Fantasy · Week 3 · 2026
Win your week. Start the right players.
Our own start/sit calls for every player, with a projected score, the range of likely outcomes and the reasons spelled out. Built from usage, matchup, Vegas lines and injuries. How we rank
Our top pick at every position
Josh Allen
BUF vs LAC
17.5scored
MUST STARTScored 40.8 last game, typical 20.3
Running back · #1Jahmyr Gibbs
DET vs NYJ
41.4scored
MUST STARTDET expected to score ~28, a strong spot
Wide receiver · #1Jaxon Smith-Njigba
SEA @ WAS
35.4scored
MUST STARTScored 42.5 last game, typical 18.9
Tight end · #1Trey McBride
ARI @ SF
16.5scored
MUST STARTProjected 15.9 · #1 among TEs
Kicker · #1Ka'imi Fairbairn
HOU @ IND
5.0scored
MUST STARTProjected 10.6 · #1 among kickers
Defense · #1Seahawks D/ST
SEA @ WAS
1.0scored
MUST STARTWAS expected to score only ~16, a good spot
Your toolkit
Full rankings
Each position has its own page: QB rankings · RB rankings · WR rankings · TE rankings · Flex rankings · K rankings · D/ST rankings
Early season: only 2 weeks of 2026 data so far, so these projections lean on last season's numbers. Confidence is marked on every player and improves each week.
Kickers are the most random position in fantasy: one missed kick or one stalled drive swings a week, so the gaps between them are small. Don't spend a real pick here. Take the best kicker on your league's free list each week. Scoring is the same in every format, so the scoring switch above doesn't change these.
1Ka'imi Fairbairn▼K · HOU@INDMUST STARTProjected 10.6 · #1 among kickers5.0
scored · proj 10.6MUST STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 11.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- HOU favored by 1.5
- Game total
- 41.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.6 points, #1 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Concern: Scored 6 points last game against a typical 11.8 (trending down).
- Averaging 7.5 points a game.
Projection 10.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
2Brandon Aubrey▲K · DALvsBALMUST STARTDAL expected to score ~25, plenty of drives11.0
scored · proj 10.2MUST STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 10.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~25 pts
- Vegas line
- DAL underdogs by 3
- Game total
- 53.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.2 points, #2 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- DAL's offense is expected to score about 25 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Scored 16 points last game against a typical 10.2 (trending up).
- Averaging 8.5 points a game.
Projection 10.2 · High confidence · Full player page →
3Jason MyersK · SEA@WASMUST STARTProjected 10.2 · #3 among kickers9.0
scored · proj 10.2MUST STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 10.9 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~25 pts
- Vegas line
- SEA favored by 8.5
- Game total
- 40.5
- Wind
- 13 mph
Why we say must start
- Projected 10.2 points, #3 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Averaging 7 points a game.
Projection 10.2 · High confidence · Full player page →
4Harrison Butker▲K · KC@MIAMUST STARTScored 16 last game, typical 8.35.0
scored · proj 9.8MUST STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.3 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~28 pts
- Vegas line
- KC favored by 10
- Game total
- 45.5
Why we say must start
- Projected 9.8 points, #4 among kickers this week, inside the top 4 we call must-starts.
- Scored 16 points last game against a typical 8.3 (trending up).
- KC's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 11.5 points a game, making 83% of field goals.
Projection 9.8 · High confidence · Full player page →
5Eddy Pineiro▼K · SFvsARISTARTSF expected to score ~28, plenty of drives6.0
scored · proj 9.7STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~28 pts
- Vegas line
- SF favored by 7.5
- Game total
- 48.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.7 points, #5 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- SF's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Concern: Scored 5 points last game against a typical 9.5 (trending down).
- Averaging 7.5 points a game.
Projection 9.7 · High confidence · Full player page →
6Spencer Shrader▲K · INDvsHOUSTARTScored 14 last game, typical 9.917.0
scored · proj 9.6STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 9.9 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- IND underdogs by 1.5
- Game total
- 41.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.6 points, #6 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Scored 14 points last game against a typical 9.9 (trending up).
- Averaging 10 points a game.
Projection 9.6 · Medium confidence · Full player page →
7Chase McLaughlin▲K · TBvsMINSTARTScored 16 last game, typical 8.812.0
scored · proj 9.6STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- TB underdogs by 1.5
- Game total
- 42.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.6 points, #7 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Scored 16 points last game against a typical 8.8 (trending up).
- Averaging 13.5 points a game, making 100% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 9.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
8Cam LittleK · JAXvsNESTARTProjected 9.6 · #8 among kickers4.0
scored · proj 9.6STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 9.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~25 pts
- Vegas line
- JAX favored by 3
- Game total
- 46.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.6 points, #8 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Averaging 9.5 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 9.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
9Evan McPhersonK · CIN@PITSTARTProjected 9.4 · #9 among kickers11.0
scored · proj 9.4STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~23 pts
- Vegas line
- CIN favored by 3.5
- Game total
- 42.5
- Wind
- 12 mph
Why we say start
- Projected 9.4 points, #9 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Averaging 15.5 points a game, making 100% of field goals (4 from 50+).
