The Sporting News fantasy team is back with our fantasy football sleepers for Week 3. We've reached the point in the NFL season where injuries are piling up, and many fantasy managers will be forced to look to their bench or waiver wire to field a team this week. It's never ideal, but injuries are part of the game, and fantasy managers must adapt as obstacles present themselves.
Week 3 is a fresh slate, so it's time to reevaluate each player's outlook to find a group of fringe starters who you should consider getting into your lineup. Successfully identifying strong matchups and making lineup decisions based on these findings can be the difference between winning and losing your matchup in any given week.
If you don't have time to dive into the outlook for each game, don't worry, we've got you covered. We've taken a deep dive into each matchup of the Week 3 slate to pinpoint which situations and matchups we should attack in fantasy football. Three of our fantasy analysts have identified a player at each position who is in a position to thrive this week.
WEEK 3 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 3
Michael O'Hara: Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints - After scoring 91 points in two games, the Saints' offense isn't exactly being slept on anymore. However, most people don't view Derek Carr as a full-fledged QB1 in fantasy just yet. They will after the Saints and Eagles are involved in a back-and-forth shootout this week. The Eagles feature a star studded cast of playmakers who create an offense that can score 30-plus in any week. The Saints should be able to keep pace with Carr taking advantage of a non-existent pass rush and underwhelming secondary.
Ed Williams: Gardner Minshew, Las Vegas Raiders - Not only is Gardner Minshew tied for second in the entire league in passing yardage with 533 yards, but he's THE ONLY QB who has thrown for 250+ yards in each game to start the season. Head coach Antonio Pierce does love to run the ball, and in facing the Panthers, they should be in a game script that allows for that. But still, look for Minshew to hit Davante Adams and Blake Bowers early and often to try and jump out to a lead before salting things away with the run game.
Vinnie Iyer: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears - The Bears have had a rough time with the rookie No. 1 overall pick to start, but the Colts' defense has proven to be vulnerable all-around early in the season. Williams should be much looser opposite Anthony Richardson in a short interconference road trip for the first multiple-TD game of his career.
Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 3
O'Hara: Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks - It seems that Kenneth Walker's oblique injury will keep him sidelined for more than just one week. Assuming that's the case, Charbonnet is a must-start RB2. Not every backup running back is the same. Some come in and assume the starter's duties, while others come in and split touches with another back. In the case of Charbonnet, he is the type who comes in and takes on a bell cow role. In Walker's absence on Sunday, Charbonnet was on the field for 57 of 60 snaps and handled every single running back touch. Based on role alone, he is a strong RB2 choice while Walker is sidelined.
Williams: Carson Steele, Kansas City Chiefs - The Chiefs escaped Week 2 with a win at the buzzer against the Bengals, but they did suffer a big loss when Isiah Pacheco went down with a broken fibula. The fierce runner heads to IR and is expected to return in 6-8 weeks. In the meantime, the two in-house options are receiving back Samaje Perine and Steele, the undrafted free agent rookie from UCLA. Perine should continue to step up in passing downs, but Steele is the better candidate to handle most of the rushing between the tackles. It's possible the Chiefs will add someone to the roster, but as of now, Steele could be a solid play this week against the Falcons.
Iyer: Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders - The Panthers have been destroyed on the ground by the Saints and Chargers in successive weeks. White has had a slow start with Alexander Mattison cutting into his work with key touches, but this is White's time to get rolling in a positive game script vs. a weak front.
WEEK 3 WAIVER WIRE ADVICE
Full Waiver List | Top Players to Target | How to spend FAAB
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 3
O'Hara: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks - Many people (myself included) spent the offseason hoping that Ryan Grubb's offense would get the most out of Jaxon Smith-Njigba's talent. After a disappointing Week 1, fantasy managers were treated to one of the best performances of JSN's young career in Week 2. He earned a 37-percent target share and saw more air yards than DK Metcalf. For the first time in his career, he was playing ahead of Tyler Lockett in the majority of 2 WR sets. This makes us incredibly bullish for his future outlook, and he should continue to succeed in his new role against the Dolphins in Week 3.
Williams: Diontae Johnson, Carolina Panthers - We already talked about how the Panthers will likely be playing catchup against the Raiders in Week 3, so there should be plenty of passing opportunities. If Bryce Young were still under center, we'd continue avoiding all Carolina skill players. And while we don't have any delusions that Andy Dalton will completely right the ship for Carolina, he should be a steadying force and at least give the team a fighting chance. If the Panthers are to make any strides, Diontae Johnson should play a big role in doing so.
Iyer: Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills - The Bills are getting him consistently involved in the middle of the field and the Jaguars' secondary has proved to have issues in the slot. Jacksonville's cornerbacks will have a hard time with his speed and quickness in prime time on the road with Josh Allen operating well off the running game.
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 3
O'Hara: Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins - Jonnu Smith saw an expanded role in the Dolphins' Week 2 loss to the Bills on Thursday Night Football. He ran a route on 69 percent of dropbacks, a significant bump from his 34-percent route participation in Week 1.Smith was able to earn eight targets in this new role. Looking to Week 3, the Dolphins' offensive outlook takes a hit with Tua Tagovailoa sidelined. However, it doesn't take much to be fantasy-relevant at tight end, and Smith could compile his way to starter-level production in PPR leagues.
Williams: Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders - While Kliff Kingsbury's infamous horizontal raid offense seems to have followed him to Washington, unlike Terry McLaurin fantasy managers, those who have rostered Zach Ertz couldn't be happier. Now in his 12th season, Ertz led the team in receiving in Week 2 with 62 yards on four catches. Until Jayden Daniels starts taking more shots downfield, Ertz could be a serviceable option at a thin position.
Iyer: Luke Schoonmaker, Dallas Cowboys - Check the status of Jake Ferguson (knee), but Schoonmaker seamlessly replaced him against the Saints by catching all of his short-area targets from Dak Prescott. The Ravens' coverage has been vulnerable early to tight ends and just let Brock Bowers and Noah Gray do some damage. The Ravens' pressure should also force extra intermediate passes from Prescott.
Fantasy Defense Sleepers Week 3
O'Hara: Las Vegas Raiders - Unfortunately, the "glitch" of just starting whichever defense is playing Bryce Young and the Panthers may be coming to an end. Young has officially been benched in favor of Andy Dalton. But we're still going to target this offense with a defensive streamer. The Raiders should be available in most leagues and will likely have a strong day against Dalton and a lackluster offense.
Williams: Seattle Seahawks - You don't typically want to target a defense with Tyreek Hill and De'Von Achane, but Seattle has looked like a much-improved team so far in 2024 under new head coach Mike Macdonald. The former Ravens' defensive coordinator has the Seahawks off to a 2-0 start, and with Tua Tagovailoa out with a concussion for Miami, they should be able to have some success against Skylar Thompson.
Iyer: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Buccaneers' defense has been impressive with its transition in the pass rush and secondary for Todd Bowles, as it has started to make impact plays even with Antoine Winfield Jr. hurting. They can get the job done well at home vs. rookie Bo Nix and a compressed, mistake-prone Broncos' passing game.
