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McFarland: Week 3 Fantasy Football Rankings & Tiers

Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) carries the ball against the Dallas Cowboys in the third quarterat SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It's time to set our Week 3 fantasy football lineups and identify our favorite DFS plays and fades.

Below you'll find tiers and rankings for every position, including analysis, implied point totals, betting spreads and more.

For adjustments after the timestamp below, please see PFF's weekly rankings and projections.

Last updated: 11:45 A.m. Sept. 26
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KEY:

  • SOS: PFF's Fantasy Strength of Schedule (SoS) metric provides a league-wide, season-long view of opponent matchups for each fantasy position.
  • OL Pass-Block Advantage (OL PBA): offensive-line pass blocking matchup; derived from the OL/DL Matchup tool (pass blocking advantage — the higher the number, the better the matchup for the offensive line, and vice versa).
  • OL Run-Block Advantage (OL RBA): offensive-line pass blocking matchup; derived from the OL/DL Matchup tool (run blocking advantage – the higher the number, the better the matchup for the offensive line, and vice versa).
  • WR/CB Matchup Advantage (WR MU): wide receiver versus cornerback matchup; derived from the WR/CB Matchup tool (matchup advantage grade – the higher the grade, the better the matchup for the receiver, and vice versa).
  • TE Matchup Advantage (TE MU): tight end versus linebackers and safeties; derived from the TE Matchup tool (matchup advantage — the higher the number, the better the matchup for the tight end, and vice versa.
  • Projections: from PFF projections tool.
  • Injuries: Q = Questionable; D = Doubtful (typically removed from ranks on Saturday); GTD = game time decision

JUMP TO A POSITION RANKING:

QB | RB | WR | TE


QUARTERBACKS

Tier Rank Player Opponent Total Spread Implied Points QB SOS OL PBA PPR Injury
1 QB1 Kyler Murray @JAX 51.5 -7.5 29.50 6.8 22 22.5
1 QB2 Lamar Jackson @DET 50.5 -7.5 29.00 10.0 -3 26.8 Q
1 QB3 Patrick Mahomes LAC 54.5 -7.0 30.75 5.7 2 24.5
2 QB4 Russell Wilson @MIN 55.0 -2.0 28.50 1.3 22 23.0
2 QB5 Josh Allen WAS 45.5 -7.0 26.25 5.4 -30 21.8
2 QB6 Tom Brady @LA 55.5 -1.5 28.50 0.0 -33 20.9
2 QB7 Dak Prescott PHI 52.0 -3.5 27.75 3.4 -8 19.9
3 QB8 Jalen Hurts @DAL 52.0 3.5 24.25 4.4 0 18.7
3 QB9 Aaron Rodgers @SF 50.5 3.0 23.75 2.1 -7 19.7
3 QB10 Justin Herbert @KC 54.5 7.0 23.75 3.5 -10 18.1
3 QB11 Justin Fields @CLV 44.5 7.5 18.50 2.9 -25 16.7
3 QB12 Matthew Stafford TB 55.5 1.5 27.00 0.5 -19 17.4
4 QB13 Ryan Tannehill IND 48.0 -5.5 26.75 3.7 -17 19.4
4 QB14 Derek Carr MIA 44.0 -3.5 23.75 6.0 0 19.4
4 QB15 Daniel Jones ATL 47.5 -3.0 25.25 4.5 -30 19.3
4 QB16 Sam Darnold @HST 43.0 -8.0 25.50 7.1 17 18.5
4 QB17 Kirk Cousins SEA 55.0 2.0 26.50 3.8 4 18.0
5 QB18 Matt Ryan @NYG 47.5 3.0 22.25 4.7 -9 17.8
5 QB19 Teddy Bridgewater NYJ 41.5 -10.5 26.00 5.0 -2 17.1
5 QB20 Joe Burrow @PIT 43.0 3.0 20.00 2.9 -45 15.1
5 QB21 Baker Mayfield CHI 44.5 -7.5 26.00 5.9 -3 17.9
6 QB22 Jared Goff BLT 50.5 7.5 21.50 4.3 -5 15.9
6 QB23 Trevor Lawrence ARZ 51.5 7.5 22.00 3.0 -26 15.7
6 QB24 Taylor Heinicke @BUF 45.5 7.0 19.25 3.4 14 14.5
6 QB25 Davis Mills CAR 43.0 8.0 17.50 3.4 -7 16.4
6 QB26 Mac Jones NO 42.5 -3.0 22.75 1.3 -10 15.2
6 QB27 Ben Roethlisberger CIN 43.0 -3.0 23.00 2.2 10 14.5
6 QB28 Jimmy Garoppolo GB 50.5 -3.0 26.75 2.9 16 14.8
7 QB29 Jameis Winston @NE 42.5 3.0 19.75 5.3 22 13.6
7 QB30 Zach Wilson @DEN 41.5 10.5 15.50 0.6 -34 12.6
7 QB31 Carson Wentz @TEN 48.0 5.5 21.25 5.2 10 7.5 Q – GTD
7 QB32 Jacoby Brissett @LV 44.0 3.5 20.25 5.6 -20 18.0
8 QB33 Jacob Eason @TEN 48.0 5.5 21.25 5.2 10 2.9
8 QB34 Trey Lance GB 50.5 -3.0 26.75 2.9 16 2.2
8 QB35 Taysom Hill @NE 42.5 3.0 19.75 5.3 22 2.5

.
The top two quarterback tiers are stuffed with studs staring down big totals and implied points, leaving us to differentiate on QB SOS and OL PBA.

