You win some, you lose some. That's the most gross oversimplification one could possibly make in regards to sports and life itself, but it's also the one that always holds true. By remembering that we are not infallible, it keeps us humble yet motivated to keep pursuing victory. This is what I've been telling myself all week after ranking Ezekiel Elliott as the #1 overall player on my list for Week 2. I did call many of the pertinent risers and fallers at several positions, but the big losses always leave more of an impact than the minor victories. After all, if we don't learn from our mistakes, we are doomed to repeat them. As famous NFL fan Michael Jordan once said, "You miss 100% of the tackles you don't bother to make. Buy Nike." Or something like that.

Weekly rankings are a lot easier to read and react to than they are to actually make. Without them, there would be no way of making those tough lineup decisions accurately, unless you count closing your eyes and throwing a dart at your computer screen "valid and reliable."

As an expert ranker for RotoBaller and FantasyPros, I'll put my own personal rankings out on the table for you here and show you how they stack up against the consensus of the other 100+ experts at FantasyPros. Rather than list every player in the league, you'll simply see the Top 10 per position, plus a few notable players that may have fallen in my rankings this week. Note: all rankings are for standard leagues.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

 

Week 3 Quarterbacks - Rankings Analysis

Top 10, plus notable outliers (deviation from consensus)

There aren't many controversies in the top 10 this week for quarterbacks. You're still going with your franchise guys, even in tough matchups. I really want to rank Cam Newton higher against the Saints, but I'm learning my lesson. This isn't a high-volume passing offense, but more importantly, Cam just isn't running for touchdowns any more. No Greg Olsen probably means more ground game. I wouldn't be surprised if Newton finishes outside the top-10 this week. Cousins has started out slowly as well, but they will have to pass the ball more, like it or not, and Oakland is susceptible to the deep ball.

This week, I'm going out on a major limb with the Bengals. They simply aren't that bad. *whispers "Or are they???"

The replacing of a coordinator has done wonders to spark an offense in some cases, most recently in Minnesota when Norv Turner was canned (resigned) mid-season in 2016. That doesn't mean Cincy will go on to score 30+ points a game the rest of the way, but they have the talent, no major health issues at the skill positions, and a nice matchup with Green Bay, who was schooled by the Falcons yet again in Week 2 to the tune of 34 points. I never underestimate a team in a desperate position with the need to win. While I wouldn't make him a starter in 12-team leagues, unless you simply stream QBs week to week, he should still be starting in two-QB leagues and might be a nice tournament play given his depreciated value. Something tells me Dalton gets at least two TDs.

The other major outlier here in Marcus Mariota. Facing Seattle knocks him well out of the top 10 already, but losing Corey Davis just makes things tougher. Remember, Mariota didn't really get going until Week 5 last year and he's on a similarly slow start with just 471 yards and one TD in two games against average defenses. If DeMarco Murray doesn't go (questionable hammy), then I might even put him below Mike Glennon. OK, maybe not.

 

Week 3 Running Backs - Rankings Analysis

Top 10, plus notable outliers (deviation from consensus)

I almost did it. I very nearly put Jay Ajayi as my #1 RB this week, but don't want to appear to be a big, fat homer for the Dolphins, even though I am. Anyone facing the hapless Jets is a clear RB1, but Ajayi's massive workload last week where he was on the field for about 98% of the offensive snaps, is a great sign. He did run for 111 yards and a score in Week 8 last year, but only 51 yards and no TD in Week 14. This Jets team is worse on defense, though, and the Fins' offensive line is much better with Pouncey in. Bell should be just fine, as the rust should be completely off by now.

This marks the highest I've gone on Kareem Hunt thus far and I won't be shy about putting him in the top tier going forward. I may be wrong sometimes, but I'm not stubborn. Speaking of being wrong, I won't hold a grudge against Ezekiel Elliott for stinking it up last week, but I do have concerns about the offense as a whole. Gurley and Ajayi simply have better matchups this week, so that's the main reason Zeke gets bumped down that low. Honest.

There's quite the paradox going on here that I'm just now aware of. I have Stewart ahead of the expert consensus, yet McCaffrey several spots lower. The Saints, of course, are known for their sieve-like secondary, which logically should mean more points for the pass-catchers and less for the straight-ahead runners. Thing is, I don't think this will be a high-scoring game. As stated above, Cam isn't lighting it up, Olsen is gone, and the Panthers are going to live by their defense this season it seems. Carolina might be smart to rely on the run and short passing game. Stewart not only has the advantage in red zone carries so far at 4-3, he has just as many red zone targets as McCaffrey with one apiece. As much as I like C-Mac as a prospect, I'm giving the nod to J-Stew as a flex this week.

 

Week 3 Wide Receivers - Rankings Analysis

Top 10, plus notable outliers (deviation from consensus)

Limb #2 coming up. If Dalton wakes up, he's going to find Green early and often. They'll need to connect frequently just to keep pace with the Packers, so I'm projecting Green to lead the way in targets this week. If you're Bill Lazor, you realize it's not rocket science. Get the ball to your best receiver. Oh, and bench Jeremy Hill and give it to Joe Mixon 20 times a game. That's for another article though.

In a similar manner, I believe the Giants will focus on getting Odell Beckham the ball more, since nothing else seems to be working. The Eagles do have some injuries in the secondary, so if Manning can mostly evade the pass rush, there is opportunity for a big week. Tyreek Hill creeped into my top-10 at the last minute, as you may notice. He should be able to escape the shadow of Casey Hayward enough to make a play, as the Chiefs will move him around and utilize him in the backfield as well as on screens.

DeAndre Hopkins won't stop being a target hog just because the Patriots are on the schedule. I'm basing my inflated ranking on the expectation of garbage time production. That and the fact there is absolutely nobody else worth throwing to in Houston. Hopkins looks like he'll remain a legit WR1 all season. On the other hand, this is the last time I rank Watkins in the top 30 if he doesn't come up with a big play on Thursday. Funchess has never been my favorite, but he has a perfect opportunity to build on last week's 60-yard game, especially if Kelvin Benjamin is limited due to sore ribs and shoulder.

The Amari Cooper rank may be an overreaction to last week's dud, but his questionable status through practice this week is another good reason to be down on him. PFF projects Cooper to see more of Bashaud Breeland than Josh Norman, but that doesn't mean a big week is in store. You might be better off having him as a WR2 than a WR1 this week.

 

Week 3 Tight Ends - Rankings Analysis

Top 10, plus notable outliers (deviation from consensus)

Zach Ertz should be in line for a huge game against the Giants, who allowed Eric Ebron into the end zone last week after doing the same for Jason Witten in Week 1. I'm higher on Delanie Walker for now because Corey Davis is already out for this week and DeMarco Murray looks as if he'll miss as well. I'm trying not to be too bullish on Jack Doyle, but come on, it's the Browns. He's clearly Jacoby Brissett's favorite target right now, ahead of the wideouts. When did you ever think that would matter?

I already covered the top two on here, so let me give my two cents on Coby Fleener. He won't score every week, but he's a good streaming option as long as Willie Snead is out, which is just this week. Jason Witten faces the Cardinals, which was the stingiest defense against the TE last year and didn't give up a score to Ebron or Doyle in the first two weeks. I'd downgrade him to a TE2 this week. Jimmy Graham just can't be trusted, even if he is healthy enough to start. It might not be too long before David Njoku (not pictured) is the most productive pro player from the U.

 

More Week 3 Lineup Prep

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.