Fantasy Football Week 3: Top Plays at Every Position

This is Bleacher Report's weekly slideshow for the top players of Fantasy Week 3, but we have to lead with a top player who is not a top play at all: Trent Richardson.

The midweek trade of Richardson to the Colts was a shocker and the biggest news of the week, but he heads into a matchup at San Francisco against one of the NFL's premier run defenses. We still rate Richardson as a top-24 running back, but that doesn't mean you should expect immediate rewards. Those are more to come in the long run, now that he is out of the fantasy purgatory known as Cleveland.

We break down all of the rankings, favorable and unfavorable matchups, sleepers and busts of the week by position in this jam-packed slideshow.

Quarterbacks: Stick with Your Starters, Save for Rivers over Luck

The quarterbacks we classify as the new-wave read-option guys have gotten off to a precarious start this fantasy season. Colin Kaepernick was a bust in Week 2, Cam Newton hasn't performed like a starter yet, Russell Wilson hasn't even performed well enough to be worth owning yet and the media is talking about potentially benching Robert Griffin III?

Wow.

These guys are still going to help you win this season, so stay patient on them and don't dare sell low. All of them remain starter-worthy in all leagues regardless of the matchup—even if we rank Wilson out of the top 12 below. 

Week 3 shootout

Those hating on RG3, just stop it. He is just fine, and he is going to enjoy a productive day against the Lions secondary, if only because Matthew Stafford is going to post huge numbers opposite him. The Washington defense has allowed the most points to fantasy quarterbacks through two weeks, and the 0-2 Redskins are hungry for a victory at home. Expect them to get it, but not without an aerial show on both sides. Consider RG3 a must-start quarterback in all leagues and a top-five performer.

Week 3 benching

If Kaepernick's performance in Seattle taught us anything, it's you cannot trust the non-dropback Hall of Famers (Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Tom Brady are the only ones in that class) in a bad matchup, especially on the road. Next up is Andrew Luck, who has to travel to San Francisco.

Not only is the matchup tough for Luck, but Pep Hamilton's play-calling hasn't been as aggressive as Bruce Arians' was. Luck might no longer be a candidate for 4,500-plus yards this season. He isn't even on pace for 4,000 through two games.

Luck is not going to have fun facing that 49ers defense coming off an embarrassing loss. If you drafted Luck, you did so relatively late and likely got a viable backup option. Use it this weekend.

Week 3 sleepers

Philip Rivers is the Rodney Dangerfield of fantasy quarterbacks right now. He just doesn't not get enough respect. The Titans have been surprising in the early going, but Rivers has been irrepressible. He is starting in only 16 percent of CBS Sports leagues this week? Incredible.

He is a must-start if you don't have a top eight or nine fantasy quarterback on your roster. Here are the other quarterbacks our rankings below like significantly more than the consensus:

1. Robert Griffin III
2. Tom Brady
3. Philip Rivers
4. Andy Dalton
5. Josh Freeman

Week 3 duds

Sam Bradford has gotten off to a good start, but a worry here is which of his receivers do you trust in fantasy right now? You cannot trust the Jared Cook roller coaster. Tavon Austin is a rookie. Austin Pettis doesn't start.

There is something to be said for balance and having a multitude of options, but the lack of a true go-to star makes Bradford merely a two-quarterback league starter—albeit one with upside.

Here are the quarterbacks the consensus like much more than us this week:

