Wide receivers weren’t exempt from the injury fest that was Week 2. Among those who suffered injuries were Giants WR Malik Nabers (shoulder), Bills WR DJ Moore (shoulder), and Colts WR Alec Pierce (heel). That was in addition to superstars like Rams WR Puka Nacua (groin) and Texans WR Nico Collins (hamstring) already being out.
With so many wide receivers dealing with injuries, it could create some difficult start or sit decisions for fantasy managers.
Below, let's list some NFL Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em candidates for the WR position, including picks to consider on PrizePicks for Saints WR Devaughn Vele, Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks, and more. Keep this analysis in mind when making your Week 3 fantasy football decisions.
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Start: Saints WR Devaughn Vele
Game: Raiders vs. Saints – Sunday, September 27, 4:25 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 46.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions (Goblin)
The Saints attempted 90 passes over their first two games, which is the second-most in the NFL.
With Saints WR Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) on IR, that has left Vele with a heavy workload. After catching 7 of 9 targets for 69 yards and 1 TD in a 31-30 Week 1 loss to the Lions, the former seventh-round pick caught 5 of 7 targets for 64 yards in a 24-17 win over the Ravens on Sunday.
Vele hasn’t received a ton of deep opportunities, posting an average depth of target of only 8.7 yards, per PFF. However, his 94 routes run are the most among wide receivers. That has helped him rank 12th in targets and eighth in receptions.
The Saints will face a 2-0 Raiders team in Week 3 that scored 27 points in Week 1 and 26 points in Week 2. With the Saints struggling on defense, their offense might need to continue to throw a lot to try and keep pace with their opponents. If that game script were to unfold again, it would favor Vele.
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Start: Eagles WR Dontayvion Wicks
Game: Eagles vs. Bears – Monday, September 28, 8:15 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 41.5 Receiving Yards, 3 Receptions, 8.5 Fantasy Score
Wicks was stuck in a bit of a logjam at wide receiver on the Packers. He now finds himself in one of the best opportunities of his career with the Eagles, who traded their top WR A.J. Brown to the Patriots during the offseason.
WR DeVonta Smith steps into Brown’s role, leaving Wicks and rookie WR Makai Lemon to battle for the WR2 spot. Injuries limited Lemon during the preseason, allowing Wicks to grab ahold of the role.
Wicks received just 4 targets against the Commanders in Week 1, but he emerged with 2 receptions for 73 yards and 1 TD in the Eagles’ 24-22 win. The Eagles threw 6 passes his way Sunday, which he turned into 5 receptions for 74 yards in a 24-20 win over the Titans.
In that matchup, Eagles TE Dallas Goedert left early with a knee injury. He has since been diagnosed with a sprained MCL that is expected to sideline him for a few games.
Goedert received 5 targets in Week 1 and came away with 2 TDs in the game. He was expected to be an integral part of their passing game, and the Eagles quickly responded by signing veteran TE Zach Ertz.
Even though this will be his second stint with the team, asking him to immediately jump into Goedert’s role is likely too much to ask. The Eagles could lean on Wicks even more moving forward.
Add Dontayvion Wicks to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Sit: Steelers WR DK Metcalf
Game: Bengals vs. Steelers – Sunday, September 27, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 53.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions (Goblin), 11.5 Fantasy Score
Metcalf’s first season with the Steelers was underwhelming, finishing with 59 receptions for 850 yards and 6 TDs. Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers isn’t anywhere close to the player that he was in his prime, finishing last season ranked 40th out of 43 quarterbacks in average depth of target, per PFF.
Out of 31 quarterbacks this season, Rodgers’s 7.7 aDOT ranks 20th. That hasn’t helped Metcalf, who has a total of 8 receptions for 67 yards. The Steelers’ offense as a whole has struggled, which hasn’t resulted in a single red zone target for Metcalf so far.
Things might not get much better for the Steelers against the Bengals, who have allowed just 33 points through two games. They made several key additions on defense during the offseason, including DT Dexter Lawrence and EDGE Boye Mafe to their defensive line.
According to RBSDM, Cincinnati's defense is third in dropback EPA/play allowed and sixth in rush EPA/play allowed in the early going. Another muted stat line could be on the horizon for Metcalf.
Add DK Metcalf to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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Sit: Commanders WR Terry McLaurin
Game: Seahawks vs. Commanders – Sunday, September 27, 1:00 p.m. ET
Projections via PrizePicks: 45.5 Receiving Yards, 3.5 Receptions
Injuries limited McLaurin to 10 games last season. When he was on the field, he wasn’t overly productive, finishing with 38 receptions for 582 yards and 3 TDs. Some of that can be attributed to Commanders QB Jayden Daniels only appearing in seven games because of his own injury issues.
The veteran wide receiver is off to a slow start this season, posting 4 receptions for 64 yards through two games. To make matters worse, Daniels will now be sidelined after dislocating his left elbow again during Sunday’s 37-20 loss to the Cowboys. It is the same elbow that he dislocated last season, so the team is consulting experts to determine his next steps.
With Daniels out, QB Marcus Mariota is primed to start again. The Commanders didn’t ask him to do much during his starts last year, limiting him to 30 or fewer pass attempts in all but one game.
His first start of this year will be a difficult matchup against the Seahawks, who ranked fifth in dropback EPA/play allowed last season. Through two games this year, Seattle has allowed just 17 points. McLaurin and the Commanders’ passing attack will be fighting an uphill battle.
Add Terry McLaurin to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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Vele and Wicks are two unheralded wide receivers who are currently thriving in expanded roles. Metcalf is also in a leading role, but the struggles of Rodgers and the Steelers’ offense could continue to limit his production. McLaurin might also have a difficult time breaking out of his slump when facing the Seahawks without Daniels.
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