NFL Week 3 Fantasy Football Start or Sit Mailbag: What to Do With Josh Gordon in New England?

The Baker Mayfield era has officially begun in Cleveland following the Browns' 21-17 victory over the Jets Thursday night. Will Mayfield draw the start in Week 4, or will veteran Tyrod Taylor reclaim his spot after clearing concussion protocol?

Like the rest of us managing fantasy football teams, Browns head coach Hue Jackson must answer the all-important question:

Start or Sit?

Each week we crowdsource start or sit questions on Twitter @ActionNetworkHQ and @ActionNetNFL and by email at mailbag@actionnetwork.com. Remember to include your league settings (standard, PPR, superflex, etc.) in your question.

Thanks to everyone who reached out with Week 3 start or sit questions for this week's mailbag. Let's jump into it.

Question: PPR Flex: Dion Lewis, Robert Woods or Marquise Goodwin in my FLEX spot?

• Jordan Terrell @1andOnlyTurtle

Robert Woods has been underwhelming so far this season, and it's hard to know how close Marquise Goodwin is to 100% following his quadriceps contusion. So, the most conservative play would be Dion Lewis. He has the 43rd-best floor projection among FLEX players. Woods and Goodwin come in at 106th and 80th in floor projection, respectively.

However, if you need upside, I think Goodwin could still provide sneaky value. He and Jimmy GQ forged nice chemistry in the 49ers' final five games last season, and they looked very in sync during the preseason. Goodwin could be a potential week-winner, but he also may be a bust if he's not yet fully healthy. Only start him if you have a high risk tolerance.

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Question: PPR FLEX: DeSean Jackson, Marvin Jones Jr., Sammy Watkins or Pierre Garcon?

• Caty Liesek @wfw_clieseke

I think Marvin Jones Jr. is the best talent among those four receivers, but Kenny Golladay's ascension is concerning. For what it's worth, if you can find a way to sell high on D-Jax in order to obtain Golladay, I think that's probably a wise hedge on Jones' fantasy outlook this season.

Pierre Garcon is just … sort of boring. He likely won't lose you the week, but he's not going to provide a week-winning performance, either.

So, it really comes down to Jackson and Watkins. Of the two, DeSean Jackson has the highest projected ceiling this week. With Ryan FitzMagic slinging the ball to start the season, Jackson has racked up an astonishing 275 receiving yards and three touchdowns. He will come back down to earth eventually, but, for now, ride the hot hand.

Question: Jimmy G vs. Matt Ryan?

• John Atlas @Buckx2009

Go with Matt Ryan this week.

It pains me to say it, but Garoppolo hasn't performed up to expectations so far this young NFL season. Until he proves otherwise, he's only a borderline starting option for me.

Meanwhile, "Matty Ice" boasts the 12th-best median projection, ninth-best ceiling projection and sixth-best floor projection among quarterbacks this week. The Falcons have a nice matchup against a vulnerable Saints defense that allowed Ryan Fitzpatrick to throw for 417 yards in Week 1.

Question: PPR Flex: Sony Michel vs. Tyler Lockett?

• John Atlas @Buckx2009

It's still too soon to consider Michel in your starting lineup. The Patriots made an obvious effort to involve the rookie in their game plan last week, but it remains to be seen how consistent his usage will be in the Patriots' committee backfield from week to week.

Tyler Lockett is a very conservative play for a Seahawks team that lacks playmakers on offense. Lockett's only real competition for targets so far has been rookie tight end Will Dissly. Lockett has the 45th-best median projection among PPR Flex options in Week 3.

Fantasy Football Rankings

PPR:Flex | QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K
Standard:Flex | QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K
Half-Point PPR:Flex | QB | RB | WR | TE | D/ST | K

Question: PPR: Start 4: Josh Gordon, Sammy Watkins, Matt Breida, Chris Thompson and Kenyan Drake.

• Paul E. Roberts @paulerob13

Don't overthink this one. Start everyone except Josh Gordon. In Gordon's lone game this season against the Steelers, he managed only one reception for 17 yards (granted, it was for a touchdown). This is a guy who hasn't put up two 100-yard games in the same season since 2013.

Don't get me wrong — Gordon's upside with the Patriots is outstanding. The circumstances that led to Flash Gordon's arrival in New England feel eerily similar to 2006, when the Patriots traded a fourth-round pick to Oakland in exchange for Randy Moss. (The Patriots traded a fifth-round pick for Gordon this season.)

However, there's plenty of reason to pump the brakes on that comparison. Until we see how the Patriots intend to utilize Gordon — and how quickly he earns the coaching staff's trust — keep him stashed on your bench.

Question: PPR WR: Ted Ginn Jr., Phillip Dorsett or Danny Amendola?

• Amy Allen Smith @AmyLouWho9

This must be a deep league, because all of these guys are fringe plays at best.

Of that group, I like Phillip Dorsett the most. Dorsett and Ted Ginn Jr. serve similar roles in their respective offenses, but Ginn's target market share is extremely limited by the presence of Michael Thomas. It remains to be seen if the Patriots' acquisition of Josh Gordon, coupled with Julian Edelman's impending return from suspension, kills Dorsett's value, but he's still viable this week.

Currently, Dorsett boasts the 35th-best floor projection and 43rd-best ceiling projection among wide receivers for Week 3. Start him with confidence this week.