Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings: Who I'm Higher & Lower On Than Our Consensus Fantasy Rankings

Kyler Murray | Vikings

• Fantasy Life: QB13
• My Rank: QB17 (-4)

For those of you who don’t know, I love Kyler Murray. He’s one of my favorite players to watch. I just don’t love him as a backend QB1 this week. He comes in as the QB15 in both prediction market and Vegas rankings.

The bright side: the Buccaneers rank 22nd in DvP against QBs and allow 1.70 more points per game to the position - this makes Murray the DvP-adjusted QB12 this week, so the ceiling is definitely there.

Matthew Stafford | Rams

• Fantasy Life: QB15
• My Rank: QB18 (-3)

The data really does not like Stafford against the Broncos this week. Denver ranks 6th in DvP against QBs so far this season, allowing 5.04 fewer points per game to the position. This has Stafford as the DvP-adjusted QB25 this week.

Data from the broader market backs up this hesitation - QB19 in prediction markets and QB23 in terms of Vegas floor projections. I could see Stafford get there if this game turns into a fast-paced shootout, but the floor is low here.

Running Backs I’m Higher On Than Consensus Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings - The Studs

Chuba Hubbard | Panthers

• Fantasy Life: RB15
• My Rank: RB10 (+5)

I am once again returning to tell you I am higher than the market on Chuba Hubbard for the third straight week - except this time I’m bringing him up in the RB1 conversation.

With Brooks out for at least the next four games on IR, it’s wheels up for Hubbard in an ascending Panthers offense. He comes in as the RB8 in prediction market data, and the RB11 in Vegas floor projections. 

The Browns rank 13th in DvP against RBs, so they aren’t the easiest matchup ever - but even when adjusting for this, he still comes in as the RB13. I’m jamming Chuba into all my lineups this week.

RJ Harvey | Broncos

• Fantasy Life: RB34
• My Rank: RB25 (+9)

The past week has been a whirlwind when it comes to news surrounding this Denver backfield. Jonah Coleman was one of the top pickups after Week 2, when Harvey missed and Dobbins left early … flash forward three days, Coleman is doubtful for Sunday, and Harvey is projected to be the top RB in the backfield.

While it sounds like Dobbins will probably be active this game, Harvey’s role projects to be more impactful against a stout LAR run defense, particularly in PPR formats. I’m firing up Harvey as a high-end RB3 and a solid flex option in week 3.

RBs I’m Lower On Than Consensus Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings - The Duds

Saquon Barkley | Eagles

• Fantasy Life: RB10
• My Rank: RB14 (-4)

When I was making my rankings this week, I noticed Saquon sticks out like a sore thumb among the top RBs in Utilization Score -  through 2 weeks, his UR of 39.4 puts him at RB40.

The matchup against the Bears is enticing, and if you drafted Barkley this season, you’re obviously starting him. Just recognize that we have not gotten the Saquon role of years past so far. Especially in the first game coming back off a stinger, I’d expect to see more Bigsby and Shipley mixing in.

David Montgomery | Texans

• Fantasy Life: RB19
• My Rank: RB22 (-3)

After an absolutely nuclear David Montgomery game in Week 1, I thought it was over for me as the #1 Monty fader. Luckily, it’s looking like the theory of his role being extremely game-script-dependent was proven true in Week 2 when Woody Marks was much more involved. 

The data backs up Monty as a low-end RB2 this week against Indy - while he’s the Fantasy Life DvP-adjusted RB20, his Vegas base projection is less inspiring at merely 6.3 half PPR points (RB25).

Monty feels like a touchdown-dependent RB2 this week, and I’d be open to looking into other options.

Wide Receivers I’m Higher On In My Week 3 Fantasy Rankings - The Studs

Jalen Coker | Panthers

• Fantasy Life: WR23
• My Rank: WR16 (+7)

I cannot explain how high I am on Jalen Coker this week. Going up against Cleveland, who ranks 28th against WRs this season, Coker comes out at the DvP-adjusted WR14. His Vegas floor projection puts him at WR14 as well. It might sound insane … but these current numbers put Coker above his bona fide WR1 teammate Tetairoa McMillan right now for me. Get Coker in your lineups this week by any means possible.

Malik Washington | Dolphins

• Fantasy Life: WR40
• My Rank: WR33 (+7)

If you’re desperate for WR help in week 3 and you play in half/full-PPR formats, look no further than Malik Washington. 

The Dolphins get the Chiefs this week, and while KC isn’t a great matchup for WRs in DvP (ranking 11th), the Dolphins should be forced to throw and play catch-up here. Washington is a primary beneficiary of this game script.

Washington comes out as the WR36 in Fantasy Life’s projections this week, but he’s being treated like more of a mid-range WR4. I think this is a solid desperation flex option if you’ve been bitten by the injury bug.

WRs I’m Lower On In My Week 3 Fantasy Rankings - The Duds

Parker Washington | Jaguars

• Fantasy Life: WR10
• My Rank: WR14 (-4)

I’ve been loving what I’ve seen from Parker Washington so far this season. He’s currently sitting at WR10 in Utilization Score through two weeks, and it’s clear the Jags see him as their #1 option. That said, the data this week has him more as a WR2 than a WR1.

When adjusting for DvP, Washington comes out with 10.8 HPPR points (WR20). Prediction market data has him at WR15, and his Vegas base projection puts him at WR13.

We’re obviously firing up PWash by any means, but I’m tempering expectations a bit against a stout passing defense in New England.

Terry McLaurin | Commanders

• Fantasy Life: WR37
• My Rank: WR40 (-3)

No two ways about it - the data for McLaurin this week against Seattle is absolutely atrocious:

• Fantasy Life DvP-adjusted: WR53
• Prediction market: WR34
• Vegas floor: WR34

With the offensive line struggles and Marcus Mariota now at the helm, I would actively be looking to pivot off of McLaurin this week. I don’t think it’s crazy to play a guy like Malik Washington over him.

TE I’m Higher On In My Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings - The Stud

Dalton Schultz | Texans

• Fantasy Life: TE8
• My Rank: TE4 (+4)

Another week with no Nico Collins, another week with Dalton Schultz coming out as a top-5 tight end option for me.

We also saw what Schultz is capable of when serving as the #1 receiving option for Stroud last week. The data suggests he’ll repeat in week 3:

• Fantasy Life DvP-adjusted: TE4
• Prediction market: TE4
• Vegas floor: TE2 (!!!)

I absolutely love Schultz this week, and I’m looking to get him in my lineups wherever I can.

Tight End I’m Lower On In My Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings - The Dud

Colston Loveland | Bears

• Fantasy Life: TE12
• My Rank: TE19 (-7)

Before you ask, yes. I am starting Dalton Schultz over Colston Loveland in Week 3.

Loveland has a Utilization Score of 39.7 through two weeks. This puts him at TE25, around guys like Gunnar Helm, Greg Dulcich, and Noah Fant. We just simply cannot start a profile with this utilization, especially with Tyson Bagent set to lead the offense in week 3.

That said, I will be sending out offers for Loveland everywhere in the near future. He’s too good of a player for this to be the new normal for him in the Chicago offense. But I don’t think we'll see the big shift this week.