Two weeks of the fantasy football season are officially in the books, which means we're finally starting to learn which early-season performances might actually be sustainable.
This isn't the place to tell you to start the obvious stars. Any receiver who entered the season projected somewhere around the top 30 at the position isn't going to make this list. Instead, we're looking for players on the edge of fantasy lineups: emerging receivers, potential flex plays and a few recognizable names who might be better left on the bench.
Here are three wide receivers to start and three to sit in Week 3 for fantasy football.
Start ‘Em: Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Rashod Bateman's fantasy stock is rising quickly in Baltimore's new offense.
After barely being involved in Week 1, Bateman exploded with Zay Flowers sidelined against New Orleans, catching seven of nine targets for 88 yards and a touchdown. Flowers could return against Dallas, which obviously changes the target distribution, but Baltimore shouldn't simply forget what Bateman accomplished when finally given opportunities.
This matchup also has the potential to produce plenty of offense. Lamar Jackson should continue looking Bateman's way after his Week 2 breakout, even if Flowers returns as Baltimore's primary receiver. Bateman isn't suddenly an automatic weekly starter, but he's an intriguing flex option with legitimate 15-plus-point PPR upside this week.
Start ‘Em: Denzel Boston, Cleveland Browns
At some point, fantasy managers have to believe what Denzel Boston is showing them.
The rookie has scored a touchdown in each of his first two NFL games and broke out against Tampa Bay with five receptions for 95 yards and a score. Through two weeks, Boston has turned relatively limited volume into significant production, establishing himself as one of Deshaun Watson's most dangerous targets.
Now he gets Carolina. The Panthers were destroyed for 59 points by Chicago in Week 1 before rebounding against Atlanta, but Boston's growing role makes him worth starting regardless. Another big performance would officially move him beyond waiver-wire curiosity and into legitimate weekly fantasy consideration.
Start ‘Em: Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers offense has been horrible. That doesn't mean fantasy managers should abandon Ladd McConkey.
McConkey played through a rib injury against Las Vegas and managed only three catches for 35 yards, but he's still Justin Herbert's top receiver. Los Angeles now faces Buffalo, creating the possibility that Herbert will be forced to throw throughout the afternoon just to keep pace with Josh Allen.
McConkey's health needs to be monitored, but if he's active without limitations, start him. The Chargers desperately need their offense to wake up, and getting their best receiver heavily involved would be an obvious place to begin.
Honorable mention: Josh Palmer, Buffalo Bills
This one depends entirely on D.J. Moore's status.
Moore is dealing with an AC joint sprain and isn't guaranteed to play against Palmer's former team. If Moore sits, Palmer becomes an interesting deep-league flex option after scoring touchdowns on both of his receptions this season. That's obviously unsustainable, and Palmer remains touchdown-dependent, but a revenge game with Josh Allen throwing him the football isn't the worst gamble for fantasy managers dealing with injuries.
Sit ‘Em: Jakobi Meyers, Jacksonville Jaguars
Until Jacksonville proves it can consistently involve Jakobi Meyers, keep him on the bench.
Meyers caught his only target for 28 yards against Denver and now has just three targets through two games. Meanwhile, Brian Thomas Jr. received eight targets in Week 2, while Parker Washington has emerged as a major part of Jacksonville's passing attack.
Meyers remains talented enough to eventually become fantasy relevant again, but fantasy managers shouldn't wait for that breakout with him occupying a starting spot. Against New England, he's a sit.
Sit ‘Em: Chris Godwin Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin Jr. remains a good NFL receiver. Right now, he isn't a particularly appealing fantasy receiver.
Godwin caught all three of his targets for 46 yards against Cleveland and has only seven receptions for 86 yards through two games. Emeka Egbuka has become one of Tampa Bay's featured targets, while Cade Otton, Bucky Irving, and others are also competing for opportunities in an offense that hasn't exactly been explosive.
Godwin's name might make it difficult to bench him, but fantasy football isn't about reputation. Until his target share increases, he belongs there.
Sit ‘Em: Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears
This one hurts.
Luther Burden III was my favorite breakout candidate entering 2026, but the explosion hasn't arrived. He actually led Chicago with seven targets against Minnesota in Week 2, yet turned them into only three catches for 32 yards. Through two games, Burden has eight receptions for 95 yards without a touchdown.
Now Chicago faces Philadelphia with uncertainty surrounding Caleb Williams, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Burden hasn't done enough yet to justify putting him into fantasy lineups against the Eagles.
The breakout could still happen eventually. Week 3 isn't the time to bet your lineup on it.