WR Starts
Adam Thielen – MIN
Week 2 stats: 4 REC, 7 TAR, 52 YDS, 9.2 PPR points
Week 3 matchup: vs DET
For most of the Vikings Monday night contest with the Eagles, it seemed as if new head coach Kevin O’Connell forgot all about Adam Thielen. Then, late in the game the targets started coming. Now with a week to prepare, and a matchup with the Lions coming up, expect Thielen to quietly emerge as a real weapon in the Vikings’ game plan.
Devonta Smith – PHI
Week 2 stats: 7 REC, 7 TAR, 80 YDS, 15.0 PPR points
Week 3 matchup: @ WSH
Devonta Smith was nonexistent in week one, but he looked fantastic in week two. The Heisman Trophy winner connected with QB Jalen Hurts on all seven of his targets, and looked like a solid complement to outside receiver AJ Brown. Now that he gets a matchup with the porous Commanders’ secondary, expect Smith to improve on his solid week two outing.
Jakobi Meyers – NE
Week 2 stats: 9 REC, 13 TAR, 95 YDS, 18.5 PPR points
Week 3 matchup: vs BAL
Meyers received 13 targets, and looked like Mac Jones’ true number one option against the Steelers in week two. Hopefully Meyers’ touchdown woes finally come to an end this season, but he is a solid starting option in PPR formats regardless. In addition, the Ravens secondary has looked suspect in these first two weeks, giving Meyers the opportunity to produce once again.
WR Sits
Brandon Aiyuk – SF
Week 2 stats: 5 REC, 8 TAR, 63 YDS, 11.3 points
Week 3 matchup: @ DEN
Offseason murmurs of Trey Lance favoring outside receivers made Aiyuk an intriguing sleeper pick in fantasy drafts. However, Trey Lance broke his ankle against the Seahawks on Sunday, effectively ending his season. Now that Jimmy Garropolo is the 49ers QB once again, Aiyuk might struggle the same way he did last year. To make matters worse, a matchup with CB Patrick Surtain III and the elite Broncos secondary is on tap for Aiyuk. Despite his undeniable talent, Aiyuk should not sniff lineups this week.
DJ Moore – CAR
Week 2 stats: 3 REC, 6 TAR, 43 YDS, 1 TD, 13.3 PPR points
Week 3 matchup: vs NO
DJ Moore is a great wideout in the NFL, but he struggles to create reliable production in fantasy football. That trend has continued this year, and with a matchup against the Saints’ elite secondary, it could be tough sledding for Baker Mayfield and the Panthers. Moore’s performance was saved by a touchdown in week two, but he may not get so lucky in week three.
Christian Kirk – JAX
Week 2 stats: 6 REC, 6 TAR, 78 YDS, 2 TD, 25.8 PPR points
Week 3 matchup: @ LAC
Christian Kirk has looked very good for the Jaguars in his first two games with the team, as the Jaguars romped the Colts in Duval County for the eighth consecutive season. Unfortunately, the Jaguars cannot play the Indianapolis Colts 17 times a year. With a matchup against the elite Chargers defense on tap, the Jaguars will likely crash back to earth. Kirk might still get volume in garbage time but it could get ugly for the Jaguars, who are not normally the type to have two good games in a row.
