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Week 3 Flex Rankings for Fantasy Football

Week 2 featured some wild games and blowup fantasy performances. Six Flex players had at least 30 points in half-PPR scoring last week. However, scoring was indeed very top-heavy when it came to Flex options. Only eight other players tallied at least 20 points, the vast majority of whom were wide receivers. Wide receivers accounted for 11 of the 14 20-plus point performances last week. Several were rookies or second-year receivers, which is a theme we have seen in recent seasons. It seems we continue to undervalue incoming wideouts every year, and a lot of them hit the ground running. Several of these young wide receivers are featured in my Week 3 Flex rankings and they should be started with confidence this week.

Running Back Notes

With several days until gameday, there are some running backs whose status for Week 3 is not yet clear. I currently have players like D’Andre Swift, Alvin Kamara, and James Conner in Flex territory, but you know the deal with these guys. If they’re playing, you’re starting them. Kamara practiced on Wednesday while Swift and Conner did not. I think Conner is the least likely of the three to suit up on Sunday. He also has the most difficult matchup among this trio. Fantasy managers should treat Swift and Kamara as RB1s if they are good to go by the weekend. Conner would probably be more of an RB2. If Conner were to miss this game, Darrel Williams and Eno Benjamin would likely team up to fill in against the Rams.

One of the feel-good stories of the first two weeks is the resurgence of James Robinson of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Well, unless you are heavily invested in Travis Etienne, I suppose. Robinson is the overall RB6 through two games, while Etienne checks in at RB36. This week, the duo will face the Los Angeles Chargers, who have allowed opposing backs to gash them at a 5.79 yards per carry clip. Robinson handled a whopping 25 touches last week, so he is the preferred option. As things currently stand, I would start Robinson as a Flex or possibly a low-end RB2. Some managers who drafted Etienne may be forced to start him depending on their roster construction. Perhaps they can hang their hats on the Chargers having allowed two receiving touchdowns to opposing backs this year. However, I do not recommend Etienne as a Week 3 Flex.

One of the players whose value has been heavily debated in recent weeks is Dameon Pierce. His draft stock soared throughout the summer, and managers were consistently drafting him in the first six rounds by the end of the preseason. Many fantasy managers were worried after Week 1 in which Pierce received just 12 opportunities compared to 22 for Rex Burkhead. However, last week we saw a stark contrast in how Houston utilized their backs. They gave Pierce 16 touches compared to just two for Burkhead. It is a frustrating position for fantasy managers to be in because the Texans have an excellent matchup this week against the Chicago Bears. Chicago is one of three teams who have allowed at least 300 yards and two touchdowns to opposing running backs this season. I ranked Pierce ahead of Burkhead, but currently have both just outside of Flex territory.

Wide Receiver Notes

Chargers star receiver Keenan Allen missed last week’s game due to a hamstring injury suffered in Week 1. Coming off a short week, there was virtually no time for Allen to heal before last Thursday’s game. Allen was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday. As is the case with Swift and Kamara, I am kind of hedging a bit with my ranking of Keenan Allen until his status for Week 3 becomes clear. If he does play, he is an obvious start against Jacksonville. Jaguars slot corner Darious Williams has earned a 41.3 grade according to Pro Football Focus so far this season. That places him 98th among 103 qualified corners.

Through two games, the Washington Commanders have two fantasy WR1s. If that isn’t strange enough, neither one of them is named Terry McLaurin. Instead, Curtis Samuel and Jahan Dotson enter Week 3 as top-12 wideouts. Samuel’s issue throughout his career has been about injuries and availability, not talent. Samuel has seen a total of 25 opportunities already this year. Based on that usage, I would start Samuel in all formats until further notice. He makes for an excellent Flex for those who are flush with wide receivers. Dotson has shown his playmaking ability with three touchdowns in his first two NFL games. However, his usage (11 total opportunities) is a bit more sporadic. I currently do not consider Dotson as a legitimate Week 3 Flex option, and I have him just outside my top 50 receivers.

