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Writer's pictureNoah Drouin

Fantasy Football Starts/Sits - NFL Week 3 2024 (All Positions)

Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Season is here, and just like the leaves in the Northeast, 4QWI is dropping some colorful fantasy football advice to get your team in the W column. Before we get started, be sure to stay on the lookout for our third week of NFL Pickems, where we go down a three-game slate and predict the outcomes each week, with our Week 3 installment dropping tomorrow (Sunday before games start). Let's not waste any more time.


Like last year, we will go ahead and leave out the effective matchup-proof picks such as Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes. Let's jump in.


Quarterbacks: @spechty49


Start: Joe Burrow vs. Washington Commanders (MNF, 9/23 @ 8:15 PM EST)

I think Joe is coming into this game with a little more fire and confidence. After a close game against the chiefs last week he is greeted with a much more pass friendly Commanders defense. They gave up 172 and 2 TDs to Daniel Jones and got thrashed by Baker Mayfield for 289 and 4 touchdowns. Tee Higgins is expected to be back which should take some pressure off Chase and provide some extra assistance to this pass game.


Start: Brock Purdy @ Los Angeles Rams (Sunday, 9/22 @ 4:25 PM EST)

A slow start to the season may have Purdy owners a little concerned. He’s found himself in the middle of the pack position ranking wise early this season. Regardless of the Deebo and Kittle injuries he is worth the look against a shameful Rams Defense. Rams rank bottom of the bin 32nd in Total Yards per game and 24th in passing yards.

Start: Jared Goff @ Arizona Cardinals (Sunday, 9/22 @ 4:25 PM EST)

It’s a mixed bag if you look at what the internet says about Jared Goff this week. I’m leaning start. The Over/Under on this game is super high. The Cardinals defense is improved from last years they are stingy on rushing yards per game. So look for Goff's number to be called often as the Cardinals are a much more favorable 20th in passing yards per game. High flying Cardinals offense against a league leading pass attempts QB in Goff (83) sets up an absolute shootout in the desert.


Sit: Trevor Lawrence @ Buffalo Bills (Monday, 9/23 @ 7:30 PM EST)

Sad. I’m a big Lawrence guy. But he’s bottom half of the league in almost every stat. He’s at least not turning the ball over. But with these weapons I expected more. So regardless of the matchup he needs to prove himself again. He’s away in NY against a decent but not daunting Bills defense. I just need to see more first.


Sit: Sam Darnold vs. Houston Texans (Sunday, 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Sam is my CBPOY and honestly he’s slinging it lowkey. But the matchup is a tough one against a revamped Texans D. They rank 5th in total yards, 11th in passing yards, and 7th in rushing. All much higher than last week’s opponent the 49ers.

Running Backs: @Endydoe


Start: Brian Robinson Jr. @ Cincinnati Bengals (MNF, 9/23 @ 8:15 PM EST)

Somewhat of a breakout season is forming for Robinson Jr, who is entering his third season in the NFL. He's currently averaging 6.0 yards per carry, which is currently 3rd in the league for Running Backs who have logged at least 20 carries this season, behind Antonio Gibson and J.K. Dobbins. In a prime time matchup against the Bengals defense who are middle of the pack in terms of fantasy points allowed to RBs, including allowing the 8th most yards on the ground to RBs I don't see why Robinson doesn't provide another solid RB2-esque outing this week.

Start: Tony Pollard vs. Green Bay Packers (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST) Tony boy has had a very intriguing career trajectory: from stud backup for Zeke Elliott, to being rather underwhelming in his one season as the RB1 for Dallas, Pollard is now situated with the Titans and is off to a solid start, with 144 yards and a tuddy over his first two games this season. This week, he faces the Packers who have allowed the 12th most rushing yards to RBs this season, and have overall allowed the 7th most fantasy points to opposing RBs. In a home matchup, against a Packers team that heavily relied on their own run game to keep up with Malik Willis starting last week, I expect a slow and plodding outing here. With that in mind, I can see a reality where Pollard is called on 18-20 times on decent efficiency. It doesn't hurt that he's already been targeted 10 times this season as well, helping to raise his floor. Pollard's a safe PPR RB2 this week.


