Last week saw plenty of high-scoring contests to the delight of fantasy football owners, resulting in some big statistical days for starting-caliber players like Keenan Allen, DeVonta Smith, Brian Robinson Jr., and Saquon Barkley, among others. We also saw plenty of under-the-radar players show out, too, including Raheem Mostert, Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Zack Moss, and Kyren Williams. Our Week 3 fantasy sleeper list is here to pinpoint more potential breakouts, such as Roschon Johnson, Tutu Atwell, and Tony Jones Jr.
We always stress that any of our sleeper picks could disappoint in Week 3. We try to take some chances with our sleeper picks because recommending a bunch of "must-starts" doesn't benefit anyone. You shouldn't start our sleeper picks over proven, early-round studs, but if your roster is already loaded with stars, then you don't need our advice anyway. If nothing else, our sleeper picks can help you find DFS values, as the prices of these players should be affordable.
We bounced back in strong fashion last week, correctly predicting strong fantasy days from Jordan Love, Zack Moss, Gus Edwards, Daniel Jones, Mike Williams, Gabe Davis, Nico Collins, Hunter Henry, the Steelers' D/ST, and the Buccaneers D/ST. With the bar raised, we're aiming to replicate our success this week.
Without further ado, here's our Week 3 sleeper picks.
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Week 3 Fantasy Sleepers: Running backs
Ty Chandler, Vikings vs. Chargers (Nick Musial). Given Alexander Mattison's early-season struggles (3.3 yards per rush), we could see Kevin O'Connell's offense slowly phase Mattison out and prioritize Chandler. It could start as early as this week, and in a game that could see the Vikings playing from behind, Chandler's receiving abilities could result in a top-20 RB finish in PPR formats. (Update: With Cam Akers now in Minnesota, we're less enthusiastic about Chandler, but it wouldn't be surprising if Akers was inactive this week, thus paving the way for Chandler to still have a good game.)
Tony Jones Jr., Saints @ Packers (Vinnie Iyer). Jones scored his first two NFL TDs on Monday night filling in for a hamstrung Jamaal Williams. He should earn the key fill-in work as their healthiest back with Alvin Kamara still suspended in Week 3. Green Bay has been gashed so far by Chicago and Atlanta, and New Orleans will build on that.
Roschon Johnson, Bears @ Chiefs (Matt Lutovsky). It seems like only a matter of time before Johnson breaks out and takes over the Bears’ backfield, and here’s predicting it will be this week. The talented rookie did damage in garbage time in Week 1, and there definitely figures to be enough garbage time this week for him to work as a flex.
WEEK 3 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 3 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Quarterbacks
Kenny Pickett, Steelers vs. Raiders (Musial). Pickett currently sits as the overall fantasy QB30 through two weeks (11.5 FPPG) but could finish as a top-15 QB against a subpar Raiders defense. Pickett couldn't do much against a stout Browns defensive line when pressured in Week 2, but against a Vegas defense that sports the lowest pressure rate (10.5 percent) more clean pockets should result in a strong fantasy showing.
Matthew Stafford, Rams @ Bengals (Iyer). The Rams are throwing to win and running to score, reversing an old football adage. Stafford has only one TD pass in two games despite averaging more than 320 yards. That changes in Cincinnati, as he'll get at least two scores with his dynamic young targets.
Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs. Eagles (Lutovsky). Mayfield has been solid with his new weapons, and the Eagles have been lit up by Mac Jones and Kirk Cousins in back-to-back weeks. It might not be pretty, but Mayfield will finish with decent stats.
WEEK 3 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Week 3 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Wide receivers
Tank Dell, Texans @ Jaguars (Musial). Dell's quickly emerging as the Texans' No. 2 receiving threat behind Nico Collins, seeing 14 targets through his first two games. With the Texans' offense likely passing at a high clip as near double-digit underdogs in Jacksonville, a similar receiving line to Dell's Week 2 output (10 targets, seven catches, 72 yards, TD) is conceivable, especially when factoring in his high snap share (78 percent in Week 2).
Skyy Moore, Chiefs vs. Bears (Iyer). Helped by Travis Kelce’s return, Moore was more involved with a TD and a big play against the Jaguars. He should be part of the destruction of Chicago’s awful defense in Week 3 in a start ‘em if you got ‘em (within reason) game for the Chiefs.
Tutu Atwell, Rams @ Bengals (Lutovsky). Puka Nacua has grabbed all the headlines, but Atwell has quietly turned in two solid games himself (13 catches, 17 targets, 196 yards). As Nacua gradually sees more attention, Atwell should be able to flourish. We like him as a WR3/flex this week in what could turn into a shootout.
WEEK 3 FANTASY: Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Week 3 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Tight ends
Sam LaPorta, Lions vs. Falcons (Musial). In PPR formats, LaPorta currently sits as the overall TE4 through two weeks, thriving as Jared Goff's safety blanket over the middle of the field. Against a Falcons defense that's allowed the second-most fantasy points per game to tight ends, we think LaPorta again finishes as a top-five TE with a multi-catch effort that could also see the rookie reach paydirt.
Cade Otton, Buccaneers vs. Eagles (Iyer). Live the streaming dream with an active target getting the early primo matchup for tight ends. The Eagles gave up big games to Hunter Henry and T.J. Hockenson, and Otton has the athleticism to become a bigger factor playing off Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
Zach Ertz, Cardinals vs. Cowboys (Lutovsky). Ertz leads all TEs with 18 targets through two weeks, and even though that hasn’t come with many yards or any TDs, that type of attention has value in PPR leagues. The Cowboys have shut down tight ends through two weeks, but Ertz should see plenty of checkdowns in garbage time and finish with a low-end TE1 day.
WEEK 3 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Week 3 Fantasy Football Sleepers: Defense
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Bears (Musial). Exploiting Justin Fields and the Bears offense has worked so far, so we'll go back to the well. Although plenty of points are expected in this one (over/under 52 points), the Chiefs' pass rush should feast against an underwhelming Bears offensive line, resulting in a handful of sacks. Additionally, the Chiefs' ability to put scoreboard pressure on the Bears likely lends itself to Luke Getsy dialing up plenty of passing plays, which plays into the hands of a sound Chiefs secondary that could pickoff Fields once or twice.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Panthers (Iyer). They should produce some sacks and a few key turnovers vs. Andy Dalton on a long road trip in a short week.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Texans (Lutovsky). The Texans are missing four starters along their offensive line, and C.J. Stroud clearly still has some kinks to work out (league-high 11 sacks, two lost fumbles). Jacksonville just limited Kansas City’s high-powered offense, so we shudder to think what they’ll do against Houston.
