It's Week 3 of the NFL season, and this is when early fantasy trends around breakout players or underwhelming performers begin to crystalize.
This time of year is usually when the buy-low vs. sell-high conversations start. Savvy players will try to offload the disappointments and get plays they feel have a high future potential. All trades come with risk, however, and watching a high draft pick you cut bait on come to life for another team can be excruciating.
Throughout the season, I'll help you build the perfect lineup and become a league legend. Each week, I will recommend three starters at each position as well as two sleepers in matchups I really like. I will also spotlight one Falcons player in each section.
It's not all too difficult to tell someone to start Bijan Robinson or Josh Allen on any given week, and I assume everyone reading this right now would already know to do so. Therefore, I'll try to focus these recommendations on players who might be on the starting or flex bubble.
Running backs to start in Week 3
Jaylen Warren vs. New England Patriots
Warren gained 134 total yards against the Seahawks in Week 2, including 86 yards as a receiver. The Patriots have given up the fourth-most receiving yards to running backs this season.
Rhamondre Stevenson vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Are these first two recommendations from the same matchup? Yes. Are the Steelers giving up an average of 150 yards on the ground through two weeks? Also yes.
Jordan Mason vs. Cincinnati Bengals
With Aaron Jones sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Mason is set to take over as the bell cow against a defense giving up the second-most points at the position.
Sleeper start — Cam Skattebo vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The rookie took a big step forward in Week 2 and he is worth a flier, even against a Chiefs defense that has been solid against the run.
Sleeper start — Tyler Allgeier vs. Carolina Panthers
When the Falcons build leads, they turn to Allgeier to put the game away. They could have a lead early against Carolina, and he went for 105 yards with a score the last time they played at Bank of America Stadium.
Falcons spotlight — Bijan Robinson vs. Carolina Panthers
That being said… Robinson is off to the races to start the 2025 season.
Wide receivers to start in Week 3
Nico Collins @ Jacksonville Jaguars
It's been a slow start to the season for Collins, and there may be some of you out there who have already had enough of the Texans' offense are ready to bench him until further notice. Hold off for one more week, though, because they' got a juicy matchup against a Jaguars defense giving up the seventh-most points to wide receivers.
George Pickens @ Chicago Bears
This is a great matchup for Pickens, and there's a chance it turns into a shootout. After getting nine targets in Week 2, Pickens is establishing himself in Dallas' high-potential offense.
Calvin Ridley vs. Indianapolis Colts
It might come back to bite me, but I think Ridley has a breakout game in store for him. In his last game against Indy, Ridley went for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Sleeper start — Cedric Tillman vs. Green Bay
The Packers' defense is terrifying, but Joe Flacco is throwing the ball a ton and he'll likely be getting it out quickly in this one. Tillman is Cleveland's short-area option and will get a lot of looks.
Sleeper start — Troy Franklin @ Los Angeles Chargers
Franklin's snap share saw a big jump in Week 2, and he finished as the WR8 on the week as a result. Someone needs to step up opposite Courtland Sutton, and it might be Franklin.
Falcons spotlight — Drake London @ Carolina Panthers
In his last game of the 2024 season, London caught 10 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers. Although teams are taking away Atlanta's deep ball, London is in a good spot for this one.
Tight ends to start in Week 3
Jake Ferguson @ Chicago Bears
He's getting a lot of attention in Dallas' offense, which is better than the situation a lot of tight ends find themselves in. Ferguson is a great play in all formats but especially PPR leagues.
Harold Fannin Jr. vs. Green Bay Packers
It's making me a bit uncomfortable to recommend players against this Packers defense right now, but this is more a testament to Fannin's talent and upside in Cleveland's offense. There aren't a lot of good options out there, and he's at least a hot hand.
Hunter Henry vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Henry is coming off a quiet Week 2 performance, but Pittsburgh presents a better matchup and has already allowed a touchdown to the position this season.
Sleeper start — Jake Tonges vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have allowed more catches to tight ends than any other defense, and they have given up the fourth-most points to the position.
Sleeper start — Cade Otton vs. New York Jets
Otton has pretty much been non-existent in the fantasy realm so far this year, but the attention Evans and Egbuka attract could open up room against a beatable defense.
Falcons spotlight — Kyle Pitts @ Carolina Panthers
Pitts has been a pleasant fantasy story so far in 2025. Up next is a matchup against the Panthers, who he has had success against. He was on the field for 80% of snaps against the Vikings, and Michael Penix Jr. is getting him involved.
Quarterbacks to start in Week 3
Daniel Jones @ Tennessee Titans
If you were unaware, Jones is currently the QB2 and nipping at Lamar Jackson's heels for the top spot. If you have Jones on your team, you definitely already knew that and he's likely in the starting lineup. If he's not, please change that.
Drake Maye vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This is not the typically stout defense we are used to seeing from the Steelers, who have allowed the fifth-most points to opposing fantasy quarterbacks this year. Maye has been really promising, and he could have success on the ground in this one.
Jordan Love @ Cleveland Browns
Although his numbers don't jump off the page, Love has looked really sharp so far this season. He's a good bet to have a breakout game soon, and the Browns have given up five passing touchdowns this year.
Sleeper start — C.J. Stroud @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Stroud has seven career touchdowns against Jacksonville with no interceptions. Houston's offense has to get it going soon, so I'd expect them to scheme up some good looks.
Sleeper start — Jared Goff @ Baltimore Ravens
Goff is probably overqualified to be a sleeper, but I'm thinking the name value of the defense he's playing has scared a few people off. Baltimore has given up the fourth-most points to opposing QBs and Goff is coming off a heater.
Falcons spotlight — Michael Penix Jr. @ Carolina Panthers
It's been slow goings for Penix from a fantasy perspective, but a lot of that has to do with defenses playing with two deep safeties to prevent long completions. Atlanta's run game should draw a player into the box eventually, and when that happens Penix could easily have a breakout game.