Projection 9.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
10Tyler LoopK · BAL@DALSTARTBAL expected to score ~28, plenty of drives12.0
scored · proj 9.4STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.2 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~28 pts
- Vegas line
- BAL favored by 3
- Game total
- 53.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.4 points, #10 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- BAL's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 10 points a game.
Projection 9.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
11Will ReichardK · MIN@TBSTARTProjected 9.2 · #11 among kickers16.0
scored · proj 9.2STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- MIN favored by 1.5
- Game total
- 42.5
Why we say start
- Projected 9.2 points, #11 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- Averaging 8.5 points a game.
Projection 9.2 · High confidence · Full player page →
12Jake BatesK · DETvsNYJSTARTDET expected to score ~28, plenty of drives7.0
scored · proj 8.9STARTRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~28 pts
- Vegas line
- DET favored by 7
- Game total
- 49.5
Why we say start
- Projected 8.9 points, #12 among kickers this week, inside the top 12 we recommend starting.
- DET's offense is expected to score about 28 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 7 points a game.
Projection 8.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
13Tyler BassK · BUFvsLACBENCHProjected 8.5 · 0.4 behind #126.0
scored · proj 8.5BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~29 pts
- Vegas line
- BUF favored by 7
- Game total
- 50.5
- Wind
- 12 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.5 points, #13 among kickers this week, 0.4 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: BUF's offense is expected to score about 29 points, plenty of drives to finish with kicks.
- Averaging 8.5 points a game.
Projection 8.5 · Medium confidence · Full player page →
14Cairo SantosK · CHIvsPHIBENCHCHI expected to score only ~20, fewer chances10.0
scored · proj 8.4BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 9.0 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- CHI underdogs by 3.5
- Game total
- 42.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.4 points, #14 among kickers this week, 0.5 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- CHI's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 8.5 points a game.
Projection 8.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
15Trey SmackK · GBvsATLBENCHProjected 8.3 · 0.6 behind #122.0
scored · proj 8.3BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~24 pts
- Vegas line
- GB favored by 4.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.3 points, #15 among kickers this week, 0.6 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 10 points a game, making 100% of field goals.
Projection 8.3 · Medium confidence · Full player page →
16Andy BorregalesK · NE@JAXBENCHProjected 8.0 · 0.9 behind #126.0
scored · proj 8.0BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.4 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- NE underdogs by 3
- Game total
- 46.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 8.0 points, #16 among kickers this week, 0.9 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 7 points a game.
Projection 8.0 · High confidence · Full player page →
17Jason SandersK · NYJ@DETBENCHProjected 7.8 · 1.1 behind #125.0
scored · proj 7.8BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- NYJ underdogs by 7
- Game total
- 49.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.8 points, #17 among kickers this week, 1.1 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 9.5 points a game, making 80% of field goals (2 from 50+).
Projection 7.8 · Medium confidence · Full player page →
18Daniel Carlson▲K · NOvsLVBENCHProjected 7.6 · 1.3 behind #123.0
scored · proj 7.6BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 6.9 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~24 pts
- Vegas line
- NO favored by 3.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.6 points, #18 among kickers this week, 1.3 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Upside: Scored 13 points last game against a typical 6.9 (trending up).
- Averaging 9 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 7.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
19Chris Boswell▼K · PITvsCINBENCHScored 4 last game, typical 8.613.0
scored · proj 7.6BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.6 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- PIT underdogs by 3.5
- Game total
- 42.5
- Wind
- 12 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.6 points, #19 among kickers this week, 1.3 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Scored 4 points last game against a typical 8.6 (trending down).
- PIT's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 6 points a game, making 60% of field goals.
Projection 7.6 · High confidence · Full player page →
20Wil LutzK · DENvsLABENCHProjected 7.5 · 1.4 behind #121.0
scored · proj 7.5BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~23 pts
- Vegas line
- DEN favored by 1.5
- Game total
- 43.5
- Wind
- 10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.5 points, #20 among kickers this week, 1.4 points behind #12, the last one we'd start.
- Averaging 6.5 points a game.
Projection 7.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
21Matt GayK · LV@NOBENCHProjected 7.5 · #21 among kickers12.0
scored · proj 7.5BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- LV underdogs by 3.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.5 points, #21 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 9 points a game.
Projection 7.5 · High confidence · Full player page →
22Cameron Dicker▼K · LAC@BUFBENCHScored 1 last game, typical 9.59.0
scored · proj 7.4BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 9.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- LAC underdogs by 7
- Game total
- 50.5
- Wind
- 12 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.4 points, #22 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 9.5 (trending down).
- Averaging 1.5 points a game.
