I hope you’ve been enjoying these weekly rankings so far, and we’ve made a small improvement. I’ve been listening, and this week, I expanded to the top 36 players to dive a little bit deeper. The rankings below are based on statistical analysis, matchup data, sportsbook data, and film. That said, let’s look at the FTR week three wide receiver and running back rankings & tiers.
Also, if you have any sit/start questions or want team advice, click that same link and shoot me a message!
Week 3 Wide Receiver Rankings (2024 Fantasy Football)
Tier 1
1. Amon-Ra St. Brown @ ARI
2. CeeDee Lamb vs BAL
3. Justin Jefferson vs HOU
Tier 2
4. Ja'Marr Chase vs WAS
5. Nico Collins @ MIN
6. Tyreek Hill @ SEA
Tier 3
7. Rashee Rice @ ATL
8. Garrett Wilson vs NE
9. Marvin Harrison Jr vs DET
10. Drake London vs KC
11. Mike Evans vs DEN
Tier 4
12. Chris Godwin vs DEN
13. DeVonta Smith @ NO
14. Chris Olave vs PHI
15. Davante Adams vs CAR
Tier 5
16. Brandon Aiyuk @ LAR
17. DJ Moore @ IND
18. Malik Nabers @ CLE
19. Jaylen Waddle @ SEA
20. Zay Flowers @ DAL
Tier 6
21. Jaxon Smith-Njigba vs MIA
22. Michael Pittman Jr vs CHI
23. DK Metcalf vs MIA
24. Tank Dell @ MIN
25. Stefon Diggs @ MIN
26. Amari Cooper vs NYG
Tier 7
27. Calvin Ridley vs GB
28. George Pickens vs LAC
29. Jameson Williams @ ARI
30. Brian Thomas Jr @ BUF
31. Jayden Reed @ TEN
32. Ladd McConkey @ PIT
33. Xavier Worthy @ ATL
Tier 8
34. Terry McLaurin @ CIN
35. Christian Kirk @ BUF
36. Keon Coleman vs JAC
Must Start: Wide Receiver
Jaylen Waddle @ SEA
ESPN Projection - WR38
The FTR start of the week must be a player that I’m super high on yet but who isn’t ranked in the top 24 according to ESPN’s projections. Yes, I understand Tua Tagovailoa is injured, but WR38 is a crazy low ranking for Jaylen Waddle. Even though the splits haven’t been in Waddle’s favor, he’s still an elite talent that can dominate any given week.
While the situation seems awful for Waddle, his matchup is actually amazing. We’re going to take a look at Fantasy Point’s WR Coverage Matchup, which breaks down the opponent’s scheme and how well these wide receivers typically perform. For week three, Waddle is 4th in expected fantasy points per route run (0.61) and has a +9.3% coverage grade. If Skylar Thompson can be half-decent, Waddle should explode.
Week 3 Running Back Rankings (2024 Fantasy Football)
Tier 1
1. Saquon Barkley @ NO
2. Bijan Robinson vs KC
3. Breece Hall vs NE
Tier 2
4. De'Von Achane @ SEA
5. Jahmyr Gibbs @ ARI
Tier 3
6. Jonathan Taylor vs CHI
7. Kyren Williams vs SF
8. Jordan Mason @ LAR
9. James Cook vs JAC
10. Alvin Kamara vs PHI
Tier 4
11. Derrick Henry @ DAL
12. Travis Etienne @ BUF
13. James Conner vs DET
Tier 5
14. Joe Mixon @ MIN
15. Josh Jacobs @ TEN
16. Rachaad White vs DEN
Tier 6
17. Rhamondre Stevenson @ NYJ
18. Aaron Jones vs HOU
19. Tony Pollard vs GB
20. J.K. Dobbins @ PIT
21. Brian Robinson @ CIN
Tier 7
22. David Montgomery @ ARI
23. Zach Charbonnet vs MIA
Tier 8
24. Jerome Ford vs NYG
25. Zack Moss vs WAS
26. Zamir White vs CAR
Tier 9
27. Najee Harris vs LAC
28. Devin Singletary @ CLE
29. Javonte Williams @ TB
Tier 10
30. D'Andre Swift @ IND
31. Samaje Perine @ ATL
32. Ezekiel Elliott vs BAL
33. Chuba Hubbard @ LV
34. Tyjae Spears vs GB
35. Austin Ekeler @ CIN
36. Rico Dowdle vs BAL
Must Start: Running Back
J.K. Dobbins @ PIT
ESPN Projection - RB26
Now that we’ve already gone over the ground rules, let’s dive right into the action. As long as J.K. Dobbins is healthy, he’s going to be a top 24 back in the FTR rankings. Dobbins is currently projected as the RB26 on ESPN but I have him much higher in what should be another good game.
Even though the Steelers defense has been very solid, they’ve actually given up the 7th most PPG to running backs this year (34.2). Typically, I don’t love targeting players in low-scoring games, but with an over/under of 35.5 points (per Vegas Insider), it tells me this will be a ground-and-pound game. Although they’ve been trying to conserve him so far, this may be a game where Dobbins has to see an increased number of touches. If he gets that role, he should crush in fantasy football.