1. Michael Vick
2. Andrew Luck
3. Sam Bradford
4. Matt Schaub
5. Terrelle Pryor 

Week 3 Quarterbacks Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Quarterbacks	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Peyton Manning	Den	vs. Oak	1	0
2	Aaron Rodgers	GB	at Cin	2	0
3	Drew Brees	NO	vs. Ari	3	0
4	Colin Kaepernick	SF	vs. Ind	5	+1
5	Robert Griffin	Was	vs. Det	8	+3
6	Matthew Stafford	Det	at Was	4	-2
7	Matt Ryan	Atl	at Mia	7	0
8	Tom Brady	NE	vs. TB	11	+3
9	Cam Newton	Car	vs. NYG	9	0
10	Philip Rivers	SD	at Ten	18	+8
11	Tony Romo	Dal	vs. StL	10	-1
12	Michael Vick	Phi	vs. KC	6	-6
13	Andy Dalton	Cin	vs. GB	16	+3
14	Russell Wilson	Sea	vs. Jac	12	-2
15	Eli Manning	NYG	at Car	13	-2
16	Carson Palmer	Ari	at NO	17	+1
17	Alex Smith	KC	at Phi	19	+2
18	Andrew Luck	Ind	at SF	14	-4
19	Josh Freeman	TB	at NE	25	+6
20	Joe Flacco	Bal	vs. Hou	24	+4
21	Sam Bradford	StL	at Dal	15	-6
22	Jay Cutler	Chi	at Pit	22	0
23	Matt Schaub	Hou	at Bal	20	-3
24	Ryan Tannehill	Mia	vs. Atl	23	-1
25	Geno Smith	NYJ	vs. Buf	28	+3
26	Ben Roethlisberger	Pit	vs. Chi	26	0
27	EJ Manuel	Buf	at NYJ	27	0
28	Terrelle Pryor	Oak	at Den	21	-7
29	Christian Ponder	Min	vs. Cle	30	+1
30	Jake Locker	Ten	vs. SD	29	-1
31	Brian Hoyer	Cle	at Min	33	+2
32	Chad Henne	Jac	at Sea	34	+2

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Running Backs: Trent Richardson's Deal Bad for His Owners in Week 3

Was that a shocker Wednesday or what? Trent Richardson to the Colts for a first-round pick. It creates some unknowns for lineups this week, leaving a hole in the Browns' starting spot and making Ahmad Bradshaw a lot less intriguing.

Expect Chris Ogbonnaya to be the leader of the Browns' running game this week, if only because he might be used near the goal line. Undersized Bobby Rainey is not a feature back, even if he is listed as the starter. Willis McGahee, who the Browns signed on Thursday, won't be in game shape enough to trust in fantasy this week either.

Richardson is a fringe starter for this week now that he has to deal with the change of teams, a new system and a cross-country road game. Oh, he also has to face a 49ers run defense that is bitter from its Sunday night performance. If you have a good backup running back, use him this week in Richardson's place.

Over the course of the season, the trade is a huge boost to Richardson's value. Despite the slow start and endless injury risk, Richardson might actually prove worthy of his first-round pick in fantasy.

You probably should have planned to sit Bradshaw this week anyway, but now you might not get starter-quality numbers out of him the rest of the season.

Payback time

Speaking of those 49ers and Colts, you have to feel a lot more comfortable with Frank Gore in Week 3 as he faces the Indy run defense. The Colts have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs through two weeks. Not only will Gore pay you back, but you might even get some viable numbers out of backup Kendall Hunter as well.

12th man is just a few too many

Players against the Seahawks defense are must-avoid in fantasy right now, particularly when Seattle is at home. Not only is Maurice Jones-Drew off to a slow start and dealing with more foot issues, he also has to contend with the Seahawks defense if he does play. It is time to bench MJD and make preparations to get another running back you can count on in the long-term. The Jags look as sunk as the Browns and Raiders.

Week 3 sleepers

If not for a Week 1 performance that opened eyes against the awful Steelers running game, the Titans might qualify as one of the most advantageous matchups for a fantasy running back. This makes Ryan Mathews one of the must-start options outside of the top few tiers this week. Mathews still has fumbling issues, but that Chargers offense has proved potent, and Mathews is going to be a beneficiary of it.

Mathews is among the backs we like significantly more than the consensus this week:

1. Ryan Mathews
2. Bilal Powell
3. Giovani Bernard
4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis
5. Chris Ivory

Honorable mention: We have already pumped his name up enough, but Robert Turbin is a sleeper to use against the Jags this week. He was among our Top Week 3 Pickups and Biggest Takeaways from Last Week.

Week 3 duds

No one is going to sit Matt Forte, but that Steelers defense still qualifies as one that will be tough on opposing running backs, despite what the Bengals did to it Monday night. The Steelers are seventh-worst in fantasy against running backs, but Mike Tomlin and company are going to rectify that. Forte is not a no-brainer, even if you have to keep him active.

