Fantasy Football Week 3: Rankings, Stat Projections and Top Waiver-Wire Adds

Week 2 of the 2019 NFL season had its fair share of surprises and disappointments, especially in the world of fantasy.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver John Ross continued his strong campaign, catching another four passes for 112 yards and a touchdown and proving that his Week 1 performance (158 yards, two scores) was no fluke. Meanwhile, usual fantasy stud Alvin Kamara (60 total yards) was a complete dud.

The Saints' loss of quarterback Drew Brees to a thumb injury may have played a role in Kamara's struggles, of course.

Injuries are a big part of fantasy, though, and have to be factored. With injuries, matchups and projected role in mind, here are the early fantasy rankings for Week 3, along with some top waiver-wire suggestions.

Quarterback

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs: 250 passing yards, 110 rushing yards, three TDs

2. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers: 275 passing yards, 60 rushing yards, three TDs

3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens: 375 passing yards, three TDs

4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots vs. New York Jets: 340 passing yards, three TDs

5. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins: 225 passing yards, 50 rushing yards, three TDs

Waiver-Wire Target: Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals

If you have Brees on your roster and are looking for a replacement off the waiver wire, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is a player to consider. He has a tough matchup against the Buffalo Bills in Week 3, but he's been fairly consistent under new head coach Zac Taylor.

In 2019, Dalton has topped 300 passing yards and has had multiple touchdowns in each outing. He had 311 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 3.

Perhaps more importantly, Dalton should be available. He's only owned in 18 percent of Yahoo leagues, according to FantasyPros.

Running Backs

1. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins: 110 rushing yards, 60 receiving yards, two TDs

2. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 90 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, two TDs

3. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals: 80 rushing yards, 60 receiving yards, one TD

4. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans: 60 rushing yards, 70 receiving yards, one TD

5. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings vs. Oakland Raiders: 70 rushing yards, 60 receiving yards, one TD

Waiver-Wire Target: Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers

Gary Landers/Associated Press

If you're looking for a running back to scoop up off the waiver wire, San Francisco 49ers back Raheem Mostert is the perfect option. He's looking to be a big piece of the offense moving forward—particularly while Tevin Coleman remains sidelined—and he's proved his worth when he's had the opportunities.

"I always stay ready," Mostert said, per Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. "So I don't have to get ready."

In Week 2, Mostert racked up 83 rushing yards, 68 receiving yards and a touchdown. He is available in 84 percent of Yahoo leagues, according to FantasyPros. 

Wide Receivers

1. Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons at Indianapolis Colts: 140 receiving yards, two TDs

2. Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers vs. Denver Broncos: 125 receiving yards, two TDs

3. DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers: 120 receiving yards, two TDs

4. Sammy Watkins, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens: 115 receiving yards, two TDs

5. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers vs. Houston Texans: 105 receiving yards, two TDs

Waiver-Wire Target: DJ Chark Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

The fact that the Jacksonville Jaguars have lost starting quarterback Nick Foles to a broken clavicle is a blow to the team's season. However, rookie Gardner Minshew II has been solid, if unspectacular, in his stead.

In Week 2, Minshew passed for 213 yards and a touchdown.

What's important for fantasy enthusiasts is that Minshew has played well enough to keep wideout DJ Chark Jr. fantasy-relevant. Chark had his second strong game of the season against the Houston Texans, catching seven passes for 55 yards and a score.

Chark is owned in just 11 percent of Yahoo leagues, according to FantasyPros.

Tight End

1. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens: 105 receiving yards, one TD

2. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 90 receiving yards, one TD

3. Evan Engram, New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 85 receiving yards, one TD

4. Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs: 85 receiving yards, one TD

5. Delanie Walker, Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars: 80 receiving yards, one TD

Waiver-Wire Target, Will Dissly, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks tight end Will Dissly is worth a flier, if only for the purpose of further evaluation. He had five receptions for 50 yards and two touchdowns in Week 2, but that is far from his typical production. 

Dissly had just one catch for 12 yards in the opener, and he had 156 yards and two touchdowns in his four appearances last season.

Still, if you're in need of a tight end, Dissly is worth a look. Pick him up, keep him on the roster and see what his role is like moving forward. Dissly is only owned in 3 percent of Yahoo leagues, according to FantasyPros.

Kickers

1. Stephen Gostkowski, New England Patriots vs. New York Jets: three FGs, four PATs

2. Justin Tucker, Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs: three FGs, three PATs

3. Greg Zuerlein, Los Angeles Rams at Cleveland Browns: three FGs, three PATs

4. Harrison Butker, Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens: two FGs, three PATs

5. Brett Maher, Dallas Cowboys vs Miami Dolphins: two FGs, four PATs

Defense/Special Teams

1. New England Patriots: three INTs, five sacks, one FF, 20 points allowed

2. Dallas Cowboys: two INTs, five sacks, two FF, 17 points allowed

3. Green Bay Packers: two INTs, four sacks, one FF, 21 points allowed

4. Chicago Bears: two INT, four sacks, one FF, 23 points allowed

5. Seattle Seahawks: two INT, three sacks, one FF, 23 points allowed