Things are starting to take shape in the NFL after two weeks. With two games in the books, we are starting to learn which rookies are emerging as productive fantasy football options in 2026.
For Week 3's NFL Fantasy Football Rookie Start ’Em, Sit ’Em, we'll discuss how injuries, game scripts and team needs are impacting the rookie class and what you should do about it in your fantasy matchup.
Rookie starts of the week
Start ’Em: Denzel Boston
The matchup: The Cleveland Browns are facing the Carolina Panthers in Week 3. Carolina has had an interesting start to the season defensively, giving up 59 points to the Chicago Bears in Week 1, then just three points to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2. Despite the Week 2 numbers we know Carolina's defense is extremely gettable.
Why I'm starting him: Last week, Denzel Boston went off for five catches, 95 yards, and a touchdown. He leads all rookies in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and leads the Browns' wide receivers in snaps played.
With two big games in a row, Boston feels like a real fantasy play to start the season. He should make your lineup without a second thought in Week 3.
Fantasy outlook: Low-end WR2/FLEX
Start ’Em: KC Concepcion
The matchup: To go a little deeper on Carolina's defense, they are just 24th in the NFL in QB pressure rate through two games. That's good for Cleveland's passing game. QB Deshaun Watson is 11th in the NFL in EPA per dropback when not under pressure, but 28th when under pressure.
Why I'm starting him: Next to his rookie teammate Boston, Concepcion is having a productive start to his first NFL season. He leads all rookies in receptions with 10 and is tied with Boston with 11 targets.
Concepcion has shown consistent production through his first two weeks as a pro. The volume he's seeing, plus the favorable matchup, makes him startable this week if needed.
Fantasy outlook: Low-end FLEX
Start ’Em: Jadarian Price
The matchup: The Seattle Seahawks are facing the winless Washington Commanders in Week 3. Whether Sam Darnold plays or not, the Seahawks should be in a run-first game script for most of the matchup.
Why I'm starting him: While Price might've been out-touched by Emanuel Wilson in Week 2, 13 of Wilson's 21 carries last week came late in the third quarter and into the fourth. Price had 13 of the first 20 carries of the game, including the first five in a row. If someone is going to run in an early touchdown for Seattle, it'll be Price.
Plus, if Washington can keep the game somewhat close, as opposed to the Cardinals in Week 2, we might not see Price essentially get sidelined in the fourth quarter.
Even after a down Week 2, Price is still the clear starting running back in Seattle, making him a start this week once again.
Fantasy outlook: Low-end FLEX
Sit ’Em: Caleb Douglas
The matchup: The Miami Dolphins are facing the Kansas City Chiefs this week. The Chiefs have a revitalized defense and secondary in 2026. Through two weeks, they've allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers.
Why I'm sitting him: Douglas moves down to the "Sit ’Em" category this week for a few reasons. In Week 2, he had a disappointing outing with two catches for just 19 yards. He also left the game late with an ankle injury that kept him out of practice on Wednesday.
A poor Week 2, plus an injury and a bad matchup, means you should leave Douglas on your bench this week.
Fantasy outlook: Bench/stash
Sit ’Em: Antonio Williams
The matchup: The Washington Commanders are playing the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3. Seattle is allowing the fewest fantasy points so far this season to wide receivers and still looks like the best defense in football.
Why I'm sitting him: Williams is going back to the bench this week after a down performance in Week 2. It was good to see his playing time go up (37 percent of snaps in Week 1 vs. 49 percent in Week 2), but his targets, catches, and yards all went down.
Jayden Daniels also dislocated his elbow in the Week 2 matchup against Dallas, so Marcus Mariota will be taking snaps in Week 3.
The Week 2 outing was bad enough, but a backup quarterback against the Seattle defense makes Williams a clear "sit" for this week.
Fantasy outlook: Bench/stash
Sit ’Em: Jonah Coleman
The matchup: he Denver Broncos are playing the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3. The Rams are giving up the ninth-fewest fantasy points to running backs so far this season.
Why I'm sitting him: Coleman had a good game in Week 2, so he was likely a waiver-wire add for a lot of people this week. But don't rush to put him in your lineup just yet.
Fellow Broncos running backs RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins were injured last week. Harvey missed the game entirely, and Dobbins left during the game with his own injury.
But Harvey and Dobbins could both be back in Week 3 after practicing in a limited capacity on Wednesday. Coleman, meanwhile, was held out of practice with an injury of his own.
With a murky backfield situation right now, it's best to hold Coleman out until he has a clearer path to touches.
Fantasy outlook: Bench/stash
Rookie sleeper of the week: Kenyon Sadiq
The matchup: The New York Jets are facing the Detroit Lions in Week 3. Detroit has given up the most fantasy points to tight ends through two weeks.
Why he’s my sleeper: Aside from the matchup, New York's offense has been a pleasant surprise so far this season. They've gone for 215 and 218 passing yards in the first two weeks and averaged 20 points per game.
Sadiq could also see an uptick in opportunities in Week 3 with Mason Taylor expected to miss the game with a thumb injury. While Sadiq has seen more targets than Taylor (six to three), Taylor has outsnapped Sadiq over two games, 78-55.
More chances, an improved offense, and first-round talent make Sadiq an interesting FLEX or tight end play if you need one in Week 3.
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