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Week 3 Wide Receiver Preview: A.J. Brown 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.

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers

Drake London, Falcons

The last time Drake London faced Carolina's secondary, he posted overall WR1 numbers in that wild regular-season finale. He also went 6/74/1 against the Panthers in Carolina. London is off to a slow start, and the 2025 Panthers have been surprisingly good at limiting opposing wideouts. However, this feels like a 'get right' spot for London against a team he has dominated. 

Darnell Mooney, Falcons

Mooney made his 2025 debut last week and retook his undisputed No. 2 WR role. He matched Draked London in target rate and route rate versus the Vikings. Carolina has been good against the pass so far, allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing WRs. Mooney's role is solid, but his ceiling is capped. He's a modest WR4/flex option this week. 

Tetairoa McMillian, Panthers

Coming off his first 100-yard receiving game in the NFL, McMillian now ranks 9th in the league in that category. The volume has been good. McMillan has a 23% target share and has been targeted on 20% of his routes. Those are both indicative of a No. 1 WR. That usage keeps him solidly in WR2 territory, even against a tough Atlanta defense that has allowed the second-fewest passing yards. 

Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns

Jerry Jeudy, Browns

Jeudy enters Week 3 with a just OK 20% target share. He hasn't scored, though, with his last TD surfacing in Week 14 of last season. His outlook looks gloomy this week against a red-hot Green Bay defense. Through two games, they’ve allowed only zero WRs to reach 50 yards.

Romeo Doubs, Packers

Doubs is in a solid spot for targets, as Green Bay enters the weekend banged up at pass catcher. Christian Watson (ACL tear) remains out. So too is Jayden Reed (clavicle, foot). Now, there’s at least a chance that Tucker Kraft is out or limited for Sunday. QB Jordan Love still figures to spread the ball around, but Doubs should garner 5-6+ targets in a fine scoring matchup. He’s on the deep-league WR3/FLEX radar. 

Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Nico Collins, Texans

Collins may have matched his 3 receptions from Week 1 in Monday night’s loss, but the Texans tried to get him the ball more. His nine targets led his nearest teammate by five, and Collins reminded everyone of his talent with a tremendous TD catch. Expect new OC Nick Caley to remain focused on trying to get the ball to the team’s top wideout, especially with the offense struggling in general. Jacksonville’s D has performed better so far this year but remains a non-scary coverage matchup.

Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars

Thomas’ mere 5 receptions through two games looks pretty disappointing, even more so when you realize that he has seen 19 targets. But that latter number is the biggest reason to keep betting on the second-year player in your lineup. He gets a challenging coverage matchup against Houston’s corners this week, but the Texans rank just 21st in pass DVOA so far. So it’s not a matchup to avoid.

Travis Hunter, Jaguars

Hunter fell from an 82% route rate and 26% target share in Week 1 to just 60% routes and 14% targets last week. Perhaps his increase in defensive playing time played into the offensive decline. Hunter jumped from just six defensive snaps in the opener to 43 against the Bengals. A back injury that knocked CB Jarrian Jones out of that game and limited his practice participation this week could mean more defensive time for Hunter this week. At the least, the uncertainty makes the rookie a shaky fantasy play -- especially with his QB delivering two lackluster performances to open the year.

Dyami Brown, Jaguars

Brown delivered a nice 5-57-1 receiving line last week and ran 10 more routes than Travis Hunter, trailing only Brian Thomas Jr. among Jacksonville WRs. Hunter’s increase in defensive snaps last week and Thomas’ wrist injury could push more work toward Brown again, but there’s a lot about this offense that we’re still trying to figure out (and that the Jags are likely still figuring out). Combine that with Trevor Lawrence’s lackluster play so far and a challenging matchup with Houston corners this week, and Brown’s tough to trust in full-season lineups. He presents some upside in deep situations and DFS.

Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings

Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals

Chase's ceiling obviously takes a hit without QB Joe Burrow. But his target share could actually rise as the Bengals deploy more quick-hitting throws for QB Jake Browning. Chase figures to be featured on those. He owns a 43% first-read target share and a 9.3-yard average target depth so far this season (vs. Higgins' 23% first-read target share and a 12.5-yard aDOT). Chase should stay locked into Week 3 fantasy lineups.

Justin Jefferson, Vikings

Jefferson has hogged 31.7% of Vikings targets through two weeks ... but that's led to just 13 total targets with Minnesota sitting dead last in pass attempts. Expect this to remain a run-leaning offense at least in the short term. But QB Carson Wentz might prove to be an upgrade over the current version of J.J. McCarthy. Jefferson should stay in season-long fantasy lineups.

