QB News + Week 3 Sit/Start

Expected to miss several weeks after aggravating heel injury that was surgically repaired; attempting rehab rather than surgery; could return mid-season if all goes well, but timeline uncertain.

Antonio Williams is characterized by Matthew Berry as an emerging playmaker who is not getting a ton of usage right now but will still steal opportunities from Terry McLaurin. He represents a role threat to McLaurin's target share.

Matthew Berry notes that Bo Nix has not been the version seen in the past two seasons, citing possible reasons including a new play caller and tough matchups in the first two weeks. This suggests Nix's early-season performance has been disappointing relative to expectations, which impacts the fantasy value of his pass catchers like Cortland Sutton and Jalen Waddell.

Matthew Berry had Colston Loveland as his number three wide receiver and runner-up for ride-or-die pick heading into 2026, but through two games he has delivered zero production on five targets (one catch total), making him one of the most disappointing early-season picks. Despite a 89% route rate in week one and a 100 utilization score in his final four games as a rookie last year, Loveland has failed to convert opportunity into fantasy points; now facing the Eagles (number one in defensive pass DVOA against tight ends) with Case Keenum at quarterback (described as more of a quarterback's coach than an actual NFL quarterback), the outlook is dire. Berry acknowledges he looks "like a moron" and "idiot" on the pick but is reluctantly keeping Loveland at tight end 12 (lowest end of TE1) and likely starting him this week, though he notes "we have to start to see something soon."

Matthew Berry begins to acknowledge a preseason miss on Colston Loveland, indicating he must 'completely eat it' on this player. The transcript cuts off before the full explanation, but Berry's tone suggests Loveland has underperformed his preseason expectations.

Matthew Berry ranks Loveland at tight end 12 (low-end TE1) and is reluctantly starting him in Week 3 despite poor early production (0 catches in Week 1, 1 catch for 3 yards in Week 2). Berry's case: Loveland leads the Bears in routes run and has seen 40% of the team's end zone targets; he should have scored in Week 1 but didn't. Against Philadelphia's secondary (Cooper DeJean, Quinone Mitchell), there's potential for increased targeting. Berry notes that if you drafted Loveland in the third or fourth round, you likely don't have a better alternative at tight end with more upside, making him a reluctant start despite the ugly early results and Monday night road game context.

Matthew Berry is closing out on Cortland Sutton easily, using a metaphor that Sutton is like a dive bar from college that seemed great at the time but now looks like a dump upon revisiting. Despite the Broncos offense coming back to life last week, Sutton is no longer a viable fantasy option.

Matthew Berry compares Sutton to a college dive bar that seemed great in memory but is now disappointing; he was on Berry's preseason hate list due to volume and touchdown dependency. Sutton has fallen from previous years' valuation due to Jalen Waddell being a significant upgrade as the Broncos' number one receiver, leaving insufficient offensive room for a strong number two. Sutton is below 20% target share in both games this season and ranks wide receiver 53 in utilization through two weeks. Berry notes Sutton is on the wrong side of 30 with diminishing skills, and Sean Payton didn't recommend drafting him to his wife despite recommending Waddell. Berry ranks Sutton at wide receiver 45, fading him harder than his co-Matthew Berry.

Still likely to be started despite Bagent/Keenum situation and downgrade from Caleb Williams; part of core Bears players to use regardless of QB.

Matthew Berry claims victory lapping on Devontae Smith, whom he identified as his 'ride or die' in the preseason. This indicates Smith has performed well to date, validating Berry's preseason conviction and ranking.

Matthew Berry identifies Devontae Smith as one of his successful preseason picks (his "ride or die"), alongside Ken Walker, whom he was significantly higher on than consensus (had him as a top eight overall player when consensus had him as a second rounder). Berry is doing "victory lapping" on these picks, indicating strong early-season performance and validation of his preseason positioning.

Matthew Berry noted that Drake London and Kyle Pitts should benefit from Michael Pennix being named the Falcons week three starter, as Pennix is an upgrade over Cooper Rush at quarterback.

Drafted as top 12, top 8 wide receiver in offseason; now ranked around WR 14-16, downgraded relative to preseason expectations even though he should still be started this week with Pennix returning.

Matthew Berry notes that Evan Ingram is seeing some usage in the Broncos' pass-catcher-by-committee approach outside of Jalen Waddell, alongside Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin. This indicates Ingram has a role in the offense but is part of a distributed target share.

Matthew Berry noted that there appeared to be a connection between Jameis Winston and Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, projecting Likely as a low-end tight end one under Winston's leadership.

With Jackson Dart likely out, Jameis Winston will take over as the Giants starting quarterback. Matthew Friedman noted that in Fantasy Life's projection model, the Giants offense with Dart is rated only 1.75 points per game better than with Winston, making Winston a viable option. Berry noted Winston is one of the best backups in the league with nine starts over the last three seasons averaging over 18 fantasy points per game. Berry expects more passing volume with Winston due to his YOLO effect, though the offense will be less efficient than under Dart. Berry also expects Winston to throw to running backs more than Dart would.

Ranked WR 27; keeping open despite two receptions for 33 yards last week; three drops this season (not typical); Lions have top-5 implied team total week 3; unpredictable game-to-game but massive upside when he hits (120 yards, 2 TDs); must start all the time or never start; not matchup dependent; expect big play this week against below-average Jets secondary.

