Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice: What to do with Quentin Johnston, Jacory Croskey-Merritt, more in Week 3
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Start-sit decisions can be vexing for even the best of fantasy football managers. Here's our Week 3trafficreport to help you make some of those tough calls.
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Green LightCowboys offense at Chicago: The Bears are defenseless against the pass, allowing 9.9 YPA and a 136.9 QB rating. Start every possible member of the Dallas passing game, and don't forget RB Javonte Williams, who finally looks back to full health.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Pittsburgh: The Steelers defense has gotten old and sluggish, and it's ranked 28th in DVOA against the run. Stevenson has also popped as a receiver this year, with seven grabs at 14.3 a pop. TreVeyon Henderson might be in the doghouse after three penalties last week.
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Sr. at Carolina: For all the agita over Pitts's career thus far, he's still just 25 - the story is far from written. He's secured 11 of his 13 targets so far and Carolina's seam coverage is probably the worst in the NFC.
Vikings RB Jordan Mason vs. Cincinnati: With Aaron Jones Sr. out and QB Carson Wentz forced to start, it's likely the Minnesota offense will be routed through Mason this week. Cincinnati's run defense was exposed against Jacksonville.
More Week 3 adviceConsensus Half-PPR RankingsConsensus PPR RankingsMore Roster Advice: Trade Value ChartsYellow LightSaints WR Chris Olave at Seattle: The Seahawks defense is a challenge and Olave is obviously tied to a lesser quarterback, but I like the concentration of the New Orleans passing tree - it's mostly about three guys. The Saints also play at a quick pace, and Olave already has 22 targets, many of them from the slot.
Cardinals RB James Conner at San Francisco: His days as a bell cow might be over, as Trey Benson has seen a spike in playing time (and has just as many catches as Conner). Also note, Kyler Murray is just three rushing yards behind Conner.
Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt at New York Giants: It's probably a hot-hand situation between Hunt and the disappointing Isiah Pacheco, and the matchup is tasty against a New York defense that's been gashed in the run. Hunt is also the presumed goal-line back.
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston vs. Denver: Normally, we run from the Broncos secondary, but the Chargers are throwing more than anyone in the league - and they prioritize their receivers more than any other offense - so Johnston stays in the WR3 bucket this week.
Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. Las Vegas: Washington realizes it made a mistake not using JCM more last week, and now Austin Ekeler is out. But it's likely Jeremy McNichols will be the pass-down option, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. might play, too.
Red LightPackers QB Jordan Love at Cleveland: Green Bay is a road favorite and up against a formidable Cleveland defense, which means the second half could be a sluggish, run-the-clock type of affair. Love is just 25th in pass attempts entering the week.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews vs. Detroit: Has a cliff season arrived at age 30? If you landed one of the early tight-end spike pickups (Juwan Johnson or Harold Fannin Jr.), they make more sense than Andrews in Week 3. And eventually Andrews will have to deal with the Isaiah Likely return.
Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson vs. Cincinnati: Here's another veteran tight end who might be close to his sell date. Hockenson hasn't caught a touchdown pass since 2023 and he's mostly catch-and-fall now, averaging a meager 6.8 YPC.
Titans WR Calvin Ridley vs. Indianapolis: He's had problems with drops and separation through two weeks, and it's possible QB Cam Ward has more rapport with fellow rookie Elic Ayomanor.