Here are the other backs the consensus likes more than we do this week:

1. Stevan Ridley
2. Darren Sproles
3. Trent Richardson
4. DeAngelo Williams 
5. Joique Bell

Week 3 Running Backs Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Running Backs	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Adrian Peterson	Min	vs. Cle	1	0
2	LeSean McCoy	Phi	vs. KC	3	+1
3	Jamaal Charles	KC	at Phi	4	+1
4	Marshawn Lynch	Sea	vs. Jac	2	-2
5	Arian Foster	Hou	at Bal	8	+3
6	Doug Martin	TB	at NE	5	-1
7	C.J. Spiller	Buf	at NYJ	9	+2
8	Alfred Morris	Was	vs. Det	7	-1
9	Frank Gore	SF	vs. Ind	11	+2
10	Chris Johnson	Ten	vs. SD	10	0
11	Knowshon Moreno	Den	vs. Oak	15	+4
12	Ryan Mathews	SD	at Ten	22	+10
13	DeMarco Murray	Dal	vs. StL	12	-1
14	Matt Forte	Chi	at Pit	6	-8
15	Lamar Miller	Mia	vs. Atl	19	+4
16	Reggie Bush	Det	at Was	18	+2
17	Stevan Ridley	NE	vs. TB	14	-3
18	Rashard Mendenhall	Ari	at NO	23	+5
19	Bilal Powell	NYJ	vs. Buf	32	+13
20	Darren Sproles	NO	vs. Ari	16	-4
21	Giovani Bernard	Cin	vs. GB	26	+5
22	Darren McFadden	Oak	at Den	13	-9
23	Trent Richardson	Ind	at SF	20	-3
24	DeAngelo Williams	Car	vs. NYG	17	-7
25	Daryl Richardson	StL	at Dal	24	-1
26	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	Cin	vs. GB	33	+7
27	Bernard Pierce	Bal	vs. Hou	25	-2
28	Chris Ivory	NYJ	vs. Buf	34	+6
29	Robert Turbin	Sea	vs. Jac	47	+18
30	Jacquizz Rodgers	Atl	at Mia	37	+7
31	Willis McGahee	Cle	at Min	44	+13
32	James Starks	GB	at Cin	29	-3
33	Joique Bell	Det	at Was	21	-12
34	Ahmad Bradshaw	Ind	at SF	35	+1
35	Pierre Thomas	NO	vs. Ari	38	+3
36	Kendall Hunter	SF	vs. Ind	55	+19
37	David Wilson	NYG	at Car	28	-9
38	Chris Ogbonnaya	Cle	at Min	46	+8
39	Montee Ball	Den	vs. Oak	40	+1
40	Maurice Jones-Drew	Jac	at Sea	31	-9
41	Ben Tate	Hou	at Bal	30	-11
42	Bryce Brown	Phi	vs. KC	41	-1
43	Daniel Thomas	Mia	vs. Atl	50	+7
44	Danny Woodhead	SD	at Ten	42	-2
45	Felix Jones	Pit	vs. Chi	48	+3
46	Da'Rel Scott	NYG	at Car	54	+8
47	Fred Jackson	Buf	at NYJ	36	-11
48	Brandon Jacobs	NYG	at Car	52	+4
49	Roy Helu	Was	vs. Det	58	+9
50	Jason Snelling	Atl	at Mia	39	-11
51	Mark Ingram	NO	vs. Ari	45	-6
52	LeGarrette Blount	NE	vs. TB	62	+10
53	Andre Ellington	Ari	at NO	51	-2
54	Johnathan Franklin	GB	at Cin	71	+17
55	Stepfan Taylor	Ari	at NO	85	+30

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros

Wide Receivers: Surviving the Battle of Attrition

The wide receiver position is one riddled by injury right now. Well, maybe the players are just hurt, because if they are hurt, at least they can still play; if they are injured, they can't—a great line from The Program.

We should still be concerned about Roddy White (high-ankle sprain) and Larry Fitzgerald (hamstring), while Dez Bryant (back) and Andre Johnson (concussion) should be fine to keep active. 

Who benefits from the DET-WAS aerial show?

The Redskins are the worst team in fantasy versus wide receivers, and Reggie Bush (knee) is not 100 percent, so you have to consider Nate Burleson among the sleeper starts. Ryan Broyles (knee) is not yet 100 percent after reconstructive knee surgery, so Burleson is hanging onto some value. He is a play against that maligned Redskins secondary, because someone has to get the targets after Calvin Johnson.

The object of Tom Brady's frustrations this week...

