Rookies, amirite?
We fantasy football pundit-types spend way too much time during the NFL season writing and researching mock drafts, so come Draft Day, we think we’re college football geniuses, knowing where every key first-round rookie will land. Then after Draft Day, we think we’re mega-geniuses, knowing how every key first-round rookie will perform.
Then after Week 2 of the NFL season, we realize we’re the exact opposite of genius. Because the rookies we thought we knew so well are killing our fantasy teams.
Here’s where the top ten rookie offensive skill players rank in fantasyland:
- Cam Ward (#1, Tennessee Titans): QB34
- Travis Hunter (#2, Jacksonville Jaguars): WR88
- Ashton Jenty (#6, Los Angeles Raiders): RB32
- Tetairoa McMillan (#8, Carolina Panthers): WR26
- Colston Loveland (#10, Chicago Bears): TE57
- Tyler Warren (#14, Indianapolis Colts): TE5
- Emeka Egbuka (#19, Tampa Bay Buccaneers): WR7
- Omarion Hamption (#22, Los Angeles Chargers): RB43
- Matthew Golden (#23, Green Bay Packers): WR105
- Jaxson Dart (#24, New York Giants): QB48
All of which tells us (checks notes) that, save for Tyler Warren — who I thought my beloved Chicago Bears should’ve drafted, a take that’s been documented — the 2025 NFL rookie class isn’t super-good at fantasy football.
Will this vital piece of information impact this week’s start ‘em, sit ‘ems?
You’re damn right it will. Especially when you play PrizePicks, where you can win real money with your picks on player stats every week.
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Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em, NFL Week 3
(Editor’s note: For our 2025 start/sits, we’re blowing off D/ST and kickers. Realistically, it’s a freaking dart-throw, and, let’s be honest, folks, who has the time?)
Week 3 Quarterbacks: Start or Sit 'Em?
Here are the top start or sit options at QB in NFL Week 3, plus their projections from PrizePicks NFL real money game.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold – Start 'Em
Seahawks vs. Saints
From last week’s start/sit column:
D’Andre Swift is tied with Sam Darnold for the Alan Goldsher Biggest Fantasy Fade of 2025 award.
Hey, what can I tell ya. A dude’s entitled to change his mind.
Darnold wasn’t great in Week 2 — 2 TDs, 2 picks, 17.8 fantasy points — but at QB21, he was the low end of mediocre. And sometimes, the low end of mediocre is enough.
The Saints defense last Sunday was the very definition of mediocre, however, finishing with 5 fantasy points (DST15). Flying from the southeast of the country to play a game in the great northwest isn’t a cakewalk, so Darnold’s mediocrity in the state of Washington might just dominate New Orleans’ mediocrity outside the state of Louisiana.
PrizePicks Projection: Sam Darnold - 212.5 Pass Yards, 9.5 Rush Yards
Cowboys QB Dak Prescott – Start 'Em
Cowboys vs. Bears – 4:25 p.m. ET
In Week 2, Lions QB Jared Goff tossed 5 touchdowns against the Bears, while Prescott racked up 23.1 fantasy points vs. the Giants.
We don’t need the PrizePicks abacus to tell us that this is the no-brainer QB start of the week.
PrizePicks Projection: Dak Prescott - 250.5 Pass Yards, 5.5 Rush Yards
Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. – Start 'Em
Falcons vs. Panthers – 1 p.m. ET
On Sunday night, when the Falcons smacked down the Vikings in Minnesota by a score of 22-6, NBC color analyst Cris Collinsworth raved about Michael Penix Jr. so often that you thought the sophomore was the second coming of fellow lefty QB Steve Young.
The box score told us differently, as the sophomore threw for a piddly 135 yards and no touchdowns.
So, maybe not Steve Young.
But the Panthers are tied for the seventh-most points allowed in the league, and RB Bijan Robinson is a screen-pass-to-the-house waiting to happen, so the University of Washington product could thrive at Bank of America Stadium.
PrizePicks Projection: Michael Penix Jr. - 216.5 Pass Yards, 6.5 Rush Yards
Titans QB Cam Ward – Sit 'Em
Colts vs. Titans – 1 p.m. ET
Let the rookie bashing commence. In his two starts, Ward has been rookie-Bryce-Young-level bad, connecting on just over half of his passes, tossing a grand total of 1 touchdown, and taking 11 sacks, making him a straight-up lousy option both on the field and in the fantasy box score.
The Colts has the NFL’s widest point differential (+26), and sport the eighth-stingiest defense in the league, allowing 18.0 points per game. And yes, Denver QB Bo Nix kinda torched them last week, racking up 21.2 fantasy points, but Ward ain’t Bo Nix.And until he becomes Bo Nix — like maybe 2028 — keep him on your bench. Or your waiver wire.
PrizePicks Projection: Cam Ward - 200.5 Pass Yards, 10.5 Rush Yards
Bears QB Caleb Williams – Sit 'Em
Cowboys vs. Bears – 1 p.m. ET
I’m off of the Caleb Williams train until further notice. Sure, his fantasy numbers (21.1 fantasy PPG, QB10) haven’t stunk as badly as the Chicago Bears’ reality numbers (no comment), but do you feel safe putting him in your lineup? Yeah, me neither.
