Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Updated Positional Breakdown for Flex and PPR

Week 3 of the 2022 NFL season is underway. It kicked off on Thursday with a Cleveland Browns victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers—a game that provided some interesting fantasy takeaways.

The fact that Najee Harris and Nick Chubb performed well should surprise no one, as both running backs were high fantasy draft choices. However, we've seen Browns wideout Amari Cooper explode over the past two weeks (16 combined catches, 202 yards, 2 TDs). Heavily hyped Steelers rookie George Pickens, meanwhile, has just five receptions on the season.

As long as Pickens continues to be underutilized in the Steelers offense, he shouldn't come off the bench. Cooper is clearly the focal point of the Cleveland passing attack and should regularly find a home in the flex slot moving forward.

Which players deserve a flex start over the next 15 games of Week 3? Below, you'll find a look at the latest rankings for running backs, receivers and tight ends, along with a few potential sleepers to consider.

All rankings and picks are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Running Back

Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 26: Running back Rhamondre Stevenson #38 of the New England Patriots runs against the Las Vegas Raiders during their preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 26, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Patriots 23-6. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

1. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

2. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

3. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

4. D'Andre Swift, Detroit Lions

5. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

6. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

7. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

8. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

9. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

10. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

11. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

12. David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

13. Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles

14. Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

15. Antonio Gibson, Washington Commanders

16. Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons

17. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

18. AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers

19. James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

20. Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers

---

Sleeper: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson hasn't experienced his 2022 breakout game just yet, but one could be brewing in Week 3. With Ty Montgomery injured (knee), Stevenson saw a jump in playing time last week.

According to Pro Football Reference, Stevenson played 34 percent of the offensive snaps in Week 1 and 45 percent in Week 2. He finished the game against Pittsburgh with nine carries, one reception and 51 scrimmage yards.

If Stevenson's workload continues to grow, he could have a solid day against the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore hasn't been terrible against opposing running backs but is middle-of-the-pack in fantasy. The Ravens have allowed the 18th-most points to opposing backs through two weeks.

Stevenson was a popular waiver-wire add this week, but he was still available in 20 percent of Yahoo and ESPN leagues as of Saturday morning.

Wide Receiver

Patriots WR Nelson Agholor (Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - September 11: New England Patriots wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) runs in space for positive yardage during the game between the New England Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

1. Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

2. Stefon Diggs, Buffalo Bills

3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

4. Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders

5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions

6. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

7. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

8. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

9. Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

10. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

11. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

12. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

13. Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

14. Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars

15. Brandon Cooks, Houston Texans

16. Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

17. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

18. D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers

19. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

20. Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals

---

Sleeper: Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots

We'll stick with the Patriots here, which may seem counterintuitive. New England ranks just 22nd in total offense and 29th in scoring.

However, the Ravens secondary has been a disaster through the first two weeks. It was particularly bad last week, as the Miami Dolphins stormed back from a three-touchdown fourth-quarter deficit to win in overtime. Tua Tagovailoa finished with 469 passing yards and six touchdowns.

"Bottom line, we didn't get the job done," defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald said, per Clifton Brown of the team's official website.

The Ravens defense should do a better job against a not-so-great Patriots defense, but this matchup is too juicy to ignore. No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing receivers than Baltimore.

Nelson Agholor is coming off a strong game (6 receptions, 110 yards, 1 TD) and should see a big role against Baltimore—fellow wideout Jakobi Meyers is questionable with a knee injury. Agholor is a prime waiver-wire target too, rostered in only 11 percent of Yahoo leagues and 16 percent of ESPN leagues.

Tight End

Jaguars TE Evan Engram (Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 18: Evan Engram #17 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball against Stephon Gilmore #5 of the Indianapolis Colts in the second quarter at TIAA Bank Field on September 18, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

2. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

3. Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders

4. Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons

5. Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles

6. Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams

7. Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals

8. T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions

9. Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers

10. Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills

---

Sleeper: Evan Engram, Jacksonville Jaguars

Second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence is starting to look like a No. 1 overall pick under the guidance of new Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. The Jags offense (12th in scoring) is beginning to click as well.

Tight end Evan Engram is quickly becoming one of Lawrence's favorite targets. He's been targeted 12 times through two games—third-most on the team—and has 11 receptions for 74 yards.

Last week, Engram caught seven passes for 46 yards.

While it's usually not worth playing a sleeper tight end in the flex, Engram's PPR upside makes him a solid fill-in option.

Engram is rostered in only 25 percent of ESPN and Yahoo leagues and will go against a Los Angeles Chargers team that ranks 14th in points allowed to opposing tight ends.

Flex Overview

Lions RB D'Andre Swift (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 18: D'Andre Swift #32 of the Detroit Lions carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders at Ford Field on September 18, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

1. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

2. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills

3. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

4. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

5. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

6. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts

7. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions

8. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

9. Davante Adams, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

10. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

11. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

12. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

13. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

14. A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

15. Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins

16. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

17. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers

18. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

19. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

20. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins

21. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

22. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos

23. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens

24. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

25. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos

26. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

27. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals

28. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears

29. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

30. Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans

31. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

32. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

33. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Commanders

34. Cordarrelle Patterson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

35. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys

36. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers

37. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiderrs

38. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

39. AJ Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers

40. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons

41. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons

42. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

43. Jeff Wilson Jr., RB, San Francisco 49ers

44. Marquise Brown, WR, Arizona Cardinals

45. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

46. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens

47. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

48. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks

49. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

50. Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets

---

*Fantasy scoring and roster information via FantasyPros