Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings

Quarterbacks

1. Drew Brees home vs KC - Kansas City has been inexplicably bad this year on defense.
2. Mathew Stafford @ Ten - I expect Stafford to look like the 4th QB drafted this week.  Tennessee has big holes on defense.
3. Robert Griffin III home vs Cin -  RGIII is the number one fantasy player through two weeks.  He should remain in the top five at QB, as long as he can stay healthy.  The read option/pistol is great for RGIII's rushing #s, but that play style puts him at a greater injury risk.
4. Aaron Rodgers @ Sea - Seattle is proving to be a great defense, but Rodgers has shredded good defenses before.
5. Tony Romo home vs TB -  Eli's 510 passing yards, exposed the problems with TB's secondary.  I expect a big bounce back effort from Romo in the Cowboy's home opener.
6. Philip Rivers home vs Atl - Rivers Doesn't look like the 20+ int QB of last year, through two games.  Rivers can put up numbers even with the backups in.
7. Matt Ryan @ SD - I think last week's game is about what we should expect from Ryan every week.  Michael Turner is holding this offense back.  Defenses don't fear the run.
8. Tom Brady @ Bal - Brady's O line has been sub par, and he still is struggling with his timing with Lloyd on the deep routes.  I'm not impressed by the return of Josh McDaniels, so far.
9. Ben Roethlisberger @ Oak - The switch from Bruce Arians to Todd Haley, hasn't resulted in a decline in passing.
10. Peyton Manning home vs Hou - This defense is going to be a good test for Manning at home, but its a defense that he is familiar with.
11. Joe Flacco home vs NE - New England's secondary hasn't been tested yet, and I expect Flacco to try to exploit it. 
12. Michael Vick @ Ari - Arizona shut Vick down last year, and they've only gotten better.  Vick is also without his starting center on the O line.  An injury to the center can sometimes lead to offensive struggles.
13. Alex Smith @ Min - Smith could be a dependable QB, who won't kill you this year.  He has  a plethora of weapons, and doesn't turn the ball over much.
14. Andrew Luck home vs Jac - Luck is making improvements week to week, and this week he gets Austin Collie back in the mix.
15. Ryan Fitzpatrick @ Cle - Cleveland's defense is a different unit without Joe Haden.
16. Matt Cassel @ NO - Cassel could get a lot of garbage time stats this season, if the defense remains this horrible. 
17. Jay Cutler home vs StL - Cutler is my most hated player in the NFL, so his ranking will always be slightly biased.  This might be a little low, but Chicago's O line is turrble, and St. Louis is an improved defense.
18. Matt Schaub @ Den - Schaub is a great real life QB, but isn't expected to do much in this offense.  As long as he manages the game, the defense and running game will get Houston the W most weeks.
19. Carson Palmer home vs Pit - Palmer hasn't been that accurate, but he is throwing a ton and has weapons.
20. Mark Sanchez @ Mia - Miami's front seven is the strength of the team, but the secondary is still bad.  This might be a little low, but with the variation from week 1 to week 2, its hard to trust Sanchez.