McLaurin is still the Washington wideout I would prefer among the three to have going forward. But I do believe that the distance between him and the others is smaller than I had previously thought. Samuel will have a role for as long as he can remain healthy. And Dotson and Logan Thomas will continue to siphon targets away from McLaurin as well. I would not rush to sell McLaurin, but I do think he could be in for another subpar week against Darius Slay. Slay held Justin Jefferson in check in Philadelphia’s win against Minnesota on Monday night. I would still recommend starting McLaurin depending on your other options. Just temper expectations this week. Things should open up a bit for McLaurin in the coming weeks with matchups against Dallas and Tennessee on the horizon.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiving corps is in a state of flux heading into Week 3. Chris Godwin did not practice on Wednesday and will most likely sit another week. Julio Jones may be in the same boat. And of course, the NFL suspended Mike Evans after his part in the brawl on Sunday with Marshon Lattimore Aside from Evans, Russell Gage, and Breshad Perriman are the only Tampa Bay receivers to play in both games, and neither has been able to clear 50 total yards. I currently do not have any Bucs wideouts in the recommended Flex range. That may change depending on who is available come Sunday. But Tampa may just as well rely on their ground game against a Green Bay defense hemorrhaging 6.1 yards per carry to opposing backs thus far in 2022.

Tight End Notes

I have seven tight ends ranked consecutively in my Week 3 Flex rankings. I swear I did not do this on purpose, but I believe it illustrates that many tight ends outside of a chosen few are interchangeable fantasy pieces. And no, I do not consider Kyle Pitts to be among that group. Pitts’ usage and production have been bandied about as he enters Week 3 as the overall TE37 in half-PPR scoring. However, I still believe he is a must-start each week. His upside is far too high to ignore, especially given the state of the tight end position. Right now O.J. Howard and Taysom Hill are top-12 fantasy tight ends for the year. Sure, Pitts has been a disappointment so far, but his time will come sooner rather than later.

