Frank Gore sits atop the Week 3 Running Back Rankings

These rankings are reflective of how this writer believes NFL players will perform, from a fantasy (ESPN) standard scoring perspective, in their current situations and Week 3 Matchups. 

Running Backs

1. Frank Gore, SF.(vs DET) A great running back. At home. Against the worst run defense in the league. Advantage: Gore.
2. Adrian Peterson, MIN (vs CAR) Carolina has seen some talent at the opponents' running back position this year in LaDainian Tomlinson and Matt Forte. But this week, they visit the league-leading rusher in Adrian Peterson. Expect a monster game.
3. Reggie Bush, NO (@ DEN) Undoubtedly the most explosive weapon that Drew Brees has in his arsenal, Bush will look to take all he can get against the generous Broncos' defense.
4. Chris Johnson, TEN(vs HOU) Houston is near rock-bottom of the league in rushing yard defense, and Chris Johnson should get his in bunches.
5. Brian Westbrook, PHI (vs PIT) Pittsburgh has a stingy defense. But Brian Westbrook is special.
6. Marshawn Lynch, BUF (vs OAK) Before you get intimidated by Oakland's run defense because of what they did to the Chiefs, keep in mind that LJ had only 12 carries. Marshawn will touch the ball more than that, and he has a better O-line.
7. Brandon Jacobs, NYG(vs CIN) Jacobs takes his 104 yards per game average home to face Cincinnati, where it will probably increase before his bye.
8. Marion Barber, DAL (@ GB) This guy scores the ball. Runs and catches pretty well too.
9. Julius Jones, SEA(vs STL) No surprise that Julius is here. He's alone in the backfield at least until after the bye, and will be prominently featured in the offense as he was last week due to Seattle's lack of healthy receivers.
10. Clinton Portis, WAS (vs ARI) Washington should stay in the game against Arizona longer than the Dolphins did, so Clinton Portis should be able to get his opportunities.
11. Joseph Addai, IND(vs JAX) Addai's been getting banged up, and the Jaguars'defense is no joke.
12. LaDainian Tomlinson, SD(vs NYJ) An aching LT is still better than most other running backs in the league. If he is limited, Darren Sproles' value goes up as he is the clear-cut number two RB in this offense.
13. Steven Jackson, STL(@ SEA) Hopefully those first two games were warmups. If they were, then S-Jax will find himself higher than he is now. If this one is a tune-up too, well...
14. Willie Parker, PIT (@ PHI) Started off with two 100-yard games. He could find a third hard to come by, but should leave with either that or a score. Probably not both.
15. Michael Turner, ATL (vs KC) Turner gets to try his hand again at a terrible run defense. He tweaked his ankle in week two, though, so temper expectations.
16. Willis McGahee, BAL(vs CLE)
17. Thomas Jones, NYJ (@ SD)
18. Earnest Graham, TB (@ CHI)
19. Matt Forte, CHI (vs TB)
20. Ryan Grant, GB (vs DAL)
21. Larry Johnson, KC (@ ATL)
22. Darren McFadden, OAK(@ BUF)
23. Jamal Lewis, CLE(@ BAL)
24. Jerious Norwood, ATL (vs KC)
25. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (@ IND)
26. Kevin Jones, DET (@ SF)
27. Selvin Young, DEN (vs NO)
28. Jonathan Stewart, CAR (@ MIN)
29. Sammy Morris, NE (vs MIA)
30. Steve Slaton, HOU (@ TEN)
31. Edgerrin James, ARI (@ WAS)
32. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG(vs CIN)
33. Chris Perry, CIN(@ NYG)
34. Ricky Williams, MIA (@ NE)
35. Pierre Thomas, NO (@ DEN)
36. Darren Sproles, SD(vs NYJ)
37. LenDale White, TEN(vs HOU)
38. DeAngelo Williams, CAR (@ MIN)
39. Ray Rice, BAL(vs CLE)
40. Michael Bush, OAK(@ BUF)
41. Laurence Maroney, NE (vs MIA)
42. Tim Hightower, ARI (@ WAS)
43. Michael Pittman, DEN (vs NO)
44. Chester Taylor, MIN (vs CAR)
45. Ronnie Brown, MIA (@ NE)
46. Felix Jones, DAL (@ GB)
47. Warrick Dunn, TB (@ CHI)

Week 3 Quarterbacks

Week 3 Receivers

Week 3 Tight Ends

Week 3 Kickers/Defenses