Tier 1 – Murray, Jackson and Mahomes all carry great implied points in high-total games. Jackson gets the nod over Mahomes in the tier with the No. 1 QB SOS.

Tier 2 – The only box Wilson failed to check was QB SOS, but he came up aces everywhere else, sending him to the top of Tier 2.

Tier 2 – Allen struggled versus pressure in Week 1 against the Steelers, and the Football Team will try to replicate that outcome. He has yet to live up to his ADP (QB17), but the Bills remain pass-heavy, ranking fourth-highest in neutral-game script passing. The fourth-year quarterback also remains involved on the ground, handling 20% of designed rushing attempts. His day is coming.

The Tier 3 quarterbacks have vital elements, but none paint the complete picture like the Tier 1 and 2 options.

Fields catapults into Tier 3 for one reason: his legs. In Week 2, the rookie accounted for 21% of designed rushing attempts and scrambled on 21% of his dropbacks. Think Jalen Hurts.

Tier 4 – Carr, Jones and Darnold are all outperforming their late-round ADPs.

Carr has finished as a top-12 option in seven out of his past nine games.

Jones is living on rushing yards, but he is also developing chemistry with his new weapons and draws a competitive script versus the Falcons.

Darnold likely won't be pushed (again) by the Texans minus Tyrod Taylor, but he has four legit receiving weapons and the second-best QB SOS on the slate.

Tier 7 – Carson Wentz will play today, but it isn't an advisable start with two bum ankles.

