NFL Fantasy 2025 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Wide receivers for Week 3

I think there is a new WR1 in Chicago. Through two games, Odunze has 20 targets, while DJ Moore has 11. Odunze has seen the Bears' lone end-zone target and three of their five red-zone targets. He has been the first read on 33 percent of passes, per Fantasy Points, with Moore at 19 percent. Additionally, he has the most air yards on the team by far. Simply put, the second-year pro is in the valuable role for fantasy purposes. Plus, this is a great matchup, as Dallas has allowed the most yards and third-most touchdowns to receivers. Odunze looks like a must-start option.

Pickens had me in the first half, not gonna lie. He was once again the third target for the Cowboys, which is not ideal, but he has been their top option in the end zone. The big-bodied wideout is currently tied for the league lead with five end-zone targets. That could come in handy on Sunday, as the Bears have allowed the most touchdowns to receivers. Pickens is still being used heavily downfield, so he will always be a little volatile, but we did just see Jameson Williams torch Chicago deep. George has a good chance of going boom this week.

Egbuka was the No. 2 target once again for Baker Mayfield on Monday night. He has three touchdowns in his first two games, averaging 18.3 fantasy points per game. Despite that, there was a lot of potential production left on the field in Week 2. The first-round draft pick had a deep ball go off his fingertips and was underthrown on one where he had a step. This could be another upside week for the rookie. The Jets have allowed the most yards to slot receivers through two weeks, and Egbuka runs nearly 40 percent of his routes from the slot. Plus, we saw Sauce Gardner shadow DK Metcalf in Week 1, covering him for 91 percent of plays. We might see Mike Evans receive similar treatment -- like Houston just did with Derek Stingley Jr. -- which could mean more targets going Egbuka's way. 

Jennings looked like the top choice for Mac Jones in Sunday's win at New Orleans. He led the 49ers with 10 targets, catching five for 89 yards and a touchdown. He was the first read on 27 percent of pass plays, per Fantasy Points. Jennings also bounced between playing out wide and in the slot, which helps him avoid top corners at times. He is in play against the Cardinals, who are in the top 10 in yards allowed to receivers aligned out wide. They've also allowed the most catches to receivers. While I prefer Jennings, Ricky Pearsall is also in play, as this passing attack is pretty funneled with George Kittle sidelined by injury.

Last week was not the best showing for Coleman, but that was more due to the circumstances of the game, a blowout victory over the Jets. I still believe he will operate as the Bills' top receiver moving forward. The Dolphins have struggled against receivers lined up out wide and have allowed a lot of production in each week. Plus, Josh Allen historically has put up huge numbers against Miami, throwing 40 TD passes in 15 career games. I am rolling the dice on Coleman's upside this week.

Week 2 was a career day for Robinson. He finished with eight catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, scoring 28.2 fantasy points. He's had at least eight targets in each game, displaying a safe floor and high ceiling. He is being used down the field more than in previous seasons, with his four deep targets and three catches both being career highs. In fact, he leads the NFL in yards on deep passes. He also leads the league in yards from the slot. That matters this week, as the Chiefs have allowed the second-most yards to slot receivers. I think Robinson stays hot in this one.

This is more of a warning than a straight sit, but things have not gotten off to a good start for Ridley. He has just seven catches for 84 yards through the first two weeks. He is not being used much downfield, which limits his upside, since the Titans do not throw him the ball much in the end zone (just four end-zone targets since start of 2024). Plus, he has struggled against zone coverage, something the Colts employ at an above-average rate. Against zone this season, Ridley has just a 68.8 passer rating when targeted and 50 percent catch rate. His metrics last year were better, but not by much. Sitting him is option dependent, but he is certainly falling down the WR ranks right now.

Olave has shown to be a safe floor option, but we have yet to see any real upside. He has yet to connect on a deep pass and has the fewest yards of any player with 20 targets, which includes his teammate Juwan Johnson (who has the second-fewest). It is not an Olave issue, of course -- it's a Spencer Rattler one. But it doesn't matter who is to blame in fantasy. Plus, Seattle's defense has looked extremely tough early on. Against receivers, the Seahawks have allowed the second-fewest yards, the lowest passer rating when targeted and the lowest completion percentage. Floors are lowered in tough matchups. I would look to get away from Olave this week.

Waddle was able to take advantage of the Christian Gonzalez-less Patriots last Sunday, but I do not like his chances of doing that again in Buffalo. Last week was just his fifth time topping 50 yards in his last 16 games. He scored just his seventh touchdown in his last 31 games. Plus, the Bills have allowed the eighth-fewest yards to receivers this season. Waddle has struggled against Buffalo in his career. He has been held under 50 yards in four straight against the Bills, and in six of eight total matchups. If you can get away from him, I would.

The 2025 Packers' defense is a black hole that ruins fantasy weeks. That has been my biggest takeaway in the early goings of this season. Green Bay has allowed the fifth-fewest yards to receivers and the second-fewest yards per attempt to wideouts. This is a very scary matchup that I want to avoid. Plus, the Browns have been spreading the ball around. Jeudy has just a 53.4 rating when targeted and a 56 percent catch rate. And all the end-zone targets have gone to Cedric Tillman. I would avoid Jeudy this week.

I get a surprising number of questions about Darnell Mooney. He is a good player, and there will be weeks to use him -- I just don't think this is one of them. In Week 2, he only saw four targets -- one fewer than TE Kyle Pitts. Perhaps it was just a one-week thing, but there is a realistic chance that Pitts is the No. 2 target. Also, the Panthers have been elite against receivers -- partly because you can run all over them -- allowing the fewest yards to the position. They've posted the second-lowest completion percentage to receivers, as well as the third-lowest yards per attempt and passer rating when targeted to the position. Expect a huge Bijan Robinson day.