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Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings: Standard and PPR Analysis

What's up RotoBallers. Week 2 is complete and we hope you managed to secure the win! To celebrate, today we are bringing you our Week 3 fantasy football rankings to help prepare you for your Week 3 matchups.

Below you will find both PPR rankings and standard league rankings for Week 3, brought to you by Zach Wilkens (@LopsidedTrades) and Edward Gorelik (@EdwardGorelik).

Lead fantasy football columnist Edward Gorelik also highlights some rankings analysis for Week 3, broken out by position, and draws some matchup conclusions. He tells you who he likes, who he doesn't, and most importantly who he thinks you should be starting in Week 3. You can also check out our 2015 fantasy football ranking dashboard, for more in depth rankings analysis on all positions including rookies and dynasty leagues.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings - All Positions



powered by FantasyPros

 
 

Week 3 Quarterback (QB) Rankings Analysis

By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)

I know it's not a surprising set of analysis, but I find it hard to expect anything less than a complete domination of the Jaguars on Sunday from the Patriots. That includes, most likely, a monster performance from Tom Brady against a team that is currently riding high off a surprising win against another AFC East team.
The chance of Brady not trying to show up an inner divisional rival and pull away from the rising Jets is low. Expect a crazy performance.

In the same vein, a national spectacle that saw Andrew Luck fall apart against the Jets defense has got to hurt. However, the Jets have a very strong defensive unit (as was on display all night long as they kept pressuring Luck into bad decisions) and when paired along with the Bills defense, Luck's been facing a murderers row.
Now he's going to get the chance to remind everyone why he's considered an up-and-coming elite QB against the Tennessee Titans defense, a team that he's found major success against for most of his career. Although this isn't the same Titan's he's faced in previous years, it's definitely a far cry from either of his last two opponents, and a bounce back should be in order.

Andy Dalton's been enjoying the high life the last two weeks as a QB1, but it's about to come down against his toughest challenge yet. Although I've been all aboard the Andy Dalton QB1 Revival World Tour, it's no joke that he plays his worst against his inner divisional opponents.

I posted this last week, and i'm posting it again - here's a look at Andy Dalton against common and uncommon opponents. Common means teams that he's faced before either in that season, or in the prior season (which is mostly divisional foes) - and uncommon is anything outside of that range.

Both of the Chargers and Raiders fit into the uncommon opponents, which is where Dalton has shined the last two weeks, while the Ravens are heading right back into the area where Dalton has struggled. Most likely, if you own Dalton you are the owner of another QB too, so this is a good week to start that other QB.

 

Week 3 Running Back (RB) Rankings Analysis

By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)

It's hard for me to not want both Mark Ingram and C.J. Spiller this week. With Drew Brees looking like a potential absentee, Luke McCown comes in as the backup. Generally speaking, backup veteran QBs lead to two things: a reliance on the run game to set up easy passes, and plenty of checkdowns to the underneath receivers. Seeing as New Orleans forgot to replace Jimmy Graham over the offseason, those underneath checkdowns are going to be going to Spiller and Ingram all game long. Plus all the carries. Basically these two guys should be the entire game.

Dion Lewis has looked like the real deal. Even with LeGarrette Blount back, Lewis dominated the touches and snaps while Blount kept his seat warm on the bench. I might be in the minority to believe that had more to do with the opponent than the talent of Lewis. After all, the Patriots have a weakness in the interior of the O-line, while the Bills are an incredibly strong defensive front.

But that doesn't change that his usage is boding very, very well for his season long potential. Even if he is splitting carries, he's made an obvious impression in the passing game and is now commanding targets along with Edelman and Gronkowski. Against a team like Jacksonville, where the game script should lead to the Patriots being ahead, Lewis might see some more carries than usual. There's also the chance Blount games some real value too for the same reason, although he becomes more of a DFS punt than a real startable player (unless you're desperate).

 

Week 3 Wide Receiver (WR) Rankings Analysis

By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)

With my assumption that Luck is going to ball out this weekend against Tennessee, in his attempt (and success) to re-establish his place amongst the top QBs this year, someone is going to have to catch the passes - right? Well that likely means the return of both T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief to relevance.

Moncrief had a surprising breakout against the Jets for 122 yards and a touchdown, being one of the lone receivers on offense actually pulling his weight. But he still carries that "unknown" risk thanks to his still raw skills. At this point, if you're assuming that the Colts will bounce back it has to be off the relevance of more than just Hilton - and there's no one that looks more the part than Moncrief right now.

