LAST-MINUTE Week 3 Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice! Actives/Inactives & Q/A (09/21 Fantasy Football Podcast)

Summary

Fantasy Football Today: LAST-MINUTE Week 3 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Advice (09/21/2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of Fantasy Football Today Express focuses on last-minute lineup decisions, key actives/inactives, and rapid-fire Start/Sit advice for Week 3. Host Adam Aizer is joined by analyst Heath Cummings to break down injury updates, depth chart changes, and answer listener Q&A, helping fantasy managers get their rosters set before kickoff.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Seattle Seahawks Situation: Charbonnet, JSN, and RBs

• Zach Charbonnet is listed as doubtful for a 4 PM ET game. The hosts are operating under the assumption he will not play.
• Jackson Smith-Njigba (JSN) is questionable with an illness, but is expected to play. Heath suggests planning to start him, optimally as a flex, with backup options ready just in case:
  • "Guys usually play through illnesses. He's a top six wide receiver in my projections if healthy." – Heath (02:39)
• Running Backs: Heath has Jordan Mason just ahead of Ken Walker, but both are top-8 plays:
  • "Start them both." – Heath (02:23)

2. Impact of Backup Quarterbacks

• Commanders: Jaden Daniels is out, Marcus Mariota expected to step in.
  • Heath is higher than consensus on Mariota, listing him as a top-15 QB this week, noting past efficiency in limited 2024 action.
  • "I think Mariota is a good streamer if you need him." – Heath (03:24)
• Other Notable Backups: Brock Purdy, Justin Fields out; Carson Wentz and Jake Browning start.
• "I do actually have Mariota just barely over Browning." – Heath (04:02)
• Mac Jones: Also in the streamer tier with the other backups.

3. Jauan Jennings Game-Time Status

• Jennings is questionable for a late game; Heath recommends removing him from lineups due to no practice all week and uncertainty:
  • "Plan on starting someone else. And Pearsall, whether he's a number two or number three probably depends on your roster." – Heath (04:58)

4. Injury/Status Updates & Fantasy Implications

• DeAndre Swift: Expected to play but ranked as a low-end RB2 due to mixed injury reports (quad/hamstring).
  • "He's a low end RB two." – Heath (06:00)
• Kyle Menangai: A strong add even with a healthy Swift, due to a clearly defined role (06:11).
• Emeka Egbuka: Conflicting reports about workload; ranks as borderline WR2 with high upside but touchdown-dependent outcomes.
  • "He's a guy that even at full strength, you shouldn't expect him to score fantasy points the way he has because the targets, yards, and catches haven't really been there." – Heath (06:39)
• Tucker Kraft: Expected to play and remains a top-6 TE, though midweek injury may limit snaps. Jake Ferguson is a safer alternative (07:14).

5. Kansas City Chiefs Offense

• WRs: Xavier Worthy is out; Jalen Royal may play.
• RBs: Despite facing a weak run defense, Pacheco remains a desperation flex, as Chiefs' run game is unreliable:
  • "I don't want to start a Chiefs running back." – Heath (08:02)
• Startable Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Marquis Brown are safe options.

6. Debate: Marquise "Hollywood" Brown vs. Emeka Egbuka

• Hollywood Brown is ranked ahead of Egbuka by Heath, despite recent inefficiency, citing target share and matchup.
  • "He's got a target share over 30%. He was good week one." – Heath (08:47)
• Brown has 129 yards (99 in Week 1). Egbuka has under 100 yards through two games.
• "I would start Marquis Brown." – Heath (08:35)

7. Other Notable Player Notes

• Christian Kirk: Playable but better as a stash (09:05).
• Dallas Goedert: Active; Devonta Smith preferred on bench behind Egbuka, Pearsall, and Keenan Allen:
  • "I'm starting Keenan Allen over Devonta Smith." – Heath (09:29)
• Isaiah Likely, Evan Engram: Out.

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Listener Q&A Rapid Fire (Selected Questions & Timestamps)

[10:12]

• Pick Two: Egbuka, James Conner, Hollywood Brown
  • Full PPR: Hollywood & Egbuka
  • Half PPR: Hollywood & Conner
    – Heath (10:16)

[10:22]

• Pick Two: Hollywood Brown, Jameson Williams, Rasheed Shaheed, Dontavian Wicks, Basil Tutin
  • Hollywood & Jameson – Heath (10:32)

[10:36]

• ETN, Croskey Merritt, or Travis Kelsey:
  • ETN > Croskey Merritt > Kelsey – Heath (10:42)

[10:49]

• Croskey Merritt, Egbuka, or Alec Pierce (Half PPR):
  • "Bill and Egbuka is much closer to Bill than he is to Alec." – Heath (10:55)

