Week 3 Wide Receiver Preview: Garrett Wilson Ready to Soar

Top Fantasy WRs for Week 3

Let's break down the key usage notes and matchups that are driving our Week 3 WR Rankings.

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Whether it's Sam Darnold or Drew Lock, no Seattle QB seems to be aware that the Seahawks have other wide receivers.

2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

St. Brown has delivered exactly what you want from a mid-Round 1 fantasy pick, posting lines of 10-67-2 and 9-142-2 to open the year. The Jets have received excellent early play from slot CB Jarvis Brownlee, but there’s no reason to lower expectations for St. Brown.

3. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase came through in Week 2 after going 2-12-0 in the first week. He had 7 catches for 75 yards and 2 TDs against a strong Texans defense. Chase showed that this won’t be a down year and likely goes up against the Steelers defense without CB Joey Porter Jr. this week. Trust Chase to put up high-end WR numbers again this week.

4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Lamb has looked like Dallas’ No. 1 target early on, garnering a 26.2% target share (ahead of George Pickens’ 21.5%). That volume has produced 50.7 PPR points, enough to slot as the WR5 thus far. He remains an elite option against Baltimore.

5. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

We can probably throw out just about everything from last week's rain-soaked, 9-3 waste of a game at Chicago. We'll see what the return of Kyler Murray means for Jefferson, after we got less than a quarter of the new QB before his Week 1 concussion. But Jefferson's an easy play against a Bucs defense that sits just 25th in pass DVOA so far.

6. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Smith made it out of Week 2 healthy, but is dealing with a hamstring injury heading into Week 3. Assuming he's still good to go for Monday Night Football, he faces a Bears defense that gave up the sixth most points to WRs last season. Smith ranks as a WR1 through the first two weeks, and projects as a WR1 again this week.

7. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

Wilson’s volume has underwhelmed so far, with his 21.5% target share ranking 30th among all pass catchers. Still, he’s delivered with lines of 6-79 and 5-57-1 alongside a surprisingly efficient Geno Smith. Expect Wilson’s involvement to tick up going forward, starting Sunday in what’ll likely turn into a trailing game script at Detroit. The Jets enter as 6.5-point underdogs.

8. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints

Olave is second in the NFL in targets with 23 through two weeks. He also is ninth in WR target share (27.4%). The pure volume locks Olave in as a must-start, though the Saints' playing from behind has certainly fueled some of his production.

9. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

Several drops and a lower-than-expected target share have limited Pickens’ early-season impact. He’s 55th in PPR points per game, further hurt by 0 TDs and only 7.5 yards per catch. Fantasy managers should stick with Pickens going forward, despite facing a talented Baltimore secondary. Dallas is implied for a solid 24.75 points.

10. Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars

Parker is sitting on a BIG season, ranking top five among WRs in target share, air-yards share, targets per route, and yards per route. The Patriots sit second in our Pass Defense Power Rankings, but Washington’s slot usage (50% of routes) will keep him away from stud CB Christian Gonzalez for plenty of Sunday’s game.

11. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

Played on Thursday Night

12. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

Jalen Coker has been one of the biggest storylines in fantasy football, but McMillan quietly ranks top 13 among WRs in targets, catches, and receiving yards. The Panthers are going up-tempo (4th in pace) and pass-heavy (2nd in pass rate over expected), boosting McMillan’s upside. He’s a rock-solid WR2 in Sunday’s plus matchup vs. the Browns.

13. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

Played on Thursday Night

14. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams

In Adams first game without fellow WR Puka Nacua this season, he finished as the WR2 in Week 2 with 39.5 PPR points following a 195 yard and 2 TD performance. He became the first WR to produce multiple games of at least 190 yards and 2 TDs in their 10th season or later. With Nacua possibly out for a consecutive week, Adams projects as a fringe WR1 in a Week 3 primetime game against the Broncos.

15. Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos

Waddle is coming off his first 20 PPR point game since being traded to the Broncos. He finished as the WR9 in Week 2, catching eight of his 10 targets for 138 yards. The Broncos WR is one of just five WRs to post at least 28% targets per route and 2.80 yards per route run through the first two weeks. Waddle projects as a fringe WR1 in a Week 3 matchup with the Rams.

16. Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers

Evans has been the 49ers most productive receiver, ranking as the WR23. He's earning a 17.9% target share in a passing offense that's scoring the fifth most TDs. In a matchup with the Cardinals gave up 3 TDs to a backup QB last week, Evans projects as a high-end WR2.

17. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers

McConkey has looked vital to the Chargers offense through two weeks. They rank last in the league in expected points added per play when McConkey hasn't been on the field vs. 14th when he's playing. That could translate into a big target count against a soft Buffalo defense as a 7.5-point road underdog. McConkey has returned to full practice this week after playing limited snaps with his rib injury last week. He's a high-upside Week 3 option.

18. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers

Coker continues to battle a Week 1 ankle injury that sidelined him for Thursday’s practice. We might need to monitor him into the weekend, but Coker will be very tough to keep out of fantasy lineups if he plays. He sits 11th among WRs in expected PPR points and fifth in actual points through 2 weeks, drawing a big 27.3% target share.

19. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers

Played on Thursday Night

20. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Higgins caught 5 of 10 targets for 90 yards in Week 2, a successful bounce back for him and the Bengals passing game. He appears set up for enough targets even when Ja’Marr Chase gets 7 catches himself. The one downside for Higgins is that the Steelers typically leave their safeties back in two-deep to stop deeper targets. That is where Higgins won last week. That makes Higgins a low-end WR2 this week.

21. D.J. Moore, Buffalo Bills

Moore's offense and matchup would make him an easy start if healthy this week. The Bills arrive with the league's highest implied team total. But we'll have to watch the status of the lead wideout's injured shoulder.

22. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Egbuka has matched Chris Godwin on playing time but easily led him in target share. That share, however, sits closer than we'd like to rookie Ted Hurst and TE Cade Otton. And it ranks just 45th among WRs. That's likely to come up, but it adds some risk. The Vikings matchup looks difficult and didn't allow much to Chicago WRs in a rain-soaked Week 2, but Christian Watson and Matthew Golden combined for 242 yards and 2 TDs on them in Week 1.

23. Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Nabers is coming off the lowest scoring week of his career, producing just 1.1 PPR for a WR116 finish to Week 2. But it was a game that included a shoulder injury and starting QB Jaxson Dart exiting in the first quarter. Nabers is still averaging a 21.3% target share despite the career-low week. He projects as a WR2 in Week 3, facing a Titans defense that has allowed the third most points to WRs.

24. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

Low volume and drops have made Williams a frustrating fantasy option thus far. But this was always part of his profile, as long as Detroit’s offense was operating at full health. His explosive upside will remain as long as he continues his current route rate of 91.8%. As we’ve seen, though, the downside is obvious. The Jets matchup at least looks unthreatening from a personnel perspective. The Lions are also implied for a high 27.25 points.

25. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs

Rice’s two-game target share of only 9.5% is concerning. But he’s at least been on the field for a 75% route rate, while the slow start can be explained by an offseason with knee surgery and a jail stint. Rice has also delivered 80 yards or a score in back-to-back games and now draws a Miami secondary without anything close to a shutdown CB. Rice remains a WR2/3, albeit a volatile one.

26. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

Samuel is one of just 11 WRs to earn a target on at least 28% of his routes while averaging at least 2.00 yards per route run this season. His usage is ramping up with De'Zhaun Stribling sidelined, as he jumped from a 52.8% route share in Week 1 to 80% in Week 2. Samuel projects as a fringe WR2 in a division matchup against the Cardinals.

27. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders

McLaurin's working on a horrid 30.8% catch rate through two games. Combine that with Marcus Mariota making his first start of the year and a Seattle matchup, and the wideout becomes a guy you should try hard to avoid using this week.

