Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings Risers and Fallers: Upgrade Jordan Mason, Drake Maye, and More

It is time to set our fantasy lineups for Week 3, and with that in mind, let's follow the data to analyze some of the biggest risers and fallers in the ranks to help you make those start-sit decisions.

Risers In The Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings

See below for some of the biggest upgrades in my Week 3 fantasy football rankings.

Drake Maye is a mid-range QB1 in Week 3

Maye is the No. 8 QB in fantasy, averaging 21.5 points over the first two weeks. So, really, this isn't sort of any big stand—Maye was a component of my draft strategy for QB this season—this is precisely what we hoped for.

However, it is worth writing a few words here about the Patriots' signal caller because he is averaging 258.5 yards (9th) and 1.5 TDs (10th) passing while adding another 21 yards (15th) and 0.5 TDs on the ground. When you can't find an elite dual-threat QB, this is exactly the type of archetype we want to attack. Maye is providing us with 2.4 points per game out of the gate with his legs, which ends up being more valuable than many think.

The cool part about this is how the Patriots are using him more on designed run plays this season. He ranks eighth in the NFL at the position, accounting for 11% of New England's designed runs.

The Steelers have been shredded via the ground and air game through two games. Pittsburgh has sanctioned a 70-yard passing boost and a 29-yard rushing boost. Maye will have a chance to take advantage of both of those avenues with his unique skillset this weekend.

Maye UPGRADES to top-10 status and offers the No. 8 Xfinity Best (ceiling) projection at 30.2 points in our Week 3 model.

QB Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

• Daniel Jones | Colts: Jones is the No. 2 fantasy QB after two weeks, averaging 26.2 points. On one hand, there is no way he keeps up this pace. On the other hand, Jones is surrounded by the best supporting cast of his life, operating in a system that caters perfectly to his skillset. Jones is a dual-threat with outs via the air and on the ground. Week 1's SICKO HERO is averaging 6.9 fantasy points on the ground, thanks to three scores. However, last week showed he can also do it through the air, lighting up the Broncos' vaunted defense for 316 yards and a TD. He threw for 272 in Week 1. Jones is my QB8 this weekend and carries the No. 5 Xfinity Best (ceiling) in our projection model at 32.4 points.
   
• Caleb Williams | Bears: In a year where half the QBs are besting the three-year average of 215 passing yards per game, Williams has yet to find his bearings. Through two games, he has averaged 209.5 yards with 1.5 TDs. However, he has been a menace on the ground, gobbling up 85 yards and a score. This weekend, he plays a Cowboys' defense that gave up 450 yards to Russell Wilson and the Giants. Dallas offers the second-highest opponent-adjusted advantage to opposing signal callers at 6.1 points—this could be an absolute shootout. Williams moves up to QB10. He carries the No. 9 Xfinity Best projection (30) in our model for Week 3.
   
• Dak Prescott | Cowboys: I like Prescott this weekend—he is my QB11 thanks to a matchup against the worst QB defense so far in the Bears. Chicago has blessed opposing passers with a 7.4-point boost per game. Last weekend, Jared Goff ripped them with five TD passes. Our other rankers LOVE Prescott this weekend and have him as the QB4. That is a tad rich for me on a player averaging 15 points per game in an offense very willing to run from in close. Almost 100% of Prescott's upside is tied to his passing upside in a game without a high total, but the matchup is certainly there for the taking. That is the weirdest upgrade I have ever written, but yeah, it is still an UPGRADE to QB10 for Dak. Prescott carries the No. 18 Xfinity Best projection (26.1).

Jordan Mason climbs inside the top 18 RBs with Aaron Jones out in Week 3

With Aaron Jones placed on IR due to a hamstring injury, the Vikings' No. 1 back to this point—Jordan Mason—will assume an even larger role. The free-agent acquisition handled 58% of the snaps and 60% of the rushing attempts over the first two games.

With Jones out, we could see an expanded role in the passing attack for Mason, who has a target share of 8% to this point. Mason has averaged 12 rushes and 1.5 targets. If he takes over as the primary passing-down back, we could see north of 15 attempts and three targets. A 20- to 25-touch game is within reach.

