When it comes to weekly fantasy football projections and rankings, here’s one thing we know: There’s no such thing as “too much.” The more stats and expert opinions you can absorb, the better it will make your Week 3 start ‘em, sit ‘em decisions.
Because we’re proponents of the “more is better” approach to fantasy research, we’re proud to offer SN Fantasy readers an exclusive look at Draft Sharks’ award-winning projections and rankings each week. We’ll also highlight some players at each position who really stand out in our rankings compared to theirs. To see Draft Sharks’ exclusive Week 2 3D floor-to-ceiling projections, become a Draft Sharks’ member today at the link below!
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Week 3 Fantasy Football Projections, Rankings from Draft Sharks
Week 3 fantasy QB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Tom Brady, Buccaneers vs. Packers (SN Ranking: 14 | DS Ranking: 18)
This isn’t a huge difference in rankings, but the bottom line is both SN and Draft Sharks say “bench Brady” this week in most situations. Not only has he started slowly, but he’s also down Mike Evans (suspension) for sure and likely Chris Godwin (hamstring). Julio Jones (knee) is also up in the air. That leaves Breshad Perriman, Russell Gage, Scotty Miller, and possibly Cole Beasley. Brady can make it happen with anyone, but based on what we’ve seen this year, there’s no reason to force him into your lineup.
SN’s WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 3 fantasy RB projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Michael Carter, Jets vs. Bengals (SN PPR Ranking: 32 | DS Ranking: 21)
Carter was outplayed by rookie Breece Hall last week, posting 12 touches and 50 total yards compared to Hall’s eight touches for 60 total yards and a TD. Still, Carter received more touches and played 24 more snaps. That’s certainly reason to still consider him the “1A” in New York’s offense, but we just feel the changing of the guard is going to take place soon. We’re projecting a bit more than Draft Sharks, but either way, we’re valuing the more explosive back a little more, ranking Hall 30th compared to Draft Sharks’ No. 36 ranking.
Spotlight Player: Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys @ Giants (SN PPR Ranking: 18 | DS Ranking: 28)
Are we just suckers for nostalgia? Maybe, but Elliott played 17 more snaps than Tony Pollard last week, and despite Pollard’s one-yard TD plunge, we know that goal-line role will usually be Elliott’s. Pollard probably just got that short score because he set it up with a long run down to the one-yard line. Elliott is certainly trending downward, but the Giants are a pretty ho-hum run defense and Cooper Rush managed the offense better than expected last week, so we still view Elliott as a “must-start” in this RB landscape. Draft Sharks is more lukewarm, which makes sense.
SN’s WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 3 fantasy WR projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Terry McLaurin, Commanders vs. Eagles (SN PPR Ranking: 9 | DS Ranking: 28)
The Commanders have been a high-flying, spread-it-around offense in the early going, with an RB, three WRs, and a TE having some value in both weeks. Draft Sharks is seeing that trend and lowering the ranking of WR1 McLaurin, but we’re still in the camp that the alpha will emerge as such soon. Jahan Dotson has done a lot with a little so far, so he could be due for a two-catch game. Curtis Samuel figures to see a lot of targets again, but McLaurin should better the eight he had last week. Draft Sharks is treating McLaurin and Samuel almost equally while considering Dotson a distant third in the trio. That makes sense, but we still value Scary Terry the most.
Spotlight Player: Adam Thielen, Vikings vs. Lions (SN PPR Ranking: 43 | DS Ranking: 33)
Thielen has a great matchup, but he didn’t have a target until garbage time in a good matchup on Monday night. His role (and ability) is still in question this year, so we’re being a bit more cautious with the veteran. He’s still a solid flex because of the matchup, but we don’t view him as a must-start.
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Week 3 fantasy TE projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Juwan Johnson, Saints @ Panthers (SN PPR Ranking: 27 | DS Ranking: 16)
Johnson got some buzz last preseason before ultimately doing little, but he’s back on the radar after a seven-target Week 2. He’s played at least 74 percent of New Orleans’ snaps in each of the first two games, too. He’s certainly trending up, and Draft Sharks is on it early. We still want to see more from Johnson and consider some of the disappointing veterans like Cole Kmet, Noah Fant, and Robert Tonyan slightly better plays, but that’s probably going to change soon. DS is being proactive, which is usually the way to go in fantasy.
Week 3 fantasy defense projections, rankings
Spotlight Player: Tennessee Titans vs. Raiders (SN Ranking: 31 | DS Ranking: 12)
We see the Raiders as a solid, potentially high-powered offense and the Titans as a mediocre-to-bad defense, thus the low ranking. Draft Sharks is clearly taking the perception out of it and looking at the fact Vegas allowed six sacks and three INTs in Week 1 and gave up a D/ST TD in Week 2. On paper, this is a favorable matchup for Tennessee, but we expect some improvement for the Raiders while not expecting Tennessee to have another five-sack, two-takeaway game like it did in Week 1 against the Giants. Ultimately, the Titans will probably finish somewhere in the middle of these two rankings, but the numbers are on Draft Sharks’ side.
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