Fantasy Football Start 'Em Sit 'Em Week 3
by Zak Drapeau and Matt Hylen
Sportz Nation - 9/24/2026
Quarterbacks
Start 'Em
Bryce Young at CLE
Just as everyone suspected, Bryce Young has been a top-3 fantasy quarterback to start the season. In all seriousness, Young has been spectacular thus far, putting together two very nice performances to start off 2026.
With the Browns defense good on paper but yet to show that on the field, this high-powered offense Carolina is presenting could feast downfield. Young has shown no issue taking the top of defenses through two weeks, making me believe he could be in for another strong fantasy performance.
Brock Purdy vs ARI
Brock Purdy has also put together a nice start to 2026, with this week being another poor defense he is facing. He has thrown at least two TDs in both games this season, which shouldn’t continue against a Cardinals defense that ranks below average against quarterbacks in Fantasy.
Arizona’s defense has exceeded the very low expectations that was set for them, but Purdy could feast with the scheme San Francisco likes to run. With the likes of Mike Evans, Deebo Samuel, and George Kittle healthy and at his disposal, Purdy should put up QB1 numbers in any format.
Sit 'Em
Drake Maye at JAX
Maye has made more then a few boneheaded moves in the first two games to start the season including 4 INTs in 2 games. The O-line is not exceptional by any means but Maye's poor decisions have been evident, and may even turn the Patriots to a much more run-heavy team like we saw last week when the Pats had 28 runs to 25 passes. With a HUGE game on the road in Jacksonville coming, I think Maye's Fantasy upside isn't there this week with a few turnovers and probably being vultured by Henderson in the red zone.
Jalen Hurts at CHI
Hurts has been slinging the ball... a bit this season but hasn't gotten off to a rushing start like we're accustomed to. Going into Soldier field a week after Caleb Williams went down should also mean the Bears' defense will be ready. Saquon's injury may help Hurts get a few more keepers but I think it will more likely stall the Eagles' offense and either force Hurts to air raid the ball and throw picks or just not give him enough opportunities to make his Fantasy points worth it.
Running Backs
Start 'Em
David Montgomery at IND
After a stellar performance in Week 1, David Montgomery vanished in Week 2 against the Bengals. Granted, Houston was playing from behind pretty much all game long, but 8 total touches left a lot to be desired for the Texans’ RB1.
That said, Montgomery is primed to bounce back in Week 3. The Colts defense is among the worst in football right now, especially against the run, and have also allowed eight TDs through two games. I expect Houston to rely much more heavily on the run game, getting him more involved for your fantasy team.
Tony Pollard at NYG
Tennessee hasn’t really been able to run the ball much this season due to the deficits they’ve faced thus far, but Tony Pollard’s efficiency gives me hope for a good Week 3 performance. Coming off a 14 carry and 64 yard day (4.5 yards per carry) against a good Philly run defense, Pollard has a legitimate chance to build off that production and be a more featured part of Tennessee’s offense this week.
New York has already allowed three TDs to RBs this year, making Pollard a very solid candidate to find the end zone for the first time in 2026. I wouldn’t necessarily rely on his to carry your team, but look for Pollard to contribute in an impactful way for your lineup in Week 3.
Sit 'Em
De'Von Achane at KC
The Dolphins suck, there's just no way around it. Achane has looked alright but there's only so much your Running Back can do in the 2nd half when you're down by 2+ scores, even if Achane is a terrific receiving back. Now with the Chiefs coming to town this week, I think the Dolphins go down by 21 around the mid-2nd quarter and Achane just doesn't get enough touches afterward.
Ashton Jeanty at NO
As of now, the Saints are technically giving up the 6th most Fantasy points to RBs but that's only because they've faced Jahmyr Gibbs and Derrick Henry to start the season. Now that they're at home, coming off a huge win against the Ravens and facing a Raiders team that is just not as good offensively as the Ravens or Lions, I expect to see a much better run defense especially against Jeanty who only ran for 48 yards last week.
Wide Receivers
Start 'Em
Ladd McConkey at BUF
The fantasy production for Ladd McConkey has unfortunately fallen victim to the atrocious start to the season the Chargers have had. He hasn’t been much of a threat through two weeks, but all of that could change this week in what could be a shootout in Buffalo.
After allowing Amon-Ra St Brown to go for 142 yards and two TDs from the slot, McConkey might find similar success. Buffalo’s defese is bottom-5 in yards allowed and fantasy points allowed to receivers, making me optimistic that the undisputed WR1 in LA can have a big week come Sunday.
Deebo Samuel vs ARI
Deebo Samuel is slowly looking like his old self now that he is back in the Kyle Shanahan offense. As mentioned before with Brock Purdy, Samuel could also be a beneficiary of what could be a high scoring affair for San Francisco. Whether from the slot or the backfield, Samuel’s usage has been much more than expected. Look for Deebo to hit paydirt on Sunday and produce a solid performance against a Cardinals team that allows the 5th most fantasy points to WRs.
Sit 'Em
George Pickens vs BAL
Pickens' season has started off VERY slowly with the Cowboys and Dak prioritizing Ceedee Lamb to start the year. Pickens hasn't yet been given a chance to make plays down the field, with an average of only 7.5 yards per catch. The Ravens defense may have given up a big game to the Saints last week but they'll sure up their Secondary very soon and even if Pickens sees more targets this week, I don't think he'll go over 60 yards or even get a touchdown.
Tee Higgins at PIT
Similarly to Pickens, Higgins has been playing second fiddle to the bigger star on his team to start the season but now will be going up to Pittsburgh, who has the 2nd best defense against Fantasy Wide Receivers. Higgins has been struggling with drops to start the season with only a 50% catch to target rate, which shouldn't prevent Burrow from throwing to him but might cause him to look Chase's way even more.
Tight Ends
Start 'Em
Dalton Shultz vs IND
Shultz had a career day in Week 3, breaking out for a phenomenal 12 catch, 140 yard day against the Bengals. Schultz was targeted 14 times in the absence of WR Nico Collins, so with Collins trending towards sitting out this week it is likely a similar target share could happen again.
Schultz’s matchup will also only benefit him, as the Colts allow among the most fantasy points a game to TEs, including a 9-catch, 101-yard perforce to an aging Travis Kelce. I like this matchup a lot for Schultz, with Collins’ potential absence locking him in as a must-start.
Tucker Kraft vs ATL
Due to the difficulties the Packers’ offensive line has had this season, Tucker Kraft has been asked to do more of the blocking duties than the route running duties. However, Atlanta is one of the worst defense in football all-around, which should open up a much bigger window of opportunity for Kraft to get going fantasy wise.
Kraft has been given a tough hand so far this season, but TNF should be the first where he can break onto the scene in 2026. I expect him to perform in prime time and even score a TD against a horrific Falcons team.
Sit 'Em
Brock Bowers at NO
Bowers is still dealing with his knee injury and has only been a limited participant through Wednesday this week. Bowers is still very much up in the air for this weekend in New Orleans and with his meniscus injury effecting him for a little under a month now, chances are he won't be used at full capacity if he even makes the Saints game this weekend.
Sam LaPorta vs NYJ
The Lions have started the year hot through the air and LaPorta even came down with his first TD of the season last week but... I don't know man this Jets' defense is pretty good. Tucker Kraft was held to just 15 yards on 2 catches last week and while the Lions are a much better offense than the Packers, I think Goff's connection to Amon-Ra will show out much more than LaPorta who should only get around 3 or 4 catches for 40 yards.
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Make sure to stay tuned as we continue coverage of the 2026 Fantasy Football season.
-Z.D.
-Matt Hylen
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