Dominate Your League

New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor will take the field this Sunday in an exploitable matchup with the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 36-year-old hasn't drawn a start since Week 17 of the 2023 season during his time with the Giants, but he'll get the nod in Week 3 with Jets' starter Justin Fields (concussion) battling a concussion. Taylor isn't a world-beater, but he's at least an average thrower of the football. Fortuitously, he'll square off against a Buccaneers defense that's allowed 235.5 passing yards per game - the ninth-most in the league. The Jets figure to continue relying on their ground attack, but Tampa Bay has been excellent in that regard (76.5 yards allowed per game [fifth-fewest]). It wouldn't be surprising to see the team air it out slightly more than they have through the first two weeks, particularly with Baker Mayfield and the Bucs pushing the pace. He's RotoBaller's QB21 ahead of Week 3, and can be left on waivers for the time being sans two-quarterback formats.

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Houston Texans K Ka'imi Fairbairn continues to be a reliable fantasy starter at the position despite his team's offensive issues. He has made all his kicks this season, going a perfect 5-for-5 on field goal attempts and 1-for-1 on extra points. They went for two after one of their touchdowns in Week 2 on Monday Night Football, but Fairbairn still finished with seven points, including another field goal from 50+ yards. He's made all three of his attempts this year from over 50 yards, and he is a solid play as the Texans look to pick up their first win of the season on the road against Jacksonville this week. Fairbairn is the K7 in RotoBaller's Week 3 rankings, making him a starter in almost all formats at EverBank Stadium.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jordan Watkins (calf) has been declared out for the team's home opener in Week 3. The rookie initially popped up on the report after logging a limited practice on Thursday, which was followed by a DNP on Friday. Per ESPN's Nick Wagoner, head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Watkins' injury might land him on injured reserve. Watkins suffered a high-ankle sprain in the preseason, which lingered long enough to cause him to miss the season opener. He got in a full practice before Week 2's matchup against the Saints but was a healthy scratch for that game. Watkins has no business being on fantasy football rosters.

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San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges may have been the hero of Week 1, but it was Luke Farrell who was given the start in Week 2. Tonges did end up with a greater snap share (78% to 59%), more targets (five to three), and a higher route participation rate (54.7% to 47.5%), but Farrell still won out in overall fantasy production. Tonges' four catches for 31 yards were double what Farrell brought to the table in both categories, but one of the latter's catches resulted in a touchdown. The Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco's Week 3 opponent, gave up eight receptions to Juwan Johnson in Week 1 and seven to Ja'Tavion Sanders last week. However, given the rotation utilized by the 49ers in Week 2, Tonges shouldn't be counted on for that kind of success in Week 3.

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San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro was brought in for Week 2 after one miss too many by Jake Moody brought about his release. Naturally, Pineiro shanked his first kick with his new team, an extra-point try no less. Pineiro rebounded and made good on the rest of his attempts last Sunday, two extra points and field goals from 44 and 46 yards out. Pineiro is one of the most accurate kickers in NFL history, a welcome change of pace given his predecessor's volatility. His upside is limited, however, by a lack of leg strength. Pineiro makes for an adequate streamer in Week 3, though fantasy football managers are better off seeking a kicker with greater potential to hit long-range field goals.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne operated as the team's WR3 in Week 2, seeing a 49% snap share and catching all three of his targets for 32 yards. In Week 3, he could be in line for more work when the 49ers host the Cardinals at Levi's Stadium, where Bourne made his NFL debut in 2017 and called home until hitting free agency after the 2020 season. Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoulder) did not practice all week and is listed as questionable on the 49ers' injury report. If he is out or limited on Sunday, then Bourne should see more attention from quarterback (and former Patriots teammate) Mac Jones, who is expected to start for Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder). Bourne could be a desperation flex in deep leagues or a budget-friendly dart throw in DFS, should Jennings ultimately be declared inactive.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is looking like the team's de facto WR1 heading into the team's Week 3 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Fellow wideout Jauan Jennings (ankle/shoulder) did not practice this week and is listed as questionable on the team's final injury report. Pearsall could emerge as a top target for quarterback Mac Jones, who is expected to draw another start in lieu of Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder), who is also listed as questionable. Pearsall projects as a WR3 and can be upgraded pending Jennings' status and that of cornerbacks Max Melton (knee) and Will Johnson (groin), both of whom are on Arizona's injury report. Pearsall is a safe start in three-WR leagues and a solid flex option elsewhere.

