Scott Engel is in his 12th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis at The Game Day and lineup rankings on RotoBaller.com
Fantasy football players are scrambling for running back replacements due to an unfortunate wave of injuries to top starters. We help you deal with the adversity by providing a more comprehensive look at the position this week.
This week's column also contains a needed reminder to hold onto players who may provide improved production in the weeks ahead, with a Seahawks rookie as a prime example. Always keep a close watch on your league's waiver wire reports to see who may be dropped by a league mate who does not wait for the fantasy output to rise as the season progresses.
Players are listed in order of preference for lineup usage or roster adds. Analysis leans to Point Per Reception (PPR) formats.
Running Backs
START
Josh Jacobs: After he scored less than 10 fantasy points in each of the first two weeks, fantasy players who roster Jacobs might have some reservations about activating him for Week 3. Expect a rebound week against a Steelers defense that has allowed the most Fantasy Points Per Game to running backs after two weeks of play. Jacobs also did catch five passes on six targets for 51 yards in Week 2, and he should deliver a satisfactory fantasy performance against Pittsburgh.
START
Najee Harris: Playing in the same game as Jacobs this week, Harris is another fantasy RB who was drafted as a projected regular starter, but is getting some consideration to be reserved. Harris has scored 5.3 fantasy points in each of his first two games. Those who keep faith in him for the third fantasy matchup of the season may be rewarded with a quality fantasy performance, as the Raiders have allowed the second-most FFPG to RBs. Jaylen Warren is also a viable flex option against Las Vegas.
START
Kyren Williams: The second-year man has quickly emerged as the apparent No. 1 RB for a Rams offense that has exceeded expectations early this season. The Bengals rank 31st in rushing yards allowed so far this year. Williams has rushed for three TDs in two games, and in Week 2, he flashed more versatility, with six receptions on 10 targets for 48 yards.
START
Joshua Kelley: Austin Ekeler remains out with an ankle injury, and Kelley will start again for the Chargers in Week 3. Minnesota has allowed the second-most rushing yards to running backs in the first two games of the season, and the Chargers offense should also move the ball well in the air. A strong offensive showing overall will position Kelley for a few TD runs to finish off drives.
ADD
Jerome Ford: Nick Chubb is out for the season, and Ford is now projected to function as the lead RB for the Browns, even with Kareem Hunt returning to the team. Ford will be the most sought-after player on the waiver wire this week. For those who use a Free Agent Budget bidding process to acquire free agency, you will have to decide how much of your budget to spend, and what may be too much to bid in the third week of the season.
In leagues with FAAB transactions,, someone is likely going to bid a heavy chunk of their fantasy dollars on Ford, who totaled 131 yards from scrimmage with a receiving TD and a 69-yard run after coming in as the relief feature back for the Browns in Week 2. Fantasy players who must replace Chubb might have to part with more than 60 percent of their FAAB to have a good shot of landing Ford.
Others who need to fill an RB hole might have to do the same. But if it is not necessary to add Ford to use him as an immediate clear-cut fantasy starter, do not spend most of your budget on one player early in the season. Bidding anything above 40 percent of the available budget is not recommended, as other upcoming injuries will occur, requiring significant FAAB bids.
Hunt may work in a complementary role and is worth adding, but Ford is the definite fantasy waiver wire priority.
ADD
Matt Breida: He does not seem to be an ideal starting option against the stout San Francisco run defense this week, but those who roster Saquon Barkley (ankle) obviously have to make this former 49er a priority add. Breida might start on Thursday night, and the 49ers did allow 100 scrimmage yards to Kyren Williams in Week 2. A feisty dual threat, Breida averaged over 76 scrimmage yards per game in 13 starts in 2018.
ADD
Zack Moss: The Colts have found their lead RB for at least the short term. The former Buffalo Bill rushed for 88 yards and a TD on 18 carries in Week 2. In the final four games of the 2022 season, Moss rushed for 65-plus yards in every outing and he wrapped up the campaign with an 18-carry, 114-yard, one TD performance. Because of the multitude of RB injuries, Moss can immediately be plugged into some fantasy lineups, even though the Week 3 matchup is against a solid Baltimore run defense. Moss is a starter for his team right now, and volume must be considered over the opponent in some situations.
