NFL Fantasy 2024 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Wide receivers for Week 3

Godwin has 15 catches for 200 yards through two weeks, with his numbers in both categories nearly double those of the next-closest Bucs receiver (Mike Evans has eight catches for 103 yards). Godwin sports a very healthy 33 percent target share and 36 percent air yard share. He has a perfect passer rating when targeted and has been the first read on 34 percent of the throws, per Fantasy Points Data. Plus, he has scored 22-plus fantasy points each week and is the fantasy WR1 entering Week 3. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. There is no way I am sitting Godwin against the Broncos, especially considering how often Pro Bowl CB Pat Surtain II could be matched up with Evans.

Williams followed up his explosive Week 1 (five catches for 121 yards, TD; one carry for 13 yards) with a strong Week 2 (5-79; 1-15). Sure, it was a bit of a step down from his performance in the opener, but Williams is proving he has a safe floor and high ceiling through two games. He was targeted at least nine times in each game and was the first read on a team-high 35 percent of Jared Goff’s throws, per Fantasy Points Data. He seemingly has surpassed Sam LaPorta to become the No. 2 option behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. He even leads the Lions with three end-zone targets (there’s only been four total). Williams brings huge upside and is quickly becoming a weekly must-start option.

There is officially a weakness we can exploit in fantasy. Speedy receivers who line up outside have crushed the Rams in the first two weeks. They have allowed the most yards (342) and touchdowns (four) to receivers lined up out wide, per Next Gen Stats. In Week 1, we saw Jameson Williams feast against them. In Week 2, it was Marvin Harrison Jr.’s turn. Well, a Week 3 matchup against the Rams is exactly what Aiyuk, who has played 91 percent of his snaps out wide, needs to get back on track. Buy low before Sunday because the window to do so is set to close after this week (for him and Ja’Marr Chase). Deebo Samuel’s injury should only mean more volume for Aiyuk. 

Week 2 was a big one for the Seahawks. They got Metcalf going despite a tough matchup against Christian Gonzalez, and it will likely be remembered as the week JSN broke out in the NFL. The two receivers combined for 30 targets and nearly 250 yards. They became the first teammates in Seahawks history to each top 10 catches and 100 yards in the same game. Tyler Lockett was limited to just two targets in the contest. Metcalf’s high ceiling keeps him in play every week, but after seeing the usage last week, JSN is now a starting-caliber option as well. Keep in mind that we have seen the Dolphins’ pass defense struggle against speed this season.

If you looked at the box score alone, you would think Pickens had a lousy Week 2. He finished with just two catches for 29 yards. But if you watched the game, you saw he had a 51-yard catch and a six-yard touchdown nullified by penalties. That means he had over 13 fantasy points taken away. We have yet to see the big fantasy day from Pickens in 2024, but considering he is used down field and in the red zone, I will continue to roll with him. Also, it seems like he and Justin Fields are starting to build chemistry. 

This one hurts. Cooper has just 7.7 fantasy points entering Week 3. That would be a disappointing week for him, let alone two weeks. He has been held to less than 20 yards in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2018 season. Of course, the low production is largely the result of poor quarterback play, but that doesn’t matter if you have Cooper on your fantasy team. There will be spike weeks, but Cooper appears very boom-or-bust with Deshaun Watson at QB. A matchup with the Giants seems like a game where the Browns could build a lead, which means they won’t have to air it out as much. I still have to start Cooper in many spots, but if you have the ability to get away, I would. Jameis Winston taking the QB1 gig may be our only hope for restoring Cooper's fantasy value.

Pittman has a very healthy target share (30 percent), but it has not led to much fantasy success through Week 2. He’s averaging just six fantasy points per game, largely because Colts QB Anthony Richardson is struggling, posting the second-lowest completion rate (55.5) in the NFL among QBs who have attempted at least 125 passes since the start of last season. For now, it seems like the Colts’ offense will consist of a lot of running with deep shots down the field mixed in. The issue? Pittman is not the receiver they use downfield. Those throws go to Alec Pierce and Adonai Mitchell (Pittman has one deep target). I like Pittman, but I’m really souring on him for fantasy purposes. I would sit him against a tough Bears defense.

The only thing scary about McLaurin right now is starting him in fantasy leagues. He was targeted just 11 times in the first two games. Now, he leads the team in that category, but it’s not enough volume. He also has been tethered to the left side of the field out wide, the most difficult spot for a rookie passer (Jayden Daniels, in this case) to go with the ball. I believe that has played a role in why he’s failed to reach nine fantasy points in a game this season. Add on a tough matchup against the Bengals, who have allowed the fourth-fewest yards to wide receivers this season, I’m putting him on the bench until we see better results.

Kirk has been targeted just seven times -- tied for third on the Jags -- even with Evan Engram sitting last week. Perhaps even worse, he has just two catches for 29 yards in two games. Last season he had a total of two games with fewer than 29 yards. Kirk runs the majority of his routes from the slot, which should be a vulnerable area for the Bills with slot corner Taron Johnson injured, but the Jacksonville passing attack just doesn’t seem right. With Trevor Lawrence struggling, I am opting to get away. 

I was all set to write about Diontae Johnson here, but Andy “Red Rifle” Dalton is now the savior in Carolina! Instead, I will double down on Reed. I had him as a sit last week and he finished with just 6.6 fantasy points, with the majority of his production coming as a runner. He ran twice for 37 yards, while he had nine receiving yards on two targets. As long as Malik Willis is the QB, there is far too much volatility. Like I said last week, the ceiling for Reed with Willis is around what the floor is with Jordan Love. Plus, the Titans have been stingy to receivers. No Bears wide receiver had more than 40 yards against them in Week 1 and they allowed just 57 yards to Garrett Wilson on Sunday. I would fade Reed again this week if Willis starts.