The 2023 NFL season has already given us a handful of fantasy football surprises, and we aren’t even officially through the first two weeks of action yet.
Need proof? In PPR formats, Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua currently sit as the RB2 and WR2, respectively, in all of fantasy football.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Week 3 of the 2023 NFL Season
With another week of NFL action in the books, let’s take an early look ahead at some of the start or sit options heading into Week 3.
Start ‘Em Options
Tua Tagavailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Getting the best of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick on the scoreboard is no easy task, but Tua Tagavailoa managed to make enough plays to get the Miami Dolphins to 2-0 on the season.
Tua posted a modest stat line against a talented Patriots secondary but should have better success against the Denver Broncos, who gave 299 yards and two scores to Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell.
Kyren Williams, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams followed up his impressive 2023 debut with another two-touchdown performance against one of the stingiest defenses in the NFL.
Williams currently leads all NFL players in touchdowns scored this season with four. With Cam Akers officially inactive in Week 2, this backfield is Williams’ moving forward. Start him with confidence.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Regardless of how you feel about another running back not named Bijan Robinson seeing 15+ carries a week in the Atlanta Falcons backfield, Tyler Allgeier is seeing enough work on a weekly basis to make him a Flex option at the position.
This week, he’ll face a Detroit Lions defense that surrendered two rushing scores to the Seattle Seahawks. Until we see otherwise, Allgeier seems like a safe bet to see 10+ touches on a weekly basis.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Speaking of those two rushing touchdowns against the Lions, Kenneth Walker III managed to save his fantasy day by finding paydirt twice in the team’s 37-31 overtime win in Week 2.
Walker significantly out-touched rookie RB Zach Charbonnet for a second consecutive week and appears to be the preferred back in this offense.
MORE: Fantasy/NFL News Tracker
The Seahawks have a date with rookie quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers in Week 3, which could generate a game script that favors Walker seeing north of 20 total touches with TD upside.
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Do you believe in Puka Nacua now?
If you thought his 10-catch, 119-yard performance was impressive, Nacua somehow managed to top that elite-level production against one of the premier defenses in the league with a 15-reception, 147-yard outing in Week 2.
While Cooper Kupp remains unavailable, Nacua’s a top-15 play at the WR position. Even when Kupp returns, he’s flirting with top-25 consideration. This kid looks like the real deal.
A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles’ passing offense has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in 2023. Unfortunately, the lack of production from the passing game appeared to cause some frustration between wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts on the sideline during the team’s 34-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football.
Brown’s four-reception, 29-yard performance against the Vikings was a big fantasy disappointment, but I would like to reassure you that better days are ahead in the very near future.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have given up two 100-yard performances at the wide receiver position — Justin Jefferson and DJ Moore — in the first two games of the season.
Expect Brown to bounce back in a big way in Week 3.
Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
This start feels a bit more speculative if the Los Angeles Chargers will be without running back Austin Ekeler for a second consecutive week. However, Mike Williams should certainly be on your radar for starting consideration in Week 3.
Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a 300-yard outing against the Tennessee Titans’ suspect secondary in Week 2 and gets the favorable draw of Minnesota’s defense this week.
Sure, Keenan Allen was the beneficiary of the two touchdown passes, but both he and Williams hauled in eight receptions for 80+ yards receiving. Williams still has plenty of big-play, TD upside in Week 3 in a plus matchup.
Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots
Whether you’re a believer in Mac Jones or not, he certainly seems to have developed a real connection and chemistry with Hunter Henry through the first two weeks of the 2023 season.
MORE: 2023 TE Fantasy Football Rankings
Henry is currently TE2 overall in PPR formats and top five in every receiving category at the position. At a position that is hard to find reliable options, you can make an argument that no tight end has been more reliable than Henry to start the season.
Start him with confidence until further notice.
Sit ‘Em Options
Daniel Jones, QB, New York Giants
The New York Giants offense failed to generate a single point through the first six quarters of the 2023 season. And while Daniel Jones and the offense managed to generate 31 points in the second half of Week 2, the explosion occurred against the Arizona Cardinals.