Sit: Carson Steele @ Atlanta Falcons (SNF, 9/22 @ 8:20 PM EST)

Don't take the bait! Listen, there's a chance I get tremendous egg on my face here, but I don't think those who claimed Steele should be immediately throwing the undrafted rookie into their lineups and hoping for a victory. His sample size is extremely low, but in what we HAVE seen from Steele, he's averaging 3.0 yards per carry on only 9 attempts. The Chiefs go up against the Falcons on the road in a spicy Sunday Night Football matchup, and for their part, the Atlanta D/ST is currently allowing the 5th least fantasy points to running backs this season. If I had an additional guess, I'd say this matchup will be won through the air, not on the ground. Could Steele break out immediately? Sure. Is the Kansas City backfield a gigantic question mark with Samaje Perine right behind Steele and Kareem Hunt likely entering the mix next week? Also yes. Start at your own risk and don't say I didn't warn ya.

Sit: Rachaad White vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

One particular player I stayed far away from in all of my drafts was Rachaad White, and thus far I am reminded of why. After being a top 30-ish pick in PPR leagues this season, we are seeing that White's value does not at all come from on the ground, as he is the definition of inefficient, averaging 3.6 yard per carry in his career, and to date only 2.0 yards per carry on 25 attempts this season. PPR value is certainly where White shines in fantasy and to date he's only been targeted 7 times. Sure, he's averaging 11.4 yards per catch currently, but that includes only one catch last week. He faces an easier Broncos defense, but I just don't see the risk-reward paying off currently. Not only that, but he's dealing with a minor groin injury and just returned to practice yesterday (Friday). This week, to me, White is a PPR flex at best and not startable in non-PPR this week.


Wide Receivers: @BreTT_Shevlin


Start: Rashid Shaheed vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Philadelphia’s secondary has been known to be exposed quite frequently the past few seasons and Shaheed has been tearing it up recently. It’s hard not to just ride the hot hand and start him with confidence now. Carr and him have developed quite a connection and with how new and diverse this Saints offense is now with a new offensive coordinator it’s going to take a little while for the rest of the league to catch up.


Start: Amari Cooper vs. New York Giants (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

The Giants defense just isn’t very good straight up and Amari Cooper has to get going eventually. I think he breaks pay dirt in this game and with Njoku still being out, Watson will try and force feed his guy. The Browns offense has proven to be pretty embarrassing so far, but if there’s ever a week for them to turn it around it’d be this one.


Sit: Jaylen Waddle @ Seattle Seahawks (Sunday 9/22 @ 4:05 PM EST)

Skylar Thompson throwing the ball should lead to a run heavy scheme for Miami in this game. The Patriots had success running the ball against Seattle last week so with a not so favorable game script and a backup QB I would fade Waddle in Week 3.


Sit: Michael Pittman Jr vs Chicago Bears (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Noah’s guy Michael Pittman has been just awful this season. He’s a start in week 9 vs his rival “I Still Hate Michael Pittman” but he’s a sit this week. Assuming he matches up with Jaylon Johnson, I don’t know who watched ‘Receiver’ on Netflix, but that dudes a straight Dawg. I’m staying away.

Tight Ends: @BreTT_Shevlin


Start: Jonnu Smith @ Settle Seahawks (Sunday 9/22 @ 4:05 PM EST)

Hunter Henry exploded for over 100 receiving yards vs Seattle so this a good matchup here for Jonnu. The Dolphins will be starting Skylar Thompson at QB so they may go with a more conservative approach in this game. Jonnu Smith is good in that short/intermediate part of the field so he could be worth a look if your looking for a spot start this week.


Start: Brenton Strange @ Buffalo Bills (Monday, 9/23 @ 7:30 PM EST)

This is kind of a pull, but yeah Trevor Lawrence loves to target his tight end as Evan Engram led the position with 114 receptions last year. Buffalo’s defense is still a work in progress and I don’t think it’d be strange to give this guy a look. The Bills offense has been tough to stop this year too so if Trevor Lawrence is in more obvious passing downs that bodes well for Jacksonville’s receivers.


Sit: Dalton Kincaid vs Jacksonville Jaguars (Monday, 9/23 @ 7:30 PM EST)

Kincaid has been pretty quiet so far through two weeks, but I don’t see things turning around for him in this one. While I still believe he’s Josh Allen’s number one target right now, the Bills are winning by running the ball and not forcing Allen into making mistakes. Josh Allen’s pass attempts are way down compared to past seasons and if the Bills take a lead early it’s possible Kincaid doesn’t see enough snaps to be a huge contributor.

