Every Player You MUST START In Week 3 Fantasy Football (Part 2)

Fully healthy Aaron Jones projects as RB14 due to bellcow status with 80.4% snap share and 72% backfield XFP; however, an injury will require a downward adjustment to his ranking. With Mason on IR for at least three more games, Aaron Jones' availability is uncertain heading into Week 3, making his status a critical question mark for Week 3 fantasy planning.

Recommended start in Week 3 despite poor early-season performance ('played like absolute dog water to start the season'). Baker is historically one of the best quarterbacks in the league against the blitz; Tampa Bay's defense is blitz-heavy, creating open windows as Tampa's second-level players blitz, allowing Baker to find soft spots downfield. While he has four turnovers and seven sacks in two games and ranks bottom three in EPA per drop back, the source expects him to regress toward his career average given his historical track record. The source states 'Baker should be able to find the soft spot. I feel really good about this.'

Carries a heavy injury designation but is still projected as a low-end TE1; the source flags him as a player to monitor closely, noting that reports from Jake Glazer and Ian Rappaport will determine whether he's a full decoy or capable of contributing, making him a conditional start pending injury updates. Preferred over Jawan Johnson in tight end comparison for Week 3.

Brock Purdy is ranked as a top-three quarterback for fantasy this week. Since the start of last season, he ranks behind only Josh Allen in fantasy points per game and leads all quarterbacks in fantasy points per drop back (0.87 vs. Josh Allen's 0.58). Against Arizona's base defense, this represents a major advantage. The source calls him 'a really underrated real life NFL quarterback' and 'a great fantasy quarterback as well,' noting he's been their biggest fan since he came out. Purdy's historical performance against base defense specifically (0.87 FPPD) significantly exceeds Josh Allen's overall average (0.58 FPPD), making this a prime matchup.

Usage and volume analysis supports Bucky Irving as a fringe RB1: he ranks 7th in snap share and 5th in target share, and has posted an all-time great rookie season by fantasy points per snap. The source finds this math compelling even in a tough Week 3 matchup, noting this was a point of initial disagreement but the data supports the ranking.

Unbelievable usage with 34% first-read target share and 23.4 XFP per game; clear WR1 in high-powered Cowboys offense. Key to Dallas's passing attack against Baltimore.

The source assesses Chris Godwin as completely washed: his separation score ranks 62nd of 76 wide receivers, and he has fewer first-read targets than Ted Hurst. The source plans to push Godwin down in projections.

Key beneficiary of Tyler Shuck's high-volume passing attack. Over his nine games since the Rasheed Shahid trade last year, averages 21.3 fantasy points per game, 20.4 XFP per game, and 3.6 yards per route run—all top-five numbers over this span.

Christian McCaffrey is an easy RB1 this week. Against two-high coverage, his target per route run jumps from 0.21 to a team-high 0.31, and his target share increases from 16% to 26%—a significant boost in the passing game. He ranked top-five in XFP last week despite playing only one snap in the fourth quarter of a blowout. Red zone opportunity advantage is decisive: Kalin Black has zero backfield opportunities inside the 10-yard line while McCaffrey has five of five. Concerns about the Kalin Black split in week one were overblown (Black had cramping in Australia).

Mid-range QB1 ranking; Cowboys lead the league in passing yards this year, supporting strong fantasy outlook.

Deebo Samuel has the best one-on-one matchup in Week 3 against Arizona's depleted secondary, which is ruled out their three best corners (Will Johnson, Max Melton, Garrett Williams). Arizona plays base coverage at high rates with linebackers who cannot cover, creating a schematic advantage for Deebo. The source projects him to 'eat all day long' in underneath coverage roles. Deebo has historically performed better against two-high coverage (target per route run increases), making him a preferred play over Mike Evans this week despite both being fringe WR2s. The source explicitly states: 'I would expect Debo to eat. I like Debo. Even if Evans is healthy, I think I like Debo more than Evans in this one... just because of the schematics.'

George Kittle is positioned to exploit Arizona's base coverage scheme in Week 3. The source notes that Kittle and Deebo Samuel underneath should 'just eat all day long' given Arizona's reliance on base coverage with linebackers who cannot cover and their three best corners ruled out. However, Kittle carries usage limitations: he struggles against two-high coverage (target per route run drops 25%), and the 49ers are easing him back from injury with limited route share (57% when controlling for blowout). Ranked as low-end tight end one this week; would be mid-to-high-end TE1 at full usage.

Ranked WR19 (mid-range WR2) with 12.2 XFP per game, but faces brutal schematic matchup against Baltimore, which plays two-high coverage 63% of the time. Target per route run drops to 39%, and he ranks fourth in target hierarchy behind CeeDee Lamb, Terrence Ferguson, and Javante Williams. The source takes the under on his 60-point over/under projection. Against Washington's high-safety coverage scheme in a prior game, Dak Prescott adjusted to throw shorter intermediate routes rather than deep shots; Pickens received 8 targets in that game, showing Dallas will continue to attack coverage tendencies, but the Baltimore matchup presents a more challenging defensive scheme.

Preferred over Jawan Johnson for Week 3 matchup against Saints. Ravens have limited receiving options with Malik Neighbors functioning as a decoy; James Winston averages 50 pass attempts per game with an aggressive air-it-out style, creating target opportunity. Ravens also down Andrew Thomas at left tackle, increasing pass volume and check-down reliance.

