As always, Start 'Em, Sit 'Em is geared toward helping fantasy managers make difficult roster decisions. You won't see "start Jahmyr Gibbs" here. Instead, I'm exploring the players closer to the perceived fringe and aiming to optimize your lineup for a win each week. Importantly, the new "Start of the Week" and "Sit of the Week" are the calls I have deemed the most notable in each category, not necessarily the most essential players to start or sit.
Also, you'll see quite a few references in this year's column to NFL Pro, spotlighting insights provided through Next Gen Stats data dashboards, matchup evaluations, All-22 film and the uniquely trained Fantasy AI Assistant. You can get access to all of those tools yourself with an NFL+ Premium subscription!
P.S. Feel free to follow me on X (@MattOkada) or Instagram (@mattokadaNFL) and hit me with your questions, congratulations or complaints throughout the year.
Start 'Em
Start of the Week
Hear me out. Despite being unexpectedly thrown into action just a few snaps into the 2026 season, Lock has been undeniably efficient through two weeks in Seattle. He ranks top five in passer rating (127.3), yards per attempt (8.8), completion rate (72.9%), completion rate over expected (8.8%), EPA/dropback (0.44), and is one of three quarterbacks (alongside Josh Allen and Jared Goff) with at least four touchdown passes and zero interceptions. In Week 3, Lock draws a Commanders defense that’s allowed the highest passer rating, most touchdown passes and second-most fantasy points to the position. He’s a lock -- pun intended -- for QB1 production on Sunday.
Notable starts
While nearly everything has looked off for the Chargers' offense, Herbert will need to air it out in this matchup. I believe he'll log his first strong fantasy performance of 2026 against a D that gave up multiple touchdown passes to C.J Stroud (2) and Jared Goff (4) over the past two weeks.
Goff is fifth in fantasy points among quarterbacks through two weeks and is back at home -- where he typically thrives -- against a beatable Jets defense. Expect another multi-TD performance from the reliable QB1.
Don’t look now, but Shough leads the NFL in completions (62) and passing yards (662). The Raiders might be a sneaky-tough matchup, but they’ve also faced Malik Willis and a dysfunctional Chargers offense. Shough is streamable in a pinch.
Through two weeks, Smith has a 95.8 passer rating and 70.8% completion rate, while the Lions have allowed a league-high 64.02 fantasy points to quarterbacks (Tyler Shough and Josh Allen). Smith is viable as a (deep) streamer.
We knew Stafford and the Rams would turn it around sooner than later ... but dang! He dropped 26.98 fantasy points without Puka Nacua on Monday night. Denver's definitely a tough matchup, but you can play the reigning MVP regardless.
Sit 'Em
Sit of the Week
There’s no sugarcoating it: Maye has not looked good through two weeks. He’s tied with Cooper Rush for the league lead in interceptions and all four of Maye’s picks have come on deep throws, resulting in a 45.8 passer rating and -0.73 EPA/dropback on such passes. In contrast, Maye threw just one INT and recorded a league-high 1.23 EPA/dropback on 48 deep passes last season. The Jaguars' defense hasn’t been unbeatable, but that unit doesn't grant any extra confidence in Maye’s Week 3 outlook, either. He’s benchable for a strong stream like Drew Lock or Jared Goff.
Notable sits
Mayfield has been disappointing, and he’s unlikely to be much better against Brian Flores’ defense despite this game being played at home. Minnesota is second in pressure rate (49.4%) and Mayfield is not a storied blitz-beater.
Hopes that Jones would quickly return to his early-2025 excellence have been quickly dashed this season. He has averaged 12.22 fantasy points per game, receiver Alec Pierce just hit injured reserve and now the Texans' defense is coming to town. Absolute must-sit material.
Love is dead last in completion rate (52.1%) and 15th in fantasy points among qualified quarterbacks. I fear his meeting with Atlanta will look more like Aaron Rodgers’ (12.54 fantasy points vs. the Falcons in Week 1) than Bryce Young’s (24.08 in Week 2). Avoid him if possible.
