Week 3 winners and losers: Gibbs and JSN stay hot; St. Brown and Taylor go quiet

Week 3 of the 2026 fantasy soccer season featured enormous video games by Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs. On the flip facet, fantasy stars Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jonathan Taylor and Chase Brown had disappointing video games.

Who have been the large winners and losers across the league through the third week of the fantasy soccer season?

Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft supply their evaluation.

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Ranking winners | Ranking losers
Biggest injuries and what’s next

Ranking fantasy winners of Week 3

He’s certain proving worthy of that No. 1 general choose. He has scored at the least 23 fantasy factors in all three video games, posted 75% snap and 78% dashing shares, and he has totaled an simply position-best 98.3 factors for the season. That latter quantity ranks fifteenth in historical past by means of three group video games of any season. Isiah Pacheco‘s again and MCL accidents have locked Gibbs in as a three-down dynamo, and the chances are good that he’ll preserve his positional lead in fantasy factors all through 2026. — Cockcroft

It’s unbelievable to suppose that Smith-Njigba is off to the stellar begin that he’s regardless of Darnold having missed practically all the first two weeks as a consequence of harm and the group’s operating recreation having been solely so-so up to now. Smith-Njigba scored 35.36 fantasy factors, giving him 104.06 by means of three video games, the fourth most ever by means of that many by any participant. Meanwhile, Darnold threw a pair of interceptions in his return to the lineup, however he did not appear in any respect slowed by the glute harm, ending with 27.66 factors of his personal. Smith-Njigba’s elite play ought to deliver Darnold’s fantasy utility up, and the 2 have a superb matchup in opposition to the struggling Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4 earlier than hitting a harder stretch of the 2026 schedule (SF, @DEN, KC in Weeks 5-7). — Cockcroft

In the Week 3 loss to the Steelers, Burrow notched his finest numbers of the season, finishing 75.7% of his throws for 282 yards and three touchdowns, plus he rushed for 13 yards (22.58 factors). Chase caught 9 of a team-high 12 targets for 98 yards and a rating (24.8 factors). That provides Chase two straight video games of 24 or extra factors after that tough opening week. Chase will stay a top-three play at vast receiver for Week 4, whereas Burrow — who has thrown for at the least two touchdowns in back-to-back video games — can be a lower-tier QB1 in my ranks. — Bowen

In a constructive matchup versus the Detroit secondary, Smith scored a season-best 26.04 factors, throwing for 321 yards and 4 touchdowns. Wilson caught 10 of a team-high 13 targets, ending with 107 yards and a landing (26.7 factors), plus Sadiq posted his first breakout recreation, bringing in seven of eight targets for 105 yards and a rating (23.5 factors). Smith has streaming upside versus the Bears’ protection in Week 4 whereas Wilson needs to be performed as a WR1, and Sadiq (accessible in over 65% of ESPN leagues) is a must-add this week, although we nonetheless see him as a deeper-league starter for now. — Bowen

Warren took on a quantity function within the win over the Bengals with Rico Dowdle out with a toe harm. Warren, who scored a season-high 20.6 factors, rushed for 127 yards on 17 carries, including three receptions for 49 yards. If Dowdle has to take a seat once more in Week 4 versus Cleveland, Warren might be performed as a midtier RB2 in a Pittsburgh offense that lastly discovered some juice Sunday. — Bowen

In what regarded like a tricky Week 3 matchup versus the Seattle protection, Mariota scored 20.42 factors within the upset win, throwing for 3 183 yards and three touchdowns. McLaurin caught six of a team-high 9 targets, ending with 77 yards and a landing (19.7 factors). With the sort of quantity and clear on-the-field chemistry with Mariota, McLaurin matches as a WR2/Flex for subsequent week’s matchup versus the Colts. As for Mariota, he might be began as a QB2 in superflex codecs. — Bowen

Purdy scored a season-best 31.28 factors versus the Cardinals, throwing for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns whereas including 34 yards dashing. He has posted at the least 21 factors in all three video games this season. Kittle, who had two touchdowns, caught six of seven targets for 82 yards, ending with a season-high 26.2 factors. And Kittle’s utilization might improve extra if Mike Evans (ribs) misses time. With a tricky Week 4 matchup looming versus the Broncos, Purdy can be in my mid-to-lower tier QB1 ranks, however it’s onerous to seek out many quarterbacks taking part in at his degree proper now. — Bowen

After lacking the primary couple of weeks with a knee harm, Bowers dropped 27.6 factors on the Saints protection in his first recreation again. Bowers caught 10 of a team-high 13 targets for 116 yards and a landing. And as we noticed in Klint Kubiak‘s offense, Bowers goes to flex from the formation at a particularly excessive fee. You can lock in Bowers as a top-tier tight finish. — Bowen

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Why Brock Bowers was definitely worth the anticipate fantasy managers

