It only took until Week 3 for a run on waiver adds and FAAB spending to go toward backup quarterbacks.
Weeks 1 and 2 had you starting your big-name guys, but for many playing the game, that’s no longer an option at every position.
All signs are pointing to Joe Burrow (toe), Jayden Daniels (knee), Justin Fields (concussion), and J.J. McCarthy (ankle) joining Brock Purdy (toe) on the shelf this week.
You may not have a choice in accepting an extra oomph to start someone you’re on the fence with.
You also may have taken a gamble in the draft and feel depleted at a position, looking to slide someone in this week slyly. And let’s be honest, this happens most weeks.
Last week, we saw Rams’ QB Matthew Stafford, Steelers’ RB Jaylen Warren, Vikings’ RB Jordan Mason, Browns’ WR Cedric Tillman, and Patriots’ TE Hunter Henry make the list.
If you were looking for redemption from me after Week 1, you’re welcome. And maybe Mason will now be a week-in, week-out starter for you following the Aaron Jones injury news.
To help you make these decisions, this article contains my top five Fantasy Football Week 3 Sleepers, and why.
Editor’s Note: These selections rank Tier 4 or lower on The Wolf’s Week 3 Rankings.*
FANTASY FOOTBALL WEEK 3 SLEEPERS
Russell Wilson, QB, New York Giants
vs Kansas City Chiefs
What if I told you that Russell Wilson is currently the NFL’s passing leader?
Four hundred and fifty yards against Dallas certainly helped, as Week 2’s marker boosted him up to 618 for the season.
The G-Men host Kansas City in their home opener and have a chance to expose a defense that has spent a lot of time on the field through two weeks.
It’s no secret that the Chiefs’ offense is struggling without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (shoulder injury), which has led to a winless start to the season. Their failure to extend drives has awarded their opponents more time of possession and a worn-down defense.
Their opponent this week happens to have wide receiver Malik Nabers, who’s sporting 25 targets (14 catches) in two games. He caught two long touchdowns in a shootout in Week 2.
But he isn’t the only threat in the passing game.
Wan’Dale Robinson hauled in 142 yards to account for 309 of Wilson’s yards last week with Nabers. His ability to be a dump-off threat and an all-around receiver makes defenses stay honest.
Emerging rusher Cam Skattebo is also seeing looks in the passing game and should be poised for another balanced game.
Wilson ranks in Tier 4 (QB 20) on The Wolf’s Week 3 Rankings.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
@ New York Giants
It’s no secret that Isiah Pacheco has struggled to begin the season. However, the Giants are the worst run defense (allowed 5.6 YPC) he will have faced, and hopefully for his owners, Kansas City isn’t in catch-up mode all night.
Washington’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who was a backup to begin the season, rushed for 82 yards, while Dallas’ Javonte Williams rushed for 97 last week against New York.
I hope Pacheco is looked at more in the passing game, especially if Worthy remains out and Travis Kelce continues to struggle.
I’m comfortable taking his over rushing yards (45.5) in this contest, and Pacheco has a chance to let those who drafted him breathe a little bit.
Pacheco ranks in Tier 6 (RB 35) on The Wolf’s Week 3 Rankings.
Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Green Bay Packers
@ Cleveland Browns
Jayden Reed (collarbone) is expected to be out for multiple weeks after undergoing surgery following the injury that caused him to leave Week 2 against Washington early.
The receiver who receives the most uptick in playing time should be Dontayvion Wicks.
He’s had more than five catches in a game only once in his career, but has battled being the third starting option for Green Bay since entering the league in 2023.
However, Wicks had six targets (four catches) after Reed exited in Week 2.
Cleveland’s strength is loading the box and stopping the run. The Packers and Jordan Love should have their highest pass attempts of the season in Week 3. With rookie Matthew Golden still adjusting and tight end Tucker Kraft banged up, Wicks could be one of the sneakiest receivers this week.
Wicks ranks in Tier 8 (WR 59) on The Wolf’s Week 3 Rankings.
Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
@ Washington Commanders
I have always been a Jakobi Meyers hater, but if The Wolf is going to leave him in Tier 5 following the start to the season he has had, I’m going to take it.
I like Meyers in PPR more than any other format this weekend after he hauled in eight and six balls, respectively. Dating back to last season, he has four consecutive games with 13 or more PPR points.
Whether Jayden Daniels plays in Week 3 or not, he won’t be 100%, which could make this matchup closer than expected.
Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers (knee) also won’t be 100% if he plays again, potentially creating more looks and leaning on Meyers for the Raiders. No other receiver is threatening targets from Meyers despite Bowers’ injury either.
Meyers ranks in Tier 5 (WR 25) on The Wolf’s Week 3 Rankings.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys
@ Chicago Bears
This series typically only features Thursday players the week of Thanksgiving. Otherwise, Dalton Kinkaid (TE 18) would have been the choice here. Spoiler, he scored a touchdown on TNF…
Instead, Jake Ferguson comes in for a Dallas team that is more competitive than anticipated so far this season.
The Cowboys’ tight end has quietly been elite across multiple metrics. He ranks as the TE2 in expected fantasy points per game, TE3 in first-read target rate, and TE2 in targets when used in pre-snap motion. Since the start of 2023, no tight end has been better at making defenders miss; he’s TE1 in avoided tackles.
Ferguson was targeted a whopping 12 times in the Week 2 shootout with the Giants, and those targets should continue coming.
Chicago is middle-of-the-pack against tight ends (18th), but allowed Detroit’s backup tight end, Brock Wright, to score last week.
Ferguson ranks in Tier 3 (TE 10) on The Wolf’s Week 3 Rankings. There are fewer tight end tiers than QB, RB, and WR, making Tier 3 eligible here.
