Week 3 Start Sit Advice (Part 1) | MUST-Start Players & Big Names to AVOID (09/24 Fantasy Football Podcast)

The Vikings are worried about Aaron Jones's current injury status.

The outlook for Aaron Jones is concerning, leading to a retraction of his status as a recommended starter.

Alec Pierce is expected to be placed on IR, but fantasy managers should wait before attempting to move him to an IR roster spot.

Heath Cummings advises avoiding Mayfield against the Vikings, citing poor offensive line play, Mayfield holding the ball too long, and a difficult matchup against Brian Flores' defense.

Square advises patience with Brian Thomas Jr., noting his target-per-route-run rate increased to 35% in Week 2, despite a difficult schedule.

Brock Bowers is expected to play.

Jamie Eisenberg warns that Irving is a 'trap back' who lacks heavy involvement in the passing game and faces a tough Patriots run defense that has allowed very few rushing touchdowns to running backs.

Caleb Douglas missed practice.

Case Keenum could start on Monday night if Tyson Bajan is unable to clear concussion protocol.

Chigoziem Okonkwo missed practice again.

Chris Bell is dealing with a knee injury; he has seen minimal target volume this season.

Jamie Eisenberg views Hubbard as a must-start RB1, noting that with Brooks out, the backfield job is his. Despite a tough matchup against the Browns' run defense, Hubbard's high snap share and involvement in a productive offense make him a top-11 play.

Colby Parkinson missed practice.

Jamie Eisenberg advises against starting Loveland, noting his poor performance through two weeks and the transition to a backup quarterback against a tough Eagles defense.

DJ Moore was limited in practice but reported feeling good.

Square notes DJ Moore's reduced route participation in Week 2 was likely due to injury and game script, and maintains he is a must-start in three-receiver leagues if healthy.

Heath Cummings ranks Schultz as his TE2, noting that he is a strong start based on current projections and recent usage, specifically highlighting his high target volume in Week 2.

Schultz is considered a must-start option for the Texans, as he currently ranks second among all tight ends in targets and is coming off a productive performance.

Despite concerns about tough matchups, Davante Adams remains a must-start. However, the analysts suggest they would consider sitting him if Puka Nacua were active, highlighting the reliance on volume and health.

Adams is a nervous start for the analysts, with his ranking fluctuating based on Puka Nacua's status. If Nacua is out, Adams is a top-12 play, but he faces a tough shadow matchup against Patrick Surtain II.

David Montgomery is considered a start in half PPR formats over Josh Downs, though he is coming off a disappointing 24-yard performance in week two.

Square ranks Deebo Samuel one spot ahead of Denzel Boston, noting that if Mike Evans is out, Samuel becomes an easy start.

Derrick Henry is highlighted as a productive back against the Colts' poor defense, having already recorded over 114 rushing yards against them this season.

Jamie Eisenberg advises avoiding DK Metcalf if possible, citing the strength of the Bengals' improved defense and Metcalf's recent struggles, despite his strong underlying metrics (WR17 in target share, WR12 in air yard share).

Heath Cummings ranks Drake Maye 14th among quarterbacks, suggesting managers should start Tyler Shuck, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence, Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes, or Brock Purdy over him, though he is hesitant to recommend benching him for Geno Smith or Jameis Winston.

Emmanuel Wilson is available in many leagues and is worth considering for potential volume.

Emmanuel Wilson is available in many leagues and is worth adding as a speculative roster stash due to the potential for increased volume or a starting role.

Square suggests Hunter Henry should be rostered in more leagues, projecting him for around 10 fantasy points due to his target share in the absence of A.J. Brown.

J.K. Dobbins was limited in practice.

Heath Cummings is very high on Coker, ranking him as his WR13. He praises the Panthers' offensive scheme under Brad Idzik for generating downfield passing opportunities, making Coker a must-start.

Square prefers Jalen Coker over Bryce Young and James Winston for Week 3, and explicitly recommends starting Coker over DJ Moore.

Square advises against starting James Winston, noting that people are overvaluing his past performance and he is currently in a tier with players like Travis and Devon Achane.

Jameson Williams is a recommended start in three-receiver leagues. While he saw nine targets at home recently, his fantasy output remains volatile due to Jared Goff's pressure-related struggles, making him a boom-or-bust WR3 option.

The analysts are confident in a breakout game for Williams, noting that he is a top-30 wide receiver who has been unlucky with drops and should be started despite a couple of quiet games.

Both Heath Cummings and Jamie Eisenberg are bullish on Goff, ranking him as a top-five quarterback for the week against a Lions defense that has struggled significantly against the pass.

Jaxson Dart is out for the season.

Heath Cummings likes Warren as a top-24 running back, noting that his role in the passing game is essential because the Steelers have poor run-blocking. He expects Warren to catch multiple passes against a Bengals defense that allows many receptions to running backs.

Heath Cummings views Warren as a high-end RB2 if Rico Dowdle is out, and a mid-to-low-end RB2 if Dowdle plays. He is considered a strong PPR flex option regardless, with the expectation that he will be utilized heavily in the passing game against the Bengals.

