Congratulations to those who weathered the injury storm! But like most of you, your Week 3 fantasy football rankings and game analysis will be crucial to any additional starting/bench decisions. Sleepers, insights and more are all here, including the “Bachelor Party” rankings.
Fantasy Football Rankings! — Sleepers, of course — we aim to provide at least one per team. Notes — aka, analysis, game previews, etc. — the important stuff. Fun rankings! Anything goes, from cartoons to players from the 80s to what not to do once you’re over 30 — please feel free to suggest your own rankings. Answering questions in the comments — we try to answer as many questions as we can.
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Week 3 SOS Rank
Fantasy Football 101 (Weather, Lineups, Trades, and More)
All In Fantasy Podcast
Week 3 fantasy football preview
Patriots vs. Jets, Thursday, 8 p.m. ET
Sleepers Notes: Rhamondre Stevenson is a star, but I think it’s worth selling him at a high price given the concerns about the overall offense… Jalyn Polk is a deep sleeper with deep play ability, but is still a No. 4 on the route… Braylon Allen is more of a flex play with a bye week approaching.
Giants vs. Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Sleepers (NA), NYG — Will they start Malik Neighbors and maybe Devin Singletary against a Browns defense? Singletary may be a necessity, but not a want. Donta Foreman, RB, CLE — The Giants run defense remains exploitable, and I had doubts about Foreman and Jerome Ford last week, but this matchup is risky (new word). Notes: Back to Neighbors…
Malik Neighbors’ impressive 66.7 TmTGT% boosted his TmTGT% through Week 2 to 38.5%.
This marks the second-highest tally @TruMediaSports has recorded going back (2000)
1. Brandon Marshall 40.1, 2012
2. Neighbors 38.5
3. KUP 36.0, 2024 (Goodbye)
4. Hopkins 33.7, 2017
5. Roddy White 33.2, 2008— Jake Sheery (@allinkid) September 17, 2024
Packers vs. Titans, Sunday, 1 p.m.
SLEEPER Romeo Dubs, WR, GB — It’s been an all-run game with Malik Willis under center, but Dubs continues to be the No. 1 route runner when needed. (NA), TEN — Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley…all. Notes: Dubs is the only Packers option with a Route% above 90.0 (90.7, 2nd behind Jayden Reed at 75.9%) and a TmTGT% above 18.0 (22.2, 2nd behind Reed at 17.8%)…The Packers’ run-heavy plan was a big factor in their offensive struggles, with the Colts only having the ball for 19:49 in Week 2…The Packers went from 25.3 seconds per snap in neutral script to 32.2 seconds in Week 2.
Bears vs. Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m.
SLEEPERS D’Andre Swift, RB, CHI — We knew the Packers were going to try to run the ball, but the Colts’ failure to contain Joe Mixon in Week 1 meant there was nothing they could do. Now’s the time for Swift to get back into form. Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, WR, IND — As mentioned on Weber, Adonai Mitchell was the clear third option last week, which suggests he’s losing hope of capitalizing on that opportunity to take the No. 2 spot. If Downs is ready, he’s a good bet, but if not, Pierce and his big/big chances are a gamble. Notes: The Bears are the fifth-toughest team in terms of allowing first downs or touchdowns per pass attempt (25.0%) and yards per play (4.5)… Jonathan Taylor went from 100% of his third-down touches in Week 1 to zero in Week 2. Of course, this could just be due to game circumstances or scripting, but it’s worth noting for future use.
Texans vs. Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m.
SLEEPERS Tank Dell, WR, HOU — The Texans run three-wide on 78.7% of their dropbacks. Dell runs two fewer routes than Nico Collins, with a 20.9 TmTGT% on 1st and 2nd downs compared to Stefon Diggs’ 11.6. Dell gets a chance. Jalen Naylor, WR, MIN — If…Justin Jefferson or Jordan Addison miss this game, Naylor will be the pick. If they both play, I’d avoid Naylor, and if they both don’t, I’d avoid him as the 1 given the defensive attention. Notes: If Joe Mixon and Damion Pierce are out, Cam Akers is a good risk/reward RB2…If Pierce plays, both are gambles as RB3s…I’m willing to buy Aaron Jones low if the coach is panicking about Week 2 and Ty Chandler. Jones has never needed bell-cow work to become a top-20 running back.
