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2021 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs for Week 3

Austin Ekeler could excel this week.

Dallas Cowboys v Los Angeles Chargers Photo by Harry How/Getty Images

About 240 years ago this week, Benedict Arnold turned on the US during the American Revolution, handing over West Point to the British. In much in the same way, I feel betrayed by Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who I am a big supporter of to have a breakout year. He finished last week with just a couple of points, gaining 43 yards rushing and 29 reception yards—much of which was offset by a lost fumble. It seemed like every Kansas City player except CEH got in on some scoring.

Notes for Week 3

  • LAC vs. KC has the opportunity to be a pass-fest, OR it could involve a lot of running vs. two teams that have allowed some serious rushing yards
  • Injuries to Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Darrell Henderson have their stock trending down
  • My gut feeling tells me Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Dallas all go run-heavy
  • We should continue to see plenty of tandem work with Ty’Son Williams/Latavius Murray, Damien Harris/James White, Javonte Williams/Melvin Gordon III

Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings Week 3

Rank Player Team Opponent Notes
Rank Player Team Opponent Notes
1 Christian McCaffrey Car @ Hou McCaffrey proved me wrong last week
2 Dalvin Cook Min vs Sea favorable run matchup
3 Derrick Henry Ten vs Ind What a week he had in week 2
4 Alvin Kamara NO @ NE Kamar got nowhere last week against Carolina
5 Austin Ekeler LAC @ KC favorable run matchup
6 Aaron Jones GB @ SF Performance on Monday night was something
7 Najee Harris Pit vs Cin Still using him heavily in Pittsburgh
8 Nick Chubb Cle vs Chi Can he keep the TD streak going?
9 Saquon Barkley NYG vs Atl Still doesn't seem 100% healthy
10 Ezekiel Elliott Dal vs Phi Dallas vs. Philly is always a fun matchup
11 Jonathan Taylor Ind @ Ten Look to see how much they use him if Wentz is out
12 Miles Sanders Phi @ Dal Hopefully he can get a TD
15 D'Andre Swift Det vs Bal Rough matchup
13 Chris Carson Sea @ Min Been fairly reliable on either yardage or TDs thus far
14 Joe Mixon Cin @ Pit He will get tons of chances against an injured Pittsburgh defense
16 Kenyan Drake LV vs Mia How does his work load look as Jacobs works to get healthy
17 Myles Gaskin Mia @ LV He's getting the carries but Miami isn't running much
18 Antonio Gibson Was @ Buf Tough matchup
20 Mike Davis Atl @ NYG Atlanta used him a lot less in week 2
21 Clyde Edwards-Helaire KC vs LAC favorable run matchup
22 Chase Edmonds Ari @ Jax He's getting a fair number of reception targets
23 Darrell Henderson Jr. LAR vs TB Rough matchup
24 Eli Mitchell SF vs GB favorable run matchup
19 David Montgomery Chi @ Cle Chicago doesn't seem shy about giving him carries
25 Leonard Fournette TB @ LAR Leonard is prevailing as 1a so far
26 James Robinson Jax vs Ari Jacksonville continues to trail games
27 James Conner Ari @ Jax Getting carries but Chase is out snapping him
28 Nyheim Hines Ind @ Ten Handcuff
29 Damien Harris NE vs NO Rough matchup
30 James White NE vs NO Rough matchup
31 Javonte Williams Den vs NYJ Denver fantasy players are getting tricky to predict
32 Ty'Son Williams Bal @ Det There is a rotation but he's getting the most of it
33 Melvin Gordon III Den vs NYJ YPC went way down in week 2
34 Devin Singletary Buf vs Was The line really opened up for him on the 46 yard TD
35 Kareem Hunt Cle vs Chi Handcuff
36 Josh Jacobs LV vs Mia Injury uncertainty (foot/ankle)
37 Jamaal Williams Det vs Bal Handcuff
38 Mark Ingram II Hou vs Car Will he hit the same wall Kamara did vs Carolina?
39 Cordarrelle Patterson Atl @ NYG Atlanta is moving slightly towards Patterson
40 Tony Pollard Dal vs Phi Handcuff
41 Sony Michel LAR vs TB Handcuff
42 Michael Carter NYJ @ Den Has yet to exceed 60 yards rushing
43 Ronald Jones II TB @ LAR Leonard seems to be getting the majority here
44 David Johnson Hou vs Car Will he hit the same wall Kamara did vs Carolina?
45 Latavius Murray Bal @ Det Goal line dependent
46 J.D. McKissic Was @ Buf Handcuff
47 Kenneth Gainwell Phi @ Dal Handcuff
48 Zack Moss Buf vs Was Handcuff
49 AJ Dillon GB @ SF Handcuff
50 Giovani Bernard TB @ LAR Handcuff