Speaking of being in the top, Allen Robinson showed up big against the Dolphins last week, where he decimated the Dolphins secondary over and over again. Between deep catches and athletic catches like these, Robinson was unstoppable.

Obviously, the Patriots secondary is not playing well, as they've averaged 71 yards and one touchdown to the #1 WR on the opposing team per week. And as I mentioned about the Patriots players, it should be expected that the Patriots are up in this game and sitting on a comfortable lead. On the opposite side of the field, it should be expected that the Jaguars are down and playing catch up. That means throwing. A lot.

Without Drew Brees around in New Orleans, it's tough to imagine Brandin Cooks doing well this week. McCown is not the type of player to bring someone to relevance. Outside of some very creative play-calling, it's about to be a very tough matchup for Cooks as the Carolina defense has only allowed 43 yards per game to the #1 WR in the last two weeks.

That comes mostly thanks to Josh Norman, who's currently playing out of his mind after shutting down Allen Robinson in Week 1 - only allowing two receptions to DeAndre Hopkins on the seven times he was targeted, while covering him. Another top corner in the making? It's looking like it. Regardless, that's not good for Cooks, against a great corner and with a backup QB. I'd consider my other options.

 

Week 3 Tight End (TE) Rankings Analysis

By Edward Gorelik (@Edward Gorelik)

Jimmy Graham has been very unhappy with his usage in the Seahawks offense. Despite it looking like he's not on the field, Graham has missed only 17 snaps in the last two games. What Graham's unhappy about is that the Seahawks are using him more as a decoy than as a legitimate weapon like he should be. That's not a smart decision and everyone recognizes that.

I've still got him ranked high because, according to a Seahawks insider, they're planning on expanding his role this upcoming week - hopefully now aware of their past errors. You'd think Seattle would have realized by now the value of not miscasting offensive weapons after they did nearly the same thing with Percy Harvin.

Lardarius Green, what a surprise. Last year, I argued against his hype vehemently - his preseason performances were so uninspiring, and nowhere near the level Gates was showing en route to his 2014 resurgence. But it looks like the Chargers weren't kidding us this time when they said they were planning to involve him in the offense more. In the last two games Green has seen 12 targets, amassing 121 yards and 1 touchdown. Respectable numbers. This week they're facing the Minnesota Vikings, a team currently averaging 75 yards per game allowed to tight ends. They only have one potential tight-end man coverage candidate graded positively on PF, and they've faced far worse than the 2015 version of Lardarius Green in their first two weeks. This bodes real well for the young tight end, looking to prove himself with only two games left before Gates returns from suspension.

 

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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jahmyr Gibbs

Scores Three Times on Thursday Night Football
Josh Jacobs

Remains Limited with Knee Injury
CeeDee Lamb

Suffers Concussion in Week 14 Against Detroit
Jhostynxon Garcia

Pirates Acquire Jhostynxon Garcia From Red Sox
Draymond Green

Won't Return on Thursday Night
Kenneth Walker III

Remains Limited on Thursday
Kyren Williams

Limited Again with Ankle Injury
Davante Adams

Limited in Practice on Thursday
Cody Bellinger

Yankees Pushing Hard to Re-Sign Cody Bellinger
CFB

Penn State Eyeing Iowa State Coach Matt Campbell For Coaching Vacancy
Alex Bregman

Cubs Have Renewed Interest in Alex Bregman
Quinten Post

Set to Suit Up Versus Philadelphia
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Will Play on Thursday Night
Joel Embiid

Back on Thursday Night
Al Horford

Available on Thursday
Jonathan Kuminga

Cleared for Action on Thursday Night
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Out of Action Thursday
Terance Mann

Available Versus Utah
Kirill Marchenko

Returns From Four-Game Absence
De'Anthony Melton

to be Capped at 20 Minutes on Thursday
Carter Verhaeghe

Ready to Return Thursday
Scott Wedgewood

Skips Thursday's Game
Paolo Banchero

Upgraded to Questionable for Friday Night
Danila Yurov

Misses Second Straight Game
CFB

Billy Napier Finalizing Deal to Become James Madison's New Head Coach
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Unavailable Thursday
CFB

Buster Faulkner Set to Become Florida's New Offensive Coordinator
Dereck Lively II

to Seek "Multiple Opinions" on Right Foot Treatment
David Pastrnak

Still Out Thursday
Ryan McDonagh

Lightning Sign Ryan McDonagh to Three-Year Extension
Trayce Jackson-Davis

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Ja Morant

Considered Day-to-Day
Tee Higgins

Ready to Return After Full Practice?
Jimmy Butler III

Sidelined Thursday
Jayden Daniels

Practices in Full on Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Ruled Out Thursday Against the Wizards
Lamar Jackson

