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NFL Start 'em/Sit 'em Week 3: Let Nico Collins loose

Nick Holz Last Updated: Sep 25, 2023 8:11 AM ET

Maybe you're riding high off back-to-back wins, savoring the sweet taste of victory. Or perhaps you've stumbled out of the gate, reeling from early season drama, offensive coordinators failure to use your early-round fantasy draft picks, or injuries. Either way, the NFL season is still young, and every fantasy football decision you make from here could be a game-changer.

As we head into Week 3, your starting lineup choices can make or break your week. Get it right, and you're a step closer to the players, get it wrong, and well, let's not dwell on that.

Here’s our Week 3 NFL Start Em’/Sit ‘Em advice.

Start 'Em

  • QB: Dak Prescott
  • RB:  Kenneth Walker
  • WR: Zay Flowers
  • WR: Nico Collins
  • TE: Evan Engram

Sit 'Em

  • QB: Ryan Tannehill
  • RB: Miles Sanders
  • RB: Zack Moss
  • WR: DeAndre Hopkins
  • TE: Dalton Schultz

START

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks:

After an explosive rookie season, the hype around Kenneth Walker cooled when the Seahawks selected UCLA back Zach Charbonnet in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. However, Charbonnet's pre-season injury has allowed Walker to maintain his stranglehold on the Seattle backfield.

Walker's found his way into the endzone twice so far this campaign, and is a good bet to score a third time today. The Carolina Panthers are a dream matchup for running backs, as they've surrendered 27 fantasy points per game to backs this season. Additionally, a positive gamescript could allow the Michigan State standoff to go off.  Walker needs to be in your fantasy lineup for Week 3. 

START

Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens:

While Mark Andrews returned to the field last week, Ravens receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has been ruled out of Sunday's contest against the Colts. With Rashod Bateman still working his way back from the Lisfranc injury he suffered last season, Flowers could be in for a hectic afternoon.

The electrifying Boston College product has reeled in an impressive 13-of-15 targets for 140 yards through two weeks in the NFL. Flowers should have no problem shaking loose against a Colts secondary allowing opposing passers to complete over 68% of passes so far. Zay Flowers is a must start in Week 3.

SIT

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans:

Tannehill looked horrific in Week 1, before regaining some semblance of respectability against the Chargers last Sunday. Now, the Titans travel to take on a sizzling hot Browns defense.

Myles Garrett and co. are off to a fast start, and look like one of the best units in the league this season. With the addition of Za'Darious Smith as a book-end, Cleveland can really get after opposing quarterbacks. The Browns have allowed the 2nd-lowest yards per attempt, and third lowest passer rating to quarterbacks through Week 2. Leave Tannehill sitting squarely on your fantasy bench for Week 3.

START

Nico Collins, Houston Texans:

Incredibly, third-year Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins ranks in the top-ten in targets (20), receiving yards (226), receptions (13), air yards (270), yards after catch (10), and yards per route run (3.01) in the NFL. That's a recipe for fantasy football success. 

Moreover, Collins and the Texans take on a Jacksonville Jaguars secondary that have allowed a 72% catch rate to outside wide receivers, while surrendering over 12 yards per catch. Collins needs to be in your fantasy football lineups on Sunday and is a bargain in DFS lineups.

SIT

Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers:

Through two games, Miles Sanders has created just 2.05 yards per touch, and ranks 104th in expected-points-added. He's scored just 9.8 fantasy points per game, while having a ton of opportunity. Sanders ranks 8th with 32 carries, and 3rd with 11 targets so far.

This week, the Penn State alum faces a Seattle Seahawks defense that has been surprisingly unforgiving to opposing running backs. In fact, Seattle have held running backs to just 2.7 yards per carry, and 0.37 yards before contact per rush. Keep Sanders glued to your bench this week. Betting the unders on Sanders props makes a lot of sense this weekend.

SIT

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans:

Schultz is a forgotten man in the Houston Texans offense. Despite high route participation numbers, Schultz has yet to see anywhere near the same volume of targets he enjoyed for years in Dallas. While CJ Stroud has been airing it out to devastating affect, Schultz has yet to capitalize.

With just a 12.8% target share through two weeks, Schultz has taken a back seat to the likes of Nico Collins and Tank Dell. With a supreme lack of depth at the tight end position, Schultz will be a tough sit. But, the production just hasn't been there so far this season. He can be left on the bench in Week 3.

START

Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars:

Look away New York Giants fans. Former G-Man Evan Engram has looked explosive in 2023. He's 6th in yards per route run by tight ends through two weeks. Additionally, Engram's 17.6% target share and 20.7% first-read share indicate that big weeks are on the horizon.

Engrams' about to pop off, and Week 3 against the exploitable Texans defense is a great spot. Start Evan Engram in all fantasy formats.

SIT

DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans:

Keeping with the them of benching Titans this week, DeAndre Hopkins needs to be glued to the pine. While he has racked up 11 receptions for 105 yards thus far in 2023, Hopkins advanced stats tell a different tale.

The former Texans star ranks just 35th in yards per route run (1.94), and 68th in yards per target (5.8) in the NFL. That's hardly a recipe for fantasy success. Additionally, Hopkins faces a stingy Browns secondary this week. Led by stud corner Denzel Ward the Browns don't give anything away for free. In fact, Cleveland has allowed the third-least fantasy points to wide receivers at just 12.2 per game. Keep DeAndre Hopkins on your bench in Week 3. Additionally, Hopkins under 47.5 receiving yards prop has to be on your radar in this tough matchup.

START

QB Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys:

Oh, what a difference a week can make. After making an appearance in our Sit Em column last week, Dak Prescott is a must start fantasy quarterback in Week 3. Dak faces an Arizona Cardinals defense allowing the 23 fantasy points to quarterbacks per game. His advanced stats paint a pretty picture for this matchup.

Prescott has attempted the most passes in the red zone this year (18), while ranking 11th in adjusted yards per attempt, and 7th in expected points added. Mike McCarthy loves to air it out, and Dak could be in for a big afternoon in Arizona.

SIT

Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts:

Colts running back Zack Moss looked great in his season debut last week, rushing for 88 yards and a score on 18 totes. However, Moss surely benefited from the presence and rushing threat of Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson. Unfortunately, Richardson will miss Sunday's contest through injury and Gardner Minshew doesn't provide any semblance of the same menace.

Moreover, the Ravens notoriously stingy defense has allowed only 9.1 fantasy points per game to running backs. With Richardson on the sidelines, expect the Ravens to blitz Minshew early and often. With Baltimore swarming the football, Moss will be in for frustrating afternoon. Sit Zack Moss in all fantasy formats.

 

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