By admin 
Each week, I’ll be looking to spotlight players and defenses that I think have a strong matchup that should allow them to deliver above expectations. However, this is not intended as a blanket endorsement to play a fringe player ahead of an established stud—for example, even if I call out a plus matchup for Baker Mayfield, it doesn’t mean he should be played ahead of Josh Allen—so always consider your own lineup alternatives.
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With that out of the way, let’s look at Week 3:
Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
After struggling in the opener, Mahomes looked dialed in during Kansas City’s overtime win, throwing for 382 yards and three TDs. He takes his show on the road this week against a Miami Dolphins defense that has allowed six total touchdowns through two games. If you hesitated to plug the former MVP into your lineup in Week 2, make sure he’s active for Week 3. Others I like:
- Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers: The former No. 1 overall pick has strung together consecutive big days to open the season. Up next, the Cleveland Browns, who allowed four TD passes to Trevor Lawrence in their opener.
- Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks: It’s still unknown whether Darnold (glute) will return to action this Sunday, but if he does, the Washington Commanders provide a soft landing. No one has allowed more passing TDs (7) than the Commanders thus far in 2026.
- Geno Smith, New York Jets: Nobody has been worse defensively over the last game and a half than the Detroit Lions, who allowed 71 points in that stretch.
Running Backs
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton has been one of the few bright spots for the Bolts during their 0-2 start, racking up 115 yards and a touchdown versus the Las Vegas Raiders. While the Buffalo Bills have looked great in winning their first two games, they have allowed 126 yards per game to RBs along with four total scores. Look for LA to utilize Hampton early and often this week to keep Buffalo’s offense on the sideline. Others I like:
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- David Montgomery, Houston Texans: The Indianapolis Colts have allowed 100-yard backs in each of the first two games and faced 78 plays in Week 2.
- Kyren Williams/Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams: In Week 1, the Denver Broncos allowed 7.5 yards per carry to Kenneth Walker III. In Week 2, Bhayshul Tuten averaged 5.0 YPC. The two backs combined to score three TDs. Denver’s run D is struggling.
- Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans: The New York Giants couldn’t hold up against the running game at all on Monday night (24 carries, 162 yards), and now they’ll be asked to turn the page on short rest under the cloud of losing their franchise quarterback.
Wide Receivers
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
Wilson is off to a solid start, posting an 11-136-1 line, and he’s well positioned to build on that against a Lions defense yielding an NFL-high 437 yards to receivers. With Wilson sitting as a borderline WR1, you could even find a spot in your lineup for Adonai Mitchell as a WR3/flex. Others I like:
- Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: It’s next man up in Indy with Alec Pierce (heel) injured, and no team has struggled more with wideouts early on than the Texans, who have allowed a combined 25-369-4 line this year.
- Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers: Carolina’s passing game has been lethal to start the season, and Coker is arguably the biggest fantasy breakout star. He’s ready to ascend to WR2 status in a plus matchup with Cleveland, which is one of four teams to allow four TD receptions to opposing wideouts in 2026.
- DJ Moore, Buffalo Bills: Moore (shoulder) got banged up last Thursday, but the extra rest could have him back on the field versus the struggling Chargers, who just got shredded by Tre Tucker. If Moore is out, apply this endorsement to Khalil Shakir.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
It’s been an inauspicious start for Kraft, though some of that derives from the team’s offensive line injuries that have forced the star tight end to stay in and block. Expect a better plan on Thursday night as the team needs his offense, especially with Jayden Reed (back) unlikely to play. In two games, the Atlanta Falcons have surrendered a 12-113-3 line to opposing tight ends. Others I like:
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- Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers: If there’s been one area that the Cincinnati Bengals have struggled with defensively, it’s tight ends. They’ve allowed a league-high 200 yards receiving to them, and last year, Freiermuth had his best game of the year (5-111-2) versus Cincy.
- AJ Barner, Seattle Seahawks: He’s a pure matchup play, as the Commanders have given up four touchdowns to tight ends already this year.
Defensive Teams
- Carolina Panthers: Yes, the Browns looked much better in Week 2, but one game shouldn’t throw you off the scent, especially after we saw the Panthers throttle the Falcons.
- Green Bay Packers: Nobody has been worse than Atlanta offensively this season. Yes, the return of Michael Penix Jr. (knee) helps, but let’s not gloss over the fact that he hasn’t played an NFL snap in over 10 months. There’s a high ceiling for Green Bay.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Have you watched the Steelers play offense in 2026?
Related: Week 3 Players I Hate in Fantasy Football
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This story was originally published September 23, 2026 at 12:04 PM.