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.

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.

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)

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)

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 |

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.