Fantasy Week 3 WR Start/Sit: Top Options Include Puka Nacua, Garrett Wilson, and Others

It is never too early to take a look ahead at your start/sit options for your upcoming fantasy football matchup. Here are my top start/sit options at the WR position heading into Week 3 of NFL action.

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Which WRs Should You Start in Fantasy This Week?

Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams

Do you believe in Puka Nacua now?

If you thought his 10-catch, 119-yard performance was impressive, he somehow managed to top that elite-level production against one of the premier defenses in the league (San Francisco 49ers) with a 15-reception, 147-yard outing in Week 2.

While Cooper Kupp remains unavailable, Nacua’s a top-15 play at the WR position. Even when Kupp returns, he’s flirting with top-25 consideration. This kid looks like the real deal.

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles’ passing offense has gotten off to a bit of a slow start in 2023. Unfortunately, the lack of production from the passing game appeared to cause some frustration between wide receiver A.J. Brown and quarterback Jalen Hurts on the sideline during the team’s 34-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football.

Brown’s four-reception, 29-yard performance against the Vikings was a big fantasy disappointment, but I would like to reassure you that better days are ahead in the very near future.

MORE: Early Fantasy Football Start ‘Em, Sit ‘Em Picks for Week 3

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have given up two 100-yard performances at the wide receiver position — Justin Jefferson and DJ Moore — in the first two games of the season.

Expect Brown to bounce back in a big way in Week 3.

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

This start feels a bit more speculative if the Los Angeles Chargers will be without running back Austin Ekeler for a second consecutive week. However, Mike Williams should certainly be on your radar for starting consideration in Week 3.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had a 300-yard outing against the Tennessee Titans’ suspect secondary in Week 2 and gets the favorable draw of Minnesota’s defense this week.

Sure, Keenan Allen was the beneficiary of the two touchdown passes, but both he and Williams hauled in eight receptions for 80+ yards. Williams still has plenty of big-play, TD upside in Week 3 in a plus matchup.

Which WRs Should You Sit in Fantasy This Week?

Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

Garrett Wilson showed both why you should and why you shouldn’t start him in Week 3 against the Dallas Cowboys.

On one hand, Wilson showcased his special playmaking ability with a 68-yard score against one of the league’s better defensive units. On the other hand, the efficiency on his eight targets — hauling in just two of those passes — leaves much to be desired.

If that isn’t enough to make you uneasy starting him, then throw in the fact he’s facing one of the best defensive minds in the league — Bill Belichick — in Week 3, who could give QB Zach Wilson fits throughout the entire game. Garrett Wilson feels like a boom-or-bust option in your lineup for Week 3.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, New England Patriots

Raise your hand if you had Mac Jones leading the league in passing attempts heading into the Week 2 Monday night slate.

For the record, my hand is not raised.

While the Patriots have gone to the air early and often in 2023, this hasn’t done much for JuJu Smith-Schuster’s fantasy production, which is very … very concerning.

JuJu has failed to top 35 yards receiving both weeks, and while he’s been involved, he hasn’t established himself as the go-to option in New England’s offense.

In a week where the Pats will face off against a quality Jets pass defense — that features cornerback Sauce Gardner — I’d rather go in a different direction in Week 3.

Trending Searches for WR Start/Sit

Did you know that we have a Start/Sit Optimizer here at Pro Football Network?! It’s completely free to use, and it allows you to enter up to six players to find the best option to plug into your starting lineup!

It also allows us to see the most popular trending searches, and we’ve jotted some of them down here to help provide some clarity!

Should You Start Puka Nacua or Garrett Wilson?

If you had asked me back in late July when training camp started if I could ever envision a scenario where you would legitimately be torn on whether to start Wilson or Nacua on your fantasy team heading into Week 3, I probably would’ve called you crazy.

But … here we are. Nacua is coming off of two consecutive 10+ reception, 100+ yard receiving performances to start the season, and Wilson is once again catching passes primarily from Zach Wilson.

Despite the downgrade at QB, Wilson still managed to showcase exactly why you should still consider putting him in your lineup with a 68-yard touchdown connection against an elite Dallas Cowboys defense.

Unfortunately, his volatility and target efficiency also made an appearance in this game. He produced just one reception for 15 yards on the other seven targets he saw in this game.

Nacua, on the other hand, leads the NFL in targets (35) and receptions (25) through the first two games.

If that doesn’t tell you Nacua is the safer option right now, then perhaps the Jets matchup against the New England Patriots defense — who Zach Wilson has thrown two touchdowns to seven interceptions against — can convince you to go in a different direction this week.

It is hard to sit a talent like Wilson, but Nacua is my pick this week.

Should You Start Mike Williams or Tyler Lockett?

Tyler Lockett generated two touchdown receptions in a bounce-back performance for the Seattle Seahawks passing attack in their 37-31 overtime win against the Detroit Lions.

To be fair, Mike Williams was far from a slouch against the Titans, registering eight receptions for 83 yards in their overtime loss.

MORE: Early Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

The Chargers probably have the better matchup against the Vikings secondary, and Williams feels due for a big day in a must-win game for the Chargers.

I’m going with Williams in Week 3.