Fantasy: Start, Sit, Stash, Quit - Week 3
SSSQ is a weekly look at the under-the-radar fantasy players you should consider starting, and the potential busts you should leave on your bench. We also identify breakout candidates to stash on your roster and players you can safely cut. For the rest of your lineup decisions, consult our Week 3 rankings.
Start
Jay Cutler, QB, Dolphins
at Jets
Cutler's return from retirement went smoothly, with the Dolphins surviving by a missed field goal to win their delayed season opener. Cutler completed 72.7 percent of his passes for 230 yards and a touchdown with no characteristic turnovers. He'll now face a Jets team with a league-worst 66 points allowed and just one takeaway.
Fearless prediction: 297 yards passing, 2 TDs
Other QBs to start
- DeShone Kizer at Colts
- Andy Dalton at Packers
Javorius Allen, RB, Ravens
at Jaguars (London)
Allen showed fantasy owners what they can expect for the weeks to come in his first game as Danny Woodhead's replacement. He's still available on a good percentage of waiver wires while his role only continues to increase with a mounting Ravens injury report. Titans running back Derrick Henry racked up 92 yards on 14 carries against the Jaguars last week.
Fearless prediction: 71 yards rushing, 84 yards receiving, 2 TDs
Other RBs to start
- Isaiah Crowell at Colts
- Christian McCaffrey vs. Saints
- Joe Mixon at Packers
Devin Funchess, WR, Panthers
vs. Saints
Funchess received just two targets in the season opener and caught both for a meager 20 yards. His role expanded following the early injury to tight end Greg Olsen in Week 2, allowing him to haul in four of six targeted passes and rack up 68 yards. The Panthers take on the league's worst pass defense, clearing the way for a monstrous performance from Funchess.
Fearless prediction: 124 yards receiving, TD
Other WRs to start
- DeSean Jackson at Vikings
- Terrelle Pryor vs. Raiders
- Allen Hurns vs. Ravens
Charles Clay, TE, Bills
vs. Broncos
Clay took a step back in Week 2, following a 53-yard, one-touchdown performance in the season opener. He did catch three of three targets against the Panthers but wasn't used enough to return great fantasy value. The Broncos are allowing 57 yards per game to tight ends through two weeks, as their shutdown cornerbacks funnel the ball to the middle of the field.
Fearless prediction: 81 yards receiving, TD
Other TEs to start
- Benjamin Watson at Jaguar
- Austin Hooper at Lions
- Martellus Bennett vs. Bengals
Sit
Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans
vs. Seahawks
Mariota has been wholly unimpressive in the Titans' 1-1 start to the season, completing just 58.8 percent of his 471 pass attempts. The offense is being carried by the rushing attack, with Mariota having just one touchdown and one interception. The Seahawks secondary isn't the spot for him to boost his production.
Other QBs to sit
- Jameis Winston at Vikings
- Eli Manning at Eagles
Frank Gore, RB, Colts
vs. Browns
Gore managed to find the end zone last week, but he gained just 3.3 yards per carry on 14 attempts. Opposing defenses have no reason to fear the Jacoby Brissett passing attack, forcing Gore to face eight-plus defenders in the box for 33.3 percent of his carries, according to NFL.com's Next Gen Stats. The Browns have held two opponents to just 3.5 yards per attempt.
Other RBs to sit
- Lamar Miller at Patriots
- Mark Ingram at Panthers
- C.J. Anderson at Bills
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Ravens
at Jaguars
Maclin, one of few healthy difference makers in the Ravens' offense, will struggle against the Jaguars elite cornerback duo of A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. The Jaguars are holding opposing No. 1 wide receivers to just 44.5 yards per game, with an eighth-ranked DVOA, according to Football Outsiders. Maclin will undoubtedly receive high target volume, but there's no guarantee he'll be able to turn it into viable fantasy production.
Other WRs to sit
- Emmanuel Sanders at Bills
- Brandon Marshall at Eagles
- Larry Fitzgerald vs. Cowboys
Coby Fleener, TE, Saints
at Panthers
The Panthers have allowed just eight receptions and a total of 50 yards to opposing tight ends. Fleener has scored in consecutive games to start the season, but he's received a total of just 10 targets and his 10.9 yards per reception is actually below his career average. Even with Drew Brees throwing this ball, he can't continue this red-zone efficiency.
Other TEs to sit
- Jason Witten at Cardinals
- Antonio Gates vs. Chiefs
Stash
Rashard Higgins, WR, Browns
Higgins had a breakout game in Week 2, catching seven of 11 targets with Corey Coleman hurt and Kenny Britt appearing disinterested. Higgins racked up 95 yards in his first game of the season, surpassing last year's total. It's important to remember he's fresh off a practice squad, so fantasy managers may want to see some more work, but he has a plush matchup vs. the Colts and a potential No. 1 role for those in search of an upside play for Week 3.
Orleans Darkwa, RB, Giants
The Giants have said significant changes are likely for Week 3. A top positional candidate is turning away from running back Paul Perkins and his 1.9 yards per carry. Darkwa is averaging 5.2 yards per attempt this season, but he's averaged just 3.9 per carry for his career. He's not likely a long-term option, but he fully deserves at least a temporary opportunity in the Giants' punch-less offense.
Quit
Eddie Lacy, RB, Seahawks
Lacy has been dropped en masse following his healthy scratch in Week 2, but there's no reason for the few to be holding out hope. He's quite likely still a better play than the Seahawks are perceiving him, but Chris Carson is clearly the future of the running game in Seattle. That offensive line certainly doesn't allow for multiple fantasy options from the backfield.
Bilal Powell, RB, Jets
Powell has just five receptions on eight targets, while actually gaining more yards on the ground than in the air. The Jets will likely continue to trail by large amounts in every game, eliminating rushing opportunities for both Powell and Matt Forte. Any potential quality game is likely to come as a total surprise while he wastes a spot on the bench.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)