Fantasy RB PPR Rankings Week 3: Who to start, sit at running back in fantasy football

The running back position in fantasy football is an annual saga, filled with highs and lows, ups and downs, injuries and comebacks. Going into Week 3, much remains uncertain across the running game landscape. However, we’re starting to get some stats, trends, matchup analysis, and advanced data to help us project sleepers, breakouts, and busts in our Week 3 fantasy RB PPR rankings.

Injuries remain a massive variable to the RB position early. Elijah Mitchell’s Week 1 knee injury paved the way for veteran backup Jeff Wilson Jr., who promptly recorded 103 scrimmage yards in a 49ers win over Seattle. JWJ (@ Broncos in Week 3) will retain flex value this week, even against a strong Broncos D and with Jimmy G under center. Second-year QB Trey Lance’s leg injury means the rushing yards — along with short catches — will once again come from the RBs. As such, fantasy owners would also be wise to roster backup Tyrion Davis-Price, who had 14 carries and clearly served as San Francisco’s backup. (Update: Davis-Price suffered a high-ankle sprain and miss several games, allowing Jordan Mason to take over and fill his role.)

Fantasy owners have been anxiously monitoring the status of studs JK Dobbins (knee), Alvin Kamara (ribs), and D’Andre Swift (ankle), hoping to avoid fill-in starts with handcuffs. Dobbins and Kamara got scratched from Week 2, paving the way for underwhelming veterans Mark Ingram II (@ Panthers) and Kenyan Drake (@ Patriots), respectively, while the Swift played and logged 89 scrimmage yards and a score. Swift (@ Vikings) looks like a breakout fantasy MVP early in the season even though Jamaal Williams continues to vulture carries and the majority of Detroit’s red-zone work. Williams is in play as a flex this week no matter what, but Ingram and Drake lose all value if the starters are back. Drake probably doesn’t have value even if Dobbins is out, while Dobbins would serve as a mid-tier flex if he returns.

WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

A few backs entered the “bust” conversation in Week 1, highlighted by the Rams’ Cam Akers (@ Cardinals), Rhamondre Stevenson (vs. Ravens), Breece Hall (vs. Bengals), and Dameon Pierce (@ Bears). Akers emerged in Week 2 against Atlanta, leading the team in carries (15). He didn’t do much (just 44 yards), but it’s still encouraging. Stevenson amassed 51 total yards and looks to get a usage bump with Pats RB1 Damien Harris suffering a knee injury. Hall tallied 61 yards and a TD, putting further pressure on Jets RB1 Michael Carter (7-23 rushing, 5-27 receiving). Pierce received all the Texans’ running back carries (15), proving that Lovie Smith wasn’t bluffing about getting the rookie more opportunities. Consider Stevenson one of the biggest risers this week, especially in PPR leagues. Pats coach Bill Belichick has alluded to using the big back in the passing game since training camp, so the sky could be the limit now. Pierce loses value in PPR, but he can still work as a flex. Akers and Hall (and Carter) are also flexes, though Akers is still behind Darrell Henderson in our rankings.

WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers

Speaking of increased usage, the Chiefs’ Clyde Edwards-Helaire (@ Colts) has been making the most of his opportunities — on the ground and through the air — the first two weeks. The third-year back netted 74 ground yards and 44 receiving yards in a tight win over the division-rival Chargers, one week after racking up 74 yards and two receiving TDs against the Cardinals. CEH, the Cowboys’ Tony Pollard (@ Giants), and the Jaguars’ James Robinson (@ Chargers) have all seen their values greatly exceed their ADPs, too. Pollard is still a risky flex since he plays second fiddle to Ezekiel Elliott (@ Giants), but CEH and Robinson are virtual must-starts right now.

WEEK 3 DFS LINEUPS: FanDuel | DraftKings | Yahoo

Of course, hindsight grants us the ability to differentiate draft-day dreams from draft-day disappointments. Second-year Jaguars back Travis Etienne — stuck in the wrong part of a committee with the aforementioned Robinson — has posted under nine PPR points in each of Jacksonville’s first two games. The Dolphins’ Chase Edmonds (vs. Bills) has rushed 17 times for 58 yards, but 28 of those yards came on one late-game carry Sunday in Miami’s 42-38 win over Baltimore. The most troubling parts for both: Etienne totaled just three catches for 33 yards in Week 2. Edmonds? He had one eight-yard catch. These guys are both sits in PPR leagues against strong front-sevens this week. Raheem Mostert appears to have taken over in Miami now and has more value this week, though he’s just a flex against a tough Bills’ defense.

WEEK 3 DFS: Best values | Best stacks

One other injury to watch is James Conner (ankle), who exited early last week. Darrel Williams (vs. Rams) handled the majority of touches after Conner left, but Eno Benjamin was also involved. That could be a “stayaway” situation in Week 3 if Conner is out, and even if he plays, he’s looks like a relatively risky flex.

WEEK 3 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em

The RB landscape, especially in PPR formats, will continue to evolve as the season progresses. As always, we will constantly be taking notes, monitoring all 32 teams’ backfield situations, and making the necessary tweaks to best prepare you for Week 3 of NFL action. 

Note: We’ll be updating these RB PPR rankings throughout the week, so check back for analysis and the latest player movement.

Week 3 fantasy RB PPR rankings

Week 3 RB PPR fantasy projections, rankings from Draft Sharks

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