Fantasy football is supposed to be fun, right? I don’t know about you, but I can’t say I signed up for all these injuries. It’s only Week 3, and already it feels like the only thing being exercised other than the IR list is owners’ patience. Stay calm, though, the weekly rankings march on. Just an FYI, there are some guys missing this week, and a bunch more guys that COULD be missing come Sunday.
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Quarterbacks
The quarterback list basically remains unchanged this week, and in fact, it’s probably the most injury-free position going. I’m sure Jaguars fans would take a Blake Bortles injury (kidding!), but this could finally be the week we gain an understanding of who and what Cam Newton is all about. Weeks 1 and 2 have been entirely unconvincing, and so is Cam’s 59.6% completion rate. So far Brian Hoyer and Trevor Siemian have completed more passes than the 2015 MVP, and after Newton missed a wide open Christian McCaffrey in the end zone last week, it’s clear he’s simply trying to throw the ball too hard. Chalk it up to post shoulder surgery rust, but Newton and the Panthers need to show they can hang with the big dogs in the NFC when they take on the Saints at home this week.
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Aaron Rodgers | GB | vs. CIN |
| 2 | Tom Brady | NE | vs. HOU |
| 3 | Matt Ryan | ATL | @DET |
| 4 | Drew Brees | NO | @CAR |
| 5 | Russell Wilson | SEA | @TEN |
| 6 | Derek Carr | OAK | @WAS |
| 7 | Cam Newton (Q) | CAR | vs. NO |
| 8 | Kirk Cousins | WAS | vs. OAK |
| 9 | Dak Prescott (Q) | DAL | @ARI |
| 10 | Ben Roethlisberger | PIT | @CHI |
| 11 | Jameis Winston | TB | @MIN |
| 12 | Marcus Mariota | TEN | vs. SEA |
| 13 | Matthew Stafford | DET | vs. ATL |
| 14 | Carson Wentz | PHI | vs. NYG |
| 15 | Joe Flacco | BAL | @JAC |
| 16 | Alex Smith | KC | @LAC |
| 17 | Andy Dalton | CIN | @GB |
| 18 | Carson Palmer | ARI | vs. DAL |
| 19 | Philip Rivers | LAC | vs. KC |
| 20 | Tyrod Taylor | BUF | vs. DEN |
| 21 | Eli Manning | NYG | @PHI |
| 22 | Sam Bradford (Q) | MIN | vs. TB |
| 23 | Jared Goff | LAR | @SF |
| 24 | Jay Cutler | MIA | vs. NYJ |
| 25 | Trevor Siemian | DEN | @BUF |
| 26 | DeShaun Watson | HOU | @NE |
| 27 | DeShone Kizer | CLE | @IND |
| 28 | Jacoby Brissett | IND | vs. CLE |
| 29 | Brian Hoyer | SF | vs. LAR |
| 30 | Blake Bortles | JAC | vs. BAL |
| 31 | Josh McCown | NYJ | vs. MIA |
| 32 | Mike Glennon | CHI | vs. PIT |
Running Backs
There’s plenty to digest here. Week 2’s standout Chris Carson remains an interesting waiver wire option for owners, but so does Derrick Henry on the back of a big 92-yard, one-TD performance. DeMarco Murray has some injury concerns of his own, but “concern” certainly is the operative word for owners right now. Murray has managed just one run of 15 yards or more in the first two weeks and has seen just four targets in the air. As always, err on the side of “it’s still early,” but it really is becoming harder and harder to own the veteran with Henry showing promise, and other interesting players like Carson and Tarik Cohen emerging.