Danny Amendola (groin) remains out, and Rob Gronkowski (back) probably won't play, and it hurts. The Bucs have been the second-best team in fantasy against wide receivers through two weeks. It is amazing what a year and Darrelle Revis can do to your secondary. You still have to start Julian Edelman in all leagues, but perhaps the matchup is enough to sit Kenbrell Thompkins and Aaron Dobson if you have viable alternatives.

Week 3 sleepers

We were skeptical of Tavon Austin proving fantasy-worthy immediately, but Sam Bradford is off to a good start and Austin is not just a high-volume slot receiver. He found the end zone twice last week, too. The Cowboys have allowed the third-most points to wide receivers in fantasy thus far, so Austin is a solid start in all leagues.

If we could only make real sense of the Rams' other targets, we would have been inclined to rank more of them higher. Here are the wide receivers we like more than five spots better than the consensus.

1. Dwayne Bowe (already played Thursday night)
2. Julian Edelman
3. Tavon Austin
4. Eddie Royal
5. Josh Gordon 

Week 3 duds

If not for a bad Week 1 against the Packers, the 49ers would rate as one of the scariest opponents for fantasy wide receivers. Instead, Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb had huge days and the 49ers rate as the middle of the fantasy pack through two games.

Smoke and mirrors. This is a secondary to avoid still. Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and Darrius Heyward-Bey look like bad plays this week.

Here are the wide receivers we like significantly less than the consensus this week:

1. Andre Johnson
2. Vincent Jackson
3. Steve Smith
4. Reggie Wayne
5. T.Y. Hilton

Week 3 Wide Receivers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Wide Receivers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Calvin Johnson	Det	at Was	1	0
2	A.J. Green	Cin	vs. GB	2	0
3	Julio Jones	Atl	at Mia	5	+2
4	Dez Bryant	Dal	vs. StL	3	-1
5	Victor Cruz	NYG	at Car	7	+2
6	Brandon Marshall	Chi	at Pit	6	0
7	Demaryius Thomas	Den	vs. Oak	4	-3
8	Dwayne Bowe	KC	at Phi	16	+8
9	Randall Cobb	GB	at Cin	9	0
10	Jordy Nelson	GB	at Cin	12	+2
11	Pierre Garcon	Was	vs. Det	13	+2
12	DeSean Jackson	Phi	vs. KC	8	-4
13	Julian Edelman	NE	vs. TB	22	+9
14	Wes Welker	Den	vs. Oak	14	0
15	Marques Colston	NO	vs. Ari	19	+4
16	Hakeem Nicks	NYG	at Car	17	+1
17	Larry Fitzgerald	Ari	at NO	15	-2
18	Andre Johnson	Hou	at Bal	11	-7
19	Vincent Jackson	TB	at NE	10	-9
20	Torrey Smith	Bal	vs. Hou	24	+4
21	Steve Johnson	Buf	at NYJ	26	+5
22	Eric Decker	Den	vs. Oak	25	+3
23	Tavon Austin	StL	at Dal	32	+9
24	Anquan Boldin	SF	vs. Ind	20	-4
25	Mike Wallace	Mia	vs. Atl	21	-4
26	Eddie Royal	SD	at Ten	35	+9
27	James Jones	GB	at Cin	27	0
28	Josh Gordon	Cle	at Min	37	+9
29	Steve Smith	Car	vs. NYG	23	-6
30	DeAndre Hopkins	Hou	at Bal	33	+3
31	Mike Williams	TB	at NE	31	0
32	Reggie Wayne	Ind	at SF	18	-14
33	Antonio Brown	Pit	vs. Chi	28	-5
34	Roddy White	Atl	at Mia	39	+5
35	Miles Austin	Dal	vs. StL	30	-5
36	Kenbrell Thompkins	NE	vs. TB	45	+9
37	Donnie Avery	KC	at Phi	65	+28
38	Nate Burleson	Det	at Was	48	+10
39	Greg Jennings	Min	vs. Cle	42	+3
40	Brian Hartline	Mia	vs. Atl	36	-4
41	Kendall Wright	Ten	vs. SD	51	+10
42	Cecil Shorts	Jac	at Sea	38	-4
43	T.Y. Hilton	Ind	at SF	29	-14
44	Harry Douglas	Atl	at Mia	59	+15
45	Santonio Holmes	NYJ	vs. Buf	63	+18
46	Marlon Brown	Bal	vs. Hou	44	-2
47	Lance Moore	NO	vs. Ari	43	-4
48	Andre Roberts	Ari	at NO	46	-2
49	Rueben Randle	NYG	at Car	50	+1
50	Michael Floyd	Ari	at NO	40	-10
51	Mohamed Sanu	Cin	vs. GB	64	+13
52	Vincent Brown	SD	at Ten	49	-3
53	Sidney Rice	Sea	vs. Jac	55	+2
54	Golden Tate	Sea	vs. Jac	47	-7
55	Kenny Britt	Ten	vs. SD	53	-2
56	Chris Givens	StL	at Dal	34	-22
57	Austin Pettis	StL	at Dal	73	+16
58	Robert Woods	Buf	at NYJ	69	+11
59	Emmanuel Sanders	Pit	vs. Chi	41	-18
60	Denarius Moore	Oak	at Den	57	-3
61	Kenny Stills	NO	vs. Ari	66	+5
62	Alshon Jeffery	Chi	at Pit	52	-10
63	Brandon LaFell	Car	vs. NYG	75	+12
64	Jerome Simpson	Min	vs. Cle	62	-2
65	Riley Cooper	Phi	vs. KC	89	+24
66	Aaron Dobson	NE	vs. TB	56	-10
67	Rod Streater	Oak	at Den	54	-13
68	Greg Little	Cle	at Min	76	+8
69	Keenan Allen	SD	at Ten	81	+12
70	Darrius Heyward-Bey	Ind	at SF	70	0

