With injuries running rampant across the NFL thus far in 2024, fantasy owners are struggling now more than ever with finding a set it and forget it lineup. The waiver wire has not been particularly fruitful either, so on most occasions, it is either a trade or making the best with your current roster if you want to escape the week with a victory. If you want the best opportunity this weekend, here are five players to slot into or keep out of your lineup come Sunday.
START: Tony Pollard (RB)
While Tony Pollard was a monumental disappointment for fantasy owners in Week 3, his lack of production was largely due to an unfavorable game script in a blowout loss to the Packers. Will Levis is highly volatile, but leaves Pollard’s fantasy value intact. In his inaugural season with the Titans, Pollard is the back to own in Music City with over a 60% snap share in all three weeks of the season. While facing a 28th-ranked Miami run defense that saw both Zach Charbonnet and James Cook run wild, Pollard is a must-start, especially with Tyjae Spears primarily a third-down back.
START: Amari Cooper (WR)
On the heels of consecutive dud performances to open the season, Amari Cooper finally broke through in the way fantasy managers had anticipated in Week 3. Cooper led the Browns and was top five in the NFL with a 37.5% target share this past week, hauling in seven balls for 87 yards and two scores. Cooper has been targeted eight or more times in all three games for the Browns, and while Deshaun Watson has been abysmal, the Alabama product does possess standalone value. In a matchup with a porous Raiders defense, set the bar high for the 2015 No. 4 pick.
START: Zack Moss (RB)
Zack Moss tallied his highest fantasy output in a Monday Night loss at the hands of the Commanders behind a season-high five receptions. Chase Brown has struggled to break free of Moss’ monopolization of the Cincinnati backfield as the former Ute saw 75% snap share or more out of the backfield in both Week 2 and 3. Against a Panthers defense that is missing Derrick Brown and has allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs, Moss is an easy plug-and-play start.
START: Dalton Kincaid (TE)
In the first two weeks of the season, Dalton Kincaid has been more fantasy landmine than gold mine to kick off 2024, with a combined 9.4 points accumulated across that span. Kincaid returned to form in Buffalo’s Week 3 blowout victory, scoring his first touchdown of the season. The connection between Josh Allen and Kincaid is still blooming, and Allen looked his way early and often before game script led to the Bills abandoning the pass. With a heavily favorable matchup with the Ravens that saw both Brock Bowers and Jake Ferguson do damage, Kincaid is a lock to be a top tight end in Week 4.
START: Rome Odunze (WR)
Drafted No. 9 overall in April’s draft, Odunze is a budding superstar at the professional level. Keenan Allen is past his peak and it’s Odunze, not DJ Moore, who Caleb Williams has the strongest rapport with. On 11 targets last week, the Washington product burst onto the scene, corralling six passes for 112 yards and his first-career touchdown. The Bears face the Rams on Sunday, and the Los Angeles secondary allows the third-most points to opposing wideouts. There are encouraging signs with Odunze’s progression at the NFL level, and all signs point to a second straight sizzling showing.
SIT: Xavier Worthy (WR)
The speedy rookie showed flashes of his sky-high potential in Week 1, but has not yet garnered the consistent usage to be a fixture in fantasy lineups. Xavier Worthy has just six catches across three weeks of the season, as the former Longhorn has yet to make his mark in the NFL just yet. The Chiefs have a difficult matchup with the Chargers who are fifth best in the league against receivers. Keep Worthy on your bench this week and every week until his usage is more solidified.
SIT: Anthony Richardson (QB)
Despite a dazzling showing in Week 1, the Anthony Richardson experience was in full swing come Week 3. The 2023 No. 4 pick has thrown five interceptions across his last two starts, as the ball security throughout his NFL tenure has grown increasingly alarming. Even with the mobility to extend plays, Richardson’s volatility through the air poses too much risk to start on a consistent basis. To make matters worse, the Florida product has a date with the stout Steelers defense on the horizon. Pittsburgh’s defense has been the best against quarterbacks this season, so look for an alternative option at quarterback.
SIT: Rhamondre Stevenson (RB)
Rhamondre Stevenson accrued his worst fantasy output of the season last Thursday night, fumbling and tallying just 0.3 points in a loss at the hands of the New York Jets. Stevenson has yet another brutal matchup, facing the 49ers robust defensive front. Stevenson has ceded receiving work to Antonio Gibson, though his opportunities out of the backfield have been promising. In another matchup where New England can lose big, Stevenson is a risky start as an RB2.
SIT: Javonte Williams (RB)
Javonte Williams’ 51% snap share in Week 3 was a season-low, as Tyler Badie received the same amount of touches and Jaleel McLaughlin was the back who reached the end zone. The former second-round pick is averaging just 2.2 yards per carry in 2024 in what has looked like a dormant offense over in the Mile High City. The North Carolina product faces a Jets defense that ranks eighth-best against fantasy running backs, and in what should be a low-scoring game, steer clear of “J-Will”.
SIT: Ladd McConkey (WR)
Through three games of his NFL career, Ladd McConkey is the WR51 on the season, averaging 9.0 fantasy points per contest. While the Georgia product tallied a 30% target share in the Chargers’ Week 3 win, his snap share and target share have fluctuated at points. McConkey played just 49.3% of snaps in Week 2 before seeing over 70% in Week 3. In a run-heavy offense with Justin Herbert expected to be unavailable on Sunday, red flags are flying for the rookie second-rounder’s fantasy prospects. The Chiefs secondary is above league average in containing wideouts, so McConkey is unlikely to meet expectations in the FLEX spot.
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