Eagles vs. Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Sleeper’s Notes: The Eagles defense is last in forcing three-and-outs at just 15.0% and is giving up the fourth-most points per drive at 2.55…There’s only two games left, so don’t panic about Chris Olave. His TmTGT% is about the same as last year and his YPRR is higher (2.42 to 2.07)…With Brown out, Dallas Goedert’s TmTGT% actually dropped from 17.2 in Week 1 to 13.8. Where have all the tight ends gone?
Chargers vs Steelers, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Sleepers (Caution) — On the flip side here, I’m concerned about the Steelers defense and there’s risk even with Quentin Johnston promoted. (Caution again) — The Chargers defense has been pretty good through two weeks… well, last week it was the Panthers, and before that it was the Raiders, but they held Jakobi Meyers to 61 yards and Davante Adams to 59. Note: See above. This could be draining for the defense, and Justin Fields hasn’t recorded fewer than 14 points in consecutive games since Weeks 3 and 4 of 2022.
Broncos vs Buccaneers, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Sleepers Josh Reynolds, WR, Denver — He’s the only one with a pulse, as mentioned on waivers. (Star Player) — I like Bucky Irving as a necessary addition, but the Broncos’ run defense is still a concern after Kenneth Walker’s 20/103/1 performance in Week 1, and I’m not looking to risk Jalen McMillan against the pass defense. Notes: The Buccaneers have the fourth-highest explosive play rate (14.8% — 12+ runs or 16+ receptions)… and they also allow the third-lowest rushing attempts per touchdown (good for opponents), with 14.3 rushes per touchdown and 4.9 yards per attempt allowed. Javonte Williams might get something (anything!) worth this week.
Panthers vs. Raiders, Sunday, 4 p.m.
Sleepers Diontay Johnson, WR, CAR — He’ll return with a quarterback change, but don’t get too carried away (see below). Zamir White, RB, LV — Panthers run defense was awful and White’s third down/passing game usage increased in Week 2. Notes: Bryce Young’s career OFFTGT%: 15.6, Dalton’s OFFTGT% is 10.0 since records have been kept (2019+), so it’s a boost, but it doesn’t mean Dalton is Drew Brees… The Raiders’ defense deserves praise, but they actually have the 4th worst QB pressure% (23.5%) when sending 5+ rushers.
Dolphins vs. Seahawks, Sunday, 4 p.m.
Sleeper’s Note: There are major concerns at WR with Tua Tagovailoa out, but he’ll still be in the starting lineup…
FPPG with and without Tua
Tyreek: 18.8 vs. 12.2
Toddler: 12.8 to 8.2
Mostert: 13.1 to 12.6
(Nothing in Achanesplit)— Jake Sheery (@allinkid) September 17, 2024
Ravens vs. Cowboys, Sunday, 4 p.m.
SLEEPER JUSTICE HILL, RB, BAL — Has been talked about as a flex candidate and could be if the Cowboys offense bounces back. Jake Ferguson, TE, DAL — Assuming he plays, the Ravens are weak against tight ends. NOTES: The Ravens led the NFL with 52.7% blitzes in Week 1 with 12 sets, but dropped to 30.2% in Week 2…Chiefs blitz near a top-five rate, Raiders and Cowboys in the middle of the pack. We may see less from Isaiah this week as well.
49ers vs. Rams, Sunday, 4 p.m.
Sleeper’s Notes: Brandon Aiyuk has increased his TmTGT% from 21.7 to 24.2, YPRR from 2.25 to 2.86 and TD/TGT% from 6.1 to 8.3 despite not having Deebo Samuel on the field the past two years…The Rams are passing 71.4% of their times on neutral scripts, second-highest behind the Bengals at 66.3%…The Rams are completing 3-wide runs on 100% of their dropbacks and also have the second-highest pre-snap motion (75.8%, Packers are first at 83.3%).
Lions vs. Cardinals, Sunday, 4 p.m.
SLEEPERS Kalif Raymond, WR, DET — Even if Amon-Ra St. Brown isn’t 100%, Raymond has played well in the past and this game could be a close one. Greg Dortch, WR, ARI — Start a wide receiver against the Lions! I don’t like following Dortch or Michael Wilson, but this one looks promising. NOTES: Worse OFFTGT% than Jared Goff this year: Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, Tua Tagovailoa — End of list… Kyler Murray’s TD/ATT% is 7.7%, which is a small sample size but still well above his all-time high of 5.0%.
