You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Justin Jefferson. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings. Unless otherwise noted, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
Remember the concern over Harrison after Week 1? That was silly. Since then, he has gone for nearly 200 yards and three touchdowns, scoring 29 and 17.4 fantasy points in Weeks 2 and 3. He and fellow rookie classmate Malik Nabers have reached must-start status. Harrison should especially eat this week against the Commanders, who have been torched by receivers on a weekly basis. They have allowed the most yards and touchdowns to wideouts since the start of 2023 and the most touchdowns (10) this year.
I had this Seahawks tandem in the START 'EM section in Week 3, as well. Metcalf came through in a big way with another 100-yard performance and a touchdown, but it was a disappointing output for Smith-Njigba, who saw less volume than Tyler Lockett, despite leading Seahawks receivers in snaps and routes. I expect a repeat performance from Metcalf and a bounce-back outing from JSN this week. The Lions have allowed the most catches and yards to receivers this season, including the fourth-most yards to slot receivers, where Smith-Njigba has taken 76 percent of his snaps. Metcalf has reached must-start status, but give JSN another shot in what could be a high-scoring game on Monday night.
Never a doubt! Johnson had been my guy all summer long, but the first few weeks of the season had me worried. With Andy Dalton getting the start in Week 3, though, we got the Diontae I envisioned in the offseason. He went off for 26.2 fantasy points, finishing as the WR6 on the week. He could’ve had more points, too, as he was wide open in the end zone on a play where Dalton was hit when he threw the ball. Johnson finished with 14 targets, 142 air yards and four end zone targets against the Raiders. That is absolutely elite volume, and that was in a game where the Panthers held a two-score lead for much of the day. Against Cincinnati this week, Carolina likely will have to throw the ball a good amount in the Andy Dalton revenge game. Keep riding with Diontae.
Speaking of elite volume, do not overlook what Odunze did in Week 3. He finished with 11 targets (one in the end zone) and a whopping 235 air yards to end the week with 23.4 fantasy points and a WR7 finish. We knew the rookie had a lot of upside; he just needed opportunities. Odunze has a very high ceiling this week against the Rams, who have allowed the fourth-most yards to receivers and second-most touchdowns. L.A. also has yielded the most yards and touchdowns to receivers on deep passes, so some of those deep shots to Odunze just may hit this week. The upside is far too high not to start him.
The Khalil Shakir breakout campaign is well underway, as he has been the top target for Josh Allen in each of the last two games. In Week 3, Shakir led the Bills with six targets, six catches and 72 receiving yards, while also scoring a touchdown. He had a team-high five targets in Week 2. Shakir has proven to have a safe floor, but we are starting to see the upside, as well. Sunday night could provide a game where the Bills are challenged and might have to lean a bit more on the passing attack. Luckily, the Ravens have struggled against slot receivers, allowing two scores and a 104.5 passer rating this season. Get him in your lineup.
This one is a bit of a stretch, but if you need to stream a receiver, I like Douglas in this matchup. The 49ers have struggled against wideouts this season, allowing the fifth-most yards and touchdowns to the position. They have specifically struggled against slot receivers, allowing the most yards league-wide in 2024. Douglas led the Patriots in every receiving category in Week 3, with six catches for 68 yards coming from the slot. His biggest threat to take away targets is Hunter Henry, but Fred Warner and the Niners have completely shut down tight ends this season. In a game where the Pats could be in catch-up mode, we could see volume funneled to Douglas. He is worth taking a shot on in deeper formats.
Sit 'Em
I will start by saying Wilson is not a must-sit, but if you play in a 10-team league or are loaded at WR in a 12-teamer, you can steer clear. Wilson has not experienced the start to the year that we hoped for, as he has just 150 yards and one touchdown through three games. He has yet to finish as a top-25 receiver in any week this season, but his place here is largely because of the matchup against the Broncos, specifically Patrick Surtain II. DK Metcalf, George Pickens and Mike Evans were all held to under 30 receiving yards against the Broncos. Wilson has played some tough corners during this early-season slump, but Surtain is the best of the bunch.
Oof. The Dolphins offense without Tua Tagovailoa looks broken. And with Skylar Thompson’s status up in the air with a ribs injury, it may be Tim Boyle at QB this week. Or perhaps Tyler Huntley, fresh off his signing with the team. Whatever the case, it is far from ideal for Waddle. We have now seen four starts by Skylar Thompson since 2022, and Waddle has not had 50 yards or scored a touchdown in any of them. Low volume, lack of upside -- that's enough to get away from Waddle in what could be a low-scoring, run-heavy game this week.
Alec Pierce has led the Colts in receiving yards in all three games this season, while Pittman has yet to reach eight fantasy points in a single outing. He only has two deep targets all year with most of his targets coming in the short-to-intermediate area of the field. That type of usage relies on volume to live up to fantasy expectations, but accuracy has not been Anthony Richardson’s strong suit. Plus, NFL Pro gives the advantage to the Steelers' defense on short and intermediate passes, while the Colts hold an advantage on deep passes -- meaning this could be a Pierce week once again. Get away from Pittman in this tough matchup.
Sutton is coming off his best game of the year, catching seven of 11 targets for 68 yards against the Bucs. Prior to Week 3, he had been held to fewer than eight fantasy points per game, and there is a good chance his output returns to that in Week 4. Sutton has lined up out wide on 82 percent of his snaps this season, with 55 percent of those snaps coming on the left side. That is Sauce Gardner territory. And even when Sutton moves to the right side, he’ll have to deal with D.J. Reed. This is a hug test for rookie quarterback Bo Nix and the Broncos. I just don’t want my fantasy week tied to that.
Week 1 was fun right? Worthy showed out in his NFL debut with two touchdowns in the opener, but has scored just 9.2 fantasy points in his last two games combined. He has 11 total targets and has played 60 percent of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps through three weeks. Everything right now is running through Rashee Rice; Worthy hasn’t been able to earn consistent volume. Right now, he is a boom-or-bust option with little advance notice as to when the boom may come. In what could be a lower-scoring, run-heavy divisional game, I would not take the risk on Worthy.
