Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings, Matchups We Love and Box Score Stats Projections

We're just one game into Week 3, which means that most fantasy managers still have several difficult decisions ahead of them. A rash of uncertain injury situations will only make the process more difficult.

However, it should be easy to thrust some players into starting lineups this week. Whether due to their projected roles, individual matchups, or other team-specific factors, some top fantasy options are clear must-starts this week.

Here, you'll find updated rankings for our top picks at each key position, along with stat predictions and an in-depth look at our favorite matchups. All rankings and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Quarterback

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Jalen Hurts

1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 248 yards, 2 TDs, 35 rush yards, 1 rush TD
2. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: 259 yards, 2 TDs, 41 rush yards
3. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: 222 yards, 1 TD, 30 rush yards, 1 rush TD
4. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers: 263 yards, 2 TDs, 10 rush yards
5. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 257 yards, 2 TDs, 10 rush yards
6. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: 269 yards, 2 TDs
7. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions: 260 yards, 2 TDs
8. Drake Maye, New England Patriots: 210 yards, 2 TDs, 20 rush yards
9. Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints: 205 yards, 2 TDs, 15 rush yards
10. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: 215 yards, 2 TDs

Matchup to Love: Jalen Hurts at Chicago Bears

It appears that the Chicago Bears will be without their top two quarterbacks against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Caleb Williams is dealing with a hamstring injury, while backup Tyson Bagent is in the concussion protocol.

This will likely leave Chicago relying on Case Keenum, which is less than ideal. Considering the Bears produced just three points in Week 2, the Eagles should have an opportunity to lean on their defense and running game here.

For many teams, this would hurt their quarterback's value. However, Jalen Hurts is a big part of Philly's ground game and could play an even bigger role after Saquon Barkley suffered a stinger in Week 2. The Bears, meanwhile, have surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing QBs.

Running Back

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Kenneth Walker III

1. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: 4 catches, 132 scrimmage yards, 2 TDs
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: 5 catches, 105 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
3. Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs: 3 catches, 112 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
4. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders: 4 catches, 97 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
5. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts: 3 catches, 99 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
6. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens: 2 catches, 108 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
7. James Cook, Buffalo Bills: 3 catches, 98 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
8. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles: 3 catches, 97 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
9. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers: 3 catches, 95 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
10. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins: 4 catches, 84 scrimmage yards, 1 TD
11. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: 5 catches, 90 scrimmage yards
12. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys: 4 catches, 95 scrimmage yards
13. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams: 4 catches, 93 scrimmage yards
14. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears: 3 catches, 98 scrimmage yards
15. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants: 2 catches, 93 scrimmage yards

Matchup to Love: Kenneth Walker III at Miami Dolphins

Kenneth Walker III has been on a roll as the Kansas City Chiefs' new starter this season and currently ranks second among all fantasy RBs behind only Derrick Henry. He's likely to keep it going this week against a Miami Dolphins team that might be the worst in the NFL.

Miami has surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs through Week 2, and it is very likely to fall behind early in this one. That should lead the Chiefs to lean on their ground game for much of the contest.

The only real threat to Walker's production will be the possibility of Kansas City preserving him for tougher matchups. However, he should do plenty of damage early, and that possibility gives backup Emmett Johnson some solid flex value this week.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

1. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks: 8 catches, 115 yards, 1 TD
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions: 8 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD
3. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings: 7 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD
4. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints: 7 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD
5. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys: 6 catches, 102 yards, 1 TD
6. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals: 6 catches, 100 yards, 1 TD
7. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles: 6 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD
8. Malik Nabers, New York Giants: 6 catches, 95 yards, 1 TD
9. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets: 6 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD
10. Jaylen Waddle, Denver Broncos: 6 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD
11. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers: 6 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD
12. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams: 5 catches, 93 yards, 1 TD
13. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers: 5 catches, 90 yards, 1 TD
14. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys: 5 catches, 88 yards, 1 TD
15. Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars: 6 catches, 92 yards
16. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs: 6 catches, 86 yards
17. Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers: 5 catches, 88 yards
18. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 catches, 85 yards
19. Mike Evans, San Francisco 49ers: 5 catches 82 yards
20. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts: 5 catches, 80 yards

Matchup to Love: Jaxon Smith-Njigba at Washington Commanders

Obviously, managers are never going to sit Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He's one of the best high-volume receivers in the league, and he's fared well, even with backup Drew Lock behind center.

Starter Sam Darnold suffered a glute injury early in Week 1, yet Smith-Njigba still leads all receivers in fantasy scoring. Darnold did return to practice on Wednesday, but Seattle's QB situation really shouldn't impact Smith-Njigba's fantasy value.

Neither should a matchup with the Washington Commanders, who lost quarterback Jayden Daniels to a dislocated elbow in Week 2. Washington may struggle to keep pace with Marcus Mariota behind center, but the Seahawks won't be so run-oriented that Smith-Njigba disappears.

The Commanders have surrendered the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers.

Tight End

AP Photo/Steven Senne

Dalton Schultz

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: 7 catches, 68 yards, 1 TD
2. Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills: 5 catches, 62 yards, 1 TD
3. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: 5 catches, 53 yards, 1 TD
4. Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans: 5 catches, 51 yards, 1 TD
5. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions: 5 catches, 48 yards, 1 TD
6. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs: 6 catches, 76 yards
7. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: 5 catches, 59 yards
8. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts: 5 catches, 58 yards
9. Isaiah Likely, New York Giants: 5 catches, 52 yards
10. Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints: 5 catches, 51 yards

Matchup to Love: Dalton Schultz at Indianapolis Colts

Star Houston Texans receiver Nico Collins missed Week 2 with a hamstring injury and appears unlikely to play again this week. This should mean a huge role for tight end Dalton Schultz, who caught 12 passes for 140 yards last week.

In theory, the Colts will be better prepared to limit Schultz than the Cincinnati Bengals were in Week 1. However, this doesn't mean that they'll succeed. Indy was probably plenty focused on slowing Travis Kelce on Monday night, end he finished with nine catches, 101 yards, and a touchdown.

Through the first two weeks of the season, the Colts have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Schultz's floor is extremely high here.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.