for 100 yards last week. This is any easy start, and you may as well add in any other Cowboys wide receiver here as well.
• Keelan Cole and Laviska Shenault Jr., Jaguars: Gardner Minshew appears to be the real thing. He has really been running with his opportunity, and now this team will be facing the Dolphins who have a banged up secondary. D.J. Chark being ruled out opens the door for Shenault to have himself a productive day against the secondary.

Sits

• John Brown, Bills: I wouldn’t go as far to say sit Stephon Diggs as well, but he certainly deserves to be included. The Bills have been off to a hot start in 2020, but the Rams are by far their toughest task after two pretty easy matchups against the Dolphins and Jets. This may be the week we see this Bill’s passing game slow way down.
• Marvin Jones Jr., Lions: This Lions offense is about to go up against a tough matchup, but also it seems that Jones has just not been having a great time converting his opportunities this year. Even with Kenny Golladay out the first two weeks and being tied for the most targets (14), he is still fourth on the team in receiving yards. Things may not get easier with being matched up against Patrick Peterson during a contract season.

Tight ends

• Drew Sample, Bengals: Before you cry homer hear me out! First off, PPR would make a huge difference in the day you’ll have playing Sample. He caught seven passes on Thursday Night Football, and most of them came after C.J. Uzomah left with an unfortunate injury. It also helps that the Eagles have given up the most points to opposing tight ends in fantasy this season. If you picked up Sample, you should be starting him.
• Tyler Eifert, Jaguars: The reunion between Jay Gruden and Eifert could be huge this week. Eifert caught a touchdown last week, and the Dolphins are going to have issues covering anyone on Thursday Night Football. I would feel comfortable starting just about anyone that is catching a pass against this Miami defense.

Defenses to stream

Bengals defense against the Eagles

Bucs defense against the Broncos

Rams defense against the Bills