Fantasy Football Rankings Week 3: Sleepers, starts, sits, Dameon Pierce, Darnell

We’re starting to get a better sense of what the 2022 NFL season will look like for many teams. As we get into the Week 3 rankings and sleepers, it’s also time to start capitalizing on overreacting managers. The buys and sells are back, and yet another random fun ranks list. This time, inspired by your requests after I tweeted about my delicious cake from last week.

#CheckTheLink-age
Waivers | True SOS (APA — Wednesday update)
Fantasy Football 101 (starts, sits, trading, more)
Podcast — with video!

2022 Week 3 Fantasy Football Sleepers

? HEADS UP ? These are sleepers. They will not mimic my rankings 100%. This is about chasing upside and often carries more risk, but based on APA matchups, you can “go for broke” if needed.

QUARTERBACK

POSSIBLY START: Carson Wentz, WSH — As mentioned in my Week 3 waivers column, Wentz isn’t going to throw 40+ times every week, but the Commanders defense — and Wentz’s interceptions — help push the offense to throw more. It helps that defenses can’t win, attempting to stop Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and/or Curtis Samuel. Death by a thousand cuts… well, three, or four if you add the backfield, and even five with a healthy Logan Thomas.

The Commanders also host the Eagles’ unstoppable offense, pointing to a shootout… which, of course, means a 10-7 slog-fest is in store.

HAIL MARY START: Jared Goff, DET — The risk with Goff is zero rushing upside, and if he only throws 1-2 touchdowns, there normally won’t be 300-400 yards to offset that. While Aaron Rodgers didn’t do much against the Vikings in Week 1, he didn’t have much to throw to, and he’s previously struggled early in the season. Jalen Hurts tore them apart — on the ground too — completing 26 of his 31 attempts for 333 yards and a touchdown. Goff has the upside to throw three touchdowns this week.

RUNNING BACK

POSSIBLY START: Devin Singletary, BUF — The Bills backfield continues to be frustrating with its lack of consistency, but at least Singletary is consistently first in the opportunities. While the Ravens running backs didn’t do much against Miami, Lamar Jackson ate up the Dolphins, even posting 5.0 YPC on his eight rushes outside of the 79-yard house call. Additionally, Damien Harris had 48 yards on nine carries in Week 1, even though Rhamondre Stevenson didn’t have the same success. This is risky, but if the Dolphins offense can keep up, Singletary could be an RB2.

POSSIBLY START: Dameon Pierce, HOU — We knew the slipper would fall off for Rex Burkhead, just no one expected it to happen in one week. Pierce led the way, and the Bears offense can’t get out of its own way (more on them shortly). Aaron Jones just shredded the Bears for 132 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.

HAIL MARY START: Jamaal Williams, DET — We’re chasing a touchdown with Williams, as being the backup to D’Andre Swift limits Williams’ touches, seeing 12 and 13, respectively, in the first two weeks. The matchup is quite favorable, as the Vikings couldn’t stop the Eagles ground game, going 34-for-163 and two scores (both Hurts). Boston Scott looked like he was shot out of a cannon while going straight up the middle for a 16-yard run at one point, and we’re shooting for a couple of decent runs for Williams, hopefully, with one ending in a score.

WIDE RECEIVER

POSSIBLY START: Allen Robinson, LAR — Robinson rebounded, but it wasn’t a week-changer, just a nice game (5-4-53-1). Honestly, a Top 25 performance from a team’s No. 2 receiver would be a welcomed site if it happened every week. Well, the Cardinals have allowed 42.1% of their opponents’ drives to finish with a touchdown, including nine receptions of 20+ yards and seven receiving touchdowns. Cooper Kupp and ARob should have a big Week 3.

POSSIBLY START: JuJu Smith-Schuster, KC — Brandin Cooks 7-82-0, Christian Kirk 6-78-2. Those were the top wideouts against the Colts the first two weeks, and while Travis Kelce is technically the top receiving option for the Chiefs, JJSS is tied for second with Marquez Valdes-Scantling with a 15.1 TmTGT%. He also has 1.46 YPRR versus MVS’ 0.89.

HAIL MARY START: Darnell Mooney, CHI — Here we go. Mooney has fallen to Hail Mary start territory, and when your team only attempts 11 passes, you understand why. However, even with the Colts and Broncos having middling performances against the Texans, these Texans have already allowed 10 receptions of 20+ yards — most in the league. The Bears also faced the 49ers and Packers, two defenses much better than the Texans. Of course, Justin Fields will need to throw it more than 11 times. Hopefully, he doesn’t mess this up for desperate managers.

TIGHT END

POSSIBLY START: Evan Engram, JAX — Don’t look now, but Engram is eighth in Route% for tight ends with 17.6 TmTGT%. Sure, it’s turned into just 74 yards, but he’s caught all but one of his targets (his hands work!). The Chargers are a tough matchup, but the tight end position is already…