The Vikings don't have an easy matchup against a Bengals defense holding opponents 32 yards below their average rushing yards for the season. Minnesota is also dealing with several key injuries along its revamped offensive line.

• Left Tackle: Christian Darrisaw (still working back from ACL/MCL)
• Swing Tackle: Justin Skule (Darrisaw's primary backup—left Week 2 with a concussion)
• Center: Ryan Kelly (Concussion)

J.J. McCarthy is also out with a high-ankle sprain. Carson Wentz will start. While that doesn't sound very good, let's be honest—McCarthy has not been good for seven of eight quarters. McCarthy is the first QB to force Kevin O'Connell from his pass-centric offense. The young QB could still have a bright future, but O'Connell obviously changed the offense to protect him early. There is a chance we see something closer to the old Vikings offense with Wentz under center.

It could be tough sledding for Mason given the circumstances, but he is deserving of an upgrade based on the chance for 20-plus touches alone—Mason UPGRADES to mid-range RB2 territory and carries the No. 11 Xfinity Best projection at 30.1 points.

RB Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News  

• Javonte Williams | Cowboys: Williams is the RB3 in fantasy football, averaging 22.7 points. The Cowboys are a high-scoring offense with a defense that can't stop anyone. In addition to that, they love to pound the rock in the red zone. They ran the ball 48% of the time in the red zone in 2024 and have opted for the run 60% of the time in 2025. The Bears have supplied the No. 1 boost to opposing RBs in 2025 at 8.8 points per game. When you add all of that up, you get a recipe for a SMASH PLAY—Williams is my RB14.
   
• Rhamondre Stevenson | Patriots: Sigh. Eye Roll. Gag reflex. Okay, now that I have gotten over the fact that this isn't the name TreVeyon Henderson, we have to acknowledge Stevenson's current standing in the Patriots pecking order. Stevenson has accounted for 66% of the snaps, 47% of the rushing attempts, and owns the role inside the five-yard line along with the two-minute offense (73%). While I believe Henderson eventually whittles away at this, heading into Week 3, Stevenson is in a nice spot against a Steelers defense that has surprisingly been destroyed on the ground by the Jets and the Seahawks. The Steelers have boosted opposing rushing attacks by 7.4 points per contest—the third-most in the NFL. Stevenson UPGRADES to high-end RB3 territory.
   
• Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Commanders: With Austin Ekeler (Achilles) out for the season, Bill is in line for a larger workload. While we could also see more of Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt is the best bet to see 50%-plus of the work. I am taking it slow with Bill, but he moves into the mid-range RB3 conversation in Week 3. 
   
• Quinshon Judkins | Browns: Judkins led the Browns in rushing attempts (48%) with almost zero prep. That seems pretty telling. While we can be terrible at reading signals on these things, the Round 2 NFL Draft pick should continue to expand his role, which should eventually result in the primary early-down workhorse. Will that happen this weekend? We don't know, but I expect a steady upward trend, and there is a chance it all happens in Week 3. Having said all of that, the Browns are 8.5-point dogs against the Packers, who have been the most formidable defense against RBs, holding opponents 13.5 points below their average. Judkins is a mid-range RB3.
   
• Cam Skattebo | Giants: Skattebo took over the lead RB responsibilities with a 51% snap share and 55% rush share against Dallas in Week 2. Tyrone Tracy remained involved with a 42% snap share but is also handling special team duties as the primary kick returner (in a game that had a lot of them). It's hard to decipher whether this is the beginning of a trend or a hot-hand sort of approach. The Chiefs aren't an easy matchup on the ground, which makes this scenario even more murky. Still, Skattebo gets an upgrade given his growing role—he is a low-end RB3 option in Week 3.

Jauan Jennings is a WR3 with WR2 upside against the Cardinals.

Jennings battled through a shoulder injury to lead the 49ers with a 25% target share in Week 2 against the Saints. He finished the day with 19.9 fantasy points.

