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

After two games, are there any fantasy football owners who feel good about their running back depth chart? It’s possible you’ve had nothing but hits so far, but with at least one notable injury (Josh Jacobs), up-and-down performances from some top guys (Aaron Jones, Ezekiel Elliott, Saquon Barkley, Clyde Edwards-Helaire), and some surprise breakouts (Elijah Mitchell, Mark Ingram, Devin Singletary), chances are you’re already dealing with start ’em, sit ’em headaches every week (and we haven’t even hit the byes). Our Week 3 fantasy RB rankings can help, but even we admit there’s still plenty we don’t know.

Week 3 is always dangerous because fantasy owners think they know everything, especially if a player had similar results in both Weeks 1 and 2. That doesn’t mean everything will remain the same going forward, but obviously if it’s tough to bench a player if he’s had two straight solid performances. Likewise, unless a guy is a big star (Barkley, Edwards-Helaire), it’s tough to feel great about him if he’s struggled twice. However, if the touches are there, then you should count on the production eventually following.

WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Learning more about matchups will go a long way, too, but there’s still a lot we don’t know there. We’re still ranking guys largely off reputation, but obviously if the touches indicate a rising or declining role, then that matters even more at this point. For instance, Elijah Mitchell (vs. Packers) might have struggled last week, but he remains the primary game in town for the 49ers. We don’t see that changing this week. The same goes for Singletary (vs. Washington), who looks like the undisputed lead back in Buffalo. James Robinson (vs. Cardinals) is getting lead-back work in Jacksonville, though it hasn’t resulted in much, while Darrell Henderson (vs. Buccaneers), Myles Gaskin (@ Raiders), and Leonard Fournette (@ Rams) have put their stamps on situations that had committee concerns in the preseason. Unfortunately, Henderson suffered a rib injury late last week, so Sony Michel might be the lead back in a brutal matchup in Week 3.

WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

There are still some committees (Broncos, Jets, Ravens, Cardinals, Falcons), but it was disappointing to see both Denver backs struggle last week against Jacksonville. Both still have upside, though, so we’re not completely abandoning them in what should be another favorable matchup against the Jets. We’re high on any of the Jets against the Broncos, especially after Tevin Coleman led the team in carries in Week 1 and was a distant third behind Ty Johnson and Michael Carter in Week 2. Barring an injury, that figures to be a mess every week.

You could say the same for Chase Edmonds/James Conner, but a favorable matchup in Jacksonville has both in the flex range this week. We also like both Ty’Son Williams and Latavius Murray against the Lions. Mike Davis and Cordarrelle Patterson aren’t quite as attractive against the Giants, though New York had trouble containing J.D. McKissic in the receiving game last week, so that bodes well for Davis and Patterson, especially in PPR.

Hopefully your RB situation has at least one or two bright spots. Like we said in the opening, it’s still tough to know how everything is going to shake out this year, but the picture is at least becoming slightly clearer. Let our rankings help you navigate your Week 3 lineup decisions.

Note: We’ll be updating these RB rankings as needed throughout the week. so check back for the latest changes.

Fantasy RB Rankings Week 3: Who to start at running back

Rankings are based on standard, non-PPR scoring