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San Francisco 49ers running back Jordan James (finger) logged a week of full practices for the first time this season and carries no designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The rookie missed the season opener while recovering from a broken finger suffered in August, and was a healthy scratch in Week 2 after logging just one full practice that week. Expectations for James in Week 3 should be kept to a minimum. The 49ers have employed a steady rotation of Christian McCaffrey and Brian Robinson Jr., with third-stringer Isaac Guerendo yet to see an offensive snap. Unless McCaffrey or Robinson succumbs to an injury, James can be left off fantasy football rosters.

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Through Weeks 1 and 2, San Francisco 49ers running back Brian Robinson Jr. has been locked into a steady rotation with starter Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey has played roughly three-quarters of San Francisco's offensive snaps, with Robinson soaking up the rest as a change-of-pace back. So far this season, Robinson has been given 15 carries and gained 53 rushing yards, and has converted three targets into two catches for four receiving yards. Fantasy football managers should expect nothing to change in Week 3, when the 49ers host the Arizona Cardinals in their home opener. Robinson is a high-end handcuff worth a bench stash, but he can be held out of starting lineups.

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After back-to-back top-five finishes at his position, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is set to continue his dominant start to the season on Sunday. In Week 3, the 49ers match up against the Arizona Cardinals, a team that has been kind to McCaffrey in the past. In seven career games against them, McCaffrey has averaged 145 scrimmage yards and has ten total touchdowns. Concerns over McCaffrey's injury history dissuaded some fantasy football managers from drafting him, but the team has not been shy about getting the ball in his hands. McCaffrey had 31 touches in the season opener and leads the team in targets and receptions. A healthy McCaffrey has weekly overall RB1 potential. He should be locked into starting lineups for Week 3.

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones is lined up for another start in place of Brock Purdy (toe/shoulder) in Week 3. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said it is "highly unlikely" Purdy gets the start on Sunday. Jones finished as the QB7 in Week 2, completing 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints. On Sunday, the 49ers face an Arizona Cardinals defense that gave up 328 yards and three touchdowns to Carolina's Bryce Young last week and might be without cornerbacks Max Melton (knee) and Will Johnson (groin). Jones is projected as a QB2 in Week 3, making him viable in superflex formats and deeper leagues.

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New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has seen increased usage within the team's offense, but it's not enough to justify starting him in fantasy football against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. Hooper's snap share jumped from 32 percent in Week 1 to 62 percent in Week 2, and his pass-catching volume increased, too. The 30-year-old caught all three of his targets for 38 yards last week, out-producing Hunter Henry despite playing fewer snaps than him. Hooper remains the No. 2 tight end on the depth chart behind Henry, but he's still seeing decent playing time, especially in two-tight end sets. This week, Hooper is facing a mid-range Steelers defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends. Hooper ranks as RotoBaller's TE41 this week, and he can be benched in most leagues.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte remains in the low-end WR3/flex tier ahead of his Week 3 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Boutte is averaging 12.5 fantasy points (PPR) per game this year, and he salvaged his one-catch showing last week with a touchdown. The 23-year-old has been one of Drake Maye's favorite and most reliable targets, and that should continue to be the case this Sunday. It's a particularly intriguing matchup for Boutte given that 88.1 percent of his snaps have come on the perimeter, and the Steelers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers in 2025. Boutte leads all Patriots receivers in snaps this year and should impress in a high-volume role this weekend. Fantasy managers in leagues with at least 12 teams should feel comfortable starting Boutte in Week 3.