ADD
Kendre Miller: Jamaal Williams (hamstring) is out for New Orleans with no firm return date, and Alvin Kamara will not be available to the team for another game. Miller is expected to make his NFL debut in Week 3 against the Packers, and will at least share work with former Seahawk Tony Jones, who rushed for two TDs last week. Once Kamara returns and while Williams is out, the rookie may still get enough work to be worthy of flex consideration. Miller will fight through defenders for tough yardage and Green Bay has the lowest-ranked run defense in the NFC so far this season. He and Jones should be on the radar as Week 3 lineup fillers.
Wide Receivers
HOLD
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Savvy fantasy football players know to be patient with highly promising rookies, and will surely keep the first-round pick of the Seahawks in the 2023 NFL Draft on their rosters. We saw certain signs of better fantasy times ahead in Week 2 when Smith-Njigba caught five of six targets. If anyone in your league makes the mistake of dropping him, pounce on the mistake and execute the immediate free agent pickup. As defenses continue to devote heavy attention to DK Metcalf and Week 2 hero Tyler Lockett, Smith-Njigba will benefit and make more fantasy noise in the weeks ahead.
START
Michael Pittman Jr: The Colts' No. 1 WR should be busy in terms of receptions and will benefit fantasy players in PPR formats in Week 3. The Ravens have allowed the second-most catches to opposing WRs so far this season. Pittman has caught eight passes in each of his first two games and ranks fourth in the NFL with 23 targets.
START
Jordan Addison: The first-year Viking has already burst onto the fantasy scene with big plays in his first two NFL games. Addison has caught TD passes of 62 and 39 yards, one in each of the first two weeks. The Chargers have allowed the most FFPG and receiving yards to WRs so far this season, and Addison must be locked in as a WR3 or flex play.
START
Drake London: Seahawks fans saw last week that the Detroit pass defense can be targeted for fantasy purposes. London provided a quality fantasy stat line in Week 2, with six receptions for 67 yards and a TD. The Lions rank 24th in FFPG allowed to WRs after two weeks.
START
Elijah Moore: We might see Moore come through with his first impressive performance in a Browns uniform this week. The Titans have allowed the third-most receiving yards to opposing WRs after two weeks. Moore may start to become a more frequent fantasy football contributor over the next few games.
ADD
Tank Dell: Texans rookie QB C.J. Stroud busted out for 384 passing yards in Week 2, already showing he can lead a productive passing attack early in his pro career. Dell, who looked good in the preseason, too, caught seven passes for 72 yards and a TD. Another first-year player with upside, Dell will provide some sparkplug fantasy performances in the weeks ahead.
ADD
Josh Reynolds: In Week 2, Reynolds caught two TD passes, and in the opener at Kansas City, he had 80 receiving yards, with two clutch receptions on a game-winning drive. The ex-Ram can continue to operate as the No. 2 WR option for Jared Goff for most of the first half of the season, until Jameson Williams returns and gives Jared Goff another significant playmaking option.
ADD
Tutu Atwell: Cooper Kupp reportedly might be able to return from a hamstring injury by Week 5. Until then, Atwell can still make the most of opportunities to play an expanded role in the Rams offense. The third-year WR has admirably totaled 13 receptions on 17 targets for 196 yards in two games.
QUARTERBACKS
START
Kirk Cousins: The Minnesota QB is off to a sizzling fantasy start to the season, with two games of 340-plus passing yards and four TD passes in Week 2. The Chargers have allowed the most passing yards to opposing QBs over the first two weeks of the 2023 campaign.
ADD
C.J. Stroud: I previously detailed Stroud's passing totals in Week 2, and his 91 passing attempts are third-most in the NFL. The Texans will be involved in some frequent shootouts this year, and the rookie QB does not show any apparent hesitation to challenge defenses.
TIGHT ENDS
START
Kyle Pitts: Do not consider benching Pitts against Detroit. The Lions have allowed the most receiving yards to the position, and the Seahawks TEs combined for nine receptions for 132 yards at Detroit in Week 2.
