Week Three Fantasy Football Rankings: PPR & Non-PPR Leagues

September 19, 2014

Zach Wilkens & Ryan Rufe analyze Week 3 fantasy football rankings, PPR and non-PPR, for running backs (RBs), wide receivers (WRs), quarterbacks (QBs), tight ends (TEs) and defenses (DEF).

Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings

The NFL season is now in Week 3, and after seeing an exciting two weeks of fantasy football action we are all ready for more. Last night's "game" - or more like lopsided blowout - between the Falcons and Buccaneers was an exciting one, featuring some moster performances from Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Devin Hester, Steven Jackson and Mike Glennon. Tamps Bay looked like a horrible mess, especially with Josh McCown under center, and Atlanta's offense looked more explosive than ever, without the likes of Roddy White and Harry Douglas who had to leave the game with an injury.

Just in case you weren't sure, every week me and fellow RotoBaller Ryan Rufe will be posting our weekly fantasy football rankings, based on team matchups and player performances for the week. Below are RotoBaller's Week 3 fantasy football rankings for all positions including running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, kickers and team defenses. Hopefully our rankings can help guide you in Week 3, and every other week of the NFL season, when setting your fantasy football lineups. Good luck RotoBallers!

Editor's Note: Also included in the below rankings analysis is  fellow RotoBaller and FantasyPros approved ranker Ryan Rufe’s Week 3 advice and recommendations.

2014 Fantasy Football Rankings powered by FantasyPros
 
 

Week 3 Quarterback Rankings Analysis

Drew Brees hasn't gone over 15 points in standard scoring yet, but this will be his first game at home on the season. He will put up huge numbers.

Andrew Luck is off to a hot start in a tie with Peyton Manning for the most fantasy points at QB and he should keep it up this week. He might be sell high candidate if he puts up another big game.

I love what I am seeing from from Jay Cutler so far. His 4-TD 0-turnover performance in San Francisco's new stadium debut was really impressive. The Jets just got torn up by Aaron Rodgers and Cutler should do the same as his receivers get healthier.

It's hard to know where Peyton Manning belongs this week. He got beat pretty badly in the Super Bowl and the game is in Seattle. I'm pretty nervous as a Peyton Owner. I really liked what I saw from Cam Newton in his season debut. I think he is close a to a must start vs the Steelers.

Not worried with Kaep after his awful performance. He's a buy-low if anything to me. I don't think the Bears are a great defense either. As long as Geno can make smart decisions (that is a risk) he should have a nice game. Carson Palmer is dealing with a nerve issue and could miss this game but if he plays I think he'll be solid at home against San Francisco.

I've got a feeling that Ryan Fitzpatrick will have a nice game. The Giants defense looked good last week but that was against Drew Stanton. Bleh. Consider me NOT on the Kirk Cousins bandwagon. I don't think he is very good. He dominated the Jaguars. Let's see that a few more times before anyone gets overly excited. This should be an awful game for Ben Roethlisberger-- the Panthers just held Stafford to 13 points at home. It should be worse for Ben.
 
 

Week 3 Running Back Rankings Analysis

The Rams held Adrian Peterson to relatively low numbers in Week One but Bobby Rainey destroyed them last week. DeMarco Murray should do the same ,as long as they don't fall behind early (and I can't see why they would). He is my top RB this week. After seeing the Eagles make Trent Richardson look decent (oh, and Bradshaw had two touchdowns) I am really high of Alfred Morris this week.  You were starting him anyway. Not worried about Matt Forte-- it was a tough game and he'll be fine.

It hasn't been conventional scoring for CJ Spiller who has two touchdowns but none rushing. Lucky for him the Chargers have given up 3 rec TD to running backs so far. Spiller has the better shot of making it four over FJax, and should have a nice day.  I thought Ellington looked really good last week. It's just a matter of time before he has a huge game and/or gets a touchdown. Zac Stacy also looked good, and the Cowboys allowed over 6.0 yards per carry last week-- it just so happened that the Titans fell behind so quickly they only had seven RB carries. Stacy will have more, and it will lead to a nice game. As long as Stevan Ridley doesn't fumble, he will be undervalued.

The Patriots should dominate at home against Oakland and that will lead to a lot of touches once again for Ridley. I might be overreacting by putting Sproles in the top 20, but its another mediocre defense and he has looked fantastic. With Asiata back in the mix after briefly being a backup again, he could have a nice game. The Saints should have a big win, but Asiata got 18 touches last week despite a big loss, so there is no reason to think it can't happen again. I'm not big on Knile Davis this week. I think the Dolphins are better than you would expect and Knile Davis is just a backup.  Of all RBs last week, only Chris Ivory had fewer yards after contact. That is not a recipe for success.

