10 RB sleepers to target for fantasy football Week 3
By Nick Villano
3. Mike Davis, Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have not had a good start to the season, but for about 80 percent of last week’s game, they didn’t look terrible against the defending Super Bowl Champions. Matt Ryan threw them out of the game at the very end, but it’s closer than the final score indicates. Davis is also doing better than his stats indicate. He has 13 targets to start the season, so if the Falcons offense can get going a little more, Davis might turn into a really good option.
Davis was someone who frustrated fantasy owners last year with Christian McCaffrey out. He would have a 20 point week followed by six points the next week. This season, he’s the bell cow. The Washington Football Team has allowed rushing touchdowns in each of the first two weeks. The Falcons are so desperate for points that it should come from Davis this week.
2. Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles
This one is a little weird since Kenneth Gainwell is technically the backup to Miles Sanders, but he’s proven so far this season that the Eagles can handle a two-running back offense. Philadelphia had a rough week last week, but Gainwell at least had some decent showings. The 49ers defense just swallowed the Eagles up, and that’s unlikely to happen twice.
The Eagles are going to be creative in their matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Think two running back sets, Gainwell lining up as a receiver, running back passes, and everything but the kitchen sink heading against the Cowboys’ defense. The Cowboys have been good against the run so far, but that had a lot to do with the Bucs just abandoning Ronald Jones in Week 1. Gainwell and Sanders could have decent weeks in the backfield.
1. Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams
Darnell Henderson is dealing with an injury this week. Sony Michel is barely holding on to any value, but it’s this situation right now why the Rams traded for him at all. Michel comes into the matchup as the starter if Henderson can’t go. They are in a superstar matchup with the Bucs, and this could mean points on points on points.
The Rams and Bucs are expected to go toe to toe through the air, but Sean McVay could try to change the pace by hitting Tom Brady’s former running back early and often. Henderson isn’t playing much at all during practice, and even if he suits up on Sunday, both could have value.