RUNNING BACKS

Tier Rank Player Opponent Total Spread Implied Points RB SOS OL RBA PPR Proj Injury
1 RB1 Christian McCaffrey @HST 43.0 -8.0 25.50 10.0 44.0 23.9
1 RB2 Alvin Kamara @NE 42.5 3.0 19.75 6.8 41.0 21.3
1 RB3 Austin Ekeler @KC 54.5 7.0 23.75 8.6 34.0 14.3
1 RB4 Derrick Henry IND 48.0 -5.5 26.75 4.3 23.0 17.2
2 RB5 Aaron Jones @SF 50.5 3.0 23.75 3.5 10.0 15.9
2 RB6 Najee Harris CIN 43.0 -3.0 23.00 5.8 34.0 17.9
2 RB7 Ezekiel Elliott PHI 52.0 -3.5 27.75 4.5 54.0 15.7
2 RB8 Nick Chubb CHI 44.5 -7.5 26.00 4.8 55.0 13.8
2 RB9 Saquon Barkley ATL 47.5 -3.0 25.25 5.6 20.0 14.8
2 RB10 Chris Carson @MIN 55.0 -2.0 28.50 5.2 13.0 16.3
3 RB11 Jonathan Taylor @TEN 48.0 5.5 21.25 6.7 28.0 16.1
3 RB12 Joe Mixon @PIT 43.0 3.0 20.00 0.0 -21.0 15.6
3 RB13 Antonio Gibson @BUF 45.5 7.0 19.25 6.1 77.0 15.7
3 RB14 Alexander Mattison SEA 55.0 2.0 26.50 2.4 -2.0 12.1
3 RB15 Trey Sermon GB 50.5 -3.0 26.75 5.9 80.0 11.0
3 RB16 David Montgomery @CLV 44.5 7.5 18.50 4.7 10.0 13.0
3 RB17 Clyde Edwards-Helaire LAC 54.5 -7.0 30.75 6.0 43.0 15.1
3 RB18 D'Andre Swift BLT 50.5 7.5 21.50 5.8 37.0 15.1 Q
3 RB19 Chase Edmonds @JAX 51.5 -7.5 29.50 7.9 29.0 12.7
3 RB20 Sony Michel TB 55.5 1.5 27.00 2.2 48.0 14.1
3 RB21 James Robinson ARZ 51.5 7.5 22.00 5.0 24.0 13.8
3 RB22 Mike Davis @NYG 47.5 3.0 22.25 6.1 12.0 14.3
3 RB23 Miles Sanders @DAL 52.0 3.5 24.25 5.0 49.0 12.4
4 RB24 Damien Harris NO 42.5 -3.0 22.75 1.2 29.0 10.8
4 RB25 Kareem Hunt CHI 44.5 -7.5 26.00 4.8 55.0 10.0
4 RB26 Ty'Son Williams @DET 50.5 -7.5 29.00 6.8 32.0 12.0
4 RB27 Kenyan Drake MIA 44.0 -3.5 23.75 4.5 -26.0 12.5
4 RB28 Melvin Gordon III NYJ 41.5 -10.5 26.00 5.6 22.0 10.8
4 RB29 Devin Singletary WAS 45.5 -7.0 26.25 2.9 12.0 12.4
4 RB30 Leonard Fournette @LA 55.5 -1.5 28.50 0.9 29.0 14.0
4 RB31 Jamaal Williams BLT 50.5 7.5 21.50 5.8 37.0 11.0
4 RB32 Myles Gaskin @LV 44.0 3.5 20.25 4.1 16.0 10.5
4 RB33 James White NO 42.5 -3.0 22.75 1.2 29.0 12.1
4 RB34 Tony Pollard PHI 52.0 -3.5 27.75 4.5 54.0 10.4
4 RB35 Javonte Williams NYJ 41.5 -10.5 26.00 5.6 22.0 11.6
4 RB36 James Conner @JAX 51.5 -7.5 29.50 7.9 29.0 9.2
4 RB37 Nyheim Hines @TEN 48.0 5.5 21.25 6.7 28.0 8.0
4 RB38 Cordarrelle Patterson @NYG 47.5 3.0 22.25 6.1 12.0 9.8
5 RB39 J.D. McKissic @BUF 45.5 7.0 19.25 6.1 77.0 6.1
5 RB40 Dalvin Cook SEA 55.0 2.0 26.50 2.4 -2.0 5.3 Q-GTD
5 RB41 David Johnson CAR 43.0 8.0 17.50 6.1 0.0 8.5
5 RB42 Michael Carter @DEN 41.5 10.5 15.50 3.0 24.0 10.0
5 RB43 Peyton Barber MIA 44.0 -3.5 23.75 4.5 -26.0 8.3
5 RB44 Mark Ingram II CAR 43.0 8.0 17.50 6.1 0.0 9.6
5 RB45 Latavius Murray @DET 50.5 -7.5 29.00 6.8 32.0 7.2
5 RB46 Kenneth Gainwell @DAL 52.0 3.5 24.25 5.0 49.0 7.8
5 RB47 Zack Moss WAS 45.5 -7.0 26.25 2.9 12.0 6.8
5 RB48 Ronald Jones @LA 55.5 -1.5 28.50 0.9 29.0 6.0
6 RB49 A.J. Dillon @SF 50.5 3.0 23.75 3.5 10.0 6.7
6 RB50 Damien Williams @CLV 44.5 7.5 18.50 4.7 10.0 5.4
6 RB51 Ty Johnson @DEN 41.5 10.5 15.50 3.0 24.0 6.9
6 RB52 Tony Jones Jr. @NE 42.5 3.0 19.75 6.8 41.0 5.6
6 RB53 Carlos Hyde ARZ 51.5 7.5 22.00 5.0 24.0 5.4
6 RB54 Phillip Lindsay CAR 43.0 8.0 17.50 6.1 0.0 4.4
6 RB55 Giovani Bernard @LA 55.5 -1.5 28.50 0.9 29.0 3.6
6 RB56 Salvon Ahmed @LV 44.0 3.5 20.25 4.1 16.0 4.9
6 RB57 Darrel Williams LAC 54.5 -7.0 30.75 6.0 43.0 3.9
7 RB58 Justin Jackson @KC 54.5 7.0 23.75 8.6 34.0 3.5
7 RB59 Chuba Hubbard @HST 43.0 -8.0 25.50 10.0 44.0 4.9
7 RB60 Jake Funk TB 55.5 1.5 27.00 2.2 48.0 5.3
7 RB61 Marlon Mack @TEN 48.0 5.5 21.25 6.7 28.0 3.5
7 RB62 Devontae Booker ATL 47.5 -3.0 25.25 5.6 20.0 4.0
7 RB63 Jeremy McNichols IND 48.0 -5.5 26.75 4.3 23.0 4.9
7 RB64 Larry Rountree III @KC 54.5 7.0 23.75 8.6 34.0 3.6
7 RB65 Samaje Perine @PIT 43.0 3.0 20.00 0.0 -21.0 2.9
7 RB66 Devonta Freeman @DET 50.5 -7.5 29.00 6.8 32.0 2.9
7 RB67 Malcolm Brown @LV 44.0 3.5 20.25 4.1 16.0 2.9
8 RB68 J.J. Taylor NO 42.5 -3.0 22.75 1.2 29.0 1.5
8 RB69 Chris Evans @PIT 43.0 3.0 20.00 0.0 -21.0 1.8
8 RB70 Kylin Hill @SF 50.5 3.0 23.75 3.5 10.0 1.2

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