Forgive him the 2 powerful losses in three weeks, however he has been excellent working in Kellen Moore’s offense up to now. Shough has exceeded 22 fantasy factors in all three video games, totaling 69.38, third finest amongst quarterbacks. He is making good use of his receivers and exhibiting robust mobility. He has arrived as a matchup-dependent fantasy QB1, and the Atlanta Falcons, in Week 4, characterize one other favorable one. — Cockcroft

The fantasy-friendly recreation script — the Cardinals trailed for all however eight minutes, 40 seconds — fueled a second-half cost by Brissett and his No. 2 goal, Wilson (Trey McBride is the de facto No. 1). Brissett completed with 25.60 fantasy factors, Wilson 25.9, with the latter’s 17 targets a welcome signal. The two are unlikely to wish to play as a lot catch-up in Week 4 in opposition to the New York Giants, however Brissett needs to be a high-end superflex and Wilson a WR3/flex however. — Cockcroft

After comparatively quiet Weeks 1 and 2, Fannin lastly captured the vast majority of Deshaun Watson‘s consideration Sunday. Fannin’s seven receptions matched his prior two-week whole, he had 9 of the group’s 30 targets and scored 24.1 fantasy factors, practically matching his private better of 25.4. With a pair of rookie up-and-comers in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion on the roster, Fannin’s manufacturing can be extra hit-and-miss this yr than final, however he is able to serving as a back-end fantasy TE1. — Cockcroft

Ranking fantasy losers of Week 3

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions

After two straight video games of 28 or extra factors to open the season, St. Brown completed with 11.9 in Sunday’s win over the Jets. Concern right here? Nope. Though St. Brown totaled solely 19 yards receiving on 4 catches, he discovered the tip zone for the third straight recreation and his eight targets have been tied for a group excessive. He did not have the large performs on this one, however he stays one of the vital constant WR1s in fantasy due to his utilization and route deployment within the Lions’ explosive offense. St. Brown will look to bounce again in Week 4 in a highway matchup versus the Panthers. — Bowen

Taylor scored 9.2 factors in a tricky matchup versus the Houston protection. Yes, Taylor noticed heavy utilization within the run recreation (23 carries) however he managed simply 3.0 YPC and he did not make a lot of an impression as a receiver, catching two passes for 4 yards. Remember, Taylor had at the least 25 factors in every of his first two video games and he has seen 20 or extra touches in all three. He is the muse of the Colts’ offense. Taylor will look to get again on observe in Week 4 versus the Commanders. — Bowen

3. Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Brown had season lows in carries (13), receptions (two) and factors (8.9) in Sunday’s loss to Pittsburgh. Plus, Brown has failed to attain a landing in two straight video games. With the Jaguars’ protection on faucet in Week 4, Brown needs to be performed as a midtier RB2. — Bowen

The ball-security questions that surrounded him popping out of Notre Dame — he dedicated three fumbles and misplaced two in 12 video games there in 2025 — have resurfaced, as Price misplaced a fumble for the second consecutive week. This week’s gaffe early within the first quarter resulted in his getting solely two dashing makes an attempt the rest of the sport, and Price performed solely 27% of the offensive snaps for the day. Fortunately for the rookie, neither Emanuel Wilson (1.4 fantasy factors) nor George Holani (10.8, totally on receiving performs) established himself as a transparent go-to again in Price’s absence. That stated, the Seahawks’ willingness to combine and match out of the backfield, in addition to Zach Charbonnet‘s accelerating restoration from ACL surgical procedure, solid doubts upon Price’s full-season fantasy worth. — Cockcroft

For the third consecutive week, Maye was intercepted and held to fewer than 10 fantasy factors, and his 3.76 on Sunday are the fewest he has scored in any non-Week 18 begin in his profession. Maye’s dashing capacity retains him from being a flat-out minimize in fantasy leagues, however he is struggling mightily to succeed as a passer with A.J. Brown absent. And with a brutal schedule — one which has him touring to Buffalo subsequent week — Maye is not even a viable starter in a typical league in the meanwhile. — Cockcroft

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Can fantasy managers nonetheless belief Drake Maye?

He’s struggling terribly with Jaxson Dart out for the season. Nabers scored solely 7.6 fantasy factors and, coupled together with his 1.1-point Week 2 stinker, has turned in two of his 4 worst profession scores up to now two weeks whereas working with new quarterback Jameis Winston. In these video games, Nabers has been focused at the least 10 yards downfield solely thrice whole, with one catch for 13 yards and an interception to indicate for it. He may need issue delivering even fantasy WR2 worth with no quarterback improve, which is one thing the Giants are reportedly contemplating. — Cockcroft

