Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Week 3 lineup advice, best matchups, DFS picks

Welcome to Week 3 in another NFL season of fantasy football start and sit lineup advice from The Sporting News.

Vinnie Iyer's analysis, aka "The Decider," remains your one-stop shop for fantasy start 'em/sit 'em in 2026 — a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:

• Several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups most weeks when healthy and active are the "must starts."
• Borderline options with favorable matchups are "stronger starts," while the recommended plays to avoid are "weaker starts."
• The advice is based on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.

Going beyond redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel. Keep scrolling for tips on how to deploy the best fantasy football lineup for your league opener.

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Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks

Must-start Week 3 QBs

1. Josh Allen, Bills (vs. LAC)
2. Lamar Jackson, Ravens (vs. DAL)
3. Jalen Hurts, Eagles (at CHI)
4. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at MIA)
5. Brock Purdy, 49ers (vs. ARI)
6. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (vs. BAL)

Strong Week 3 QB starts

7. Joe Burrow, Bengals (at PIT): He's feeling it with the entire offense helping, and the Steelers are a one-note pass-rushing D.

8. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. ATL): The Falcons have been better than expected vs. the pass, but that's only because they've been more terrible everywhere else.

9. Jared Goff, Lions (vs. NYJ): Goff is back at home and will punch a hole in the inflated pass defense of former Detroit DC Aaron Glenn.

10. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. NE): There was a grind last week in Denver to cool him off, but he tends to thrive more at home under Liam Coen.

11. Drake Maye, Patriots (at JAX): With Lawrence putting up pleasing numbers, this feels like a passable get-well game for him, too.

12. Bryce Young, Panthers (at CLE): It's difficult to ignore two massive games in a row with this passing game clicking, and the Browns will have trouble with it.

13. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. LAR): Nix is back at home to do his thing, putting up good stats while winning.

14. Tyler Shough, Saints (vs. LV): He is locked into his top receivers and totally settled in Kellen Moore's offense for a fine Raiders matchup at home.

DFS QB Week 3 pick

Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks

Weaker Week 3 QB plays

15. Matthew Stafford, Rams (at DEN): He went off on Monday but the Giants at home is different from the Broncos on the road minus Puka Nacua.

16. Geno Smith, Jets (at DET): This might be a bit tempting but it's a rather volatile play.

17. C.J. Stroud, Texans (at IND): You might want to go here given the Colts but it also could be a trap with running and defense being the focus.

18. Justin Herbert, Chargers (at BUF): He's impossible to trust on the road against the Bills after his awful first two games.

19. Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (vs. MIN): He can beat the blitz a few times but overall this is a very risky play.

20. Kirk Cousins, Raiders (at NO): He compiled on the Chargers last week but the Saints can slow them down a bit with Brandon Staley's scheme.

21. Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (at SF): He's got the weapons and some volume but still hard to trust.

22. Kyler Murray, Vikings (at TB): We need more evidence he can execute for his new team after missing Week 2 with a concussion.

MORE: NFL Week 3 power rankings: Seahawks and Eagles among teams on rise

Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Running backs

Must-start Week 3 RBs

1. Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs (at MIA)
2. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (vs. ARI)
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (vs. NYJ)
4. Derrick Henry, Ravens (vs. DAL)
5. James Cook, Bills (vs. LAC)
6. Bijan Robinson, Falcons (at GB)
7. Saquon Barkley, Eagles (if he plays, at CHI)
8. Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. HOU)
9. Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at NO)
10. Kyren Williams, Rams (at DEN)
11. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (vs. BAL)
12. Chase Brown, Bengals (at PIT)
13. Omarion Hampton, Chargers (at BUF)
14. Breece Hall, Jets (at DET)
15. David Montgomery, Texans (at IND)
16. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at CLE)
17. De'Von Achane, Dolphins (vs. KC)
18. D'Andre Swift, Bears (vs. PHI)

Strong Week 3 RB starts

19. Cam Skattebo, Giants (vs. TEN): They will lean a ton on his versatility in a good matchup for the running game minus Jaxson Dart.

20. Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (vs. MIN): He's been running well early, and there's a good chance he scores with more than 60 scrimmage yards.

21. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (vs. NE): He's looking more like a complete back, and the Patriots will struggle with his quickness at times.

