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Fantasy Football Week 3 PPR RB and WR Rankings

The most coveted and important positions in fantasy football, Running Backs and Wide Receivers are crucial to winning fantasy matchups so which ones are the best of the best for this weekend’s matchups? Let’s get into it.

Week 3 PPR RB Rankings:

1. Jonathan Taylor, Colts vs. Cheifs

Taylor had a surprising dud of a game against the Jaguars last week as the Colts got shutout 24-0 and Taylor only had 9 carries for 54 yards. The efficiency was still there, but as the Colts were down, the run was scratched from the game plan. However, he is poised for a bounceback game against the Chiefs despite their surprisingly potent run defense and with his upside, he is the RB1 for the week.

2. Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Jaguars

Contrary to most fantasy football analysts, I think Ekeler is poised for a big week despite two underwhelming fantasy performances. Yes, the addition of Sony Michel reduces Ekeler’s role as a rusher near in the red zone, but his consistency as a pass catcher and the elusiveness Ekeler has with his runs are hard to ignore. The Jaguars were able to stop the run pretty well against the Colts and Jonathan Taylor, but Austin Ekeler’s innate ability to catch short passes and turn them into big plays will be impossible to stop for the Jaguars.

3. Derrick Henry, Titans vs Raiders

The Raiders don’t have a solid run defense and Derrick Henry will be inching to get going and produce like he did last season. Fantasy managers are stressing but you shouldn’t be. Before getting hurt last season, Henry was averaging 24.6 fantasy points per game (1st among active players) and led the league in rush yards by a mile. This year, with his offensive line depleted and certain small things just not going his way, Henry hasn’t had the same luck. After two very underwhelming performances from Henry, he will remind us why we call him King Henry this week vs the Raiders.

4. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. Saints

Christian McCaffrey is usually atop these rankings but has a very tough matchup against the New Orleans Saints this weekend. What is even more concerning is that McCaffrey has been healthy through two games and has only garnered a total of 33.5 fantasy points. Baker Mayfield, for whatever reason, is not targeting McCaffrey on short passes as much this year, which means CMC’s production may become reliant on rushing and TDs. Nonetheless, he is still Christian McCaffrey, and even in an awful offense, he will put up fantasy points against anyone, including the Saints.

5. D’Andre Swift, Lions vs. Vikings

Swift just keeps producing at a high level regardless of the opponent. He went off against a good Philadelphia defense in week 1 for 26.5 fantasy points, then followed it up with a 16.7 fantasy point effort against the Commanders on Sunday. One of the most consistent RB’s in the league, you can always count on Swift to put up 16+ fantasy points every single week. This matchup will be no different even though the Vikings’ defense is solid against the run.

6. Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. Lions

Cook hasn’t had the start to the year many had hoped from him, but he is still productive as both a rusher and a pass catcher, which makes him dangerous. Although the Lions have had a great run defense so far this season, they haven’t faced a back as talented as Cook yet and it will prove difficult for them. This will be a high-scoring game and Cook should run for at least 1 touchdown and catch 3-5 passes as well.

7.. Joe Mixon, Bengals vs. Jets

The Jets gave up 3 touchdowns to Nick Chubb last weekend and haven’t shown an ability yet at least to stop elite running backs from putting up fantasy points. Mixon is one of the more consistent backs in the NFL and will have an 18-23 fantasy point game against the Jets this Sunday.
8. Najee Harris, Steelers vs. Browns

Thursday’s night game is an early divisional matchup that will feature a much healthier and more productive Najee Harris. He was very limited playing through an injury against the Patriots this past weekend but will get back to his usual 100 yards, 1 TD+ production this Thursday against a Browns defense that gave up a total of 23.3 fantasy points to RB’s Sunday against the Jets.

9. Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Cowboys

Barkley finished as the RB1 in week 1 against the Titans rushing for 163 yards and a touchdown, all while tallying 33.8 fantasy points overall. In week 2 against the Panthers, Barkley reverted to the norm only scoring 11.8 fantasy points. The Cowboys are star-studded defensively and should be able to maintain Barkley as a rusher. However, Barkley remains a top 10 RB going into week 3 because of his ability to catch passes as a high level and because of his volume.

10. Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Panthers

Kamara had an abysmal 7.6 fantasy point performance in week 1 against the Falcons and missed last week’s contest against the Buccaneers, but there is still room for hope. With over 100 targets three times in his career (all when Drew Brees was under center), Kamara still remains a lethal pass-catching threat who can put up monster fantasy numbers. However, his production can best be described as volatile, like a bad cryptocurrency, ever since Drew Brees retired and there are major concerns about his production on a week-to-week basis.

11. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs vs. Colts

Edwards-Helaire has become an integral part of the Chiefs’ new offensive scheme without Tyreek Hill primarily as a pass catcher pulling in 2 TD’s in week 1 finishing with just about 23 fantasy points, then catching 4 passes for 44 yards in week 2 finishing with just about 16 fantasy points. The volume for Edwards-Helaire is there, especially in PPR leagues, and he remains one of the more consistent plays this week even against a supposed “good” defense in the Colts (who just lost 24-0 to the Jaguars). Slot him in your starting lineup.

12. Darell Henderson Jr., Rams vs. Cardinals

This is going to be a good matchup but the Cardinals aren’t that great defensively this season which could open up Henderson to have a big game. The Cardinals gave up 33 points against the Chiefs in week 1 and 31 points against the Raiders in week 2, and the Rams have a great offense as well. Matthew Stafford should play well this week taking pressure off of the run, and allowing Henderson Jr. to go off for a 20 fantasy point performance. I am confident Henderson will have a good game.

13. James Conner, Cardinals vs. Rams

The Rams did a fantastic job stopping the run in both of their first two matchups as they have one of the best defensive lines in football. Conner is usually a top 11 RB but has a tough matchup in the Rams. However, volume is king in fantasy football and I am expecting Conner to have a good game against the Rams on Sunday.

14. Antonio Gibson, Commanders vs. Eagles

Gibson salvaged his fantasy day with a rushing touchdown last weekend as he was limited against the Lions’ defense (only 14 carries for 28 yards) but he had a monster week 1 performance against the Jaguars because of his pass-catching ability. He was a receiver in college and his fantasy value comes from catching passes (and of course running at the goal line). If Wentz has a better day against the Lions this weekend, Gibson will have a very good game and finish as a top 15 RB.

15. Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers vs. Packers

Fournette had a solid showing in week 1 rushing for 121 yards and finishing with 15.8 fantasy points only because he didn’t get into the end zone. In week 2, Fournette was extremely limited rushing 24 times for just 64 yards finishing with only 9.3 fantasy points. He also hasn’t been involved much as a pass catcher with just 4 receptions on the season so far.

16. Nick Chubb, Browns vs. Steelers

Chubb has had back-to-back dominant fantasy performances (15.3 fantasy points but 137 yards rushing in week 1 and 87 yards and a touchdown for 32.5 fantasy points on Sunday against the Jets) but I am expecting a little bit of regression against a dominant Steelers defense.

17. Jeff Wilson Jr., 49ers vs. Broncos

Jeff Wilson Jr. didn’t run for a touchdown last weekend against the Seahawks, but he was still very productive finishing with 84 rushing yards, 19 receiving yards, and 12.6 fantasy points. This Broncos defense is supposed to be good, but has yet to show its dominance yet making Wilson a solid RB2 and flex option for Sunday Night Football.

18. AJ Dillon/Aaron Jones, Packers vs. Buccaneers

With almost an equal 50/50 split of touches in the backfield in week 1, Jones went off for 25+ fantasy points in week 2, but don’t count out Dillon from playing well either next weekend. Both of their fantasy value comes from pass catching and TDs, and it’s hard to predict which RB will go off each week especially against a dominant defense against the run in Tampa Bay.

19. James Robinson, Jaguars vs. Chargers

Robinson is the obvious start over Travis Etienne Jr. after the first two weeks. Robinson has rushed for 3 touchdowns in the season (two in week 1, and one in week 2) and doesn’t appear to be slowing down despite splitting some touches with Etienne Jr.

