NFL: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Sep 14, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III (9) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half against the Denver Broncos at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Week 3 will force fantasy football managers to make several tough lineup decisions and sift through a new set of rankings, especially with injuries affecting prominent quarterbacks. Some of the NFL‘s best players also face defenses that have started the season well. Others land in matchups that could raise their yardage and touchdown ceilings.
The Week 3 rankings can be found at the bottom of the article below. Here’s what affected those ranking decisions and my early look at the matchups.
h/t to Team Rankings for providing matchup and stat data.
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Fantasy football Week 3 outlook
Week 3 fantasy football rankings: Josh Allen, Kenneth Walker III on top
John Jones-Imagn Images
The New York Jets have allowed the fewest total yards and the second-fewest passing yards per game. That creates difficult matchups for Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta.
Seattle has been even better against the pass, allowing 124.5 yards per game. That matchup already made Jayden Daniels a difficult player to rank before he dislocated his left elbow Sunday.
Indianapolis sits at the other end of the defensive rankings. The Colts have allowed an NFL-high 514.5 total yards and 337.5 passing yards per game. Houston’s offensive players receive one of the week’s best matchups.
Injuries will remain important throughout the week. Saquon Barkley will undergo an MRI after suffering a stinger, while Mike Evans, David Njoku and Jadarian Price also left their Week 2 games.
MORE: Jayden Daniels should blame coaching decision for compounding impact of Commanders miscues
Week 3 quarterback outlook
Week 3 fantasy football rankings: Josh Allen, Kenneth Walker III on top
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Josh Allen sits at QB1 against a Chargers defense allowing 262.5 passing yards per game. His rushing production gives him the best combination of floor and ceiling at the position.
Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts follow, while Justin Herbert ranks QB4 against Buffalo. The Bills have allowed 273 passing yards per game, giving Herbert one of the strongest matchups among the top quarterbacks.
Patrick Mahomes II checks in at QB8 against Miami. Trevor Lawrence is QB9 against a New England defense that has allowed only 166 passing yards and eight points per game.
Goff remains a starting option at QB11, but the Jets limit his ceiling. Daniels is QB14 against Seattle, though his elbow injury could remove him from the rankings entirely.
Week 3 running back outlook
Week 3 fantasy football rankings: Josh Allen, Kenneth Walker III on top
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Kenneth Walker III leads the running backs against Miami. The Dolphins have allowed 112.5 rushing yards per game this season after giving up 132.4 per game in 2025.
Christian McCaffrey ranks second against Arizona, followed by Gibbs in the difficult matchup with New York. Derrick Henry is RB4 against a Dallas defense allowing 173.5 rushing yards per game.
Breece Hall ranks ninth against Detroit, which has surrendered 147 rushing yards per game. Jonathan Taylor remains inside the top 10 despite facing a Houston defense allowing only 85.5 rushing yards.
Barkley sits at RB7 after returning from his stinger against Tennessee. His MRI results and practice participation will determine whether he stays there. Price is RB20 after X-rays of his chest injury came back negative.
Week 3 wide receiver outlook
Week 3 fantasy football rankings: Josh Allen, Kenneth Walker III on top
Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Jaxon Smith-Njigba holds WR1 against Washington, followed by Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Chase faces a difficult Pittsburgh defense, but his talent and target volume keep him among the elite options.
Malik Nabers ranks fourth against Tennessee. Garrett Wilson follows at WR5 against a Detroit defense allowing 310.5 passing yards per game.
Amon-Ra St. Brown is WR6 against the Jets. His role keeps him in the top tier, but New York has allowed only 131.5 passing yards per game.
Chris Olave ranks seventh against Las Vegas, while Ladd McConkey is WR15 against Buffalo’s struggling pass defense. Evans remains WR13 after leaving Week 2 with a hip injury. Kyle Shanahan said the injury didn’t appear serious, but Evans’ practice status still needs monitoring.
Week 3 tight end outlook
Week 3 fantasy football rankings: Josh Allen, Kenneth Walker III on top
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Tucker Kraft ranks as TE1 against Atlanta. The Falcons have allowed 239 passing yards and 27 points per game, creating a strong scoring opportunity for Green Bay.
Dalton Kincaid is TE2 against the Chargers, followed by Trey McBride against San Francisco. McBride’s target volume keeps him near the top despite the difficult matchup.
LaPorta ranks sixth against the Jets. Dalton Schultz sits directly behind him at TE7 against an Indianapolis defense that has allowed the most passing yards in the league.
Njoku is TE17 against Buffalo, but his knee injury could change his availability. Dallas Goedert is not ranked after leaving Philadelphia’s win over Tennessee with a knee injury.
Week 3 kicker outlook
Brandon Aubrey remains K1 against Baltimore, followed by Eddy Pineiro against Arizona.
Jason Myers ranks third against a Washington defense allowing 30.5 points per game. Ka’imi Fairbairn is K4 against Indianapolis, which has surrendered an NFL-high 37 points per game.
Evan McPherson rounds out the top five against Pittsburgh. Cameron Dicker is K7 against Buffalo, while Harrison Butker ranks ninth against Miami.
Week 3 DST outlook
Kansas City leads the DST rankings against a Miami offense averaging 13 points per game. Houston ranks second despite facing an Indianapolis offense averaging 26.5 points.
Green Bay is DST3 against Atlanta, which has scored only eight points per game. Seattle, the Rams and San Francisco follow.
Carolina ranks seventh against a Cleveland offense averaging 16.5 points. Philadelphia is DST8 against Chicago, while Tampa Bay and New England complete the top 10.
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Week 3 QB fantasy football rankings
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Rank Player Pos Team Opponent
1 Josh Allen QB BUF vs. LAC
2 Lamar Jackson QB BAL @ DAL
3 Jalen Hurts QB PHI @ CHI
4 Justin Herbert QB LAC @ BUF
5 Drake Maye QB NE @ JAC
6 Brock Purdy QB SF vs. ARI
7 Joe Burrow QB CIN @ PIT
8 Patrick Mahomes II QB KC @ MIA
9 Trevor Lawrence QB JAC vs. NE
10 Dak Prescott QB DAL vs. BAL
11 Jared Goff QB DET vs. NYJ
12 Jordan Love QB GB vs. ATL
13 Tyler Shough QB NO vs. LV
14 Jayden Daniels QB WAS vs. SEA
15 Jaxson Dart QB NYG vs. TEN
16 Matthew Stafford QB LAR @ DEN
17 Bo Nix QB DEN vs. LAR
18 Malik Willis QB MIA vs. KC
19 Kirk Cousins QB LV @ NO
20 Geno Smith QB NYJ @ DET
21 Baker Mayfield QB TB vs. MIN
22 Jacoby Brissett QB ARI @ SF
23 Carson Wentz QB MIN @ TB
24 Aaron Rodgers QB PIT vs. CIN
25 Bryce Young QB CAR @ CLE
26 C.J. Stroud QB HOU @ IND
27 Daniel Jones QB IND vs. HOU
28 Drew Lock QB SEA @ WAS
29 Deshaun Watson QB CLE vs. CAR
30 Cam Ward QB TEN @ NYG
31 Cooper Rush QB ATL @ GB
Week 3 RB fantasy football rankings
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Rank Player Pos Team Opponent
1 Kenneth Walker III RB KC @ MIA
2 Christian McCaffrey RB SF vs. ARI
3 Jahmyr Gibbs RB DET vs. NYJ
4 Derrick Henry RB BAL @ DAL
5 Bijan Robinson RB ATL @ GB
6 Ashton Jeanty RB LV @ NO
7 Saquon Barkley RB PHI @ CHI
8 Jonathan Taylor RB IND vs. HOU
9 Breece Hall RB NYJ @ DET
10 Javonte Williams RB DAL vs. BAL
11 James Cook III RB BUF vs. LAC
12 Omarion Hampton RB LAC @ BUF
13 Chase Brown RB CIN @ PIT
14 David Montgomery RB HOU @ IND
15 D’Andre Swift RB CHI vs. PHI
16 Cam Skattebo RB NYG vs. TEN
17 Kyren Williams RB LAR @ DEN
18 De’Von Achane RB MIA vs. KC
19 Bucky Irving RB TB vs. MIN
20 Jadarian Price RB SEA @ WAS
21 Jeremiyah Love RB ARI @ SF
22 Jaylen Warren RB PIT vs. CIN
23 Bhayshul Tuten RB JAC vs. NE
24 Chuba Hubbard RB CAR @ CLE
25 Aaron Jones Sr. RB MIN @ TB
26 Travis Etienne Jr. RB NO vs. LV
27 Quinshon Judkins RB CLE vs. CAR
28 MarShawn Lloyd RB GB vs. ATL
29 Rhamondre Stevenson RB NE @ JAC
30 J.K. Dobbins RB DEN vs. LAR
31 TreVeyon Henderson RB NE @ JAC
32 Kaelon Black RB SF vs. ARI
33 Blake Corum RB LAR @ DEN
34 Jacory Croskey-Merritt RB WAS vs. SEA
35 Kyle Monangai RB CHI vs. PHI
36 Jonathon Brooks RB CAR @ CLE
37 Tony Pollard RB TEN @ NYG
38 Braelon Allen RB NYJ @ DET
39 Kenny Gainwell RB TB vs. MIN
40 George Holani RB SEA @ WAS
41 Emmett Johnson RB KC @ MIA
42 Woody Marks RB HOU @ IND
43 Chris Rodriguez Jr. RB JAC vs. NE
44 Keaton Mitchell RB LAC @ BUF
45 Tyler Allgeier RB ARI @ SF
46 Mike Washington Jr. RB LV @ NO
47 Rachaad White RB WAS vs. SEA
48 Jonah Coleman RB DEN vs. LAR
49 Kaleb Johnson RB GB vs. ATL
50 Devin Singletary RB NYG vs. TEN
51 Tank Bigsby RB PHI @ CHI
52 Chris Brooks RB GB vs. ATL
53 Tyjae Spears RB TEN @ NYG
54 Justice Hill RB BAL @ DAL
55 Samaje Perine RB CIN @ PIT
56 Raheim Sanders RB CLE vs. CAR
57 Brian Robinson Jr. RB ATL @ GB
58 Kimani Vidal RB LAC @ BUF
59 Emanuel Wilson RB SEA @ WAS
60 Najee Harris RB NYG vs. TEN
61 Tyrone Tracy Jr. RB NYG vs. TEN
62 RJ Harvey RB DEN vs. LAR
63 Ray Davis RB BUF vs. LAC
Week 3 WR fantasy football rankings
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Rank Player Pos Team Opponent
1 Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR SEA @ WAS
2 Justin Jefferson WR MIN @ TB
3 Ja’Marr Chase WR CIN @ PIT
4 Malik Nabers WR NYG vs. TEN
5 Garrett Wilson WR NYJ @ DET
6 Amon-Ra St. Brown WR DET vs. NYJ
7 Chris Olave WR NO vs. LV
8 Puka Nacua WR LAR @ DEN
9 CeeDee Lamb WR DAL vs. BAL
10 George Pickens WR DAL vs. BAL
11 Zay Flowers WR BAL @ DAL
12 DeVonta Smith WR PHI @ CHI
13 Mike Evans WR SF vs. ARI
14 Drake London WR ATL @ GB
15 Ladd McConkey WR LAC @ BUF
16 Rashee Rice WR KC @ MIA
17 Parker Washington WR JAC vs. NE
18 Davante Adams WR LAR @ DEN
19 Christian Watson WR GB vs. ATL
20 Emeka Egbuka WR TB vs. MIN
21 DK Metcalf WR PIT vs. CIN
22 Tee Higgins WR CIN @ PIT
23 Tetairoa McMillan WR CAR @ CLE
24 Jalen Coker WR CAR @ CLE
25 Jaylen Waddle WR DEN vs. LAR
26 Deebo Samuel Sr. WR SF vs. ARI
27 Matthew Golden WR GB vs. ATL
28 Jameson Williams WR DET vs. NYJ
29 Chris Godwin Jr. WR TB vs. MIN
30 Terry McLaurin WR WAS vs. SEA
31 Romeo Doubs WR NE @ JAC
32 Rashod Bateman WR BAL @ DAL
33 Stefon Diggs WR WAS vs. SEA
34 Luther Burden III WR CHI vs. PHI
35 Quentin Johnston WR LAC @ BUF
36 Rome Odunze WR CHI vs. PHI
37 Dontayvion Wicks WR PHI @ CHI
38 Michael Wilson WR ARI @ SF
39 Courtland Sutton WR DEN vs. LAR
40 Adonai Mitchell WR NYJ @ DET
41 Jakobi Meyers WR JAC vs. NE
42 Marvin Harrison Jr. WR ARI @ SF
43 Kayshon Boutte WR HOU @ IND
44 Carnell Tate WR TEN @ NYG
45 Caleb Douglas WR MIA vs. KC
46 Denzel Boston WR CLE vs. CAR
47 Jordan Addison WR MIN @ TB
48 Devaughn Vele WR NO vs. LV
49 Khalil Shakir WR BUF vs. LAC
50 KC Concepcion Jr. WR CLE vs. CAR
51 Josh Downs WR IND vs. HOU
52 Brian Thomas Jr. WR JAC vs. NE
53 Wan’Dale Robinson WR TEN @ NYG
54 Kalif Raymond WR CHI vs. PHI
55 Alec Pierce WR IND vs. HOU
56 Tre Tucker WR LV @ NO
57 Tre’ Harris WR LAC @ BUF
58 Antonio Williams WR WAS vs. SEA
59 Jalen Nailor WR LV @ NO
60 Rashid Shaheed WR SEA @ WAS
61 Malik Washington WR MIA vs. KC
62 Pat Bryant WR DEN vs. LAR
63 Xavier Hutchinson WR HOU @ IND
64 Keenan Allen WR IND vs. HOU
65 Kendrick Bourne WR ARI @ SF
66 Xavier Worthy WR KC @ MIA
67 Malachi Fields WR NYG vs. TEN
68 Ryan Flournoy WR DAL vs. BAL
69 Makai Lemon WR PHI @ CHI
70 Joshua Palmer WR BUF vs. LAC
71 Elijah Sarratt WR BAL @ DAL
72 Germie Bernard WR PIT vs. CIN
73 Jack Bech WR LV @ NO
74 Cooper Kupp WR SEA @ WAS
75 Chris Bell WR MIA vs. KC
76 Ted Hurst III WR TB vs. MIN
77 Darnell Mooney WR NYG vs. TEN
78 Roman Wilson WR PIT vs. CIN
79 Calvin Ridley WR TEN @ NYG
80 Jerry Jeudy WR CLE vs. CAR
81 Jaylin Noel WR HOU @ IND
82 Tyquan Thornton WR KC @ MIA
83 Keon Coleman WR BUF vs. LAC
84 Isaac TeSlaa WR DET vs. NYJ
85 Zachariah Branch WR ATL @ GB
Week 3 TE fantasy football rankings
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Rank Player Pos Team Opponent
1 Tucker Kraft TE GB vs. ATL
2 Dalton Kincaid TE BUF vs. LAC
3 Trey McBride TE ARI @ SF
4 Isaiah Likely TE NYG vs. TEN
5 Tyler Warren TE IND vs. HOU
6 Sam LaPorta TE DET vs. NYJ
7 Dalton Schultz TE HOU @ IND
8 Juwan Johnson TE NO vs. LV
9 George Kittle TE SF vs. ARI
10 Travis Kelce TE KC @ MIA
11 Colston Loveland TE CHI vs. PHI
12 Pat Freiermuth TE PIT vs. CIN
13 Michael Mayer TE LV @ NO
14 Jake Ferguson TE DAL vs. BAL
15 Hunter Henry TE NE @ JAC
16 AJ Barner TE SEA @ WAS
17 David Njoku TE LAC @ BUF
18 Harold Fannin Jr. TE CLE vs. CAR
19 Mark Andrews TE BAL @ DAL
20 Kyle Pitts Sr. TE ATL @ GB
21 Oronde Gadsden II TE LAC @ BUF
22 Mike Gesicki TE CIN @ PIT
23 Evan Engram TE DEN vs. LAR
24 Brenton Strange TE JAC vs. NE
25 T.J. Hockenson TE MIN @ TB
26 Terrance Ferguson TE LAR @ DEN
27 Cade Otton TE TB vs. MIN
28 Colby Parkinson TE LAR @ DEN
29 Greg Dulcich TE MIA vs. KC
30 Gunnar Helm TE TEN @ NYG
31 Darren Waller TE CAR @ CLE
32 Kenyon Sadiq TE NYJ @ DET
33 Darnell Washington TE PIT vs. CIN
Week 3 kicker fantasy football rankings
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Rank Player Pos Team Opponent
1 Brandon Aubrey K DAL vs. BAL
2 Eddy Pineiro K SF vs. ARI
3 Jason Myers K SEA @ WAS
4 Ka’imi Fairbairn K HOU @ IND
5 Evan McPherson K CIN @ PIT
6 Tyler Loop K BAL @ DAL
7 Cameron Dicker K LAC @ BUF
8 Chris Boswell K PIT vs. CIN
9 Harrison Butker K KC @ MIA
10 Trey Smack K GB vs. ATL
11 Jason Sanders K NYJ @ DET
12 Tyler Bass K BUF vs. LAC
13 Cam Little K JAC vs. NE
14 Jake Bates K DET vs. NYJ
15 Jake Elliott K PHI @ CHI
16 Will Reichard K MIN @ TB
17 Harrison Mevis K LAR @ DEN
18 Ryan Fitzgerald K CAR @ CLE
19 Andy Borregales K NE @ JAC
20 Joey Slye K TEN @ NYG
21 Chase McLaughlin K TB vs. MIN
22 Chad Ryland K ARI @ SF
23 Wil Lutz K DEN vs. LAR
24 Cairo Santos K CHI vs. PHI
25 Daniel Carlson K NO vs. LV
26 Nick Folk K ATL @ GB
Week 3 DST fantasy football rankings
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Rank Player Pos Team Opponent
1 Kansas City Chiefs DST KC @ MIA
2 Houston Texans DST HOU @ IND
3 Green Bay Packers DST GB vs. ATL
4 Seattle Seahawks DST SEA @ WAS
5 Los Angeles Rams DST LAR @ DEN
6 San Francisco 49ers DST SF vs. ARI
7 Carolina Panthers DST CAR @ CLE
8 Philadelphia Eagles DST PHI @ CHI
9 Tampa Bay Buccaneers DST TB vs. MIN
10 New England Patriots DST NE @ JAC
11 Minnesota Vikings DST MIN @ TB
12 Detroit Lions DST DET vs. NYJ
13 Denver Broncos DST DEN vs. LAR
14 Baltimore Ravens DST BAL @ DAL
15 Buffalo Bills DST BUF vs. LAC
16 Pittsburgh Steelers DST PIT vs. CIN
17 Cleveland Browns DST CLE vs. CAR
18 Jacksonville Jaguars DST JAC vs. NE
19 Chicago Bears DST CHI vs. PHI
20 New Orleans Saints DST NO vs. LV
21 Las Vegas Raiders DST LV @ NO
22 Cincinnati Bengals DST CIN @ PIT
23 Indianapolis Colts DST IND vs. HOU
24 Atlanta Falcons DST ATL @ GB
25 Los Angeles Chargers DST LAC @ BUF
26 Dallas Cowboys DST DAL vs. BAL
27 Tennessee Titans DST TEN @ NYG
28 Miami Dolphins DST MIA vs. KC
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