Is his grip on the first operating again function not ironclad? Hampton barely edged Keaton Mitchell in snap share (42%-36%) and whole touches (15-11), and Mitchell was the one of many two with higher underlying metrics. Mitchell’s big-play capacity retains him a related think about any backfield so long as he stays wholesome, and with the Chargers off to a sluggish begin, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel appears to be going with a extra rotational strategy. Hampton stays a fantasy RB2, however Mitchell (accessible in 84.4% of ESPN leagues) needs to be a precedence pickup. — Cockcroft

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Why Omarion Hampton was so disappointing in fantasy in Week 3

After scoring 28.9 factors again in Week 1, Montgomery’s worth has shortly declined, as he has didn’t submit double digit factors in back-to-back video games. In Sunday’s loss to the Colts, Montgomery managed 33 yards dashing on 11 carries and he caught two passes for 15 yards (6.8 factors). He wants constant quantity and purple zone alternatives, and we aren’t seeing that proper now in a Houston offense that’s missing tempo and effectivity with vast receiver Nico Collins out. For the Week 4 recreation versus Dallas, I see Montgomery as a touchdown-dependent Flex. — Bowen

In the Week 3 loss to the Vikings, Irving had a season-low 7.8 factors, ending with 46 yards dashing on 15 carries, plus he caught two passes for 12 yards. I’d put this extra on the matchup, as this Vikings defenses creates chaos with strain and can overwhelm offensive fronts with their a number of seems, late motion and stunting. Hard to seek out daylight to run the ball versus Brian Flores’ unit. Irving will look to rebound in Week 4 in opposition to the Packers. — Bowen

His 3.7 fantasy factors in Week 3 are the second fewest he has scored in his first 20 profession video games (1.5, Week 17 of 2025), and credit score the opposing Cleveland Browns — they’re 2-1! — for specializing in him of their defensive recreation plan. CB Denzel Ward matched up with McMillan on 26 of his 47 routes and surrendered solely two targets and one 12-yard catch to him. The concern is that future opponents would possibly see this and replicate the technique, however McMillan stays a essential a part of the Panthers’ offense and loads able to fantasy WR2 numbers most weeks, together with Week 4 in opposition to the Detroit Lions. — Cockcroft

Injury impression

Mike Evans, WR, San Francisco 49ers

What we all know: Evans suffered a rib harm within the second quarter versus the Cardinals, and he was declared out for the sport. Before exiting, Evans caught three of six targets for 43 yards and a landing (12.4 factors).

What’s subsequent: If Evans misses time, managers ought to bump up each George Kittle and Deebo Samuel as precedence targets within the route tree. Plus, the receiving utilization for operating again Christian McCaffrey (flexed from the formation) might improve, which might open the door for rookie operating again Kaelon Black to see extra carries. — Bowen

Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings

What we all know: Jefferson suffered an ankle harm within the second quarter and was unable to return, dominated out early within the third quarter.

What’s subsequent: In Jefferson’s absence, Jordan Addison dominated the Vikings’ receiving work, simply pacing the group in routes run (32), targets (9) and fantasy factors (20.0). Ankle accidents can linger, and Addison needs to be added in any of the roughly 30% of ESPN leagues by which he is accessible. Jauan Jennings and Tai Felton will even transfer up on the depth chart if Jefferson misses extra time. — Cockcroft

De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins

What we all know: Achane left with a knee harm within the first half versus Kansas City. He was downgraded to questionable and later dominated out of the sport.

What’s subsequent: With Achane probably dealing with a critical harm, managers can pivot to Ollie Gordon II as a possible alternative. Gordon, who is out there in over 98% of ESPN leagues, completed with 55 whole yards and a landing on 20 touches (14.5 factors) in reduction. — Bowen

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

What we all know: Mayfield went down late with a thumb harm within the loss to the Vikings. He is scheduled to endure MRI testing Monday.

What’s subsequent: If Mayfield is out for the Week 4 recreation at Green Bay, undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels (Kansas) can be in line to get the beginning. We would count on a run-heavy recreation script, that includes designed carries for Daniels and extra play-action throws, which might restrict the worth of Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin Jr. — Bowen

Jalen Coker, WR, Carolina Panthers

What we all know: Coker left with a quad harm within the second half in Cleveland and didn’t return. Before exiting, Coker caught two of 4 targets for 14 yards (3.8 factors).

What’s subsequent: While we monitor the standing of Coker this week, managers can put Panthers’ vast receiver Brycen Tremayne on the radar. With Coker out, Tremayne noticed a leap in snaps, catching 4 of six targets (second most) for 83 yards versus the Browns. — Bowen

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets

What we all know: Hall left early within the fourth quarter with a thigh harm and was unable to return. Per the New York Post’s Brian Costello, Hall stated he “felt something” whereas operating.

What’s subsequent: Should Hall’s harm value him extra time, Braelon Allen will soar to or close to the highest of Week 4 waiver precedence lists because the possible fill-in at operating again. Allen has totaled 17.2 fantasy factors in restricted motion up to now. — Cockcroft