Starts
Caleb Williams, QB, Bears (at Raiders)
Fresh off a QB1 overall finish where he dismantled the Cowboys’ defense for 298 passing yards and four touchdowns, Caleb Williams looks to maintain his momentum in Las Vegas. He faces a Raiders defense that just surrendered a top-six fantasy performance to Marcus Mariota in Week 3. While repeating a four-touchdown performance is a high bar, this favorable matchup positions Williams for another top-10 fantasy result.
- Other QBs to Start:
- Jordan Love (at Cowboys): After a difficult outing against the Browns, Love has a prime bounce-back opportunity against Dallas. The Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, including 748 passing yards and seven touchdowns over the past two weeks alone.
- Bo Nix (vs. Bengals): Following an inconsistent start to his sophomore season, Nix faces a favorable matchup at home on Monday night, with the Broncos favored by 7.5 points.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Broncos (vs. Bengals)
As Denver’s undisputed lead back, Dobbins has been a model of consistency, ranking as the RB10 in fantasy points per game with weekly finishes of RB13, RB15, and RB12. He now has an ideal matchup against the Bengals, who have been the second-most generous defense to fantasy running backs this season, having allowed significant production to five different backs in just three games. Dobbins should be considered a borderline RB1 this week.
- Other RBs to Start:
- Jordan Mason (at Steelers): In his first game with the Vikings without Aaron Jones Sr., Mason delivered a top-five fantasy performance. With Minnesota leaning on its ground game, Mason is poised for another RB1-caliber outing.
- Omarion Hampton (at Giants): With Najee Harris out for the season, Hampton has secured a bell-cow role, which translated to a top-five fantasy finish last week. A repeat performance is possible against the Giants’ defense, which ranks as the fourth-most favorable for running backs.
- Breece Hall (at Dolphins): After two quiet weeks following his season-opening explosion, Hall is in a prime spot to rebound. He faces the Dolphins, the fifth-easiest matchup for fantasy running backs. Hall finished as the RB8 the last time these teams met in 2024.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers (at Giants)
Despite a modest statistical start, McConkey remains heavily involved in the Chargers’ offense. This Sunday presents a prime opportunity for a breakout performance against a Giants defense that has struggled to contain receivers, yielding the second-most fantasy points to the position. In a game where the Chargers are 6.5-point favorites, McConkey should be viewed as a top-20 fantasy starter.
- Other WRs to Start:
- Emeka Egbuka (vs. Eagles): With Mike Evans sidelined and Chris Godwin at less than 100%, Egbuka has become the Buccaneers’ No. 1 wideout for the foreseeable future and should produce even in a tough matchup.
- Ricky Pearsall (vs. Jaguars): Pearsall ranks third in the NFL in receiving yards after posting his second 100-yard game of the season. The Jaguars present another soft matchup for him to exploit.
- Jakobi Meyers (vs. Bears): Meyers has recorded at least 60 yards in every game this season and now faces a Chicago defense that has been the third-best matchup for fantasy wideouts.
Hunter Henry, TE, Patriots (vs. Panthers)
Coming off an eight-catch, 90-yard, two-touchdown effort, Henry appears to be Drake Maye’s most reliable target. He now faces the visiting Panthers, who have given up the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends this season after allowing the most in 2023. Henry projects as a top-10 fantasy tight end for the week.
- Other TEs to Start:
- Jake Ferguson (vs. Packers): Ferguson has seen elite volume recently, commanding 26 targets over the last two weeks, which he converted into 22 receptions for 160 yards. He is a strong start regardless of the matchup.
- Dalton Kincaid (vs. Saints): Despite playing only about 50% of the snaps, Kincaid has been highly productive, ranking as the TE3 in fantasy points per game. He should have scoring opportunities in a game where the Bills are 15.5-point favorites.
Sits
Baker Mayfield, QB, Buccaneers (vs. Eagles)
Mayfield has performed as a top-10 fantasy quarterback through three games, but he faces a difficult test this week. The Buccaneers’ offensive line injuries could be exposed by a formidable Eagles defensive front, and the offense will be without star receiver Mike Evans. Philadelphia’s defense has yet to allow a quarterback to throw for more than 200 yards, making this a challenging spot to trust Mayfield.
- Other QBs to Sit:
- Dak Prescott (vs. Packers): Prescott faces a tough Green Bay defense, spearheaded by his former teammate Micah Parsons. The Packers have held opposing passers to the third-fewest fantasy points this season.
- C.J. Stroud (vs. Titans): Stroud has not finished inside the top-20 fantasy quarterbacks in any week this season and now confronts the Titans, the eighth-toughest matchup for the position.
Javonte Williams, RB, Cowboys (vs. Packers)
While Williams ranks as the RB6 in fantasy points per game, managers should temper expectations this week. He faces a stout Packers defense that has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. The absence of star receiver CeeDee Lamb could allow Green Bay to focus on stopping the run, and Dallas is also dealing with significant injuries along its offensive line. These factors combine for a challenging outlook for Williams.
- Other RBs to Sit:
- David Montgomery (vs. Browns): Despite a massive 164-yard, two-touchdown game, Montgomery faces a legitimate Browns run defense that has not allowed any running back to exceed 43 rushing yards this season.
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt (at Falcons): Croskey-Merritt is dealing with a knee injury and, if he plays, is part of a three-man committee against the sixth-hardest matchup for fantasy running backs.
- Isiah Pacheco (vs. Ravens): Pacheco has been an inefficient runner while splitting work with Kareem Hunt, making him a risky start and potentially droppable in some leagues.
DK Metcalf, WR, Steelers (vs. Vikings)
Metcalf has salvaged his fantasy value with touchdowns in his last two games despite being held to 32 yards or fewer in each. It is risky to bank on a score against the Vikings, who are allowing the fewest fantasy points to receivers this season. Minnesota’s defense has permitted just one wideout to top 50 yards through three weeks, making Metcalf a risky WR3.
- Other WRs to Sit:
- Tee Higgins (at Broncos): With Joe Burrow sidelined and a matchup against the Broncos secondary, this is not an ideal spot for Higgins, who profiles as a volatile WR3 for now.
- Calvin Ridley (at Texans): Ridley’s performance this season has been uninspiring, and the Texans do not represent an easy “get-right” matchup for wide receivers.
- Chris Godwin Jr. (vs. Eagles): If Godwin returns from multiple ankle surgeries, he will likely be at less than 100% against a tough Eagles defense, making him a risky play.
Zach Ertz, TE, Commanders (at Falcons)
Ertz has been a touchdown-dependent streamer, but this is not a week to start him. The Falcons are notoriously tough against tight ends and have allowed a total of only six catches for 47 yards to the position through three games. With uncertainty surrounding quarterback Jayden Daniels’ status, Ertz is best left on the bench.
- Other TEs to Sit:
- Dallas Goedert (at Buccaneers): The Buccaneers have been another difficult matchup for tight ends, allowing the sixth-fewest fantasy points to the position. Goedert falls into the touchdown-or-bust category this week.
- Chig Okonkwo (at Texans): Although Okonkwo’s usage is increasing, the Texans are the eighth-most difficult opponent for tight ends, making him a tough start.