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Tight Ends: Play Rob Gronkowski If He's Active

Rob Gronkowski is doing more in practice and told the Boston Herald's Ben Volin he has progressed "big time," but insiders still rate his odds of playing at 25 percent, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. It is too bad, too, because the Buccaneers have allowed the most fantasy points to tight ends through two weeks, making Kellen Winslow look like his father and Jimmy Graham look like, well, himself or Gronk.

You should play Gronk if he plays, but that doesn't look likely enough right now. We rank him 12th below, very optimistically.

Champs just aren't the same

The Ravens were the No. 1 team in fantasy against tight ends a year ago, but that is because they had Ed Reed and Bernard Pollard as the safeties. Those two are elsewhere, and the Ravens have made Julius Thomas and Jordan Cameron look like Hall of Famers the first two weeks. That bodes well for Owen Daniels, who we would rate as a must-start tight end in all leagues, even if Garrett Graham has vultured some touchdowns from him.

Graham is dealing with hip and groin issues, so you cannot trust him, particularly since his usage is circumstantial in the red zone. Even if he was 100 percent, you cannot count on those goal-line throws week to week. Daniels is the clear play against a Ravens defense that has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to tight ends through two weeks.

Fleener will rise post-Allen injury

With Dwayne Allen (hip) going down for the season, you have to love Coby Fleener as a breakthrough player at the position. You definitely add him off the waiver wire, but you probably shouldn't activate him in a tough matchup against the 49ers defense.

Andrew Luck and Fleener are going to have the benefit of Pep Hamilton's system and play-calling, but the 49ers defense takes away what Hamilton tries to do. Plus, Trent Richardson will find his sledding tough the first week with his new team.

Week 3 sleepers

We said a week ago in this very space you needed to stay confident with Antonio Gates. He rewarded your loyalty with eight catches for 124 yards. Go back to the well again there. He is a must-start tight end every week, through thick and thin, for as long as he stays healthy.

Here are the tight ends we like considerably more than the consensus:

1. Antonio Gates
2. Jermichael Finley
3. Kyle Rudolph
4. Jermaine Gresham
5. Dallas Clark

Week 3 duds

The Giants have given up three touchdowns to tight ends, having played Jason Witten and Julius Thomas through two weeks. While Greg Olsen is a must-start tight end, he is going to be a focus of the Giants' game plan, unlike Witten or Thomas were. Start Olsen, but don't expect a touchdown. 