Projection 7.4 · High confidence · Full player page →
23Chad Ryland▼K · ARI@SFBENCHScored 1 last game, typical 7.414.0
scored · proj 7.3BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.4 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- ARI underdogs by 7.5
- Game total
- 48.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.3 points, #23 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 1 points last game against a typical 7.4 (trending down).
- Averaging 8 points a game, making 80% of field goals.
Projection 7.3 · High confidence · Full player page →
24Andre Szmyt▲K · CLEvsCARBENCHCLE expected to score only ~20, fewer chances9.0
scored · proj 7.1BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.1 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- CLE underdogs by 2.5
- Game total
- 41.5
- Wind
- 12 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.1 points, #24 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- CLE's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Upside: Scored 13 points last game against a typical 7.1 (trending up).
- Averaging 8.5 points a game.
Projection 7.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
25Joey SlyeK · TEN@NYGBENCHTEN expected to score only ~18, fewer chances0.0
scored · proj 7.1BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.1 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~18 pts
- Vegas line
- TEN underdogs by 2.5
- Game total
- 37.5
- Wind
- 10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.1 points, #25 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- TEN's offense is expected to score only about 18 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 6.5 points a game.
Projection 7.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
26Riley PattersonK · MIAvsKCBENCHMIA expected to score only ~18, fewer chances4.0
scored · proj 7.1BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.1 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~18 pts
- Vegas line
- MIA underdogs by 10
- Game total
- 45.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.1 points, #26 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- MIA's offense is expected to score only about 18 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 6.5 points a game, making 67% of field goals.
Projection 7.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
27Ryan FitzgeraldK · CAR@CLEBENCHProjected 7.1 · #27 among kickers15.0
scored · proj 7.1BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 6.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~22 pts
- Vegas line
- CAR favored by 2.5
- Game total
- 41.5
- Wind
- 12 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.1 points, #27 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 9 points a game.
Projection 7.1 · High confidence · Full player page →
28Nick Folk▼K · ATL@GBBENCHScored 3 last game, typical 810.0
scored · proj 7.0BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.0 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- ATL underdogs by 4.5
- Game total
- 43.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 7.0 points, #28 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 3 points last game against a typical 8 (trending down).
- ATL's offense is expected to score only about 20 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 5.5 points a game, making 50% of field goals.
Projection 7.0 · High confidence · Full player page →
29Harrison Mevis▼K · LA@DENBENCHScored 3 last game, typical 8.816.0
scored · proj 6.9BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 8.8 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~21 pts
- Vegas line
- LA underdogs by 1.5
- Game total
- 43.5
- Wind
- 10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.9 points, #29 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Scored 3 points last game against a typical 8.8 (trending down).
- Averaging 2 points a game.
Projection 6.9 · Medium confidence · Full player page →
30Jake ElliottK · PHI@CHIBENCHProjected 6.9 · #30 among kickers1.0
scored · proj 6.9BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 6.7 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~23 pts
- Vegas line
- PHI favored by 3.5
- Game total
- 42.5
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.9 points, #30 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 7 points a game.
Projection 6.9 · High confidence · Full player page →
31Dominic ZvadaK · NYGvsTENBENCHProjected 6.8 · #31 among kickers12.0
scored · proj 6.8BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~20 pts
- Vegas line
- NYG favored by 2.5
- Game total
- 37.5
- Wind
- 10 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.8 points, #31 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- Averaging 6 points a game.
Projection 6.8 · Medium confidence · Full player page →
32Drew StevensK · WASvsSEABENCHWAS expected to score only ~16, fewer chances10.0
scored · proj 6.5BENCHRecent form
W1W2Dashed line: the usual 7.5 a game
This week's matchup
- Expected team score
- ~16 pts
- Vegas line
- WAS underdogs by 8.5
- Game total
- 40.5
- Wind
- 13 mph
Why we say bench
- Projected 6.5 points, #32 among kickers this week, outside the top 12.
- WAS's offense is expected to score only about 16 points, fewer kicking chances.
- Averaging 6.5 points a game, making 60% of field goals.
Projection 6.5 · Medium confidence · Full player page →
How we rank
Each player starts from how he scored per game last season, then we shift toward this season's games as they pile up (a few games in, this season counts as much as last). That gives a base rate for the format you picked.
We then adjust for this week's game: how many points the opponent has allowed to that position compared with the league average, how many points Vegas expects the team to score, wind for passing games, and the injury report. Players ruled out are marked Out. Doubtful and questionable players are discounted, and their confidence drops.
The verdict comes from where he ranks at his position. "Must start" and "Start" are the players you should be starting in a typical 12-team league, "Flex" is a fair depth play, and "Bench" means look elsewhere. The range is the middle half of likely outcomes, so about half of his scores should land inside it. Running backs, receivers and tight ends swing more than quarterbacks. Our scorecard checks all of this against what really happened.
Projections are estimates, not guarantees. Player stats from nflverse (CC-BY 4.0), betting lines from the NFL schedule data, injuries from ESPN's public injury report. Kicker and defense stats come from the same source and scoring is the common default.