[11:04]

• Jacoby Myers or Hollywood Brown:
  • "Heath's going Jacoby Myers. I love Jacoby Myers." – Heath (11:08)

[11:10]

• Bo Nix or Daniel Jones:
  • "Definitely Bo Nix for me." – Heath (11:14)

[11:17]

• Pickens or Brian Thomas Jr. (PPR):
  • "I'm sticking with Brian Thomas Jr." – Heath (11:22)

[11:22]

• Pacheco or McLaurin:
  • Full PPR: McLaurin
  • Other Scoring: Pacheco (11:38)

[11:38]

• Trevor Lawrence or Jake Browning:
  • Jake Browning
• Fannon or Kraft (TE):
  • Kraft has more upside, Fannon safer. I'd probably start Kraft. – Heath (11:49)

[12:01]

• Juwan Johnson or Tucker Kraft:
  • Kraft ahead of Johnson – Heath (12:04)

[12:06]

• Bo Nix or Russell Wilson:
  • Bo Nix, but not by a lot – Heath (12:09)

[12:12]

• Tetairoa McMillan, Calvin Ridley or Michael Pittman:
  • Tetairoa McMillan – Heath (12:16)

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Notable Quotes

• "Start them both." – Heath on Seattle RBs (02:23)
• "I think Mariota is a good streamer if you need him. He's a top-15 quarterback for me this week." (03:24)
• "Plan on starting someone else. And Pearsall, whether he's a number two or number three probably depends on your roster." – Heath, on Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall (04:58)
• "He's a low end RB two." – Heath on DeAndre Swift (06:00)
• "I'm starting Marquis Brown. I'm starting Patrick Mahomes. I'm probably starting Travis Kelce. I don't want to start a Chiefs running back." – Heath (08:02)
• "Marquis Brown has 129 receiving yards." – Heath (09:17)
• "I would like to sit Devonta Smith, definitely behind Mecca Buga, definitely behind Ricky Pearsall... I'm starting Keenan Allen over Devonta Smith." – Heath (09:29)
• "Definitely Bo Nix for me." – Heath (11:14)

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Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------| | 01:09 | Episode start, panel intros | | 02:17 | Seattle RBs/JSN breakdown | | 03:10 | Commanders QB swap, impact on pass-catchers | | 04:22 | Jauan Jennings, Ricky Pearsall, injury news | | 06:00 | DeAndre Swift, RB injuries | | 06:36 | Egbuka WR discussion | | 07:14 | Tucker Kraft tight end status | | 08:02 | Chiefs offense, RB Start/Sit | | 08:35 | Hollywood Brown vs. Egbuka | | 09:29 | Devonta Smith value, other WRs | | 10:12 | Listener Q&A rapid fire | | 11:14 | Bo Nix vs Daniel Jones |

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Conclusion

This fast-paced Week 3 preview offers actionable, up-to-the-minute advice on lineup decisions, injury status, and waiver moves. Heath Cummings’ clear rankings and player confidence levels, especially around late game actives and backup QBs, provide invaluable guidance in a week full of uncertainty. The Q&A segment addresses critical dilemmas faced by fantasy managers on Sunday morning, making this episode a must-listen (or must-read!) for finalizing lineups.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[B]

Good morning, everybody. Let's set some lineups right now on Fantasy football Today Express Sunday, September 21, week three in full swing. Adam Azer here with Heath Cummings wearing almost Giants blue today. I appreciate your support.

[C]

The Scott Fishbowl shirt. You do have Giants blue on. Big, big day for the Giants. Oh, you get your giant shirt on.

[B]

That's right. B versus Heath. Join us as we watch live tonight YouTube.com fantasy football today for that Sunday nighter. Obviously we'll just be recapping the Sunday games also. Join us at 11am we're starting a little earlier today. Usually it's 11:30am 11am Eastern. YouTube.com fantasy football today. Join us for a live Q A where we will be answering your questions. All right, let's get to it here. Zach Charbonnet is doubtful. This is a 4pm game against the Saints, so doubtful players almost never play. Jackson Smith and Jigba questionable with an illness right now expected to play. But let's start with the running backs here. I know you love Jordan Mason. For example, you like Ken Walker even more this week.

[C]

I have Jordan Mason just ahead of Ken Walker, but they're both top eight. So start them both.

[B]

Start them both. And jsn, what do we do about this situation?

[C]

I mean, I think you need to plan on JSN playing. I was thinking about this, like he's probably not even awake yet. So I don't know. I Don't know how they know how he feels yet today. But you don't like it when a guy pops up with an illness on a Saturday. Guys usually play through illnesses. He's a top six wide receiver in my projections, assuming that he's healthy. So I'm gonna roll him out there. I would like it if I could get him into a Flex sp or if I had somebody else as a just in case. But plan on starting him.