Tee Higgins, Bengals

Higgins scored a long TD but drew just 16% of QB Jake Browning's targets last week. He had a similar target share in Browning's seven starts back in 2023. We'll keep a close eye on Higgins' usage and production going forward, but consider him a fringe WR2/3 for now.

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots

D.K. Metcalf, Steelers

Metcalf had a decent Week 2, catching three of six targets for 20 yards and a TD. He finished as PPR WR40 after finishing as WR28 in Week 1. Metcalf’s high floor makes him a safe option, and the Patriots' top CB Christian Gonzalez is 50/50 to play at the time of writing. Without Gonzalez, they have given up three top-24 WR performances this season. Trust Metcalf as a WR2.

Stefon Diggs, Patriots

Diggs caught four of five targets for 32 yards, only running a route on 56.7% of passing plays in Week 2. He isn’t playing like a full-time WR so far this season and shouldn’t be trusted in your lineup this week.

Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles

Puka Nacua, Rams

A week after leading the team in targets despite being in and out of the lineup, Nacua trailed Davante Adams … and still delivered an 8-91 receiving line on nine looks. The target concentration keeps both wideouts in easy-start territory weekly. And Nacua’s slot frequency (nearly half his snaps to date) should take him away from lead Philly CB Quinyon Mitchell plenty.

A.J. Brown, Eagles

Brown disappointed again in Week 2. But eight targets and 5 receptions made for big improvements over the 1 he posted in each category the week before. Now comes a Rams D with injuries affecting an already iffy crew of CBs. There’s breakout-game potential here if Philly can align its play-calling and offensive performance.

Davante Adams, Rams

Adams followed a quiet (for him) Week 1 by leading the Rams with 13 Week 2 targets. He has seen 8+ in each of his first two games with the new team, displaying the concentrated target distribution (to Adams and Puka Nacua) that we expected from this offense. Week 3 brings a Philly defense ranked just 16th in pass DVOA so far.

DeVonta Smith, Eagles

The Rams have allowed the seventh-fewest PPR points to WRs through two weeks, but they’ve benefited from facing the limited WR corps of Houston and Tennessee. Those groups combined to catch 64% of their targets, and rookie Elic Ayomanor delivered a nice 4-56-1 receiving line on just six targets last week. Philly needs to get its passing game going and should be looking to let Smith and A.J. Brown drive that. Smith came away from the Week 2 win with a bit of back trouble but has not appeared on the Week 3 injury report.

New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mike Evans, Buccaneers

Mike Evans made some plays versus Houston, but had a tough task going against CB Derek Stingley. This week, he gets another difficult matchup, facing off with the Jets' shutdown CB Sauce Gardner. Still, Evans is playing at a high level, commanding a 30% target share in an offense that has top-10 upside each week. He's a locked-in fantasy WR1 despite the matchup. 

Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers

If Sauce Gardner is blanketing Mike Evans, that will lead to more targets and opportunities for Emeka Egbuka against a Jets' defense that has allowed three WRs to surpass double-digit fantasy points in two games. Egbuka has already caught 8 passes and scored 3 TDs, so he's capable of posting WR2 numbers in this game. 

Garrett Wilson, Jets

Garrett Wilson's 41% target share ranks third in the league. He's about the only thing that works in New York's passing game, so the volume keeps him as a solid weekly WR2. However, with Tyrod Taylor under center, Wilson could see a boost in catchable targets, giving him the potential to compete for top-12 fantasy numbers. 

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans

Michael Pittman, Colts

If you roster Pittman, you have to be encouraged by the early returns. Playing a short-range role, he's generated a solid 21% target share. He also leads the Colts with an 85% catchable target rate, per PFF. Mix in the hot start from Daniel Jones, and it's not a total surprise to see Pittman sitting in WR2 range. He’ll remain in the starting discussion for fantasy, especially with Titans CB L’Jarius Sneed dealing with a back injury that cost him practice on Wednesday and Thursday.

Calvin Ridley, Titans

Ridley’s already been credited with two drops this season. This follows a 2024 with a bloated 11.1% drop rate. The bigger issue is that he's playing alongside a hot and cold QB in rookie Cam Ward, who's delivered just a 65% catchable target rate to Ridley, per PFF. Ridley’s overall volume is encouraging, so we wouldn’t abandon him as a WR3. Just note: The Colts should get top CB Charvarius Ward back from a concussion. 

Las Vegas Raiders at Washington Commanders

Jakobi Meyers, Raiders

Meyers caught 6 of 12 targets for 68 yards last week. The volume was great, but the poor Raiders’ passing game limits Meyer's upside. In PPR, he has a floor ranking fifth among WRs in targets so far this season. Meyers is locked in as a WR2 this week. 