Sit: Dalton Schultz @ Minnesota Vikings (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Dalton Schultz seems to be splitting time this season with rookie draft pick Cade Stover from Ohio State and with a lot of alluring targets already in Diggs, Dell and Collins, the ball just isn’t finding Schultz. I would leave him on my bench until more opportunities come his way. He’s coming into the week without an injury designation, but has been battling an ankle injury in practice which is worth noting as well.

D/STs: @jvr1210


Start: Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

I’m picking on the rookie QBs off to a rough start this week. The Buccaneers defense is off to a bit of a rough start fantasy wise this year, allowing the 4th most passing yards in match-ups against the Lions and Commanders. One bright spot however is that they have allowed less than 20 points in each game and they managed to pick Jared Goff off twice last week.


This week is a match-up made in heaven for the Buccaneers. The Buccaneers will line up against the Broncos and their rookie QB Bo Nix. Thus far on the year Bo Nix and the Broncos offense have cooked up one whole touchdown with four interceptions. This should be a good bounce-back game for the Buccaneers who might be able to feast on a rookie with fleeting confidence.


Start: Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Again, we are picking on the rookie QBs, this time we’re looking at you Caleb Williams. Now listen it hasn’t all been Caleb’s fault, the dude was pressured close to 80% of the time he drop backed to pass against the Texans in Week 2. The Colts did not record any sacks in Week 2, but they did manage to rack up 4 sacks against the Texans in Week 1. I expect the Colts defense to continue the trend of Caleb Williams being pressured, which surely will make things messy for the Bears defense. Add in Keenan Allen potentially being out and it may be another nightmare match-up for Caleb Williams, which means great things for owners of the Colts D/ST.

Sit: Houston Texans D/ST @ Minnesota Vikings (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

This is not something I thought I would even be saying at the start of the NFL season, but the Texans may have a tough match-up in Week 3 against the Vikings. The Vikings are coming off of a masterful performance in a Week 2 win against the 49ers (one of the best D/ST in the league) in which Sam Darnold threw for 268 yards and 2 TDs and the Vikings added close to 150 yards on the ground. This is by no means an easy match-up for the Texans, and it might just be something in the air but I would avoid starting the Houston Texans D/ST this week.


Sit: Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

So it’s been a very very disappointing start for the Eagles. Two losses out the gate, and their defense is currently sitting at rank 30 in fantasy football. In Week 3 the Eagles will match up against the Saints who just so happen to be the best offense in the league. Derek Carr has looked like a prime Drew Brees, carving apart the Panthers and Cowboys defenses. Alvin Kamara has looked like himself in his prime glory days, rushing for nearly 200 yards and tacking on 4 TDs across the first two games of the year. I’ll be the first to admit it, I’m a bit scared of this Saints offense. I doubt you were thinking of it, but if you were thinking of the Eagles defense, I would stay far far away from them in Week 3.


Kickers: @jvr1210


Start: Chris Boswell (Pittsburgh Steelers) vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Things have been great so far for Chris Boswell. He has converted on all 8 of his NFL-leading field goal attempts. With Justin Fields being at the helm, leading the Steelers to a rough red zone offense capable of producing many field goal attempts and an interesting match-up against the Chargers, Boswell should find himself with another 2 to 4 field goal attempts in Week 3.


Start: Daniel Carlson (Las Vegas Raiders) vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday 9/22 @ 4:05 PM EST)

Another kicker who thrived in Week 2. Daniel Carlson was one of the key components in the Raiders shocking Week 2 upset of the Ravens, converting on all 4 of his field goal attempts, 2 of which were from 50+ yards. In week 3 the Raiders have an extremely favorable match-up against the Panthers who surrendered 4 field goals and 5 PATs in Week 1, and 2 field goals and 2 PATs in Week 2. With a less-than-great Raiders offense playing against a rather terrible defense Carlson should see plenty of opportunities to rack up the points in Week 3.


Sit: Cameron Dicker (Los Angeles Chargers) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday 9/22 @ 1:00 PM EST)

Nothing personal against Dicker here who is 5/5 on his field goal attempts thus far, but I’m just not a big believer in the Chargers offense who will line up against the Steelers, who have one of the better defenses in the league. I expect things to be slow-going and rough for the Chargers offense, and for that reason I’d avoid starting Dicker this week.


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