Starting to feel more comfortable now that a couple of matchups have gone by? See, fantasy football isn’t as tricky as you thought it’d be. Those who’ve been following this series and kept up with last week’s edition are probably in good shape headed into Week 3 of the season.
But if this is your first visit, here’s the lowdown: Each week, we’ll talk through the five most important things to be aware of for the NFL week ahead and how it matters for fantasy football in a straightforward, teachable way. My goal is for you to elevate from beginner status to being a top-notch team manager who can win a championship.
Ready to kick your roster into high gear? Heck yeah, pal — glad to be in the trenches right there with you. Things are heating up, so together, let’s explore five key items that all proactive folks should bear in mind as we enter the third week of the 2025 NFL calendar:
Thing #1: Evaluate The Strength of Your Lineup/Bench
Patience is a cornerstone trait for any good fantasy football manager. Staying steady and not overreacting early is what separates the sharps from those who simply donated their entry money to the eventual winner of the league pot. Panic moves help no one!
But here’s a refresher for folks who missed out on our Week 2 edition and where we left off:
“Once is a fluke, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a pattern.”
This upcoming slate of action is going to provide us with a quality sample size from which to draw certain conclusions. Which pass-catchers are truly involved in their offense(s)? Is the path to relevance for my fringe committee running back actually showing signs of growth? The majority of NFL teams are finally settling into a groove. What does that mean for your squad?
An earnest vibe check of the roster is crucial at this stage. Now’s a great time to explore how much upside the bench players you drafted truly have, and whether or not you need to reshuffle the deck. Get a feel for the starters, too. Identify how many changes may be necessary.
Thing #2: Check Your Waiver Wire
Once you’ve gotten a handle on the proverbial state of the union, go ahead and see what players are available to pick up as free agents. The other managers who overreacted are likely getting rid of some quality roster pieces out of impatience. Understandable, sure, but foolish.
Any available player that feels like they shouldn’t be out there is probably free by mistake — it’s your job to correct that. As usual, keep an eye out for rookies or any familiar pre-draft names. Unless it’s been said by the Fantasy Points crew on one of our wide array of podcasts that X, Y, or Z guy is no longer relevant, the prudent move is to scoop up value and rid yourself of the assets you’ve deemed to be expendable. We won’t steer you wrong.
Thing #3: Look Ahead For Good D/ST Matchups
Feel free to disregard if defense and special teams (D/ST) units are not required in your league, but for most folks, it’s the norm. Starting a D/ST and kicker in weekly play has been standard practice in season-long fantasy football for ages. It’s probably not something you’ve thought about since the draft, but it’s necessary to keep up with this stuff.
And don’t worry, you can trust my advice here; I was once the most accurate D/ST draft ranker in the industry in 2023. A D/ST unit like the Los Angeles Rams might’ve helped you to open the season with soft matchups that led to quality scoring. But what’s that in Week 3? A matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles? Yeah, might not want to challenge the Super Bowl champs.
But the Indianapolis Colts D/ST vs. the struggling Tennessee Titans? Stronger move, and that unit is rostered in less than 50% of ESPN leagues as of this writing. There’s a strategy in fantasy football called “streaming” that is the practice of playing matchups and picking up/dropping different players from waivers weekly, and it’s popular for D/STs and kickers. Now’s a good time to explore your options there if you haven’t already done so.
Thing #4: Begin Exploring Trades With Other Managers
Why not stay in the exploratory spirit? Last week, we discussed the importance of gathering intel from other managers through casual convo in the league chat. Bringing up IRL football topics and such can lead to opponents tipping their hands regarding player opinions.
For example, is the manager in your league who rosters wideout Ladd McConkey worried about early returns? Now’s the time to reach out and discuss a deal. Our projections are still favorable for the second-year receiver; the Los Angeles Chargers are one of the highest-volume passing teams in the NFL through two weeks. Circumstances should change for the better soon.
Whether it’s attempting to “buy low” on McConkey or any other struggling player, strike while that iron is hot. Always try to stay one step ahead. Of course, don’t low-ball this manager with an insulting deal; maintaining relationships is a key part of fantasy. Still, it can’t hurt to dig.
Thing #5: Remember The Bigger Picture
Direct thread from the last paragraph — definitely avoid offering insulting trades and getting caught up in the “now” of it all. A reputation for being the oaf who sends out dumpster deals is going to be difficult to overcome if rightfully gained. Just because you think you see the bigger picture doesn’t mean that opponents don’t.
Fantasy football is just as much a cooperative game as it is competitive. Beyond the waiver wire, the bonds created with those you’re playing against will be the strongest avenue(s) for solving roster needs. It’s vital to be on good terms with the people who have desirable assets. Again, make trade offers, but remember that this individual might shut you down entirely if a completely unfavorable proposition is introduced to them.
Conclusion
Week 3 is the time to start building upon the early lessons learned. Good job if you didn’t go overboard to open the year, but now’s the time to start being proactive. Get ready for the grind, folks. It’s only going to get more difficult from here. Being active is the main priority now.
Feel free to reach out to me on social media (link to my X profile is below, and I’m also @herms.bsky.social on Bluesky) if you have any questions. I’m always glad to help.
