You have lineup questions, we have lineup answers -- at least we hope so. Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is here to help fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. And you know what is a good move? Starting Lamar Jackson. But that's too obvious, so you won't see such simple analysis here. Instead, we're exploring more debatable situations. And if you can't find a player you are looking for, please check out the latest NFL Fantasy lineup rankings.
NOTE: Unless otherwise indicated, all stats come from NFL Pro, Next Gen Stats or NFL Research.
Start 'Em
I said last week that Odunze was a must-start option against the Cowboys. Now I believe he has reached must-start status regardless of opponent, as the clear-cut WR1 for the Bears. The second-year pro is Caleb Williams' go-to guy, having led the team in targets in all three games thus far. Not only does Odunze lead Chicago in virtually every receiving category, but he has nearly 200 more air yards than any other Bear. He also paces the team in end-zone targets and is one of two NFL players (along with the Chargers' Keenan Allen) with a receiving touchdown in each week of this season. Downfield targets and those in the red/end zone are the most valuable fantasy looks -- and they're all going Odunze's way right now. This week, Rome gets the Raiders, who have allowed the third-most yards to receivers. They also have yielded a 50 percent completion rate on end-zone targets to receivers. Odunze keeps eating this week.
No player has been featured more in this column this season than Emeka Egbuka. It has worked thus far, so why change the approach now? The rookie has topped 12 fantasy points in every game and is averaging 17 fantasy PPG through three weeks, showing he not only brings a safe floor but nice upside, as well. He now leads the Bucs in receiving yards, touchdowns and passer rating when targeted. The Ohio State product has done a good job of creating separation and can win from both out wide and in the slot. Mike Evans, who suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday, is expected to miss multiple games. Even if Chris Godwin Jr. returns to action, I expect Egbuka to be the top target for Baker Mayfield, who threw for 347 yards and two touchdowns against Philadelphia in Week 4 of last season. These Eagles are Egbuka's hardest test yet in his budding pro career, but given how well he has produced, the volume he is earning and the QB/offense he's tied too, I am still riding with the rook.
The Chargers' passing attack is funneled through three players, with all three averaging at least seven targets per game. Johnston comfortably leads the bunch in air yards, while Allen has received the most end-zone targets with five. (Johnston is right behind Allen with four end-zone targets.) Allen is one of two players (along with Chicago's Rome Odunze) who has scored a receiving touchdown in each week. He has also topped 60 yards and 17 fantasy points in each game. That is a must-start option. Johnston is averaging 18.6 fantasy PPG. The upside is simply too high to get away from. Lastly, there's McConkey, whose role might make him the least valuable of the three. I still believe we will see bigger days for Ladd, as he is too talented not to produce. This week, he is in play as a WR3 or flex option due to the matchup. The Giants have allowed the second-most yards to receivers.
After a very solid first two weeks, it was a bit of a step back in Week 3 for the No. 8 overall pick in April's draft. That said, those who drafted him in the fantasy realm still have to love the volume. McMillan has seen at least eight targets every game; last week, he saw his first two end-zone targets. Bryce Young has the most pass attempts in the red zone so far this season, so it is huge to start getting McMillan going there. This is a favorable matchup, as well, considering the Patriots have allowed the eighth-most yards to receivers, including the second-most on deep passes. Two-thirds of the Panthers' deep targets have gone to McMillan. New England has allowed the fifth-most yards to outside receivers, which is where McMillan runs 87 percent of his routes. Plus, even if star Pats CB Christian Gonzalez suits up for the first time this season, he has been dealing with a hamstring injury since July, so I would expect him to be on a snap count.
The rookie train keeps rolling! Last week, Golden took a big step forward that, I think, largely flew under the radar. He was second among Packers receivers in snaps and routes, and tied for the position lead in targets. Oh, and he led Green Bay with 52 receiving yards. Opportunity is what I care about, especially in a matchup this juicy. The Cowboys have allowed the most fantasy PPG, receiving yards and touchdowns to wideouts. They have given up more than double the number of yards on deep passes to receivers than the next-closest team, and Golden leads Green Bay in deep targets. While I admit he is still a bit of a boom-or-bust play, the 22-year-old has looked more comfortable of late, and I think he will have his coming out party in front of the world on Sunday Night Football. The upside is high enough to get Golden into your starting lineup this week.
Sit 'Em
It is hard to bench a player you used an early-round pick on, especially not even a full month into the season. That is unfortunately where we are with Higgins right now, with a toe injury sidelining Joe Burrow for the foreseeable future. Not only is Higgins coming off a two-target, one-catch game -- both his fewest since Week 17 of the 2023 season -- but he is averaging fewer than three catches and just 35 yards per contest. Jake Browning just topped out at 140 passing yards in his first start of the season and he has five interceptions in less than two full games. That dramatically cuts down the yardage and scoring opportunities for Higgins. I believe the upside is still far too high to bench Ja'Marr Chase, but you can get away from the secondary option in this passing attack -- especially against the Broncos, who have allowed a completion percentage of just 56 on passes to WRs. They've also yielded just one WR touchdown. I would look to go in another direction this week.
This is not because the guy dropped a wide-open pass downfield this past Sunday. In fact, if more of those balls went his way, I would be in on Marvin Harrison Jr.! He is averaging fewer than six targets per game in 2025. That continues a worrying trend from his rookie year, when he had six or fewer targets in nine games. Now he has to turn around on a short week against the Seahawks, who have allowed the fourth-fewest yards to receivers. They've given up the second-fewest yards to receivers lined up out wide, which is where Harrison is 78 percent of the time. Lastly, he was held under 50 yards in each game against Seattle last season with zero scores. After having him as a "beware" last week, I now implore you to get away in Week 4.
Ugh, this one pains me. I truly think Hunter is an elite receiver prospect, but that belief doesn't score fantasy points. His offensive snaps have dropped from 62 percent to 60 percent to 53 percent last week. We also have seen his targets drop from eight to six to just two. He has been held to fewer than 35 receiving yards in each game. That is just unusable for fantasy football purposes. And this week, he draws the 49ers, who have yielded the sixth-fewest yards to receivers, allowing just one top-25 fantasy WR performance this season. While I think it is rookie breakout week, as evidenced by the analysis above, we need to see more usage before we can get Hunter back into starting lineups.
Week 1 was a lot of fun for Coleman, who piled up eight catches (on 11 targets) for 112 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling win over the Ravens. That effort showcased the immense potential the second-year pro possesses, and I do believe a full-season breakout is still in the range of outcomes. That said, we need to see more consistent volume in order to trust him for fantasy purposes. He has just seven targets in the last two games combined. Last week, Josh Allen attempted only one pass of more than 10 air yards, a career low. Buffalo has the firepower to overwhelm the winless Saints in a number of ways, meaning this contest could take on a ground-heavy game script like we saw in the Bills' 30-10 blowout of the Jets in Week 2. If that's the case, starting Coleman is hoping for a touchdown.
It just isn't happening for Ridley and rookie QB Cam Ward. It has to eventually get better, but so far, the veteran wideout has eight catches on 21 targets. He has averaged just 6.8 fantasy PPG in the first three weeks. The Texans have a defense that could make life tough for these struggling Titans. I am not ready to drop Ridley yet, but he is firmly on the bench until he gives us a reason not to sit him.