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New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry is a risky fantasy option for Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he impressed with 66 yards back in the season opener, Henry came back down to earth with just one catch for nine yards last weekend. His target share has been volatile, and he lost a portion of his snaps to Austin Hooper in Week 2. Hooper finished that game with a 62 percent snap share, which was nearly double his snap share from Week 1. While we've seen that Henry can have fantasy relevance even when Hooper is involved, it's still a factor to consider when weighing whether to start Henry in fantasy football. Looking at this week's matchup, the Steelers have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to tight ends in 2025. RotoBaller's experts are ranking Henry as the overall TE16 this week.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs has seen lower usage than expected during the first two weeks of the season, which makes him tough to trust in fantasy football for Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Diggs' volume has been steady so far, but he has only played 54.2 percent of the team's offensive snaps. This type of usage might not be enough to justify starting Diggs in fantasy football, especially against a Steelers defense that has been near league-average in terms of fantasy points allowed to wide receivers. They've been particularly stingy against slot receivers, and 36.6 percent of Diggs' snaps this season have come in the slot. He ranks just outside the top 36 fantasy receivers for Week 3 against Pittsburgh.

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New England Patriots wide receiver DeMario Douglas is no longer worth rostering in redraft leagues after his snap share took a massive decline last week. Douglas played just 25 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 2, commanding only one target. With drastically reduced usage, Douglas can be dropped in most fantasy leagues and should be avoided ahead of Week 3 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This matchup is particularly concerning for Douglas, who has played 76.7 percent of his snaps in the slot this season. Pittsburgh has allowed the 10th-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers. Managers can find much better options than Douglas this week.

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New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye is an intriguing fantasy option heading into Sunday's Week 3 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Maye has looked solid through the first two games of the season, demonstrating accurate passing, moderately clean football, and rushing upside. His path to fantasy production continues to trend in the right direction this weekend. While the Steelers have been a strong defense in recent history, they have struggled to contain quarterback production this year, allowing the sixth-most fantasy points to the position. Both Justin Fields and Sam Darnold have found fantasy success against Pittsburgh, and Maye should follow in their footsteps. He's a fringe top-12 fantasy quarterback heading into Week 3.

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New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson could continue to see significant volume as he works to hold onto his lead-back role against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 3. While fantasy managers are itching to see Tre'Veyon Henderson take over the New England backfield, Stevenson has held onto the top spot on the depth chart through two weeks. He was quite impressive last Sunday against the Dolphins, leading the Patriots in rushing attempts, rushing yards, targets, receptions, and receiving yards. He should handle roughly 15 touches with solid efficiency this week against the Steelers, who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025. Stevenson is worth starting as a low-end RB2 in fantasy football.

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Las Vegas Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson has once again proven to be a steady fantasy contributor, making five of his six field-goal attempts through two games. His lone miss came from 58 yards, showing he's been accurate and dependable from standard ranges. With the Raiders offense struggling to finish drives, Carlson has benefited from frequent opportunities to put points on the board. That trend should continue in Week 3, as he enters tied for K8 on the season and facing a lighter stretch of the schedule ahead. While often overlooked at the kicker position, Carlson's consistency makes him a viable starting option and one of the better surprises for fantasy managers early in the 2025 campaign.

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New York Giants kicker Graham Gano has established himself as a premier fantasy option and should be considered in Week 3 against the Chiefs. Gano is currently the K5 in fantasy, averaging an impressive 10.5 points per game while remaining perfect on the season, having made all five of his field goal attempts--including a long of 55 yards--and all four extra points. While some fantasy managers may hesitate to trust the Giants' offense week-to-week, its ability to move the ball, as seen in the 37-point outing against Dallas, provides Gano with ample scoring opportunities. His proven accuracy and the offense's capability to stall in opponent territory make him a top-tier fantasy kicker.

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