Fantasy football is driven by data, and reviewing key utilization statistics from Week 3 will help us evaluate what might be ahead in the foreseeable future. Now that a few weeks are behind us, we’re able to get a better sense for any developing trends.
17
RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
Edwards-Helaire saw 15 carries come his way, good for 55 yards and a score. He also added a catch on his lone target. Isiah Pacheco still had 18 utilizations (15 attempts) and remains the primary back. CEH’s workload was amplified in this blowout win. With bye weeks nearing, he’s a viable play in matchups that project as a potential runaway for KC.
16
Carolina Panthers wide receivers
Wide receiver Adam Thielen (14 targets) posted a fantastic day with Andy Dalton in for the injured Bryce Young (ankle), and as long as that’s the case, all of Carolina’s receivers are viable fantasy options, depending on your league’s depth. DJ Chark Jr. (11), Terrace Marshall Jr. (8), and rookie Jonathan Mingo (6) all were relevant, and even RB Miles Sanders hauled in five passes on nine looks. The loser of this situation is tight end Hayden Hurst, who was targeted only three times, and his lack of a role is directly tied to Dalton being more adept at running through his progressions. This upcoming week, presuming Young once again sits, expect a similar script vs. a Minnesota defense that is utterly atrocious. He’s currently viewed as day to day.
15
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Downs has earned at least five targets in each game so far, and after posting a total of 12 in the first two games, the rookie racked up a dozen in Week 3 alone with QB Anthony Richardson (concussion) sidelined. Should the Colts turn to Gardner Minshew once again, Downs may deliver WR3 returns vs. the Los Angeles Rams following his 12.7-point PPR showing.
14
WR Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers
As long as Diontae Johnson (hamstring) remains out, which will be three more games at a minimum, the deep threat is a worthy lineup consideration. Kenny Pickett doesn’t exactly instill confidence, but the attention George Pickens is garnering, in conjunction with Austin’s speed, makes for a low-volume, high-upside gamble. Up next, the Houston Texans and Baltimore Ravens are on the slate, and Austin is capable of exploiting both secondaries if the receives anywhere close to the 21.4 percent target share he saw come his way in Week 3. He has averaged 5.5 utilizations thus far, but the second-year pro is an all-or-nothing type, so keep that in mind.
13
WR Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Remember him? Robinson made his 2023 debut this past week and drew five targets, or 15.2 percent of Daniel Jones‘ attempts as the G-Men attempted to muster some semblance of a competent offensive attack vs. the dominating San Francisco 49ers. Robinson is a stash option for those in deeper PPR formats, and no one should get too excited over anything related to this passing game. Consider it an encouraging first game back.
12
RB Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
In two of three games thus far, Zeke has been heavily involved, which should be the expectation as long as the game is close and/or New England is in control. Versus the New York Jets on Sunday, the former Dallas star rushed 16 times for 80 yards to lead the offense in the latter stat, though Rhamondre Stevenson ran 19 times (59 yards) and was targeted thrice more than Elliott’s lone look in the passing game. Matchups with Dallas and New Orleans are ahead, respectively, so resting Elliott, at least for Week 5, is the wise choice.
11
WR Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Other than Week 2, Rice has at least six utilizations and saw seven targets for a 5-59-0 line vs. the Chicago Bears on Sunday. The results have been modest in terms of fantasy production, but there’s an opportunity to be claimed in this offense, and Rice is making his case for being the top receiver behind TE Travis Kelce. The rookie paced all KC wide receivers in looks vs. the Bears and is solidifying himself in the pecking order.
10
WR Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
Another rookie, Flowers continues to be heavily involved and even led the offense in looks. In fact, his 10-target showing was one more than the next two guys combined, doubling tight end Mark Andrews‘ count. Flowers accounted for a whopping 32.3 percent of the targets and now has 29.0 percent of the team’s looks through three weeks. That kind of involvement, which doesn’t include his four rushing attempts, makes the Boston College product a WR3 play going forward.
9
WR Elijah Moore, Cleveland Browns
Moore is tied with Amari Cooper for the team lead in targets at 25 (24.5 percent), but the former New York Jets has six rushing attempts to Coop’s zero. Averaging 10 PPR points on the young year, Moore’s lofty involvement suggests we’ll see a breakthrough sooner than later. The Browns host Baltimore in Week 4 before going on bye, and the schedule is rather favorable well into the foreseeable future. Lock him in.