Ranked RB16 but may be undervalued; top 10 in XFP per team play, top 5 in snap share, and improved target share from last year suggest better volume and utilization. However, game script concern as Cowboys are 3.5-point underdogs, limiting ceiling despite solid metrics.

Jeremiah Love is currently in a 50/50 backfield committee with Tyler Algier (Love: 20 carries, 3 targets; Algier: 22 carries) but the source expects Love to seize majority of backfield work soon, whether 60% or 70% snap share. Ranked as fringe RB2 for Week 3 based on expected role consolidation. The source states: 'I think it it's only a matter of time until Jeremiah Love seizes the backfield. Whether that's 60% or 70% remains to be seen. But right now, week three, I I feel good about this fringe RB2 ranking.'

Elite receiver status and recent ridiculous target share with Carson Wentz support a high projection, but the source expresses pessimism about Kyler Murray's ability to support a fantasy WR1. Tampa Bay has been strong against receivers this season, shutting down Jamar Chase and T. Higgins. Jefferson remains a clear start despite the elevated projection.

Projected as tight end 12 for Week 3. Ranks top eight in fantasy points per game and XFP per game, and top three in routes run—a critical efficiency metric for tight ends. On-the-fence start recommendation due to inconsistent production despite strong efficiency metrics; hasn't been 'killing it' in raw output.

Fifth in target share; mid-range to low-end TE1 ranking. Excellent matchup against Dallas defense, which has given up 8 catches, 78 yards, and 2 TDs to tight ends and is terrible against 12 personnel (51 EPA per play allowed). Source prefers him over TE7 ranking.

Severe disengagement from offense: 5% target share, 3% separation win rate, 0.0 air yards share. The source emphasizes Harrison is not even running routes—'literally just jogging'—indicating complete lack of involvement. The source declares his fantasy relevance finished, stating 'it's over. It couldn't be any more over than it is,' with comparison to DeVante Adams' Las Vegas exit suggesting the player may not be invested in the current situation.

Michael Wilson is a strong flex play and 'get-right spot' for Week 3 against the 49ers defense. The source defers from script projection (WR39) to recommend Wilson, citing Arizona's offensive bounce-back potential and the 49ers' weak pass rush metrics (bottom of league in pressure rate and pass rush win rate). Michael Wilson has a 20% target share this season and his target per route run increases by 22% against cover-three (which the 49ers play over 50% of the time), jumping above Trey McBride in that coverage. The source explicitly states: 'I love Michael Wilson this week. Take it to the bank.'

Mike Evans carries a hip/hamstring injury concern for Week 3. The source notes that hips and hamstrings are interconnected—hamstring injuries often lead to gait changes that cause hip issues—making Evans a less attractive play than Deebo Samuel despite the favorable matchup against Arizona's depleted secondary. While Evans was a DNP at practice, if he clears health protocols and plays, the matchup itself is favorable given Arizona's three best corners ruled out. However, the injury risk and schematic preference for Deebo make Evans a secondary consideration.

Flagged as creating a problematic start/sit dilemma for fantasy managers; the source highlights him as an example of an injured player creating team conflict, noting that a listener has both Nico Collins and Malik Neighbors on the same roster, compounding the injury situation.

Unlikely to return for Week 3 matchup against Denver. Absence significantly impacts Rams passing attack distribution and elevates Devonte Adams' target share and projection.

Currently ranked as a sit with Zay Flowers healthy, but jumps to high-end WR3/low-end WR2 if Flowers is out. Featured in 13 personnel role with strong utilization; conditional start recommendation based on Flowers' injury status.

Positioned for a huge game if Puka Nacua is out and Devonte Adams draws Patrick Surtain shadow. Had nine targets last week with six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, establishing himself as the clear number two receiver by a significant margin (no other receiver had more than two targets). Projection upgraded to TE9 if Puka remains sidelined.

Ranks 7th in yards per route run and sees a 30% increase in production against single-high coverage; New Orleans plays single-high at the league's second-highest rate (67% of snaps), creating a favorable stylistic matchup for Tucker's elite wheels. Recommended as a startable flex option for Week 3; the source says 'Trey Tucker is uh something I wouldn't turn your nose up at this week is all I'm saying,' positioning him as a viable play in desperation situations.

Elite tight end production: averages 21.1 PPG over last 14 games with Jacobe Brassette, ranking behind only Puka Nacua and JSN; 1.0 PPG more than Jamar Chase, 1.5 PPG more than Amon-Ra St. Brown. Consistency standout: more games over 27 PPG than under 16 PPG. The source describes McBride as 'the best tight end in football' and recommends starting him, noting he should have gone higher in rookie drafts (fell to pick 112). Primary concern: Carson Beck taking over as QB would reduce tight end volume, as Brassette historically targets TEs at the highest rate in the league.

Colts offense described as 'broken,' limiting Tyler Warren's fantasy upside despite tight end talent. Unfavorable offensive context reduces his appeal relative to other tight end options like Isaiah Likely and Terrence Ferguson.

40/60 chance to play in Week 3 with expected health for Week 4. Despite significant injury concern, projects as WR22 based on elite recent production: 5 catches, 150 yards, and a touchdown on 11 routes, plus one yard shy of another touchdown. Cowboys are the worst defense in football since the start of last season by points per drive allowed, EPA per play allowed, and fantasy points per game allowed to all skill positions, making Flowers a strong start if active.