Week 3 Flex Rankings

More Week 3 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Flex Rankings

RANKPLAYERTEAMPOSOPP
1Cooper KuppLARWR1@ARI
2Justin JeffersonMINWR2DET
3Jonathan TaylorINDRB1KC
4Christian McCaffreyCARRB2NO
5Dalvin CookMINRB3DET
6Joe MixonCINRB4@NYJ
7Austin EkelerLACRB5JAC
8Derrick HenryTENRB6LV
9Saquon BarkleyNYGRB7DAL
10Davante AdamsLVWR3@TEN
11Ja’Marr ChaseCINWR4@NYJ
12Deebo SamuelSFWR5@DEN
13Stefon DiggsBUFWR6@MIA
14Leonard FournetteTBRB8GB
15Travis KelceKCTE1@IND
16Tyreek HillMIAWR7BUF
17A.J. BrownPHIWR8@WAS
18Nick ChubbCLERB9PIT
19David MontgomeryCHIRB10HOU
20Mark AndrewsBALTE2@NE
21Amon-Ra St. BrownDETWR9@MIN
22Aaron JonesGBRB11@TB
23Najee HarrisPITRB12@CLE
24Antonio GibsonWASRB13PHI
25Tee HigginsCINWR10@NYJ
26Brandin CooksHOUWR11@CHI
27Cordarrelle PattersonATLRB14@SEA
28Jaylen WaddleMIAWR12BUF
29Gabe DavisBUFWR13@MIA
30Josh JacobsLVRB15@TEN
31Michael PittmanINDWR14KC
32Mike WilliamsLACWR15JAC
33DK MetcalfSEAWR16ATL
34Javonte WilliamsDENRB16SF
35Ezekiel ElliottDALRB17@NYG
36CeeDee LambDALWR17@NYG
37Jeffery Wilson Jr.SFRB18@DEN
38Marquise BrownARIWR18LAR
39Tyler LockettSEAWR19ATL
40Christian KirkJACWR20@LAC
41D'Andre SwiftDETRB19@MIN
42Diontae JohnsonPITWR21@CLE
43Courtland SuttonDENWR22SF
44D.J. MooreCARWR23NO
45Darrell HendersonLARRB20@ARI
46James RobinsonJACRB21@LAC
47Drake LondonATLWR24@SEA
48Miles SandersPHIRB22@WAS
49Alvin KamaraNORB23@CAR
50Clyde Edwards-HelaireKCRB24@IND
51A.J. DillonGBRB25@TB
52Terry McLaurinWASWR25PHI
53Adam ThielenMINWR26DET
54Michael CarterNYJRB26CIN
55Kareem HuntCLERB27PIT
56James ConnerARIRB28LAR
57Rashaad PennySEARB29ATL
58Michael ThomasNOWR27@CAR
59Damien HarrisNERB30BAL
60Brandon AiyukSFWR28@DEN
61Curtis SamuelWASWR29PHI
62Allen Robinson IILARWR30@ARI
63Amari CooperCLEWR31PIT
64Elijah MooreNYJWR32CIN
65Jakobi MeyersNEWR33BAL
66Kyle PittsATLTE3@SEA
67Garrett WilsonNYJWR34CIN
68Tony PollardDALRB31@NYG
69Hunter RenfrowLVWR35@TEN
70Dameon PierceHOURB32@CHI
71Dallas GoedertPHITE4@WAS
72Rashod BatemanBALWR36@NE
73Darren WallerLVTE5@TEN
74Jerry JeudyDENWR37SF
75DeVonta SmithPHIWR38@WAS
76Chase EdmondsMIARB33BUF
77Rhamondre StevensonNERB34BAL
78Darnell MooneyCHIWR39HOU
79JuJu Smith-SchusterKCWR40@IND
80Marquez Valdes-ScantlingKCWR41@IND
81Tyler HigbeeLARTE6@ARI
82Russell GageTBWR42GB
83Robert WoodsTENWR43LV
84Devin SingletaryBUFRB35@MIA
85Sterling ShepardNYGWR44DAL
86Keenan AllenLACWR45JAC
87Melvin Gordon IIIDENRB36SF
88Marvin JonesJACWR46@LAC
89Chase ClaypoolPITWR47@CLE
90Jamaal WilliamsDETRB37@MIN
91Zach ErtzARITE7LAR
92T.J. HockensonDETTE8@MIN
93Julio JonesTBWR48GB
94Rex BurkheadHOURB38@CHI
95Mecole HardmanKCWR49@IND
96Raheem MostertMIARB39BUF
97Robby AndersonCARWR50NO
98Travis EtienneJACRB40@LAC
99Cam AkersLARRB41@ARI
100Corey DavisNYJWR51CIN
101Chris OlaveNOWR52@CAR
102Pat FreiermuthPITTE9@CLE
103J.K. DobbinsBALRB42@NE