Third overall pick; ranked RB 22; reluctantly keeping open but not starting this week; on road as underdog against 49ers defense; Tyler Algier limits workload; pass-heavy script expected; however, double-digit target share both games (30% of routes), leads team in goal-line/red-zone rush attempts, passing-down back role provides flex upside in PPR.

High-end WR3 while Pierce is out; benefits from increased target share and role concentration in Colts offense alongside Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren.

Ranked QB 12-14 this week; looking to bench if better option available; Chargers offense unimpressive under new coordinator; back-to-back 26-14 home losses to inferior opponents; traveling cross-country as 7-point underdogs to Bills with extra rest and home-field advantage; tough matchup despite some junk-time upside.

Matthew Berry noted that Kyle Pitts and Drake London should benefit from Michael Pennix being named the Falcons week three starter, as Pennix is an upgrade over Cooper Rush at quarterback.

Borderline top-12 tight end this week; likely to be started despite Pennix's rust, though downgraded from preseason expectations.

Kyler Murray cleared the concussion protocol and will start week three for the Vikings against the Buccaneers. Matthew Berry has him ranked QB14 and Matthew Friedman has him at QB13. Berry noted he wants to see how Murray performs in his first full game with Minnesota before ranking him higher, but expects him to finish the week as a top-12 quarterback. Friedman noted that with Carson Wentz averaging over eight yards per attempt adjusted in the Vikings offense, any quarterback other than JJ McCarthy should look competent. Friedman expects Murray to be ranked in the 8-10 range next week as he gets more comfortable with the team.

Still likely to be started despite Bagent/Keenum situation and downgrade from Caleb Williams; part of core Bears receivers to play regardless of QB.

Ranked RB 38; closing tab entirely; three-headed RB committee on pass-heavy team; Caleb Johnson led team in rush attempts week 2; Chris Brooks has same red-zone touches as Lloyd; playing under 40% snaps, averaging 10 touches per game; Falcons allowing just 3.3 yards per carry; avoid entire backfield.

Matthew Berry notes that Marvin Mims is seeing some usage in the Broncos' pass-catcher-by-committee approach outside of Jalen Waddell, alongside Troy Franklin and Evan Ingram. This indicates Mims has a role in the offense but is part of a distributed target share.

Michael Pennix has been named the Falcons week three starter for Thursday night against the Packers. Matthew Berry noted this is good news for Drake London and Kyle Pitts. However, Matthew Friedman cautioned that Pennix is coming back from a significant season-ending knee injury suffered last year and did not get the benefit of full training camp, so rust should be expected. Friedman expects Pennix to be a diminished version of himself in his first start back from injury, though the offense should still improve relative to Cooper Rush and the past two weeks.

First game back from significant season-ending knee injury without full training camp; expect diminished version of himself in first start back from injury with some rust, though offense should improve relative to Cooper Rush.

Matthew Berry suggests Pat Bryant as a potential Broncos pass catcher option for the rest of the season, positioning him as an alternative to Cortland Sutton in a pass-catcher-by-committee offense outside of Jalen Waddell. This indicates Bryant has some role in the Broncos' passing game.

79% of Browns RB touches through two weeks; ranked RB 19-25; higher floor this week with home-field advantage against Panthers; 76 utilization score; increased passing game involvement (13.5% target share vs. 7.5% last year); comfortable starting in guillotine leagues; Panthers allowing 173+ rushing yards per game and 6+ yards per carry.

Stefan Diggs, despite being on the Commanders for only two weeks, already looks like the number one wide receiver ahead of Terry McLaurin. Matthew Berry notes that Diggs, now 33 years old and on his fourth team in four years, continues to manage jumping from team to team while looking like a slightly above-average professional who steals opportunities from other receivers.

Stefan Diggs has three touchdowns in two games and is likely to see junk time opportunities in Week 3 against Seattle. Vegas projects the Commanders to score at least two touchdowns, and there's a decent chance Diggs gets one of them, though the matchup is not ideal.

Closing out this week; 25% target share with Marcus Mariota; backup QB situation; offensive play caller new to role; offense not looking as expected; Stefan Diggs (33 years old, fourth team in four years) stealing opportunities from other receivers.

Matthew Berry is closing out on McLaurin due to role dilution: backup quarterback (Marcus Mariota), new offensive play caller, Stefan Diggs already looking like the number one wide receiver after just two weeks on the team, and Antonio Williams emerging as a playmaker who will steal opportunities. McLaurin no longer has the exclusive target share he once did.

Matthew Berry ranks McLaurin at wide receiver 34, outside the top 30, primarily due to the Week 3 matchup against Seattle. The Seahawks allow the fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers through two games, with receivers averaging under 8 yards per reception (lowest in NFL). The Commanders have the lowest implied team total in Week 3 at 17 points, making the entire offense unattractive.

Matthew Berry criticized Jameis Winston's performance on Monday night, specifically calling out a missed wide-open pass to Theo Johnson in the first half, suggesting Winston's accuracy and decision-making were problematic in that game.

Matthew Berry notes that Troy Franklin is seeing some usage in the Broncos' pass-catcher-by-committee approach outside of Jalen Waddell, alongside Marvin Mims and Evan Ingram. This indicates Franklin has a role in the offense but is part of a distributed target share.

Drafted as top-5 fantasy tight end; feel better about floor and upside with Pierce out; expect more usage in concentrated Colts passing game.

Placed in concussion protocol; third-string QB Case Keenum would replace him; neither should be started in spot-start against Eagles; downgrade all Bears receivers regardless of QB.