Fantasy Football Week 3 Wide Receiver Start/Sit: Diontae Johnson, Quentin Johnston, Jaylen Waddle

Ted breaks down six of the toughest wide receiver start/sit decisions for the third week of the fantasy football season!

Two weeks into the NFL season, it's time to start making some tough decisions. "Start your studs" is sound advice, but sometimes the players you drafted to be studs aren't the guys you hoped they were. In today's article, I'm going to make some recommendations that would have sounded insane just a few weeks ago, but that's the world we live in. The NFL moves fast, and fantasy football managers need to keep up. Let's get right into it.

For more help with your toughest Week 3 Start/Sit decisions, check out FantasySP’s NFL Start/Sit tool!

Fantasy Football Wide Receivers To Start Week 3

Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers

Here’s the thing. The Rams’ offense is falling apart, with injuries across the offensive line and, of course, to Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. But Matthew Stafford and Sean McVay are enough to keep this offense at least semi-productive. Stafford’s passing yards prop for this week is set at 215.5 yards — someone has to catch those passes.

Robinson, who led the Rams in routes in Week 2, is the obvious candidate. He should be able to take advantage of a 49ers defense that has allowed the fourth-most points to opposing receivers so far this season.  

Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers @ Las Vegas Raiders

I’ve always been a believer in Johnson, who consistently ranks near the top of the league in advanced measures of separation and route-running. Obviously, his performance so far this season has been subpar, but that should change with Andy Dalton under center.

In the one game Dalton started for the Panthers last year, he threw for 361 yards, and the Panthers scored 27 points. Bryce Young has averaged less than half of both of those numbers. Even at 36 years old, Dalton will be a huge improvement for this offense.

Meanwhile, Johnson has still been his usual target hog self in Carolina. He has a 21% target share (which is much higher if we exclude garbage time) and boasts a solid 24% target per route run rate. He should return to fantasy relevance with competent quarterback play.

Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers

Two weeks into the season, Quentin Johnston ranks third in the league in first-read target share, behind only Malik Nabers and Cooper Kupp. He easily leads the Chargers in routes run and has a 39% air yards share. After a two-TD performance in Week 2, he’s also the WR22 in good old-fashioned fantasy points.

It is true that this game environment isn’t hugely favorable. Both of these teams want to run the ball, and the Steelers’ defense is a tough matchup — they’ve allowed the eighth-fewest points to opposing WRs so far this season. But QJ, who, for all his struggles, was a first-round pick and is still just 23 years old, has a very favorable role right now. In deep leagues, being Justin Herbert’s top target is enough to make him a very valid starting option.

Fantasy Football Wide Receivers To Sit Week 3

Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars @ Buffalo Bills

Through two weeks, things are looking very promising for the the 23rd-overall pick. He’s been serving as the Jaguars’ third receiver, but not by much, and has seen four targets in each of his first two weeks. He’s also flashed big-play ability, which is a great sign for his fantasy future. 

However, this does not set up to be a big week for the rookie. So far, he has run 80% of his routes from out wide. And, through two weeks, the Bills have been absolutely shutting down outside receivers. They’ve allowed a grand total of 51 yards to players lined up outside despite facing names like Marvin Harrison Jr., Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle. Sit BTJ in this tough matchup. 

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins @ Seattle Seahawks

Speaking of Jaylen Waddle, I recommend sitting the Dolphins’ star in Week 3. The reason why should be obvious: With Tua Tagovailoa sidelined by another scary concussion, Miami will be starting Skylar Thompson under center in this one. 

In the three games Thompson played for the Dolphins in 2022, Waddle averaged just 3.7 catches for 27 yards. His receiving yards prop for this week is higher than that, at 44.5, but that’s still not exactly a great fantasy day. Waddle isn’t necessarily a must-bench, as he does have big-play ability and could see some schemed-up touches. But he’s also not the must-start he is in most weeks, and playing a name like Johnston over him isn’t as crazy as it sounds. 

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears

While I’m recommending benching Waddle and Thomas for this week, those are just temporary matchup and injury-based calls. Pittman, on the other hand, is someone who is approaching unstartable territory regardless of matchup. 

While Pittman has a very solid 15 targets through two weeks, he has just seven catches for 52 yards and zero touchdowns. Those seven receptions correspond with his seven catchable targets. That’s right, over half of Pittman’s targets so far have been uncatchable. For all his incredible abilities, Anthony Richardson is the league’s least accurate quarterback, and his skill set is a terrible fit with Pittman’s.

Things will also get worse this week for Pittman, as slot receiver Josh Downs is set to return from injury and will likely claim a share of the underneath work that is MPJ’s bread and butter. The Bears are also not a great matchup, having allowed the 12th-fewest points to opposing WRs so far this season. Put it all together, and Pittman is someone it’s best to avoid this week … and going forward. 

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