Fantasy Football Landmines to Avoid for Week 3 - Jaylen Waddle, Zamir White, Derek Carr, more

Danny Boily looks at fantasy football landmines for Week 3 of 2024. Consider benching these players due to tough Week 3 fantasy matchups, risky play, or simply for predicted underperformance for your fantasy teams.

Welcome to Week 3. Your stars might be shining bright, but every week presents new challenges, matchups, and pitfalls that can derail your team if you're not careful. So, let’s talk landmines.

These are players who, on the surface, seem like solid starts based on talent or past performance, but the reality is their numbers and Week 3 matchups are red flags. The smart play is to bench them if you have better options.

Here are five potential Week 3 fantasy landmines that, while talented, are better off riding the pine this week.

Derek Carr, QB, vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Carr and the Saints have been red-hot so far this season. Carr’s performance through two games -- 443 passing yards, five touchdowns, and one interception -- might have you thinking he’s locked in, but let’s dive deeper into why managers will want to keep him on the bench.

With his lack of rushing performance (three attempts for 14 yards), his floor is already limited. Philly allowed just 7.0 yards per pass attempt in 2023, and it has carried that momentum into 2024 with only 7.8 per attempt.

The Eagles boast an elite defensive line led by Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, who will apply relentless pressure. Admittedly, the defense has underperformed in 2024, but it is still stacked with talent across each positional group. 

With the Eagles run game, led by superstar Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia should have possession of the ball more than the Saints. Expect a pedestrian fantasy day for Carr. You should pivot to a safer QB like Jared Goff or Jayden Daniels if available.

Uh, the Saints are delivering an absolute beatdown to the Panthers

Derek Carr just threw his second TD pass of the game, in the first quarter

Jesuit and LSU alum Foster Moreau with a 3-yard TD reception

pic.twitter.com/nCCkQuYTqW

— Garland Gillen (@garlandgillen) September 8, 2024

Zamir White, RB, vs. Carolina Panthers

It may be tempting to start White this week, as the Raiders are facing what is most likely the worst team in pro football. However, there are better options (even on his team). 

Fantasy managers drafted Zamir White as a potential volume-based option. So far, he’s been anything but. White’s usage stats (51.3% snap share) suggest he’s not nearly as involved as hoped. In fact, not only has Alexander Mattison eaten into his snap share, but Mattison has been the better player. 

In two games, White has 70 rushing yards with 3.5 yards per carry. Unfortunately, he only has 16 total receiving yards in two games, so he is not being elevated by receptions, even in games that his team was down (once again, Mattison is getting the bulk of RB receptions). 

He’ll struggle to rack up meaningful fantasy points even with a favorable matchup. There’s a good chance he’s destined to become a second-string RB on his team. Look elsewhere for your RB2/flex this week.

Jaylen Waddle, WR, vs. Seattle Seahawks

Jaylen Waddle is an elite talent, but fantasy managers may want to stay away without Tua Tagovailoa in Week 3 against an improved Seattle Seahawk defense. 

Seattle is a tricky matchup for Waddle. It has only allowed 287 passing yards in two games, and now Miami will be relying on Skylar Thompson to lead its passing game. With second-year phenom cornerback Devon Witherspoon, he, alongside Riq Woolen, has turned this pass defense into a formidable unit. 

Waddle put up nine receptions for 150 yards this season, but the lack of red-zone targets (zero end-zone looks) is concerning. The Seahawks have been excellent at limiting explosive plays -- holding opponents to just 7.0 yards per reception (the lowest in the league) -- and Miami’s deep passing attack might struggle with a new QB at the helm.

With Waddle’s reliance on big plays and Seattle’s ability to keep receivers in check, he may not get the volume you’re used to. The Dolphins will likely have to dink-and-dunk to move the ball, limiting Waddle’s opportunity to break a game open.

What’s your expectations for Jaylen Waddle in 2024?

Drop your thoughts below ⬇️ #GoFins pic.twitter.com/i7GAhJUtsA

— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) June 5, 2024

Kyle Pitts, TE, vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Here we go again -- Kyle Pitts is once again on this list. After being one of the most hyped tight ends in history, he is disappointing fantasy managers again with 47 total yards in two weeks of work. It does not look much better against a tough Chiefs defense. 

Kansas City’s defense under Steve Spagnuolo is known for keeping tight ends in check. Its linebackers are fast, and its safeties have been excellent in coverage, making it difficult for even elite tight ends to thrive. Pitts will face a Chiefs defense that knows how to limit YAC (yards after catch), meaning his athleticism won’t get the room to shine.

Pitts hasn’t been a primary red-zone target (just two end-zone looks so far). Pitts will struggle to deliver TE1 numbers without consistent usage in scoring territory.

Rachaad White, Flex RB, vs. Denver Broncos

Rachaad White’s versatility as a pass-catcher has been his saving grace in fantasy, but even after a 2-0 start for Tampa Bay, it’s starting to look like he may soon play second fiddle to its rookie RB, Bucky Irving. 

White’s 80 receiving yards on seven receptions has helped salvage his value, but his 2.0 yards per carry is a glaring problem. He’s not an efficient runner, and if Tampa Bay can’t establish a running game, White is left with dump-off targets that won’t move the needle. 

Irving has been the better RB so far, averaging 5.3 yards per carry for a total of 84 yards rushing. That is only with a 32.4% snap share. He has been a popular waiver-wire pick this week, and his play should eat into White’s carries and playing time.

Bucky Irving

Averaging 5.2+ yards per carry through two weeks.

Rachaad White averaging just over 2.0 yards per carry & picked up a groin injury in Week 2.

Bucky’s snaps have already increased.

Only a matter of time before he takes over the backfield.pic.twitter.com/MYHdNzLA9G https://t.co/eQ6xK2WsZv

— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) September 17, 2024

Final Week 3 Thoughts

Week 3 is all about making smart, calculated decisions. These five players -- Carr, White (Zamir and Rachaad), Waddle, and Pitts -- have the talent to be fantasy studs, but their matchups this week make them too risky to trust. Fantasy football is about minimizing risk as much as maximizing points. So, bench these landmines if you’ve got better options and give yourself the best shot at victory.

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