Here are top tight ends we like less than the others this week:

1. Greg Olsen
2. Julius Thomas
3. Jared Cook
4. Brandon Myers
5. Brandon Pettigrew 

Week 3 Tight Ends Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Tight Ends	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Jimmy Graham	NO	vs. Ari	1	0
2	Tony Gonzalez	Atl	at Mia	3	+1
3	Jason Witten	Dal	vs. StL	2	-1
4	Vernon Davis	SF	vs. Ind	5	+1
5	Antonio Gates	SD	at Ten	11	+6
6	Jermichael Finley	GB	at Cin	9	+3
7	Jordan Cameron	Cle	at Min	7	0
8	Owen Daniels	Hou	at Bal	10	+2
9	Greg Olsen	Car	vs. NYG	6	-3
10	Julius Thomas	Den	vs. Oak	4	-6
11	Kyle Rudolph	Min	vs. Cle	15	+4
12	Rob Gronkowski	NE	vs. TB	14	+2
13	Martellus Bennett	Chi	at Pit	12	-1
14	Jared Cook	StL	at Dal	8	-6
15	Brandon Myers	NYG	at Car	13	-2
16	Coby Fleener	Ind	at SF	16	0
17	Jermaine Gresham	Cin	vs. GB	23	+6
18	Tyler Eifert	Cin	vs. GB	17	-1
19	Charles Clay	Mia	vs. Atl	18	-1
20	Brent Celek	Phi	vs. KC	19	-1
21	Kellen Winslow	NYJ	vs. Buf	21	0
22	Dallas Clark	Bal	vs. Hou	25	+3
23	Brandon Pettigrew	Det	at Was	20	-3
24	Fred Davis	Was	vs. Det	22	-2
25	Zach Ertz	Phi	vs. KC	35	+10

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Defense/Special Teams: Browns Punted Their Season, so Play the Vikings

David Banks/Getty Images

Jared Allen and the Vikes will get to pin their ears back Sunday vs. Brian Hoyer and the woebegone Browns.

We said earlier in the week the Jets were the No. 1 streaming option for those who love to have a carousel at the position. That was before the Browns decided to sit Brandon Weeden (thumb) for Brian Hoyer and trade Trent Richardson.

The Minnesota Vikings are the most intriguing one-week play now. The Jets actually look like a defense you can trust in future weeks, though.

Saints now living the life of Ryan

You want to take your defense from the worst in the NFL to one that actually might be feared in fantasy? Just add a Ryan as a defensive coordinator. Rob Ryan has the Saints playing much better defense this year, and the error-prone Arizona Cardinals remain in the bottom 10 of fantasy against opposing fantasy defensive units.

This isn't a great week to use the Saints, but you can get value out of them whenever they are at home. This is a contender that can play some defense now.

Packers have better weeks ahead

The 49ers abused the Packers in Week 1 and the Redskins picked up a lot of yards and points in garbage time last week. This is still a Packers defense that will wind up in the top 10 among fantasy defensive units, though. You should not use it against the Cincy this week. The Bengals have been the stingiest team against opposing fantasy defenses through two weeks, because they avoid sacks, turnovers and negative plays.

Week 3 sleepers

Lost amid the slow start by the Steelers (0-2) is a defense that still is No. 1 against opposing quarterbacks and No. 3 against wide receivers in fantasy. They will also play much better against running backs than they showed Monday night.

We understand the decision to bench the Steelers defense right now, but we still rank it as starter-worthy. Here are the other units we like more than the consensus this week:

1. San Francisco 49ers
2. Houston Texans
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
4. New York Jets
5. Atlanta Falcons

Week 3 duds

The Browns might be playing decent defense through two weeks, but the expected offensive woes with Hoyer and without Richardson might be too much to overcome. You cannot trust any Browns fantasy options, including the defense now.

Here are the other defenses we like less than the masses this week:

