After two weeks of fantasy football play in 2026, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has picked up where he left off last season. Smith-Njigba has scored 68.7 fantasy points over two weeks, which is nearly five points higher than the next qualifier.

JSN is averaging an astounding 34.4 PPR Fantasy Points Per Game. If you drafted him and are enjoying the results, don't trade him unless an offer comes in that makes you fall off the desk chair. Attempting to deal for Smith-Njigba will likely require including at least one other superstar in your offer.

There is still much other roster work to be done heading into Week 3, with so many notable injuries creating necessary moves for fantasy leaguers. We provide our waiver wire rankings and also recommend quality fantasy starters for NFL Week 3.

Analysis leans to PPR formats, and top highlighted starters at each position are listed in order of lineup preferences.

NFL Week 3: Running Backs To Start

START Chuba Hubbard: Through various changes in coaches and teammates over the past five years, Hubbard has remained a constant staple in the Carolina offense. Over the first two weeks of this season, as the Panthers scored 71 points, he registered three touchdowns from scrimmage.

It won't be surprising to see a good amount of points scored in the Carolina vs. Cleveland matchup, and if the Panthers' offense continues to roll, Hubbard will be the unrivaled drive finisher as a runner. The Browns allowed 131.5 rushing yards per game over the first two weeks.

START Bhayshul Tuten: The Jaguars RB rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown in Week 2 against Denver. Tuten averaged 5.0 yards per carry, and he has been very efficient so far this season, averaging 4.7 yards per attempt. Tuten is emerging as the clear lead RB for the Jaguars, and he could see his workload start to increase against the Patriots in Week 3.

START Kyren Williams/Blake Corum: We are seeing the long-rumored timeshare in the Rams' backfield become a reality this season, as Williams and Blake Corum are clearly splitting work. Williams has 23 rushing attempts over two games, and Corum has 22.

On yards per carry, Williams is averaging 5.5 yards and Corum is at 6.0. The edge in TDs goes to Williams, though, as he has scored twice from scrimmage. Corum is still aiming for his first end zone visit of the season.

Both Rams RBs are recommended options, though, against Denver, which has allowed 157.5 rushing yards per game so far. Williams can be started as a top 20 fantasy RB this week, and Corum is a viable flex option.

START Quinshon Judkins: The Browns earned their first win of the season last week with a stirring victory at Tampa Bay. The Panthers have allowed the most rushing yards per game (224.0) so far this year. This matchup will present a prime opportunity for Judkins to start posting quality numbers.

More Week 3 Fantasy Football RBs To Start: D'Andre Swift (vs. PHI), TreVeyon Henderson (vs. JAC), David Montgomery (vs. IND), Travis Etienne Jr. (vs. LV).

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Running Backs

1. Jonah Coleman, Broncos: This rookie might handle a significant workload as soon as this week.
2. Kaleb Johnson, Packers: The ex-Steeler was traded to Green Bay before the regular season started, and he may continue to push for more carries.
3. Emmett Johnson, Chiefs: Kansas City's rookie has dazzled in limited touches so far, displaying versatility and the promise to operate as a fantasy starter if he is pressed into more action at any time this season.
4. Tyjae Spears, Titans: He averaged 5.9 yards per carry last week, and Spears is still capable of adding a spark to the Tennessee offense.
5. Emmanuel Wilson, Seahawks: The Seahawks' RB committee shined more in Week 2, and Wilson stood out with 92 rushing yards on 21 carries. He is a tenacious and determined inside runner, and Wilson is worth adding to your fantasy depth at RB for now.
6. Braelon Allen, Jets
7. Tank Bigbsy, Eagles
8. Keaton Mitchell, Chargers
9. Demond Claiborne, Vikings
10. Kaytron Allen, Commanders

NFL Week 3: Wide Receivers To Start

START Malik Nabers: After the Giants offense sputtered without injured quarterback Jaxson Dart in a loss to the Rams, some fantasy managers might be concerned about Nabers' potential production for Week 3.

The Giants' top WR suffered a shoulder injury at Los Angeles, but he was able to return to the game. With a full week of prep to face the Titans, Jameis Winston might re-emerge as a productive gunslinger, and Nabers can benefit as his top target.

START Jalen Coker: The Panthers have led the NFL in passing yards per game over the first two weeks, at a 312.5 clip. Coker has been a key contributor, catching eight of nine targets in each game, and he posted 138 receiving yards with two TD passes in the season opener.

Cleveland ranks 17^th in passing defense so far this season and will not be able to limit the ascending Bryce Young and his possible breakout WR this week.

