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Mike Washington Jr. Remains a Bench Stash in Week 3
Las Vegas Raiders running back Mike Washington Jr. has a favorable matchup with New Orleans in Week 3, but the workload still makes him tough to use. Washington has 10 carries for 48 yards through two games, with seven of those attempts coming in the opener. He dropped to three carries for seven yards against the Chargers and also drew one target. Ashton Jeanty remains the clear lead back and is not listed on Las Vegas' final injury report, so there is no obvious path to a bigger role this week. The matchup is at least encouraging. New Orleans has allowed 273 rushing yards on 55 attempts through two games, good for 5.0 yards per carry. Washington is still listed second behind Jeanty on the Raiders' depth chart and would become much more interesting if the starter were forced out. For Week 3, though, he is better left on fantasy benches as an upside handcuff rather than trusted in a starting lineup.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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Terrance Ferguson an Emerging Option at Tight End for Week 3
Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson took a huge step forward last week, and he's suddenly on the fantasy radar as a low-end TE1 option for Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. Ferguson came on strong at the end of the 2025 season, and it didn't take long this season for him to pick up where he left off. After a quiet season opener, Ferguson exploded for six catches, 54 yards, and one touchdown in Week 2. The second-year tight end was Matthew Stafford's No. 2 target (behind Davante Adams) with Puka Nacua (hip) sidelined. All signs point to Nacua missing Sunday Night Football against the Broncos, leaving Ferguson in line to handle a very large role once again. He has earned Stafford's trust and ranks as the overall TE13 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars a Mid-Tier D/ST in Week 3
The Jacksonville Jaguars defense/special teams unit isn't the best option in fantasy for Week 3. They face off against Drake Maye and the New England Patriots, who are generally viewed as a top offense, but Maye has been turnover-prone of late. This week should tell a lot about both teams, as the Patriots offense will be looking to prove they are still a top offense, while the Jaguars defense will be looking to prove they are a top-tier defense that can match their own offense. The defense played well against the lowly Browns offense, but wasn't the greatest fantasy-wise against the Broncos. Both units feel relatively volatile entering Week 3, making the Jaguars D/ST settle right in the middle of potential options. The Jaguars D/ST has the potential to produce multiple turnovers, but also give up lots of points and yards, making them an okay-at-best option in Week 3.
Source: D/ST Rankings RotoBaller
Source: D/ST Rankings RotoBaller
Jonathan Taylor An Elite Must-Start RB1 In Week 3 vs Texans
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor's career would likely be on a Hall of Fame trajectory had he not missed so much time due to injuries in his first six seasons in the NFL. He's showing no signs of slowing down this season. Through two games, he's rushed for 190 yards and four rushing touchdowns and caught seven of his eight targets for another 63 yards. His efforts have him as the fourth-highest scoring running back in PPR fantasy leagues this year. Houston is allowing opponents 3.9 yards per carry this season, which sits around league average. It's possible Taylor has a bigger receiving role this game, as Colts WR1 Alec Pierce (heel) won't be playing due to a heel injury. Game script shouldn't be an issue for Taylor -- typically, he sees less work when his team is getting blown out, but Houston's offense hasn't blown out a team with their starting quarterback active in over a year. Taylor has RB1 overall upside in every week he's healthy and active, and should be locked into starting lineups in all leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Josh Downs Primed For Breakout In Week 3 vs Houston
