X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

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.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room

[iflychat_embed id="c-0" hide_user_list="yes" hide_popup_chat="no" height="400px"]

 


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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Elly De La Cruz

Played Through Partially Torn Quad to End 2025
C.J. Stroud

in Good Position to Return in Week 13
Darius Garland

Might Play on Friday Night
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Out Against Sacramento, Santi Aldama Starting
Tyrese Maxey

Available Versus Milwaukee
Zaccharie Risacher

Cleared to Face Spurs
Kristaps Porzingis

Back in Action on Thursday
Chris Godwin

Could Play in Week 12 After Return to Full Practice
Keon Coleman

to be a Healthy Scratch Again on Thursday Night
Tarik Skubal

Tigers "Doubtful" to Trade Tarik Skubal
Jarrett Allen

Questionable for Friday
Simon Holmstrom

Ready for Action Thursday
Lars Eller

Available Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Miss at Least 3-4 Weeks
Ridly Greig

Out Against Ducks
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Out Against Bulls on Friday
Jake Neighbours

Back for Blues Thursday
Alexandre Sarr

Listed as Questionable for Friday Against the Raptors
TB

Nicholas Paul Available Thursday
Paul George

Set to Suit Up Thursday
Victor Hedman

Out for "Couple of Weeks"
Tyler Bertuzzi

Set to Return Thursday
Gary Harris

Added to the Injury Report as Questionable for Thursday
Daniel Jones

Added to Colts' Injury Report With Calf Issue
Andrew Wiggins

Unavailable For Friday's Matchup With Chicago
Indiana Pacers

Garrison Mathews Will Join the Pacers
Joe Burrow

Logs Second Straight Full Practice on Thursday
Dante Exum

Will Miss the Rest of the Season
Keegan Murray

Is Available For His Season Debut Thursday
Tyrese Maxey

Listed as Probable for Thursday
Domantas Sabonis

Will Not Play Thursday Against Memphis
Joel Embiid

Listed as Out for Thursday
Aaron Rodgers

Seen at Practice on Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Moving Around Well on Thursday
Bucky Irving

Will be on a Snap Count When he Returns
Jaxson Dart

Could Clear Concussion Protocol Thursday
Lamar Jackson

Returns to Thursday's Practice
Josh Jacobs

to Do Individual Drills on Thursday
Joe Mixon

Not Expected to Play This Season
Chris Godwin

Attending Thursday's Practice
Bucky Irving

Continues Practice Attendance
Rasmus Andersson

Bags Three Points Wednesday Night
Morgan Geekie

Nets Two Power-Play Goals Wednesday
Joe Burrow

Bengals Haven't Ruled Out Joe Burrow for Week 12
Connor McMichael

Posts Three Assists in Wednesday's Win
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Place Alexander Romanov on Injured Reserve
Lars Eller

to Miss Thursday's Action
Nic Dowd

Out on Thursday
Adam Lowry

Inks Extension With Jets
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Likely Out on Thursday
Zaccharie Risacher

Questionable for Thursday
Kristaps Porzingis

at Risk of Missing Another Game
Brian Thomas Jr.

Limited in Practice on Wednesday
Raisel Iglesias

Returning to the Braves on One-Year Deal
Lamar Jackson

Absent Due to Ankle Injury
Conor Garland

to Return on Thursday
Thomas Harley

to Miss Road Trip
Eetu Luostarinen

Out Week-to-Week After Barbecue Accident
Curtis Lazar

to Miss at Least Three Games
Vladimir Tarasenko

Misses Third Consecutive Game
Mikael Granlund

Remains Out Wednesday
Charlie McAvoy

Out Indefinitely After Facial Surgery
Joe Burrow

to Potentially Return in Week 12?
Aaron Rodgers

Out on Wednesday, Hopes to Practice Thursday
Jaylen Warren

Not Seen at Wednesday's Practice
Dak Prescott

Lands on Injury Report Ahead of Week 12 With Hip Injury
Sahith Theegala

Looking to Continue Fall Run at RSM Classic
Stephan Jaeger

Looking to Bounce Back at RSM Classic
Tom Hoge

Looking to Regain Form at RSM Classic
Joe Highsmith

Searching for Turnaround at RSM Classic
Adam Hadwin

Looking to Build on T11 Finish in Bermuda
Austin Eckroat

Searching for Momentum at RSM Classic
Joel Dahmen

Trying to Find Form at the RSM Classic
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful to Play Against Western Kentucky
Michael Thorbjornsen

Hopes to End 2025 Campaign With Another Solid Finish
Andrew Novak

Looks to End 2025 Season on High Note at RSM Classic
Harry Higgs

Teetering for PGA Tour Card in 2026
PGA

Nico Echavarria has the Potential to Contend at the RSM Classic
Sam Stevens

Finishing Out Year in Georgia
Seamus Power

Playing Better at the Right Time
Beau Hossler

Roller Coaster Comes to Saint Simons Island
Quade Cummins

The Time is Now for Quade Cummins in Georgia
Austin Cook

Needs a Win at the RSM Classic
Cameron Champ

on the PGA Tour Card Bubble
Grayson Rodriguez

Shipped to Angels
Taylor Ward

Orioles Acquire Taylor Ward From Angels
Shota Imanaga

Accepts Cubs Qualifying Offer
Brandon Woodruff

Returning to Milwaukee in 2026
Denny McCarthy

Looking For Another Solid Finish at RSM Classic
Si Woo Kim

Looking To Use Current Momentum to Flip Script at RSM Classic
Mackenzie Hughes

a Good Bounce-Back Candidate at RSM Classic
Harris English

Making 14th Start at This Week's RSM Classic
Konnor Griffin

Could Compete for Starting Shortstop Job in 2026
Gleyber Torres

Accepts Tigers Qualifying Offer
CFB

Sam Leavitt Set to Enter Transfer Portal?
Jose Altuve

Undergoes Foot Surgery
Alex Bregman

Red Sox Going for Either Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso?
CFB

James Franklin to be Virginia Tech's Next Head Coach
CFB

Fernando Mendoza the Clear Heisman Trophy Favorite?
CFB

Beau Pribula Has Chance to Face Oklahoma on Saturday
Jack Della Maddalena

Gets Dominated
Islam Makhachev

Claims UFC Welterweight Belt
Zhang Weili

Gets Outclassed
Valentina Shevchenko

Wins Unanimous Decision At UFC 322
Sean Brady

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
Michael Morales

Remains Unbeaten
Leon Edwards

Suffers Second-Round Knockout Loss
Leon Edwards

Carlos Prates Becomes The First Man To Knock Out Leon Edwards
Beneil Dariush

Suffers Brutal First-Round Knockout Loss
Beneil Dariush

Benoit Saint Denis Knocks Out Beneil Dariush In 16 Seconds
Josh Naylor

Mariners Finalizing Five-Year Contract
CFB

Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate Not Dealing With Long-Term Injuries
CFB

Virginia Tech Close To Naming James Franklin As Head Coach
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Doubtful vs. Arkansas On Saturday

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP