Week 3 Risers and Fallers

by Jonathan Lange · Fantasy Football
Week 3 Rankings

After three weeks of football, our opinions formed in the summer have been pulverized by reality. We were convinced the Arizona Cardinals would struggle against playoff teams, and that Justin Fields was a trendy MVP pick. But once the pads hit, all bets are off. This is a big week for fantasy gamers looking to buy into the next big breakout star before the breakout and sell before the next disastrous performance. Now let’s get started with the big Risers from an eventful Week 3.

Week 3 Rankings Risers

Devon Achane – RB, Miami Dolphins

Look out Puka Nacua, there’s a new rookie superstar in town. Devon Achane burst on the scene Sunday to the tune of 203 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Oh, and he added two more receiving touchdowns. For the record, there has only been one rookie running back with two games of 200 yards rushing or more and that was Adrian Peterson. Achane looked quick and slippery in open space. Adding that type of talent to the chemistry between Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill seems unfair. I should have placed the entire Dolphins offense here after ringing up 70 points, but had to go with the talented rookie this time.

Keenan Allen – WR, Los Angeles Chargers

Keenan Allen is crushing it this year, and is the top target for Justin Herbert in the first quarter of the season. His most recent performance was an incredible 18 receptions for 205 yards. He also threw a picture perfect 49-yard touchdown pass to teammate Mike Williams. Allen’s 18 receptions were both a career record and a franchise record. In Week 2, he was the recipient of two touchdown passes. This new offense has yet to force the ball down the field, but the Allen-Herbert connection has never been stronger. It appears Mike Williams will miss time with a knee injury, so we should expect the connection between Allen and his QB to continue to grow over the course of the season.

Joshua Dobbs – QB, Arizona Cardinals

Over the past two weeks, this is what Joshua Dobbs has done: 417 passing yards, with a 74-percent completion percentage, two passing touchdowns, no interceptions and 96 rushing yards. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but it’s smart, productive football and he deserves a spot here after taking down the once invincible-looking Dallas defense. We saw bad teams this weekend, and while Dobbs isn’t the greatest quarterback, the Cardinals offense has been efficient with him at the helm. Eventually, Kyler Murray will be back, but this is Dobbs’ team until further notice. He is executing the game plan to perfection and playing mistake free football.

Sam LaPorta – TE, Detroit Lions

The dynasty degenerates that play fantasy football year-round will say that this rookie class had hype to it, and Sam LaPorta was one of the most hyped tight ends coming into the draft. LaPorta was selected by the Lions, but everyone knows to temper your expectations with rookie tight ends. LaPorta has proven to be the exception. He has caught five passes in all three of his starts, and he caught his first NFL touchdown on a 45-yard strike from Jared Goff. The Lions do not have a target hog outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown so there’s room for LaPorta to continue to grow his role and develop. In PPR, he’s the TE2 overall prior to the Monday Night Football games, and he’s staking his claim to be the top tight end from a talented rookie class.

Week 3 Rankings Fallers

Ryan Tannehill – QB, Tennessee Titans

Not many of us were high on Ryan Tannehill and the Titans passing attack, but did we imagine the offense would be this bad? We did see the offense look competent against the Chargers, but they just so happen to have the worst passing defense in the NFL at this point. But in Weeks 1 and 3, Tannehill combined for 302 passing yards, a 52-percent completion percentage, and three interceptions. The weapons aren’t elite, but they are serviceable with Deandre Hopkins at receiver, Chigoziem Okonkwo at tight end, and Tyjae Spears out of the backfield. Some of the blame must fall on the coaching staff, but Tannehill must perform better. If the bad play continues, the Titans owe it to themselves to start Malik Willis. I should put Derrick Henry on this list, but I’ll never fade King Henry. There’s no way that would end well.

A.J. Dillon – RB, Green Bay Packers

When Aaron Jones was hit with a hamstring injury, everyone “knew” it was time for A.J. Dillon to come and smash opposing defenses. Unfortunately, he has not performed efficiently. Through two games without Jones, Dillon has rushed 26 times for 88 yards. To add insult to injury, he played only eight more snaps than back up running back Patrick Taylor in the Week 3 matchup against the Saints. If Jones can remain healthy after his return, we may realistically see the Packers use the other reserve backs to see what they have behind Dillon. The longest play Dillon has made over the last two games was only a 14-yard rushing play.

Darren Waller – TE, New York Giants

This one hurts. I was sky high on Darren Waller coming into the season. It seemed like he was the most talented Giant pass-catcher going into the season, and that he would be a target hog. Those lofty projections can still come to fruition, but after 12 quarters, we are stuck with 12 receptions for 132 yards. Currently, he stands as the TE8 in fantasy football, pre-MNF. During training camp, the hype engine was full steam ahead and fantasy pundits kept comparing the acquisition to when the Bills traded for Stefon Diggs to help Josh Allen. Unfortunately, for the first three games of the year, the acquisition has not paid dividends.

Zach Wilson – QB, New York Jets

Okay, this was low hanging fruit, but as a journalist, I cannot avoid mentioning how bad Zach Wilson has been. The Jets’ offense has scored ten points in each of the two starts made by Wilson. Accordingly, it seems inevitable that a quarterback will emerge soon to take the starting job. Wilson has averaged 164 passing yards in his last two starts, and the frustration can be seen on faces on the Jets’ sideline.

If it wasn’t clear enough that Wilson cannot cut it as a starting quarterback, on fourth-and-10 late against the Patriots, he threw the ball one yard to a lumbering tight end instead of down the field to get the first down. Wilson is toast. He said he would make Aaron Rodgers’ life a living hell when the trade was made, a signal that Wilson would push him for playing time. Unfortunately, the only people who are in hell are watching Wilson play quarterback.

Conclusion

To recap, the fantasy rankings Risers are Devon Achane, Keenan Allen, Joshua Dobbs, and Sam LaPorta. The Fallers are Ryan Tannehill, A.J. Dillon, Darren Waller, and Zach Wilson. Looking at these lists, I have a premonition that Dobbs will be a Faller, and Waller a Riser. Perhaps I’m too stuck on Waller to succeed, but time will tell. Now go out there and blow the rest of your FAAB on Devon Achane!