104Breece HallNYJRB43CIN
105D.J. CharkDETWR53@MIN
106Gerald EverettLACTE10JAC
107Tyler BoydCINWR54@NYJ
108Treylon BurksTENWR55LV
109Nico CollinsHOUWR56@CHI
110Breshad PerrimanTBWR57GB
111Jahan DotsonWASWR58PHI
112Josh PalmerLACWR59JAC
113Allen LazardGBWR60@TB
114Dawson KnoxBUFTE11@MIA
115Jarvis LandryNOWR61@CAR
116Zay JonesJACWR62@LAC
117Nelson AgholorNEWR63BAL
118Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR64PIT
119J.D. McKissicWASRB44PHI
120K.J. OsbornMINWR65DET
121Nyheim HinesINDRB45KC
122DeVante ParkerNEWR66BAL
123A.J. GreenARIWR67LAR
124Jerick McKinnonKCRB46@IND
125Evan EngramJACTE12@LAC
126Hayden HurstCINTE13@NYJ
127Logan ThomasWASTE14PHI
128George KittleSFTE15@DEN
129David NjokuCLETE16PIT
130Irv Smith Jr.MINTE17DET
131Tyler ConklinNYJTE18CIN
132Noah BrownDALWR68@NYG
133Michael GallupDALWR69@NYG
134Sammy WatkinsGBWR70@TB
135Cole KmetCHITE19HOU
136Parris CampbellINDWR71KC
137George PickensPITWR72@CLE
138Alexander MattisonMINRB47DET
139Hunter HenryNETE20BAL
140Mark IngramNORB48@CAR
141Robert Tonyan Jr.GBTE21@TB
142Richie JamesNYGWR73DAL
143Isaiah McKenzieBUFWR74@MIA
144Noah FantSEATE22ATL
145Greg DortchARIWR75LAR
146Albert OkwuegbunamDENTE23SF
147Rondale MooreARIWR76LAR
148Josh ReynoldsDETWR77@MIN
149Mike GesickiMIATE24BUF
150Devin DuvernayBALWR78@NE
151Austin HooperTENTE25LV
152Kenneth GainwellPHIRB49@WAS
153Nick WestbrookTENWR79LV
154Olamide ZaccheausATLWR80@SEA
155Kadarius ToneyNYGWR81DAL
156Randall CobbGBWR82@TB
157Kenneth Walker IIISEARB50ATL
158Jauan JenningsSFWR83@DEN
159Romeo DoubsGBWR84@TB
160Kendrick BourneNEWR85BAL
161Eno BenjaminARIRB51LAR
162Khalil HerbertCHIRB52HOU
163Juwan JohnsonNOTE26@CAR
164Dontrell HilliardTENRB53LV
165Zack MossBUFRB54@MIA
166Darrel WilliamsARIRB55LAR
167Equanimeous St. BrownCHIWR86HOU
168Mack HollinsLVWR87@TEN
169Ben SkowronekLARWR88@ARI
170Rachaad WhiteTBRB56GB
171K.J. HamlerDENWR89SF
172David Sills VNYGWR90DAL
173Alec PierceINDWR91KC
174Ashton DulinINDWR92KC
175Van JeffersonLARWR93@ARI
176Brevin JordanHOUTE27@CHI
177Shi SmithCARWR94NO
178Christian WatsonGBWR95@TB
179Mo Alie-CoxINDTE28KC
180Scott MillerTBWR96GB
181Kenyan DrakeBALRB57@NE
182Jonnu SmithNETE29BAL
183Cedrick WilsonMIAWR97BUF
184Kyle PhilipsTENWR98LV
185Isaiah LikelyBALTE30@NE
186Chris MooreHOUWR99@CHI
187Boston ScottPHIRB58@WAS
188Cameron BrateTBTE31GB
189Quez WatkinsPHIWR100@WAS
190Brandon BoldenLVRB59@TEN
191Braxton BerriosNYJWR101CIN
192DeAndre CarterLACWR102JAC
193Travis HomerSEARB60ATL
194Dalton SchultzDALTE32@NYG
195Jordan MasonSFRB61@DEN
196Wan’Dale RobinsonNYGWR103DAL
197Harrison BryantCLETE33PIT
198Jamison CrowderBUFWR104@MIA
199Kylen GransonINDTE34KC
200Dante PettisCHIWR105HOU
201Bryan EdwardsATLWR106@SEA
202Demarcus RobinsonBALWR107@NE
203Tyler AllgeierATLRB62@SEA
204Samaje PerineCINRB63@NYJ
205Ameer AbdullahLVRB64@TEN
206Ross DwelleySFTE35@DEN
207Mike DavisBALRB65@NE