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs will be a bigger part of his team's passing offense in Week 3 against the Houston Texans. Colts starting WR Alec Pierce (heel) was placed on injured reserve after aggravating a heel injury in Week 2. With Indy's most productive receiver from last season sidelined, Downs will be tasked with absorbing some of his teammate's vacated targets. Downs has been one of the most efficient receivers in football when on the field. His upside has been limited by a lack of usage in the pass game, playing mainly in the slot, and not seeing much downfield work. Pierce's absence necessitates that some of those things change. The Texans have one of the NFL's better defenses, but they allowed higher-than-average slot WR production in 2025 as a result. Downs and tight end Tyler Warren are the only healthy pass-catchers on the Colts that have shown reasonable upside this season. Expect Downs to eclipse 10 targets this game, and start him as a WR3/flex with upside in fantasy football leagues.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Ben Sinnott A Dart Throw for Week 3 Against Seattle
Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott played the second-highest snap share of his career (67.6%) in Week 2 against the Cowboys. In place of Chig Okonkwo (hamstring), Sinnott started and caught a ball for six yards on the team's first offensive snap of the game. However, that was the third-year tight end's only reception. Sinnott should be expected to see another high snap share in Week 3. Washington's offensive ceiling is lower without Jayden Daniels (elbow), but both of Sinnott's career touchdowns have come from Marcus Mariota. Facing the vaunted Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 3, Sinnott profiles as a desperation tight end option in Week 3, ranking as RotoBaller's TE51.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Antonio Williams A Deep-League Option in Week 3 Against Seattle
Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver Antonio Williams saw his snap share increase from Week 1 to Week 2 after his impressive performance against the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams was quieter in Week 2's loss to the Cowboys, hauling in all three of his targets for 24 yards. The rookie wideout will also now be without Jayden Daniels (elbow) and will look to establish a connection with veteran Marcus Mariota. Washington's offense operated slower and more run-heavy with Mariota last season, but new offensive coordinator David Blough could operate differently. Williams remains a solid bench stash, but projects as a deeper league fantasy option in Week 3 against the elite Seattle Seahawks defense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Stefon Diggs Looking To Stay Hot in Week 3 Against Seattle
Washington Commanders wide receiver Stefon Diggs found the end zone twice again in Week 2, catching five of his six targets for 47 yards against the Dallas Cowboys. The 32-year-old is averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game through two weeks, ranking as the WR11. It will be interesting to see how Diggs and the offense produce without their top QB in Jayden Daniels (elbow), but Marcus Mariota was efficient during the second half and for stretches last season. It is worth noting that Diggs' snaps still aren't all the way there and dropped from 62.9% in Week 1 to 50.7% in Week 2. That should be expected to tick back up in future weeks. Diggs faces a brutal Week 3 matchup against a Seattle Seahawks defense that hasn't allowed a passing touchdown and has allowed only 3.8 yards per pass play this season, in addition to holding him to just three catches for 37 yards in last season's Super Bowl. Diggs ranks as RotoBaller's WR38 in PPR leagues in Week 3, profiling as a WR3/flex option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tyson Bagent Clears the Concussion Protocol
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson said that quarterback Tyson Bagent (concussion) has been cleared from the league's concussion protocol, according to Phillip Thompson of The Chicago Tribune. Bagent will be back at practice on Saturday for the first time this week, but it remains to be seen if he will get the green light to start on Monday night in Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Bagent was forced into action in the fourth quarter of the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings after Caleb Williams injured his hamstring. Williams will not practice at all this week and is expected to be ruled out for Monday's game on Saturday, so if Bagent is not cleared, it will be third-stringer Case Keenum making the start against Philadelphia. The 26-year-old Bagent only went 5-for-9 for 54 yards without a touchdown or interception in Week 2. If he makes the start against the Eagles, it will be only his fifth NFL start, with his first four starts coming in his rookie campaign in 2023 in Chicago. Even fantasy managers who are desperate in two-QB superflex leagues can probably avoid either Bagent or Keenum on Monday night.