20. Javonte Williams, Broncos vs. 49ers

The 49ers have the best defensive line in football and limited Rashaad Penny to 1.5 fantasy points last weekend. Williams is a much more talented back than Penny, but it will be very difficult for him to perform against a dominant defense and while splitting touches with Melvin Gordon.

Week 3 PPR WR Rankings

  1. Justin Jefferson, Vikings vs. Lions

Jefferson is the best wide receiver in both fantasy football and in real life right now. There is really no disputing that after an almost 40 fantasy point effort in week 1 and a solid week 2 showing as well. The Lions have given up a total of 65 points in two weeks and this matchup will be another high-scoring affair. Jefferson should explode yet again for 30+ fantasy points in this matchup.

2. Cooper Kupp, Rams vs. Cardinals

Kupp had a rare fumble last weekend, but that didn’t deter him from finishing with his usual 30+ fantasy point performance. The most consistent receiver in the NFL, Cooper Kupp is a fantasy football superstar who goes off every single week. In fact, he had 31.8 fantasy points in week 1 and exactly 31.8 fantasy points again in week 2. Why not 31.8 fantasy points again in week 3? It probably happens again.

3. Davante Adams, Raiders vs. Titans

The Raiders haven’t started their season the way they wanted to, but Adams has been one of the lone bright spots finishing with 30.1 fantasy points and 141 yards in week 1, but just 2 receptions for 12 yards and a touchdown in week 2. The lack of production from last week was an outlier as Adams will get back on track for a 25+ point performance again vs. the Titans this weekend.

4. Deebo Samuel, 49ers vs. Broncos

Samuel hasn’t replicated his otherworldly fantasy performances from last season but is still one of the best fantasy players in all of football because of his versatility. The Trey Lance injury on Sunday messed up the rhythm Samuel was getting into early in the game that saw him rush for 50+ yards on one play. Samuel finished with 12.7 fantasy points in week 1 and 14.7 fantasy points in week 2, but I expect Samuel to get into a better rhythm with Garroppolo this weekend against a Broncos team that has been struggling.

5. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals vs. New York Jets

Chase had a 28.9 fantasy point effort in week 1 against the Steelers but failed to reach 11 fantasy points in week 2 against Trevon Diggs and the Cowboys. He gets a young, lockdown corner in Sauce Gardner on the assignment, and Burrow’s early season struggles are evident, dropping Chase to 5th overall this week. Its also important to note that the Jets did a decent job shutting down the passing attack of the Ravens in week 1 and even the Browns in week 2.

6. Tyreek Hill, Dolphins vs. Bills

It doesn’t matter who is throwing the ball to Tyreek Hill, he will always go off. The only reason I don’t have him higher is that he is facing arguably the #1 defense in the NFL this week. However, I thought both Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill would struggle against a good Ravens defense, but I was wrong and Tyreek Hill could very well dominate again. He had 18 fantasy points in week 1 and 42 fantasy points in week 2 so even a tough matchup won’t prevent Hill from putting up numbers.

7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions vs Vikings

Even going up against a tough defense won’t stop St. Brown who has become one of the best fantasy wide receivers since week 10 of last season. Another explosion for 39.4 fantasy points only strengthens St. Brown’s case as a top 7 fantasy wide receiver and he should ball out again even against a tough Vikings defense.

8. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins vs. Bills

It’s time to start acknowledging that Jaylen Waddle is HIM. After an 1,000 receiving yards season as a Rookie, it seems like the addition of Tyreek Hill has only strengthened his fantasy production. Waddle has taken talents to another level this season finishing with 17.6 fantasy points in week 1 and exploding for 40.1 fantasy points in week 2. Even against a tough Bills team Waddle should pull in a TD and break away for some massive yardage.

9. Stefon Diggs, Bills vs. Dolphins

This will be the best game of the week as the Bills and Dolphins have shown out in the first two weeks and are division rivals. Diggs had 122 receiving yards in week 1 and a solid week 2 showing as well. I expect him to go off again for over 70 yards and a touchdown against a good Dolphins team.