208Will DisslySEATE36ATL
209Pharaoh BrownHOUTE37@CHI
210Jake FergusonDALTE38@NYG
211Byron PringleCHIWR108HOU
212Foster MoreauLVTE39@TEN
213Isiah PachecoKCRB66@IND
214Ian ThomasCARTE40NO
215Joshua KelleyLACRB67JAC
216Kyle JuszczykSFRB68@DEN
217Dennis HoustonDALRB69@NYG
218Sony MichelLACRB70JAC
219C.J. UzomahNYJTE41CIN
220Tony Jones Jr.NORB71@CAR
221Marquise GoodwinSEAWR109ATL
222Daniel BellingerNYGTE42DAL
223Geoff SwaimTENTE43LV
224James CookBUFRB72@MIA
225KhaDarel HodgeATLWR110@SEA
226Justin WatsonKCWR111@IND
227Durham SmytheMIATE44BUF
228Matt BreidaNYGRB73DAL
229Johnny MundtMINTE45DET
230Jaylen WarrenPITRB74@CLE
231Ty JohnsonNYJRB75CIN
232David BellCLEWR112PIT
233Parker HesseATLTE46@SEA
234Cade OttonTBTE47GB
235Jaelon DardenTBWR113GB
236Ray-Ray McCloudSFWR114@DEN
237O.J. HowardHOUTE48@CHI
238Noah GrayKCTE49@IND
239Velus Jones Jr.CHIWR115HOU
240D’Onta ForemanCARRB76NO
241Laviska Shenault Jr.CARWR116NO
242Ryan GriffinCHITE50HOU
243Craig ReynoldsDETRB77@MIN
244Zamir WhiteLVRB78@TEN
245John BatesWASTE51PHI
246Kenny GolladayNYGWR117DAL
247Hassan HaskinsTENRB79LV
248Brock WrightDETTE52@MIN
249Zach PascalPHIWR118@WAS
250Kalif RaymondDETWR119@MIN
251Mike StrachanINDWR120KC
252Justice HillBALRB80@NE
253Peyton HendershotDALTE53@NYG
254Skyy MooreKCWR121@IND
255Lil’Jordan HumphreyNEWR122BAL
256Eric SaubertDENTE54SF
257Chris ConleyHOUWR123@CHI
258D’Wayne EskridgeSEAWR124ATL
259Tanner HudsonNYGTE55DAL
260Tutu AtwellLARWR125@ARI
261Joe FortsonKCTE56@IND
262Anthony FirkserATLTE57@SEA
263Tre’ McKittyLACTE58JAC
264Dan ArnoldJACTE59@LAC
265Jalen GuytonLACWR126JAC
266Chuba HubbardCARRB81NO
267Kendall HintonDENWR127SF
268Deonte HartyNOWR128@CAR
269Alec IngoldMIARB82BUF
270Zach GentryPITTE60@CLE
271Jamal AgnewJACWR129@LAC
272Trent SherfieldMIAWR130BUF
273Tyrie ClevelandDENWR131SF
274Dezmon PatmonINDWR132KC
275Damiere ByrdATLWR133@SEA
276Demetric FeltonCLEWR134PIT
277Tommy TrembleCARTE61NO
278Kyle RudolphTBTE62GB
279Keith SmithATLRB83@SEA
280Colby ParkinsonSEATE63ATL
281Anthony SchwartzCLEWR135PIT
282Marcedes LewisGBTE64@TB
283Chris MyarickNYGTE65DAL
284Jonathan WilliamsWASRB84PHI
285Patrick RicardBALRB85@NE
286Khalil ShakirBUFWR136@MIA
287Isaiah SpillerLACRB86JAC
288Avery WilliamsATLRB87@SEA
289DeeJay DallasSEARB88ATL
290Charlie WoernerSFTE66@DEN
291Tyler KroftSFTE67@DEN
292Simi FehokoDALWR137@NYG
293Tyler JohnsonHOUWR138@CHI
294Andrew BeckDENTE68SF
295Chris GodwinTBWR139GB
296Adam TrautmanNOTE69@CAR
297Marquez CallawayNOWR140@CAR
298Tommy SweeneyBUFTE70@MIA
299Jelani WoodsINDTE71KC
300Montrell WashingtonDENWR141SF
301Cam SimsWASWR142PHI
302Brandon PowellLARWR143@ARI
303D’Ernest JohnsonCLERB89PIT
304Tylan WallaceBALWR144@NE
305Jalen ReagorMINWR145DET
306Cody HollisterTENWR146LV
307Pierre StrongNERB90BAL
308Zander HorvathLACRB91JAC
309Phillip DorsettHOUWR147@CHI
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