Chiefs vs. Falcons, Sunday, 8 p.m.
Sleepers Travis Kelce, TE, KC — Would I call him a sleeper? I wouldn’t bench him. As we discussed on the podcast, the key to unlocking Kelce later in his career is to have Xavier Worthy be a consistent presence. Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL — It’s the tight end game. The Chiefs are vulnerable against tight ends, and Kirk Cousins was good on the last drive (as if his Achilles wasn’t a problem). Pitts caught 6 of 7 passes. Notes: The Chiefs are one of the most blitz-happy teams, and among active quarterbacks, only Patrick Mahomes, Brock Purdy and Dak Prescott have a better pass completion percentage when blitzing than the Chiefs. If Cousins is really okay right now, he’ll be able to take advantage of the offensive matchup.
Jaguars vs. Bills, Monday, 7:30 p.m.
SLEEPERS (HARD STOPS) — Unless you’re Travis Etienne or my friend Brian Thomas Jr., I hate you! Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo — See Weber. I don’t know how Shakir fell below 60% of rosters. NOTE: Going back to the OFFTGT%, just behind Goff are Daniel Jones and Trevor Lawrence…Lawrence’s excuses are running out…James Cook has 3 goal-to-go rushes and 2 goal-line rushes this year, compared to 12 and 5, respectively, last year.
Commanders vs. Bengals, Monday, 8:15 p.m.
Sleepers Noah Brown, WR, WSH — He’s already a potential #2 and Brown has potential if Jayden Daniels starts taking more shots downfield. Tee Higgins or Andrei Iosivas, WR, CIN — I wanted to mention Higgins for those hesitant because he’ll definitely start when he returns, but the matchup is just too enticing. Iosivas is worth jumping on with or without Higgins given the matchup. Notes: The Bengals backfield belongs to Zack Moss, who is 15th in RB Touch% at 70.6 and 100% in 3rd down usage… A quarterback with more air yards per attempt than Jayden Daniels…
Enjoy the ranking
best bachelorette party ideas
This was suggested to me after I mentioned last year’s “Things not to do after 30” list and skydiving at my bachelorette “party” (as always, I’d love your suggestions).
Skydiving — Everyone should try this at least once! My only complaint is that I wish it was crazier. Go-kart racing — Real-life Mario Kart, but beware of the risk of fights and getting thrown out. Paintball — Go-kart level competition without the risk of getting thrown out. But aggression and fights? Still have repercussions. River rafting — An adventurous outdoor option without the full intensity and risk of drowning. Flag football — We all love football, right? Would rank higher if there was no risk of injury (all of you over 30). Axe throwing — This was more fun than I expected. It’s an indoor sport where you can eat and drink (not my favorite, but I think most people do). Sporting events — Would rank higher if there was no cost. Theme parks — Same cost as sporting events, but more “thrills” and longer queue times. Skiing/snowboarding — Skiing if you’re over 30, unless you snowboard every year. They also added the option to rent a cabin for the night. Poker — maybe only for people like me, but I’d participate anytime. Bowling — low level competition…probably more drinking too. Karaoke — easy to do anytime, so would be a combined event option. Golf — cost, time, difficulty of preparation — if it weren’t for all of that, it would rank higher. Escape Room — similar to karaoke, but better to participate in multiple events, but you get to compete your brains (and get into more fights). Obstacle Course — you don’t prepare yourself, so if I didn’t have to look for a place to do this, it would be top 10, even top 5… but oh, the competition is intense!
Week 3 Fantasy Football Predictions
🚨 NOTE 🚨 These may differ from my rankings, and my rankings are the order in which I would start the players, without additional context like “need the highest upside, even at risk”, and are based on a 4-point TD, 6-point break, and half PPR for the QB.
Download links added on Thursday
Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings
🚨Please note🚨
Unfortunately, the perfect widget doesn’t exist yet. I know a lot of people are viewing this on their phones, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc if possible, or 2) open it in your phone’s browser so scrolling works properly, especially for Android users. ECR = “Expert” Consensus Rankings (not everyone updates them consistently, so take it with a pinch of salt). Make sure you check the lineup lock in as it’s updated regularly.
(Top photo of Tankel: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images)