Fantasy Football Rankings Week 3: Running Backs on the Rise

The time is now to make some major moves to your fantasy team.

You are dealing with multiple injuries and lack of production from multiple players. At this rate, the fantasy championship seems like nothing more than a, well, fantasy.

Don’t sit on underperforming players you think are going to rebound. Week 3 is a prime week to start making trade propositions to upgrade weak positions on your squad.

Be proactive.

Just because they don't have the best team in the world doesn't mean certain guys aren't getting the sort of touches that warrant a must-start every week.

Here are five running backs who weren’t first or second-round picks, but are worth acquiring in one form or another as they continue to experience incredible fantasy years.

1. Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills

He is doing his best to keep C.J. Spiller irrelevant.

Jackson is the leading rusher in the entire NFL through two weeks with 229 yards on an incredible 6.5 yards per carry average. He is strong enough to get the short yards around the goal line and is capable of ripping off a 40-plus-yard run against any defense.

The Bills' offense looks surprisingly explosive early on, and you can expect Jackson to continue being an integral part of it.

Sure the Bills will come back to earth sooner or later, but it's not going to be because of Jackson.

2. Beanie Wells, Arizona Cardinals

Now that he’s finally the featured back in Arizona, Wells is showing fans why he was deserving of a first-round pick.

The third-year back has already racked up 183 yards and two TDs. His 5.7 yards per carry is a sign that the Cardinals will only give him the ball more.

With six games against the ultra-weak NFC West still on the slate (starting Week 3 against the Seahawks), this production is only a small sign of things to come.

3. Tim Hightower, Washington Redskins

The guy who gave way to Wells, Hightower has thrived in two games with the Redskins' offense. Head coach Mike Shanahan institutes a zone-blocking scheme on offense, and it really highlights Hightower’s incredible vision, speed and agility.

Shanahan has already given his featured back 45 carries, and he has amassed 168 yards and a TD.

It's clear Hightower will be the man in Washington going forward, even if Roy Helu ends up stealing a handful of carries every game.

4. Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions

The speed of Best was never in question, and the elusiveness of the second-year back is even better than advertised.

Sure his injury history is still a red flag, but he's fully healthy after two weeks and looks to be the featured back in what is quickly becoming one of the best offenses in the game.

Convince the Best owner in your league that his 64.5 yards per game is the best you will get from him. Try to omit the fact he has more than 100 yards and a TD receiving as QB Matthew Stafford's top safety valve.

The best is yet to come from Best, and it's time to trade for him now before his value gets too high.

5. Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins

The rookie didn't play in Week 1, but he more than made up for it by averaging 5.9 yards a carry on Sunday. He received 18 carries compared to Reggie Bush's six and showed the kind of burst that made him a second-round pick in the 2011 draft.

Thomas is clearly going to be the featured back in Miami for the reminder of the season, and the value is going to be huge. This is a guy who can still be had in a trade without giving up much—take advantage of it before it's too late.

Thomas is 1-for-1 in 100-yard games to this point, so expect similar results from here on out.