PrizePicks Projection: Caleb Williams - 218.5 Pass Yards, 26.5 Rush Yards
Lions QB Jared Goff – Sit 'Em
Lions vs. Ravens – Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
Hey, remember Week 1 when Bills QB Josh Allen did terrible, terrible fantasy things to the Baltimore Ravens defense? I sure do — kinda hard to forget a 38.1 fantasy point barrage.
But the Ravens D showed out in their Week 2 massacre of Cleveland — we’re talking 17 points allowed and, 7 of which came off of a garbage time touchdown — and they held Browns QB Joe Flacco to 208 yards, while picking him once and sacking him twice.
This isn’t to say they’ll keep Goff under wraps. But I ain’t imagining another 5 TDs from the 30-year-old.
PrizePicks Projection: Jared Goff - 252.5 Pass Yards, 1.5 Rush Yards
Week 3 Running Backs: Start or Sit 'Em?
Here are the top start or sit options at RB in NFL Week 3, plus their projections from PrizePicks NFL real money game.
Cowboys RB Javonte Williams – Start 'Em
Cowboys vs. Bears – 4:25 p.m. ET
Goff wasn’t the only Lion to abuse the Bears last Sunday; Sonic and Knuckles — a.k.a., Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery — combined for 175 all-purpose yards.
From my perch here in Chicago, I haven’t seen the Bears say or do anything to convince me that their run defense has improved over the last several days, so don’t be scared to roll with Javonte, the NFL’s current fantasy RB2.
PrizePicks Projection: Javonte Williams - 60.5 Rush Yards
Vikings RB Jordan Mason – Start 'Em
Bengals vs. Vikings – 1 p.m. ET
It’s been said of everybody’s favorite fictional soccer player Roy Kent, that he plays like he’s mad at the turf. That’s Jordan Mason, and with Minny’s RB1 Aaron Jones Jr. kinda-sorta banged up, Mason should get the opportunity to beat up some grass.
Last season as a member of the 49ers, when filling in for their RB1 Christian McCaffrey, the Georgia Tech bruiser dropped a trio of 100-plus-rushing-yard games. Time to check your waiver wire, methinks.
Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco – Start 'Em
Chiefs vs. Giants – 8:20 p.m. ET
While we’re on the topic of dudes who play mad, let’s pay a visit to the fourth-year man out of Rutgers. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes is off to a distinctly un-Mahomes-ian start, averaging 222.5 passing yards per game, while hitting on just 2 touchdown passes.
After seeing what Javonte Williams did to the Giants D in Week 2 — 97 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 6 receptions, 33 receiving yards — one could assume that Pacheco could see more than last week’s 10 carries and 1 target. Free Isiah!
Bears RB D’Andre Swift – Sit 'Em
Cowboys vs. Bears – 4:25 p.m. ET
This, dear readers, is the third consecutive week I’ve recommended benching Swift. With a combined 17.4 fantasy points over his two games, I expect the streak to continue for the foreseeable future.
PrizePicks Projection: D’Andre Swift - 55.5 Rush Yards
Any Broncos RB – Sit 'Em
Broncos vs. Chargers – 4:25 p.m. ET
Denver HC Sean Payton fashions himself as a tricky dude — sometimes he is, sometimes he isn’t — and tricky dudes with timeshare backfields make life difficult for us fantasy managers.
Last Sunday, Denver ran the ball 24 times, with J.K. Dobbins leading the carries list with 14. (QB Bo Nix had 3 runs, FWIW.) In Week 1, rookie R.J. Harvey led the team with 70 rushing yards, while taking 6 of the team’s 30 carries.
Too many question marks, especially against a Chargers D that held the Raiders’ RBs to 41 rushing yards? Thanks, but no.
PrizePicks Projection: J.K. Dobbins - 50.5 Rush Yards
Week 3 Wide Receivers: Start or Sit 'Em?
Here are the top start or sit options at WR in NFL Week 3, plus their projections from PrizePicks NFL real money game.
Chargers WR Quentin Johnston – Start 'Em
Broncos vs. Chargers – 4:25 p.m. ET
Is Johnson the Bolts’ WR1? Well, he leads all Chargers’ skill players not named Justin Herbert in total yards (148) and touchdowns (3), so I’ll give that a firm yes.
And if you didn’t snatch him off the waiver wire after Week 1 — which I did, thank you very much — you’re big-time kicking yourself in the butt. After all, the man is one good performance away from being a plug-and-play.
Cowboys WR George Pickens – Start 'Em
Cowboys vs. Bears – 4:25 p.m. ET
I know, I know, I’ve been hammering the Bears D for much of this start or sit 'em, but hear me out. Last week, Detroit WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown shredded Chicago’s D to the tune of 30.2 fantasy points, but WR2 Jameson Williams was almost as shreddy, racking up 16.8 of his own — gong over 100 yards on just two catches.
The Pickens/CeeDee Lamb dynamic is quite similar to that of the St. Brown/Williams duo… or at least it could be against a reeling D that just lost its top corner.
