One of the hardest jobs in sports is managing your fantasy football team. OK, maybe that's a bit hyperbolic, but it can be pretty challenigng trying to decide which players could have a big week and which ones you should move to the bench. At this point in the year, injuries are going to factor in a lot of decisions. And with several quarterbacks out, your options are limited entering Week 3 in the NFL.
The waiver wire is busy this time of the year to help you fill out depth. As you look to add some missing pieces to your roster, here’s who you should keep in mind as you’re putting your lineup together. Here are four players you should absolutely start in your Week 3 lineup and three you should sit.
Fantasy football roster locks for Week 3 in the NFL season
Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones is out, meaning Jordan Mason is the new feature back in Minnesota for the time being. The Cincinnati Bengals don’t have a great run defense, so there’s a chance he could have a big game in Week 3. Minnesota is probably going to lean on Mason a lot too with J.J. McCarthy out. They probably aren’t interested in putting too much pressure on Carson Wentz in his Vikings debut.
In the first two weeks, he’s been both a weapon as a rusher and a pass catcher out of the backfield. I’m sure Kevin O’Connell is going to draw up some check-down plays for Wentz, if nothing else than to keep the offense simple.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
Are you an Indiana Jones believer? Well, if you have Michael Pittman Jr. on your fantasy team, you should be all in on Daniel Jones as he’s looking otherworldly in his first season with the Indianapolis Colts. And now Indy has one of the worst defenses in the NFL in Tennessee this week.
While Pittman didn’t look great in Week 2, it was also against one of the best defenses in the sport with arguably the best cornerback in the NFL, Pat Surtain II, defending him. On Sunday he should look more like he did Week 1, when he got 20 fantasy points against the Miami Dolphins. Don’t let last week fool you, he’s due for another big game.
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Every year, fantasy football owners have been playing the game of “is this the year Kyle Pitts takes off”? Well, after four years of waiting, year five looks as promising as ever — and with the Falcons slated to play Carolina this weekend, the tight end should continue his strong start to the 2025 season. He has 96 receiving yards through two games, and while he doesn’t have a receiving touchdown, that should change on Sunday.
According to ESPN, the Panthers have given up a league-high 188 yards to tight ends through the first two games of 2025. That should tell you Pitts has a smash spot in front of him. If he doesn’t come through, it might be worth admitting that maybe he’s always going to have that “what if” about his fantasy football career.
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
I said last week that you should sit Malik Nabers, thinking that, between the New York Giants' offensive line and the Dallas Cowboys' strong showing on defense in Week 1, the Giants wouldn’t have a lot of success. I won’t make that same mistake this week: Start Rome Odunze, because if there’s one team Ben Johnson has been able to get one over on as an offensvie play-caller, it’s the Cowboys.
The Bears offense hasn’t looked great to start the Johnson era, but that can certainly change — and this could be the game where things finally get on track. Expect this one to be a shootout and for Odunze to build on his 128 yards and two touchdown catches in Week 2.
These players should head to the bench for Week 3 of the NFL season
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins has just six catches all year, and if it wasn’t for a big splash TD against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week to inflate his stats, he would be in the bottom tier of fantasy receivers to start the season. With Jake Browning under center and Minnesota’s pass rush looking as fierce as usual, I wouldn’t take the chance of starting Higgins this week.
He’s played somewhat well with Browning in the past, but this isn’t the game to hope it will continue. He’s not the primary receiver like you may have thought coming into the season, and if you have another receiver that could have a big game, I’d take him over Higgins this week.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Don’t take the bait: Bo Nix’s struggles this year won’t disappear against the Los Angeles Chargers. It’s the Broncos’ first division game of the season, and I have a feeling that he’ll continue to drop off from his strong rookie season. That’s not to say he won’t recover; but right now, if you have another quarterback option, it’s worth playing them instead.
Nix has four passing touchdowns, three interceptions and less than 400 passing yards through two games. Had it not been for his defense, the Broncos might still be winless. Nix has a lot of improving to do to get back to the top of the fantasy list and I don’t see that changing in Week 3.
Russell Wilson, New York Giants
I wouldn’t look at last week as the reason to start Russell Wilson in Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs. This week feels like the game the Chiefs are going to use as motivation to put the first two weeks behind them. Wilson had a miracle performance against the Cowboys and they still lost. Steve Spagnuolo is going to expose just how bad the Giants offensive line is and he’s going to struggle.
The Giants made big strides in Week 2 against the Cowboys, but let’s be honest, that Dallas defense is probably more overrated than anything. I was wrong about the Giants before and I’m sure I’ll be wrong again; but I won’t be wrong this week.