If there has been one theme to sum up the start of the 2024 season, it is how unpredictable the NFL truly is. We saw big upset wins from the Panthers, Vikings, and Broncos this week. We saw Jauan Jennings burst onto the scene with his monster performance. We also saw more injuries to superstars including Sam LaPorta, Justin Herbert, and DeVonta Smith. Let’s take a look at the biggest winners and losers in fantasy football after week 3.
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Winners
Malik Nabers WR (NYG)
Nabers has quickly established himself as a top receiver in the NFL for his performances in the last 2 weeks. In the last two games, Nabers has 18 catches for 205 yards and 3 touchdowns on 30 targets. The chemistry between him and Daniel Jones appears to be improving each week. Nabers is working himself into that WR1 category with his performances over the last two weeks.
Dallas Goedert TE (PHI)
Goedert had a monster game with star WR A.J. Brown out this week against a tough Saints defense. Goedert had 10 catches for 170 yards and his 50-yard reception on 3rd down set up the game-winning touchdown. With A.J. Brown out, Goedert is a guy you have to leave in your lineup for these potential monster performances
Aaron Jones RB (MIN)
Since coming over from Green Bay, Jones has been incredibly effective through 3 weeks. Against a stout Texans front seven he had 19 carries for 102 yards while adding 5 catches for 46 yards and a touchdown receiving. The Vikings offense has showed no signs of slowing down and Jones is locked in as a high-end RB2 in PPR leagues going forward.
Amari Cooper WR (CLE)
Cooper made his way onto the panic meter and responded in a big way. On Sunday he had 7 catches for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 targets. Despite his struggles, Deshaun Watson continues to feed him the ball and it paid off in a big way resulting in some highlight reel plays from Cooper. His 29 targets are among the top wide receivers in the NFL, if him and Deshaun Watson connect at a higher rate he is in for more big weeks.
Jauan Jennings WR (SF)
A hot waiver pick up this week, we predicted Jennings would get some targets this week with the injuries to Deebo Samuel and George Kittle. No one expected him to do what he did on Sunday going for 11 catches 175 yards and 3 touchdowns in the loss. Jennings chemistry with Brock Purdy looked good and could be a consistent WR option in fantasy leagues until Samuel and Kittle comeback.
Kyren Williams RB (LAR)
With Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua out, teams were going to stack the box to stop Williams. Williams response to the challenge was a 3-touchdown performance that resulted in over 100 total yards. Expect the Rams to keep leaning on him until they get healthier at the WR position.
Saquon Barkley RB (PHI)
Barkley might have an argument for being the most valuable player in fantasy football right now. Yesterday he added another 147 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns to his season total against a solid Saints defense. Behind an elite offensive line, it seems like the only thing that can slow down Barkley this season is an injury. If he continues to stay healthy, he has a real chance at finishing as the top fantasy player in 2024.
Rashee Rice WR (KC)
Rice once again had a big week for the Chiefs establishing himself as one of the game’s best wide receivers. He had 12 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown on 14 targets resulting in another WR1 finish. Rice is currently the 3rd highest graded receiver in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus with an 85.6 grade. If you weren’t convinced already, Rice is a top 5 fantasy receiver the rest of the season.
Derrick Henry RB (BAL)
Henry looked explosive in the Ravens first win of the season, finishing with 174 yards on 26 touches and adding 2 touchdowns. We finally got to see Henry in a positive game script with the Ravens and it was fun to watch. The rushing duo between Henry and Lamar Jackson combined for over 200 yards on the ground against a solid Cowboys defense.
Losers
D’Andre Swift RB (CHI)
Swift is looking like one of the worst free agent acquisitions this offseason with his poor start to the 2024 season. The Bears offense is one dimensional right now due to Swift having 37 carries for 68 yards on the season resulting in 1.84 yards per carry. No one should have Swift in their starting lineups going forward and you should trade him for whatever you can get as soon as possible.
Zamir White RB (LV)
Zamir White, like Swift, was in a make-or-break week in fantasy football. White has not been as bad as Swift but on the year now has 32 carries for 102 yards while averaging 3.19 yards per carry. Against a bad Panthers run defense he only managed 34 yards. He needs to be on your bench going forward and you should look to trade him for whatever you can get.
Rachaad White RB (TB)
White is the 2nd best running back in Tampa Bay. This week Bucky Irving had 9 carries for 70 yards while White had 6 carries for 17 yards. PFF has Irving at a higher grade (63.3) than White (57.3) this season. As the season goes on White will continue to lose the 1st and 2nd down touches to make him consistent in fantasy. Another guy you should be exploring trades with.
Anthony Richardson QB (IND)
AR was a popular pick to have a breakout season after he showed signs of promise in his rookie year. So far in 2024, he has been an absolute disaster. On the season AR has 583 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions with a 49.3% completion percentage. His decision-making and poor accuracy have killed any momentum the Colts built during the game and led to other players like Michael Pittman Jr. struggling in fantasy. His rushing upside right now is not worth the inconsistencies in the passing game.
Brandon Aiyuk WR (SF)
It has been 3 weeks now, and Aiyuk’s slow start to 2024 is starting to become concerning. Even with Deebo Samuel and George Kittle out, Aiyuk only finished with 5 catches for 48 yards. On the season now he only has 11 catches for 119 yards and 0 touchdowns. His 20 targets are promising but you have to wonder if him missing all of training camp has caused him to get off to a slow start.
Mark Andrews TE (BAL)
0 catches on 1 target. Andrews might not be beating the washed allegations after showing some signs of life in week 2. As of right now, he is the 31st graded tight end in the NFL according to PFF while teammate Isaiah Likely is the 1st graded tight end. As the 2nd best tight end in a run-heavy offense, his volume is never going to be consistent. Andrews is starting to look like a bust this season.
Tyreek Hill WR (MIA)
Unlike Justin Jefferson, Hill’s fantasy output takes a major drop-off when he does not have Tua or Mahomes throwing him the ball. He finished the day with 3 catches for 40 yards on 5 targets as the Dolphins offense looked brutal in Seattle. With Tua’s timeline being uncertain, it might be time to trade Tyreek if you need to win now.
Travis Kelce TE (KC)
Kelce seems to be Mahomes 2nd favorite target with the emergence of Rashee Rice in the last two seasons. He finished the Sunday night game with 4 catches for 30 yards on 5 targets, another disappointing showing in fantasy football. It appears that Kelce is not being featured as he once was in the Chiefs offense, and he does look like he has lost a step. His dominance in fantasy football might truly be coming to an end.