Sunday gave us plenty of fantasy football fireworks. But these early weeks are all about separating what’s real from what’s a fluke.
That applies to your fantasy team, too. You might be 2-0, but if your record is built on unexpected blow-up performances from players like Wan’Dale Robinson, you may not want to get too comfortable.
It isn’t just the strong showings that matter. Disappointing performances might even be more important. Figuring out whether a slow start is just a bad game or something more concerning is key to making smart roster moves.
With that in mind, here are the top buy and sell trade targets for Week 3.
Fantasy football players to buy in Week 3
WR Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
It hasn’t been a fast start for McLaurin, but there’s reason for optimism. His target share jumped from 14% in Week 1 to 26% in Week 2.
A slow start should’ve been expected after he missed training camp while sorting out his contract. If a manager in your league is frustrated, this could be the last chance to get McLaurin at a discount.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Through two weeks, Thomas has 19 targets but just five receptions. This is going to go one of two ways: either the Jaguars pull back on his usage, or he starts converting those looks into the WR1 production we expected.
Bank on the second outcome. Thomas is too talented to be ignored, and the chemistry with QB Trevor Lawrence should improve.
WR Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers
Golden has been on the field for 63% of the Packers’ snaps so far, and that number is set to rise with Jayden Reed sidelined until at least November with a broken collarbone.
Golden flashed in camp and the preseason, and now he has a chance to carve out a real role. If he produces, Green Bay will have a hard time phasing him out even when Reed returns.
WR Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
Ridley isn’t off to a great start, catching seven of 14 targets for 84 yards.
His production should improve as Cam Ward continues to settle in at quarterback, which we saw glimpses of in Week 2. It should also get easier once the Titans move past two of the league’s toughest defenses, the Broncos and Rams.
WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
London has been underwhelming with 11 catches for 104 yards through two games. His four targets in Week 2 may cause panic for his managers.
Don’t overreact. London saw 15 targets in Week 1, and has been a favorite of QB Michael Penix Jr. dating back to last season. Usage matters more than results this early, and London is still heavily involved.
Fantasy football players to sell in Week 2
WR Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
The Lions offense exploded for 52 points in Week 2, and Williams contributed 102 receiving yards and a touchdown. But his usage remains shaky.
Williams saw just four targets and caught two. Too often he hovers around five or six targets a game, making him a boom-or-bust play rather than a reliable producer. If you can sell high off this performance, now’s the time.
WR Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks
Kupp rebounded from a rough opener with seven catches for 90 yards on nine targets, but there are still concerns.
He’s the clear WR2 behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Tony Horton is carving out a role, and Seattle ran 18 plays with just one wide receiver on the field in Week 2. On top of that, Kupp doesn’t look as explosive, with his longest catch going for 17 yards.
QB Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Murray is only a viable sell if you have another viable starter or strong waiver options. But he has sneaky value if you can target the Joe Burrow manager in a trade.
Murray hasn’t lived up to his dual-threat potential. His fantasy points per game have been remarkably flat:
- 2022: 18.9
- 2023: 18.9
- 2024: 18.1
- 2025: 16.7 (with 18.3 in Week 1)
If you’re fine with 18 points per game, keep him. But that production is replaceable, and a QB-needy manager, such as someone still reeling from Burrow’s injury, may pay up for it
WR Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Hunter’s two-way responsibilities are cutting into his fantasy upside. With Jarrian Jones injured, his defensive workload spiked in Week 2, and his offensive snap share dropped.
While his total snaps looked similar to Week 1 because Jacksonville ran more plays, the trend is concerning. The Jaguars also seem comfortable leaning more on Parker Washington and Dyami Brown. That makes Hunter a risky weekly play. Now may be the best time to move him.