Monday, December 23, 2024

Fantasy Football

Belly Up Fantasy Power Rankings – Week 3

The NFL has been wild, to say the least, through (almost) three weeks. Some booms, some busts. Here are the Belly Up Fantasy Power Rankings after three games, and moving forward in this already injury-riddled campaign. Hopefully, you have a handful of these guys on your rosters! Here are my positional Power Rankings, presented by Belly Up Fantasy!

Quarterbacks

Mahomes faces off with Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Monday Night Football.

1. Russell Wilson

DangeRuss has been on a terror to start 2020, compiling 14 passing TDs through 3 games. He has thrown at least four TDs and had a QB rating of 130+ in each game thus far. With the Seahawks secondary playing this poorly, Russell will be throwing a lot as the season progresses.

2. Josh Allen

The Bills QB is red-hot, averaging over 40 fantasy points per game after Week 3! Accuracy has always held Allen back, he’s now completing over 70 percent of his passes and has accounted for 12 total touchdowns. Stefon Diggs is exactly what this Bills offense was missing and the improvement in Josh Allen’s game shows the type of impact Diggs can make on an offense.

3. Kyler Murray

Kyler has found solace in all-world WR DeAndre Hopkins. The Cardinals are averaging over 27 points per game with Murray at the helm, although he had a rough afternoon passing against the Lions. The difference-maker with Murray is his 26 carries for 187 yards and 4 TDs through his first three games.

4. Patrick Mahomes

If you’re a Patrick Mahomes owner you don’t lose any sleep over your QB situation in fantasy. The Chiefs best football is yet to come, that passing attack will be taking flight any week now. Mahomes has just over 500 yards passing and 5 TDs through two games. The Chiefs visit the Baltimore Ravens tonight on Monday Night Football.

5. Lamar Jackson

The Ravens have outscored their two opponents by a combined score of 71-22. Lamar’s completion percentage is through the roof at a staggering 77.6 percent and has not thrown a pick leading into a Monday Night matchup with the Chiefs. Not bad for a running back. Yes, His rushing stats have underwhelmed thus far, but Jackson also hasn’t had to push for a win. Rest assured, Lamar is cemented as a top-five fantasy quarterback for the remainder of 2020.

Belly Up Fantasy Power Rankings – Running Backs

Packers RB Aaron Jones

1. Alvin Kamara

Saints RB Alvin Kamara is far and away the RB1 through the first three games, averaging a whopping 36.6 ppg in PPR scoring. He has been targeted 31 times, trailing only Keenan Allen and DeAndre Hopkins(37), Amari Cooper and Calvin Ridley(35), tallying 26 receptions for 285 yards and 3 TDs. This level of receiving production is sure to come back to Earth with WR Michael Thomas’ return to the field. However, while Kamara is healthy, he is a true weapon in New Orleans, and they will continue to feature him!

2. Aaron Jones

Free Aaron Jones! The Packers are finally utilizing Jones as a true workhorse. He has had 16 or more carries and four or more targets in each game this season. He exploded for 236 total yards and 3 total TDs vs the Chicago Bears In Week 2, showing he is matchup proof and can go off at any time! Jones’ production should not waiver this season, as there is no one dipping into his workload. The UTEP product has another juicy fantasy matchup Week 4 with the Falcons coming to town on Monday Night Football.

3. Dalvin Cook

Dalvin Cook is off to a fast start in 2020. The former Seminole is third in the league in rushing yards and tied for the league lead with four rushing TDs. The Minnesota Vikings offense is predicated on Dalvin having success and opening up passing opportunities. What you see is what you get with the Vikings RB. When he’s healthy, he is elite running the ball.

4. Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys RB is currently the third-highest scoring RB in PPR formats and is being targeted in the passing game as much as ever. Zeke is also on pace for just under 300 carries and 80 receptions, which would be a career-high. If the Cowboys’ upcoming schedule is any indication, Elliott is in for a monster stretch before Dallas has their bye in Week 10.

5. Derrick Henry

The NFL’s premier workhorse RB is leading the league in carries by nearly 5 carries per game! Having no fewer than 25 attempts in a game thus far, Henry is on pace for 437 carries. This would shatter Larry Johnson’s 2006 record-setting 416 totes. 400 carries has also only been done 5 times in NFL history. That workload is concerning for Henry’s long term health, but for fantasy owners who invested in the Titans RB early in 2020, this is exactly what you rostered him for!

