Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings for Top Players and Matchups for All Positions

Another week of NFL action is in the books, and fantasy managers are already looking ahead to Week 3.

Injuries to key players have clouded the fantasy landscape early in the week, as some statuses remain unclear. Jayden Daniels appears likely to miss significant time with a dislocated elbow, but Caleb Williams and Squon Barkley may be more fortunate.

Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson told ESPN Chicago (h/t NFL.com's Kevin Patra) that Williams will be "week-to-week" with his hamstring injury. Barkley left the Philadelphia Eagles game with a stinger, and while there's no guarantee he'll start in Week 3, his injury doesn't appear to be a long-term one.

Based on what we know about the biggest injury situations, what we saw over the first two weeks of the season, and projected individual matchups, here are some early Week 3 rankings for point-per-reception (PPR) play.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Colin E. Braley

Patrick Mahomes

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
2. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
4. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
5. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
6. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
7. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
8. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
10. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
11. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
12. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

Top Matchup: Patrick Mahomes at Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins blew up their roster in the offseason, and after reloading with young talent, they might have the worst overall roster in the NFL. Their defense certainly didn't look good against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The 49ers scored touchdowns on their first five possessions before going into clock-killing mode for the remainder of the game.

Miami will provide a prime opportunity for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to continue his return-from-injury tour. Mahomes is 100 percent healthy and has played like it. He has 566 passing yards, five passing touchdowns, 40 rushing yards, and a rushing score through the first two weeks of the season.

While there's some risk of Kansas City getting up big and going into an offensive shell early, that hasn't been an issue for Miami's opponents yet. The Dolphins have surrendered an average of 22 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.

Running Back

AP Photo/Reed Hoffman

Kenneth Walker III

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
2. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 40ers
5. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
6. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
7. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
8. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
10. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
11. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
12. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
13. David Montgomery, Houston Texans
14. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
15. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants

Top Matchup: Kenneth Walker III at Miami Dolphins

Mahomes isn't the only Chiefs standout who should shine against the Dolphins in Week 3.

Kenneth Walker III has been a high-volume back for Kansas City and a centerpiece of their offense through two weeks. While the offense always flowed through Mahomes in past years, Walker has already spent time as the focal point. He's already amassed nine receptions, 369 scrimmage yards, and two touchdowns.

Walker should see a sizeable workload early against a Dolphins defense that has surrendered an average of 34.1 fantasy points to opposing backfields this season.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Kyusung Gong

Ladd McConkey

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
3. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
4. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
6. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
7. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
8. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
9. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
10. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
11. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
12. Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
13. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
14. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
15. Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers
16. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
17. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
18. Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos
19. Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
20. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons

Top Matchup: Ladd McConkey at Buffalo Bills

Things have not gone well for the Los Angeles Chargers through the first two weeks of the season. Los Angeles' defense has seemingly regressed, and Justin Herbert seems to be still finding his footing with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel.

The Chargers simply haven't looked good in any facet during their 0-2 start.

About the most positive development in Week 2 was Ladd McConkey's return from a Week 1 chest injury. He caught five of seven targets for 82 yards and a touchdown during Los Angeles' 26-14 loss.

McConkey should be heavily targeted in Week 3, as the Chargers try to match points with the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo's defense has surrendered an average of 35.8 fantasy points to opposing receiver groups this season.

Tight End

AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Tucker Kraft

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
3. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
4. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
5. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts
6. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
7. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
8. Isaiah Likely, New York Giants
9. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
10. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
11. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
12. Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Top Matchup: Tucker Kraft vs. Atlanta Falcons

Tight end Tucker Kraft hasn't been as much of a focal point of the Green Bay Packers' offense as he was a year ago. While Green Bay has funneled the ball to Christian Watson and Matthew Golden, Kraft has caught a modest five of nine targets for 80 yards.

However, managers should be willing to stick with Kraft on Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta has been a favorable matchup for opposing tight ends during the early season, allowing an average of 17.7 fantasy points to the position.

If the Falcons are competitive enough to keep the Packers passing, Kraft should have a chance to match his combined production from Weeks 1 and 2 on Thursday night.

Kickers and Defense/Special Teams

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Cowboys place kicker Brandon Aubrey (17) celebrates with punter Bryan Anger

Kickers

1. Brandon Aubrey, Dallas Cowboys
2. Eddy Pineiro, San Francisco 49ers
3. Jason Myers, Seattle Seahawks
4. Ka'imi Fairbairn, Houston Texans
5. Tyler Loop, Baltimore Ravens
6. Evan McPherson, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs
9. Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers
10. Trey Smack, Green Bay Packers
11. Jake Bates, Detroit Lions
12. Jake Elliott, Philadelphia Eagles

Defense/Special Teams

1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Seattle Seahawks
3. Green Bay Packers
4. San Francisco 49ers
5. Philadelphia Eagles
6. Houston Texans
7. Minnesota Vikings
8. New England Patriots
9. Los Angeles Rams
10. Carolina Panthers
11. Cincinnati Bengals
12. Denver Broncos

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.