[B]

Yeah, if he's if he is awake right now, that's probably a bad sign for Jackson Smith and Jake right. Jaden Daniels is out. What does this mean for the Commanders passing game against Las Vegas?

[C]

I'm gonna be a little bit more optimistic, I think about Marcus Mariota than some people seem to be. He was very good in limited action. It was very limited action but very good and limited action last year. Played just over half the snaps in one game, played 85% of snaps in the other game. Averaged almost nine yards per pass attempt. Scored 23 fantasy points per game. I think Mariota is a good streamer if you need him. He's a top 15 quarterback for me this week and I have not significantly downgraded Debo or Terry McLaurin. Debo is a high end wide receiver 3. McLaurin as a low end wide receiver 3 or flicks.

[B]

So Daniel's out. Brock Purdy likely out. Justin Fields out. Carson Wentz is starting. Jake Browning is starting. Who's your favorite of the five backup quarterbacks?

[C]

I do actually have Mariota just barely over Browning.

[B]

Oh, how about that? All right, a vote of and Mac Jones.

[C]

Mac Jones is right in that mix.

[B]

But he may not have Juwan Jennings and this is a tough one here because this is a 425 game Eastern Time and Jennings is questionable. How are we approaching this one?

[C]

I Right now we're not ranking Jennings because he didn't practice all week. They did add a wide receiver off the practice squad on Saturday which could be a signal but I really thought on Sunday morning if he was definitely out that we would have gotten a tweet and we haven't gotten a tweet yet. And I went and checked the the receiving props at least on FanDuel. There's no receiving prop for Ricky Pierce. All which insinuates to me that this is a true game time decision for Juwan Jennings. If Jennings was out, Pierce all would I'd have him rank closer to where Dave and Jamie do as a I think a top 20 guy. If Jennings plays I'm not sure. Pierce all is a top 30 guy, so I think don't get Jennings out of your lineup is what we're telling you. Plan on starting someone else. And Peircel, whether he's a number two or number three probably depends on your roster.

[B]

All right, we're going to take a quick break. We have a lot more news items for you and we'll answer some of your questions when we come back.

[D]

As a scientist, I can tell you that Sundays are only 24 hours long. But with NFL Sunday Ticket and YouTube TV, you get every game, every Sunday all in one place. That's upwards of 30 hours of NFL in one day. How can there be 30 hours in 24 hours, you ask? I have a theory. Magic New users get NFL Sunday Ticket for eight payments of $34.50 per month. Sign up at NFLSundayTicket.com local and national games on YouTube TV NFL Sunday Ticket for out of market games excludes digital only games and commercial use terms and embargoes apply. Availability varies.

[B]

Welcome back to Fantasy Football Day Express. DeAndre Swift expected to play. Are you ranking him as you normally would?

[C]

I gave him a little bit of an injury. Ding. It's There have been some mixed reports. I saw a quad earlier in the week. I saw hamstring yesterday. We don't leg injuries for running backs. He's a low end RB too.

[B]

I saw a lot of people picking up Kyle Menangai. It's a good idea. I mean, yeah, even Swift plays. He's coming in with an injury. Manangai has a role and he is now just 17% rostered so see if you can grab him. Emeka Buka expected to play now there was a report from Schefter that he might have his snaps monitored. Potentially limited. I think Rappaport said that he's not going to have limitations. So Mecca Buka against the Jets.

[C]

I view him as a a borderline wide receiver too. This is a guy that I think even at full strength you should not expect him to score fantasy points the way that he has because the targets, yards and catches haven't really been there. It's the fact that he scored three touchdowns in two games and Mike Evans has zero. So that there's the upside of a top 15 performance. There's the downside of outside of the top 30. I got him a wide receiver 26 right behind Tetero McMillan and Roma Dunes a right ahead of Cortland Sutton and George Pickens.

[B]

Okay, Tucker Kraft, good news is expected to play at Cleveland. Easy guy to just start?

[C]

Yeah, I think. I think probably so. Again, we don't like midweek injuries. I would not be surprised if he was a little bit more limited than normal. So he was a top four tight end for me. The one I really struggle with is Jake Ferguson because I think somebody could definitely have both of those guys.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

And I. I would be tempted to just be safer and start Ferguson, but he's still a top six guy for me to craft.

[B]

Xavier Worthy is out. Rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals may play. And also the Chiefs really seem intent on running the football. They have got to get this run game fixed. It's a huge storyline for them and they're facing a dreadful run defense. So. Yeah. I mean, what do you think about Marquis Brown? Just Jalen Royal screw things up for him if he plays? Do you think the Chiefs go run heavy tonight? What do you think?