Wide Receivers

Belly Up Fantasy Power Rankings
DeAndre Hopkins is the highest paid, and the highest targeted WR in the game through Week 3.

1. DeAndre Hopkins

DeAndre Hopkins is out-pacing Michael Thomas’ record-setting 2019 campaign in both targets and receptions. Thomas tallied 25 receptions on 34 targets through 3 games, DeAndre has 32 receptions on a whopping 37 targets from Kyler Murray. Hopkins is a strong candidate to be WR1 in 2020.

2. Calvin Ridley

Ridley was a prime breakout candidate for 2020 at the WR position. His fast start has given fantasy owners a glimpse at the talent Calvin possesses. He’s received 35 targets, catching 21 for 349 yards and 4 TDs, and has had over 100 yards receiving in each of the team’s first three games in 2020. He’s locked in as a WR1, especially with Julio battling an injury.

3. Davante Adams

Adams had a 17 target outing Week 1 at Minnesota that resulted in 14 receptions for 156 yards and 2 TDs. Week 2 we saw Davante get rolled up on while blocking downfield resulting in a hamstring injury and a missed Week 3 matchup in New Orleans. He was a true game-time decision today, expect him back for the Pack and your starting lineups for Week 4.

4. Stefon Diggs

Stefon Diggs joining the Buffalo Bills was one of the biggest questions leading into 2020. How would the former Viking WR fit with the Bills, and would he be fantasy relevant? Well, he fits, and the Bills offense is moving the ball at will. Diggs will continue to be a focal point of Josh Allen’s targets and should be a staple of your starting lineups.

5. Tyler Lockett

Lockett continues to be a hidden gem for fantasy owners who buy into his services. He has quietly logged three games with 7+ receptions and had a 9 reception 109 yard 3 TD outing against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. He will continue to outperform his ADP as long as Russell Wilson is healthy.

Belly Up Fantasy Power Rankings – Tight Ends

Belly Up Fantasy Power Rankings
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is all alone in Tier 1 with George Kittle missing action with a knee injury.

1. Travis Kelce

This one is easy. Kelce has been the bonafide TE1 in fantasy for quite some time. With injuries to other top guys at the position, this won’t be changing any time soon. Kelce is matchup proof, if he’s active, you’re starting him.

2. Darren Waller

Darren Waller was the second most targeted pass catcher in the NFL after two games. Don’t panic, this happens when you play the Patriots, I even suggested you sit him last week. Crazy, I know! The Raiders will continue to feature him in the passing game, especially with Henry Ruggs battling injuries. Don’t lose confidence in your big dog TE.

3. Jonnu Smith

Jonnu is currently the number 1 TE in PPR formats, Kelce and Andrews are yet to play their Week 3 games, however. If you drafted Jonnu, you’re getting a great return on your investment. He has three receiving TDs in three games and Tannehill is looking for him early and often. Jonnu is an every-week starter in your TE slot.

4. Noah Fant

Broncos TE Noah Fant was widely regarded as a breakout candidate for 2020, and he looks the part this far in 2020. The injury to teammate Courtland Sutton should result in Fant being the top receiving option for the Denver offense week in and week out. Keep Fant in your lineup, he will continue to produce at a TE1 level.

5. Mark Andrews

Mark Andrews blasted onto the scene while not even leading the Ravens TEs in snaps played in 2019! He is the man now in Baltimore with Hayden Hurst now with Atlanta. Two TDs in Week 1 followed up by a one reception outing at Houston may cause some concern, but the Ravens haven’t been pushed yet this season. I expect Andrews to ball-out when the opportunity arises, and you’ll be thankful you had him locked in when he gets back on track! Tonight vs the Chiefs maybe??

Thanks for reading! ou can follow me on Twitter @bwhitt24, and my dudes Chris Pinto @aggiekappasig, Ryan Hicks @realryanhicks, and Tom Blaszkow @BellyUpTom. We have a lot to offer your fantasy teams throughout the week! Check us out each Wednesday evening at 7:30 pm CST breaking down the upcoming week’s matchups. As always, you can find all of our work @bellyupfantasy!