Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice: What to do with Travis Kelce, Quinshon Judkins, more players in Week 3
Start-sit decisions can be vexing for even the best of fantasy managers. If you need help setting your fantasy football lineups, Scott Pianowski offers some assistance with his Week 3 traffic report.
Green LightQB Geno Smith at Lions: Smith has been better than average for two straight weeks, although his fantasy production has been somewhat muted. The big numbers should come out Sunday at Detroit against a defense that's missing multiple pieces in the secondary. Consider this an upgrade for any Jets you were considering, including WR Adonai Mitchell. Pinball is coming.
RB Chuba Hubbard at Browns: Hubbard was a fantasy staple in 2024 and he's set to return to that glory, with a backfield to himself and an offense that's improved (Bryce Young was especially sharp the first two weeks). Cleveland's front seven is exploitable, allowing 4.6 yards per carry.
TE Travis Kelce at Dolphins: He's turned back the clock with two strong games to open the year. Miami's seam coverage was messy last year, and George Kittle (another HOF walk-in, like Kelce) got the Dolphins for 4-80-1 last week. If you have a blank lineup space, write in Kelce's name.
RB David Montgomery at Colts: Touchdown deodorant was lovely in Week 1, but Montgomery went nowhere in the Week 2 loss to Cincinnati. More troublesome, Woody Marks was heavily involved last week. But now Montgomery can feast on an Indianapolis defense that's handing out rushing stats like Halloween candy (5.4 YPC, four touchdowns).
TE Dalton Kincaid vs. Chargers: He's always been an efficiency darling, but this year he's healthy enough to handle a major snap share. It's starting to look like the dream season we all projected for Colston Loveland is going to happen to Kincaid, instead.
Yellow LightWR Josh Downs vs. Texans: He'll see the best of the Houston coverage, but sometimes you have to bet on volume and grit your way through a difficult matchup. Downs probably has eight-plus targets off the bus now that Alec Pierce is out indefinitely.
WR Rashod Bateman vs. Cowboys (in Brazil): Bateman came through with a 7-88-1 return last week, taking advantage of Zay Flowers (hamstring) and Ja'Kobi Lane (wrist) sitting out. Lane won't play in Week 3 and Flowers has yet to practice, so the Ravens will probably lean on Bateman in this spot. Baltimore OC Declan Doyle has already entered the "Circle of Trust".
RB Quinshon Judkins vs. Panthers: He's not the easiest guy to trust right now, as the Cleveland run-blocking is likely the worst in the league. But at least Deshaun Watson kept the offense on schedule last week and the Browns should be competitive against Carolina. Judkins probably has 15-plus touches in his back pocket, and that's enough to give him flex consideration this week.
TE Orande Gadsden II at Bills: No one in this offense deserves green light status, but Gadsden at least has sleeper juice given that all the other primary tight ends in Los Angeles are hurt and WR Ladd McConkey (ribs) isn't 100%. It doesn't matter that the Chargers seemed to sour on Gadsden a few weeks ago, he's needed now.
Red LightQB Kyler Murray at Tampa Bay: It wasn't the greatest training camp for Murray, and then his season debut ended in the first quarter. As much as I love Kevin O'Connell and Justin Jefferson, I can't start Murray on spec, even against a Tampa Bay defense that struggled against the Cleveland passing game.
WR Terry McLaurin vs. Seahawks: I don't think the Washington offense is completely sunk with Marcus Mariota, though it might look that way against the nasty Seattle defense this week. We're also left to wonder if McLaurin is the No. 2 option in his own huddle, given how strong Stefon Diggs has started the season. If you're on the fence with McLaurin, I'd look to the other option.
RB Jeremiyah Love at San Francisco: He continues to work behind Tyler Allgeier, not that either back is doing much right now. Game script could quickly get out of hand against the heavily-favored 49ers. Remember, when you draft a running back, you're basically signing up for a year with his entire infrastructure. Arizona did impress in Week 1, but maybe that was more about the Chargers being a mess than the Cardinals truly being competitive.
WR Luther Burden III vs. Eagles: We probably need a "show-me" game from Burden before we lift him from the restricted list. The Bears will likely have to start QB Case Keenum against the Eagles, and we can't ignore that WR Kalif Raymond has been significantly involved for two straight weeks.