As fantasy managers lock in their lineups for Week 3, several key roster decisions, injury ramifications, and usage metrics are defining the slate. Let’s dive into the the best upside and value plays outside the obvious elite talents.
QUARTERBACK
Process Play: Justin Herbert
The loss of tight ends David Njoku and Charlie Kolar will force Los Angeles into frequent 11-personnel sets featuring Ladd McConkey. Look for Herbert to lean on his primary weapon as he thrives in shootout game situations.
DGAF Time: Geno Smith
This exact matchup is the reason you drafted Geno Smith in superflex. Smith ranks No. 1 in the NFL in deep ball catchable pass rate on PlayerProfiler. Let’s go!
Desperation Stream: Deshaun Watson
Watson has been surprisingly usable for fantasy purposes to open the year, and a leaky Carolina secondary presents a mildly exploitable ceiling for superflexers reeling from the Jaxson Dart, Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams injuries.
RUNNING BACK
Bell Cow Time: Bucky Irving
Irving is earning a surging workload just as Minnesota’s run defense comes off a brutal Week 2 where they surrendered an efficient 134 rushing yards to Chicago.
Good Chalk: Chuba Hubbard
Carolina heads into Cleveland as road favorites, and with Jonathon Brooks officially ruled OUT, Hubbard is locked into high-volume bell cow duties. Start him with maximum confidence.
Game Script Play: Travis Etienne
Through the first two weeks of the 2026 NFL season, New Orleans have held a lead for a total of only 8 minutes and 32 seconds of game action. Start Etienne at home knowing the Saints are 3 point favorites, and he has enjoyed a full week to recover from a minor hamstring tweak.
PPR Play: Jaylen Warren
Rico Dowdle is OUT, and
Warren’s passing-game involvement is key. Woody Marks commanded 6 targets vs. Cincinnati out of the backfield last week, highlighting the blueprint for PPR production.
Deep Stream: Braelon Allen
Detroit’s front seven struggled mightily against the run last week, coughing up over 200 yards on the ground. Adonis Braelon Allen is the most talent RB2 in the league.