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Le’Veon Bell | PIT | @CHI |
| 2 | DeVonta Freeman | ATL | @DET |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott | DAL | @ARI |
| 4 | Kareem Hunt | KC | @LAC |
| 5 | Melvin Gordon | LAC | vs. KC |
| 6 | Marshawn Lynch | OAK | @WAS |
| 7 | Todd Gurley | LAR | vs. WAS |
| 8 | Leonard Fournette | JAC | vs. BAL |
| 9 | LeSean McCoy | BUF | @CAR |
| 10 | Jay Ajayi (Q) | MIA | @NYJ |
| 11 | Jordan Howard (Q) | CHI | vs. PIT |
| 12 | Lamar Miller | HOU | @NE |
| 13 | Dalvin Cook | MIN | vs. TB |
| 14 | Christian McCaffrey | CAR | vs. NO |
| 15 | Carlos Hyde | SF | vs. LAR |
| 16 | C.J. Anderson | DEN | @BUF |
| 17 | Terrance West (Q) | BAL | @JAC |
| 18 | Ty Montgomery | GB | vs. CIN |
| 19 | DeMarco Murray (Q) | TEN | vs. SEA |
| 20 | Mike Gillislee | NE | vs. HOU |
| 21 | Isaiah Crowell | CLE | @IND |
| 22 | Mark Ingram | NO | @CAR |
| 23 | Jacquizz Rodgers | TB | @MIN |
| 24 | Frank Gore | IND | vs. CLE |
| 25 | Bilal Powell | NYJ | vs. MIA |
| 26 | Jonathan Stewart | CAR | vs. NO |
| 27 | Theo Riddick | DET | vs. ATL |
| 28 | Tarik Cohen | CHI | vs. PIT |
| 29 | Derrick Henry | TEN | vs. SEA |
| 30 | Ameer Abdullah | DET | vs. ATL |
| 31 | Chris Carson | SEA | @TEN |
| 32 | James White | NE | vs. HOU |
| 33 | Matt Forte | NYJ | vs. MIA |
| 34 | Tevin Coleman | ATL | @DET |
| 35 | Paul Perkins | NYG | @PHI |
| 36 | Chris Johnson | ARI | vs. DAL |
| 37 | Duke Johnson Jr. | CLE | @IND |
| 38 | LeGarrette Blount | PHI | vs. NYG |
| 39 | Jamaal Charles | DEN | @BUF |
| 40 | Kerwynn Williams | ARI | vs. DAL |
| 41 | Javorious Allen | MIN | vs. TB |
| 42 | Rob Kelley (Q) | WAS | vs. OAK |
| 43 | Samaje Perine | OAK | @WAS |
| 44 | Darren Sproles | PHI | vs. NYG |
| 45 | Adrian Peterson | NO | @CAR |
| 46 | Andre Ellington | ARI | vs. DAL |
| 47 | Alvin Kamara | NO | @CAR |
| 48 | C.J. Prosise | SEA | @TEN |
| 49 | Shane Vereen | NYG | vs. PHI |
| 50 | Rex Burkhead | NE | vs. HOU |
| 51 | Peyton Barber | TB | @MIN |
| 52 | Giovani Bernard | CIN | @GB |
| 53 | Mike Tolbert | BUF | @CAR |
| 54 | Charles Sims | TB | @MIN |
| 55 | Marlon Mack | IND | vs. CLE |
| 56 | Jerrick McKinnon | MIN | vs. TB |
| 57 | Eddie Lacy | SEA | vs. SF |
| 58 | Charcandrick West | KC | @LAC |
| 59 | Thomas Rawls | SEA | @TEN |
| 60 | Chris Ivory | JAC | vs. BAL |
Wide Receivers
There are some interesting names toward the bottom that could easily leapfrog a whole bunch of guys if things keep going their way. Jaron Brown was massive for the Cardinals against the Colts last Sunday, posting 73 yards on just four receptions. Brown was a popular sleeper pick entering the season, and John Brown’s injury certainly opens up a world of opportunity. By the way, speaking of opportunity, big props to Keenan Allen for the making the most of his. There’s not much to be said about the Chargers at the minute, but there is a lot to be made about the targets Allen is seeing. Phillip Rivers has thrown his way 19 times for 135 yards so far this season, and already, Allen is on pace for career highs. It’s great to see he hasn’t faded into obscurity after some freak injuries.
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Julio Jones | ATL | @DET |
| 2 | Antonio Brown | PIT | @CHI |
| 3 | A.J. Green | CIN | @GB |
| 4 | Mike Evans | TB | @MIN |
| 5 | Odell Beckham Jr. (Q) | NYG | @PHI |
| 6 | Jordy Nelson (Q) | GB | vs. CIN |
| 7 | Michael Thomas | NO | @CAR |
| 8 | Brandin Cooks | NE | vs. HOU |
| 9 | Dez Bryant | DAL | @ARI |
| 10 | Doug Baldwin | SEA | @TEN |
| 11 | Amari Cooper | OAK | @WAS |
| 12 | Keenan Allen | LAC | @KC |
| 13 | Demaryius Thomas | DEN | @BUF |
| 14 | Larry Fitzgerald | ARI | vs. DAL |
| 15 | Terrelle Pryor | WAS | vs. OAK |
| 16 | DeAndre Hopkins | HOU | @NE |
| 17 | Tyreek Hill | KC | @LAC |
| 18 | Devante Adams | GB | vs. CIN |
| 19 | Michael Crabtree | OAK | @WAS |
| 20 | Emmanuel Sanders | DEN | @BUF |
| 21 | Alshon Jeffery | PHI | vs. NYG |
| 22 | Stefon Diggs | MIN | vs. TB |
| 23 | Martavis Bryant | PIT | @CHI |
| 24 | Golden Tate | DET | vs. ATL |
| 25 | Jarvis Landry (Q) | MIA | @ NYJ |
| 26 | T.Y. Hilton | IND | vs. CLE |