28. D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers

Metcalf has struggled this season, with multiple drops and just 8 catches on 19 targets so far. The Steelers seem intent on using him, but he has lacked the concentration and hands to get the job done. The usage has still been solid, and Michael Pittman Jr. missing another game should mean plenty of Metcalf targets this week. He can be a WR3 with WR2 upside if more of those targets turn into catches.

29. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts

Downs had a strong Week 2, catching 7 of 9 targets for 72 yards on a 30% target share. Alec Pierce leaving the game with an injury pushed more targets to Downs and helped fuel that performance. He now fills in as the team’s top WR and has played 91% of pass snaps over the first two weeks. Downs should be a solid WR3 with a high target share, despite a tough matchup against Houston CBs Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter.

30. Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens

Bateman tallied a huge 33% target share last week with Zay Flowers sidelined. The result: 7 catches, 88 yards, and 1 score. He’ll stick in WR3 range if Flowers’ hamstring keeps him out for Sunday’s game vs. Dallas. Note that the Ravens will remain without rookie WR Ja’Kobi Lane, who’s on IR.

31. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

Worthy’s 83.3% route rate and 17.6% target share are encouraging, but the results haven’t yet shown up. He’s posted games of 18 and 25 yards with an average depth of target at only 6.7 yards. We’ll see if Worthy’s big play ability can surface against Miami, a unit that’s allowed a league-high 8.6 yards per pass attempt this season.

32. Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals

Wilson leads all Cardinals WRs with a 21.5% target share, posting 7 targets in each game. But in a week where Jacoby Brissett managed just 95 passing yards, he came away with 3.8 PPR points in Week 2. Wilson projects as a WR3 in a matchup against another defense ranked in the top at preventing passing yards.

33. KC Concepcion, Cleveland Browns

While fellow rookie Denzel Boston has scored more fantasy points so far, Concepcion has matched him in target share (21.2%) and actually ranks higher in expected fantasy points (37th among all WRs). With QB Deshaun Watson playing surprisingly well, Concepcion is a viable WR4 or flex starter.

34. Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns

Boston ranks 12th among WRs in PPR points through 2 weeks … but just 41st in expected points per game. That latter mark is a much better representation of the rookie’s fantasy value going forward. But he looks good, and QB Deshaun Watson has played surprisingly well, making Boston a viable WR4 or flex starter.

35. Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans

Tate is one of just four rookie WRs posting at least a 20% target share. But it's coming from a passing offense that is tied for the fewest TDs and has the third fewest yards. It's resulted in Tate ranking as the WR60 through the first two weeks. In a matchup against the Giants who have allowed the seventh most points to WRs, the Rookie WR projects for a WR4 rank in Week 3.

36. Stefon Diggs, Washington Commanders

Diggs ranks 10th among WRs in PPR points per game so far, 14th in expected points per game, and 52nd in route participation. The positive take: Washington's targeting him at a high rate when he's on the field. The skeptical take: Can we really expect Diggs to keep holding the fifth-highest targets per route rate at the position (31.3%). The only four guys ahead of him are Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Parker Washington, Davante Adams, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Combine that skepticism with a difficult Seattle matchup in Week 3, and the backup QB coming in, and Diggs lands as a low-end WR3.

37. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Godwin has matched Emeka Egbuka in snaps and holds a slight lead in routes so far. But Godwin ranks just fifth on the team in targets through two games, trailing Egbuka, Bucky Irving, Cade Otton, and rookie Ted Hurst. That makes him tough to like in a difficult Week 3 matchup with Minnesota.

38. Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears

It hasn't been the breakout start that Burden managers were hoping for. The second-year WR is posting 7.9 PPR points per game ranking as the WR51. After being out-targeted by Kalif Raymond in Week 1, Burden led Bears WRs in targets with seven in Week 2. Unfortunately, the team has third-string QB Case Keenum starting against an Eagles defense that's allowed the eighth fewest passing yards for his first start since 2023. Burden projects as a fringe WR3 in Week 3.

39. Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints

Vele caught 5 of 7 targets last week for 64 yards. He now has 5+ catches in four of his last five games. He’s played 93% of Saints' snaps so far this season, making Vele a full-time WR. The Saints being down in the last two games helped to fuel Vele’s production. He should be a solid WR4 flex play this week.

40. Romeo Doubs, New England Patriots

Doubs tied for the lead among Patriots WRs in route rate (74%) and led in targets (4) on a low-volume passing day last week. That sets him up as a viable WR4 or flex play in what should be a more competitive game against the Jaguars this Sunday. Jacksonville sits 19th in our Pass Defense Power Rankings.

41. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings

A positive matchup with the Bucs lands Addison close to WR3 territory, but he's difficult to like any higher after corralling just 2 catches through the first two games. It's also worth noting that Tampa hasn't been a gimme WR matchup through two games. Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase combined for just 12.1 PPR points against the Bucs in Week 1.

42. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

Harrison is coming off a game where he earned just one target for the second time in his career. Although, it's the second time over his past three games dating back to last year that he's finished a week with 0.0 PPR points.The third-year WR is accounting for a 16.9% target share, which ranks as the third highest on a Cardinals offense that's thrown for the fifth fewest passing yards. Harrison projects as a fringe WR4 in a Week 3 matchup against the 49ers.

43. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Thomas has posted strong per-route marks through 2 weeks, ranking 13th in targets per route and 28th in yards per route among 105 qualifying WRs. But he’s not playing in 2-WR sets, leaving him with a 61.8% route rate that ranks 73rd among those 105 WRs. Thomas will be tough to trust in fantasy lineups until that changes. He also figures to see plenty of Patriots stud CB Christian Gonzalez this weekend.

44. Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers

Perhaps QJ can help you if the Chargers elevate their pass volume in a game that finds Buffalo heavily favored. But he has managed just 3 catches among 11 targets through two games. The offense has struggled, despite seemingly unscary matchups with the Cardinals and Raiders. Johnston's fine as a WR4, but Ladd McConkey's likely return to full duty this week (a rib injury limited his Week 2 playing time) presents another hurdle.

45. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills

Shakir has managed just 7 catches on 12 targets through two games. That's not enough to make an attractive play out of a typically short-range guy who needs target volume to drive his fantasy scoring. Shakir's yards per catch are up (12.6) vs. the past two years, though (10.8 and 10.0). He could gain upside if D.J. Moore's sidelined or limited by his injured shoulder.

46. Dontayvion Wicks, Philadelphia Eagles

Wicks has been the Eagles' second leading WR with 13.9 PPR points per game behind DeVonta Smith. The fourth-year WR is commanding a 16.1% target share and 2.37 yards per team pass attempt, both career-highs, in his first year with the team. Wicks projects as a fringe WR4 against the Bears, but with Smith picking up a hamstring injury this week, his Week 3 projection could climb even higher.

47. Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars

Meyers has 3 catches on 3 targets through 2 games. We gotta imagine the thumb injury he suffered in August that still has him on the injury report is a factor. Regardless, Meyers should be parked on fantasy benches until he shows signs of life.

48. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Sutton is the second-leading target earner on this Broncos offense, with a 15.3% target share. But he's producing just 4.3 PPR points per game, ranking as the WR88. While he's yet to come away with a TD, his inefficiency is a major reason for his lack of production. Sutton's 0.61 yards per team pass attempt rank 82nd among all WRs. He projects as a fringe WR4 in a Week 3 matchup with the Rams.

49. Tre Tucker, Las Vegas Raiders

Tucker caught a 40-yard TD this past week, fueling a 5-catch, 119-yard performance. His two 40+ yard catches shows Tucker’s deep threat role for the Raiders. He can certainly blow up in any given week. But, if he doesn’t get that big play, he won’t score much for you. That makes Tucker a high-upside, low-floor WR5.