Running Backs

1. Arian Foster @ Den - Foster will always get his 25 touches a game, no matter how many they give to Ben Tate.
2. Maurice Jones-Drew @ Ind - MJD has crushed the soul of the Colt's run defense in his career.
3. C.J. Spiller @ Cle - Cleveland's turrrble defense might allow Spiller to maintain his 10.1 YPC.
4. Lesean McCoy @ Ari - McCoy shouldn't have as many troubles as Vick will against Arizona.
5. Ray Rice home vs NE - Rice is still producing, but he only has 26 rushes through 2 games.
6. DeMarco Murray home vs TB - Gerald McCoy has been a run stopping beast, but Murray only needs to break one long one to have a top 10 day.
7. Michael Bush home vs StL - Bush should put up big numbers with his 20+ touches.
8. Marshawn Lynch home vs GB - Lynch's back didn't look like it was bothering him too much last week.
9. Frank Gore @ Min - I was wrong on Gore this draft season.  I didn't think he was worth taking until the 4th round or later, and he is proving me wrong every week.
10. BenJarvus Green-Ellis @ Wsh - The law firm should find ample running room, with Washington losing two key defenders in the front 7.
11. Trent Richardson home vs Buf - Richardson looked powerful last week.  He might be able to produce every week, even when Weeden is suffering growing pains.
12. Darren McFadden home vs Pit - Oakland's line has regressed this year.  They aren't giving McFadden any room.  McFadden takes some of the blame though, he isn't always taking the 4 yards that are there.
13. Reggie Bush home vs NYJ - Since the end of last season Bush is much more likely to take the 4 yards, instead of tip toeing looking for the big run.  He will be a top 15 back, but the fear of injury still looms.
14. Doug Martin @ Dal - Martin is a workhorse back, who looks like a lock for 25 touches every game.  He should be in your line up every week.
15. Stevan Ridley @ Bal - Ridley looks to be a big part of the offense.  Fumbles used to be a problem for Ridley, and it could only take one to get a stay in Belichick's dog house.
16. Adrian Peterson home vs SF -  Peterson doesn't have his burst or lateral quickness back yet, but will get al of the carries.  If he produces against the best run defense, he is back.
17. Alfred Morris home vs Cin - I've written about my concerns for Morris in my Ball Street article.  This week he got the dreaded vote of confidence and favorable comparisons from the coaching staff.
18. Willis McGahee home vs Hou - Houston is a tough match up, but not many RB2s get as many carries as McGahee does.
19. Jamaal Charles @ NO - Its a great match up in New Orleans.  The whole knee issue is cause for concern.
20. Darren Sproles home vs KC - Sproles is producing in the receiving game, but is this the week he gets a few carries? 
21. Steven Jackson @ Chi - Jackson hasn't practiced this week.  This should be a game time decision.  Grab Darryl Richardson, if he is still out there.
22. Michael Turner @ SD - Turner looks slow, but is still getting the majority of carries.  It will be interesting to see if his DUI results in a suspension.
23. Ryan Mathews home vs Atl - Mathews should get the start this week, but check the inactives before game time to be sure.  You could argue that Mathews should be higher, but I'm going to be cautious and treat him as a flex until we see what he looks like.
24. Peyton Hillis @ NO - Hillis ran hard after contact last week.  If Charle's knee ends up being an issue, Hillis could be a low end RB2 going forward.
25. Ben Tate @ Den - You won't know week to week how many carries he will get, but he is a decent flex option.
26. Chris Johnson home vs Det - Mathew Berry brought up a good stat on the Fantasy Focus Football podcast.  Chris Johnson's average point of contact is -2 yards.  That means he is averaging getting first hit 2 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
27. Donald Brown home vs Jac -  Brown isn't getting as much work as i thought he would this season.  But, he isn't killing you in the flex.
28. Pierre Thomas home vs KC - Both running backs will have flex value this season, as the team strives for a more balanced offensive attack.
29. Mark Ingram home vs KC  ^^^
30. Cedric Benson @ Sea - Benson was on the field for 70% of the offensive snaps against the Bears, and ran 21 passing routes.  This bodes well for Benson's long term value, but this is a tough match up this week.
31. Mikel Leshoure @ Ten - I think both backs will cannibalize each other's value, until Leshoure wins the starting job.  I feel like Leshoure has the best shot at a TD this week.
32. Kevin Smith @ Ten
33. Shonn Greene home vs Mia -  Shonn Greene is awful.
34. Beanie Wells home vs Phi - Beanie Wells is worse.
35. Daryl Richardson @ Chi - Richardson has been favorably compared to Willie Parker.  He is fast, but doesn't shy away from contact.  If Jackson starts, he is a desperation flex play.  If Jackson doesn't start, he is a RB2.
36. Kendall Hunter @ Min - Hunter would be a top 15 back if Gore goes down.
     

