Week 3 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet for Deep NFL Sleepers to Target

The second week of the NFL season brought more injuries that promise to shake-up the fantasy landscape.

Though he'll still have a chance to return in 2025, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to miss roughly three months following toe surgery—which would effectively end his fantasy campaign. Justin Fields has already been ruled out for Week 3 with a concussion, while the Los Angeles Chargers defense will be missing Khalil Mack (elbow) for at least a month.

Like Mack, Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones has also been placed on injured reserve.

The good news is that some viable replacements can likely still be found on the waiver wire. You'll find a look at top sleeper options—including some deep sleepers for large leagues—here. First, let's dive into the top flex plays of Week 3.

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

Week 3 Flex Top 40

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

49ers RB Christian McCaffrey

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
2. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
3. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
4. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
6. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
7. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
8. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
10. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
11. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts
12. Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore Ravens
13. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
14. James Cook, RB, Buffalo Bills
15. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
16. De'Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
17. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
18. Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
19. Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
20. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
21. Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
22. Trey McBride, TE, Arizona Cardinals
23. Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
24. Alvin Kamara, RB, New OrleansSaints
25. Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
26. Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders
27. Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
28. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
29. Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams
30. Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys
31. Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
32. Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Rams
33. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals
34. Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
35. DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
36. Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
37. Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
38. Chub Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
39. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
40. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers

*PPR scoring

Sleeper Cheat Sheet, Week 3

AP Photo/AJ Mast

Colts QB Daniel Jones

Quarterback

1. Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
2. Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons
3. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
4. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
5. Russell Wilson, New York Giants

Running Back

1. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
2. Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Woody Marks, Houston Texans
4. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
5. Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders

Wide Receiver

1. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
2. Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans
3. Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
4. Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos
5. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

Tight End

1. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
2. Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns
3. Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
4. Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
5. Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

Deep Sleeper: Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

There haven't been many enticing RBs on the waiver wire this year, so managers looking to scoop up a sleeper have to dig deep and bet on upside. That makes Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai worth a look.

Monangai was largely a spectator in Week 1, though he did snag an 11-yard reception. He played a bigger role in Week 2, recording his first seven carries as a pro. While Monangai's eight touches and 36 scrimmage yards in Week 2 won't impress, his jump in snap count is noteworthy.

After playing just nine snaps in the opener, Monangai played 28 in Week 2. That number could jump again this week against a Dallas Cowboys defense that ranks 23rd in rushing yards allowed.

Monangai is available in over 90 percent of both Yahoo and ESPN leagues.

Deep Sleeper: Joshua Palmer, WR, Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

Buffalo Bills receiver Joshua Palmer wasn't as involved in Week 2 as he was in Buffalo's opener—though, to be fair, the Bills were much more pass-oriented in Week 1. Quarterback Josh Allen attempted 46 passes against the Baltimore Ravens and only 25 against the New York Jets.

In Week 1, Palmer caught five of nine targets for 61 yards. If the Miami Dolphins can get their offense going on Thursday night, Palmer could return to that type of production in Week 3.

Miami will have to keep the game competitive to prevent Buffalo form simply grinding things out on the ground. If that happens, though, Palmer could thrive. The Dolphins rank 30th in net yards per pass attempt allowed, and they've surrendered three passing touchdowns with no interceptions this season.

Palmer is rostered in 25 percent of Yahoo leagues and 14 percent of ESPN leagues.

*Fantasy roster information from FantasayPros.