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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.

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

 

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

Ja Morant

to Miss Second Straight Game Saturday
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
RJ Barrett

to Remain Out Saturday
Jakob Poeltl

Facing Another Potential Absence Saturday
Jerami Grant

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Deandre Ayton

to Miss Matchup Against Clippers Saturday
Lauri Markkanen

Unlikely to Play Saturday
Klay Thompson

Iffy for Saturday
Anthony Davis

Expected to Play Saturday
James Harden

Available Saturday
Domantas Sabonis

to Miss 4-5 More Weeks
Anthony Edwards

Returns Without Minutes Restriction Friday
Zach Collins

Upgraded to Available Friday
Tre Jones

Available With Minutes Restriction
Ayo Dosunmu

Returns From Three-Game Absence
Kasparas Jakucionis

Makes First Career Start Friday
Davion Mitchell

Ruled Out Friday
Craig Porter Jr.

Skips Friday's Game
Sam Hauser

Available Versus Heat
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
Andrew Wiggins

Misses Friday's Action
Donovan Mitchell

Unavailable Friday Due to Illness
Jonathan Marchessault

Out Day-to-Day
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Place Tristan Jarry on Injured Reserve
Patrick Kane

to Remain Out Saturday
Shea Theodore

Considered Week-to-Week
Karl-Anthony Towns

& Josh Hart Active Friday Night
Jack Eichel

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Davante Adams

Likely Won't Play in Week 17
Jordan Martinook

Misses Friday's Contest
Evan Rodrigues

Available Against Hurricanes
Tyler Seguin

Undergoes Surgery, to Be Re-Evaluated After Olympics
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Listed as Questionable for Week 16
Drake London

Expected to Play Sunday
Tee Higgins

Questionable to Play in Week 16
Michael Carter

Will Start at RB in Week 16
Dalton Kincaid

Will Practice on Friday, Expected to Play on Sunday
Garrett Wilson

Shelved for Remainder of 2025
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Zach Werenski

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Logan Thompson

Collects Second Shutout of the Season
Linus Ullmark

Blanks Penguins Thursday
Tyson Kozak

Hurt Against Flyers
Conor Timmins

to Miss 6-8 Weeks With Broken Leg
Tristan Jarry

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Versus Bruins
Anthony Cirelli

Injured in Thursday's Loss
Kenneth Walker III

Breaks Off Long Touchdown in Comeback Win vs. Rams
Matthew Stafford

Racks Up Highest Yardage Total in Over a Decade
Puka Nacua

Delivers Career-Best Performance on Thursday Night Football
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
Jakobi Meyers

Jaguars Agree to Three-Year Extension With Jakobi Meyers
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Thursday Night
Michael Kesselring

Available After 14-Game Absence
Peyton Krebs

Good to Go Thursday
Jake Bean

Set for Surgery, Out Indefinitely
Mike Matheson

Misses Second Straight Game Thursday
Andrei Vasilevskiy

Back for Lightning Thursday
Ryan McDonagh

Available Thursday
Devin Neal

Placed on Injured Reserve, Will Not Return in 2025
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
Christian Watson

Questionable for Week 16
Josh Jacobs

Listed as Questionable for Saturday Night
T.J. Watt

Unlikely to Play in Week 16
D'Andre Swift

Questionable to Face the Packers
Rome Odunze

Ruled Out for Week 16
Jawhar Jordan

Could be in for Significant Workload Against Raiders
Rome Odunze

Expected to Miss Third Straight Game
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Josh Jacobs

Expected to Play in Week 16
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026
CFB

Kansas State's Jayce Brown Intends to Transfer
CFB

Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
Justin Crawford

Phillies Planning to Start Justin Crawford in Center Field
CFB

Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
CFB

Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
CFB

Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff
CFB

Dylan Raiola Entering His Name into Transfer Portal
CFB

Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby Plans to Transfer When Portal Opens
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia, Phillies Finalizing One-Year Deal on Monday
Brandon Royval

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
CFB

Baylor, LSU, Miami Among Potential Suitors for DJ Lagway
CFB

Aidan Chiles Will Enter Transfer Portal
Manel Kape

Shines At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Gets Second-Round Knockout Win
Giga Chikadze

Suffers His First Career Knockout Loss
CFB

Quarterback DJ Lagway Entering Transfer Portal
Cesar Almeida

Gets Dominated
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Wins Sixth Fight In A Row
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Melquizael Costa

Gets First-Round Knockout Win
Marcus Buchecha

Still Winless In The UFC
Kennedy Nzechukwu

And Marcus Buchecha Fight To Draw
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
King Green

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kenley Jansen

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers
Merrill Kelly

Returns to Diamondbacks on Two-Year Deal

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