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Phillip Thompson
Source: The Chicago Tribune - Phillip Thompson
Terry McLaurin Profiles as WR3 Option in Week 3 Against Seattle
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin could have had a big day against the Cowboys in Week 2, but some unfortunate mistakes led to another disappointing day. McLaurin hauled in only 2 of 9 targets for 50 yards, including two potential touchdowns. Among pass catchers with at least 10 targets, McLaurin's 30.8% catch rate is second-lowest. The 31-year-old wideout has started seasons slowly before, but will now also be without the team's top QB, Jayden Daniels (elbow). McLaurin was productive with Marcus Mariota last season, averaging 13.1 fantasy points per game and should see better days in the future. That will be put to the test against the elite Seattle Seahawks secondary, which is allowing just 124.5 passing yards per game and 3.8 yards per play. McLaurin projects as a WR3 option for Week 3, ranking as RotoBaller's WR35.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ryan Flournoy Still Looking For 2026 Breakout Game
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy flashed a respectable degree of talent in multiple games in 2025. While it seemed like he might carve out a bigger role in his team's offense, there's just too much target competition -- wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens and tight end Jake Ferguson earn enough looks in the passing game to make Flournoy simply an ancillary piece of the offense. Without an injury to Lamb or Pickens, it's unlikely the third-year pro will have multiple big games any time soon. In dynasty fantasy football leagues, he should be stashed on 100 percent of rosters, but in all but the deepest redraft leagues, he's simply a handcuff with upside in case of injury. He's seen 10 targets through two games, catching seven of them for 45 receiving yards. In 29 career games, he has just three outings with double-digit PPR fantasy points, making him better suited for the bench in very deep redraft leagues and unrostered in the rest.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Blake Corum on the Flex Radar for Week 3
Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum has maintained a sizable role through the first two weeks of the season, and he remains on the RB3/flex radar for Week 3 against the Denver Broncos. The 25-year-old now has 10+ carries in each of the first two games so far, and he's averaging an impressive 6.1 yards per carry. Corum lacks receiving upside, but his dominance on the ground should make him a worthwhile fantasy option against a Broncos defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points, fifth-most rushing touchdowns, and fourth-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2026. Corum has jumped all the way up to RB31 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Rachaad White Projects As Flex Option in Week 3
Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White had a strong performance in Week 2's loss to the Cowboys, handling seven carries for 43 yards and adding six catches (six targets) for 40 yards as a receiver. White earned more work after a quiet Week 1 and ended up evenly splitting touches with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, with 13 each. White may see more opportunities moving forward as Croskey-Merritt has struggled some early on. White has not yet found the end zone as a Commander, and that will be a tough ask again in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks, who have not allowed a rushing touchdown yet this season. White has a safer floor in PPR formats, though the ceiling of Washington's offense is lower with Marcus Mariota in place of Jayden Daniels (elbow). White projects as a decent flex option and ranks as RotoBaller's RB44 for Week 3.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brenton Strange a Touchdown-Dependent TE2 in Week 3
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange has been quiet to start the year, and that could continue against the New England Patriots in Week 3. He has just four catches for 40 yards on five targets through two weeks, but did salvage his Week 1 with a touchdown. With all the target competition he has in Jacksonville, it's hard to imagine Strange becoming more of an option in the passing game anytime soon. Wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers have dealt with some minor injuries to start the season, but unless some passing options are fully ruled out, Strange should continue to be an afterthought for Trevor Lawrence. Barring any significant changes, Strange should be viewed as nothing more than a low-end TE2 against the Patriots.
Source: Brenton Strange RotoBaller
Source: Brenton Strange RotoBaller
Jacory Croskey-Merritt A Risky Option in Week 3 Against Seattle
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt was bottled up for only 48 yards on 13 touches in Week 2's loss to the Dallas Cowboys. And after leading Rachaad White in touches, 17 to nine, in Week 1, the two each saw 13 touches apiece in Week 2. White looked good and produced 83 total yards against Dallas and could see more work going forward. Among qualified rushers per NFL Pro, Croskey-Merritt's minus-25 rushing yards over expected ranks third worst. The second-year back will also be without the team's top QB in Jayden Daniels (elbow) as they face the vaunted Seattle Seahawks defense in Week 3, who are allowing 3.7 yards per carry so far this season, which is tied for seventh-best in the league. Croskey-Merritt projects as a low-end flex option in Week 3, coming in as RB40 in RotoBaller's Week 3 PPR rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Marcus Mariota Set to Make First Start Against Seahawks
