5 Start, 5 Sit for Week 3 of the 2024 NFL Season
Week 3! We’re getting into the meat of the 2024 season now, and the cream of this year’s crop is starting to rise. Some players that we thought would be dynamite this year have turned out to be pop rocks, and some undrafted guys have emerged as potential league winners. I’m going to take you through five guys I think you should be starting this week and five that you should leave on your bench.
Start:
Sam Darnold vs HOU – Start
It’s hard to believe we’re here; Sam Darnold is currently a top-10 fantasy quarterback. He’s seriously impressed through two weeks and led his team to victory over the reigning NFC champion 49ers last week. Winning against the Niners makes me think that there probably isn’t a defense that he’s going to struggle against this year. Adding to that, it’s possible that Darnold will have Jordan Addison back this week along with Justin Jefferson. He should have no problem putting up above-average numbers against Houston.
Darnold’s biggest advantage, I think, is the dominance of the Vikings’ defense. They have been smothering opposing offenses this year and have allowed the offense and Darnold to play with confidence and without a ton of pressure. In two weeks, Darnold has put up 476 yards, four touchdowns, and only two interceptions. I expect his numbers to stay consistent this week, so he deserves a spot in your starting lineup.
Alvin Kamara vs PHI – Start
Anybody who watched last week’s game against Dallas would be starting Kamara this week, but I think it’s especially important this week. The Eagles have been BAD at stopping the rush this year, and it’s clearly something that the Saints excel at. Kamara’s patient running and Coordinator Klint Kubiak’s ability to get blockers into the second level are going to lead to another big day. The Eagles have allowed an average of 157.5 yards on the ground to running backs this season, and it won’t change this week. Obviously play Kamara if you’ve got him, but I think we might be in for a repeat 30+ point performance from Kamara.
Jameson Williams vs ARI – Start
It took a few years, but Jameson Williams is finally being utilized! Targets are the most important indicator of a wide receiver’s playability and it is what Williams had been lacking up to this point. In 2023, in the 12 games he played, he only drew an average of 3 targets per game; he only got across the threshold of 7 once. In the first two weeks this year, however, he’s gotten 9 and 11, respectively. Even with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta taking targets, the Lions have been throwing enough to feed Jamo. Both of the games so far have come down to the wire, so I expect Jameson Williams to be involved every step of the way. With the number of injuries to receivers so far this year, he should be an easy include in your lineup.
Brock Bowers vs. CAR – Start
That’s right, I’m going back to back with Brock. With how disappointing tight-end play has been so far, it’s difficult to trust anybody. Isaiah Likely followed up his massive week one performance with…2 catches for 26 yards. Hunter Henry went off for 109 yards on 8 catches against Seattle after doing two catches for 18 yards in week 1. Amongst all this inconsistency, you have Brock Bowers, who is currently leading the tight-end pack. Bowers is the only tight end to record 7+ targets, 5+ catches, and/or 50+ yards in both games this year (no other TE has done any of those). This is the benefit of being 1 of only 2 relevant pass catchers on his offense. His only shortcoming is that he has not gotten into the end zone yet, but this week’s cupcake matchup may prove successful. Don’t sit him, don’t trade him, and definitely don’t cut him.
Chris Godwin vs DEN – Start
Consistency is what we look for during the season, and consistency is what Chris Godwin has been bringing. 8 targets, 8 catches, 83 yards, and a score in week 1, 8 targets, 7 catches, 113 yards, and a score in week 2. Godwin has seemed to be Baker Mayfields favorite target through two weeks and I think that will continue this week. Godwin has been operating primarily out of the slot this year and as such should not be anywhere near Bronco’s cornerback. Pat Surtain. That labor will probably be placed on Mike Evans. When he’s been healthy in past years, Godwin has pushed toward being the #1 overall wide receiver; his first two weeks in 2024 are making a good case. You’re going to want to start him wherever you can.
Sit:
Trevor Lawrence vs. BUF – Sit
Trevor Lawrence is once again showing that he is not an elite quarterback. In two games, he’s completed only 26/51 passes (51%), threw for 382 yards, and totaled 1 touchdown. It’s a pretty terrible stat line for two tough losses. But, even when the Jaguars are winning Lawrence isn’t playing out of his mind. In the 8 wins that Lawrence played in last year, he averaged about 23/33 (70%) for 258 yards, 1.5 touchdowns, and 0.65 interceptions. Now, those aren’t amazing numbers, but compare it to the numbers from this year, and it’s clear things aren’t going well. The Jaguars also have to go into Buffalo this week and play the Bills who just came off of a dominating division win. The career-long streak of mediocrity from Lawrence plus a daunting northern New York environment equals a benching from me.
D’Andre Swift vs. IND – Sit
Swift hasn’t had many great fantasy performances since the meltdown began in Philadelphia last year. Now that he’s on the Bears, things haven’t gotten easier for him. What little points the Bears have scored have come from goal line rushes (from other running backs) or field goals. Between the 20s, they seem to be more interested in letting Caleb Williams “make magic.” From what I’ve seen in two weeks, it’s going to take some time for this offense to do much of anything. In the meantime, I’d steer clear of most Chicago players.
Drake London vs. KC – Sit
Drake London’s day against Philly was mostly mediocre, but he saved his day with a last-second touchdown. I also attribute his higher target rate to the Eagles’ awful defense. In week 1 against a much better Steelers defense, he was held to only 2 catches for 15 yards. When Kansas City comes to town this week, with their top 10 defense, I’m expecting London’s numbers to fall back down to nigh unplayable levels. It’s hard to fully predict trends after only two weeks, but my gut tells me that London won’t win you any games in week 3.
Dalton Schultz vs MIN – Sit
I mentioned before how terrible the tight-end play has been. Well, Schultz is a primary offender. In two weeks, Schultz only has 5 catches for 37 yards. Likely, the addition of Stefon Diggs and the persisting health of Nico Collins and Tank Dell are eating into the targets that would go Schultz’s way. Whatever the case, he is on the lower end of a historically low-scoring tight-end position this year. For as long as he remains the fourth option of the Texans, I’d make him your last option for tight end.
Kyren Williams vs SF – Sit
Even though the 49ers lost to the Vikings last week, they were quite stout against the run. The run is, unfortunately, the only thing on the Rams that isn’t injured right now. The offense is working without their two top receivers and a good portion of their offensive line. With all that said, it’s pretty unlikely that Williams gets anything less than 7 in the box on a given play. His fantasy numbers have been alright thus far, but given the unfortunate situation the Rams find themselves in, I’d fade Kyren where I could.
If you want more offensive start/sit advice, follow me on X @TFFGRobbie. If you need IDP start/sit advice, give @ThePPRShow a follow as well.