Square notes Joe Burrow is still a starter but not a top-five option, citing concerns over his back injury and the Steelers' pass rush.

Jonah Coleman missed practice with an ankle injury; his status for Thursday is worth monitoring.

Jonathan Brooks is on injured reserve.

Dave Montgomery recommends starting Josh Downs in full PPR formats, and he is preferred over David Montgomery in half PPR leagues.

Downs is viewed as a borderline WR2/WR3 and the primary receiver Daniel Jones will lean on. He is expected to be productive, especially given his performance after Alec Pierce went down, and is a preferred start over several other fringe options.

Square and the panel view Justin Herbert as a sit for Week 3, citing poor performance, bad matchups, and the difficulty of a West Coast team traveling to Buffalo for a 1 p.m. game.

Kenneth Walker is noted for his success against the Colts' defense, having surpassed 114 rushing yards in his matchup against them.

Keon Coleman missed practice.

Kyle Monongai was not seen at practice and is considered banged up ahead of their Monday game.

Despite being ranked lower than his preseason projection and having a low touch count relative to his fantasy rank, Williams remains an easy start due to his consistent touchdown production.

Ladd McConkey practiced in full, which is a positive development.

Jamie Eisenberg confirms that as long as Ladd McConkey is healthy and practicing in full, he should be considered a must-start player.

Heath Cummings advises sitting Burden against the Eagles, citing the combination of a backup quarterback (Case Keenum) and a difficult defensive matchup.

Malik Nabers was limited in practice.

With Caleb Douglas injured and Chris Bell potentially limited, Washington is identified as a deep sleeper who could provide double-digit fantasy points given his 26% target share.

Michael Pittman was limited in practice.

Mike Evans missed practice, which was expected.

Jamie Eisenberg recommends Freiermuth as a great starting option against the Bengals, citing his historical success against them (six touchdowns in his last 10 games) and the Steelers' high pass volume.

Jamie Eisenberg ranks Freiermuth 14th among tight ends, citing his strong history against the Bengals and the fact that he remains highly involved in the Steelers' offense, unlike Darnell Washington who has seen his usage decline.

Puka Nacua missed practice due to an injury that is not a hernia or a long-term issue, but the team is exercising caution.

Square describes Quentin Johnston's start as horrible, noting he is one of two wide receivers with at least 10 targets and a catchable target rate below 70%.

Square ranks Quinchon Judkins as a preferred start over Travion Henderson and Jeremiah Love, despite acknowledging the risk of being wrong.

Heath Cummings identifies Judkins as his favorite flex option among Browns players for the matchup against Carolina, noting the Panthers' defense allows 6.3 yards per carry to running backs, making Judkins a viable start over Patriots running backs.

Rashee Rice is viewed as a starter in three-receiver leagues but not in two-receiver formats. There is a significant discrepancy in his ranking, with Sportsline ranking him 4th while other analysts place him between 20th and 32nd.

Jamie Eisenberg highlights Bateman as a strong start, especially if Zay Flowers is out. Bateman has shown high efficiency, scoring at least 15 PPR points whenever he receives five targets, and is expected to see significant volume in a potential shootout.

Heath Cummings advises sitting Stevenson against the Jaguars, noting that the Patriots' backfield usage is uncertain and the Jaguars' run defense is strong, making it difficult to trust him as a starter.

Square notes Rhamondre Stevenson has looked sluggish and lost snaps to Trevion, but expects him to retain passing-down work, giving him a slight edge.

Rico Dowdle is currently day-to-day.

Square highlights that Romeo Dobbs had a very low average route depth in Week 2, ranking 82nd among wide receivers, despite a high ADOT.

Sam Darnold was limited in practice but has a chance to play this week against Washington.

There is currently no update regarding the injury status of Saquon Barkley.

Square mentions that Tee Higgins did not look good in his last game, despite a big statistical output, and is currently being treated as a 'meh' fantasy asset.

Despite a productive outing with 5 catches for 95 yards on 10 targets, the analysts expressed concern that Higgins did not look good on film, noting he appeared wide open on plays over the middle but lacked his usual sharpness. While they remain committed to starting him, they are monitoring the situation closely.

Terrence Ferguson was limited in practice.

Jamie Eisenberg expresses low confidence in McLaurin against the Seahawks, noting the offense's struggles, a beat-up offensive line, and the difficulty of the matchup against a strong Seattle defense.

Travis Etienne is dealing with a hamstring injury.

Kelce is considered a must-start, with recent data showing he is faster than he has been in years and currently leads all wide receivers and tight ends in yards after catch.

Square advises lowering expectations for Trevor Lawrence, noting he is a low-end starter at best against a tough Patriots defense.

There is concern that Tucker Kraft may be forced to block too much due to offensive line injuries, though the team has made reinforcements.

Hutchinson is highlighted as a potential sleeper start if Nico Collins is out. He has shown a strong target floor in games without Collins, and the analysts believe he has significant upside against a weak Colts defense.

Heath Cummings expresses concern regarding Flowers' status due to his absence from practice, noting that if he misses practice on Thursday, his outlook for the week will be downgraded.

Zay Flowers missed practice.