Week 2 stat lines told us a lot about who could emerge as near weekly fantasy football lineup fixtures moving forward.
Even in recent days, injury news has propelled many backups and bench names into consideration as starters.
This Week 3 sleepers list gives fantasy managers plenty to think about in the short and long terms.
Keep scrolling for the top fantasy sleepers to start in Week 3 lineups.
QB Sleepers Week 3
Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings
This is a sneaky revenge game for Browning, as he was cast off by the Vikings before signing to be the Bengals' strong sub for Joe Burrow. He has the weapons vs. a shaky pass defense to come through, even with another multiple-turnover game. He put up fine numbers in several games playing for Burrow in 2023. - Vinnie Iyer
Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Jones completed 26 of 39 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the 49ers' 26-21 win over the Saints on Sunday. Now he faces another lackluster defense, Arizona, in Santa Clara this weekend. With multiple QB injuries and some tough Week 3 matchups, you could do a lot worse than Mac. - Sloan Piva
Russell Wilson, New York Giants vs. Kansas City Chiefs
There is just no way Jaxson Dart can run the Giants' offense the way Wilson did in Week 2. He threw for 450 yards and 3 touchdowns on 73% completion. It got to a point where he was just chucking moon balls to Malik Nabers, which is exactly what that offense needs. In Week 3, the NYG get an SNF appearance against the Kansas City Chiefs. The game script should be there, and we've seen the Chiefs' secondary get torn by good QB play in Week 1. - Griffin Missant
TOP FANTASY PICKUPS: Week 3 waiver wire
RB Sleepers Week 3
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs at New York Giants
The Chiefs are overdue for a victory and can get their traditional running game to boost Mahomes' wildness of late, and the Giants will oblige on Sunday night. They struggled to stop Washington and Dallas, so Kansas City can get going on the ground with Pacheco and Kareem Hunt to better support the offense and defense. - Vinnie Iyer
Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars vs. Texans
Rootin' tootin' Bhaysul Tuten turned 10 touches in 74 yards and a touchdown in Week 2, his first game since Jacksonville traded away Tank Bigsby and made the rookie its RB2. Houston just gave up 66 yards and a TD to Tampa Bay's RB2, Rachaad White, so we like Tuten's chances to build off his mini-breakout performance.
Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings vs. Cincinnati Bengals
While Mason has not had good fantasy performances in either Week 1 or 2, don't let that fool you. In both of these games, the offense was sparked by the run game, more specifically, Mason. The Vikings face the weakest defense thus far in the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3. The Bengals have given up good fantasy outings in each of their first two weeks. On top of that, Aaron Jones Sr. is dealing with a hamstring issue heading into Week 3.
WR Sleepers Week 3
Elic Ayomanor, Titans vs. Colts
Ayomanor got going as a sleeper target for fellow rookie Cam Ward as Ward threw his first TD pass against the Rams. Ayomanor is getting more buzz in the passing game with Calvin Ridley fading , building on a strong preseason. The Colts can score on the Titans, setting up some nice target volume for Ayomanor. - Vinnie Iyer
Wan'Dale Robinson, Giants vs. Chiefs
Robinson has been the clear-cut WR2 in the Giants' Russell Wilson-led offense, and New York will likely need to throw early and often to compete with the hungry 0-2 Chiefs. It hasn't been WR1s exploiting the Kansas City D/ST — Ladd McConkey had 10.4 half-PPR points in Week 1, compared to a collective 39.4 from Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen — so it's entirely possible that Robinson puts up a solid showing if KC devotes most of its attention to Malik Nabers. - Sloan Piva
Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers at Cleveland Browns
This has everything to do with the Jayden Reed injury; someone will need to step into the WR1 role for the Packers. It could totally be Matthew Golden; however, through the first two weeks, Doubs has been targeted more. Jordan Love is more comfortable with Doubs, and therefore, Doubs has produced at a much higher rate. Golden has just 2 catches for 16 yards in Weeks 1 and 2 combined. Doubs will become an intriguing fantasy piece until Reed returns.
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TE Sleepers Week 3
Jonnu Smith, Steelers at Patriots
New England has had issues covering the tight end out of the gate with Brock Bowers and the Dolphins. The former Dolphin Smith can get going as Aaron Rodgers wakes up the passing game against an awful pass defense on the road. Smith has a good chance to score with a 5-for-50 line. - Vinnie Iyer
Dalton Schultz, Texans at Jaguars
Schultz found success against the Jags in 2024, amazing eight catches, 95 yards, and a touchdown over the divisional season series. Christian Kirk remains sidelined, and Jayden Higgins seems like more of a boom-or-bust deep threat, so the upside will be there for the lumbering tight end.
Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
Juwan Johnson is still rostered at too low a percentage. In Week 2, Johnson finished as the TE4, which is after his TE1 performance in Week 1. In Week 3, Johnson gets the Seattle Seahawks, one of the worst teams at guarding the TE position. He is a must-start player and should be rostered everywhere.
Team Defense Sleepers Week 3
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Texans
The Jaguars have their share of pass rushers, led by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker, and the Texans' offensive line is really struggling in front of C.J. Stroud. Sacks will be had with a chance for their secondary to make a big game-changing play to further bury the visiting reigning AFC South champions.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Saints
The Seahawks opened the week only 25% rostered on Yahoo, and they're playing well enough to be considered a top-five D/ST at home vs. New Orleans this weekend. Spencer Rattler's first road game of the season could be a comedy of errors.
Atlanta Falcons D/ST
The Falcons just feasted on SNF against the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons had the same number of sacks as points they gave up, 6. They also created 4 total turnovers, 2 interceptions, and 2 fumbles. Now they face the Carolina Panthers, who have turned the ball over 5 total times in their first two games. The Falcons should be able to cause trouble to an already struggling offense.