ADD
Zach Ertz: The former Eagles star has found his way back to fantasy relevance. Ertz caught six passes in each of his first two games this season and he leads all TEs in targets with 19.
Week 3 Defenses To Stream:
New England (vs. New York Jets), Cleveland (vs. Tennessee), Kansas City (vs. Chicago), Seahawks (vs. Carolina).
For more fantasy football analysis from Scott Engel, visit The Game Day during the 2023 fantasy football season.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' thrilling overtime victory over the Detroit Lions in Detroit, MI on September 17, 2023. Eye on the Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
On Wednesday, veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner gave an impassioned speech to the team before practice.
Colby Parkinson and Drew Lock walk across the tarmac to board the team's Delta charter flight to Detroit on Friday afternoon.
Seahawks receiver Jake Bobo descends from the team's charter upon landing in Detroit on Friday night.
At the team's Saturday walkthru, DK Metcalf shares a laugh with teammate Kenneth Walker III.
Offenisve players DeeJay Dallas, Will Dissly and Cody Thompson keep a football in the air on the sidlines at walkthru.
Running back DeeJay Dallas celebrated his birthday by calling the team up at the end of walkthru.
Seahawks Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Anthony Bradford and DeeJay Dallas check out the playing surface at Detroit's Ford Field on Saturday before the game.
On Sunday, receiver Tyler Lockett gathers his thoughts in the locker room before the game.
Tight end Colby Parkinson gets ready for the game.
Seahawks join arms as they pray together in the tight confines of the visitor's locker room.
Defensive backfield members Julian Love and Tariq Woolen in the locker room before the game.
Quarterback and captain Geno Smith gives final words to the Seahawks before they leave the locker room on Sunday.
The Seahawks take the field for the Week 2 game with the Lions.
Safety Jerrick Reed celebrates after making a special teams tackle.
Receiver Tyler Lockett ran to the end zone to talk with teammate and friend DK Metcalf as Metcalf headed to the locker room during the first half.
Seahawks defenders Uchenna Nwosu, Jordy Brooks and Tre Brown combine on a tackle as Jarran Reed closes in.
At halftime, quarterbacks coach Greg Olson works with Geno Smith and Drew Lock.
Defensive backs coach Karl Scott gives halftime instructions as Drake Thomas watches.
Linebackers coach John Glenn gives instruction to Jordyn Brooks just before the start of the second half.
Edge rusher Uchenna Nwoso creates a fumble recovered by the Seahawks in the third quarter.
Uchenna Nwosu reactcs after his big hit caused a fumble recovered by the Seahawks in the third quarter.
Seahawks safety Julian Love nearly intercepts a pass in the third quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith fires a pass from the pocket as Evan Brown helps protect.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III cuts back hard on a run in the third quarter.
Receiver Tyler Lockett hauls in his first touchdown pass from Geno Smith.
Head coach Pete Carroll and the Seattle sideline reacts as Tyler Lockett scores on a pass reception from Geno Smith in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown silences the Detroit crowd with an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs puts a ferocious hit on a Lions player.
Safety Coby Bryant nearly intercepts a pass in the fourth quarter.
As the game went to overtime, quarterback Drew Lock went out for the coin toss and his call of "tails" gave the Seahawks the ball first.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett touches the ball to the end zone pylon for a touchdown giving Seattle the victory in overtime.
Tyler Lockett waves goodbye after his walk-off touchdown in overtime and celebrates with teammates Jaxson Smith-Njigba and Will Dissly.
Seahawks defensive captains Bobby Wagner and Quandre Diggs leave the field together after the win.
Geno Smith and Will Dissly walk up the dark tunnel leading from the field to the locker room after the game.
Seahawks team president Chuck Arnold celebrates with general manager John Schneider in the locker room after the game.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll celebrates with his team in the locker room after the overtime win.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll hugs receiver Tyler Lockett in the locker room after his game-winning touchdown.
Seahawks cornerbacks Tre Brown and Riq Woolen share a laugh in the locker room after the win. Brown replaced Woolen who left the game with an injury.
Seahawks linebacker and defensive captain Bobby Wagner meets with the media while still in uniform following the game.
The Seahawks head to their Delta charter for the return flight to Seattle on Sunday evening after the game.
