A few weeks into the NFL season, we now have a small sample size to assess snap shares, rapports and pecking orders among the league’s WR corps. With that in mind, let’s break down my five WR start/sit Week 3 fantasy football picks.
Check out my full Week 3 start/sit article with picks at each position here!
Start ‘Em: Wan’Dale Robinson (Giants) vs. Chiefs
Robinson’s ownership percentage is expected to more than double on Wednesday when most waivers clear, as the shifty slot receiver has reemerged as a fantasy-relevant option once again. No matter the QB, Wan’Dale finds a way.
Robinson saw 10 targets in Week 2’s dramatic loss to the Cowboys, turning them into eight receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown. That was good for a whopping 28.2 fantasy points, the fifth-best total of the slate at WR. While Malik Nabers remains Russell Wilson’s top target on the deep ball, Robinson is locked in as the Giants’ No. 2 weapon.
The 24-year-old’s heavy involvement should return strong production once again this Sunday night against the Chiefs, who are allowing the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers. Fire up Robinson as a strong WR2.
Sit ‘Em: DK Metcalf (Steelers) at Patriots
New team… same usage issues for DK Metcalf?
The star receiver appears to be struggling once again despite being a physical juggernaut, as multiple defensive players are locked in on him at all times. This was a problem in Seattle last year, as Metcalf served as a decoy most of the time while Jaxon Smith-Njigba reaped the benefits of 1-on-1 opportunities.
Metcalf has seen a 90% snap share or higher in both of Pittsburgh’s matchups to open the year, but he’s only drawn 13 targets and converted them into seven catches for 103 yards. If the big-bodied receiver didn’t catch a goal-line touchdown against Seattle, it would have been a truly atrocious fantasy day.
This week, Metcalf will face a similar conundrum. If Christian Gonzalez returns to action, one of the NFL’s best corners will shadow him. Even if Gonzalez remains out, Carlton Davis will get the assignment. Either way, Mike Vrabel is going to do everything in his power to contain Metcalf as part of the gameplan. DK will have opportunities to live up to his newly signed contract, but I don’t love his prospects this Sunday.
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Start ‘Em: Keenan Allen (Chargers) vs. Broncos
The Keenan Allen “washed” claims may have been exaggerated!
After a mediocre season (for his standards) in Chicago where he looked to have lost a step, Allen has picked up right where he left off with the Chargers. The masterful route technician has racked up 17 targets through two games, turning them into 12 receptions for 129 yards. Allen has also scored in each contest, which was a bit of an issue during his first stint with the Chargers.
Ladd McConkey will certainly earn a larger target share as the year goes on, but I’m not sure that will start this week against Denver. A matchup with reigning DPOY Pat Surtain II awaits the second-year receiver. This will leave Allen room to excel in 1-on-1 situations against lesser DBs. The 33-year-old should take advantage of that and put up WR2 numbers (or better) again.
Looking for more WR start/sit Week 3 picks? Stay tuned for my MNF fantasy start/sit article! New WR start/sit picks drop weekly!
Sit ‘Em: Stefon Diggs (Patriots) vs. Steelers
Diggs has actually received a decent target share to open the year, as Drake Maye has spread the wealth around New England’s receiving corps. The veteran star has earned 12 targets turning them into 10 catches for 89 yards. A lot of Diggs’ stuff has been in the short-to-intermediate range, allowing Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams to handle the deep routes.
While that can be beneficial for a PPR receiver, Diggs isn’t receiving quite the necessary volume to translate his short yardage gains into fantasy success. That likely won’t change this week against Pittsburgh, as a matchup with a confirmed not-washed Jalen Ramsey looms. There will be plenty of opportunities for Diggs to return to prior form, but this probably isn’t one of them.
Start ‘Em: Troy Franklin (Broncos) at Chargers
Teammates at Oregon, it appears Bo Nix and Franklin have rekindled their college rapport after an underwhelming rookie campaign for the latter. Franklin caught just 28 balls in his first NFL season, and he’s already racked up almost half that total through two games to open the year.
While Courtland Sutton remains the clear top dog in Denver’s offense, it’s actually been Franklin who has emerged as Nix’s favorite target through the first two weeks. The 22-year-old dominated against Indy, racking up eight receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown, good for 24 fantasy points. Franklin led all Denver receivers in snap percentage (85%), routes, targets, catches and yards.
That almost certainly won’t remain the case moving forward, as Sutton is bound to get more involved. That said, Franklin’s production cannot be ignored, as he’s ascended to WR3/Flex territory for Denver’s Week 3 clash with the Chargers.
Those are my WR start/sit Week 3 fantasy football picks! Stay tuned for more fantasy football start/sit advice throughout this week.
All views expressed are my own. I am an employee of DraftKings and am ineligible to play in public DFS or DKSB contests.
