By SCOTT FELTS
Welcome back to I-81 Sports’ weekly fantasy football article that tells you who to bench (sit), who to play (start), and who to pick up off waivers (snipe) heading into your weekly fantasy matchup.
Let’s jump right into the Week 3 recommendations and hope we have a better week than quarterbacks did with injuries this week.
Scheduling
No teams are on bye in Week 3. The slate opens Thursday with Falcons at Packers and wraps Monday with Eagles at Bears.
It was a rough week for injuries, especially at the QB position. Successful managers are ones that know the injuries, know who the backups are, and realize how the loss of a QB can hurt production of other position players.
Sit
QB: C.J. Stroud, Houston
Stroud and the Texans have shown inconsistency through two weeks, and a road game at Indianapolis does not offer a soft landing. Volume may still exist, but efficiency and supporting pieces have lagged. If you have a higher floor or matchup advantaged streamer, lean that way this week.
RB: Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton has seen opportunity in a shared backfield, but the Chargers face a tough Bills defense that has limited opposing runners. The committee look and limited receiving work lower his floor for RB2/flex duty. Higher volume or better matched options are preferable; keep him rostered for now but sit him if you have safer alternatives.
WR: Drake London, Atlanta
The Falcons looked out of sync in Week 2 and now draw a short-week Thursday night game at Green Bay. Even if quarterback play stabilizes, the Packers’ defense and potential for limited efficiency make London a sit candidate if you have stronger flex or WR2 options available. Do not drop him, just manage the tough spot carefully.
TE: Mark Andrews, Baltimore
Andrews has dealt with inconsistent target share early and now draws a road matchup at Dallas. Even with solid route work in spots, the Cowboys’ defense and potential for the Ravens to lean elsewhere, lower his floor this week. Look for a higher upside or better matched streamer at the thin position.
Start
QB: Jordan Love, Green Bay
Love gets a favorable home matchup against an Atlanta defense that has allowed solid passing production early. With weapons around him and a high scoring Thursday night environment expected, Love offers a reliable QB2 floor with upside. Plug him in with confidence if you had Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, or Jaxson Dart.
RB: Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City
Walker draws an inviting matchup at Miami, where the Dolphins have been vulnerable against the run. He is positioned for meaningful early down looks and overall volume in a Chiefs offense that should control the game. Clear mid-to-high-end RB2/flex production is on the table, start him without hesitation.
WR: Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets
Mitchell led the Jets in targets and receptions in Week 2 and now faces a Lions secondary that has struggled against wide receivers. In what should be a competitive game, the target share and opportunity make him a strong flex or WR3 play with weekly upside. Fire him up.
TE: Tucker Kraft, Green Bay
Kraft continues to see steady involvement in the Packers’ offense and draws a favorable home matchup against Atlanta on Thursday night. Reliable target share plus a high scoring environment make him a viable mid-tier start/streaming option with a solid floor for managers needing production at tight end.
Snipe
QB: Bryce Young, Carolina (Rostered around 30-35%)
Young has looked sharp through two weeks with strong efficiency and multiple touchdown performances. Carolina heads to Cleveland in what should be a competitive game, and the volume and downfield opportunity remain attractive for a streamer/plug-and-play QB2. Grab him before roster percentages climb. I’m going to, in leagues where I had Williams, Daniels or Dart.
RB: Jonah Coleman, Denver (Rostered around 25-30%)
Injuries in the Broncos backfield opened a meaningful role for the rookie, who showed efficiency and scoring upside in Week 2. Denver hosts the Rams and could lean on the run if the game script allows. Coleman carries clear RB2/handcuff value with weekly flex upside. He’s a priority add in most formats.
WR: Denzel Boston, Cleveland (Rostered around 30%)
The rookie has produced efficiently with solid target shares and scoring in both weeks. Cleveland hosts Carolina in a matchup that should keep the offense active. Target opportunity and red-zone work are real, making him a solid waiver priority with flex potential this week and beyond. He shouldn’t be a free agent.
TE: Oronde Gadsden II, Los Angeles Chargers (Rostered around 6%)
The Chargers placed both David Njoku (fibula) and Charlie Kolar (forearm) on injured reserve, leaving Gadsden as the only healthy tight end on the active roster. He already scored in Week 2 and should see a clear elevated role in the passing game (especially with Ladd McConkey dealing with a rib issue). This is a low-cost priority add with weekly streaming/flex upside while the volume is there, grab him before the rest of your league notices.