Through two games, he has a 22% targets per route run rate (TPRR) versus 16% for Ricky Pearsall. Given Jennings' climb to WR2 status last season after the loss of Brandon Aiyuk, plus the first two games of the season, it seems fair for us to call him the No. 1 WR in San Francisco until proven otherwise.

The 49ers might not have Brock Purdy (toe) again against the Cardinals, but Mac Jones played well in fantasy terms last weekend. He threw for 279 yards with three TDs and zero INTs.

Jennings is my WR29 this weekend.

WR Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

• Rome Odunze | Bears: Odunze was a headliner in this column last week. He leads the Bears in target share by a large margin. His 27% is 10 percentage points ahead of the next closest option in DJ Moore. The Cowboys have licensed a 12.8-point fantasy boost to opposing passing games. The Bears carry the fifth-highest team total (25) on the slate. Wheels up, this should be another big game for Odunze—he is my WR16.
   
• Deebo Samuel | Commanders: Samuel was a headliner in this column in Week 1. His unique role and the loss of Austin Ekeler provide him with a ton of outs. He is the No. 16 WR in my projections, but carries the No. 5 Xfinity Best projection at 29.5 points.
   
• Jameson Williams | Lions: Jamo hit his patented big play last year, but we still haven't seen a game with him as a focal point of the offense. Against a Ravens defense allowing the fifth-largest boost through the air (8.1 per game) in a game with the highest total (52.8), Williams offers one of the highest ceilings on the slate. His median projection is 10.8 (26th), but his Xfinity Best is 25.8 (13th). Williams should be in all lineups this weekend. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
   
• DK Metcalf | Steelers: So far, the move to the Steelers hasn't unlocked a new level for Metcalf. He leads the team with a respectable 22% target share, but that is WR2 to WR3 territory, especially on a team that runs 56.5 plays per game (25th). That combination has led to 6.5 targets per contest. Still, the Steelers are passing the ball 65% of the time with the influence of Aaron Rodgers taking hold—their dropback rate over expected (DBOE) is -1%, but that is progress versus historical Arthur Smith offenses. This weekend, Metcalf faces a Patriots secondary hemorrhaging 11.8 points over expected versus passing attacks. Metcalf UPGRADES from WR3 status to low-end WR2 territory.
   
• George Pickens | Cowboys: Pickens is averaging a league-leading 2.5 endzone targets per game. So far, he has only come down with one of those, but he is due for a multi-TD game given the intent behind his early-season Utilization. The Bears' defense has been extremely pass-catcher friendly to this point, granting an 11.4-point boost in receiving fantasy points. Pickens is a high-end WR3 with WR1-boom potential.
   
• Hollywood Brown | Chiefs: Brown's Week 1 40% target share tumbled back to reality at 19% in Week 2. Still, he is the de facto No. 1 receiving weapon until Rashee Rice returns, and the Jets' defense has been surprisingly vulnerable. New York has provided opposing pass catchers with a 6.7-point boost per game through two weeks. Brown is a mid-range WR3.
   
• Cooper Kupp | Seahawks: Kupp notched a 75 Utilization Score in Week 2 with 16 fantasy points. He bogarted a 29% target share on his way to 16 fantasy points. The Seahawks carry the eighth-highest team total (25.1) against the Saints. Kupp UPGRADES to WR4 status and is FLEX-WORTHY.
   
• Troy Franklin | Broncos: Franklin was the No. 1 passing-game option for the Broncos in Week 2. He had a 90% route participation and garnered a juicy 32% target share on his way to a 90 Utilization Score. The second-year WR collected four RPO targets and aligned from the slot on 61% of his snaps. He scored on a designed play from the three-yard line. The Broncos built a game plan around their young WR, and he is the favorite to lock down the WR2 role the rest of the way. Franklin UPGRADES to mid-range WR4 territory and offers WR2 upside.