Terry McLaurin, Commanders

McLaurin only mustered five catches for 48 yards against the Packers last week, but should have an easier time with the Raiders' defense. The Raiders are giving up 8.2 yards per target, ranking 22nd in the NFL. They have given up an average of 16 PPR points per game to opposing X WRs Kayshon Boutte and Quentin Johnston. This could be a good bounce-back spot for McLaurin, especially with Mariota likely starting who 

Deebo Samuel, Commanders

Samuel had his second straight game with seven catches, but also found the end zone in Week 2. OC Kliff Kingsbury appears to be drawing up plays specifically for Samuel, giving him a solid floor in PPR. With Austin Ekeler out for the year, Samuel could get more rushing touches as well. He should be a high-end WR3 this week.  

Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Chargers

Ladd McConkey, Chargers

McConkey sits tied with Quentin Johnston in targets so far and trails Keenan Allen. But he leads the trio in catch rate and Pro Football Focus receiving grade. McConkey’s team-leading slot share should keep him away from CB Pat Surtain II and matched up primarily with Ja’Quan McMillian, who has allowed the highest catch rate so far among Denver corners (80%).

Courtland Sutton, Broncos

Sutton trails second-year teammate Troy Franklin so far in targets, catches, receiving yards, and Pro Football Focus receiving grade. But that’s two games vs. all of 2024 treating Sutton as the dominant lead WR. So we’ll continue leaning that way for at least a little longer. The Chargers’ defense arrives ranked No. 4 in pass DVOA, presenting a difficult matchup all around.

Keenan Allen, Chargers

Allen leads the Chargers in targets and receptions through two games, despite running third among WRs in route share. His 70.6% catch rate trails Ladd McConkey but proves the veteran remains a reliable target in what has been the league’s most pass-happy offense so far this season. Denver arrives rated higher in run defense (sixth in DVOA) than pass (14th).

Quentin Johnston, Chargers

Johnston figures to see the most of CB Pat Surtain II among the Chargers’ wideouts. That hurts both the floor and ceiling for a guy who’s in for some regression anyway. Johnston has played well and benefited from L.A. running the league’s pass-happiest offense to date. But he has also inflated his numbers with 18.8 yards per catch and three of the team’s five TD catches.

Troy Franklin, Broncos

Franklin has impressed through two weeks, leading his team in targets, catches, and receiving yards (nearly doubling Courtland Sutton there) while matching Sutton in route rate. This week finds a well-performing Chargers defense, though, ranked fourth in pass DVOA. Donte Jackson, Tarheeb Still, and S/CB Derwin James all carry Pro Football Focus coverage grades north of 80. We’ll see if Franklin can keep his run going, but we would prefer not to bet on it happening in our Week 3 lineups.

New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seahawks

Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with an insane 41.1% target share through two weeks. He's parlayed his 23 looks into 17 catches for 227 yards. Despite not finding the end zone yet, JSN ranks ninth among WRs in PPR points. He's quickly earned WR1 status and gets a plus Week 3 matchup at home for the Saints.

Chris Olave, Saints

Olave has opened the season with solid 7-54-0 and 6-54-0 receiving lines. There's potential for much more going forward. Olave has racked up 23 targets through two games and leads all WRs in expected PPR points per game. The Saints are in a tough spot in Seattle this weekend, but the Seahawks will likely be missing slot CB Devon Witherspoon. Olave has run 40% of his routes from the slot this year.

Cooper Kupp, Seahawks

Signs of life from Kupp, who tallied a 7-90-0 line on nine targets last week. Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the clear alpha in this passing game, but Kupp looks like the clear No. 2, at least for now. That puts him on the WR4 radar in a plus matchup against the Saints on Sunday. Seattle's 24.5-point implied total is tied for eighth-highest on the week.

Rashid Shaheed, Saints

Shaheed sits 29th among WRs in expected PPR points per game and 32nd in actual points through two weeks. He's drawn 17.5% of Saints targets and is benefiting from HC Kellen Moore's fast-paced offense. New Orleans is in a tough spot in Seattle this weekend, but Shaheed remains in the WR4 mix.

Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears

CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys

Lamb ranks top three among WRs in targets, catches, and yards through two games. He should add plenty to those totals in Week 3 against a Bears secondary that will be without top CB Jaylon Johnson and slot CB Kyler Gordon.

Rome Odunze, Bears

We're only two weeks in ... but it sure looks like Odunze is Chicago's No. 1 WR. He leads the team with a 29.4% target share and 33.3% first-read target share, parlaying that volume into 13 catches, 165 yards, and three TDs. Odunze has a good chance to stay hot in Week 3 against a Cowboys defense that was just torched by Giants WRs Malik Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson.