 

Wide Receivers

1. Calvin Johnson @ Ten
2. Roddy White @ SD - Roddy White is one of the most consistent WRs in fantasy football.  He will very rarely put up duds, like Julio did last week.
3. A.J. Green @ Wsh - Green should be able to burn DeAngello Hall.
4. Brandon Marshall home vs StL - I don't trust Cutler this week, but Marshall should get his.
5. Julio Jones @ SD - Jones missed on a few catches that would have given him a big day.  He got targeted a fair amount in the red zone.
6. Miles Austin home vs TB - Austin is Romo's most trusted target at WR.
7. Jordy Nelson @ Sea - The big plays have to be coming soon.
8. Dez Bryant home vs TB - Bryant and Austin can have similar success that Cruz and Nicks had against this secondary.
9. Dwayne Bowe @ NO -  See Matt Cassel.
10. Mike Wallace @ Oak -  Wallace hasn't had that really big play yet.  Whats surprising is that Wallace is getting red zone looks.
11. Andre Johnson @ Den -  Great skills.  Plays on a run first team, that only passes about 30% of the time in the red zone.
12. Steve Johnson @ Cle - Looks healthy this season, and is back to making plays.
13. Percy Harvin home vs SF -  Harvin is getting a ton of looks, but the offense will struggle against SF.
14. Antonio Brown @ Oak - His yardage has been good, not great.  I think this is the week he gets a TD.
15. Demaryius Thomas home vs Hou - Thomas is the number one receiver at this point.  Tough match up, but he always has the chance to break a long one.
16. Reggie Wayne home vs Jac -  Wayne could be one of the biggest late round steals of the draft.  He is getting a ton of targets.
17. Wes Welker @ Bal - Welker is getting open consistently.  He will be used heavily this week.  Welker has fallen as low as ranking in the mid to high 30s on some fantasy sites**cough CBSSports cough**.  That is mouth breathing madness.  He is a WR2 at worst, don't overreact to the Julian Eddleman stuff.
18. Malcom Floyd home vs Atl - Floyd is the most talented and trusted WR on the roster. 
19. Eric Decker home vs Hou - I still like Decker.  He is still a first read on a lot of plays for Mannning.  Things will get better.
20. Brandon Lloyd @ Bal -  Josh McDaniels and Tom Brady are doing everything they can to get the ball to Lloyd.  He is the most targeted WR in NE.
21. Desean Jackson @ Ari - More attention will be payed to Jackson this week, with Maclin being out.  This could be good and bad for Jackson.  I think he will be fine with the volume of targets he will get and the potential to get behind defenders.
22. Vincent Jackson @ Dal - Dallas' secondary is vastly improved from last year. 
23. Danny Amendola @ Chi -  Amendola just keeps getting open.
24. Marques Colston home vs KC - Colston had a slow start last season, and this foot injury is a bit concerning as well.
25. Michael Crabtree @ Min - Crabtree hasn't gotten the TDs yet, but will alwasy get you at least 6-10 points in yardage.
26. Torrey Smith home vs NE -  So far Smith's production hasn't caught up with his pre-season hype.
27. Santonio Holmes @ Mia - Mark Sanchez is spreading it around, but Holmes is the only one I somewhat trust.
28. Lance Moore home vs KC
29. Donnie Avery home vs Jac - The Colt's offensive coordinator loves Avery.
30. Nate Washington home vs Det - Washington isn't listed on the injury report this week.
31. Andrew Hawkins @Wsh -  My waiver wire man crush.  Read TheFFBI's most wanted articles for more info.
32. Brian Hartline home vs NYJ - Hartline doesn't do anything great, but is decently good at everything.  He is Miami's best WR, but gets Revis this week.
33. James Jones @ Sea - Jones has a chance for a big game is Greg Jennings doesn't go.
34. Kenny Britt home vs Det - Britt has the talent of a top 10 WR, when healthy.
35. Titus Young @ Ten - With Tony Scheffler out more targets could go to Young.  He just has to get behind someone once.
36. Larry Fitzgerald home vs Phi - Just put him here at the bottom to show how bad of a fantasy option he is this week.  Read my Ball Street article to fully understand the hate.