22. Quinshon Judkins, Browns (vs. CAR): He's the best hope to stay in the game vs. a weak Panthers run defense.

23. Jonah Coleman, Broncos (vs. LAR): He crushed his chance early with JK Dobbins and R.J. Harvey hurting, and the Rams can be run on.

24. Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals (at SF): The 49ers can give it up a little in the running game, and there's a good chance Love scores.

25. Travis Etienne Jr., Saints (vs. LV): Let's give this another shot despite weird usage in relation to first Kendre Miller and then Alvin Kamara the first two games/

26. Kyle Monangai, Bears (vs. PHI): The Bears will need to pound the Eagles with the run minus Caleb Williams to have a chance.

DFS RB Week 3 Picks

Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs (at MIA), $7,400 on DraftKings, $8,300 on FanDuel): Walker gets the top spot in the rankings and he can keep on smashing against the Dolphins, who gave up big games to Jeanty and McCaffrey. He's a contrarian but effective stack with Mahomes.

Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Running backs

Weaker RB Week 3 plays

27. Rhamdondre Stevenson and 28. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (at JAX):  The Jaguars are typically tough on running backs and can also contain any potential big plays at home.

29. Tony Pollard, Titans (vs. PHI): In theory he should be more involved and productive, bu the entire offense is dragging him down.

30. MarShawn Lloyd, Packers (vs. ATL): It's not the worst idea but prepare for a spread workload and disappointment.

31. Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals (at SF): Love is getting the better high-leverage touches.

32. Jaylen Warren and 33. Rico Dowdle, Steelers (vs. CIN): You cannot attach even to their backfield with their offense in a funk.

34. Jadarian Price, Seahawks (at WAS). Price is hurting and it's difficult to trust Emanuel Wilson against an actual decent Washington run defense.

35. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (vs.SEA). "Bill" and Rachaad White will both into a wall from the other Washington.

Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Wide receivers

Must-start Week 3 WRs

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (at WAS)
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (vs. NYJ)
3. Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at PIT)
4. Justin Jefferson, Vikings (at TB)
5. Chris Olave, Saints (vs. LV)
6. CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (vs. BAL)
7. Malik Nabers, Giants (vs. TEN)
8. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at CLE)
9. Tee Higgins, Bengals (at PIT)
10. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (vs. MIN)
11. D.J. Moore, Bills (if he can play, vs. LAC)
12. Davante Adams, Rams (at DEN)
13. Rashee Rice, Chiefs (at MIA)
14. Jaylen Waddle, Broncos (vs. LAR)
15. George Pickens, Cowboys (vs. BAL)
16. Drake London, Falcons (at GB)
17. Zay Flowers, Ravens (if he can play, vs. DAL)
18. Garrett Wilson, Jets (at DET)
19. Christian Watson, Packers (vs. ATL)
20. DeVonta Smith, Eagles (at CHI)
21. Ladd McConkey, Chargers (at BUF)

Strong WR Week 3 starts

22. Jalen Coker, Panthers (at ATL): You gotta keep rolling with him and Tet jetting to more production with Young.

23. Stefon Diggs, Commanders (vs. SEA): His savvy route-running is locked in to destroy zones and Marcus Mariota will pepper him with targets.

24. Parker Washington, Jaguars (vs. NE): He's the only Jags' receiver to play at the moment.

25. Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. SEA): Let's hope Diggs' early production will open up more for him soon.

26. Mike Evans, 49ers (if he can play, vs. ARI): His hip issue is a concern so it's more wait and see for a plug and play.

27. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers (vs. MIN): He should be busy with Egbuka getting open quickly.

28. Jameson Williams, Lions (vs. NYJ): He's been slow out of the gate but can speed up to fly pas the Jets.

30. Matthew Golden, Packers (vs. ATL): He's become their real No. 2 receiver and the Falcons not having A.J. Terrell helps him and Watson.

31. Adonai Mitchell, Jets (at DET): He's a sneaky good play as a No. 2 playing off Wilson as a hard downfield cover.

DFS WR Week 3 picks

Garrett Wilson, Jets (at DET, $6,300 on DraftKings, $7,300 on FanDuel): Mitchell will get some favorable chances downfield playing off Wilson all over the field.

