Fantasy Football: Top 10 from the week 3 waiver wire

Dion Lewis-RB-New England Patriots (40.4%)

Rex Ryan may not know who Dion Lewis is, but fantasy owners definitely know his name after a pair of big games to open the season. Lewis beat out the competition in training camp for the third-down role and has started the season with a pair of big games. Trusting a Patriots running back is a risky thing, but Dion Lewis continues to produce for New England and is a big part of their strategy especially in the passing game.

In week 1, Lewis had 69 yards rushing and 51 yards receiving against the Steelers, and he followed that up with an even bigger game against the Bills in week 2.  He scored his third career touchdown in Buffalo while running for 40 yards and adding 98 yards on six more catches. Even with LeGarrette Blount active after a one game suspension and Travaris Cadet back after an injury, Lewis played 73 of the Pats’ 86 offensive snaps.

Bill Belichick is known in fantasy football circles for changing things up just when owners least expect it, so don’t be surprised if Blount is the main back this week if the gameplan calls for it.  Belichick tends to rotate his backs based on the style of play that will be effective in any given matchup.

As the Patriots face Jacksonville this week, I do expect Lewis’s work load to drop a bit, but he’ll still be very involved in the passing game at least.  He can be started as a flex play in most formats this week and especially in PPR leagues where his receiving skills pay extra dividends.

Next: David Johnson-Arizona Cardinals