 

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham home vs KC
2. Rob Gronkowski @ Bal
3. Vernon Davis @ Min - Davis has extended his amazing post season production into this season.  He could be a lock to remain in the top 3.
4. Brandon Pettigrew @ Ten - The Titans just can't seem to block TEs.  Dante Rosario even had 3 TDs against this defense last week.
5. Antonio Gates home vs Atl -  He practiced this week, and hopefully won't be another surprise late scratch.
6. Tony Gonzalez @ SD - Gonzalez still has it at age 36.  He is getting a good number of targets, and has scored in both previous weeks.
7. Dennis Pitta home vs NE - Pitta has become Flacco's new favorite target, through two games.  He is the most targeted receiver on the team.
8. Jermichael Finley @ Sea - Finley has the physicalalents to be one of the best, but sometimes lacks concentration and there are a lot of mouths to feed in GB.
9. Owen Daniels @ Den - Daniels looks healthy, and is the second best receiver on the team.  The TDs might not come this year, but he could get to the 1,100 yard mark.
10. Jason Witten home vs TB - Romo's man crush is getting healthier, but still hasn't had a big game yet.
11. Brent Celek home vs Ari - Remember back a season or two ago, when Vick was destroying Celek's fantasy value?  He has 19 targets and 12 receptions, in two games.
12. Jared Cook home vs Det Detroit's secondary is still weak.
13. Scott Chandler @ Cle - You could argue he should be higher.  He will if he keeps getting those TDs.
14. Kyle Rudolph home vs SF - Rudolph could be the security outlet for Ponder, but he will be matched up against elite LBs.
15. Fred Davis home vs Cin -  I don't understand why Davis isn't used more.  Maybe, its a product of the offensive scheme.  But, he is a talented TE.
16. Jacob Tamme home vs Hou - Tough match up and Manning has been spreading it around.  Tamme doesn't appear to be a top target for Peyton.
17. Coby Fleener Home vs Jac - Fleener saw 10 targets in week one, and 4 in week 2.
18. Heath Miller @ Oak - TD dependant TE.
19. Brandon Myers home vs Pit - The ground game will struggle, and Palmer has been looking to Myers.
20. Marcedes Lewis @ Ind - He has the talent and could be higher.  Lewis disappeared in a tough week 2 match up.

 

Defenses

1. San Francisco 49ers @ Min
2. Chicago Bears Home vs StL -  StL O line will give up some sacks.
3. Houston Texans @ Den - We saw Manning throw to the other team, and get sacked a few times, on Monday night.  Oh, and the Texans have a really good defense.
4. New York Jets @ Mia - Ryan Tannehill.
5. Philadelphia Eagles @ Ari - Kevin Kolb and bad O line.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers @ Oak - The Steelers have held the Raiders in check recently.
7. Green Bay Packers @ Sea - Clay Mathews.
8. Arizona Cardinals home vs Phi - Arizona has pro bowlers at every level and shut down the Eagles last season.  They will probably be on the field a lot though, with their turrrble offense, and pick sixes count against the point total in most leagues.
9. Baltimore Ravens home vs NE - They have traditionally done well against Brady.
10. Detroit Lions @ Ten - The Titans are struggling on offense.  Suh and Fairley are drooling over their match up with the Titans interior O line.
11. Buffalo Bills @ Cle - The Bills looked much better in week 2.
12. Seattle Seahawks home vs GB -  Good defense, tough match up.
13. Dallas Cowboys home vs TB - Could be ranked higher, but I think Schiano will play conservative.
14. Miami Dolphins home vs NYJ - Bad Jets O line.  Good Miami front 7.
15. Atlanta Falcons @ SD
16. New England Patriots @ Bal
17. St. Louis Rams @ Chi
18. Cleveland Browns home vs Buf
19. Denver Broncos home vs Hou
20. San Diego Chargers home vs Atl