10. Chris Godwin, Buccaneers vs. Packers

If it wasn’t for his ejection, Mike Evans very well could have caught a touchdown pass and gotten to 20+ fantasy points while Godwin was out. Instead, he finished with 10 fantasy points and is missing this weekends game so expect Godwin to go off as Brady’s clear WR1 against the Packers if he is healthy.

11. Keenan Allen, Chargers vs. Jaguars

Allen missed last week but should be fully healthy in a great matchup against the Jaguars. Despite shutting out the Colts 24-0, the Jaguars don’t have the best secondary and Allen is the most consistent WR on the Chargers, making him a solid #1 WR every week in fantasy football lineups. I am expecting Allen to return and put up 100+ receiving yards and 1 TD.

12. A.J. Brown, Eagles vs. Commanders.

A.J. Brown had 10 receptions for 155 yards in week 1 and Jalen Hurts continues to find him at all costs. He is now going up against a weak secondary in the Commanders so expect Brown to have another solid fantasy performance as a fringe WR1 and elite WR2.

13. Gabe Davis, Bills vs. Dolphins

Even though Davis is the WR2 for the Bills, he is basically a WR1 in fantasy football because of his connection with Josh Allen. Since the infamous playoff game against the Chiefs where Davis became the only receiver in NFL history to have 200+ yards and 4 touchdowns in a playoff game, he really hasn’t lost a step.

14. Drake London, Falcons vs. Seahawks

London became the first Rookie receiver to have 70+ yards and 5+ receptions in each of his first two games since Stefon Diggs in 2015, and he did it primarily against Marshon Lattimore of the Saints and Jalen Ramsey of the Rams. This kid is going to be special, and now it is evident why the Falcons chose to select him with the 8th overall pick.

15. Mike Williams, Chargers vs. Jaguars

Williams finally proved why he has one of the highest upsides of any receiver in the NFL with an 8-catch 113-yard performance that featured a one-hand catch you’ll have to see to believe. Despite his 3 fantasy point week 1 performance, he was without Keenan Allen for week 2 and put up 25.3 fantasy points. With Allen expected to be back against the Jaguars, Mike Williams is on big play alert but to a lesser extent.

16. Christian Kirk, Jaguars vs. Chargers

Kirk pulled in two touchdowns last week against a solid Colts defense to assert himself as one of the best receivers in the NFL. Famously known for starting the trend of big-time receivers getting paid, Kirk has now lived up to his lofty contract so far and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. With 17.7 fantasy points in week 1 and 25.2 fantasy points in week 2, even against Asante Samuel Jr. and J.C. Jackson Kirk should produce at a high level.

17. Rashod Bateman, Ravens vs. Patriots

Bateman established himself as one of the fastest receivers in the NFL after breaking loose for a 75-yard touchdown catch and he is undoubtedly Lamar Jackson’s #1 receiver (since Mark Andrews is a TE). Even against a good defense in the Patriots, Jackson and Bateman should connect for another touchdown and more.

18. D.J. Moore, Panthers vs. Saints

If we are talking pure talent, D.J. Moore is one of the best receivers in the NFL. If we are talking fantasy football production he is like a cryptocurrency, but the good kind. More times than not Moore will have 15+ fantasy points even if Baker Mayfield continues to not target him as much as he should.

19. Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Eagles

Just like D.J. Moore, McLaurin is one of the best receivers in the league if we are talking pure talent. It wasn’t his fault that Carson Wentz was horrendous last weekend otherwise he would have gone off for over 100 yards instead of being “held” to 4 receptions for 75 yards so I expect McLaurin to get going this weekend if Wentz plays better.

20. D.K. Metcalf, Seahawks vs. Falcons

Well, at some point Metcalf has to go off so why not now? After two quiet weeks with a total of 16.1 fantasy points, Metcalf has a relatively easy matchup against the Falcons and I expect Geno Smith to get him the ball. Metcalf still comes with concerns because of the team he plays on, but he is always a touchdown and big play threat.

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