START DeVaughn Vele: The ex-Bronco has stepped into the Saints' No. 2 WR role, catching 12 of 16 targets while totaling over 47 PPR points in the first two weeks. Listed at 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, Vele can be a frequent TD target for Tyler Shough, who is guiding a rising Saints offense.

The Raiders have played well over the first two weeks, but Vele should be still be started as a fantasy WR3 or flex option.

START Dontavyion Wicks: In each of his first two games with the Eagles, the former Packer has registered 12-plus PPR points. Last week, he caught five of six targets, and he also caught a TD pass in the season opener.

With Dallas Goedert now out with a knee injury, Wicks must continue to function as a quality contributor to the Philadelphia offense, and he can be started as a fantasy WR3/flex against a Bears defense that allowed 353 passing yards and three TDs to Carolina in Week 1.

More Week 3 Fantasy Football WRs To Start: Drake London (vs. GB) Matthew Golden (vs. ATL), Deebo Samuel Sr. (vs. ARI), Jameson Williams (vs. NYJ), Tre Tucker (vs. NO), Adonai Mitchell (vs. DET).

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Wide Receivers

1. Denzel Boston, Browns: The Cleveland rookie is already looking like a potent size/speed target and a good fit as another young playmaker for the Browns. He caught TD passes in each of the first two games while averaging 22.0 yards per catch. Boston caught five of seven targets for 95 yards last week and now deserves starting consideration.
2. Deebo Samuel, 49ers: The versatile veteran can still be a key part of the San Francisco offense, and he is needed to be an essential contributor right now.
3. Adonai Mitchell, Jets: He was targeted 12 times last week, and could be a very busy target for Geno Smith against the Lions this week.
4. Malachi Fields, Giants: This rookie was targeted six times in Week 2, and he may eventually emerge as the true No. 2 WR for the Giants.
5. Cody White, Raiders: The waiver wire is thin at WR, so consider the former Seahawk. White caught two TD passes last week and the Raiders still need a respectable complement to pair with Tucker at WR.

NFL Week 3: Tight Ends To Start

START Isaiah Likely: If the Giants' passing game can perform well enough vs. Tennessee, Likely should be a prime target for Winston. Likely was targeted 18 times in the first two games and caught two TD passes in Week 1.

Start AJ Barner: This might be the week when Barner pops up again on the fantasy football radar against Washington. In each of the first two weeks, the Commanders allowed two TD receptions to the top TEs they faced.

Plus, as we saw last week, Barner can always add six fantasy points with a "Barn Yard” TD near the goal line. He is a recommended TE streamer for NFL Week 3.

More Week 3 Fantasy Football TEs To Start: Dalton Schultz (vs. IND), Mark Andrews (vs. DAL), Pat Freiermuth (vs. CIN).

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Tight Ends

1. Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
2. Terrance Ferguson, Rams
3. Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers
4. Kenyon Sadiq, Jets
5. Darren Waller, Panthers

NFL Week 3: Quarterbacks To Start

START Jared Goff: We could see a high-scoring game between the Jets and Lions this week. Detroit has allowed the most passing yards per game in the NFC so far this year (310.5) and will have to respond to a good outing from Geno Smith, who can be started as a QB2 in superflex leagues this week.

START Tyler Shough: In the first two games of the 2026 season, Shough has passed for 662 yards. The second-year QB continues to look like a guy worthy of consistent fantasy lineup consideration. Expect at least two TD passes vs. Las Vegas this week.

More Week 3 Fantasy Football QBs To Start: Bryce Young (vs. CLE), Jordan Love (vs. ATL), Drew Lock (vs. WAS as a QB2 superflex streamer).

Week 3 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Rankings: Quarterbacks

1. Tyler Shough, Saints
2. Bryce Young, Panthers
3. Geno Smith, Jets (one-week play)
4. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
5. Drew Lock, Seahawks (superflex option until Sam Darnold returns).

Week 3 Fantasy Football Defenses To Stream: Green Bay (vs. ATL), Cincinnati (vs. PIT), Minnesota (vs. TB), and Jacksonville (vs. NE).

Scott Engel's *full weekly Fantasy Football rankings are available at RotoBaller.com.* Scott is a member of the inaugural class of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's (FSWA) Hall of Fame. He has been the official Fantasy Football writer for Seahawks.com since 2012 and has contributed to game coverages and special projects such as the *Top 50 Seahawks of All Time*.

Scott is a Senior Writer at *RotoBaller.com* and a host on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio. His work has regularly appeared on CBSSports.com, ESPN.com and The Athletic.