Start 'Em, Sit 'Em wide receivers: Week 3 fantasy football

Fantasy football managers who went with wide receivers early in their drafts can't be feeling good about the start of the season.

Plenty of early-round receivers have gone down with injuries, including Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, Deebo Samuel, A.J. Brown, Tee Higgins and more. That has forced fantasy football owners to scour the waiver wire to find quality sleepers and under-the-radar streamers from week to week.

Week 3 will present another test for these owners, as several big-name receivers are expected to remain out for the week of action. Their replacements will all be part of difficult start 'em, sit 'em decisions for those looking for help at the WR3 or flex positions.

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Here's a breakdown of who you should start and who you should sit at wide receiver in Week 3 of the fantasy football season.

Fantasy football start 'em: Week 3 WRs

Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

The Bills have had one of the most run-dominant offenses in the NFL through two weeks, but that may change in Week 3. They are taking on a Jacksonville Jaguars squad that has allowed the second-most receiving yards to wideouts this year, trailing only the Detroit Lions. That should allow Josh Allen to move the ball through the air effectively.

Shakir leads the Bills in targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, so it makes sense to trust him here.

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Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints

Shaheed is a boom-or-bust playmaker at times, but he has recorded a 50-plus-yard touchdown in each of his first two games of the 2024 NFL season. He appears to have great chemistry with Derek Carr and seems like a natural fit in Klint Kubiak's impressive offense.

The Saints are playing the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. The Eagles have allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers to start the season behind only the Washington Commanders, so Shaheed may have a chance to make another explosive play. That should making him a solid WR2/3 with one of the highest ceilings on the slate.

Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers

Jennings may not be a household name, but he has been a rock solid No. 3 receiver for the 49ers the last couple of seasons. He now will take over the No. 2 receiver role with Deebo Samuel out because of a calf strain.

With Christian McCaffrey also out, there will be a lot of available targets for Jennings to soak up. That makes him a high-upside flex play, especially against a Los Angeles Rams defense that was just torn to shreds by the Arizona Cardinals. If Purdy can approach the 266 yards and three touchdowns Kyler Murray posted in this matchup last week, Jennings should have a productive outing.

Fantasy football sit 'em: Week 3 WRs

Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts

Pittman is averaging a respectable 7.5 targets per game, but he has only caught seven of them and is averaging a paltry 7.4 yards per reception. He hasn't been in sync with Anthony Richardson to start the season and it may be hard for that to change against the Chicago Bears.

The Bears have allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season and have allowed just one touchdown to the position. That's despite facing the Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans, two teams with strong, experienced pass-catching groups.

Pittman figures to break out of his slump at some point, but unless the Bears defense has their worst performance of the season, it probably won't come in Week 3.

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

Like Pittman, McLaurin has struggled despite receiving a decent target share. The Commanders' top wideout has just eight catches for 39 yards and hasn't yet found the end zone. He is still developing his connection with Jayden Daniels, but the rookie quarterback's penchant for scrambling seem to be limiting McLaurin's upside.

The Cincinnati Bengals have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers, as the position has logged just 17 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown across two games. Cam Taylor-Britt and the Bengals secondary just succeeded in limiting lightning-fast Xavier Worthy on outside against the Kansas City Chiefs, so this might not be the week for McLaurin to break out of his slump either.

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Demarcus Robinson, Los Angeles Rams

Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are out for the Rams, so some may be tempted to trust Robinson in this spot. It wouldn't be advisable for a couple of reasons.

First, the Rams are missing a couple of starters on their interior offensive line: Steve Avila and Jonah Jackson. Without them, Matthew Stafford will face pressure up the middle which could derail Los Angeles' passing offense.

It also isn't clear exactly how reps will shake out in the Rams' receiver room in Week 3. Robinson figures to be the No. 1 wide-out now, but Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington or even Tutu Atwell could take on the role. More likely, the team's top receiver will alternate weekly depending on the matchup – or the player with whom Stafford has the best chemistry.

The San Francisco 49ers haven't been good against receivers to start the season, so those desperate for WR depth can still plug Robinson in as a flex if needed. Just know he's a volatile play and shouldn't be trusted over a player with a safer floor. That advice can be applied to all Rams receivers until we see how the rotation shakes out against San Francisco.

Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

Justin Herbert is dealing with not only plantar fasciitis, but also an ankle injury. His status for Sunday's game remains murky but even if he plays, it's hard to recommend trusting his pass-catching weapons if he's less than 100 percent.

The Chargers are also one of the NFL's most run-heavy teams – they rank third league-wide in run play percentage – so their passing offense's ceiling was already capped. That makes McConkey an extra risky play, especially against a Pittsburgh Steelers defense that has allowed just 8 points per game to start the NFL season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fantasy football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Week 3: 7 WRs to start or sit