Expected to Play Against Steelers
Quentin Grimes

Is Ready to Return on Thursday
Deshaun Watson

Not Expected to Play This Year
Paul George

Will Not Play Against the Warriors
Joel Embiid

Upgraded to Questionable for Thursday
CFB

Joe Sloan Expected to be Kentucky's New Offensive Coordinator
Justin Herbert

Chargers "Really Optimistic" That Justin Herbert Will Play on Monday
Michael Porter Jr.

Will Not Play Thursday
CFB

Lane Kiffin Working to Keep Defensive Coordinator Blake Baker at LSU
Noa Essengue

Out for the Season
Mike Evans

has "Real Chance" to Return in Week 14
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Expected To Miss 2-4 Weeks
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Realistic Expectation is for Amon-Ra St. Brown to Return Next Week
Jalen Carter

Won't Play in Week 14 After Having Shoulder Surgeries
Justin Herbert

Expected to Practice Either Thursday or Friday
Mike Evans

Practicing Again Thursday
Jusuf Nurkić

Jusuf Nurkic Questionable With Rib Contusion
CFB

Brian Daboll a Candidate for Penn State Head-Coaching Job?
Karel Vejmelka

Records Impressive Shutout
JJ Peterka

Rocks Ducks With Four-Point Effort
Cole Caufield

Extends Point Streak With Power-Play Assist
Matvei Michkov

Delivers Two Assists Wednesday
Jake Oettinger

Grabs Fourth Consecutive Victory With Shutout
Ryan Leonard

Tallies Four Points in Wednesday's Win
Cam York

Exits Win Early
Kyren Williams

Expected to Play in Week 14
Davante Adams

Expected to Play Despite Missing Wednesday's Practice
Kyle Tucker

Visits With Blue Jays
Woody Marks

Texans Say Woody Marks Will be Fine
Rasmus Ristolainen

to Miss at Least One More Week
Drew Doughty

Logs Full Practice Wednesday
Emilio Pagán

Reds Bring Back Closer Emilio Pagan on Two-Year Deal
Jeff Skinner

Remains Sidelined Wednesday
Petr Mrazek

Out 2-3 Weeks
Tyler Seguin

Likely Done for the Season
Neal Pionk

Returns to Jets Lineup
J.J. McCarthy

Practices in Full, on Track to Return in Week 14
Cedric Mullins

Rays Agree on One-Year Deal
Freddy Peralta

Brewers Considering Trading Freddy Peralta
Kyle Schwarber

Reds Serious About Adding Kyle Schwarber in Free Agency?
CFB

Brent Key Signing Five-Year Deal to Remain at Georgia Tech
CFB

Brian Hartline Expected to Land USF Head-Coaching Job
CFB

Collin Klein Expected to be Top Target for Kansas State if Head-Coach Job Opens
CFB

Chris Klieman Considering Stepping Down at Kansas State
Alexander Wennberg

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
CFB

D.J. Durkin Staying at Auburn Under Alex Golesh
CFB

Charlie Weis Jr. Permitted to Coach Ole Miss Offense in College Football Playoff
CFB

Five-Star Quarterback Jared Curtis Flips Commitment From Georgia to Vanderbilt
CFB

Florida Hiring Brad White as Defensive Coordinator
Kyle Schwarber

Giants Have Checked in on Kyle Schwarber
Willson Contreras

Willing to Waive his Full No-Trade Clause?
Edwin Díaz

Mets Still Interested in Re-Signing Edwin Diaz
Devin Williams

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Mets
Cole Ragans

Red Sox Targeting Cole Ragans in a Trade?
CFB

Kentucky Hires Oregon Offensive Coordinator Will Stein As Head Coach
CFB

Kalani Sitake the Top Target for Penn State Coaching Job
CFB

Josh Heupel Says He's Not a Candidate for Penn State Head Coach Job
CFB

Will Stein, Brian Hartline the Top Candidates for Kentucky Job?
CFB

Nebraska Fires Defensive Coordinator John Butler After One Season
CFB

UCLA Expected to Hire Bob Chesney as Next Head Coach
CFB

Lane Kiffin to Make $13 Million Salary, Ties Kirby Smart
Zack Wheeler

Likely to Return in May
Ryan Helsley

Agrees to Two-Year Deal With Orioles

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