PrizePicks Projection: George Pickens - 56.5 Receiving Yards
Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. – Start 'Em
Colts vs. Titans – 1 p.m. ET
Daniel “Indiana Jones” Jones: MVP? Well, he’s second in the league in passing yards (588), sixth in completion percentage (71.4%) has been sacked just twice, and his team is undefeated. That said, he’s played two games, so let’s pump the brakes until early December.
To this point, Jones’ favorite pass catcher has proven to be rookie TE Tyler Warren, who tops the team in receiving yards (155), receptions (11), targets (16), and YAC (90).
Eventually, some defensive coordinator somewhere will wise up and double cover the guy, leaving some operating room for Indy’s theoretical WR1. My gut says that’ll be this week.
PrizePicks Projection: Michael Pittman Jr. - 48.5 Receiving Yards
Jets WR Garrett Wilson – Sit 'Em
Jets vs. Bengals – 1 p.m. ET
As of this writing, we’re not 100% certain who’ll be minding the Jets backfield in Week 3. As of this writing, Justin Fields is in concussion protocol, meaning we might see a healthy dose of Tyrod Taylor, a guy who doesn’t exactly inspire fear in the hearts of defenses.
And if Fields does play, it’ll be without a full six days of of practice under his belt, so even on a short week, the Bucs D won’t be super-concerned about the Jets O. But Wilson owners should.
Steelers WR DK Metcalf – Sit 'Em
Steelers vs. Patriots – 1 p.m. ET
There was a time when a Steelers/Pats WR battle meant Hines Ward vs. Randy Moss. Now, it’s DK Metcalf vs. Stefon Diggs, which is considerably less inspiring — and it’s even less inspiring when you throw a creaky Aaron Rodgers into the mix.
Last week, Rodgers was abysmal, managing 12.4 fantasy points (QB24) in Pittsburgh’s gnarly 31-17 home loss to the Seahawks. The Pats defense has allowed 47 points, good for tenth in the league, and Rodgers did nothing to convince us that he can improve this week, and a lousy Rodgers means a lousy Metcalf.
PrizePicks Projection: DK Metcalf - 62.5 Receiving Yards
Bengals WR Tee Higgins – Sit 'Em
Bengals vs. Vikings – 1 p.m. ET
Saddled with a backup QB in Jake Browning, Higgins hauled in just 3 of his 8 targets. This doesn’t bode well for Higgins, who faces a Vikings team that, in Week 2, held Atlanta’s WR2 Darnell Mooney to 2 catches and 20 yards.
Cincy WR1 Ja’Marr Chase will eat. Higgins will go hungry.
PrizePicks Projection: Tee Higgins - 56.5 Receiving Yards
Week 3 Tight Ends: Start or Sit 'Em?
Here are the top start or sit options at TE in NFL Week 3, plus their projections from PrizePicks NFL real money game.
Colts TE Tyler Warren – Start 'Em
Colts vs. Titans – 1 p.m. ET
Even at this early point in the season, Indiana Jones’ top receiver is a must-start. Warren is Jones’ top receiver. So, as the headline says, start ‘em.
PrizePicks Projection: Tyler Warren - 50.5 Receiving Yards
Saints TE Juwan Johnson – Start 'Em
Saints vs. Seahawks – 4:05 p.m. ET
Saints QB Spencer Rattler has one thing in common with Indiana Jones: He loves his tight ends. Johnson, who is Rattler’s security blanket, is tied for the team lead in receptions (13, with WR Chris Olave), and is the league’s current TE3, with 18.5 total fantasy points.
The 29-year-old Oregon product is a legit starter at TE as long as Rattler is under-center.
PrizePicks Projection: Juwon Johnson - 44.5 Receiving Yards
Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. – Start 'Em
Packers vs. Browns – 1 p.m. ET
I’m on the Fannin train, and I’m not getting off. The second-round pick out of Bowling Green is looking like the offensive steal of the 2025 NFL Draft, hoovering up 12 of his 14 targets, and averaging 55.5 receiving yards per game. That all adds up to TE10, which adds up to me patting myself on the back because I scooped him off of the waiver wire.
PrizePicks Projection: Harold Fannin Jr. - 41.5 Receiving Yards
Lions TE Sam LaPorta – Sit 'Em
Lions vs. Ravens – Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET
New Detroit offensive coordinator John Morrton doesn’t make nice with tight ends nearly as much as old Detroit offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson did.
Over his first two games in 2025, LaPorta has seen 13 targets, of which he caught 9, as opposed to the last two games of 2024, when the former Iowa Hawkeye caught 13-of -15 targets. Further concerning is a potential offensive letdown after last Sunday’s triumph over Chicago.
PrizePicks Projection: Sam LaPorta - 47.5 Receiving Yards
Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson – Sit 'Em
Vikings vs. Bengals – 1 p.m. ET
I could give you all kinds of facts and figures explaining why I’m not super-interested in throwing any Vikings receiver into my fantasy lineup, but I think we can all agree that the only fact (or figure) you need is that the Vikes starting quarterback will be Carson Wentz.
PrizePicks Projection: T.J. Hockenson - 40.5 Receiving Yards
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