[C]

I'm starting Marquis Brown. I'm starting Patrick Mahomes. I'm probably starting. I'm starting Travis Kelsey. I don't want to start a Chiefs running back. I do think that. I don't think they're going to go run heavy. Listen, I don't think they've had a running back rush for 30 yards in a game yet. So they can increase their run production without having great run production. I'm still viewing Pacheco as kind of a desperation flex. I don't really want to start a running back in that game.

[B]

Yeah. Because both Giants running backs are going to play. Would you start Marquis Brown or who are we just talking? Oh, a Mecca Abuka.

[C]

I would start Marquis Brown.

[B]

Oh, okay. They're so bad last week.

[C]

He was bad last week. But you know that I don't generally make.

[B]

But he hasn't been good in. In a really long time. He's got a.

[C]

He's got a Target share over 30. He was good week one.

[B]

He was only good because he had. He wasn't like that good with the targets.

[C]

He wasn't efficient with the targets. No. But again, a Mecha Vuka does not have 100 receiving yards through two games.

[B]

There's no way Marquis Brown does. Right?

[C]

I am not sure.

[B]

I don't. I'm not either. All right, real quick. Christian Kirk will play. I think you probably just want to stash him.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

Dallas Goddard will play. Does that mean Devonte Smith is a sit.

[C]

Marquis Brown has 129 receiving.

[B]

What?

[C]

Yes. He had 99 in week one.

[B]

So that was better than I. Better than I remembered.

[C]

I'm sorry.

[B]

I was busy looking up Goddard is going to play. Does that mean Devonte Smith is a sit?

[C]

I would like to sit. Devonte Smith definitely behind Mecca Buga. Definitely behind Ricky Pearsall, who we've talked about. I've got him behind I in two different leagues. I'm starting Keenan Allen over Devonte Smith.

[B]

Isaiah likely is out. Evan Ingram is out. Giants left tackle Andrew Thomas is expected to play. They're kind of cautiously optimistic there. But Minnesota left tackle Christian Derrisaw, he is expected to play. Vikings are also getting healthier on defense with Andrew Van Ginkel and Harrison Smith expected back today and Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez is out. Let's spend a few minutes answering questions. Pick two of these three. Ameca Buca, James Connor, Hollywood Brown.

[C]

Oof. And you didn't tell us if it was full PBR or not in full ppr. I would do Hollywood and a booker and half ppr. I would do Hollywood and Connor.

[B]

Oh, another Hollywood. Hollywood Brown, Jameson Williams, Rasheed Shahid, Dontavian Wicks and Basil Tutin. We need two of those five.

[C]

I would go with Hollywood and I would go with Jameson.

[B]

Travis, ETN or Jacori. Crosky, Merritt or Travis Kelsey. Rank them.

[C]

I would go the order you listed them in etn, Crosky, Merritt, Kelsey.

[B]

Okay. Bill Crosby, Merritt, Ameca buka or ellic.IO manor.

[C]

Half PPR and half PPR. I will go with Bill. And Abuka is much closer to Bill than he is to Alec, Jacoby Myers or Hollywood Brown.

[B]

Oh, you're not gonna get. You're not gonna get that much love for Hollywood Brown. Heath's going Jacoby Myers.

[C]

I love Jacoby Myers.

[B]

Bo Nicks or Daniel Jones?

[C]

Definitely. Definitely Bo Nix for me.

[B]

Definitely Pickens or Brian Thomas Jr. In PPR.

[C]

I'm sticking with Brian Thomas Jr, Pacheco or McLaurin. Oh, wow. I'm going to have to look that one up because I am pretty low on both of those guys. Again, we don't have. If it's full PPR, I'll go with McClure and everything else.

[B]

I'll go with Pacheco, Trevor Lawrence or Jake Browning. Jake Browning and Fanon. Or Craft.

[C]

I think it like this might be one where you're just looking at your matchup. I think Kraft has more upside. Fanon has a higher floor. I would probably start Craft.

[B]

Joanne Johnson or Tucker. Craft.

[C]

I've got Craft ahead of Johnson.

[B]

Two more Bo Nix or Russell Wilson.

[C]

I will go with Bo Nix, but not by a lot.

[B]

Tetero McMillan, Calvin Ridley or Michael Pitman.

[C]

I will go with Tettero.

[B]

McMillan and I will go finish up some stuff around the house and get ready for a show at 11am [e-mail] fantasy football today. We will see you there. Thanks for watching and listening to FFT Express. Good luck everyone. Paramount Podcasts dude, did you order the.

[C]

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[B]

You haven't changed your hair in 15 years. Selfies check please.

[E]

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