Fantasy Football Week 3 Rankings: Top 25 RB To Start

C.J. Spiller. 16. player. 16. Another solid RB2 option is Spiller who showed off his playmaking ability last week with a kickoff return for a touchdown.  He’s still sharing time in the Bills’ backfield with Fred Jackson, but he’s in a good matchup against the Chargers and should be able to make plays again this week... Buffalo Bills. Week 3 vs Chargers

32. The deactivation of Jonathan Dwyer doesn’t have much of an affect on Ellington’s overall fantasy stock.  It does mean he’ll be sharing time with Stepfan Taylor instead of Dwyer, but he’ll end up giving up about the same amount of work.  This week against a tough 49ers run defense, Ellington is a mid-range RB2.  He has the playmaking ability to make him matchup-proof, but Arizona may try to take it easy with their still-ailing  feature back on the week before a bye.  The flip side of that argument is that it’ll looking less likely that Carson Palmer will start meaning the Cardinals will need another productive week from Ellington to compete with their division rivals from by the bay.. Arizona Cardinals. Week 3 vs 49ers. Andre Ellington. 17. player

player. 31. Jennings continues to be a three-down feature back for the Giants and totaled over 100 all-purpose yards in week two against the Cardinals.  This week, the Texans present a tough challenge for Jennings, but he will get enough touchdes that he’ll still have value as a RB2.. New York Giants. Week 3 vs Texans. Rashad Jennings. 18

30. It was clear that the Ravens want Pierce to be their primary ball carrier in the wake of the departure of Ray Rice.  Pierce is a great flex play and a marginal RB2 this week as the Ravens take on the Browns who have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to opposing RB’s in the first two weeks of the season.  In this AFC North clash, I expect a low-scoring grinder of a game meaning a heavy workload for Pierce which should bring him a solid week of work.. Baltimore Ravens. Week 3 @ Browns. Bernard Pierce. 19. player

Reggie Bush. 20. player. 50. Bush has only totaled seven points in standard scoring leagues this season, but will look to make plays as the Lions come back to Ford Field to take on the Packers.  It has all the makings of an NFC North shootout, so Bush should be able to rip off a nice gain or two and hopefully can find the end zone for his fantasy owners sake.. Detroit Lions. Week 3 vs Packers

Week 3 vs Raiders. Stevan Ridley. 21. player. 47. Last week, Ridley was the definite leader in the Patriots backfield and is lined up for another good week if things play out as expected.  The Pats host the Raiders in their home opener in a game they are expected to play with the lead for most of the game.  The Raiders have yet to show they can stop anyone on the ground, and if New England commits to establishing the run early with Ridley look for a big game from the former LSU Tiger.  There is always the risk of a fumble sending Ridley to the doghouse or Bill Belichick changing the gameplan and leaving Ridley out, but I think he makes a great flex play this week and can even make a sneaky RB2 start if you need a non-traditional option. . New England Patriots

Gore continues to churn right along and distanced himself from backup Carlos Hyde a bit last week meaning he should continue to get plenty of work as the lead back in the ‘Niners rush-heavy attack.  It isn’t a good matchup for Gore against a tough Cardinals front-7 which is why he’s lower on this list, but he’s still worth a play at a flex spot based on his continuing heavy workload.. San Francisco 49ers. Week 3 @ Cardinals. Frank Gore. 22. player. 42

player. 53. Despite his timeshare situation with Isaiah Crowell, West is a fringe RB2 that makes a nice flex play in week 3 as the Browns host the Ravens.  This should be a knockdown, drag out AFC North slugfest meaning West will get lots of work as the Browns try to control the clock.  He found the end zone for the first time last week while turning in 79 total yards on 19 carries and two catches.  Ben Tate’s impending return may cap his long-term upside, but he’s still a top-25 option to start this week.. Cleveland Browns. Week 3 vs Ravens. Terrance West. 23

46. The Jaguars have allowed the second-most fantasy points in the league to opposing RB making both Bradshaw and teammate Trent Richardson strong plays in this divisional tilt in Jacksonville.  The Colts want to be a power-running team, and as they look to get their first win of the season expect heavy workloads for both backs on Sunday.  On Monday Night Football, both looked good, but Bradshaw seems to have more to offer in the passing game and more consistent numbers now that he’s earned an even timeshare with the erratic Richardson.  Bradshaw is a nice flex play in week 3 against the Jags. . Indianapolis Colts. Week 3 @ Jaguars. Ahmad Bradshaw. 24. player

player. 59. Another of the running back injuries that has immediate fantasy impact was the arm injury that will sideline Knowshon Moreno and leave Miller as the starter in Miami. The Chiefs have struggled agains the run in each of the first two weeks, so look for Miller to step in as the primary back in the Dolphins offense which is effective enough at home to make him a solid flex or RB3 consideration in a favorable matchup this week.. Miami Dolphins. Week 3 vs Chiefs. Lamar Miller. 25