Fantasy Football 2023: Week 3 RB Rankings

This year looks like it is going to be cursed for injuries, especially in the running back position. Nick Chubb will be out for the season, Austin Ekeler does not look like he will play and Jamaal Williams also suffered a hamstring injury on Monday night. But, lucky for you I factored in all these injuries for my Week 3 RB rankings.

However, not only did injuries factor into my rankings this week, but also some backup RBs are starting to take over the starting position. Players like Jaylen Warren, Roschon Johnson, and Tyjae Spears are all stealing carries away from the starting RBs. Be on the lookout for these RBs on your waiver wire if they are available because they are going to be startable.

On a side note, speaking of Chubb’s injury, Kareem Hunt did meet with the Browns today. He doesn’t make it in my top 60 this week, but if the Browns make a move on Hunt, trust me he will pop up in my rankings.

Running Back Notes

• Bijan Robinson is here to stay, as he makes it up to my RB2 for Week 3. Even with Tyler Allgeier getting 16 carries, it was Robinson who racked up the fantasy points. Robinson went for 124 yards on 19 carries and also caught four passes for 48 yards. Even though Allgeier cut into Robinson’s carries, Allgeier was only on the field for 36 snaps compared to Robinson’s 59 snaps. In Week 2 Allgeier played 29 snaps and Robinson played 33. It will only be a matter of time until Robinson is on the field for 90% of the snaps. Robinson has the Lion’s defense this week, who just gave up two touchdowns to Kenneth Walker III.
• Kyren Williams jumps up to my RB11 for Week 3. I’m not going to lie, I thought Williams’ performance in Week 1 was a fluke and that Cam Akers would see more play in Week 2. Wrong. Williams is going to be the workhorse for the Rams this year and it looks like Akers will be traded any day now. Even going against a top defense in the 49ers, Williams did it all. He had one rushing touchdown and one receiving touchdown. He rushed for 52 yards on 14 attempts and racked in six catches for 48 yards. The Rams have the Bengals this week, who could be without Joe Burrow. If that’s so the Rams could get up big and run the ball the rest of the game.
• I mentioned Warren earlier and forgot to mention that he jumped up to my RB32 this week. Yes, Najee Harris is still the starter, but Harris only played eight more snaps than Warren last week. And it was Warren who put up 11 fantasy points to Harris’ five. This week the Steelers have the Raiders, who have given up the third most fantasy points to RBs this year. Warren is a flex start this week, and I can see him stealing some goal-line touchdowns over Harris.
• Lastly, I have James Conner as my RB20 this week. He drops a bit in my rankings because he is playing the Cowboy’s defense. I love Conner and he has been consistent this season, but the Cardinals just don’t have the firepower to keep up with this Cowboy’s defense. Last week Dallas completely shut out Breece Hall, after he just went off against the Bills. And they shut down Saquon Barkley in Week 1. I love Conner, but he will not be the hero this week.

Week 3 RB Rankings

More Week 3 Rankings: Quarterback | Running Back | Wide Receiver | Tight End 

These RB rankings are based on half-PPR scoring