Fantasy Football Week 3 Running Back Rankings

The 2021-22 NFL season has already been extremely entertaining. It has shown fantasy trends that have started to develop and show what could happen the rest of the season. Already some players have proven to be fantasy relevant while some fantasy stars have been alarmingly disappointing to this point. Injuries have started to mount up this season. It is always a great idea to evaluate backup options so that way fantasy managers are prepared if star players miss time. Here are the Week 3 fantasy football running back rankings.

*Ratings are subject to change due to injury reports or possible move to reserve/COVID-19 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 isn’t likely to carry a lineup that week, but has the ability to have a breakout game and is teetering between RB1 and RB2 category.

Starting RB2- a player who should be started in most lineups and should reach their point projection. This player is started is 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 causes 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 Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Dalvin Cook sprained his ankle last week against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite this injury, the Vikings decided to play Cook as much as he can to try to win that game. Mike Zimmer said that due to the importance of this game he won’t reduce Cook’s workload as long as he is active. He missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday. If Cook does not play Alexander Mattison becomes a running back to play in a great matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Mattison would be the RB19 between Elijah Mitchell and Mike Davis.

RB19 Elijah Mitchell, San Fransisco 49ers

Last week was brutal for the San Fransisco 49ers running back group. Elijah Mitchell, Trey Sermon, and JaMychal Hasty all suffered injuries against the Eagles. Mitchell suffered a shoulder stinger that allowed him to get back into the game once Sermon and Hasty left. He is considered day to day and the 49ers have faith that he should be ready to go for Sunday. If Mitchell isn’t ready, Trey Sermon figured to be the starter and would be the RB24 between Myles Gaskin and Joe Mixon. If Sermon cannot play the 49ers signed Jacques Patrick off the Bengals practice squad. Patrick would bump up to RB33 between Latavius Murray and Leonard Fournette.

RB21 Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

Rams running back Darrell Henderson has dominated the running back snaps this season despite Sony Michel being traded to the team. Last week against Indianapolis Henderson suffered a rib cartilage injury. He is not likely going to practice until Friday and may not play this weekend. Sony Michel would be the Rams starting running back if Henderson cannot play against the Buccaneers. Michel would be RB30 between Kareem Hunt and Damien Harris. Also, Jake Funk boosts up to RB56 between Giovanni Bernard and Alex Collins.

RB22 Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders

Josh Jacobs missed the Raiders game last week due to a toe and ankle issue. Jon Gruden called Jacobs “very questionable” for their game against the Miami Dolphins. If Jacobs misses a second straight game Kenyan Drake moves up to RB33 between James Robinson and Latavius Murray. Also, Peyton Barber would bump up to RB42 between James Conner and Mark Ingram.

RB55 Trey Sermon, San Fransisco 49ers

On his first NFL carry 49ers’ third-round pick Trey Sermon suffered a concussion on an awkward scary landing. He could very well miss this weekend’s game the 49ers have prepared for that by bringing in multiple veteran backs to their practice squad. San Fransisco’s practice squad features notable veterans like Kerryon Johnson and Chris Thompson. They also worked out Lamar Miller and T.J. Yeldon. After Elijah Mitchell, Trenton Cannon, and newly-signed running back Jacques Patrick are the next running backs on the depth chart. If Mitchell is active and Sermon is not Patrick would jump up to RB61 between Salvon Ahmed and Larry Rountree III.