8
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Short and sweet: Without David Montgomery, Gibbs dominated the backfield touch tally. He more than doubled his attempts from each of the first two games, topping out at 19 utilized plays. While the results have been pedestrian, any back touching the ball that much deserves lineup inclusion. A couple of exploitable matchups are ahead, and Gibbs should remain heavily involved.
7
RB Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts
Moss has averaged 24 rushing attempts and 3.5 targets since returning from a broken arm, highlighted by Sunday’s 33-touch, 145-yard, one-TD showing (22.5 PPR). It’s his backfield to lose while Jonathan Taylor (ankle) remains out. The star rusher is capable of returning in Week 5, although it remains to be seen if that will come to fruition, and Taylor still could be traded. As long as Moss continues to produce as he has the past two games and Indy remains competitive, parting with Taylor may be more palatable for this retooling team.
6
TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
On the heels of a promising start to his NFL career — 11 total targets that resulted in 102 yards over the opening two weeks — LaPorta broke out in Week 3 vs. Atlanta with 11 looks for an 8-84-1 line. His upward trajectory cannot be ignored, and the Iowa product appears poised to buck the trend of rookie tight ends struggling to matter in fantasy leagues.
5
Philadelphia Eagles running backs
With Kenneth Gainwell absent in Week 2, D’Andre Swift introduced himself to the City of Brotherly Love to the tune of 181 offensive yards and a score on 31 utilizations. The two backs were reunited in Week 3, and once again Swift emerged as a strong weapon vs. a tough defense. The former Detroit Lion ran only 16 times but racked up 130 yards and added an eight-yard catch on his two targets. Gainwell also logged a pair of targets but managed only 43 yards on his 14 attempts. We should count on a nearly even split as the team hopes to keep Swift fresh down the stretch, but it will be difficult for the coaching staff to keep up such a division if he continues to outshine his backfield mate.
4
RB Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Did we witness Alexander stave off Cam Akers, at least for the near future, with his 27-utilization performance? It’s certainly worth considering. Prior to Week 3, it had looked like Minnesota blundered by replacing Dalvin Cook with Mattison. It yet may prove to be the case, but at least he beat back the doubters for one more week. Still without a rushing score, Mattison at least managed 4.7 yards per carry on 20 Week 3 totes and finished with 125 total yards over 25 touches. Only Indy’s Zack Moss had his number dialed more in Week 3. Akers knows the system from his time in LA with Kevin O’Connell, so the transition won’t take much time. The next three weeks should tell the tale for what to expect the rest of the way.
3
WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Meyers entered Monday night ranked 28th in targets among NFL among wideouts, and that’s after he missed Week 2. The Raiders directed a dozen passes his way against Pittsburgh, and a massive target share will continue. Davante Adams draws so much attention that Meyers sees single coverage all day long. Furthermore, the Raiders are putrid on defense, which forces extra passing. A 23.4 percent season-long target share with no one to speak of threatening his role, Meyers is poised for a career year.
2
WR Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Touchdowns scored in consecutive games have piqued the interest of gamers. Dell’s 22.1 percent target share over those games in an offense that has distributed 27 of 77 passes to Nico Collins and Robert Woods in that stretch. Dell brings gamebreaking athleticism to the table, something neither of the other guys offer, and he’s a threat to score any time the Texans put the ball in his hands. Other perks: This defense sucks, and C.J. Stroud looks like the real deal. Keep riding the hot hand!
1
Miami Dolphins running backs
Wowzers. Raheem Mostert ran 13 times and caught all seven targets in Week 3’s absolute destruction of Denver, scoring four total times. But it was rookie De’Von Achane‘s coming-out party that stole the show as he rushed 18 times for 203 yards and two TDs while adding a pair of touchdowns on his four receptions. You won’t find a backfield tandem almost evenly split 42 utilizations with such explosive results again in this lifetime, but the performance unlocked something even Miami’s coaching staff likely didn’t realize it had in Achane. Expect a near 50/50 divide going forward.