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota is in line to make his first start of the 2026 season in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks after Jayden Daniels (elbow) suffered a second elbow dislocation in Washington's Week 2 loss to the Cowboys. Mariota was efficient in the second half after Daniels left, completing 11 of 16 passes for 111 yards and a touchdown. In 11 games (8 starts) last season, Mariota averaged 154.1 passing yards per game with 10 touchdowns to 7 interceptions while adding 27 rushing yards per game and one score on the ground last season. The former No. 2 overall pick averaged just 12.3 fantasy points per game last season and faces a daunting matchup in Washington's home opener against the reigning Super Bowl champs and Mike Macdonald's defense. Mariota profiles as a low-end QB2 in Week 3, ranking as RotoBaller's QB24.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jake Ferguson Looks To Extend Touchdown Streak vs Ravens
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson had a monster game in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders, catching all four of his targets for 43 yards and two touchdowns. It was a welcome surprise for his fantasy managers after a two-catch, six-yard game in his season debut. Ferguson is a good red zone weapon for Dallas, but it's hard to imagine him being consistent moving forward. Dallas' duo of starting wideouts, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, are target hogs that leave little left on the plate for the rest of the Cowboys' pass-catchers. And even starting running back Javonte Williams has seen more passes thrown his way than Ferguson through two games. The Ravens are a much stronger defense than that of the Commanders -- Washington's aging linebacker corps hasn't had much success slowing down tight ends in recent seasons. Ferguson is a boom-or-bust low-end TE1 with a very low floor and very high ceiling. Given the strength of the upcoming matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, he's a risky player to start in fantasy football leagues in Week 3.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Brian Thomas Jr. a Risky Flex Against Patriots
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is a risky start in a Week 3 matchup against the New England Patriots. Given the nature of the Jaguars offense, BTJ will likely be covered by elite corner Christian Gonzalez for most of the game. He caught three passes for 40 yards on nine targets last week, with the inefficiency due to the combination of drops and being covered by Patrick Surtain. The higher target amount is promising, but BTJ only played 54% of snaps. That may have been because he left Week 1's game with a shoulder injury, but nonetheless, that is concerning if the pattern persists. Things could improve in the near future for BTJ, but for now he is best left on fantasy benches against the Patriots.
Source: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
Source: Brian Thomas Jr. RotoBaller
Javonte Williams A Touchdown-Dependent RB2 For Week 3
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams is averaging under 3.0 yards per carry through two games so far in 2026. The Cowboys' offensive line has struggled in the absence of star left guard Tyler Smith (thumb), who's currently on injured reserve, meaning he won't return until Week 5 at the earliest. Williams thus will likely derive most of his fantasy football value with touchdowns, which are difficult to predict on a game-to-game basis. The Ravens are stiffer against the run than Dallas' previous two opponents, with defensive end Nnamdi Madubuike -- who makes his return from a neck injury this week -- and linebacker Roquan Smith among the NFL's highest tier of run stoppers. Williams averages -0.054 Expected Points Added per rush, largely because he's constantly being hit at or behind the line of scrimmage on his carries. He's still a startable fantasy RB2, but his production is almost completely dependent on reception PPR points and touchdowns right now.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jakobi Meyers a Deep-League Flex Against Patriots
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (thumb) practiced fully on Friday and is good to go for a Week 3 matchup with the New England Patriots. Meyers has been busy in terms of playing time to start the year but has been out-produced by both Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. He did manage to score in Week 1, but he has only had three catches through two games. The veteran receiver played 90% of the snaps in Week 2, which is promising, but playing time doesn't matter if you aren't earning targets. There is the narrative of Meyers facing one of his former teams, but that isn't enough of a boost for him to be viewed as a reliable fantasy starter. Meyers has a chance to produce more given his performance at the end of last season, but for now he shouldn't be trusted beyond deeper leagues in Week 3.
Source: Jakobi Meyers RotoBaller
Source: Jakobi Meyers RotoBaller
George Pickens Looking To Score His First Touchdown of 2026 in Week 3
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is looking to find the end zone for the first time in his 2026 NFL season after being held scoreless in his first two contests. He was expected to bust out the gates immediately with big performances in Week 1 and 2, but was held to just 68 yards receiving across those two games. It's been WR CeeDee Lamb that had a monster breakout game, in Week 2 against the Washington Commanders. The Cowboys face the Baltimore Ravens at home this week, who have a tougher pass defense than both the Cowboys' previous opponents. Pickens had good games last season against quality defenses, though, such as the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 12, against whom he caught all nine of his targets for 146 yards and one touchdown. While the former Pittsburgh Steeler might not live up to his ADP in fantasy football , he should still be started in all leagues for Week 3 as a WR2 with WR1 upside.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
More News About Mike Washington Jr.