Tee Higgins, Bengals (at PIT, $6,100 on DraftKings, $7,000 on FanDuel): Higgins has a good history in division games and he was locked in opposite Chase. He should find the end zone for the first time this season.

Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers

Weaker Week 3 WR plays

34. Carnell Tate, Titans (at NYG): He's flashing a little more but it's still hard to trust him with Ward.

35. DK Metcalf, Steelers (at NE): Even with Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman out he busted, so no.

36. Josh Downs, Colts (vs. HOU): You can't even play him with Alec Pierce out.

37. Rome Odunze and 38. Luther Burden III, Bears (vs. PHI): The QB change from Williams makes them less inspiring vs. the Eagles' secondary.

38. Jakobi Meyers, Jaguars (vs. NE)). There are flashes but not enough substance yet.

39. Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. LAR): The Waddle Show is squeezing his production as expected.

40. Jordan Addison, Vikings (at TB): He's still not doing anything to merit a confident play.

41. Romeo Doubs, Patriots (at JAX). The Patriots' offense feels off passing without A.J. Brown.

42. Quentin Johnston, Chargers (at BUF). His role is fading as Tre Harris and the tight ends are getting more love of late.

43. Michael Wilson, Cardinals (at SF): You can't trust any wide receivers here all of sudden with some disappearing acts for Brissett.

Fantasy Football Week 3 Start 'Em: Tight ends

Must-start Week 3 TEs

1. Trey McBride, Cardinals (at SF)
2. George Kittle, 49ers (vs. ARI)
3. Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. ATL)
4. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (at MIA)
5. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. LAC)
6. Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. HOU)
7. Sam LaPorta, Lions (vs. NYJ)
8. Mark Andrews, Ravens (vs. DAL
9. ) Juwan Johnson, Saints (vs. LV)

Stronger Week 3 TE starts

10. Dalton Schultz, Texans (vs. IND): Stroud needs him badly with the wide receiver issues and he also gets a juicy matchup for getting open often again.

11. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (vs. BAL). He's on a scoring heater from Week 2 and the Ravens gave it up to both Warren and Johnson.

12. Isaiah Likely, Giants (vs. TEN): The Titans can be burned a bit inside where Jameis Winson will lean.

13. A.J. Barner, Seahawks (at WAS). He scored on a run last week but he can get it done through the air as the Commanders have stunk against the tight end early.

14. T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (at TB): The Buccaneers have been ripped by the position early with the Bengals and Browns doing it with random personnel.

DFS TE Week 3 pick

Dalton Schultz, Texans (at IND, $4,200 on DraftKings, $5,800 on FanDuel): Schultz is still nicely priced to exploit and deploy to save plenty to splurge at other positions.

Fantasy Football Week 3 Sit 'Em: Tight ends

Weaker TE Week 3 starts

15. Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. PHI): He's off to a slow start and no Williams is brutal with Cole Kmet also factoring.

16. Harold Fannin Jr., Browns (vs. CAR): He definitely wishes Shedeur Sanders was starting again.

17. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. CAR): He definitely wishes Matt Ryan was starting again.

18. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers (vs. CIN): He is OK with Rodgers so far but the Bengals won't let him have a Schultz-like game.

19. Hunter Henry, Patriots (at JAX): Maye hasn't pivoted too much to the tight ends without A.J. Brown.

Fantasy Football Week 3: Defense/special teams best starts

1. Seattle Seahawks (at WAS)
2. Kansas City Chiefs (at MIA)
3. Green Bay Packers (vs. ATL)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (at PIT)
5. Minnesota Vikings (at TB)
6. Philadelphia Eagles (at CHI)
7. Houston Texans (at IND)
8. San Francisco 49ers (vs. ARI)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. NE)
10. Buffalo Bills (vs. LAC)
11. Denver Broncos (vs. LAR)
12. Tampa Bay Buccaners (vs. MIN)
13. Los Angeles Rams (at DEN)
14. New England Patriots (at JAX)

DFS Week 3 D/ST pick

Cincinnati Bengals (at PIT, $2,900 on DraftKings, $3,600 on FanDuel): Dexter Lawrence has made a literal massive difference alongside former Seahawks pass rusher Boye Mafe. They also are making a lot of plays in the back seven, and the Steelers' offense stinks so far.