TE Rapid Fire: Upgrades & Pending News

• Travis Kelce | Chiefs: Kelce is a shell of his former self. Not too long ago, we would have considered his 10.1-point fantasy performance in Week 2 as a dud. While those days are gone, he still posted a 22% target share. Against a Giants secondary that provides a 6.7-point boost to pass-catching units, another 22% target share could result in more favorable results. The Chiefs offer the No. 3 team total (25.75). Maybe this is the weekend where Kelce sings, "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was." Kelce is a mid-range TE1.

Fallers In The Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings

Rapid Fire Downgrades & Pending News:

• Bo Nix | QB | Broncos: Nix is off to a rough start, averaging only 16 points per game while getting into heated exchanges with his head coach. Personally, I love the fire in this man's belly, and don't mind him keeping that arrogant head coach on his toes! Still, the Chargers have been good against the pass so far this season, holding opponents 2.3 points below their average. The Broncos also carry a below-average team total in the NFL Betting Game Model (h/t to the Wet Blanket, aka Matthew Freedman) at 20.95. Nix DOWNGRADES to QB15, but his rushing prowess always gives him a chance to surprise.
   
• Breece Hall | RB | Jets: The Jets offense exploded for 32 points in Week 1, creating a palpable sense of hope in the fantasy community (and for Jets fans like our poor CEO, Eliot Crist). Unfortunately, Week 2 unveiled the harsh reality that this offense revolves around a QB who can run incredibly hot or cold. That trickled throughout the offense as Hall's fantasy points plummeted from 16.5 in Week 1 to 5.8 in Week 2. The Jets are nine-point underdogs in Freedman's NFL Betting Game Model, which means New York could lose their greatest asset—the element of surprise—early in the game. That factor completely sank their game plan against the Bills. Hall has the receiving chops to survive a game script like this, but through two games, they have held him under 50% route participation. Let's be honest, this offense needs to turn Hall loose and quit this silly game with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Unfortunately, we aren't calling the shots, y'all, and that makes Hall a DOWNGRADE in Week 3. He is a low-end RB2.
   
• Tee Higgins | WR | Bengals: The loss of Browning might not hurt as much as some think, but there isn't a way to paint the loss of Burrow as a positive. In addition to the QB change, the Bengals face a Vikings defense that has held opposing receiving corps 7.6 points below their average. Higgins should still be in most lineups, but DOWNGRADES to high-end WR3 status in Week 3.
   
• DeVonta Smith | WR | Eagles: The Eagles offense is one of the most frustrating things to watch on the entire planet. They are LOADED with one of the best units in the NFL, but CHOOSE to run the worst scheme ever designed. How can you fail to get good looks for A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith? That is hard to do, y'all! But hat tip to Nick Sirianni, who is going to try and win another Super Bowl one tush push at a time. The Eagles rank 29th in DBOE (-8%), and Jalen Hurts leads the NFL with a 16% scramble rate. We have an offense that rarely passes, and when it does, the QB turns it into a run play. The math on that equation is 22.5 attempts per game. Smith is averaging 7.0 fantasy points per game. Not even gonna mince words here—I hope the Rams kick the piss out of the Eagles this weekend and wake up this offense. It can be soooooo much more. DeVonta FREAKING Smith should not be a DOWNGRADE to borderline WR3 status, but that is where we are at!

Note: Eagles fans, please understand that this isn't a Cowboy fan taking a shot at your team. This is a fellow fantasy player who realizes the team doesn't care about our fantasy squads, but I do. I am on your team when it comes to scoring fantasy points, which A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith are extremely capable of doing!!! Fly Eagles, Fly!!!

• Evan Engram | TE | Broncos: Engram missed part of Week 1 due to a calf injury that might have carried over into Week 2. That makes it difficult to decipher his Utilization, but it doesn't look good. His route participation in Week 2 was a lowly 56% as Sean Payton seems happy to rotate all of his skill position players. Engram shouldn't be in fantasy lineups until we see a change—he plummets to TE21 in Week 3.

Sicko Starts For Week 3

I want to throw in a few names for all my fellow fantasy managers who are in a SICKO league. If you are in a 12-team league with three starting WRs and two flexes, these are for you! Or you are in a more typical setup but need a name to help get you through injuries; these are for you!

