Broncos Fantasy Football Advice for Week 3 of the 2026 Season
The Denver Broncos will look to build on their first victory of the 2026 season when they host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football in Week 3.
Denver enters this matchup with several questions surrounding its offense, particularly in the backfield. Injuries to J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman could force the Broncos to alter their offensive approach, creating some intriguing fantasy opportunities for their pass-catchers.
With Week 3 approaching, it’s time to take an early look at which of Denver’s players are worth trusting, which ones are better left on the bench and which are worth keeping an eye on.
Start: Jaylen Waddle
Jaylen Waddle finally delivered the type of fantasy performance Broncos fans and fantasy managers were hoping to see.
After catching just one pass for two yards in his Denver debut, Waddle exploded against the Jacksonville Jaguars, catching eight passes for 138 yards in the Broncos’ 20-13 victory. The performance served as a reminder of the type of upside Waddle brings to Denver’s offense when he is given enough opportunities.
Now, Waddle could be in line for another strong performance against Los Angeles.
The biggest reason is the uncertainty surrounding the Broncos’ running back room. J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman are all dealing with injuries that could put their availability for Week 3 in doubt. If none of the three is able to play, Denver would be forced to rely much more heavily on its passing game, and Waddle would likely be the biggest beneficiary.
Waddle’s upside is still somewhat capped by his lack of involvement in the red zone. He has received just one red-zone target through the Broncos’ first two games, which limits his touchdown potential compared to some of the league’s other top fantasy receivers. That could change, however, if Denver enters Week 3 without any of its primary running backs available.
With fewer reliable options to turn to near the goal line, the Broncos could have to get creative with how they use Waddle. His speed and ability to create explosive plays make him one of Denver’s most dangerous offensive weapons, and increased volume could give him another opportunity to post a massive fantasy performance.
Even if Dobbins, Harvey or Coleman is able to suit up, Waddle has already shown that he can produce when given enough targets. After his eight-catch, 138-yard performance against Jacksonville, fantasy managers should have no hesitation about putting Waddle in their starting lineups for Week 3.
Sit: Courtland Sutton
Courtland Sutton is a much more difficult fantasy proposition than he was entering the season.
Sutton was already a volatile fantasy option last season despite operating as the Broncos’ clear No. 1 wide receiver. Through two games in 2026, his production has fallen even further, as he has caught just five passes for 36 yards.
The uncertainty surrounding Denver’s running back room does create an interesting wrinkle for Sutton. If J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman are all unable to play, Sutton could benefit from additional passing volume and potentially more opportunities in the red zone. With fewer established options available to the Broncos, there would be plenty of reasons for Denver to lean on its veteran wide receiver.
The problem is that Sutton’s upside could be significantly lower if even one of those running backs is able to return.
Waddle has already established himself as a major part of the Broncos’ passing attack, while Evan Engram and Pat Bryant have also demonstrated that they can contribute. If Denver has at least one of Dobbins, Harvey or Coleman available, there may not be enough volume to support Sutton as a reliable fantasy starter, particularly against a Rams defense that could make it difficult for the Broncos to consistently move the ball.
That leaves Sutton with both a lower floor and a lower ceiling than fantasy managers might have expected when the season began. His lack of production through two games is already concerning, and another quiet performance in this situation would give fantasy managers a real reason to panic.
If Dobbins, Harvey and Coleman are all unable to play, Sutton could be worth considering as a FLEX option because of the additional passing volume and potential red-zone opportunities. But if Dobbins, Harvey or Coleman is able to suit up and Denver can maintain a remotely balanced offensive game plan, Sutton is best left on the bench.
Sutton is still talented enough to produce a big game, particularly if the Broncos’ backfield is depleted. But fantasy managers should not rely on that possibility against Los Angeles. If Sutton struggles again in Week 3 despite a potentially favorable offensive situation, it may be time to at least explore what kind of trade value he still holds.
Watch: Bo Nix
Bo Nix as a fantasy player to watch feels a little strange, particularly considering the circumstances surrounding Denver’s Week 3 matchup.
If J.K. Dobbins, RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman are all unavailable, Nix could be forced into a pass-heavy game plan against Los Angeles. That would seemingly create the type of environment that should make a quarterback an appealing fantasy option.
There are still plenty of reasons to pump the brakes.
Nix has thrown two touchdowns and two interceptions through the Broncos’ first two games while averaging just 209.5 passing yards per game. More importantly, he has provided almost nothing as a runner. Nix has rushed for just eight yards through two games, which is understandable given Denver’s desire to limit the possibility of him re-injuring his ankle. From a fantasy perspective, however, that lack of rushing production significantly lowers his ceiling.
Quarterbacks who provide consistent rushing production can remain valuable fantasy options even when their passing numbers are relatively modest. Nix does not currently have that luxury. Unless he throws for more than 300 yards and multiple touchdowns against the Rams, it could be difficult for him to deliver a strong fantasy performance.
That does not mean Nix should be completely ignored in Week 3.
If the Broncos’ running back room is depleted, fantasy managers could finally get a glimpse of what Nix is capable of producing when the offense is forced to lean heavily on his arm. Could he throw for 400 yards? Could Denver find ways to create rushing opportunities for him near the goal line? A depleted backfield could force the Broncos to ask more of their quarterback than they have through the first two weeks of the season.
That makes Nix an intriguing desperation option for fantasy managers dealing with a quarterback injury or playing in particularly deep leagues. He should also be in starting lineups in Superflex and 2QB leagues, where the scarcity of quarterbacks makes Nix a much more valuable option regardless of his limited rushing production.
In leagues where managers can only start one quarterback, however, Nix should not be starting ahead of established options such as Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Dak Prescott or Brock Purdy. Joe Burrow, Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence and Bryce Young also offer enough fantasy upside to make them preferable to Nix in Week 3. For now, Nix is better left on the watch list – but the injuries in Denver’s backfield could give fantasy managers an interesting look at his statistical ceiling.