What makes matters even murkier for New York’s offense moving forward is the potential of RB Saquon Barkley missing time due to an ankle injury sustained on the final offensive possession against Arizona.
Unfortunately, the Giants have a short week with a Thursday Night Football matchup against the stout 49ers defense. I would fade Jones out of my lineup in Week 3.
Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
For a second consecutive week, Khalil Herbert has failed to top 40 yards rushing or find the end zone as the team’s leading ball carrier.
This isn’t all Herbert’s fault. The team has failed to firmly establish an identity running the football, and the clear presence of rookie Roschon Johnson is further limiting Herbert’s opportunities to produce top-20 RB numbers in this offense.
Unless the Bears’ running game improves drastically over the next week, Herbert is a potential game script victim against the high-powered Kansas City Chiefs offense.
Not to mention, the Chiefs only gave up 48 yards rushing to the Jacksonville Jaguars running backs in Week 2. This feels like Herbert could be a TD-dependent option in Week 3. I would go with other options if you have them available.
Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston Texans
Oddly enough, the Houston Texans’ passing offense has been far more productive than most anticipated heading into the 2023 season. But this production through the air hasn’t helped generate enough scoring opportunities to benefit running back Dameon Pierce.
Pierce’s 26 carries for just 69 yards with no rushing scores have made him one of the more disappointing players in fantasy football through the first two weeks.
Unfortunately, his matchup in Week 3 against the Jacksonville Jaguars — who have given up just 93 yards rushing to opposing running backs through the first two weeks of the season — isn’t likely to make things easier on the ground.
Until Pierce starts giving us a bit more with his touches, he probably needs to find his way to your bench.
Zack Moss, RB, Indianapolis Colts
What a 2023 debut by running back Zack Moss! His 107 total yards on 22 touches and a score certainly gave the Colts offense a boost in their 31-20 Week 2 win over the Houston Texans.
So, why is Moss appearing on the sit ’em list?
Well, the matchup against a stout Baltimore Ravens defense — who haven’t given up a rushing touchdown or 60-yard rusher this season — should make life a bit more difficult for the Colts’ offense.
Moss is definitely a waiver wire target this week, but beware of starting him this week against the Ravens.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
Garrett Wilson showed both why you should and why you shouldn’t start him in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys.
On one hand, Wilson showcased his special playmaking ability with a 68-yard score against one of the league’s better defensive units. On the other hand, the efficiency on his eight targets — hauling in just two of those passes — leaves much to be desired.
If that isn’t enough to make you uneasy starting him, then throw in the fact he’s facing one of the best defensive minds in the league with Belichick in Week 3, who could give QB Zach Wilson fits throughout the entire game, and Garrett Wilson feels like a boom-or-bust option in your lineup for Week 3.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, New England Patriots
Raise your hand if you had Mac Jones leading the league in passing attempts heading into the Week 2 Monday night slate?
For the record, my hand is not raised.
While the Patriots have gone to the air early and often in 2023, this hasn’t done much for JuJu Smith-Schuster’s fantasy production, which is very … very concerning.
JuJu has failed to top 35 yards receiving both weeks, and while he’s been involved, he hasn’t established himself as the go-to option in New England’s offense.
In a week where the Pats will face off against a quality Jets pass defense — that features cornerback Sauce Gardner — I’d rather go in a different direction in Week 3.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Life is going to be frustrating for fantasy managers who invested in Kyle Pitts and Drake London in this Atlanta Falcons’ passing attack.
Pitts’ eight targets, four receptions, and 59 receiving yards are incredibly underwhelming for a player of his playmaking ability.
While the Lions’ defense isn’t a juggernaut by any stretch of the imagination, the Falcons’ run-heavy scheme combined with quarterback Desmond Ridder’s inconsistent play is a major cause for concern on a weekly basis for Pitts until we see this offense open it through the air and making it a point to get him involved.