| 27 | Sammy Watkins | LAR | @SF |
| 28 | Kelvin Benjamin (Q) | CAR | vs. NO |
| 29 | Jeremy Maclin | BAL | @JAC |
| 30 | Pierre Garcon | SF | vs. LAR |
| 31 | DeVante Parker | MIA | @NYJ |
| 32 | Jamison Crowder | WAS | vs. OAK |
| 33 | Adam Thielen | MIN | vs. TB |
| 34 | Chris Hogan (Q) | NE | vs. HOU |
| 35 | Nelson Agholor | PHI | vs. NYG |
| 36 | Randall Cobb (Q) | GB | vs. CIN |
| 37 | DeSean Jackson | TB | @MIN |
| 38 | Ted Ginn Jr. | NO | @CAR |
| 39 | Jordan Matthews | BUF | vs. DEN |
| 40 | Jaron Brown | ARI | vs. DAL |
| 41 | Brandon Marshall | NYG | @PHI |
| 42 | Cooper Kupp | LAR | @SF |
| 43 | J.J. Nelson | ARI | vs. DAL |
| 44 | Marvin Jones | DET | vs. ATL |
| 45 | Eric Decker | TEN | vs. SEA |
| 46 | Terrance Williams | DAL | vs. ARI |
| 47 | Jermaine Kearse | NYJ | vs. MIA |
| 48 | Devin Funchess | CAR | vs. NO |
| 49 | Mohamed Sanu | ATL | @DET |
| 50 | Tyler Lockett | SEA | @TEN |
| 51 | Rishard Matthews | TEN | vs. SEA |
| 52 | Zay Jones | BUF | vs. DEN |
Tight Ends
Once you get past the initial anger of Greg Olsen’s injury, you’ll realize this cloud has a silver lining. If you’re stuck on the waiver wire, Jack Doyle is one of your options. He posted 75 yards last week against the Cardinals, a team that completely shut down tight ends last season. David Njoku is also a name to watch. The Browns lost Corey Coleman to a broken hand (again) on Sunday. With Kenny Britt looking out of sorts, Njoku could be in for some serious targets.
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Travis Kelce | KC | @LAC |
| 2 | Rob Gronkowski (Q) | NE | vs. HOU |
| 3 | Jordan Reed (Q) | WAS | vs. OAK |
| 4 | Zach Ertz | PHI | vs. NYG |
| 5 | Jimmy Graham (Q) | SEA | vs. SF |
| 6 | Kyle Rudolph | MIN | vs. TB |
| 7 | Delanie Walker | TEN | vs. SEA |
| 8 | Coby Fleener | NO | @CAR |
| 9 | Martellus Bennett | GB | vs. GB |
| 10 | Evan Engram | DET | vs. ATL |
| 11 | Jack Doyle | IND | vs. CLE |
| 12 | Austin Hooper | ATL | @DET |
| 13 | Jared Cook | OAK | @WAS |
| 14 | Jason Witten | DAL | @ARI |
| 14 | Tyler Eifert (Q) | CIN | @GB |
| 15 | Charles Clay | BUF | vs. DEM |
| 16 | Cameron Brate | TB | @MIN |
| 17 | Hunter Henry | LAC | vs. KC |
| 18 | Julius Thomas | MIA | @NYJ |
| 19 | Jesse James | PIT | @MIA |
| 20 | Antonio Gates | LAC | vs. KC |
| 21 | Zach Miller | CHI | vs. PIT |
| 22 | Ben Watson | BAL | @JAC |
| 23 | David Njoku | CLE | @IND |
| 24 | George Kittle | SF | vs. LAR |
| 25 | O.J. Howard | TB | @MIN |
Defense/ST
Two AFC South teams took a big hit this week as the Texans and the Jaguars fall from the Top 10. Instead, we welcome back the Rams, as they take on the 49ers on Thursday. San Francisco allowed four hits last week against the Seahawks, but Brian Hoyer still managed to throw for a lousy 99 yards. This could be a big day for the 28% of owners invested in the Rams.
| Rank | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Denver Broncos | @BUF |
| 2 | Seattle Seahawks | vs. TEN |
| 3 | Baltimore Ravens | @JAC |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | @WAS |
| 5 | Kansas City Chiefs | @LAC |
| 6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | @CHI |
| 7 | Carolina Panthers | vs. NO |
| 8 | Arizona Cardinals | vs. DAL |
| 9 | Jacksonville Jaguars | vs. BAL |
| 10 | Los Angeles Rams | @SF |
Kickers
No one’s safe anymore. Justin Tucker missed a field goal last week, but you still have to like him against the Jaguars D/ST. I’m gradually growing more and more impressed with Dan Bailey. He kicked four field goals last week, two of which were from 40 yards or more. Blair Walsh also jumps into the Top 10 against the Titans. He did miss an extra point last Sunday, though, the same old kryptonite that cost him a job in Minnesota last season.
| Rank | Player | Team | Opponent |
| 1 | Justin Tucker | BAL | @JAC |
| 2 | Matt Bryant | ATL | @DET |
| 3 | Dan Bailey | DAL | @ARI |
| 4 | Stephen Gostkowski | NE | vs. HOU |
| 5 | Mason Crosby | GB | vs. CIN |
| 6 | Will Lutz | NO | @CAR |
| 7 | Matt Prater | DET | vs. ATL |
| 8 | Blair Walsh | SEA | @TEN |
| 9 | Graham Gano | CAR | vs. NO |
| 10 | Giorgio Tavvechio | OAK | @WAS |