The Steelers have an awful run defense. If DeAngelo Williams plays he will have a really nice game. If not, Jonathan Stewart will. They are that bad. I have Montee Ball super low. I guess I am the only one that remembered how awful the Broncos were at running the ball in the Super Bowl. I'm not a huge Montee Ball fan, and in Seattle? No thanks.  I'm also not starting Lamar Miller just because Knowshon Moreno is out. Damien Williams and Orleans Darkwa both got in the mix last week and could do some damage.
 
 

Week 3 Wide Receivers Rankings Analysis

No surprises in the Top 5 here. I have Andre Johnson at #6-- I think he has a big day against the G-Men. I also think Keenan Allen and Alshon Jeffery (if healthy) bounce back in a big way. Keep an eye on Jeffery-- he could come down a lot if he isn't looking good by Saturday. This will probably be my last strong endorsement of Vincent Jackson. If he can't have a great game against the Falcons, he is not a top-20 WR to me. Michael Floyd falls considerably if Carson Palmer can't play. Drew Stanton did not look good, and he only got Floyd the ball once.

I love Reggie Wayne's matchup this week--it should be especially great in PPR. I'm not worried about Pierre Garcon at all. The last game seems like an aberration; he'll be fine. Much like the rest of the team, I am lower on Demaryius than most, but at #17, you are most likely still starting him. It's the same with Antonio Brown, as I expect the Steelers offense to have major struggles.

If DeSean Jackson plays, he may have a big game against his former team. Marques Colston was invisible last week, but he'll be fine as well. Victor Cruz played better last week, but he is still far from being a must-start again. It will be interesting to see how Emmanuel Sanders and Wes Welker play out this week. I'm really not sure, but I have Sanders one spot higher.

There are some legitimate concerns with Torrey Smith, and his ranking this week depends on who Joe Haden covers. I'm guessing it's Torrey, and that means his value will fall even further. I'd wait until after this week and then strongly consider buying low on him. If Cecil Shorts makes his return this week, he should be a nice PPR play, especially with Allen Hurns looking very questionable. If Shorts is still out, Allen Robinson ended up having the most yards last week. I like him in a year or two, but I'm not sure what to make of him here.

Brian Quick continues to impress and should have a nice day PPR-wise against Dallas. I am pretty low on all the rookies (Benjamin, Watkins and Cooks). Watkins had the most impressive game of any of them this past week-- he is the one that I could regret being low on. With Benjamin, I simply don't think the Panthers will be throwing a ton here.  I really like Kenny Stills, and he could block Cooks a bit. Remember, rookies are inconsistent and still learning.

Keep an eye on Mohamed Sanu. It looks like he becomes the de facto WR1 for this week. It's a tough matchup though. Last note - James Jones has impressed with the Raiders, but I'm not sure whether Revis will cover him or not. I'm avoiding on that basis.
 
 

Week 3 Tight End Rankings Analysis

I'm a little worried about Julius Thomas, but I think he is the most matchup-proof of these receivers. If Vernon Davis is playing, you want him in your lineup. The Cardinals continue to look bad against tight ends. I continue to love what I see from Zach Ertz. Of the 28 tight ends with at least five receptions, he easily leads in yards per catch. In fact, he leads ALL players in that category (minimum five receptions).

I hate overreacting, but Antonio Gates has looked great so far. As long as he stays healthy, he is a touchdown threat every week. Jordan Cameron should be fine if he plays this week. The Browns still don't have much to throw to. The Jets are currently the best team (fantasy-wise) against tight ends, but they haven't really faced anyone with a real threat at the position. That should change this week with Martellus Bennett.

I am loving what I am seeing from Donnell. He may be the surprise of the season. He has looked really, really good. Niles Paul is coming off two nice games. He should keep it up against the Eagles, unless Jordan Reed ends up playing. That Ertz stat I mentioned? Travis Kelce is second among tight ends in yards per catch. Don't give up on him yet-- he's gaining ground.

I hate to say it, but Jason Witten has been invisible so far. It's hard to start him with any confidence. I'm not buying into the Delanie Walker hype. It was the Cowboys. If he does it again this week, you can tell me I was wrong.

Week 3 Defense Rankings Analysis

I love the Panthers this week-- that defense should easily take care of the Steelers if the Lions were no problem. I'm little worried about Le'Veon Bell, but that's about it. I'm still starting the Seahawks. It would be different if they weren't at home, but they are.

I'm giving the Rams one last chance as well. The Browns looked really good against Drew Brees at home; they could be a nice play against the Ravens as well.