Fantasy Football Week 3 Running Back Rankings

The 2023-24 NFL season has begun which means fantasy football is back! Since every week is important it would be irresponsible to start a player with a rough matchup over a player with a more favorable one that is ranked or projected to perform similar to the original player. Here are fantasy football Week 3 running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to the Injured Reserve List

(Check out the section below for details on players already rumored to possibly miss this week and how their replacement options rank for the week)

Key:

Must Start- a player who is in your lineup regardless of the matchup or most circumstances. They Will likely finish near the top of the league in points that week and in most weeks.

Starting RB1- a player who makes fantasy owners comfortable starting week after week. Regardless of the matchup, this player has a high floor.

High-End RB2- a player who may not be likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 territory.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started because of their consistency and moderately high floor

Low RB2- a player who may not be a lock to start for a team every week, but will start more times than not. Their production may not be pretty or win a person their lineup but the production is consistent enough to make a fantasy owner comfortable starting them.

Flex- a player who could float around the territory of being benched, but is started due to the potential to play better than their point projection. However, this player has the potential to flop and cause a fantasy team to lose if he has a bad game.

Deep League Flex- a player who is more of a Hail Mary throw at the position. There are enough reasons to leave this player on the bench, but their upside makes them an attractive option. Desperate times may call for a player like this to be inserted into starting lineups.

Leave on the Bench- a player who should be avoided in all lineups that week. Many times this player could even be left on waivers.

Possible Changes that can occur before Sunday

RB2 Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Austin Ekeler last week’s game against the Tennessee Titans with an ankle injury. Brandon Staley told reporters that there is “no timeline” for his return from his ankle injury. If Ekeler misses Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings Joshua Kelley moves up to RB28 between Jaylen Warren and Tyler Allgeier.

RB6 Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars

Travis Etienne Jr. dealt with cramps during last week’s game against Kansas City. This shouldn’t effect his status for next week. If Etienne Jr. was to miss Week 3 against the Houston Texans Tank Bigsby would move up to RB20 between Brian Robinson Jr. and Rachaad White.

RB12 Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones missed last week’s game against the Atlanta Falcons with a hamstring injury. It is unclear at this point if Jones will return to Green Bay’s offense this week. If Jones misses Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints A.J. Dillon moves up to RB23 between Zack Moss and Jerome Ford.

RB31 Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles

Kenneth Gainwell missed last week’s game against the Minnesota Vikings with a rib injury. After more than a week off, Gainwell could return this week. If Gainwell was to miss Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers D’Andre Swift moves up to RB20 between Brian Robinson Jr. and Rachaad White.

RB42 Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints

Kendre Miller missed the past two games hamstring injury. He is expected to have an expanded role next week since Alvin Kamara is suspended for one more game and Jamaal Williams is expected to miss time with an hamstring injury. If Miller was to miss Week 3 against the Green Bay Packers Tony Jones Jr. moves up to RB28 between Jaylen Warren and Tyler Allgeier.

RB47 Salvon Ahmed, Miami Dolphins

Salvon Ahmed suffered a groin injury last week against the New England Patriots. If Ahmed misses Week 3 against the Denver Broncos Devon Achane moves up to RB52 between Tank Bigsby and Devin Singletary.

Players that are currently not expected to play

Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Saquon Barkley is expected to miss a few weeks with a sprained ankle. He hasn’t been ruled out officially. However on a short week Barkley is expected to sit out New York’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. When Barkley returns he should be inserted back into fantasy lineups.

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

David Montgomery is officially listed as day-to-day with a thigh injury. He said that he expects to need “a couple of weeks” to recover. While Montgomery is out 2023 first round pick Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds is expected to lead the Lions rushing attack.

Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints

Jamaal Williams is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury suffered last week against the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans’ backfield is now extremely thin until Alvin Kamara returns from his suspension next week.

Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams

Shockingly Cam Akers was a healthy scratch before last week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. This feels like the end of Akers’ time with the Rams as he has become the center of trade talks. Ronnie Rivers is expected to backup Kyren Williams going forward.

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