D.J. Moore, Bears

Moore has totaled just 11 targets on a 16.2% target share through two games. We don't expect the gap between him and WR Rome Odunze to stay THIS wide -- but it certainly looks like Moore is a secondary option in HC Ben Johnson's offense. Consider Moore a WR3 going forward, but his ceiling is elevated this week in a pristine matchup against a Cowboys defense that was just smoked by the Giants.

George Pickens, Cowboys

Pickens has seen just 15.1% of Cowboys targets through two weeks -- a number that will need to rise if he's going to be a bankable fantasy play. We'll keep an eye on that going forward, but Pickens would be tough to leave out of Week 3 fantasy lineups against a Bears defense that's allowed the most fantasy points to WRs so far this season. Chicago will be without top CB Jaylon Johnson and slot CB Kyler Gordon on Sunday.

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers

Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals

Harrison only caught two of his five targets for 27 yards last week. The Cardinals have been in control of both games this year and run-heavy, so this could be a better spot for Harrison. He has played more slot snaps this year and has a chance to break out in this game. He is a low-end WR2.

Ricky Pearsall, 49ers

Pearsall caught four of six targets for 56 yards last week with Mac Jones, only seeing one target in the second half. It was a solid performance after 108 receiving yards in Week 1. Jauan Jennings returning may have lowered Pearsall’s ceiling, but he can be trusted as a WR3 this week.

Jauan Jennings, 49ers

Jennings caught five of 10 targets for 89 yards and a TD with a solid performance returning from injury. The lack of George Kittle seemed to benefit Jennings the most with his double-digit targets. The Cardinals secondary is banged up, so it could be another solid game for Jennings. He is a WR3 this week.

Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants

Xavier Worthy, Chiefs

Worthy suited up for limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, as he’ll try to play through a torn labrum. Even if he’s active, the second-year WR will carry added risk as a WR3/FLEX vs. the Giants.

Hollywood Brown, Chiefs

Brown was contained by a talented Eagles defense in Week 2. Now, he’s at risk for a reduced role, provided Xavier Worthy can overcome his shoulder injury. The upside here: Brown draws a Giants pass defense that carries major question marks in the secondary. Ultimately, the veteran should be viewed as a WR4.

Malik Nabers, Giants

Through two games, Nabers ranked top-eight among WRs in target share, air yards share, and end zone target share. Russell Wilson is a bit of a mystery after posting one dud (Week 1) and one impressive turnaround last Sunday. Nabers’ high-volume role ultimately supplies a high-end ceiling against an underachieving Chiefs defense. They sit a lowly 30th in PFF’s pass coverage grades.

Wan’Dale Robinson, Giants

Robinson came out of nowhere to post 8-142-1 against Dallas. Included in that line: A couple of surprising deep ball hookups with Russell Wilson. Don’t expect it to be a regular occurrence throughout the season. But we’ll buy Robinson’s general involvement following games of 8 and 10 targets. The Giants figure to play from behind in this game, too. 

Detroit Lions at Baltimore Ravens

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions

Baltimore got roasted by Khalil Shakir in Week 1. Shakir runs 75% of his routes from the slot. Expect the Lions to deploy Amon-Ra St. Brown inside, where he can be most effective against a Baltimore defense that has allowed the second-most passing yards through two games. St. Brown is a locked-in top-10 option with a path to top-5 numbers in Week 3. 

Jameson Williams, Lions

Williams overcame a disappointing opener to catch 2 passes for 108 yards and a TD in Week 2. We'd like to see a little more volume, but Williams showed last week that he still can score anytime he touches the ball. The expected point total in this week's trip to Baltimore keeps Williams in the WR2/3 conversation. 

Zay Flowers, Ravens

Flowers is top-10 in targets (20), receptions (14), yards (218), and PPR points (43). He's second in the league with a massive 42% target share. He's emerged as the leading breakout WR of 2025, and the momentum should carry over into Week 3 against a Detroit defense that just allowed 128 yards and 2 TDs to Rome Odunze. 

Rashod Bateman, Ravens

Bateman's 16% target share ranks second on the team, but he's off to a quiet start. Through two games, Bateman has only caught 4 passes for 25 yards. However, this matchup projects to be a potential get-right spot for Bateman, facing a Detroit secondary that has already allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing WRs.

Next Up

Fantasy Football Start Sit Week 3: Can We Trust Detroit's Offense?

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Shane Hallam, Writer

Shane has over 20 years of experience creating content and playing every fantasy football format, including redraft, dynasty, devy, C2C, IDP, CFF, and more. He is a multi-year winner of $500 dynasty leagues on the FFPC and a King's Classic Champion. Shane utilizes deep film and scheme study to enhance his fantasy performance. He led the industry in 2024 preseason Kicker Rankings and ranked second in preseason QB Rankings. He also ranked eighth in preseason IDP rankings.