Mike White’s NFL arc blends a historic debut with a jagged, uneven career trajectory. In 2021 he threw for 405 yards and 3 TDs in his first start, sparking a Jets upset of the Bengals during Cincinnati’s run to a Super Bowl, a moment that still looms for fantasy managers as a reminder of his ceiling. Since then, he’s been a flashpoint in depth charts—four 2022 starts, a 2023 Dolphins cameo, and a 2024 Bills appearance—without securing a long-term gig.

His résumé reads like a classic doppleganger tale: fifth-round pick by Dallas in 2018, college standout at South Florida and Western Kentucky with 4,177 passing yards as a senior, and a career line that boasts 2,247 yards, 9 TDs, 13 INTs across 15 games. A volatile but real arm talent, White remains a boom-or-bust option whose fantasy value hinges on opportunity and coaching clarity.

Week 3 waiver targets wave up smart adds: Cam Skattebo seizes the Giants backfield, Jake Browning steps in as Cincinnati’s likely starter, and Drake Maye shows pocket poise with multi TD upside for New England. Elic Ayomanor locks in as a Titans WR2 option, Rhamondre Stevenson remains a solid NE FLEX, and Blake Corum’s increasing Rams snaps add upside behind Kyren Williams. Cooper Kupp stays a fantasy stalwart and Juwan Johnson offers TE depth for New Orleans.

RotoBaller’s analysis highlights the value in streaming, stash strategies, and deeper league pickups. Week 3 pivots around workload, opponent matchups, and roster flexibility as players emerge from uncertain roles to become viable plays in standard and PPR formats.

Week 3 IDP focus centers on the latest risers, pitfalls, and matchup plays across DL, LB and DB units. Byron Young bursts out for the Rams, while Kevin Byard stumbles for the Bears, shaping waiver decisions and start-sits. The piece also notes high-upside plays like Watt, Hendrickson, Bosa and Parsons, with caution flags around Philly and Buffalo matchups.

The emphasis on snap rates, pass rush grades, and opponent offensive lines gives fantasy managers a sharper lens for rostering top DLs, linebackers, and defensive backs, while identifying safer floor plays in two-IDP formats. Week 3 intrigue lands across the entire IDP slate.

Tampa Bay opened 2025 with two road wins, sitting atop the NFC South as Bowles and Mayfield push a high-tempo attack forward. It’s the third straight 2-0 start for the duo, a rare streak, but midseason slumps remain a recurring risk. With injuries lingering, the schedule turns brutal: Jets, Eagles, Seahawks, 49ers, Lions will test sustainability. Fantasy notes point to Week 3 pickups Romeo Doubs and Zach Ertz, plus mentions of a Vikings running back reunion and a Texas Tech–Utah NFL Draft duel shaping wider fantasy angles.

Chase Brown’s 2025 Bengals backfield has been muted by inefficiency and stalled game scripts. He’s seen about 73% of snaps but just 90 rushing yards on 37 carries and a single rushing TD through two games, plus only four receptions for 26 yards this season. Burrow’s turf-toe injury puts more pressure on Brown, yet upcoming matchups vs a soft run defense (MIN) and a concessive Detroit D offer a path to regression toward the mean. Buy-low stories flourish when volume remains intact and efficiency returns.

With Burrow out for months, Cincinnati plans to lean on Brown’s workload while Jake Browning runs the offense. The path to fantasy relevance hinges on Brown reeling in more receiving work and breaking longer runs. If you own him, patience is warranted; if you don’t, there’s demand potential in a trade window as defenses still fear the run and the schedule softens.