1. Chicago Bears
2. New England Patriots
3. St. Louis Rams
4. Cleveland Browns
5. Miami Dolphins

Week 3 Defenses and Special Teams Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Defenses and Special Teams	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Seattle Seahawks	Sea	vs. Jac	1	0
2	Denver Broncos	Den	vs. Oak	3	+1
3	San Francisco 49ers	SF	vs. Ind	5	+2
4	Chicago Bears	Chi	at Pit	2	-2
5	Houston Texans	Hou	at Bal	7	+2
6	New England Patriots	NE	vs. TB	4	-2
7	Minnesota Vikings	Min	vs. Cle	6	-1
8	Baltimore Ravens	Bal	vs. Hou	8	0
9	Pittsburgh Steelers	Pit	vs. Chi	15	+6
10	New York Jets	NYJ	vs. Buf	12	+2
11	Cincinnati Bengals	Cin	vs. GB	11	0
12	Atlanta Falcons	Atl	at Mia	21	+9
13	New Orleans Saints	NO	vs. Ari	25	+12
14	Carolina Panthers	Car	vs. NYG	17	+3
15	Dallas Cowboys	Dal	vs. StL	14	-1
16	Green Bay Packers	GB	at Cin	19	+3
17	St. Louis Rams	StL	at Dal	13	-4
18	Cleveland Browns	Cle	at Min	10	-8
19	Miami Dolphins	Mia	vs. Atl	16	-3
20	San Diego Chargers	SD	at Ten	27	+7

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Kickers: We're Still Wary of Sebastian Janikowski

Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Sebastian Janikowski had a huge Week 2 vs. the Jags, but don't expect it to continue in Denver on Monday.

If you have followed this writer through the preseason and early start to the regular season, you know we have a distaste for Sebastian Janikowski as a fantasy kicker. It was at an unhealthy level last week, particularly since a favorable matchup against the Jags netted him a league-high five field-goal attempts.

Go with a kicker who has a better quarterback, offense and matchup every week—no matter what you think of Janikowski’s leg. You will be better off in the long run.

Favorable matchup

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed the most field-goal attempts—save for the Eagles, who played their third game Thursday night—through two games. Also, the Pats offense has sputtered in the red zone with Tom Brady’s rookie receiver frustrations. It sets up beautifully for Stephen Gostkowski. (Oh, great, he's saying I can play the No. 1 kicker in fantasy. Brilliant).

Unfavorable matchup

Kickers have not made a field goal against the Titans through two weeks, but that is because first-year kicker Randy Bullock whiffed three times last Sunday. Nick Novak has gotten off to a hot start and will kick more than a couple field goals against the Titans this week. Consider Novak among the starter-worthy kickers in fantasy now, especially amid Philip Rivers and the Chargers’ offensive resurgence.

Week 3 sleepers

There are fantasy owners jumping off the Justin Tucker bandwagon. You should be jumping back on. Tucker is among the kickers we like more than the consensus this week:

1. Blair Walsh
2. Justin Tucker
3. Mason Crosby
4. Caleb Sturgis
5. Nick Novak

Week 3 duds

You probably aren't at the stage of playing roulette with your kicker—that is a bye-week activity—but here are the kickers we like less than the consensus:

1. Dan Bailey
2. Alex Henery (already played Thursday night)
3. Josh Brown
4. David Akers
5. Robbie Gould

Week 3 Kickers Rankings - Eric Mack

Rank	Kickers	Team	Opponent	ECR	vs. ECR
1	Stephen Gostkowski	NE	vs. TB	2	+1
2	Matt Prater	Den	vs. Oak	1	-1
3	Matt Bryant	Atl	at Mia	3	0
4	Blair Walsh	Min	vs. Cle	7	+3
5	Phil Dawson	SF	vs. Ind	6	+1
6	Garrett Hartley	NO	vs. Ari	4	-2
7	Justin Tucker	Bal	vs. Hou	11	+4
8	Greg Zuerlein	StL	at Dal	8	0
9	Dan Bailey	Dal	vs. StL	5	-4
10	Mason Crosby	GB	at Cin	18	+8
11	Steven Hauschka	Sea	vs. Jac	9	-2
12	Caleb Sturgis	Mia	vs. Atl	16	+4
13	Sebastian Janikowski	Oak	at Den	13	0
14	Nick Novak	SD	at Ten	20	+6
15	Alex Henery	Phi	vs. KC	10	-5
16	Jay Feely	Ari	at NO	21	+5
17	Graham Gano	Car	vs. NYG	26	+9
18	Josh Brown	NYG	at Car	15	-3
19	David Akers	Det	at Was	12	-7
20	Robbie Gould	Chi	at Pit	17	-3

Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) from over 100 experts provided by FantasyPros.

Follow @EricMackFantasy

Eric Mack, one of the giants among fantasy writers, is the Fantasy Football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report this season. Follow him on Twitter, where you can ask him endless questions about your team, rip him for his content and even challenge him to a head-to-head fantasy game. You can also listen to him on his podcast that he deprecatingly dubbed the Fantasy FatCast.