50. Adonai Mitchell, New York Jets

Mitchell surprisingly beats Garrett Wilson in target share (23.1% to 21.5%) through two games. We don’t expect that to continue, but it’s still positive usage for a young player who emerged from camp with plenty of buzz. Just keep an eye on Mitchell’s finger injury that popped up mid-week, one that makes him iffy for the Detroit matchup.

51. Keenan Allen, Indianapolis Colts

Allen has averaged 5.5 targets per game over the first two weeks. He only caught 1 of his 5 targets last week, showing a low floor even with Pierce sidelined. The Texans' strong CBs Derek Stingley and Kamari Lassiter make Allen a poor starting option except in deep leagues. It could be another single-digit week for him.

52. Wan'Dale Robinson, Tennessee Titans

It's been an underwhelming start to the year for Robinson who has produced just 5.4 PPR points per game. The fifth-year WR is earning a 13.5% target share compared to the 28.3% mark he posted last season. Robinson faces his former team, who have allowed the eighth most receiving yards this season, in a Week 3 matchup he's projected as a WR5 for.

53. Malik Washington, Miami Dolphins

Washington gets a small boost with the Dolphins expected to be without Caleb Douglas (ankle). The team has also managed Chris Bell’s practice reps as he continues to work back from an ACL tear. Still, the current state of Miami’s passing game leaves Washington buried in the rankings. Malik Willis has completed only 58% of his passes through his first 50 attempts. Meanwhile, the Chiefs have surrendered only 5.2 yards per attempt to opposing QBs.

54. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

It's been a struggle for Odunze who is the WR54 with 7.3 PPR points per game. His 10.9% target share ranks outside of the top 70 WRs through the first two weeks, but it's a mark that's expected to improve as the third-year WR is produced a 20.5% share just last season. Unfortunately, even with an uptick in target volume, Odunze is attached to third-string QB Case Keenum who hasn't started a game since 2023. He projects as a WR5 in Week 3.

55. Mack Hollins, New England Patriots

Hollins caught just 2 balls for 18 yards last week. But QB Drake Maye threw just 22 passes, and Hollins tied for the lead among Patriots WRs in route rate (74%). That keeps him in play as a desperation fantasy start in what should be a more competitive game against the Jaguars this Sunday. Jacksonville sits 19th in our Pass Defense Power Rankings.

56. Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers

Harris saw his targets halved from Week 1 to Week 2 and managed just 1 catch, despite a slight boost in playing time. He's been on the field enough to be relevant so far but has just 4 receptions. Ladd McConkey's return to full practice this week off a limiting rib injury further dings the upside here.

57. Demario Douglas, New England Patriots

Douglas’ role didn’t change with A.J. Brown out last week. He posted a 67% route rate, ran 89% of those routes from the slot, and finished with just 1 target. That leaves him as a desperation Week 3 fantasy start.

58. Rashid Shaheed, Seattle Seahawks

If Shaheed's headed for a big role boost after his hefty contract extension, it hasn't started yet. He's working on just 4 catches for 39 yards through two games. Getting Sam Darnold back should help, but we'll see how much and how soon.

59. Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos

Bryant is commanding an 11.9% target share along with 0.71 yards per team pass attempt. Neither mark rank among the top 50 WRs, but it highlights the second-year WR outproducing fellow WR Courtland Sutton despite commanding a lower target share. Which leaves reason for optimism that Bryant will be the WR2 on this offense sooner than later. For this week, Bryant projects as a fringe WR5 against a tough Rams defense.

60. Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles

Lemon has been on the field constantly with an 81.8% route share, but it hasn't resulted in production. The Rookie WR is producing just 2.2 PPR points per game ranking as the WR110. We're only two games into his career, and Lemon led all power four WRs in PPR points per game last season, which makes a breakout possible in any given week. But for Week 3, Lemon projects as a fringe WR5.