We are looking for players with a rostership under 50% who aren't in many starting lineups.

Let's go, you sickos.

Week 1: Daniel Jones (hit), Jerome Ford (miss), Rashod Bateman (miss), Hunter Henry (hit)

Week 2: Trevor Lawrence (hit), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (miss), Kayshon Boutte (hit), Juwan Johnson (hit)

Tyrod Taylor | QB | Jets

TyGod is available everywhere.

I realize I just wrote something negative about Breece Hall in the section above. Everything I said there still applies. The Jets need to maintain a close game script to allow the element of surprise to play a significant role in their passing efficiency. Having said that, Taylor has a better chance of still thriving in a trailing scenario. This statement might wound Justin Fields' supporters, but the truth hurts—Taylor is a better passer.

Over his last eight NFL starts, where he played at least 80% of the snaps, Taylor averaged 237 yards per game. He reached 270-plus in four of the eight games. Using the same criteria, Justin Fields sits at 178 yards per game. He reached 270-plus in four of 35 tries.

Taylor has averaged four scrambles and 1.6 designed rushes per game over the last three seasons in games with at least 80% of the snaps. Expect this Jets team to use him in the run game. 

The Bucs have provided the No. 6 QB boost at 4.1 points per game so far in 2025.

Taylor comes in as a low-end QB2, but he offers the traits that unlock the BOOM in fantasy. His Xfinity Best projection comes in at 27.3 points. Not too shabby, y'all.

Tyler Allgeier | RB | Falcons

Allgeier is rostered in 35% of Yahoo leagues and starting only 4% of the time.

Through two games, Allgeier has been surprisingly active in the Falcons' run game, handling 43% of the rushing attempts and half the work inside the five-yard line.

That comes out to 13 rushing attempts per game, which could feel more like 25 against a Panthers defense giving up 20.1 points per game on the ground alone. They have propelled opposing rushing attacks to a 2.9-point-per-game boost.

Allgeier is an appealing pickup if you need help, not only due to this matchup, but also due to his massive contingent upside. If Bijan Robinson were injured (please God no) in this game, Allgeier would be an empty-the-bank pickup come next Tuesday on waiver wires.

Allgeier UPGRADES to borderline RB3 territory and is FLEX WORTHY if you need RB help. 

Wan'Dale Robinson | WR | Giants

Robinson is rostered in 47% of Yahoo leagues, but is in a starting lineup only 12% of the time.

Robinson has always been a target earner, but the downfield strikes weren't a part of his repertoire before the arrival of Russell Wilson. With Wilson, his aDOT is up to 10.7, and Robinson is averaging 19.9 points per game. 

The Giants are six-point dogs against the Chiefs and might need to sling the rock around the yard to win this one—especially given how stout the KC defense can be against the run.

These aren't your three-year-old child’s Chiefs anymore. Even subpar teams can keep things interesting versus Mahomes and company these days.

Robinson UPGRADES to low-end WR3 status and is available in almost 47% of leagues.

Cole Kmet | TE | Bears

Kmet is rostered in 2% of Yahoo leagues and is starting 0% of the time.

Okay, this is pretty, pretty, pretty sick. Acknowledged.

But I figured I would go deep this week—it is so hard to get away from all the easy names like Hunter Henry and Chig Okonkwo. Plus, some might argue that the Wan'Dale Robinson pick is more of a layup than a sicko call after a big game last week.

So let's push the limits with Cole Kmet.

1. Kmet is the starting TE for the Bears. For the season, he has a 74% route participation and reached 80% in Week 2.
2. We have seen Kmet produce boom games in the past—he is a capable player.
3. The Bears have the fifth-best team total on the slate (25).
4. The Cowboys have provided the No. 1 boost to pass catchers at +12.8 per game.
    

Still feeling a bit queasy? Yeah, me too, and that is all I have. But we went deep, y'all!!!

Kmet is still a low-end TE2 in my ranks, BUT if you are desperate and play in a completely deranged SICKO league, he is probably on the wire.

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